You are my dream come true.

Sprucelands is a positive experience for campers new and old.

This post is not meant to discourage new campers or depress old ones. It is meant to share a life lesson because that's what we do at Sprucelands. We share those lessons, gain perspectives, and come to understand each other. We all grow up one day and with that growing there is - as my mother continuously remind me - nothing so sure as change.

This post also lets you know that I am okay. I love to laugh and play and be a kid with the best of you. I plan to have the best summer of my life, and I pray you will join me. Now make a cup of tea or pop open a can of soda because I want to share me with you. Here goes.

Grief comes in different packages. It can sneak up and grab us just when we think everything is going well. Sometimes it confronts us head on, boldly, and our world stops spinning because loss is painful and we fight letting go. I’ve discovered another kind of grief. It is ongoing, revisiting us over and over again, and each time taking away a little of our heart.

You help me and all of camp see the bright side. I love having you in my life.

Working through grief is basically the same for us all. We bargain first, try to make a deal. We say things like, “Let’s try this first,” or “Work with me just one more year.”  And then there’s, “If I write a book or make greeting cards or work a little harder, then maybe things will get better.”

After bargaining, we get angry because we don’t want to lose. Hopelessness can swallow us when we realize there are no more options. Often dear friends and family catch our anger even as we don’t mean to hurt them. We feel down and helpless. It’s as if our genuine, real self has gone into hiding.

Then sadness takes over. We weep. We find ourselves paralyzed, almost unable to move through the day, depressed and withdrawn. Sometimes we wonder if it’s possible to cry so much. It truly feels our heart will break. You've been there at some point. I'm sure. I've experienced that deep sadness when I lost my first horse, and then my dog Babe. 

Eventually we grow into accepting our loss and move forward, looking toward new challenges, different horses, and fresh adventure. Such growth – and it is growth - is harder than I have ever known. The problem is that acceptance of loss can be a long time coming.

Fella was an all time gem.

In all my years at Sprucelands I have experienced the kind of grief that grabs me when I think things are going well. The plow truck needs a new transmission in January, the generator refuses to start, or the weather is too heavy for the dam so the dam breaks. It feels huge and overwhelming. You have all had those things happen to a lesser degree. Maybe you lose your cell phone or your computer gets a virus. You think hard about solutions and sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't.

Losing these two guys was really rough...for everyone.

Last winter, grief confronted me head on and I was personally challenged. I said two goodbyes to very dear friends and co-teachers. One was Fella. The other was Kokomo. I bargained nearly a year to keep Fella going until he and I both accepted that a decision needed to be made. It was painful because we were such good buddies.

Then there was Kokomo, my precious Kokomo, a link to campers past and present. From February until April, we cheered him on until he made us accept that his spirit could no longer keep his body alive. He left us his love and bidding us ‘thanks’ said ‘goodbye’.

I don't know if you realize that I know grief at the end of every camp season. You campers and staff return to your homes ‘out there’. I know we’ve had a great time. We are kids together, sharing horses, friendships, campfires, evening programs, silly songs, Whacky Wednesdays, riding lessons and trail rides up boys hill and down the air strip. Then you go home and I walk around camp weeping like a long lost puppy. It takes me until January to manage my loneliness so that I am ready for a new season. I get too attached to you. I invest in you. I think of you as my summer family.

Facing reality means making this summer the absolute best!

So here is my new reality. The economy has won. I cannot change circumstances. I’ve been with Sprucelands 33 wonderful years. After 4-5 years of bargaining, anger, and deep sadness, I’ve come to accept that my fantastic dream has come true. You make it so, and I am eternally grateful. Now I accept that change is inevitable. I must discover a fresh dream, perhaps pursuing my photography.

Sprucelands is officially on the market. I tell you this because I am hoping and praying your family or perhaps Sprucelands alumni will step up to give her new life so that she might continue to build confidence and leadership skills in the lives of horse loving young people.

What does that mean for this summer? I am currently looking to run camp for the middle four weeks. That would be session 2 and 3. During the first session and the last, there will be riding lessons, trail rides, Saturday night barn dances (fundraisers), and unique options for a small group of you to work intensely on your riding skills should you want to do that. If you want to be at camp longer than four weeks, I’m happy to have you. Keep in mind: those spaces are limited.

Let's celebrate each other! Make new friends...

laugh until our sides hurt...

ride with heart...

and  play till we drop!

I would like this to be a tribute summer. I invite any of you who want to savor our camp spirit to join us. I encourage new campers to discover the Sprucelands experience because it’s an experience of a lifetime. Come feel our spirit. Join our summer family. You will be glad you did! Nowhere in the world is there a camp as genuine as our beloved Sprucelands. Share hugs and riding, friendships and memories while accepting each other for the persons we are.

Because there are only four weeks of spaces, please get registrations in soon. Grab a spot for you! We want you here. Bring your sense of humor along with your willingness to practice riding skills and love horses. Let’s have a smash, bang, knee-slapping whopper of a finale summer with enough fun, laughter and love to fill our hearts happily ever after.

Comments welcome.

Scribbles and February are both doing well.

Can you believe this is February?

February has been an awesome weather month. I actually think we could have done a clinic every weekend. That's the kind of month it has been. Temperatures in the 40's and 50's. Sunshine that would of course make the ground hog see his or her shadow day after day, and that could mean major nasty weather ahead as we face six more weeks of winter.

I must confess we had a February much like this years ago. It was the year we bulldozed and then constructed the round ring. Temperatures for most of that February were 75 degrees, even warmer than this year. In our shirt sleeves, we sweat as we moved debris out of the ring area. In many ways that weather was a gift because it enabled the completion of that arena in a month that usually buries us in snow. 

The down side of the weather that year was the snowstorm we had at the end of March. There was so much snow dumped on us that it was over the top board of our fencing. As I recall, there was nearly three feet of heavy, hard-packed snow. It took three hours to plow from the lodge parking lot to the corner of ring #1. 

Hey there, hi there! I'm starting to work again.

Back then we plowed with a tractor that had what I used to call a chimney plow. We backed up and blew the snow away, but this time around it was nearly impossible to carve a path to the barn. Guess I sound like my mom. Those were the days.

Well, we are taking advantage of this good weather. Last weekend, Katie sat on Scribbles for the first time since Scribbles came back last June. Scribbles has had extensive chiropractor work and thanks to the sponsorship of Madeline and her family, we are happy to report that Scribbles is making progress. 

Katie walked Scribbles in both directions. Scribbles was receptive to the weight and moved without difficulty. She did not look off at the walk in either direction. Her manners were impeccable. She seemed happy to be ridden again. 

So Katie has a new project. It is called Scribbles.

We have watched Scribbles in the rings and in the pasture with the other horses. Gradually, we notice she is starting to chase after the other horses which is actually a good sign. She's rediscovering her spunk. Often she comes into the barn at a trot, acting like Miss Prissy from the pickle patch, ready to show off her new found energy. That's when I decided it was time to put her into light work. 

I am  holding out hope for her recovery. We have a vet in the area who does acupuncture and I may have that vet come in to see if she can loosen Scribbles's hips up enough so that the chiropractor might be able to do more. All we can do is try out the different options and hope for a miracle. 

So February is what it is and Scribbles is what she is. I know our barn manager is loving the fact she does not have to battle snow and ice daily. I love that driving is easy, and in addition, I am getting my windows washed. In February! I am washing my windows! Wow! That is some kind of gift. 

Hope the weather is good wherever you are. Remember this is the time to plan for the summer. Take a minute in your ever busy life to get those registrations in so I know how to plan horses, staff, and food. There is so much to do and so little time. 

Horse talk really could be fun.

Just dropping in on a conversation amongst the girls.

"So there's not a lot of news," says Sunrise. "Just tryin' to figure out ways to keep that new girl from moving in on things. I really like being in charge here. Besides, she's so darn pretty. Doesn't seem right that a pony should get all them good looks. Just look at her. Such a brunette she is!"

"What's her name," munches Scribbles.

"Misty," says Poco. "Doesn't look very Misty to me though, not like the fog over the pond. Don't they usually name dapple greys Misty?"

"You're so silly Poco. You don't name a horse after fog on the pond," Patti remarks. "I will agree though I don't know quite what to make of Misty," chuckles Patti. "She sure has her act together. Independent. Patient. Observant. She even apologized the other day and moved out of the way so I could munch off her pile of hay."

"That was so rude," said Poco. "You took her pile of hay away from her."

"I think there's something wrong with her. She doesn't eat much hay when she's out here and still stays mighty plump. Just look at her waddle," says Sunrise.

"Who are you to talk about plump!" remarks Poco. "Have you looked in the mirror lately?"

"Girls, girls, girls! Stop your bickering," inserts Bonnie as she pushes her way into the middle of the round bale and flips hay up on top of everyone's head. "Misty is a cutie. She's fitting in. I like how polite she is. Never tries to pick a fight with any of us. She's a keeper alright."

"Besides," comments Honey, "You know at Sprucelands we accept each other for who we are. That's what's classy about this place. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Sunny and Po have no clue what the girls are talking about.

"By the way," shouts Ellie from the other side of ring #3, "How do you like that Po horse? He's a hunk, isn't he? Thinks he's king of the barn he does. I saw him goin' after Boomer and Bugler the other day."

"Nobody goes after Boomer and Bugler," says Thunder.

"Actually, Romeo does sometimes," remarks Shiloh.

"You're kidding!" says Sunrise sarcastically. "I guess I missed seeing that."

"Well, anyway, Po and Sunny seem to be getting along pretty good with Indigo and Stormy. They've been spending a lot of time in ring #2 lately," says Ellie. "I kinda like nuzzling with Po over the fence. He thinks I'm pretty swell."

"Hey," says Poco. "Change the subject, all of you, before you get to fussing with each other. Let's talk about the weather or camp or trail rides."

"I don't think so," says Thunder. "I personally think Toby is my type..."

And so the conversations happen at the barn, all day everyday. In the rings, the pasture, the back paddock, even the barn, our horses chomp and stomp, catching up on the latest in their world. I get such a kick out of watching the dynamics between them. It's funny. I think sometimes we simply need to stop and listen.

Comments always welcome.

Celebrate the Tsz and Shiloh team.

Tsz and  Shiloh are so in love.

Saturday was a pleasant day at the barn. Taught a lesson and was working on stalls when Tsz arrived. Because she passed her driving test, she was very proud of herself. This was the first time she drove to camp on her own and the trip was thankfully successful. So when you write to Tsz on facebook, offer her your congratulations. I know driving independent of parents is a big accomplishment.

What I love about Tsz spending time with her horse Shiloh is how she soothes Shiloh with her quiet voice. They talk together, Tsz encouraging Shiloh to lift a foot or raise her head. I do believe one of Tsz's favorite things in the whole world is to groom Shiloh. When the deed is done, Shiloh has had a spa treatment complete with full body massage and genuine companionship.

These two are teaching each other all kinds of life lessons.

I continued with my stall work while Tsz tacked up and rode Shiloh. They spent over an hour training in the indoor arena and poking around in the parking lot. Not sure if they went on the trail this time or not. I do know it began to snow, sprinkling everything with the hope that perhaps winter was here to hide the mud.

I told Tsz at the start of her Shiloh time that I wanted to take pictures of her for the blog. She has been one of our very regular riders this winter, always bringing joy to the barn and love to Shiloh. So celebrating the two of them seems appropriate.

Tsz, you are too funny!

The photos came out so well. I love how they show Tsz's spontaneous personality highlighted always by giggles and laughter. Perhaps one day these pictures will be treasured photos that speak to Tsz's friendship with dear Shiloh. I know from personal experience that there's nothing quite like that first horse.

After our little photo shoot, Tsz went on her way. I grabbed my camera and walked the Al Capone trail and then crossed the road to the maze. Thought you would be interested in how little snow we really have in January. Last week it rained heavy rains. Saturday the temperature changed so the rain was both easier and prettier to handle in snow form.

Come walk with me.

I share this photo with you. Can you picture where it is in our maze? That trail immediately on the opposite side of the road that eventually takes you over a large log? Thought maybe this picture might contrast with your summer memories when everything is thick with green leaves. Perhaps you're out on a trail pace. Maybe we are wandering through the woods on a trail ride together. There's nothing like it.

Saturday however looked like this. Wouldn't you like to go on a winter walk with me? I would love to have you join me if only on the blog. If winter continues like this, we just might get in a trail ride.

Comments welcome always.

Sprucelands State of the Nation

This has not been the most interesting winter at Sprucelands. Weather has been pretty flat. We've had 2-4 inches of snow here and there. One weekend it was -5 to -10 degrees. Now it is raining. Flat weather is grey and muddy, hard for the horses believe it or not and yet easier for pushing a wheelbarrow.

Maddie continues to grow in her riding. She loves Honey.

I personally miss camera opportunities with the absence of snow. Winter can be magical for us photographers, and the horses love posing as they frolic in the soft white flakes that usually bury us every year. Not so this year. Not yet. Of course, the weather could be different tomorrow. This is after all Western New York!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my riders during January. They are the sun in my weekend. Often they pop out on Saturday or Sunday, to spend time with their horses or our horses and help me with chores. Tsz, Kalayne, Courtney, Alicia, Katie, Ava and Maddie keep me up.

Courtney and Indigo are working more as partners this winter.

Watching their growth as horse handlers and riders is outright exciting. Besides, the horses love them and indirectly the connection between each girl and horse is genuinely heartfelt. Rider skills have improved. Rider pride has expanded. Makes our winter together meaningful and fun.

As an aside, I'll toss in here that we are officially starting our Sprucelands 4H group the weekend of Feburary 17-19. Not sure whether we'll be together the whole weekend or whether we will do Friday night to Saturday instead. It will definitely be an organizational weekend, deciding on our activities for upcoming months and figuring out how to integrate the 4H expectations with our Sprucelands program. I know we have wanted to add 4H for a long time, hoping to involve more in the community here at camp.

Ava has a new pony named Misty. The two of them are flat-out in love.

More than ever before, this winter has tossed us financial challenges. I shared that challenge with all of you in a previous blog. We have worked so hard to weather the recession these past five years. Now that maybe we are almost over the hump, there just are no reserves. Your response has been life-saving for December and January. The horses and I thank any of you who have lent a hand or made us a gift. You are priceless.

I have to continue my request for your support. Please. Remembering February and March are still down times is vital. Keep your horse support coming, especially if you have not taken a turn at pitching something into the pot. Sponsor a horse for a month. Twiggy, Scribbles, Thunder, and Honey have been sponsored and feel very loved. If anyone else is interested in helping one of our happy steeds, just let me know.

Katie, Yvonne, and Alicia pop in as welcome Saturday or Sunday helpers. Courtney's mom, Tsz's dad, and Kalanyne's mom often help out with chores as well. I am so grateful for their help with stalls and feeding, especially at -5 degrees. 

Come for a lesson. That always helps. And send in your registrations for summer. That is major because your $200 gives us operating money. Besides, I need to plan staff and horses for your time at camp. It is a big undertaking to get everything up and running. Nice to get started before the last minute.

So guess with this 'state of the nation' blog post, it's fair to say I'm back to staying in touch after my sabbatical from writing to you. I've news and insights to share. Let me know too what you're up to. I'm on facebook often and have recently found Pinterest. Great ways to stay in touch and keep each other posted on how we are spreading the Sprucelands spirit.

Not ever January can we take a stroll in the woods. This year is different.

Till my next post, I sign off with a hug to you all. Shop Amazon. Use our Planet Green site for buying ink cartridges, and purchase greeting cards through the link on the left of this blog. Every little bit helps.

Remember to recruit friends and family for camp this summer. That's only five months away. And hold this thought: I am so grateful that you are in my life.

Help us out this winter. We need you!

Sprucelands Christmas/Winter Wish List

Can you help us out during January, February and March?

Sprucelands wintertime cash flow is very slow. It is difficult making ends meet. We horses want the quality Sprucelands program to continue for you and your children. For that to happen we need to stay healthy across the year so we are ready to work in the summertime. Every little bit from you helps purchase what we need.

Please put us on your gift list this Christmas. All us horses and Sprucelands Camp will be eternally grateful. Look at where the money goes. Then you can pick just how you want to help.


Round hay bale $35.00 ~ (We purchase 5 bales or $175/week)...Shavings $80.00/wk ~ (Truckload $650; lasts 2 months)...Square hay bale $ 3.00  ~ (We purchase 50 bales or $150/week)...Senior Feed $17.00/bag ~ (Use 2 bags or $34/week)...Minerals $55.00 ~ (5 bags last 2 months)...Grain $20.00/bag (Purchased by the ton)...Soy $20.00 ~ (1 bag lasts 2-3 weeks)...Salt $ 8.80 ~ (1 bag lasts 2-3 weeks)...Farrier $55.00 (Basic trim and reset)...Farrier $20.00 (Simple trim, no shoes)...Sponsor a horse $30.00/month

In addition to any of the above, consider sponsoring a camper or sending in your own camp registration for the 2012 summer season. If you need a Sprucelands summer camp application, simply click here. 

Gift certificates are available for riding lessons or toward summer camp. Contact Sprucelands with your payment and the gift certificates will be mailed immediately. 

We hope you will invest in Sprucelands. If you are a person who truly wants to make a difference, then your gifts will do just that. Should you choose to sponsor a horse, then you will get updates on that horse as we go through the upcoming months. Over the winter share the love and connection we feel all spring, summer and fall. There's nothing like it.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!

Thanks to each and every member of the Sprucelands family for helping us through this challenging winter.

Send your gift to the following address:

Sprucelands, P.O. Box 54, Java Center, NY 14082

Phone: 585 457 4150     Email: spruceland@gmail.com

                                                

  

Christmas Reunion Closes the 2011 Season

Tarrah raises the angel to shine for yet another year.

Every year I am delighted by the enthusiasm and energy of my clinic helpers who come to enjoy yet another Christmas Reunion. What started years ago as an all camp reunion has evolved over time into an opportunity for closure to the weekend clinic season.

We say 'thank yous' to each other for the hard work and personal growth that was shared across the weekends with scouts. At the same time, we let loose to have plain, simple fun, spontaneously singing Christmas carols. Jokes are told. Funny stories are remembered. Horses are celebrated. There is chatter around the table like never before. With 19 of us here, you can imagine the noise level.

Of course we all share the barn chores and feeding. Most is run by the clinic helpers because now they are pros at the routines. I can step back and let them do their thing. In many ways, it is a proud moment for me because I realize these helpers have come a long way since last spring.

I love the growth that happens with my clinic helpers. Some who were nervous about asserting themselves as a leader have learned confidence. Many who had difficulty making decisions or taking initiative are now much more able to take the lead. Others have acquired horse information that they can easily share with others. Those who were too aggressive in their wishes to control everything have become tactful in their people skills. I love it.

You guys are so special. Thanks for being you.

So the clinic helper program is one leadership training option that works well at Sprucelands. As a fringe benefit, the kids become fast friends. They accept each other for the person they are, becoming a group that is bound by firm ties, silly stories and genuine feelings. Clinic helpers - from every year across time - have a connection that runs deep.

We of course did riding lessons. I marvel at how the growth in each helper is reflected in their riding. Perhaps the growth in their riding inspires their growth as a person. I don't know but the riding/teaching mix builds a willingness to try new things with their horses. The results are inspiring to watch.

This last week we were all amazed at how well our riders asserted themselves, jumping, cantering, even getting out on a short trail ride. How lucky we were with the weather! We rode in sweatshirts and in ring #1. Can you believe it? At the Christmas Reunion? Amazing!

Saturday afternoon we decorated Christmas cookies. That has become a tradition started by Liz Jones way back when. Now Yvonne makes the cookies. We decorate them and devour them all weekend. I have to fast for the week after because my calorie intake is off the charts at a Reunion.

Saturday evening we put up the Christmas tree. Our Red Ribbon Ceremony was once again meaningful and memorable. Each one of us tied 3-4 ribbons on the tree in honor of a loved one or someone who made a positive difference in our life during 2011.

Those red ribbons just make the tree!

At first, it's hard to stand up in front of others to explain who your ribbon is for. However, by the end of the experience, we're all looking for more ribbons because we realize there is a long list of people who supported us across the year. Saying 'thank you' starts to feel really good.

We finished the evening with a game of Yankee Swap. Lots of laughs over that one. And then I invited the kids into 'the blue room' where I played a video of the Polar Express and read the story as the video played. The video was actually photos I had taken from the Polar Express. With train sounds and music added, it was the background for the actual story. We felt as though we were actually there, riding a train and seeing Santa Claus.

So the weekend was another hit. I will never forget this one. It was very special, filled with warmth and caring. I was even surprised with an awesome gift. The kids joined together to purchase a gliding rocker with a gliding footstool to match. It's lovely. I was overwhelmed then and still feel a swelling of gratitude when I sit in my chair at day's end to feel a hug from everyone.

Comments always welcome.