Welcome to my weekly smile. I haven’t shared a smile post since last September and to be honest, I haven’t been writing much these days. I’ve started this post at least three different times, having trouble finding the words that use to flow so easily as I’m struggling these days with lots and some of life’s biggest challenges. Some of these challenges are things like when should I retire? Where should we live once we retire? and I worry about some of my family members who struggle with mental health issues. Other than these things that have been occupying my mind, I am trying to find all the small things that make you smile! So here I am hoping I can find the words and the small things that make me smile. 😀
I had memories on my social media this last week of my sweet horse Chloe that I shared. It actually brought me great smiles as I reminisce and remember my sweet girl. That is why I thought I would share a photo of her to open up this smile post. She brought so much joy in my life and I know she is at peace and out of pain now. She was with me for 18 years, and even though I miss her immensely I am very grateful to have Murphy to love on and share my mornings with each day.
Murphy is so much FUN! I lie a tiny bit, as he is very fun to ride and is very respectful but when I work with him on the ground and lead him around to get from point A to point B he is sometimes a challenge and disrespectful. I have realized that in my kindness to him, I’ve let him be the leader of the 2 of us and so when I challenge him to follow me he puts up a fuss and sometimes refuses and acts out. My sister was here for a couple of weeks in January and she has helped me immensely with his ground manners and he is so much better. She has found a good trainer with good YouTube videos that we have been watching, and with his guidance we have really got Murphy thinking smarter and he has been so much better. I know we are on the right path with his manners! This makes me smile! 😀
I do enjoy the challenge he brings even though I’ve had some frustrating days working with him the last few months. He and I are learning so much together. It’s been a hot minute that I’ve had to train a young horse and he has quite the personality. He is sensitive but strong willed. He’s big and very tall which can be intimidating. I’ve learned that he is very smart and a fast learner and I have respect for his size and he doesn’t worry or scare me as our bond has grown immensely. He doesn’t want to hurt me, he mostly wants to do what Murphy wants to do, but he’s too big to let him have his way. So I have learned ways that convince him that it is better to follow my lead and do what I would like to do and believe me I do not ask him to do anything that would ever hurt him and I don’t exercise him to death either! Haha, meaning I don’t ride him for hours and I try and make all that we do fun together. He truly is a sweet guy!
If you click on the photos you can see them better and these photos have my girlfriend Sally riding her horse Roscoe with my sister riding Murphy. We had so much fun together! This makes me smile too! 😀
While my sister was visiting we took a hike in the local hills here in my town to Pumpkin Rock. You can see the view from the rock on this hazy January day. I’ve shared photos of this hike before and I’m trying to remember maybe a year ago or so? Anyways, my sister loves the outdoors and hiking, walking, jogging and riding horses! She is two years younger than me and we share so many passions together. The horses and our crafts. She makes me smile! 😀
I’ll end this crazy smile post with Murphy eating his lunch. He’s a good eater which I am thankful for as he maintains his weight easily. He eats a lot with his size, haha! He reminds me of like a goofy Marmaduke, love the way he looks at me! As I wrap this up I am feeling better and am happy I finally got pen to paper as it were…. I suppose the best way to end this is what makes you smile?
Have a great day!
~Diana ❤
Mylife-and-Horsestories 