Rodeo

It's amazing how time stands still when you are about to get hurt.  I can distinctly remember when I broke my nose at 10th grade basketball camp in Eastern Oregon.  Frame by frame I watched that elbow travel toward my then-perfect nose, and amazingly I had time to contemplate the lessons my dad gave me regarding self defense and a swift, effective, jab to an assailants nose, while praying this was not to be my end.  Flying off a horse is quite similar, and in fact the effect is enhanced now that I am almost 30, and not quite as limber or "bulletproof," as my 16 year old self once believed.  I have sure enjoyed my journey back into the horse world, and while it evokes many happy memories, it also brings back and illuminates the fragility of our own skulls, and the confidence it takes to climb on a 1200 pound animal.

It was a nice evening ride on the big Chief... we were joined by my neighbor, whom we encountered on the driveway.  We headed down the road to check out the goings on at a property down the way that has recently been purchased (a chunk of land I have coveted for some time due to it's size, terrain, and natural water feature).  Chief has been doing pretty good in the hills, and we have been building trust, but he gets a bit hot when he heads for home, and is built like an off the track Thoroughbred (which makes for an interesting combination).  After meandering through this property to check out it's creek and fence line, we turned for home, and Chief turned on his inner bronc.  I sat him well for a good turn, but he let out a strong kick, and I went sailing over his head.  As I flew through the air my inner voice was aflutter "I need to get my foot out of the stirrup..... shoot, I can't believe he launched me, I want another shot at staying on!...... Why did I use this saddle instead of my usual, I certainly would've stuck in that one.... Thank God for soft ground (this is soft ground right?)..... seems like I've been flying for a while, how's this landing going to be."   Then thud, all's quiet on the Eastern side.  One thing I've always been is a good lander, and I'd say I stuck this one with a 10 point landing, no structural damage, and a good story when I got back home.

There are many old adages regarding climbing back on the horse after he bucks you off, and it always amazes me how simple, yet how very complex that can be.  In this instance, I had no problem hopping right back on (once I caught my horse), but there are times when it's not so appealing.  Life changes a bit when you have little ones to tend to, and responsibilities to meet; suddenly flying off a horse is cause for alarm.  Don't count me out quite yet though, I'm already planning ways to improve this horse, or at least how to attach a bucking strap!

Grateful For Good Friends

 It's spring break for the Brown clan.  I completed this quarter on a strong note; it was one of the most challenging, but one of my best.  I feel like I am peaking at a great time, with entering the job market on the horizon.  My countdown is below 80 days!  It's a bit surreal; this has been more work than I ever imagined; a test of wills, work ethic, and desire (and a roller coaster of my dealings with these elements).  While I question what the heck I am doing nearly every day, I know how much I do love caring for people in deep moments, and can't think of a profession that is more up to the elbows in people lives.


 

This One's a Beauty

Home time sure is nice though, I mean amazingly nice.  Not having to stay up late doing homework, being able to focus on what's in front of me, and enjoy the scenery; such a nice reprieve from my hectic school schedule.  Cam has been able to get some work done on the house with our neighbor, and has finished several tables, one of which sold today, and the other which is going out at the end of the month. His latest table is gorgeous, and I think I'll be sad to see it leave!  He already has another order for a large custom piece that will be made from rustic/reworked wood (pretty sure I'll end up wanting that one too)!  It's pretty cool to see how these projects progress, and he's sure been doing well at it.  One of the families that lives close to us, had him do one with wood burned vines and leaves on the top; it turned out really cool. Thinking we may be needing a website fairly soon here, or a boutique..... (it was my childhood goal to run a cash register-- motivated from the beginning you can see).  All I can say is... I am not going to business school!

Several nights ago we packed up the trailer and camped up at Fish Lake.  It was gorgeous!!!  The Sinlahekin is really the area that started our fascination with Tonasket and the Pine Creek area where we bought, and it never fails to impress me.  The snow is finally MOSTLY melted, and the days are getting longer and sunnier.  We had a secluded spot right on the lake, and were the only people in the area.  The wind was blowing fairly hard when we arrived, but calmed right down, making for a peaceful night.  The kids were SO excited to be out camping, and to sleep in their bunks... which is very strange, because after you live in a 24' travel trailer for over two months, you really can't fathom EVER wanting to be in it again.  Remarkably though, it must be like pregnancy amnesia, and we all had silly smiles on our faces.  We hiked around, let the kids roam, and barbecued some delicious steaks and spuds before all sleeping like babies.

We woke, to a dead calm lake front view, the smell of camp fire on all of us, and a percolator ready for coffee.  I bought the kids some of those little boxes of sugar cereal to have in the trailer, for a treat because they never get cereal at home.... score another one for the trailer.  Before fixing breakfast we hiked around the area a bit and went in search of the sound of running water.  The snow melt has reorganized life around here, there is running water through field irrigation ditches, low meadows, and often times across our gravel roads.  It's bringing some life back to the dust and ashes left behind by an extremely dry summer and a fire filled fall.  Our hike took us a ways up the hillside, near the back road to Conconully.  The kids were troopers and excited to see where the water was coming from.  We ended halfway up the mountain, and at a beautiful waterfall.  I am so grateful for these moments of family exploration; I love seeing the kids enjoyment and their minds taking in the world around them.  They have a sense of pride too, when they can return and see how far their little legs have gone.


Back at home, we have done much of the same; getting outside, exploring places where snow is finally melted, and enjoying eachother (we even went to the big city of Omak for a movie).  Bear and I worked on Chief a bit today, and I'm glad to see his comfort zone is growing a bit.  We took a quad ride around the lake nearest us, and did a bit of exploring up there.  After dinner we set out for another walk around the property.  We still have a creek running through our meadow, and a small pond in between our property and the neighbors.  I got a kick out of seeing ducks in it!  It's like our geography has been mixed up; it wasn't that long ago we were marveling in how dry the dirt was several feet deep.  Unfortunately, most of our meadow/ravine area still looks like a war scene, and while grass is coming back in some areas, others are bare and rather dismal.  I'm hoping the moisture will help the grass re-seed to help bring our wildlife back in.  In the meantime though, we are enjoying following the rivers, and hoping, as I've mentioned this translates to a non-existent fire season.

We have talks of garden and orchard going on around here.  It's harder than you think to start with bare land, and plan out every aspect of your homestead.  Trees are a rather permanent feature, and we have to think ahead for water needs.  I'm liking the feel of things around here right now though--Cam's got a good thing going on, the kids are blooming into wonderful adventurers, I'm counting down days of school, and things seem to keep landing right side up.  Spring is a time for action!