Last night I had dinner at a new restaurant with a good friend. The simple experience has helped to banish, to some degree, the overwhelming feelings of guilt and despair that I have been feeling. Friends are such a wonderful asset.
I am frustrated to find that I am now waking well before the sun rises in fear that something has happened to one of the horses. I bolt out of bed before 5:00 each morning wearing my pyjamas and carrying a flashlight to check on everyone. The horses must think that I have gone crazy, but appreciate being fed their breakfast unexpectedly early.
Yesterday, I spent the entire day outdoors preparing the farm for winter. My trusty tractor has been my companion as I drive around the farm picking up the logs, jump standards and jump poles that saw far too little use this summer. I planted a few bulbs along the driveway and cut back the little strip that I call a garden. There were still a few apples on the trees that I picked and distributed to the horses.
I welcomed the snow that was falling as it covered the pools of blood in Lerus and Duncan’s pasture.
Duncan is adjusting to life on his own for the time being, though he paces the fence and calls to the other horses. Tomorrow morning my client is bringing her two year old gelding, Boaz, over to live with Duncan. The boys have traveled to shows together and are close in age and size, so I am hoping both will be happy with the arrangement.
Cheryl Mathis
7:42 am on November 13th
I think manual labor is wonderful for the soul, especially after tragedies and upsets.