New Year's Resolutions

I hope this finds all of you recovering from a wonderful Christmas.

 

 I can’t believe a whole year has passed since I didn’t become that trimmer, slimmer, more organized, less tired, happier, healthier, better person. And I still don’t weigh what my driver’s license says.  So as I start this year’s list off, I will try to focus on attainable goals in order to avoid the self loathing and disappointment that comes at the end of the year when I have once again completely failed. So here goes nothing:

1.       Stop making lists.

B.  Learn to count better.

7.  Stop hanging out with people that ask me what my new year’s resolutions are.

3.  Actually write 2014 on my checks and other documents and not 2013.

A.  Eat healthier… Wait… Is that chocolate?

4.  Make better bad decisions.

C.  Swear less. Oh forget it… 

9.  Go to church more.

6.  Stop making lists.

M.  Improve my memory.  It’s not as good as it used to be.  Also, my memory isn’t as good as it used to be.

2.  Keep one house plant alive.

T.  Fatten the bank account and slim the body.  Somehow, I got that backwards the past few years.

5.  Stay more focused and finish what I

I guess I better stop there.  Some of these goals may be a bit tougher than I bargained for.  With that being said, I hope all of you keep in mind that if you’re worrying about reaching your new year’s resolutions, maybe you oughta rethink them. Learn from mistakes and move on and remember to let go.  Try one new thing you’ve always wanted to try.  Visit your parents.  Buy your kids less electronics.  Put down your dumb smart phone and have a conversation with those around you.  Write a letter, not a text.  Live more. Love more. Laugh more.  Enjoy your life and every little moment it has to offer.  Live simply and simply…live.  Blessings on your new year!  Happy trails…

 

If I Had a Million Dollars...

They say money can't buy happiness. I've always wanted to test that particular theory.  What happiness couldn't a million dollars buy? I certainly could go on that long awaited Australian vacation, hire a personal trainer to achieve athlete status, buy multitudes of horses and mules and that new diesel flatbed truck and horse trailer I've been wanting, help some family out, donate to charity, pay all my bills on time, get facials and spa treatments, manicures and the latest hairstyles, (Except Miley Cyrus's short and shaved do. Even money can't pull that look off!). I could purchase the clothes I want, own two hundred pairs of shoes, (wait...I might already), dine at fancy restaurants, and live in fat city. Now, let me ask you, what doesn't sound amazing about that? It sounds like pure bliss to me.  Then, I stop to think about what I have without that cool million.  I have a family, a beautiful one.  I have four horses in the corral and mountains and trails out my back door. I have time to donate to charity and time to help out family. I have clothes on my back and shoes on my feet. If I want fine cuisine, I go to Mom's house, (not mine). When I add up what I do have, it surpasses that million dollar mark by miles. I may not have stunning Hollywood hair, a nice manicure, and I'm still waiting on that Australian vacation and diesel flatbed truck, but I have what's the most important in life...The love for the land, friends and family to laugh with, a good horse to ride, blue skies, and new trails to ride. I can't put a price on that...

No Regrets

“Live a good and honorable life.  Then when you get older, you can look back on it and enjoy it twice.” ~Unknown

When I ponder this quote, it causes me to pause and think about my life.  I ask myself simple questions like, “Have I shown those closest to me how much they mean to me? Have I given my all in every troubled time? Did I always put my best foot forward, even when all I had were two wrong feet and really ugly shoes? Did I follow through on goals and dreams?” The simple answer to that is, no. I have not even really come close.  So often I get caught up in my own daily routine and omit the importance of taking time for what seems medial; focusing on what is wrong instead of right, forgetting that the small tasks are the force of change behind the bigger goals.  This causes me to realize a change of heart and thought is necessary, and the change of season signals that time.  It’s time to stall the worries and doubts. It’s time to do more and expect less; it’s time to explore those wonders and what ifs. No more excuses means no more regrets.  I would hope that at the end of my life, I am able to look back and know I’ve exhausted all talent given, knowing that I did my best to be the difference.  I want to know I can reflect back on my life and know that, yes, it was good and honorable, and heck yes, I sure enjoyed it twice… Here’s to hoping you will do the same.  Happy Trails.

In Love with Montana

“I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.”
― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America

This is one of my all time favorite quotes about this place I call home.  I couldn't agree more.  You can't analyze the beauty, the landscapes, the people, the wildness.  It just is what it is.  I feel this as I ride down the trail watching the summer fade into early fall.  The color of the Mountain Ash turning orange, and the last of the Fireweed blooms close signaling the change of seasons. The tranquility surrounds me and seeps into my soul.  As I look around and breathe the crisp air, I thank God my skyscrapers are made of rock and trees.  The noises I hear are that of the bull elk bugling in the pines, or the red tailed hawk signaling his presence with a shrill call, or my horse's feet clicking over the rocks on the trail.  The love I have for this place and life cannot be explained through words, but I sure feel it with every inch of my heart.  Montana takes a hold of my soul.  I feel sorry for those that endlessly search for their peace.  I can't imagine a life surrounded by schedule, the sound of sirens, traffic, and such.  So, I encourage you to get out and find that place in the nature of Montana to be soothed and healed, and have your senses put in order and share it with those you love. Cause there's no place like the "last best place"....Montana.

To Travel with Horse or Husband?

As I was attempting to slow my horse down for the umpteenth time on a trail ride the other day, and he continued to give me attitude about waiting for the others, it dawned on me, riding this horse is much like traveling in the car with my husband.  Now I know you horsepeople will scoff and say there are ways to work a horse out of these bad habits, but what do you do about a man? My horse has two speeds, fast and faster. So does my spouse.  It starts with mounting up. Twist, my horse, is 10 steps ahead of me and I have barely stabbed the stirrup leaving me hung out to dry halfway over my saddle.  My husband also does this.  He pulls out of the garage before I am even in the car.  God forbid I forgot something in the house!  Once out on the trail or in the car, Heather shall not suggest the direction we go.  Apparently neither species of male need any help in THAT department! It is also imperative that we travel at high speeds with no stopping for a bathroom break or to check on anyone in the backseat or behind us.  They both give me looks like "why didn't you go before we left?!"  On the rare occasion we do stop, I believe both horse and husband clench their jaws and chomp at the bit, literally. (It takes great restraint but I resist the urge to bean either one over the head!) High speeds continue throughout the travels, and if we are behind anyone, tailgating prevails. My horse blows and snorts (his form of cussing) and my husband constantly looks for the next spot to pass, swerving left and blaming the dumb female driver in front of him! I also feel my horse is opposed to women drivers!  If I do suggest the direction we go, there is a lot of pouting, huffing, and sighing much like a two year old being told no.  The best direction to both horse and husband is home, and we can't get there fast enough.  Finally, upon arrival, we skid in sideways, windblown, leaving me wondering if all that attitude was necessary?  I sure wouldn't have called it fun!  Apparently I was just along for the ride.

Home

I spend a lot of time pondering my next great masterpiece as I ride down the trail. And as I was worrying about all the things I needed to do at "home" while I was out riding, it dawned on me... stop worrying.. Heather, you are home.

"Home is where the heart is"
I often hear folks say.
For me, that ode rings true
A little more each and every day.

'Cause, you see, home to me,
It's in the heart of my horse
As he carefully picks his way
O'er a rough and rocky course.

It's not four walls made of wood and stone,
It's not the roof over my head.
It's the night's starry blanket
That's where I choose to lay my head.

Home is the comfort of the leather
My saddle, used and worn.
It fits my horse right fine.
And weathers many a storm.

Home is the Montana mountains
With wildflowers in full bloom.
The time I get to spend
In my Maker's 'living room'.

Home's the early morning sound
Of horse bells ringing in my ear
As they graze to get their fill
For the day's work drawing near.

Home is cowboy coffee
Brewed black, hot, and strong.
The first sip of the morning
Helps me ready to get a move on.

Home is friendly smiles and conversation
With guests 'round the campfire's glow.
Feels like troubles are gone a while,
And the good of life we get to show.

Home is the distant memories
Recalled of special moments shared 
As Grandpa talked about these same things
And about his life and cares.

So, home can't get much better,
Until I meet the good Lord above.
And when I ride that trail for one last time,
I will thank Him for this life I love.

Skinny Jeans

Dude season is in full swing.  It became evident when guiding my first trail ride of the season.  The rest of you call them tourists, but I call 'em dudes. 

The first sunny weekend was here, and I finally had an excuse to leave the confines of my refines. I was looking forward to catching my horse and hitting the trail; even if that meant showing dudes Montana's splendor atop an ornery dude horse.  Truth is, I love my job, and if it wasn't for these so called dudes, I wouldn't have a job at all.  But I still laugh when I picture this guy.
A group of people showed up in the barnyard for their morning ride, and amongst that group, was a skinny jean, penny loafer wearing "dude".  We recommend appropriate riding attire, and I have seen people show up in all sorts of outfits: flip flops, skirts, shorts...you name it; but this guy took the cake in his pink t-shirt, penny loafers, and skinny jeans.  Now, if you have not had the pleasure of seeing what skinny jeans look like, imagine sausage casings...tight and "skinny" at the bottom leaving little room for movement.  (It is my humble opinion such jeans should not be allowed on ANY two legged creature!) Now, picture tight skinny jeans while mounting a horse. No go.  He squatted and stretched his way around the horse, but it was to no avail.  He looked like drunk, peg-legged penguin trying attempt cheerleading jumps while trying to get his foot in a stirrup three feet off the ground.  If my giggling wasn't enough, the horse's look at this guy was priceless. I do believe the horse rolled his eyes. Well with help from the mounting block, the dude finally made it aboard only to endure what proceeded to be the longest two hours of his life.  Well, he did make the ride, munching, trotting horse and all, but if watching him try to mount the horse wasn't funny enough, you can imagine the dismount. I am still laughing...Yep, dude season is in full swing.

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