Yesterday I was again in WalMart, this time buying metallic paints, when I saw someone I know from the horse world. We hadn't talked for a while and I asked how his horses were. He said his wife, the primary horse person, hadn't been riding much since she lost her job. This perplexed him. He said she doesn't have anyone to ride with and he isn't a horse person.
It got me thinking of perceptions. Often when two horse people meet, they ask, "Been riding much?" It can be a measure of their horse life, how much they ride. I think this is a measure that needs to be refocused.
Riding a horse is only part of the world of being a horse person. As anyone who has their horses at home knows, taking care of the horses often takes more time than riding. Feeding, grooming, mucking out stalls and pastures, making hay, fixing fences, all take up time. Even when you have your horse boarded, there is still cleaning tack, nutrition evaluation, and drive time to consider.
But, apart from the time spent caring for and riding horses, one of the most important measures of the horse life can be evaluated by a different question, "Have you spent much time with your horses lately?"
In Equine Relationship Training, time spent with your horse is one of the most important measures of your relationship. Whether it be time spent cleaning, grooming, feeding, or pasture management, if you are in the presence of your horse, your are spending time.
Carolyn Resnick tells the story of a horseman she knew who had a difficult horse to train. The horseman spent time in the corral with the horse, fixing the fences. This went on for a period of time until the horse realized that this human wasn't there in disrespect. The time spent being in the presence of the horse, without asking anything of him, was the key to building the relationship which led to successful training.
The more time we spent doing nothing with our horses, the more better our relationship will be.
Many people think that spending time doing something other than training or riding is time wasted. Think of it this way, taking your horse to a trainer, or taking lessons, or trailering to a show, or trail riding with a group of friends takes time, and it's expensive. Spending time doing nothing with your horse doesn't cost you a thing. In this era of economic woes and uncertainty, doesn't something that improves your relationship with your horse, and is free, sound great?
Okay, if you don't believe that something that doesn't cost anything can be of benefit, go ahead and send me a check for whatever you want, and I will tell you to go out and spend time with your horse. Then you can think of it as a lesson that you have paid for.
The next time you see a fellow horse person, ask, "Been spending time with your horses lately?"
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
A new topic
Looks like it's time to start talking about horses. Hi Ruella, nice of you to be here.
We've been experiencing some amazing warm weather lately. In the upper 40s and not even freezing at night. Very unusual for this time of year. So, my horse's winter pasture has become a lunar landscape.
The snow is melting off the top, leaving behind the brown piles left over through the winter. And underneath them is more snow, so the brown piles stick up. Rivulets of water run between them, creating small crater lakes.
The horses are sticking to the paths because the rest is ice. Freeze and thaw is the motto around here.
Not being one to believe very highly in feeders, I like to put the horse's hay on the ground. It seems a more natural position for them to eat in. So, now I try to find patches of clean snow to put the hay on and I'm having to pull the sled of hay farther and farther out each night. I guess I'll get my exercise.
Tonight Reina followed me from one spot to the next, snitching hay bites from the sled. We've come to an agreement. She can do this as long as her ears are up.
We haven't had any snow or rain, so it's amazing how dry the roads are. A nice comparison to mud season when you get stuck more often than in winter.
Even my dog, Lisha, who is normally the fastest thing on four feet, isn't running out there. She is stepping carefully on the ice.
Can I wish for spring yet? Probably not in northern Wisconsin. Perhaps this is our January thaw we never got!
We've been experiencing some amazing warm weather lately. In the upper 40s and not even freezing at night. Very unusual for this time of year. So, my horse's winter pasture has become a lunar landscape.
The snow is melting off the top, leaving behind the brown piles left over through the winter. And underneath them is more snow, so the brown piles stick up. Rivulets of water run between them, creating small crater lakes.
The horses are sticking to the paths because the rest is ice. Freeze and thaw is the motto around here.
Not being one to believe very highly in feeders, I like to put the horse's hay on the ground. It seems a more natural position for them to eat in. So, now I try to find patches of clean snow to put the hay on and I'm having to pull the sled of hay farther and farther out each night. I guess I'll get my exercise.
Tonight Reina followed me from one spot to the next, snitching hay bites from the sled. We've come to an agreement. She can do this as long as her ears are up.
We haven't had any snow or rain, so it's amazing how dry the roads are. A nice comparison to mud season when you get stuck more often than in winter.
Even my dog, Lisha, who is normally the fastest thing on four feet, isn't running out there. She is stepping carefully on the ice.
Can I wish for spring yet? Probably not in northern Wisconsin. Perhaps this is our January thaw we never got!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Bookmaking 102
I've been inspired lately to make my own journals by hand. I started out with a few prototypes but couldn't get the spine right. I did a few with foam poster board and handmade paper for the cover, but I couldn't get them to open flat without ripping the covers in the corners.
Last night I figured out what I was doing wrong. The poster board was too thick, so I cut up a SmartWool gift box and it was great.
I work at a newspaper and today I went in the back room where they put all the recycling things and found large flat sheets of thin cardboard. I love recycling. So back to the Bear Den to do some more prototypes. When I get it right, I'll post photos, I might even show photos of the one's I did wrong. They are still pretty.
I also have access to end rolls of newsprint from work. Any ideas on uses for that? Get creative and post your ideas here.
Last night I figured out what I was doing wrong. The poster board was too thick, so I cut up a SmartWool gift box and it was great.
I work at a newspaper and today I went in the back room where they put all the recycling things and found large flat sheets of thin cardboard. I love recycling. So back to the Bear Den to do some more prototypes. When I get it right, I'll post photos, I might even show photos of the one's I did wrong. They are still pretty.
I also have access to end rolls of newsprint from work. Any ideas on uses for that? Get creative and post your ideas here.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Invitation to a special journey
The Art of Peace Journey 2010 - 2012
Medicine Wheel, Potter’s Farm
In our world today, millions of people are calling out for Peace. Our voices connect with others who share a vision that we could live together in a way of wholeness and balance, in respect for all other humans, for all of nature, for the Mother Earth herself.
We know in our own wisdom that Peace begins inside the Self.
Journey with us over the next two years, in quarterly weekend teaching ceremonies of “The Origin Teachings of the Delicate Lodge”, an ancient pre-Mayan bundle of wisdom tools, of consciousness development practices… old knowledge of how we can come to live in balance and beauty, deeply honoring the self and all of life. This can also be thought of as leadership training from the inside out.
In between each Teaching Ceremony you will integrate your learning through shared practice in communication with your training mates, receiving regular feedback and guidance in the application of these powerful Medicine Wheels from your Guides.
Your Guides will be Patrick BlackWolf and Paula DancingEagle Coyne, who have been trained as Guides by RainbowHawk, WindEagle and WhiteEagle, Keepers of this oral tradition. WhiteEagle will be with us for the Ceremonies of Year Two.
Locations:
For the 8 quarterly ceremonies, we will be at Potter’s Farm Retreat Center, our ceremonial home in the Midwest (Washburn, Wisconsin, near Bayfield).
For the final Blessing Ceremony, we will journey together to Tulum, in Yucatan, Mexico. This is sacred ancestral land for this Bundle of Teachings, and we will experience pyramids, cenotes, the turquoise mother ocean, and the beauty of the jungle.
Dates of the Two-Year Journey:
2010 March 19-21, June 11-13, Sept. 10-12, Dec. 10-12
2011 Feb. 4-6, May 6-8, Aug. 12-14, Nov. 11-13
2012 Blessing Ceremony, Tulum, Mexico; Feb. 26- March 1
*Cost of the Two -Year Journey:
$2250 per year, which can be paid in advance, or in quarterly or monthly payments.
This covers tuition for the 8 quarterly ceremonies, and all of the medicine guidance in between as we work closely together throughout the two years.
Lodging, Food, Venue costs at Potter’s Farm: $160 per ceremony.
(www.pottersfarm.org)
$60 per year for our “Virtual Lodge” fee, the protected website where we do all of our between-ceremony communications throughout the 2 years.
2012 Blessing Ceremony in Tulum:
Cabanas Copal is a beautiful beachside eco-resort (www.CabanasCopal.com), reasonable in cost, and they are accustomed to hosting us for our 5 day ceremonies by the sea. Current costs for airfare, food, lodging, ground travel, ceremony fees = $1500.
*MOST important is to listen to the call from one’s heart. We are always willing to sit down and negotiate an exchange that works for each individual.
The circle is gathering for this journey of transformation. We begin soon! Contact us to claim your space.
With love and respect,
DancingEagle and Black Wolf
To register and for more information contact: DancingEagle@comcast.net; 612-703-4785, or 612-824-2466
“If there is to be Peace in the world, … there must be Peace in the Heart.” Lhao Tse, 6th century BC
We refer you to the websites of the three Keepers of this Tradition, if you are interested: WhiteEagle (www.Dancehammers.com) Rainbow Hawk and WindEagle (www.Ehama.org)
Medicine Wheel, Potter’s Farm
In our world today, millions of people are calling out for Peace. Our voices connect with others who share a vision that we could live together in a way of wholeness and balance, in respect for all other humans, for all of nature, for the Mother Earth herself.
We know in our own wisdom that Peace begins inside the Self.
Journey with us over the next two years, in quarterly weekend teaching ceremonies of “The Origin Teachings of the Delicate Lodge”, an ancient pre-Mayan bundle of wisdom tools, of consciousness development practices… old knowledge of how we can come to live in balance and beauty, deeply honoring the self and all of life. This can also be thought of as leadership training from the inside out.
In between each Teaching Ceremony you will integrate your learning through shared practice in communication with your training mates, receiving regular feedback and guidance in the application of these powerful Medicine Wheels from your Guides.
Your Guides will be Patrick BlackWolf and Paula DancingEagle Coyne, who have been trained as Guides by RainbowHawk, WindEagle and WhiteEagle, Keepers of this oral tradition. WhiteEagle will be with us for the Ceremonies of Year Two.
Locations:
For the 8 quarterly ceremonies, we will be at Potter’s Farm Retreat Center, our ceremonial home in the Midwest (Washburn, Wisconsin, near Bayfield).
For the final Blessing Ceremony, we will journey together to Tulum, in Yucatan, Mexico. This is sacred ancestral land for this Bundle of Teachings, and we will experience pyramids, cenotes, the turquoise mother ocean, and the beauty of the jungle.
Dates of the Two-Year Journey:
2010 March 19-21, June 11-13, Sept. 10-12, Dec. 10-12
2011 Feb. 4-6, May 6-8, Aug. 12-14, Nov. 11-13
2012 Blessing Ceremony, Tulum, Mexico; Feb. 26- March 1
*Cost of the Two -Year Journey:
$2250 per year, which can be paid in advance, or in quarterly or monthly payments.
This covers tuition for the 8 quarterly ceremonies, and all of the medicine guidance in between as we work closely together throughout the two years.
Lodging, Food, Venue costs at Potter’s Farm: $160 per ceremony.
(www.pottersfarm.org)
$60 per year for our “Virtual Lodge” fee, the protected website where we do all of our between-ceremony communications throughout the 2 years.
2012 Blessing Ceremony in Tulum:
Cabanas Copal is a beautiful beachside eco-resort (www.CabanasCopal.com), reasonable in cost, and they are accustomed to hosting us for our 5 day ceremonies by the sea. Current costs for airfare, food, lodging, ground travel, ceremony fees = $1500.
*MOST important is to listen to the call from one’s heart. We are always willing to sit down and negotiate an exchange that works for each individual.
The circle is gathering for this journey of transformation. We begin soon! Contact us to claim your space.
With love and respect,
DancingEagle and Black Wolf
To register and for more information contact: DancingEagle@comcast.net; 612-703-4785, or 612-824-2466
“If there is to be Peace in the world, … there must be Peace in the Heart.” Lhao Tse, 6th century BC
We refer you to the websites of the three Keepers of this Tradition, if you are interested: WhiteEagle (www.Dancehammers.com) Rainbow Hawk and WindEagle (www.Ehama.org)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
another photo
This is am amazing piece. I believe the technique is called Tamari. Each ball is made by wrapping string and adding the image. It is called "The Universe and all my relations" and is by fiber artist Christine Hensholt from Solon Springs.
Photos from Creating Peace
Here are some photos from the CreatingPeace art exhibit. Not the same as being there, but gives you an idea of some of the art. It is marvelous in person.
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