Monday, October 9, 2017

Day 297 CJSM-book IV


Day 297

 

 

Moonlight horseback rides

 

Take a 10° winter day, or night, traipse on out to the stables where the critters are snuggled in their stalls for the respite, slip into a stall, gently scratch a refined ear and pat the animal on its furry neck listening to the soft nicker of appreciation of the carrot tidbit offered; then bury a frozen nose into that thick bundle of fur and inhale the “equine”-aroma mixed with saddle leather from the nearby tack room. The full moon ought to be on the rise; snow comforts the pasture meadow; what a “delicious” opportunity to tack the old steed for a winter-foray in moon light.

Adventure is where one makes it happen; full moon rides are one of the very best events.

We once lived on a bluff standing proud some three hundred feet above the Mississippi River valley stretching westward to the big ole stream offering a spectacular vista-view into the neighboring state of Missouri. When I fenced the ten acre property to coral our horse “pets”, a gate was installed in the west border for access to a ridge leading down the escarpment to the bottoms where a levy restrained Fountain Creek when it decided to exercise its fury in a spring, or fall, flood. This boundary provided the ideal trail riding venue for some ambitious “cowboy” and his horse. Each full moon, we held a “Moon light”-trail ride; quite a popular event.

Result of the idea grew until one very fine autumn night we sorted some 63-horses on the trek. Riding is quite the adventure in its own right; under an alabaster pale full moon: Awesome!

Daughter Beth had Little-Lady, the white Welsh-pony as her mount since she was 3 years old; we broke her sister, Becky, into the tradition as Dad carried her in front of him on the saddle. One night, she fell asleep cradled in his arms as they traversed the midnight realm.

Always enhance the moment---savor the “sweet”…until it is deliriously-delicious! Amen!

Life is Grand! With just a bit of creative ingredient---the concoction becomes…Magic!

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “Moon-beam Magic!” Memories!

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