survey 7 October 2014

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Sally Gerard

IMG_2023I was filling out a survey and writing down my answers. So, I’m sharing the answers but you may have to figure out what the questions were!

1. I collect horses, as in every horse I see is mine.

2. My two favorite books are The Long Winter and The Secret Garden.

Okay, now I’m dispensing with the numbers! I think books are the way to travel and one of my favorite characters from a book is Mercy Thompson. When I read, I disappear into the book and I like to read about the human experience. Libraries are a treasure trove and I fantasize about having a room that is two stories tall, the walls lined with bookshelves and there is a rolling ladder, tall windows and cozy comfort for reading and writing. I love anything rural on TV and can watch The Man From Snowy River, Enemy at the Gate and Serenity over and over.

School was always a safe place, and I loved that part of the day we devoted to writing. I love music whether I’m listening and singing along or playing my guitar. Anyone who really knows me, knows that John Denver is my favorite artist ever…I secretly planned to marry him and be his back-up singer. My hobbies include: horses, antique tractors, guitar, running, coffee, writing, reading, and theatre. My friends are: loyal, fun, adventurous, good listeners, spontaneous, awesome bakers and chefs, loving, supportive, and faithful.

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Annie’s Song 3 October 2014

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Sally Gerard

IMG_2006I’ve always loved John Denver’s Annie’s Song. The strong imagery of his love for Annie reflected in the way nature overwhelmed his senses. She moved him. What moves me?

Every time we pass this old church, I am moved as I think of the blessing God provided those who came there to pray and to worship. I am moved by the feeling of driving my MMZA down the road on a bright sunny morning and a field of sunflowers with their fat yellow heads waving in IMG_0617greeting when I pass.

I am moved when Indian nuzzles my arm, his warm breath mingling with mine, when the cool breeze takes the heat of the day from my skin as the sun sinks into its orange-bronze bed, when the creek runs over rocks with leaves floating along as we ride by on the trail, when the wheat field is IMG_0679green and wet after a rain storm.

I am moved by the cycles of the earth: the crisp smell of fall, the cold winds of winter, the hawk building a nest in spring, and the tomato plant struggling to have enough water to grow one juicy piece of fruit.

I am moved by the innocence and acceptance of children and the way they love without wondering who is watching, the joy of eating cotton candy and the way it melts IMG_0986on your tongue (especially the blue kind), the shy glances of a girl to that boy she thinks is cute, and those who give without considering what they might get back.

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Barn Dance 2 October 2014

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Sally Gerard

DSCN3012It is no secret that I want to have a barn dance here in our barn loft. I’ve been talking about it for a few years now. We’ve understood that, at one time, barn dances were hosted here and neighbors gathered for a meal and some good natured fun!

Weathered rough steps rise steeply up to the loft, the hand rail an old, splintery two by four. Tongue and groove boards supported so many loads of hay hauled up through the the south loft door under the eagle’s beak. Near the north loft door, the boards have become warped, catching the boot toes of the unwary, but they can be repaired before a dance! DSC_0273wl

Would people come? I think so. We are drawn together; it is our nature. When we open the loft doors, a clean breeze takes the musty smell out into the yard and right now the sweet smell of alfalfa and oat hay fill the loft. Still, I can see the ladies in skirts and boots or jeans and blouses and the men in jeans and boots and maybe a cowboy hat or two, moving to some music and spending a pleasant evening enjoying the company of friends.

 

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Neighboring 29 September 2014

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Sally Gerard

IMG_1980The day began with an amazing sunrise as we prepared to meet thirty people at the start of our 3rd annual antique tractor drive. We had nineteen antique tractors on the thirty mile round trip route through the beautiful eastern Colorado plains. There were two “buddy” riders and a few hayrack riders and a lot of support people following in pick-ups or racing (you don’t have to race very fast to outrun antique tractors!) ahead to get pictures.

Lots of smiling faces and waving arms greeted us as we drove past those out working in the field or by farm houses late Sunday morning. We laughed and pointed out IMG_1987antelope and marveled at the washed out wheat from that last hard rain. Arriving at our farm we shared a blessing and the National Anthem before we broke bread together and spent time just visiting. In talking with friends that day, I learned that many folks used to take the time on Sunday after church to go “neighboring.” They’d head to the next farm and just visit. There were community barn dances and pot lucks, and we all agreed that we need to do this more often.

IMG_1986It was a such a glorious day with blue skies and big lazy sunflowers flopping over in the field, making memories and bringing back old memories–such a great blessing!

Go neighboring this weekend and take in the blessings God has in store for you. This is good stuff!

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Stifle and Gaskin 25 September 2014

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Sally Gerard

IMG_1970Give me horses to sustain me, give me equines for my three squares: from paint to quarter and mountain ponies to thoroughbreds, from bay to buckskin and Friesian to Haflinger–

From manes and tails, hooves and muzzles, stifle and gaskin, walk or trot: Smokey and Indian, Cowboy and Oreo, Doc and Jolly Time, be my bones and muscles and the blood flowing through me.

Give me grasses in green pastures, hay in bales and some sweet feed in cans: they graze horsecamp2005 012along the fence, they love the rich alfalfa, they nuzzle at my pockets for the sweet grain.

From high mountain trails to rest by still waters reflecting the blue sky in the long afternoon: they are the peace in my soul, the laughter in my heart, the love of good friends.

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Not as she died, but as she lived

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Sally Gerard

Not as she died, but as she lived.

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Believe 22 September 2014

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Sally Gerard

IMG_1620I believe in coffee with cinnamon rolls, that humans were meant to love and be loved, that everyone should experience horse.

I believe that God is good.

I believe I can be anything I want, no matter how “gomer-ish” it seems, that I deserve the best, fullest life I can imagine and dream, and in taking the chances to make that life be mine. I believe in second chances–that just because someone else makes up rules, doesn’t mean I’m a failure if I can’t follow them.

I believe that God is good.

I believe that freedom has to be fought for. I believe in joy, in awe, in discovery, in surprise, in truth, in beauty, in integrity, in the hope of things to come, in the depth and breadth of the human spirit and the capacity of that spirit to love.

I believe that God is good.

I believe there is purpose in my being, that I was knit together by One who knows my IMG_1423true name and that no one ever has or ever will exist in the same way I do. I believe the rising of our sun, the turning of our planet to meet that sun was meant to lift our spirit, to remind us that even in the darkest places, the light cannot be held back–it will come–and that goodness can also be found in that dark place, in the faintest twinkling of even one, far off star.

I believe that God is good.

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Pot of Gold 18 September 2014

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Sally Gerard

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Leaving school yesterday, this rainbow greeted me compelling me to lift my head out of the dark thoughts swirling around in my brain all day, and remember the promise of God.

So far as I’m concerned, the wheels of justice are made of square cement blocks. People talk of families getting justice for crimes committed against their loved ones, but can there really be such a thing in this life? The crime cannot be undone, the pain and loss are palpable, the headstone carved and resting over her ashes.

Yet, God has promised and I rely on that promise–blessing in the midst of unspeakable sorrow.

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never enough toast 16 September 2014

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Sally Gerard

IMG_1934I cranked up the jelly making machine last Saturday after having frozen all the deep purple juice from our chokecherries. I’m not sure what it is about putting up your own jelly, jam, zucchini, tomatoes or whatever you’ve managed to grow in your garden or on your trees, but it just feels so good to see the jars lined up on the counter and later, in the pantry. It is the same for me when I get a deer or elk or antelope and all that meat is in the freezer.

It takes a lot of work, just like anything else worth doing and it reminds me that I have more strength than I give myself credit for. Now, if I could just figure out how to grow some coffee!

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A quiet in the woods 12 September 2014

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Sally Gerard

IMG_1872Who doesn’t love the woods? Driving along the UP coastline, following Lake Michigan, we stopped to check out the Cut River Bridge. Hiking down the trail on the west side of the bridge, we found ourselves in a beautiful, quiet woods.

Hiking down to the Cut River, the quiet was a balm to my spirit, sunlight filtering light IMG_1859and warmth all the way to lake. These little reeds glowing with the rising sun, so tender and lush and green-life itself. We explored the banks for a bit, little shells piled by the lapping waves were everywhere.

IMG_1861 Once we crossed the Cut River and passed under the bridge, we came up the steps and wooden walkway, discovering a completely different world. Spider engineers had a vast venue to display their work.

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When we reached the middle of the steps and looked back, I realized how far down we’d gone from the road, and wished for more time to simply sit on one of the built in benches with my notebook and write. There were many such moments on this trip where the peace of creation swept in and stopped me in my tracks, reminding me of the love of such an amazing Creator.

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