Archive for the ‘Horses’ Category

Feb 23
2008

The Luxury to Pursue a Passion

Isn’t it wonderful to be able to pursue a passion?

For me, it’s gardening…and birds…and books…and dogs…and cooking. For my husband, it’s horses. He wasn’t raised with horses, but he loves them. And despite his ultra-busy career, he has made time to learn to ride.

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His instructor, Viviane, is a wonderful and witty woman I met at the gym several years ago. She was looking for students and Harry needed a private instructor because he was dissatisfied with the group lessons he had been taking. It has worked out beautifully.

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Now, Harry and I have a wonderful marriage, but we give each other room for our separate interests. I take vacations without him sometimes. He retreats to his hidey-hole (what I call his home office) to think great thoughts. Our lives overlap some, but not a lot. We treasure our travels together and always sit down to to a home cooked dinner together. So don’t be surprised that it’s been several years since I have seen Harry ride. But last weekend I tagged along with my camera and was most impressed with the lovely setting, Viviane’s wonderfully encouraging instruction and Harry’s progress.

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It doesn’t seem that long ago that Harry was just so very stiff in the saddle. And it was just a few months ago that he came home and proudly announced that he was able to get on the horse without the aid of a step stool. Now, Viviane is encouraging Harry to ride in a show this spring.

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Today is my birthday. I am turning <bleeeeeep>. As I assess where I am in my life, I have some regrets. I have some unfulfilled promises to myself. But mostly, I am grateful that I am blessed with the kind of life that allows me to pursue my passions and a family that supports all the little quirks that go along with that.

Thanks guys.

Robin
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Right Now at Bumblebee

February 3rd, 2012

If you’re in the neighborhood and just happen to have your paintbrush and paint clothes with you, stop on by. Harry and I are taking the day off from work to start painting the master bedroom. We figure it’ll take until Sunday. Harry does most of the rolling—no small chore with high ceilings—and I do all the tedious detail work. You, of course, can pitch in wherever you like.

We’re painting it a dove grey. So if you see some grey in my hair in the next few days, it’s paint. Got it? The grey is paint.

Robin

February 2nd, 2012

Happy Groundhog Day! What are you doing to celebrate?

We’ll have a special dinner of NOT groundhog. Dinner will be a special pasta (TBD) and some yummy homemade yeast rolls. Then we’ll pull out the photo album of past Groundhog Days and reminisce. We will toast Puxatawny Phil by opening the first bottle of my homemade apfelwein, which I hope is sparkly by now. If it’s any good, you’ll hear more about it.

Cheers!

Robin

February 1st, 2012

Working from a home office is not always what it’s cracked up to be. I have a lousy IT department (me). Interruptions range from barking dogs to crowing roosters. I hear my business phone ring during non-business hours.

But there is a lot good about a 15 step commute. Such as today. It’s cloudy and a bit drizzly, but the temps will climb into the mid 60s for the second day in a row. I will turn off the heat, throw open the windows and give the house—and office—a good airing. Ahhh!

Robin

January 22nd, 2012

It’s cold here with a bit of ice and snow on the ground. The hens hate it.

There was a huge, chicken-y traffic jam at their window/door this morning. As I opened it three hens bolted outside. But they beat a hasty retreat back into the coop while other hens were still trying to get out. There was an impasse and much chicken shoving. There were no injuries—unless you count my sore sides from laughing so hard.

Robin

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