Tuesday, April 22, 2014

All Sprightly

The Silver Moonbeam smelled the same and a new batch of chipmunks were on the scene. Prayer flags were flying, tiny flowers were peeking up as was the marmot's head and every living thing was moving and dancing to the beat of the woodpecker's drum. Oh, the afternoon was bursting at the seams! This is the happiest place on earth, not Disneyland!

I'm always a little wound up the first night's sleep in the trailer. The woods are dark and silent and the stars shine just enough to see a glow on the "Dragoon-like" hoodoos that skirt this small piece of land. There wasn't a sound in the woods, but that's not why I couldn't sleep. I'd open my eyes, sit up and look out the window. Nothing. I'd go back to sleep. Again and again, I'd spring halfway up, look out the window...nope. There is no bear out there.

I'm not afraid of bears. I'm not. (Well, maybe a little). I just know that they are up from their naps, they're hungry and I'm curious as heck about them. As you can see, they're fond of aspen trees. They say that bears remember where they had their last good meal and we all know what 'my' bear Peaches had for breakfast last September, don't we? I'll remind you. Smoked salmon, 8oz. of clover honey and a few pounds of Colorado peaches. Helloooo?! It's just a matter of time before he comes around, peering into the windows of that same white car, looking for a snack. I suppose that's why I kept waking up. I suppose a small part of me wants to see him.

After the sun came up I took a ceremonial tour around the land. In a small patch of leftover snow was a paw print of a Bobcat. I found the half eaten carrot I had left for The Rabbit the night before. Afterall, it was Easter. Sometime during the cold, cold winter, one of the ponderosa pine trees had split and toppled over. Pieces of soggy rust colored bark lay on the ground. The tree had been infested with the bark beetle so it had been stagnant and dead for awhile. We followed some mule deer tracks along Lone Pine Creek and stood to watch a couple of scruffy youngsters grazing in a field nearby. I adore mule deer. More than ever. Now, when I see one, I'm reminded of the PBS Nature special that just premiered called Touching the Wild. Naturalist Joe Hutto lived with a family of Muley's for seven years. What compassion! A visual feast! Here is an inspiring story and message about mule deer and our relationship with them and the land. I admit I have a ridiculous amount of love for wild animals. "I wasn't seeing something, I was seeing someone". ~ JHutto I hear you loud and clear, Joe! And I am forever changed by the story he shared and what I saw.

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It was late in the afternoon when we headed north, back home to Wyoming. Back to our little town, to the place where we work, to the busyness, the supermarkets and the friendly chatter of human voices, to the sounds of screeching car tires and trucks that spew black. Back to the everyday chores that I seldom think too much about, those things we just do because, well, they need to be done. But, it's so different than being at the aspen cove. Of course it is. I need less when I go there. I think differently when I'm standing on a silent mountain. Absolutely. But, maybe that place helps balance me and I should enjoy it for what it is and not become too desperately tied to it. It's a retreat. That's all. And maybe it gives me perspective and an appreciation for what I have, in our town on the western plains. The best of both worlds, for all I know.

I had fallen asleep on the drive home through the Shirley Basin area. The sloping road winding this way and that. Gentle hills with their soothing light green and gray whizzing by in a blur, along with groups of pronghorn families lying down with their legs and hooves tucked under them, like house cats, it all must have lulled me into dreamland. The next thing I know, I woke up, and C has pulled over to the side of the road. Right in the middle of nowhere. He looked at me and said, "There's you're ponies. Go take some pictures." There were half a dozen horses standing around nibbling on grasses, not far from the road, behind barbed wire fences. Eagerly, I jumped out of the car and softly introduced myself to these magnificant steeds, talking in my sing-song way, coaxing them in. They all lined up side by side, inching their way closer and closer to get a better look at me. A snort here, a whinny there, nipping and nudging each other and stomping and pawing and showing their teeth. I love horses more than anything in the whole wide world. And my husband knows this. But, the truth is, I love him more.

 

18 comments:

  1. Wat een geweldig gebied en wat kan je er heerlijk over vertellen.

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  2. So very true all that you say...every time I am in a beautiful place I know I am there for a while and that it is not mine and it is good that I can go back ...glad you were there xx

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    1. Hi friend. The two places I call home are as different as night and day, and I'm almost a different person at each one! I'm always reminded of how much I need my solitude, more than I like being around people everyday. But, I can change my mind about that, and I should, because I'm not ready to just be my hermit self YET.
      Thanks for stopping by. ;)

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  3. Wow, what a soul-soothing trip, full of springtime greetings to the animals of the forest and horses of the prairie! I do believe you have a way with the animals, you wild and wonderful horse, (and marmot and mule deer), whisperer.
    I love how you found-and KNOW you've found-balance in your life. I'm still working on that myself.
    Love the mitts. Did your mom make them?
    xoxo

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    1. Sagey! Happy you saw the soul soothingness I experienced!
      Of anyone, you can relate to what it does to me, having to leave my aspen cove. I'm so resistant! At least I have a place to call my own, to look forward to the summer days I can spend there!
      Those horses. Oh, those horses! And no, I own one pair of mitts my mum did not make. I happened to have these stashed in the moonbeam. ;)
      xoxo

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  4. deep soul-cleansing sigh...
    no matter how many times i return to a much-loved place there is always a newness, a feeling of discovery, a yearning to see once again all of the special details, nicely knitted into the feeling of homecoming. i felt that in your writing.
    today the wind blows here, but now the branches bob and sway with leaves and blossoms. the donkeys are braying to be turned out, drawing me away from this delightful reverie and back to my own everyday chores. thankfully a good portion of them are outdoors. when you love the land, every day is earth day.

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    1. You're so thoughtful and kind!
      It WAS a new discovery, so so special this hideaway!! It's always new and different, yet the same. Colorado is full of amazing happenings in nature. Aren't we lucky to live under their never ending blue skies?
      All I need now are two Nubian goats. And a couple donkeys. ;)

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  5. Oh my goodness, you have described this beautifully. I love the way you write. Then to see the ponies and be so close to take the wonderful pictures. It seems we were both outdoors for Easter but in two very different places. Yet remarkably similar in ways to appreciate the beauty of nature around us xx

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    1. Audrey! You've been camping! That's awesome. And planning another trip I hear. ;)
      You would have adored these horses. To be close to them and talk to them and smell them. It was just what I needed to keep me going for awhile, now. Ah. The therapy of horses. You know just what I mean! xx

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  6. I love that your husband pulled over for you to commune with the horses. They're good for the soul. I'm glad you could go spend time in the Moonbeam and rest your spirit as well.
    xx

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  7. Soul soothing horses, indeed! To feel their velvety soft muzzles on the palm of my hand. It's the best! The quiet sounds of nature, being away from it all, high in the mountains, well, it's just this woman's best friend.
    I know you know.
    x

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  8. Oh, seems you had a great time out there!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  9. and I love you you wild prairie woman!!!!
    I love you

    my heart soars when I read and see your world

    love and light

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  10. ps Chuckles was me Lynn....under my sons profile...forgot to log out of his blog profile before posting a comment lol

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  11. that marmot.
    those flowers.
    and sweet C, calling your attention to the horses….

    ah, the dance of this sweet life.

    x+o

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  12. such a perfect place to have your morning coffee! i'm getting more and more excited about where you live. it seems to be a really adventurous place!

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  13. What a wonderful time you spent out there (I would have been cautious around those bears, too, though ;) And you're husband is truly wonderful for stopping so you can greet those horses! Love all the pics, but of course the horse pics are my favorite :)

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