Diary of a Mad Art Teacher... and photographer...: Kisses before fly-spray

What a beautiful morning I woke up to today!

I am finding this to be a summer for savoring and change. I am savoring my precious summer days, no matter if it is raining or shining - reading, blogging, photography, eating well and right and exercise. I am shocked to find myself getting up EARLIER than during the school year, so I can get out to walk in the morning. The morning is the very best time of the day for me, it is quiet and cool. There isn't much traffic on the roads so I can walk with out hopping off and on asphalt so much. My walking time is so precious, I want to begin my day with it- so I don't run out of time or good weather before I can get it in. I do not feel bad about putting myself first during the summer!

I have downloaded an app for keeping track of my mileage and pace called Runkeeper. I want you to know I am not a runner! I think that just might take the joy out of my morning time, but you never know! I won't take that out of the list of possibilities. Runkeeper is an interesting thing, as it will tell you every 5 minutes how far you have gone, and the pace that you are keeping. The competitive person in my wants to always best my last split- it makes the time go really fast, especially when you are listening to some rocking tunes! And I really know how far I've gone, instead of making best guesses. The Mad-Accountant has some issues with the GPS!! LOL. He maintains that it is off as there are 4 40's between our road and blah, blah, blah- so that is a mile and the GPS says it's not. I'm not sure who will win that argument, but I'm not getting involved.

Having lost a nice amount of weight has changed a lot of the way I feel about myself and consequently, I feel even more prone to joy than I did before. Some of my friends will think that is highly unlikely, but it is true. So, I am going to embrace this change in my thinking and continue to savor my days. And I look forward to more change, no matter what it turns out to be.

So, what has this to do with fly-spray?

Savoring his oats

This is the biggest love of my life, outside of my very important human network! I adore this guy with all of my heart and all of my soul. He is 31 years old this year and I have owned him for the majority of his life- almost 20 years. Jacpot is a great horse- he was an awesome riding horse and now he is almost like a big old puppy dog. He is steady all the time, you can do anything you want with him, hang out in his paddock, fiddle around with him and groom him and he doesn't get stupid!

I need another bite

When I rub his neck, he shlucks my hand, or arm or hair- whatever is in reach. I feed him his yummers every morning and then I get to give him kisses, hugs and breathe in his wonderful horse smell- like warm hay. I'm so sorry if you are allergic or afraid of horses, because you may never get to do that. After a little mutual adoration, I spray him down with fly spray. And I begin my day.

Old soul

My old boy is prone to fits of occasional stupidity, though, and it usually involves his stomach. One day this past winter, he must have put his head where it didn't belong and poked one of his eyes. I didn't know it had happened, but noticed that his eye was a little watery. And it sort of stayed that way for a few days, which was weird. He is a very healthy horse. And then to my horror I realized he was blind in one eye. But he is fine, it doesn't affect him too much, I make sure I talk to him more when I am coming from his blind side, and I warn him before I touch. Now I am noticing his hearing is maybe a little less than before-- he is 31 after all. It is coming some day, but I think he will easily make it through another winter yet.
I think he needs another neck rub.