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    Friday, October 17, 2008

    Flash 55, Take 52~Patience

    She taught me more about life than any other.

    Throwing me to the ground while standing next to me laughing.

    Patience was a virtue when dealing with her. She had a mind of her own.

    I didn't mind trudging through snow carrying pails of water because I knew she would always be there for me.



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    If you are interested in attempting to write a 55, you can visit here to learn about it.
    If you do one, go tell G-Man that you did.

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    I took a different walk yesterday. I walked from my childhood home to the small town where I grew up. Walking through the country was very enjoyable for me.

    Along the way, I met a horse that looked exactly like the one my family had when I was a kid growing up (see picture above). My mom had just remarried and we didn't have two nickels to rub together. My stepdad had and enormous piggy bank that they decided to break so that they could buy a horse for us. I remember that the saddle was worth more than the horse. $250 for both. What a bargain, right?

    What my parents didn't know was that the horse had only been half broken and then left in a field for 6 years. This horse had no manners.

    My first challenge was to try and saddle her up. She would bloat her stomach out so far that I wasn't able to cinch the saddle properly. I would jump on the saddle only to end up underneath the horse.

    It was hard as hell learning to ride on a horse whose only thought was to get you off her back. Her idea of a ride was to take me under the pine trees to try to flip me off. If I survived in tact on her back, she would then buck until I fell to the ground, sometimes losing consciousness. How I survived is beyond me.

    The only thing I know is that that horse taught me more about patience than any other thing in my life.

    13 comments:

    barman said...

    I once rode a horse a short way, dropped the reigns and the horse just decided to take me back to the barn. I am so glad the horse was not like yours or I would have ended up on the ground.

    I love the picture. Horses are such beautiful animals. It looks like you made a friend there.

    Have a nice weekend Sign.

    lime said...

    wow, another side of you that reveals part of who you are. what a great story and lesson. i'm so glad you shared it with us.

    G-Man said...

    The Horse Whisperer....
    yet another side of the SignQueen!!

    Mojo said...

    It's amazing how much you can learn from one of the "lower" beasts.

    I still credit one of my dogs, Bogart, with teaching me to always put the seat down.

    Mona said...

    It must have required a lot of patience to have 'tamed' her!

    Pam said...

    i have yet to ride a horse. i wonder how scared of them i would be lol my girls love horses. always ask if they can have one, but they don't understand how much it costs for the upkeep.

    great 55!

    Donnetta said...

    I've only ridden a horse a few times and was a bit intimidated. But I so admire their beauty. And I am an animal lover. My babies are just spits in the bucket by comparison. Toy poodle and cat. Nice 55. Good thoughts. D

    snowelf said...

    I have a lot of respect for horses-they are so big and powerful--majestic and such. They have amazing personalities and I think your horse had an incredible spirit.

    This is such a cool story, Jenn!

    --snow

    Evening said...

    You are so brave, a horse like that would scare me. I would have stayed far away.
    I love the picture of you and the horse.
    Hope you are having a nice weekend.

    xo

    Susy said...

    I gave you an award on my blog! Come check it out!!

    kimmyk said...

    i miss riding!
    ahhh to be free again....

    Lori said...

    A whole new meaning of the saying "ride that cowboy" lol

    KJ said...

    Patience is an excellent trait to have.......wish I could have more of it