Snow Angels

The storm broke on Saturday, twenty-four hours after the meteorologists had predicted.

I went to work that morning for the last time, braved the cold to turn the horses out, and said twenty-five almost-but-not-quite tearful goodbyes to the people and critters that have made my days so enjoyable for the past 14 weeks. As I brought the last of the horses, Lucky, back from his shrink (the outdoor arena), I couldn't help but reflect on this adventure I've had. I've faced everything - colic, puncture wounds, threats to my life by an aggressive stallion and a little gelding who thinks he's something special, ice in water buckets, unexplained setbacks on the website, and - just this week - horses magically getting loose from their outdoor pens and jumping dangerous barbed wire fences. Man... What do you call an obsession which brings equal parts frustration and reward? If I didn't love this so much, it wouldn't be worth it.

But it is worth it, and I do love every minute of every day that I get to spend around these magnificent animals. I feel truly blessed that the Lord opened a door and allowed me to work in the equine industry, even if it is for only a moment. He's pretty nice to me. The challenges I've faced working with these horses and the others that have graced my life have taught me more about life, love, commitment and success than I could ever express in words.

And with the end of my internship also comes the end of my college career. I turned in my two final papers last night and just received a confirmation email from my professor, which came as a gentle pinch to remind me that no, I am not dreaming. This is real. I am a university graduate.

So I left work, took a shower and went shopping with Mom and Harmony for new Christmas dresses. While we were hunting for the perfect one (which I found in the first store we entered...), it began to snow. As I watched the flakes fall and cover the ground with fluffy whiteness, I thought of how appropriately it mirrored my own life. A chapter in my book is ending, but I have been given a fresh new start, a field of unbroken whiteness to do with as I please. It's inspiring, sure, but ultimately intimidating.

Moving Furniture

I know a lot of women who, when they start craving change in their lives, set to rearranging their living rooms.

Not me, though - I don’t own any furniture (one of the perks or pitfalls of living with your parents during that frustrating time between graduating college and finding a job in this depressed market). So, since I don’t have any couches or coffee tables to move – or the time to move them even if I did – I redesign my blog. Ta da! But don’t get comfortable with it just yet because I’m liable to determine that I don’t like the couch by that window and I don’t have enough light to read by when I sit in that chair. You have been forewarned.

I’ve finished my last GE course via independent study, I have less than two full weeks left at my internship, and I’m about to embark on the next big adventure in my life (as soon as I figure out what it is...). And with these changes coming, I’ve decided to make a New Year Resolution a little early. I wish that I had been better about writing during college, Philmont, my internship at Lucky Run, and all the other little adventures that have filled the gaps over the past few years since I started this thing. I already write faithfully in my journal, but since that doesn’t do you guys any good, I’m going to try to add to The Big Idea more often – even if it means typing up what I’ve written in my journal.

So speaking of change, let me tell you all about my four-legged friends who hate it and the crew that takes care of them... change that is. They hate change, not the crew that takes care of them....

Ready? Set? Go. (Click on the photo below to open the photo album in a new window, and make sure to read the captions.)

Lucky Run Ranch