Diary of a Happy Appy

Bo, Beau, BoBo, Or Mr. BoJangles as I showed him under in our brief jumper stint years ago has passed on.  For the last 23 years he has been my Dad's riding horse and companion.  For the last 10 or so of those, he was mainly an opinionated old man horse that complained if his meals were later than her thought they should be.  But, he was loved and spoiled.  He was a retired 3 gaited saddle seat show horse that I tried and failed to make into a 3 day eventer.  I have learned so much since the days of Bo!  He taught me that to jump is to fly without wings.  Hang on, trust and he would land safely on the other side, no matter what the size or angle of the takeoff point.   Bo and Dad traversed the trails of Indiana and Tennessee and went places that most horses wouldn't go.  They were a fearless team.  One that had only to ask, where next?  Bo went up and down the trails of Central Tennessee with Dad on his back proudly.  There was no hesitation is his step, he knew where he was go

Christmas is days away, and I am steadily STILL working on presents!  I recently took up weaving and am weaving cotton dish towels for my dear, dear adopted Mom.  Mom in Canada is going to have to wait until after Christmas for her present, it is still on the cone, and the hot chocolate mix for my co-workers?  Still hasn't been mixed!  Eek!  But, the good thing, I know what I am doing 😆 The horses will get left over candy canes, their favorite treat ever!  plus some extra apples (Honey) and carrots (Louie) and Mom's dog, Rawley will even get a treat.  Leyna, our ever spoiled kitty will get a new Squirrel to "kill" in the front room.  That is her most favorite other than a new box and packing paper, packing paper and a box is the BEST! If you are missing the devotionals I was writing every week, never fear they will be back after Epiphany.  But right now we are in Advent season and focusing on the joy of Christmas!  If you miss your devotionals please visit us here to

  The end of November, first of December has been busy and kind of eventful!  I have been elected to be the Nebraska Dressage Association board and as such will be the incoming president.  I am also on the Region 4 USDF Nomination committee as well as being one of the Dressage Foundation's GMO's Ambassadors!  Add that in to being on the board for the Nebraska Cowboy Dressage group and work as well as my newest addiction weaving and I have a busy year in 2021!   Louie and Honey are still enjoying their long break with CoVid and hanging out at the farm getting fat and sassy.  They both have been wearing their masks and staying socially distanced as much as possible with a couple of exceptions... Louie was not as impressed with the masks as Honey was.  He is impatiently waiting for the vaccine to come out. So, for now we wait and see what 2021 will hold for us.  Hopefully it is a vaccine and more opportunities for riding and showing.

  This is going to be a griping post.  There are a couple of things I just don't like, sorry but I have to get it out there.  Certain artists should not sing Christmas songs, period.  They ruin them with doing the high pitched runs and whatnots.  I am sure some people love it and think it wonderful.  However, I don't care for it at all.  Give me a good old fashioned choir singing Away in a Manger, or Silent Night and I am a happy camper.   The other thing.... pumpkin everything???  Blech!   Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin lattes , spiced pumpkin candles, and on and on.... Not everyone loves pumpkin.  For the love of desserts, please, please do not try to hide pumpkin in a chocolate chip muffin!  😝  Now that I have gotten that out there...What are your favorite Christmas songs, customs, foods, etc?

  1 Chronicles 16:34 ~ Give thanks to the  Lord , for he is good;    his love endures forever. Friday, the day after Thanksgiving 2020.   What a weird year!   I never thought I would not be with friends and family on Thanksgiving.   That we would have to be distant when this day has always been a time to come together and give thanks as a family, as a group.   But, here we are zooming get-togethers and having pie over Facetime.   I have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend and moving into Advent.   I am most Thankful for my family, friends, and the wonderful friends I have made at First Presbyterian Church.   They have always encouraged me to follow my heart and dreams no matter where they lead me.   I am also thankful to know that the words spoken in 1 Chronicles 16:34 are true, the Lord is good, his love does endure forever.   We do not have to do anything special to earn that love. If you have not heard it yet today, you are loved, you are special, and I am

  “It becomes a dark time when we lose faith in each other and thus lack courage.” Chogyam Trungpa, Buddhist teacher Most of you know that I am ever optimistic, “This too shall pass” and “Glass half full”. Through everything I have had two constants pushing me forward and keeping me optimistic and looking for that other side of the rain cloud.   One is my faith in God that all will be put right in time not of our choosing but of God’s choosing.   The second is I have an outlet for my stress and worry, my horses.   There have been a few over the years and you have read about the special ones.   Right now Louie, my “Happy Appy” is near and dear to my heart.   He is goofy and kind and makes me smile. A couple weeks ago I was at the farm in KS trimming their hooves.   Just like trimming our fingernails.   Louie LOVES to take my hair out of its ponytail.   I had a different hair tie in that he couldn’t figure out that weekend.   Horses like dogs or cats can tell when people are having a