tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post5662909834543876371..comments2012-11-10T20:45:56.746-08:00Comments on Tripping Over Cancer: Day 118 Horse Crazyzenmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228001755245521902noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post-13752264751549060272011-08-08T03:13:22.957-07:002011-08-08T03:13:22.957-07:00That comment from Barrel Racer Kelly is really fro...That comment from Barrel Racer Kelly is really from me, Greener Pastures. I have NO IDEA why it came from my daughter's account! But at least I'm able to comment again!<br /><br />Thank you Giddyupdragon for the compliment and I'm glad you come and read my stories!Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post-65105013334796903222011-08-07T18:51:37.177-07:002011-08-07T18:51:37.177-07:00I believe your passion for horses and your struggl...I believe your passion for horses and your struggle to regain your strength to ride are part of the reason why you are beating this thing. I'm sure someday you and Dee will be quite a team.Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post-65763059763745876892011-08-07T16:19:47.445-07:002011-08-07T16:19:47.445-07:00Muffin, you're a mess girl. Thanks for the Au...Muffin, you're a mess girl. Thanks for the Autrey, I am now hearing them in my head...IN YOUR VOICE!zenmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228001755245521902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post-69842826436288208842011-08-07T16:16:36.084-07:002011-08-07T16:16:36.084-07:00Wow, I believe the union of Ex-Barn Slaves has bee...Wow, I believe the union of Ex-Barn Slaves has been birthed. How exciting to hear from undaunted girls like me. For some of us horse love is a spell that can't be broken.<br /><br />Giddyupdragon, EFP and EFL (equine facilitated psychotherapy and equine assisted learning services) are newly popular and very exciting, you might start by finding a center to mentor you while you pursue your certification as an Equine Specialist. NARHA, now PATH has designated different certifications for those who work with mental health or learning issues, but I am not sure how different an Equine Specialist is from a Certified Instructor. I think this field is still being developed. We mentor and hold certification weekends at our facility but have not moved on to the Equine Specialist Certification yet. Do you have a facility in your area that has a successful EFP program?<br /><br />Wow, that was wordy. I just get excited.<br /><br />I am so glad to know you both are visiting my blog and thank you for your support and affirming words!zenmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228001755245521902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post-68486746046925492492011-08-07T15:11:31.022-07:002011-08-07T15:11:31.022-07:00I can't find my comment!
So here it is agai...I can't find my comment! <br /><br />So here it is again, my fluffy biscuit -- from our buddy, Gene Autry, a tribute to you:<br /><br />"I'm back in the saddle again<br />Out where a friend is a friend<br />Where the longhorn cattle feed<br />On the lowly gypsum weed<br />Back in the saddle again<br /><br />Ridin' the range once more<br />Totin' my old .44<br />Where you sleep out every night<br />And the only law is right<br />Back in the saddle again<br /><br />Whoopi-ty-aye-oh<br />Rockin' to and fro<br />Back in the saddle again<br />Whoopi-ty-aye-yay<br />I go my way<br />Back in the saddle again<br /><br />I'm back in the saddle again<br />Out where a friend is a friend<br />Where the longhorn cattle feed<br />On the lowly gypsum weed<br />Back in the saddle again<br /><br />Ridin' the range once more<br />Totin' my old .44<br />Where you sleep out every night<br />And the only law is right<br />Back in the saddle again<br /><br />Whoopi-ty-aye-oh<br />Rockin' to and fro<br />Back in the saddle again<br />Whoopi-ty-aye-yay<br />I go my way<br />Back in the saddle again"Darwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13291197029640628437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post-39023328506845275312011-08-06T08:28:45.341-07:002011-08-06T08:28:45.341-07:00I noticed your blog on a blog I follow “Greener Pa...I noticed your blog on a blog I follow “Greener Pastures”. I tripped over her blog years ago and I have been reading it ever since because I enjoy her writing. Anyway I found we have some things in common and I just wanted to say hi. I live in WA State now, but grew up in Missouri along the Kansas boarder and spent my childhood obsessed with horses. I would beg, borrow, or steal any horse I could get my hands on. I still remember the spankings for the stealing part, but that really never did stop me, I was just more careful about not getting caught. My obsession never waived and I still spend all my free time at the barn. I have a 13 year old thoroughbred gelding that I have had since he was 3 years old. I also have a daughter with aspergers, who also has a primary immune deficiency. She is in her third year of college now, and I also have an “almost” neurotypical daughter ( She had a rare brain tumor removed at 16, but is doing well and just finished her master’s degree despite some short term memory issues). My daughters are 22 and 24 years old. I was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, stage 3, and went through dose dense chemo and radiation. Right after I finished treatments and recovered some, I then went back to school and got a degree in human services and I am now working at figuring out how to get certified as an equine assisted therapist, so I can work with youth at-risk utilizing equine assisted therapy. I truly believe in the power of “equineimity” for troubled youth! I continued working in the human services job that I have had the last 13 years (case manager for elderly, and mentally and physically challenged adult clients) during my treatments and during full time school, so I was not able to ride as much as I wanted to and I got so wimpy. Now that I graduated in June I am finally riding regularly again. I am just now getting my leg strength built back up and have started doing little jumps again. The chemo wreaked havoc on my joints, nerves and muscles, but I refuse to give up riding. I am not a great rider, never have had lessons (paid for my daughters’ lessons instead), but I manage to stay on most of the time. I keep my horse half leased out to a 4-H’er so he has had regular exercise and goes to the shows and fair still, which he loves. Now that my kids are grown and out of the house I am hoping I can finally take lessons myself and improve my riding, finally, at 50 years old :) Anyway I just wanted to say I have enjoyed reading your blog, congratulations on the good news from the oncologist, and hope you get all your strength back soon. Signed, a happy housekeeper, misssssserable cook.Giddyupdragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01839138637932970615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post-77384979464910480072011-08-05T19:28:25.794-07:002011-08-05T19:28:25.794-07:00Feeling like cancer is going to jump out from behi...Feeling like cancer is going to jump out from behind a door. You are such a great writer! Do you write professionally?<br /><br />Oh yeah, I was a slave. I used to take the school bus to the barn and all the rich kids would be acting snooty and not talking to me. Then I'd have to wait till whenever my mother could come and pick me up in the dark. Most of the time the barn owners didn't even let me ride but I didn't care. I just wanted to be around them!<br /><br />Maybe you can get a pony in your yard someday! Did you notice the houses in the background of that picture of me and Cherokee? That yard was about 50 ft. by 100ft.! I was actually trying to find a picture of my mother sunbathing in that yard with my second horse, a full size Quarter horse believe it or not, grazing next to her! I have it somewhere but couldn't find it. Well, what do you expect? My mother was practically a kid herself. She was only 32 when I got Cherokee.<br /><br />The first "farm" I bought with my husband was only an acre and three quarters and we kept the same four horses on it that we have now! If that inspires you...Barrel Racer Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13039276337404955061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post-39145005445130700372011-08-05T13:45:57.213-07:002011-08-05T13:45:57.213-07:00Thanks for your support, I find it hard to believe...Thanks for your support, I find it hard to believe I am on the other side of this thing. I feel like cancer is going to jump out from behind a door and scare me to death. <br /><br />I was so surprised to find that you too were a "fancy barn slave" and itinerant pony borrower. This story can't be unique to us but I hear it rarely in the rural south. Your blog has filled me in on your wonderful house and land, a beautiful place. You are so creative to have made it so. I hope someday to have my own little farm, but for now my horse is boarded. It would be fabulous beyond words to have my pony in my own back yard.<br /><br />Speaking of ponies, how WONDERFUL was your mother to let you keep a pony in your backyard. My mother would have had a hippo. I am sure you celebrate every day you had with her.zenmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14228001755245521902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198673355212085982.post-26963254576297452672011-07-30T17:46:52.296-07:002011-07-30T17:46:52.296-07:00The test worked! So it looks like I can comment ag...The test worked! So it looks like I can comment again!<br /><br />I've been following your journey. I am so happy that you beat it. And now you are riding. I'm sure that is partly why you are a survivor--because you are so tough and so passionate. I hope you have a million more rides.<br /><br />By the way, I started out just like you--being a slave in someone's fancy barn, getting rides on my friends' ponies, all of that. It really makes you appreciate it when you finally get your own horse and your own farm. Did you read my story one story down from my newest one? I think you'll like it. How I brought my first pony home. Well, it's a little sad too because it's also about my mother. But the joy I had! And still have because of that day on July 4, 1976.Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.com