My thanks for the March Slice of Life challenge with the Two Writing Teachers community for Day Two of Thirty-One. Thank you, Stacey, Beth, Deb, Betsy, Lanny, Kathleen, Lisa, and Melanie.
In addition to the Tuesday slicing, I connect to other groups throughout the week on my blog, except for Thursdays and Sundays. It's great NOT to have a post on Thursday because that's when I work at a nearby used bookstore (maybe another slice?) I work my shift on Thursdays there, and sometimes other days. This March, I thought I'd take Thursdays to live in the past and share a little of the "me I used to be".
I taught early in my marriage and when my first child was born, I stopped to stay home with my son, and then with my daughter. As they grew up, I found more time to do other things. Part of those were 'things" with and for the kids. Yes, I was a soccer mom, a band parent, a stage mom, a gymnastics mom. But at one point my daughter wanted to learn how to ride horses, so we found a stable and she started. Soon enough, we bought a horse and I too began to ride again. I needed to get in shape and learn more. In my childhood, I rode a little, and one grandparent bought me a pony that I rode when I visited. But that really was play, and not very serious riding. This time I was grown up and had to keep up the riding with our horse. It was stabled, so that meant a drive there 3 or 4 times a week. I was both excited and terrified. It became one of the best learning I've ever done.
Many of you know how much I love being outdoors. I've done many things in the wild, and horseback riding has been one of them. During that time with Mariah, my small half-Arab palomino, I rode all over the stable farm, competed at small horse shows, but mostly loved being outside riding "on the range". I learned to ride other types of horses at that stable, and that was fun, too. I think it informed my teaching: to learn to trust the horse, go with what was best for each, take them, and me, to the next step (think students!). And I learned to enjoy every minute no matter how challenging it turned out to be. When I returned to teaching full-time, I had to give it up. There simply was no time to keep going with taking care of my horse and my job, too. I had to say goodbye, and that was hard. I remember spending a final day with Mariah, and that's the last I saw of her. I know she went to a good family with young children who I'm sure loved her, too.
Wow Linda. I had no idea that riding horses was something you have done so much of. I think I have been on a horse twice in my life only!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good memory, Carrie, and I wish I had been able to keep on. You know how the time goes with teaching!
DeleteI so loved learning this about you, Linda, but I am not surprised that you took to riding. It's been years since I've ridden, but I still remember what it felt like to be in the presence of these fabulous beasts - to commune with and ride them. Perhaps your grand girls will take up the reins some day soon?
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't know you rode either! What fun to hear! I've told their mom that Ingrid is getting close to the same age that we started. We'll see. So far, the big interest is skiing as far as outdoor things.
DeleteThanks for sharing this peek into your past, Linda. I really like the idea of using one day a week to reflect on "the me I used to be." I think Tara might be onto something with her idea about encouraging your granddaughters to ride!
ReplyDeleteThanks Molly, certainly it might happen. I hope you'll write a slice of your past, too.
DeleteLinda, so nice learning some interesting facts about you. Other than pony rids at parks, which don't really count, I have never ridden a horse. As Molly said, I too like the idea of self reflection once a week.
ReplyDeleteI thought it would be fun to share some things from my past, and hope you will, too! Thanks, I did love this part of my life!
DeleteWow, this is so far removed from what I know and so interesting. A neighbor of one of my brothers has a daughter who rides. I rode only once and it scared me being so high up. I loved seeing the photos. It all reminds me that we live so many lives.
ReplyDeleteYes, we do have many lives, nice way to put it, Mary Ann. I loved this part of mine. When one is riding, it's a true meditation. Thanks!
DeleteGreat idea to share the past stories. This story was interesting to read. Can you imagine that I have never even sat on a horse?
ReplyDeletePerhaps once in your life it's time to at least sit on one? Someone will be glad to help, I'm sure. Hope you share a bit of the past, too, Terje.
DeleteI love this! It's great to learn new things about each other. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHope your day at the bookstore was wonderful (how could it not be when you are surrounded by books). I love learning something new about your early life.
ReplyDeleteWhat a juicy slice about your love of horses and learning. My childhood fantasy come true for you 😍
ReplyDeleteBonnie
Linda, I enjoyed hearing about your early life and how much you love horses. I see that you learned many a lesson from your riding experiences. After going to yoga today, I realized how many life is not filled with a great deal of exciting adventures doing daring, fun activities. I guess being on land is a good place for me. Enjoy your day at the bookstore.
ReplyDeleteOh , Linda! You lived one of my dreams! I gree up riding a little and worked at a ranch (riding a lot) in graduate school, but I've been able to have my own horse. I live how you talk about your learning and the trust. What a time that must have been!
ReplyDeleteJulie Burchstead, who once was a slicer and is in my online writing group, is a rider in Vermont. She has horses and I contacted her when I needed to write a horse scene in my verse novel. I loved hearing her words about riding and what it meant to her. I wish I had had that experience in my own life. Thanks for sharing a part of your past.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone, just home from the bookstore and I love hearing your connections, or not, with horses. We all possibly have those times in our past that we don't share anymore because, well, it's passed! I hope some of you go back to show a little of what you were in some of your former lives.
ReplyDeleteThe you you used to be is fascinating. It's hard to read about you saying goodbye. Horses are such friends.....and such a lovely memory of bonding with your daughter. And, I like Margaret's idea of you being a consultant for horse writing! Looking forward to tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful inside look at the "you, you used to be."
ReplyDeleteLove this glimpse into the you you used to be. And your connections to teaching. My only experience riding was on a dude ranch family vacation. My children still laugh about Mom and Ute.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, Leigh Anne and Ramona. What fun to hear that you had an experience with Ute, Ramona. And yes, it was fun to do the riding with my daughter, not as much as I did because she had school! My son also rode which was great because he had to do a lot of it later at camp!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a glimpse into an experience I've never had. I hope you are able to get back in the saddle one day!
ReplyDeleteThis is great to hear of your past. Riding horses - I love it. I always wanted to ride but it was not in our household budget growing up. I managed to ride a few times here and there but would love to do more even now. I may have to look into that. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteStellar combination of words and pictures, testament to their powers to transport us.
ReplyDeleteOh! The past! My dearest friend loves horses. She travels to a camp out east every summer to wrangle horses all summer. I think they are magnificent. Thank you for sharing this insight with us.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you Chris, Joanne, Brian and Kendra. I knew there might be connections and what fun to hear about them from you. If you want to ride, go for it! Thanks for the comment on the words, Brian. Nice to receive.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteThank yo for letting us have a glimpse into your life. You are amazing.
You're welcome, Ruth. Just sharing some fun from the past!
DeleteI never knew you were a horseback rider! I rode too, and even owned horses, all the way through high school and college! I was just thinking last weekend that I would like to try it again. Hmmmm…
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to hear this Carol. When people get together they rarely talk about the past. We should have done so!
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