The Lazy J

It's been a week since I last posted and this week I drove the van load of girls to riding. It was quite a drive, but well worth it! There were grassy fields all around with horses running free. It was so beautiful. When we arrived, there was a white donkey with a little gray (I don't think I've ever seen one that color) grazing in the parking area (just sand and grass) along with a beutiful brown horse. I wasn't sure the donkey was going to let us park at first, but at the last minute, he moved out of the way and then proceeded to follow the van. Once we were parked and the kids were unloading, he was getting a little too personal with my friend Kerri, so she put her bag back in the car thinking to ward him off. She thought maybe he thought there were treats in the bag. While all this is going on beside me, I am unbuckling Olivia and Kerri just says "Christie". I turn toward her and she motions behind me with her head. I turn my head just a fraction and nearly jumped out of my skin. I am literally leaning into my van to get Olivia out and the beautiful brown horse's nose is stretched out to my neck, sniffing me. The animals had no fear of us to say the least!

By the time I got Olivia unbuckled, the kids had taken off to the stables. Kerri, Olivia and I decide to follow at a much slower pace. The donkey has already moseyed down the road a bit in the same direction when he decides we are trespassing. We are coming along side the "clubhouse" (Thatch, 1 room building where you can sit and have a drink while the kids are riding) and it's surrounding chain link fence when the donkey turns, stretches his neck out at us and for lack of a better word.....yells at us very loudly. I don't know that I've really ever heard a donkey other than on a see-and-say, but he seemed rather put out with us. So Olivia throws her arms around my legs, sticks her head between my knees and runs in place while crying "pease, pease, pease, pease" (translated: Pick me up right now mommy before that donkey eats me). I do just that (because I am having similar feelings) and we edge away to the right side of the lane. At this point, the donkey decides to charge my friend Kerri on the left side and she literally had to run through the chain link fence of the club house and close the gate. He chased her all the way there and continued to bray and push at the gate. After a minute, she stepped back and he pushed his way in and decided to graze within the confines of the club house yard. Kerri quickly made her exit and we continued on down the lane keeping a close eye on the brown horse now following us from a distance. Needless to say, Olivia stayed on my hip as we walked around the place (she has an amazingly strong grip with her heels around my waist).

The younger girls went first (5 and 6 year olds) and the teacher and owner took time to make sure all saddles, stirrups, helmets, etc were fitting properly. (Very nice change from where we were before). Then the girls went out in the pasture for their lesson. The older girls were feeling big indeed as they were allowed to lead the horses with the younger ones on them out to the riding area. It was not long before they returned though, seeking a little shade. Kerri and Olivia and I hung out at the club house overlooking the pasture where the girls were riding. Olivia made the acquaintance of two very sweet (and I think very old) labs, a yellow and a black. She thought it was hilarious when they rolled over to have their tummys scratched and was quite put out with the flies that would not stay off their coats.

As the younger girls' lessons finished, they came back ready for water and snacks and some time on the playground. Olivia was more than happy to join them as the Older girls ran off to claim their horses. The older group was a good bit larger, but still just 8-9 riders. They practiced trotting, cantering, guiding through tunnel and single and double low jumps. Kaitlyn is still a bit timid and did not canter. She says she wants to, but is a bit afraid. I hope she will take the chance soon. It's only been a year since she was scared to trot and now she does it all the time without even thinking about it.

So all in all, we had a nice afternoon at the Lazy J. We received a call from Brad and Grandpops who were at a horse shop in the Auburn/Waverly area and needed sizes so that they could pick up riding boots, helmets and pants. Along with a nicer experience comes a teacher who wants appropriate English riding attire. Brad said he can already see the girls running around the house in their riding pants 7 days a week. :) I can see it too. It will be fun seeing them all dressed up to ride. They will be so excited.

We had a truly wonderful afternoon surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. I cherish these moments.

Well, that's all I have to share for now. Hope you all are doing well at home. Will be in touch soon.

Love,
Christie