The Heart of Sprucelands

When I woke up this morning, my immediate thought was about scurrying down to the dining hall for breakfast. Wierd. Am I missing camp or what? I laid in bed thinking about summer and discovered it was actually difficult to set my goals for the day because my mind kept coming back to camp.

So for my blog post today I am checking in with you to ask what you miss about camp. The first thing I miss - and I can't show you this in a photo - are the sounds of camper voices on the hill, around the lodge, at the waterfront, in the Nart Room and the barn, at bridge/lawn time, and then for closing circle. Those voices when I hear them chattering, laughing, singing, and calling to each other are like music to my ears.

Camp is too empty and quiet when you are not here. I never know how to explain that quiet. It's like camp exists for you.

When you are here, the whole place is alive, bubbly, jumping with fun and excitement. It doesn't matter whether a jump rope contest, a stream hike, mud wrestling on a rainy day or even a surprise picnic is in progress. Something is always happening. And when all that hustle and bustle suddenly stops and you go home, then camp loses its heart somehow.

I miss teaching riding lessons in the sunshine. The whole business of bundling up in thousands of layers to keep warm gets old after a while. It's different teaching and riding in winter. The footing is frozen, our toes, nose and fingers get cold, and there isn't the same flexibility in rider and horse that there is in warmer weather.

I miss ring #1 and the round ring when they are buried under that slippery white stuff. How I anticipate spring with its squawking geese, slurpy mud, and shedding horses because then I know summer is truly around the corner.

Here's another silly thing I miss: seeing an open barn. While enclosing the barn in the winter is necessary to our very survivial, I miss working in the barn on a warm sunny day when soft breezes carry the fragrances of leather and stalls. It's like the barn is bundled for winter right now. In fact, in the fall Lorie and I about beg Stacey to put up the heavy plastic panels over the barn 'windows' as windy, cold days suck us into blowing snow. We are grateful for the necessary winterizing, and so are the horses. Still, I miss an open barn.

I miss seeing the horses on the hill in green pasture. The herd looks so peaceful as together they graze, blow raspberries at the butterflies, and occasionally shake their manes. Often I walk to the barn and stand on the road to look out across the pasture. The sight is relaxing, calming, restful, and reminds me that Sprucelands is a truly beautiful place.

I miss walking into the dining hall and seeing you there. I can go down to the lodge. I have that luxury. I can smell the smells of that old building, but that's just not the same when there are no people inside. Summer decorations are gone from the walls. No one is at the foosball table or playing ping pong. There is no one to check in with like we do in summer. Nancy and Hank are not in the kitchen. There are no Hill Parents around. I can't seem to get anyone to answer the walkie-talkie. I miss our busy dining hall.

Another thing: I miss evening programs. I miss Hit-the-Deck and the silliness of 'man overboard' and 'jelly fish' and 'up periscope'. I miss talent shows, crazy kickball games, treasure hunts, Whacky Wednesday fashion shows, trail pace Saturdays, karoke shows, skit nights, the Sports Toto, trust games and Capture the Flag. I miss your creativity and how we think outside the box as we put thematic spins on old ideas.

Guess my list could go on and on, but I can't go on and on. I have to jump back into the real world and get ready for school. If I linger too long with thoughts of summer, the day will move forward without me. Reality is that spring is around the corner and summer isn't too far off so we'll soon be welcoming new campers and helping them feel like old friends.

Make sure you mail your registrations in soon so you have a space. I am happy to say we have a great start to the 2010 summer season. I can't wait for Sprucelands heart to start beating again.

Leave a comment about this blog post if only to say 'hi' as you pass this way.

Quick Resources for You

Today’s blog is for your education. I thought it might make sense to mention a few resources that Sprucelands offers, especially if you are new to camp and want to know more about us.

(1) Sprucelands has a business page on Facebook. The ‘Sprucelands Inc.’ page keeps you in touch with any new blog entries on a regular basis. In addition, there are times when ‘discussions’ are opened up and occasionally we have an ‘event’ that is fun to participate in. Right now there is a discussion open about what blog topics you would like me to address. So check it out because in reality it is a resource for you and a help for me.

(2) You or your parents can request me as a friend on Facebook. Leave me a note when you make that request. Explain that you are interested in becoming a camper and I will accept you as a friend on Facebook. There is my personal page where we can chat and leave messages for each other, and if you are interested in talking to other campers or staff, I will suggest names to you that you could accept as quality friends.

(3) A ‘Quick Reference’ page on the website gives you access to basic information that is priceless. It means you can go to one page and find start and end dates, check-in times, benefits to being a Sprucelands camper, our camp atmosphere, the camp motto, tuition costs, basic horse and facility information as well as what a typical day is like.

In addition, this page gives you quick links to our location, camp philosophy, frequently asked questions, the camp brochure, a definition of riding programs, and data about bringing your own horse. There is a link to my email, and best of all, links to our camp application and the forms you need to complete prior to coming into camp. To check this out, click here: Quick Reference Page.

(4) Many new campers ask what a typical day is like. If you are interested in what kinds of activities we have at camp in addition to our main focus for horses and riding, scroll back several days on this blog because I recently addressed ‘other activities’ in one of my posts. Here is the website link for a typical day at Sprucelands summer camp: A Typical Day. It’s worth taking a peek.

(5) As you make your decision whether or not to join Sprucelands, check out some of our horses. I know when I consider going to a horseback riding camp, I want to know what the horses look like. These horses are available to everyone. We are very careful to match you to a safe horse. That means our riding staff is extremely wise about connecting your riding skills to a horse that will take good care of you. Here's the link: Sprucelands Camp Horse Page. Enjoy!

(6) Once you have made your decision to become a Sprucelands camper, the question is what to bring and what to leave at home. Follow this link and then click on the box that says: ‘Click here for what to bring checklist’. This excellent list was put together by a smart parent who joined with her daughter to figure out the best variety and amounts of clothing for her daughter’s adventure at camp.

In closing today, I’ll mention how the website Table of Contents gives you very quick access to absolutely everything on the website. Use it. Make it your friend, and let me know if anything needs to be added so you have all information about Sprucelands at your fingertips.

Comments about whether this was a helpful post are welcome. You can also let me know if you have additional questions you would like answered in future blog posts. We are working hard at being a user friendly summer camp.

A Look at the Family

Good Monday morning! Hope this weekend went well for you all. I spent my days at the barn, feeding, mucking stalls, and doing lessons. Did take a break on Saturday afternoon to run into Kiersten's birthday party. It was a chance to catch up with family, and I always like that. I can't believe how grown up Kiersten is becoming.

Someone asked last week about the family. I thought maybe you'd like to see how they have grown and changed, especially those of you who knew them years ago when they were young children at camp. They're a pretty impressive group now. Most of the guys are over 6 feet tall. I think Stacey and Drew are about 6'2" or taller. I know they dwarf me now.

This photo was taken Labor Day. Stacey and his wife Jennifer arranged a gathering at their home. Everyone brought tents and camped out in their backyard. There was a barbecue, lots of corn on the cob, games for the kids, and then a late night campfire. We all had such a good time being together. It was a great idea to share the day recharging batteries before school got underway, kind of a celebration of each other and the conclusion to a good summer.

Drew works as the Superintendent of the East Aurora Country Club golf course. He loves his job and is very knowledgeable about the inner workings of such an undertaking. That fills the same role at the Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia, NY. I had an opportunity to spend time taking photos at his golf course last summer. What a beautiful place.

Stacey carries huge responsibilities at the Crabb Oil Company in Arcade, NY. He installs and repairs furnaces, water softeners and air conditioners. Part of his work is preparing estimates and making bids on new projects. Darren has worked at a company in Buffalo for quite a number of years now, carrying a variety of challenging responsibilities as well. He is respected as a postivie leader and seems to enjoy his job.

For those of you interested in their children, Drew and Kelli have a girl, Kiersten, and a boy, Brenden. Thad and Bradley have two boys: Daley and Dylan. Stacey and Jenn have a boy, Brady, and await Brady's new brother at the end of May. Darren and Teri have two girls: Amanda and Shelby. So the family is a wonderful size. I am so proud of them all. It's fun when they come out to camp because then I have an opportunity to share country time with them.

Comments? Love them. Missing from the photo by the way is Thad's wife Bradley. She had to work and couldn't make the party.

Daytime Activities

The first half of my Friday was devoted to taking my youngest son – age 35 - to the oral surgeon where he had his wisdom teeth removed. I was surprised and so was he that he felt as good as he did after the surgery. Of course, after all the anesthesia and Novocain wears off, he may be singing a different tune. Right now he is peacefully sleeping.

Since it is nearly 1:00 p.m. and I am home from school, I’m using this time to catch up on business, make a few changes to the website, and write for the blog. In between I’m chatting with the dogs and answering the phone. Before you know it, the day will be done and I will hopefully have accomplished something.

I want to clarify a few things. New campers have asked about what other activities are available during summer camp. They read lots on the website about the horse program and end up wondering what else we do at Sprucelands. So I thought I’d take a few minutes to expand our program here. Maybe this will help.

The first thing I want to do is refer everyone to what a typical day looks like. Click here for a look at our daily schedule. That will link you to how the day falls into place and touches on a few activities that are not horse related.

Fact is there are always choices and you get to choose. Everyday is different. At breakfast, announcements about special events are reported so everyone can figure out how their day will look. Activities are also posted on a big white board at the end of the dining hall.

Special activities can be anything from “Sports on Courts” (tennis, all kinds of ball games, jump rope mania, hoola hoop competition, hopscotch, colored chalk drawings, 4 square, hit-the-deck, and more) to awesome “Nart Room” projects that encompass sewing, knitting, crocheting, boondoggling, drawing, painting, tie-dying, making jam, and creating novel keepsakes that just make your day.

Since ‘Nart’ is a combination of nature and art, hikes also leave from the Nart Room to explore meadows and streams that run through camp. Often campers bring clay back from the stream to mold. Sometimes berry picking is fun. More often than not, it’s cool to explore the beauty and wildlife of the surrounding woods.

We have a camp library. Campers and staff enjoy reading. Most books are donated by campers who want to clean off their personal bookshelves. Reading in the shade of a tree on a summer day is way cool. Those with required reading for school love that they can stretch out in the grass and lose themselves.

Our waterfront offers swimming, canoeing and kayaking. Quite a number of kids take advantage of the water on a hot summer day. If it’s cooler, the canoes and kayaks are an adventure.

We've been known to do a la-dee-da horse spa and bring a horse or two down to the lodge for pampered shampoos. The horses love it. Some campers bring fishing poles because they like to fish...and as you can see, last summer we had enough rain that we entertained ourselves with a unique version of mud rugby. Hey! Only at Sprucelands!

Frequently we have campers who enjoy writing and so they put a camp newsletter together for their session. Writing is such a wonderful outlet. Some campers write poems, skits, plays or stories. Others help prepare for the evening program. The best time to put those preparations together is during activity time.

And then there are the unique, silly events we create. Last year’s summer theme was Dr. Seuss so every Wednesday was Whacky Wednesday. That meant a whole day of craziness that spilled over into evening program time.

Finding Nemo is our 2010 theme. I can only imagine what craziness we’re going to invent for this summer. I know it will be original and fun because I have a staff that thinks outside the box.

Because we are a camper’s camp, you will quickly discover that we want you to participate in the planning. If you have a creative idea, let us know. We will do it. If you feel like something totally different from what is planned, often we are flexible enough to follow your direction.

We collaborate. We work as a team. We get back to the basics of nature, creativity, group effort, and spontaneous fun. So I encourage you to give us your input. Let’s get about the business of Finding Nemo. He's out there somewhere.

Come ready to share your talents. Shed the stress of school with all its deadlines and peer pressure. Enjoy a place where you can just be. Let us throw you a life line. The horses, bird sounds, peaceful quiet and caring friends combine with a family atmosphere to nurture your soul and free your inner child. If you open yourself to the possibilities, I guarantee we’ll make memories to last a lifetime.


Let me know if this post is helpful. More questions? Ask away. I’ll address them in future posts. There's so much more I could tell you. Thanks for stopping by. Leave your comments below.

Thinking out loud

My thoughts are disjointed today. Not sure why but I’m jumping around as my enthusiasm for the new season percolates. Guess I’m missing our camp fun right now. You folks are just too far away. I want to chatter with you, sing some songs, share your sense of humor, go on a trail ride, and eat some good pizza!

This is my 31st year with Sprucelands. I have trouble believing that fact because while it has been a tremendous amount of hard work, it feels as though those years have passed very quickly. I have photographs, memories, wonderful friendships and lots of stories to tell. Many of those stories make me laugh. Some make me cry.

Today I focus on the riding students I currently teach and campers that connect with me through email, the blog and facebook. While our reality is that we have spaces to fill so the coming summer season is all we want it to be, I am actively spreading the word about Sprucelands and hope everyone joins me in doing the same.

What inspires me to keep moving forward is watching my riders – whether lesson riders or campers - as they get caught up in the Sprucelands spirit. I watch them grow and mature in their approach to living and life. My goal as a riding instructor is to help individual riders communicate with their horse using sensitive, soft hands and a flexible, balanced seat. My hope is that horse and rider will become partners in what it means to work, learn, and care, and discover what self confidence in its fullest is all about.

I think often about my adult staff and I celebrate them. Their dedication and enthusiasm sustain me. Their love for this beautiful place combines with my own. Together we open Sprucelands arms each year to eager campers and give them a back-to-the-basics summer experience with horses, friends and fun.

I do believe the overall Sprucelands experience gifts me and others with meaning. Personally, I need to know I am making a difference. I get the feeling some of my adult staff joins me in that feeling. To know that this world is a better place because we are here brightens my day, motivates me to work harder year round, gives me not only purpose, but a reason for being.

Sprucelands attracts wonderful campers, terrific staff, and safe horses. I love that we work and play together. Laughter abounds. The inner child in all of us connects. We accept each other for who we genuinely are and the summer is good because time to just be frees us all to discover new possibilities and fresh beginnings.

Sorry for my disjointed thinking. Fact is I pop from one idea to another because my enthusiasm is beginning to bubble again and like a silly kid I want to catch you up in it so you’ll ready your summer plans and want to pack your trunk tomorrow.

Comments? Please? Let me know what’s on your mind.

Escape for a moment

Outside my window the new day is still dark and sleeping. I’ve let the dogs out for a run in the woods. The cats are chasing each other around the kitchen. I am at my computer wondering just how I will navigate through this Wednesday.

It’s not that I don’t feel well. It’s not that I don’t know where I’m going or what I need to do. It’s that there is more to squeeze into the day than I believe is possible, and that’s without any surprises along the way. So I will do what makes sense. That’s the way I was taught to think after all: Do what makes sense. Get it done and feel joy in what you have accomplished.

I’ve decided life is about navigating through the day and negotiating along the way with what is actually happening and also with the self talk inside my busy head. Maybe the negotiating piece is figuring out solutions that work and not stepping on anybody's toes.

Sometimes it’s like rewriting a contract and making adjustments or compromises. There’s a give and take that softens the events, looks at what is important, meets deadlines and at the close of the day, allows me to crawl into a warm bed and sleep well because the day was good. Sigh.

About now I need to go on a trail ride. Groom, tack up and mount my horse. There is no wind. This could be a good ride. Navigating through the trees, across a gurgling stream, up a steep hill, around a muddy corner, under low branches, across a meadow of wild flowers and into sight of a panoramic countryside brings me such inner peace. Navigation through the woods I can handle. My mind clears. I can focus.

What a perfect escape from the realities of my real day. I can feel the horse moving rhythmically forward, one foot and then the other. The colored leaves below us crinkle and crack. I do believe this is my heaven. The forest floor looks as if it has been carpeted with multi-colored patterns. My horse’s ears twitch as they listen to me and also to distant sounds in the woods. For a moment – if only in my mind – I have not a care in the world.

But then my horse decides I need to do some negotiating with her. She grows stiff under me. Is there a deer up ahead? She refuses to move. I give her a mental pat and urge her forward with my voice. I hear her blow air through her nose with such force that she warns others there’s something ahead that is big and scary. I worry she will turn and flee.

About now, I hear the dogs bark and worry they will give my horse reason for flight. They bark again. My horse continues to feel stiff. She has frozen in place. What makes sense? Shall I dismount and calm her? Right now I’m talking with her, using give and take with my reins and a soft touch with my legs and seat. Maybe I’ll sing. That’s it. I’ll softly sing our camp closing songs, but then the dogs bark again and I realize I’ve momentarily dosed in my office chair.

Guess it’s time. I need to let the dogs in and get on the road so I can move forward with negotiating the day ahead.

Comments? I love them. Please let me know how you take mental trail rides and what you remember about the fun we have meandering through the woods. Let's go to the air strip!

Horse web page

Thought I would alert you all that I have updated the horse page on the website. For some time I’ve let it be. I didn’t think I had photos adequate enough to represent our newer horses and I guess I didn’t want to remove some of our old friends.

We have had 100’s of horses go through the ranks at Sprucelands. I think back to all those old friends often. Horses like Sara, Glory, Midnight, Buddy, Solo, Nemo, Molly, Hero, Stroker, Mr. Chips, House, Kent, Rip, and General will always be in my heart. For those of you who knew them, I’m sure you feel the same.

New campers might be interested in how we create a horse shoe for each departed horse and hang it on the wall in the lodge. That tradition was started with Liz Jones. As you walk along the wall and read horse names, you realize that each horse has their own story. It’s fun to stop and remember the horse and tell their stories. Often we laugh as we recall funny things that happened during their time at Sprucelands.

This last summer we had fun with a psychic who was in camp for a while. She made several comments that on trail pace days and trail rides, we often have more horses following along than we realize. She could connect with the spirits of deceased horses and see them happily tagging along behind our drag rider. I guess you never know. Anything is possible at Sprucelands!

I know often when I let the horses in at the pasture gate, I find myself pausing. It feels like I want to call to others who are long gone and give them time to come into Ring #2 for feeding. I often feel that way about April like she’s standing their waiting for me. It’s a weird feeling.

Well…staying in the present, I removed Glory and Sara from our horse page. Glory was a lovely, dependable paint mare that taught many riders how to ride well. I recall how hard she would make each riding student work as they learned their canter. Some of you will remember. We retired Glory a few years ago. A wonderful family adopted her and loved her until she died this past summer. I felt very sad for the little girl who was Glory’s friend, and yet grateful Glory had love until her end.

I have added Mikey, Scribbles, Sunrise, Bugler, Romeo, Sugar and a new photo for Boomer. That jump starts the web page a bit so we are more up to date. I know there are lots of other horses I can add. Perhaps I'll have to start a second horse page in the future. Anyway, I would appreciate your looking at it and giving me feedback on what you think. I always love feedback. Here is the link in case you have time to take a look: http://www.sprucelands.com/camp_horses.html.

Comments about the horse page? Please leave them below or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Riding Lessons

Teaching riding lessons is one of my loves. It is one reason why I have been with Sprucelands for 30 years. I absolutely, positively thrive on enabling young people in their riding skills because so much of what they learn helps them in their overall personal growth.

The best is starting a brand new rider: someone who has never before sat upon a horse. I take them through safety rules, grooming, tacking up and leading their horse.

Then they mount and very soon I teach them how to talk to their horse with their body movements. Before you know it, the smiles tell me that this horse adventure is their dream come true.

What I see happening is a gradual transformation. Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon so an apprehensive individual becomes a confident rider, and that confidence stays with them. They discover new possibilities. They come to believe that if they can handle a big horse, they can manage almost anything.

I also thoroughly enjoy working with riders that are ready to tackle new skills. They have mastered safe grooming, tacking and leading. No longer do they need my help unless the horse gives them trouble with the bridle. With confidence in their knowledge, they come to the arena, mount, warm up and then look eager and ready to work.

Yesterday one rider worked on the coordination and balance involved with swiveling and communicating subtle messages to her horse. The other rider was challenged to identify her diagonals so that she knew when to correct her posting trot. We worked in the indoor arena and then enjoyed riding in the snow.

There is a whole different feel in the snow. The horses pick their feet up higher so the rider feels as though there is more bounce and lift. Rhythm changes slightly. The rider is challenged to make necessary adjustments. Trust levels are challenged. When all the adjustments are made from the indoor arena to the snowy ring, the rider realizes they have just experienced something brand new and once again confidence increases.

I love the excited chatter after the lesson. It’s the celebratory excitement of accomplishments and successes that comes from an ‘aha’ experience. If there were blocks in understanding certain directions during the lesson, I was challenged to pull a maneuver apart and find either a simpler way or a metaphor to clarify and explain whatever needed to be understood. Finally ‘getting it’ is where we all applaud each other.

Appreciating our horses is also part of the lesson. Good horsemanship is cooling them down, giving a thank you brushing and putting tack away. Throughout that process, riders talk to their horses like they are people. The horses give me the eye. They are in seventh heaven. This pampering makes it all worth it. Just think...they just got a back rub, a virtual massage and major cuddling from a pretty young girl with a twinkle in her eye.

Comments? You know I love them. In fact, as you read through my blog, take time to read previous reader comments because they give you insight into how others experience Sprucelands.

"Anything is Possible at Sprucelands!"

Make your summer plans soon

I woke up this morning thinking about Harry Chapin’s song: Circles. Those of you who have been at camp over the years know we sing it on occasion in the summer. We do love to sing. Any of you who are joining us this summer will discover this song is like an old friend.

All my life’s a circle,
Sunrise and sundown,
The moon rolls through the nighttime,
daybreak comes around,
All my life’s a circle,
Still I wonder why,
Seasons spinning round again,
the years keep rolling by.

Each January I start getting excited about camp. The holidays are behind us. School is counting the days until day 100 can be celebrated, and I think “Gosh, only 6 months till camp!” It’s like there is a camp aroma in the air. Even the horses sense something is different.

Camper registrations are arriving at the post office. I receive phone calls and email requesting information for the new season. My enthusiasm is reborn. I think camp. I breathe it. I look forward to leaving the snow behind, reconnecting with old friends and teaching new friends that Sprucelands is the best. My mind frequently wanders to the summer because I love the spirit we so genuinely share. It's real. It's a caring that infects us all and stays with us forever.

Seems like I’ve been here before,
Can’t remember when,
I’ve got this funny feeling,
We’ll all be together again,
No straight lines make up my life,
All my roads have bends,
No clear cut beginnings,
And so far no dead ends.

Sprucelands Equestrian Center and Summer Camp is celebrating 75 years this summer. I don’t know many children’s summer camps have withstood the tests of time and survived 75 years.

I know I hear from past campers who say, “My life has had so many ups and downs. Sprucelands is the one constant. When things aren't good for me, I know I can always come back to the website and you are there.” Others call me or write letters about how camp has helped them be a positive thinker when things aren't going so great.

I’ve met you a thousand times,
I guess you’ve done the same,
Then we lose each other,
It’s like a children’s game,
Now I find you here again,
A thought comes to my mind,
Our love is like a circle,
Let’s go round one more time.

So we give each other meaning. We manage the successes, disappointments and accomplishments of the school year. Then we come together in the summer, experience horses and each other, reconnect with the little child inside us, and play.

If you haven't already, make plans for the summer. Get your registrations in, especially if you are interested in the Accelerated Horsemaster program or if you want to be a Counselor in Training (CIT). This is the time to save your space.

There's nothing quite like a Sprucelands summer experience. New campers, you will be amazed at our horse program and the silly fun we have. Returning campers, I can hardly wait to see you again. Come one, come all! Spread the word. Talk with your friends and bring them with you. Within minutes of stepping foot in camp, you’ll feel like a friend among friends. I guarantee it.

If you have a comment about this post, please take time to leave it here. You'll never know how much I value your input.

Lily's First Year

Lily had a birthday on December 14th. She’s a year old now. Over the past months she has done some growing up and I’ll add laughingly she still has a ways to go.

Getting past the “I-think-I-want-to-chew-a-life-preserver-stage” was major as you all know. We went through five life preservers this summer that she dragged around, shook, mangled and then shredded. That was not fun and relatively expensive, but Lily had a ball.

Since camp, Lily has expanded her world considerably. A black dog who lives up by the Java Center intersection gets loose from his owner periodically and travels cross lots to visit Lily. Problem is that he doesn’t stay here and play. He takes Lily home with him and that means she has learned her way out of camp and onto the highway. Not good.

More than once, I have had neighbors call telling me they have rescued my dog from playing tag with traffic and will I please keep her home. One time Lily was seen chasing a school bus and then playing with the kids after they exited the bus. Another time, a family brought her home and volunteered to keep her if I didn’t want her. So I sighed and now keep Lily tied even when I’m at the barn. It seems a shame what with all this land to enjoy.

What I am learning is that Lily loves to play and she loves people, kids especially. Usually she is happy here and will stay home when there are folks to entertain her. Just Pudge and me…well, we are pretty boring.

Lily totally LOVES to ride in the car. We learned that fact last summer when she climbed into the back of Alison’s van and without Alison knowing it, rode all the way to Leroy with her. That was a surprise. It was only an accident that Alison realized Lily was there when she saw her wandering around her neighborhood.

When I run errands, Lily is my co-pilot. She sits proudly in the driver’s seat and watches everything and anything as we move across the countryside. Over Christmas, she traveled with me on a 10 hour trip to Indiana and thoroughly enjoyed playing with my folks little rat terrier.

Tom and I have talked often about how much Lily reminds us of Babe. She has Babe’s look in her eye and she cocks her ears like Babe. She loves having her back rubbed; she also loves when I hug her. The similarities are very strange. We’re both wishing now that Babe would teach Lily the camp boundaries so I didn’t have to worry about her adventures outside of camp.

Lily also has a keen sense of smell and excellent hearing. Last night Lily barked off and on disrupting our sleep. I got up twice and let her out. She continued to bark. The hair on her back and neck stood up straight. When I listened, I realized she heard coyotes in the distance. Perhaps they came too close to the house and she believed she was protecting us. Who knows?

I guess all this simply lets you know that Lily is both a delight and a challenge. It may be that I am learning how to handle a border collie. I thought having that breed mixed with Australian shepherd would result in a loyal dog who liked staying home. Like all Sprucelands animals, she has a personality and is quite a character. One day years from now, we will remember Lily and laugh. For now, I’m simply trying to stay a step ahead of her.

Comments? They are so welcome. I love hearing your two cents. If you have a border collie and have any tips, please share them. You'll make my day.

What Surprises?

Since I overslept a tad this morning, I don’t have quite as long to write my post. About Thursday I begin to slow down and it's harder to get up in the morning. Because my school week is usually busy, Friday is looking pretty good on the horizon. While I keep up with the horses each weekend, it is a way to refresh and recharge before the next week rolls around.

So my topic today builds on something I heard last night from a commercial on TV: How will this day surprise you? I love when I hear a phrase that challenges me to think. This is a phrase I think I will keep on my refrigerator. Fact is, everyday can be different if we make ourselves aware and then listen and look for surprises along the way.

As a school counselor, I continue working with kids in the winter. I leave Lorie and Rich to manage the campgrounds while I immerse myself in public school. Surprises sneak in at school. Everyday is unique to me. While there are routines, I meet with different students daily and yes, I continue taking photos for the school community to enjoy. It’s like mixing two of my loves: kids and photography. Only thing that’s missing at school are horses!

My drive to and from school – as I have mentioned previously – is often interesting. Wild life crossing the road while I am driving or domesticated animals like herds of cows standing in the road and nudging my car are surprises that keep me on my toes.

I am also surprised on occasion by the weather. I see sunrises and sunsets whereas it’s often dark when I leave home and dark when I return at night. There are thunderstorms, rainbows, snowstorms, and freezing cold. Each kind of weather changes what I see through my driver’s window and often the sights make me stop for a picture.

Last week our temperatures hovered around zero for days. Then it warmed enough for a light, feathery, misty sleet that covered the trees. When the thermometer dropped again to five or six degrees, the result was overwhelmingly beautiful. The trees were coated with snowy white; the wind stayed quiet all week, and so my drive has taken me through what looks like a winter wonderland.

It’s pretty hairy stopping to take photos when the roads are slippery. I never know who might come up behind me and slide into the rear of my car. Getting hit wouldn’t be the surprise I would want in my day. Fact is, there just isn’t much room to pull off the road in the snow and when I do, I have to take care not to fall down in my rush to capture a quick picture.

On this blog post, you have photos I took while driving on Wethersfield Road. For those of you who know the area, this was the beauty that surprised me one morning and has remained in tact all week long. I have to admit that cold can take your breath away in more than one way. I look at the landscapes in front of me and say aloud, “Dear God, this is beautiful. Thank you for the gift.”

Thanks to you who have made comments. I appreciate your sharing that you like my photos and that you would enjoy getting together for a visit or that you like reading my thoughts for the day. Keep those comments coming. You make me smile.

Familiar and Future

I am starting to hear from campers who miss camp. It’s that time of year when summer feels far away somehow. I totally identify. It’s like my mind wants to see familiar places. I want to jar my memory. This is the time of year I pop popcorn, snuggle under a quilt and watch you guys on the DVDs.

At the barn, the genuine smells of leather and earth are masked right now by the cold crispness of winter. Dusty grooming odors don’t seem so strong. Even mucking stalls is different because everything is frozen.

Now I’ll be very clear to say how those weaker aromas quickly change when there is a thaw. For anyone who is a year round horse person, you know the fragrances missed in cold weather suddenly become very ripe. Then it’s back into the familiar smells until temperatures drop once again and we slide into a deep freeze.

I decided in today’s post to spark your remembering a few familiar scenes. Perhaps just taking a peek will bring you back to summer at the barn.

The catch-all spot in the front aisle near Bonnie’s stall seems to be a good place to start. Here we hang bottles of fly spray and Show Sheen along with assorted ropes, hoof picks, halters, the hammer, safety rules and whatever else we don’t want to lose. All of those assorted items are still there keeping Bonnie company, although because much of it is not in use during the winter, I'll admit it is catching dust.

Then there are the wagon wheels that lean up against the indoor arena in warm, bright summer sunshine. They aren’t anything beautiful, just familiar. I can imagine the warmth right now.

Round bales of hay are dropped in front of these wheels across the summer and even in the winter. All that is left of an old covered wagon, those wheels have been in place for years, standing guard, faithfully watching our comings and goings as we work with the horses. In summer they witness our cooling horses down in the parking lot after riding lessons. In winter, they oversee horses freely galloping to and from the barn as feeding progresses each morning and night.

Finally, I give you a photo that mixes familiar friends with wintertime. These guys are busy just being horses right now. On cold days, their focus is food and they are primarily herd-oriented as they hunker down on frigid days, grateful for warmth from thick winter coats. You can see they are round and fuzzy. Casper says 'hi' to Lia, Alie and Kristen; Ozzy is literally coming up on his tail.

As you reflect on camp and what was, think also ahead to the future: new friends, new horses, new experiences. Recall your good times and then look ahead to 2010.

Brainstorm things we might do with the Finding Nemo theme. Imagine the names of riding classes. I’ve been making notes about ideas already. I even have cleverness swirling in my head for trail paces on Saturday. Participating in Fishville on Facebook has inspired ideas I never thought possible. Silly, I know, and fun.

And those are my thoughts for today. Leave comments below that are sparked by reading this blog post. I love hearing about where my blog takes you in your thinking. If you want to order last summer's DVDs, simply indicate that in your comment.

Christmas Reunion 2009

The Christmas Reunion makes my Christmas holiday memorable. Every year on the first weekend of December, the Clinic Helpers get together for a weekend to affirm each other and celebrate yet another year of successful weekend riding clinics.

We talk and giggle across a Reunion weekend ten times more than any other weekend together. I think that happens because we don’t have to work. Except for feeding the horses, we play in the snow – when there is snow – and that frees up everyone to simply enjoy each other.

On Saturday, a country breakfast was served by Eileen and Lisa to warm the feeders: eggs, homemade sticky buns, bagels, juice, and hot chocolate. During the day, everyone enjoyed a riding lesson. I love seeing how far both riders and horses have come across the year. In the afternoon, Christmas cookies were decorated as added fun; and for supper there was a buffet fit for kings and queens.

I always enjoy Saturday evening. It is a mixture of play and then more serious talk. We gather in ‘the blue room’ for a few games and then there is always a topic that challenges us to be a bit thoughtful in discussion and give a bit of ourselves to each other. This year we each shared a song that was personally meaningful. I was impressed with how much time each one of us put into choosing one piece of music. We all discovered how difficult that can be.

Sunday we decorate the Christmas tree. Everyone pitches in to put up the tree, string the lights and don the decorations. It’s almost more fun than when we put the tree up years ago with my own kids because there’s no arguing about who is going to do what. Chris, Matt and Andrew make sure the tree is standing. Tarrah supervises the lights. Chris puts the angel on top of the tree and then we all stand back and admire our work of art.

Once the tree is decorated, we begin our red ribbon ceremony. Those red ribbons are put on the tree to honor someone who has made a difference to us during the past year. Each one of us puts about five ribbons on the ends of the tree branches. It’s an opportunity to thank each other and to recognize teachers, parents, friends, horses, you name it. We are a very grateful group.

The weekend ends with lots of hugs and goodbyes and plans for getting together across the winter. Lily and Pudge get hugs. I watch everyone drive away and then I am alone with the dogs and the beautiful tree and lots of wonderful memories.

When Tom comes home and I try to tell about all the fun, I discover it’s a weekend that’s hard to explain. The enthusiasm, humor, and caring we share connects us all to the spirit that makes Sprucelands a unique experience. I often wish I could hang the memories on my Christmas tree because then I know it would be perfect.

Any comments about this post are welcome. I love that you're all beginning to comment on what I write. Feels good that you are letting me know you are alive and well.

Just Saying Hello

I’ve decided to write on the blog more often like I do in the summer. Of course, that means it may sound a bit chatty at times because there isn’t always that much to say in the wintertime.

Fact is, I miss you. I want to hear from you. I also want to get us moving on thinking about camp. This is the time to welcome new campers into our summer family. So grab those Accelerated Horsemaster spots before they disappear.

I have to admit camp looks dramatically different in winter than in summer. For some of you, it might be fun to see that. So I’ve taken the liberty in today’s post to show what camp looks like when its cold and snowy.

We don’t have snow that’s terribly deep right now and that is perfectly fine with me. Makes getting around that much easier. It also means the horses stay cleaner. They’re not wallowing in the mud; they give themselves a bath everyday by rolling in the white snow. Soft and furry is the name of the game.

In the winter we put a round bale of hay in ring #2 and ring #3 as well as the back paddock. So the horses gather around in their social circles and chew the fat so to speak. They fuss with each other and munch, talking about the events of their day. I hope they don’t gossip, but I can’t guess on that. There’s enough pushing and shoving to make me wonder. Some of that is the pecking order, I’m sure.

You might be interested to know that Bugler has picked up a lot of weight. He has filled out and is quite pretty actually. Dancer and Patty are maintaining their weight better this winter. I’ll have to take some photos of them and put them up on a future blog post.

For now, I give you a photo of the lodge sitting on the edge of a very frozen lake, although it’s not frozen hard enough for ice skating. Because the stream continues to run, it never quite freezes. You can see the dock is totally buried. I seldom see any heron, ducks or geese these days. It’s just too cold. Often I imagine you bundled up and playing in the snow and then coming in for hot chocolate afterwards. Instead, it's me, Pudge and Lily playing with snowballs I throw and laughing like silly kids.

Thunder, Ellie and Sugar are in ring #2 socializing. It was so cold when I took the above photo. I do believe they have their heads buried in the bale of hay just to keep their ears warm.

Sugar is working out well. I think you are going to like her. The longer she’s here the more personality she has. Erin, one of my riding students, has ridden her under saddle and bareback. Sugar is safe and fun, very willing to please. Right now Thunder, Ellie and Sugar reside in the indoor stalls.

And finally, you have a photo of the girl’s washhouse in winter. It was quite a lovely sight on Sunday as I drove to the barn. The sun highlighted the tall trees. What do you think? Look a little different from camp?

Probably seems sort of strange that I would give you a photo of the washhouse. Guess I'm putting you in touch with a different perspective of camp. Looks like a magical fairyland. Just close your eyes and imagine walking with me through the woods.

For now, leave me a comment as you pass through the blog. It's fun knowing that you're out there doing your thing. My thoughts are with you as I keep on keeping on.

Cold Day at Camp

Lily woke me up barking this morning. Wasn’t quite sure why, and then I stuck my arms out from under the quilt. The air was much colder than normal. Oh no! I could hear the nails popping in the walls of the house, but this was different. This was really cold. I donned my under armor, ready to tackle a day of figuring out how to stay warm. Here we go again.

So I’m bundled in layer upon layer just like when I feed the horses. Temperature is 8 degrees below zero in Java Center. I’ve plugged in three heaters that should help me as long as the electricity remains constant. Thankfully there is no wind. What would I do if there was wind? Anyway, the cheerful weatherman says we are going to enjoy a heat wave today: 25 degrees. I’m so excited.

I guess one of my realities as a camp director at Sprucelands is survival across the winter. Years ago, this residence was only a summer residence. The previous owner made it into a winter home. I am uncertain whether she really lived here in the winter.

Anyway, for 30 years the winters have been a battle with heat issues, plumbing problems and electric outages along with snow plowing to the barn and maintaining the horses. Sometimes the lodge freezes up and then there is another whole set of difficulties. Just imagine.

Thought I’d share all that so you appreciate your cozy abodes in the busy city. I know when I visit my parents; the utilities are all so automatic. What a joy that must be! Out here at camp, it’s like being a pioneer. What I would do without my son Stacey to help, I don’t know. I surely do appreciate his skills.

I always like to look at the upside. I know it’s a good day when I get up in the morning and everything is working right. There’s hot water for a shower and heat to keep me warm. I can turn on my computer and write to you folks. Ta dah! Wonderful!

Now there are new challenges between the house and my car. Three times this fall I went to get in my car and there was a skunk in the garage. Once it was nicely snuggled under the driver’s side. Needless to say, on that day I was late to school. So glad they can be understanding.

When I finally am on my way, I look at my house, pause, and say a little prayer, “Dear Lord, please make sure everything is working okay when I get back home...” and I add, "...may I avoid encounters with any coyotes, deer or herds of lose cattle during my travels."

So today I am headed for the barn praying the heaters I've plugged in don't start a fire. Perhaps you can warm me with a comment below. Meanwhile, have a cozy day in the city and be grateful for what you have.

P.S. I've popped in for lunch. Stacey has been here to work his miracles. He discovered snow plugging up the air intake pipe on the back of the house. Thankfully, the house is toasty warm. My nose is thawing out. I've turned off the electric heaters. Guess I'll make some hot chocolate and then get back to work.

A Snowy New Year

Happy New Year everybody! I am amazed that it’s 2010 because it seems like yesterday when many panicked about it being 2000. Remember that? And it’s already 10 years later. I’m beginning to feel like life is running far faster than I am and keeping up is quite a challenge.

Speaking of keeping up, Sprucelands is 75 years old in 2010. I’m not sure if that means it’s a birthday or an anniversary, but it is definitely an occasion to celebrate, don’t you think? I don’t know how many summer horse camps for kids survive 75 years. Just imagine all the horses and people who have passed through here. How fortunate we are to have touched so many lives. We’ll have to plan special doings this summer.

Right now, there’s a bit of reality we are handling. It’s called cold and snow. Temperatures bounce down into the single digits with wind chill that is scary. The horses look at us and about beg to stay inside. That increases our work load with stalls. I know some of you complain about stalls in the summer. Well, imagine bundling up in tons of layers of clothing, putting on heavy boots, and pushing that wheelbarrow in deep snow. We get pretty tired and work to keep our spirits up.

Another reality is that sometimes we get help. Over Christmas I had to go to Indiana. My dad was struggling with his hip and was in and out of the hospital with complications. So Chris, one of my unsung heroes, came to camp Christmas Eve day and then over the weekend to feed and clean the barn. He did a wonderful job. With help from a few of our Saturday Club families - the Sciolinos and Vanderwaters – all work was done and Lorie was thrilled on Monday morning with how beautiful the barn looked. Thanks to you all for pitching in. I am eternally grateful.

A third reality…camp registrations are coming in. More requests for information pop up in emails. There are more phone calls. I am feeling positive vibes from the economy because there is increased interest in making summer plans. Hallelujah! We are connecting with you again and that feels heavenly.

By the way, I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below. Sometimes I wonder if I'm reaching you okay. Cheer me up and say 'hi'. Happy New Year!