Ever wish you could save a Sprucelands moment forever?

Yesterday I wrote about the rhythms of Sprucelands. Today I just can't pass up the opportunity to share a few spring photos from this beautiful place.

Of course, I never know if the photos come through on your computer the way they look on mine. If you'll let yourself go for a minute or two, I think you'll understand what I'm talking about when I share the colors and surprises that spring gifts us everyday.

Here is one simple view of the woods here at camp. Believe it or not, this is off the end of the barn. It's an afternoon photo when the air is crisp and clear.

I've taken lots of pictures of the trees before, but this last series of tree pictures gave me a real feel for the delicate awakening of new colors and life. Here's one that I love because the shades of green and pink turn hard winter greys into softer spring browns.

I am truly a nature lover. If you stop with me for a minute, you'll want to inhale the fresh, earthy aromas of the woods and maybe, just maybe, you can hear the birds singing. That's something I can't capture. You'll have to imagine. Anyway, those trees get me excited that lush summer greens and camp fun is around the corner.

Then I want to share a cloud picture I snapped the other day. We had rain on the weekend and then the temperatures dropped dramatically. That meant the next day we were treated to what looked like snow clouds, and sure enough, there was snow in the air. The clouds hung heavy in the sky all day long. If you are a photographer, you know sky photos are a must in your collection. I captured many.

Now I set out today with my trusty camera in the car just in case something catches my fancy. I know lots of us take photos. We all take tons at camp in the summer. You totally understand the meaning of capturing a moment and I know if you're like me you look through your old photos often. It's like we want to savor that moment forever.

So I share my trees of green and skies of blue with you, my dear friends, on this Thursday spring morning. Sharing feels like a great way to start the day. Of course, I can hardly wait until you are back home to Sprucelands so I can be snapping you and your fun. Two months and counting!!

Share a comment below. Where do your photos take you?

Be inspired at Sprucelands. You will expand your talents.

April 28, 2010

There is a rhythm to Sprucelands that gets into your heart and soul. Whether it's the changing of the seasons, joyful conversations with friends new and old or the call of past camper spirits, this rhythm is inspirational. I know. It infects me every spring.

With the budding season, I am tackling a new skill and blending it with my photography. Credit for my bravery goes to one of our wonderful Hill Moms Amy Vanderwater. She teaches writing and authors an outstanding poetry blog called The Poem Farm. I've been following her inspirational blog and am now making a debut - ta-dah! - with an amateur poem of my own. (Don't worry. I won't quit my day job!)

If you want larger print, simply click on the poem to increase its size and view in a separate window.

Speaking of best photos, that orange glow of evening is also a perfect time to take pictures of best friends. Last night Yvonne and Katie came out to help me clean the tack room - at least make an intial effort - before clinics begin this weekend. We had such a pleasant visit afterwards. I am so lucky.

Think about camp and how we connect with our talents and also with precious friends. Sprucelands gives us so much. Often we surprise ourselves as we discover we can do things we never ever thought we would be able to do. Whether that's riding skills, artistic talents, becoming a good leader, or contributing a poem or story to the camp newsletter, you will find the adventure extremely worthwhile. And I guarantee, for years afterwards you will carry the spirit of Sprucelands with you wherever you go. It's a rhythm that inspires.

Comments are always welcome. Leave one and make my day.

Clinic Helpers: Let your teaching begin!

Quick post today to remind all Clinic Helpers that we have our first clinic this weekend. While it is a smaller clinic, it is a group that will ease us into the season and they sound like fun already. So pull out your camp clothes, dust off those muddy muckers, give your enthusiasm a spark, and bring your cameras. Let's have a great time working our miracles with the Girl Scouts. Maybe we can make more silly videos?!!!

If you have a chance to look at the clinic dates, maybe let me know what your schedule will be for the next month. Hopefully, everyone will honor your committments from the training weekend and be here as much as possible. A few groups are quite large so many hands will be needed.

You can see the clinic schedule easily. Look on the right hand side of the blog, click on Tarrah riding Harry and you should immediately go to the schedule on the website. I'm trying to make the blog really handy!

Meanwhile, snap lots of photos of spring flowers and then have fun with those photos. I've been playing with a picture of tulips I took not long ago. Ah, the joys of Photoshop. I am grateful to have it as a tool. If anyone wants to know what I did to make these pinks and reds look artsy, just let me know. For today, I give you a long distance hug on a chilly spring morning and hope you have an awesome day!

Comments? But of course! And do become a follower. You can find the follower section of the blog on the left panel. Won't you join us? Ah...and maybe consider becoming a clinic helper!

'Never Give Up' has its rewards, especially at Sprucelands!

This morning I woke up realizing that I need to highlight another of my little people, especially since she is in love with our horse, Honey. And Honey is another of those wonderful teaching partners who deserves recognition from you folks. Her moment in the sun!

Anyway, just saying Hannah and Honey sounds like the makings for a great friendship, doesn't it? Believe me, Hannah would about kill for Honey because they have been best buddies for quite a long time.

Honey - to give you a little history - came to Sprucelands with a camper named Amanda. Honey was about four years old and arrived on a trailer all the way from Georgia. She never went home. If I remember, Amanda traded Honey for another of our camp horses because Honey wasn't a good match for her. That was so long ago my memory may be incorrect, but Honey stayed.

For a long time, riders were frustrated riding Honey. They would sometimes give up and get off in the middle of a lesson because Honey wouldn't do things just right. No one wanted to ride her. Instead, they thought she would be a good horse to sell. But you know, the years of working with Honey have paid off. Honey is now one of my key teaching horses, and so the phrase 'Never give up' worked its miracle here.

I always say we learn from the masters. Those horses who are older have worked out the kinks. They get it! They have figured out what riders need and generally they give it to them. Honey is so automatic that I can now say 'canter' and she canters, slowly, easily, methodically, in a way that reassures the rider that this is good.

Hannah is proud to tell the world that she is learning how to canter on the lunge line. I know she could hardly wait to tell her brothers yesterday that she was cantering. She practices safety, is taking her time, and sees the importance of wearing a good riding helmet.  Once she gets her seat, Hannah and Honey will be an equally proud cantering team.

At this point, Honey like Fella is getting on in years. Honey doesn't talk a lot. She pretty much does whatever we want her to do. I tell people Honey is the Queen of Sprucelands so we need to treat her that way. Quietly she fits into the herd, partnering up with another horse Bonnie in the pasture.

Honey is still a bit fuzzy from the winter woolies and Hannah works hard to help her shed out. What I love about watching Hannah and Honey together is the intimacy they share. Maybe it's because they are on the same level. They communicate eyeball to eyeball and sometimes Hannah gives hugs and kisses. I do believe they appreciate each other. Somehow I wonder if Honey thinks Hannah is the real Queen.

Comments from all you Honey lovers out there are welcome. Honey has come a long way and is now one of the seniors at Sprucelands. We love her more than ever. Oh one more thing, remember to become a follower of this blog. Then we can stay connected.

Be a beginner rider at Sprucelands. It's a confidence builder.

It's really fun to write about my little people. I know that sounds strange and yet it feels okay to say because my younger riding students make my day.

They arrive for their lesson all smiles, eager and a little timid about touching a horse for the very first time. I introduce them usually to Fella. He's our Sprucelands 'skin horse' which pays tribute to the wonderful story The Velveteen Rabbit and lets you know that Fella is something special.

Fella is a first horse friend for many of my beginner riders. He is an appaloosa gelding that takes care of his rider. If balance is an issue, he moves carefully under them. If the rider is a tiny bit scared, he goes slow, and interestingly, Fella will not trot unless his rider is secure in the saddle.

Always Fella keeps an eye on me because he takes cues about what he is supposed to be doing and he is a pro at being my teaching partner. I wish I had 10 more Fellas! We communicate well. As any riding instructor knows, it is helpful to have horses that read a situation well while reading the instructor.

Fella has like a sixth sense. Sometimes he gives me the eye because he can feel things from the rider that even I cannot see. So I trust his feedback and together we give lessons to our little people that inflate their confidence. Before you know it, they appear for lessons with bouncy enthusiasm. They bound out of their cars, show me new grooming tools they were gifted, and we go to work with grooming and tacking.

Something we all love is how Fella yawns when it's time to bridle him. Many girl scouts have witnessed him yawning. We always wonder whether he can stretch his jaw better with the halter off, whether he had a lousy night's sleep, or whether he is anticipating the hard work in the coming lesson. He can't be bored, not with us around. I actually think it's Fella's way of helping a new rider slip the bit into his mouth. Fella is so clever.

In this post, I introduce you to Madison. She started lessons not long ago and now has her own pink helmet, grooming box, riding pants and special riding footwear. We have had a grand time getting to know each other. Madison loves Fella. She is helping him shed out his winter coat, and best of all she brings him Granny Smith apples.

I like to say I am proud of the riding and safety skills I give to new riders. They mature in their proficiency as they grow and work regularly on their balance, both on the ground and in the saddle. There is a lot of personal growth that comes with becoming a good rider, you see.

It's getting to know yourself and your horse. It's developing an inner determination to master the skills you need to become a confident rider. It's learning to take initiative, finishing what you start, and connecting with your horse. It's developing an independence that will carry over into everything you do...even school.

Many Sprucelands riders go on to do great things. Quite a number ride on their college equestrian teams and do very well. Some purchase their own horse and stay safe as they work with them and ride them. Others have become excellent dressage riders. I know a few have become involved with horse training, or now they run their own riding program or stable. There are those who become proficient trail riders and love it. And then there are many who never continue their riding. They still go on to great things, using the life skills they developed at Sprucelands to manage their lives and raise their children.

So hats off to my little people. Thank you for riding with me because I love teaching you and I love that you love my Fella. He's 31 years old this year, you know, and that's why some of his skin is getting loved off. I'm sure you'll keep on treating him special so he'll live forever.

Comments about Fella are welcome. He's one special guy. And if you happen to have a horse like Fella that you would share with Sprucelands, please let us know.

Earth Day 2010

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to share a photo of my grandson Brady hugging a tree! This was one of those photos I took the day he was at the barn fishing in the water trough. I thought you would enjoy seeing what a terrific young man he is becoming. Lily is noticing.

At the same time I sing Brady's praises, I celebrate the trees and the wonderful earth that makes Sprucelands come alive every spring. How lucky we are to have such a beautiful place. Earthy smells on a hike or trail ride cannot be replaced by anything better. I especially love the infectious aromas after a spring rain or a summer shower. Ahhhh.

Day before yesterday, I was honored with a visit from a staff member from 1975. That was before my time at Sprucelands began. She brought her family to travel nostalgia as they rode and walked around camp. I think they had a lovely time although Sprucelands is not looking as plush as under blue skies and in the green, green colors of summer. Still, we chatted about old times, and she enjoyed her visit.

One of our conversations was about the trees here. They are so tall and strong. In many ways, they give me comfort as they surround camp with their beauty. I love the trees.

So I wish you all well on Earth Day. Be grateful for the colors from the natural world that bless us everyday. They are like a gift that keeps on giving. You know, because I love to take photographs, I am sometimes late to school. I can't resist stopping to take photos of sunrises and storm clouds and snow scenes and spring wonders. Confessions are good for the soul. I just can't miss this good picture or that one over there. You know me!

Okay. So here we are on Earth Day 2010. I will end this post and leave with camera in hand. I'm ready for the adventures and surprises of this Thursday. Remember: take time to nurture a tree along the way because they are special...and so are you.

Comments are welcome here...always.

Sprucelands Treat

Sunday started out really gloomy. I woke up early and worked on some photos for a while. When daylight happened, there was snow covering everything. I mean everything! I couldn't believe it.

While the view out my window was pretty, I was flabergasted. So I dug in my heels and continued working on photos. Psychologically, I wasn't about bundling up in four layers of winter clothes. Eventually, I did and went outside. Much of the snow had melted. There was a heavy fog hanging over the bushes and trees. It actually was quite lovely.

Feeding went smoothly. The horses acted like they were glad to have been inside. Although their being in two nights in a row meant the stalls were the pits on Sunday. I had to strip nearly every one in the main barn because the air had been so heavy and damp that nothing was drying. The last few weekends had been so easy what with warmer, drier temps.

In the afternoon, the sunshine broke through with a wonderful ta-dah! Blue sky. Billowy white clouds and bright, bright sun reignited the birdsong in the woods and made me totally forget the drab morning. About the same time, Lia arrived for a lesson, and of course, Lia is like another sunshine in my life.

I love Lia's willingness to work with Casper. She patiently groomed him after convincing him he really needed to stand still on the cross-ties and not twist himself up like a pretzel. When he got that message, grooming was a cinch. He looked like a real live pony again and was tacked without further ado. For those of you who know Casper, he didn't back up even once when we bridled him. Hallelujah! Lizzie, Alie and Kristen, I know you will appreciate that.

Our lesson went well except that we discovered Casper is somewhat off when he goes on the left hand. Lia says he has always preferred the right hand. So on Tuesday when the horse chiropractor comes, I will have Casper checked out. If that is something fixable, I want to know so that Casper is comfortable in both directions. He might be a happier pony if he isn't hurting somewhere.

Anyway, we had a relaxing afternoon at the barn with sunshine all around. When we finished, Lia and her dad invited me for a treat. We went to the house for wonderful conversation about anything and everything over French pastry that was out of this world. Norm laughed and said it was a Wegman's special, but I choose to believe it was straight from France.

After my dear friends went on there way, I returned to the barn to finish cleaning stalls. Somehow stalls didn't feel so difficult after such a lovely afternoon. Fact is, the real treat was Lia and her dad. They made my day.

Comments...you know those are always welcome...especially if you like French pastry!

Saturday Spring Photos

It’s lunchtime. I’ve popped in from the barn to say ‘hi’ and get some lunch. Lessons start today at 1:00 p.m. so I have a few minutes to share.

The bird sounds at the barn this morning were so beautiful. I think they scared the snow away with affirmations of spring. It did snow for about an hour. Nothing stayed on the ground thankfully. The green grass tickled the snowflakes so they warmed right up with earthy smiles and melted.

All the stalls were done pronto. Then I took a few photos to show you how the colors are changing from the grey, white and black of winter to the greens, pinks, and browns of spring. The transformation is such a mindboggling process. Like how do snowdrops and daffodils know to peek through the ground? Just like clockwork every spring they provide us with hope for a new, productive season.

What I can never capture in a photo are the melodious birds. I hear them and want to share. I can’t do that. There are woodpeckers busily knocking on trees, geese honking their good mornings as they fly overhead, robins singing, sparrows fussing with each other, and starlings setting up housekeeping wherever while cardinals, chickadees, morning doves, and blue jays bellow out their phenomenal calls to settle each other.

On top of that, the peepers fill the low areas with an overwhelming concert, especially on the warmer days. I was told last week that farmer’s believe the peepers will freeze three times before warmer temps are here to stay. Well, we’re working on the third time, so maybe, just maybe… Fact is, the farmers are plowing and planting, trying to get a head start on the productive piece. It’s wonderful seeing them back in the fields again.

The horses are shedding. However, they have hung on to a good bit of hair yet because I think they knew  there was still cold weather lurking in the shadows. I’m not worried about them and they don’t seem worried about themselves either. I think they agree with me that the cold won’t last forever. That's Bonnie in the pasture sending you a warm spring hello.

So I’m done with lunch and headed back up to the barn. Lily and Pudge are confined to their cages because they’ve already run away once today. Luckily, they headed to Lorie’s house (New campers: Lorie is our barn manager). So very quickly both dogs were caught in the act of escaping from their Saturday responsibilities. I was not a happy camper when Lorie called me and the dogs aren’t happy either because missing a Saturday with mom at the barn is the pits.

Leave a comment if you have time or something to say. Love reading what you write.

Busy Week at Sprucelands

This has been one of those fast weeks where I hit the ground running on Monday morning and already it's Thursday and where did the time go!!!????

I've celebrated that the lawns were mowed at camp for the first time. I've taken on challenges at school and solved issues that were both big and little. I painted the bedroom. I've recruited a few more new campers. I've exchanged email with many of you. So there isn't a lot of news to share except that my life is richer with you in it and that's major.

What is happening currently is that leaves are popping on our trees and bushes. I looked outside this morning and realized the lilac bush has major growth. That's a sure sign that spring is here. I'm seeing flowers again. My daffodills are up. What will happen this weekend is rain. We will blossom here.

For the next two weekends more work around the barn is planned so we are ready for the clinic season to begin. I've got a tack room to clean and organize. Horses need grooming because they are shedding big time. More raking will be done to ready the riding rings. I may even tackle some raking in the villages. Of course, if any clinic helpers want to join me, terrific. There's always work to do.

It scares me a little when I look at the calendar. April is dashing by so quickly. For some, speeding time may be the best. For me, I like a little slower pace so I can stop and take photographs along the way.

Comments are welcome. Or if you have a photo to share from your journeys, that too would be wonderful. I received one this week from a trip to Japan that a camper took recently. What fun!

Sprucelands Visitors and Additions

This weekend was lovely. I worked around the barn, raking, dragging the rings, grooming horses, doing lessons, and thoroughly enjoying the sunshine. To give the end of my vacation a grand finale, I had two special visitors and I added a few more things to our blog.

First, my visitors. I shouldn't really say visitor because one was another old friend returning to camp and the other visitor was my grandson, Brady.

Christina Jones - Stina - came to spend the day on Saturday. It was like old times. We caught up on old news and new news, talked about changes in camp, shared horse stories, and generally renewed a friendship that began when Stina was six or seven years old. It felt really good to connect again.

Watching Stina back on Kokomo was really fun. Both of them have aged. I know that's not a brilliant statement, but since they haven't been together in six years, the change was dramatic. Stina, now 27, quickly realized that Kokomo is not the unpredictable four year old she once knew.

The two of them walked and trotted and ended up jumping and cantering. Slowly they found each other's rhythm again. I love watching that process. It's renewed magic between horse and rider, and the best part for me, is when the rider looks at me and smiles an ear-to-ear childhood smile that says, "This is where I belong."

Brady came to visit me on Sunday. He found pure joy in collecting sticks and stones and splashing them into the tub of water in front of the barn. "Look, Grandma," he would say, "I found another rock," and into the tub it would go, splashing Brady from head to toe. He would look at me with this impish grin, grab his middle and laugh a belly laugh. "Did you see that?" I couldn't help chuckling along with him. He is all boy.

We tied a piece of baling twine on a stick and Brady was good to go as a fisherman. He stood by the water tub for the longest time, looking around and fishing. When I asked if he caught anything yet, he said, "Silly. There's no fish in there." You could have fooled me!! Of course, later in the day, Brady fished for real in our lake with his dad. Then he looked like a real pro for having practiced at the barn.

Now as I head back to school, I want to let you know that I added new links to the blog under "Favorite Links". One is to the 'Quick Survey' that gives you an opportunity to evaluate the blog. The other is for short videos made by our counselors and riding staff. They have been experimenting to see if there is a way to upload videos, and it looks like it's working.

The videos make me smile because I know the kids are having fun showing you how much they like camp and want you to come for another summer of fun. So click on the link. Take a peek. I know you'll smile.

Comments are welcome. Let me know if you have any trouble with the videos.

Sprucelands April Newsletter

April Newsletter is here!

This is short and sweet. I want to alert all of you that there is a short newsletter added to the website. I also uploaded the newsletter from last October that I apparently never uploaded. If you click on the link above, it should take you directly to the newsletter. My greetings to you for this beautiful Sunday. Enjoy every moment. I will pop on here later to write more.

Changes at Sprucelands

There is nothing so sure as change. That was one of those wise expressions that I grew up on. In fact, I do believe it is my mom's most favorite saying of all time. There is nothing so sure as change.

I mention the whole business of change for several reasons and add that often change is good. Take for example our camp blog. It has a fresher look, one that gives us all a sense that the bright summer days of camp are around the corner. In fact, I'm hearing rumblings 'out there' that you are looking toward camp with bubbly anticipation for making new friends and burying your nose in the softness of a horse's mane.

So enjoy the blog. Check it out. Jump into the survey that's listed under favorite links. Let me know what you think. Give me your ideas for things to add BUT be prepared because when you finish the survey, you will want to close the survey and then come back into the blog. I haven't discovered how to back up from the end of the survey without locking the blog. Take the survey. Close the blog. Then reopen the blog. That seems to work.

Weather changes are inevitable if you live in Western New York, namely the Buffalo/Rochester areas. If you wait a few minutes, the weather flip-flops from blue sky and warm sunshine of morning to dark clouds and snow in the afternoon. Sure as anything, it did that today. 

I know I heard reports on CNN that states west of us had record breaking snowfalls. I'm crossing my fingers that we avoid such an event here because the trees are budding and flowers are peeking through. Amazing! 80 degrees a week ago; 28 degrees tonight. Surely if I wait a day, we will be back to warmer temps and sunshine again. I'm optimistic. There's nothing so sure as change.

Of course, it's true for all of us that our lives can change just as quickly as that silly weather, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. Our clinic helpers enjoyed lessons and a beautiful trail ride two weeks ago. Today they would have about frozen. Then there's Rich, our cheerful maintenance man, who has been plugging along at fixing camp buildings, righting the wrongs created by snow and ice in the winter. A few days ago, in one split second, Rich fell off a ladder at his own home and is now nursing a broken arm in the hospital. The doctors tell him it's like a badly broken plate.

So be like Katie. Share your smiles around. Practice safety with your horses. Enjoy the sunshine when it comes your way. Step carefully wherever you walk. Look both ways. Make good choices and above all - Rich will be the first to tell you - take your time when going up and down your ladder. You never know when something might flip-flop you into unplanned circumstances. Suddenly, there you are thinking about this spankin' fresh blog and remembering my message for the day: there's nothing so sure as change.

I welcome any comments you may want to share about change.  If you want to send Rich a card, I have his address and am willing to share.

Escape from Reality

My zoo adventure didn’t happen until today, Thursday. That was because yesterday I got a call from Tom who informed me it was hailing in the city. I decided it made sense to wait a day. So wait I did.

About now I am getting tired from squeezing in all the things I want to do before I go back to school. I’ve actually been keeping quite a pace. In between activities I plan for myself, I’m reading (just finished The Last Lecture) and watching the front lawn grow. It’s pretty amazing at how long the grass is getting. Is the warm weather really here to stay? I’m thinking the blades on the lawnmower need to be sharpened about now.

Anyway, when I finally got to the zoo this morning, it was warm and lovely. The sun was out. The sky was blue. I went straight to the polar bears and was rewarded by their shenanigans. One put on quite a show. What with tossing a huge bone in the air, nose diving in his pool and lazily swimming around on his back, I began to feel sleepy. Watching him made me want to find a pool for my own pleasure. All the stresses of the world left me and I removed myself from reality for a time.

If I really want to lose myself and revisit childhood memories, the Buffalo Zoo is a wonderful place to do that. When I was a little girl, it’s where we went for family times. Now I sit and watch other families stroll and look and play tag with each other.

One tiny tot was totally immersed in the reflections of a huge, very wet puddle. His mom was oblivious as she talked on her cell phone (something I will remind you didn't exist when we went to the zoo years ago). Well, this little tyke was about two years old and in boys heaven. Mom had no idea. I clicked my photo and walked on by. Hours later I saw mom and her little guy. Even though his pants were wet, he was smiling from ear to ear.

I walked full circle around the park. I visited tigers, lions, giraffes, rhinos, hyenas, buffalo, reptiles, otters, sea lions, gorillas and elephants, along with various animals I can’t even name, and ended up back with the polar bears. They continued to entertain. Lots of school kids from the Buffalo Public Schools were snapping their photos and giggling. One younger bear seemed to thrive on interacting with the kids as they cheered for his playful pranks.

Then when that bear did a spread eagle on his belly, I decided I was that tired too and bid the zoo a fond farewell until the next time I need to lose myself for an afternoon. Besides, typically Buffalo weather took over. It was now cold and grey. I guessed reality was welcoming me back to the business of keeping on keeping on.

Now I’m home safe and sound. Like a silly kid I stopped at MacDonald's along the way for some greasy fries. Naughty me! They hit the spot! Currently siesta time - or those greasy fries - are weighing heavily upon me. So I’m headed to catch an hour of vacation zzzzzz’s on a Thursday afternoon. Thanks to my zoo full of animal friends, I'm totally relaxed. Ho-hum. Comments? Sure. I’ll read them when I wake up!!!

Sprucelands Blog Facelift

BIG NEWS! The blog has a brand new look. Hurray! I am so excited! In fact, you may want to refresh your computer screen in order to see it.

I think you'll be impressed by what I am doing with my vacation time. To some of you such computer stuff might not be vacation. Since I don't have the means to travel, I'm here being creative. To me it is totally wonderful because I have my own uninterrupted time to make better contact with you!

Not to worry. This is a fun vacation. I've already gone to the Botannical Gardens in Buffalo. I journeyed their last Friday and took beautiful photos of Easter flowers. My portfoliio is growing and growing as I play with the pictures in Photoshop. Guess I need to give Photoshop credit because it opens up a world of wonder and discovery when it comes to enhancing my photography and making it look lovelier than it already is. Long live the Botannical Gardens and Photoshop. They are a great combination.

I've also spent time within my photo class which is called "Thinking Outside the Box". What a fascinating class! We've made photos into pencil sketches, created pictures with 3-D boxes in them, and this last week we played around with a one-sided cube. You can see in this post a sample of my 3-D boxes that enhance the beauty of spring. I've also slipped in a one-sided cube of the Botannical Gardens that illustrates the fun I am having.

This morning I finished working with photos for a scout troop that came last fall. I've redesigned the blog and have almost completed the DVD for our special needs clinic. This afternoon I think I just might visit the zoo, and then I'm coming home to read, read, read and of course, I need to tend to spring cleaning. Sigh.

So let's talk about the blog. Now that I have three columns to work with, I have slipped in more photos with links to important places on the website.

Clinic Helpers: you now have quick access to the spring schedule.

New camper families: there is a direct link to the camp brochure.

Want to meet our horses? Click on a photo in the sidebar and you'll go directly to the horse page of the website. Interested in learning more about our riding programs? There's a link to that page of the site as well.

At this point, I would like suggestions of other information that would be helpful for me to include in the sidebars of the blog. I want to make every space count in a way that encourages you to return over and over again to the blog. So email me or leave a comment below and I'll get right on it....as soon as I return from my adventure at the Buffalo zoo!

Leave a comment about how you like our new look. And by the way, here's a hug for you {{{}}}!

Sprucelands Easter Special

As Easter is upon us and warm temperatures give us a spring taste of summer, I am popping onto the blog to give you a bouquet of flowers and an Easter gift. I know the kids in school were all a twitter on Friday with their little parties, egg hunts, and tiny gifts from the Easter bunny. So I thought I'd keep the momentum going and give you a gift.

In September, Sprucelands offers discounts to families who register their camper or campers early. Usually those discounts are generous. Come January the discounts are finished and I have to ask for full tuition. Our last special was to give you one of our beautiful camp calendars if you registered between March 1st and March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. We had a quite a number of takers.

Now to celebrate Sprucelands 75th year of camping, I am offering a friend discount. Between April 5th and June 1st, get two friends to register and attend camp for a minium of two weeks at the full price and you will earn one free week of camp for yourself. That's something to think about. And of course, if you get four friends here, you could get two weeks of camp FREE!

So that's my special on this beautiful Saturday before Easter. I am working very hard at encouraging you to give virtual bouquets to others as you spread the word about Sprucelands.

Even if the two campers you recruit are not friends, you will earn that free week. Perhaps your mom or dad knows someone at work who would join in our fun. Maybe you put a flyer up at your barn and someone you do not know becomes interested. Bravo! You're spreading the word.

So let others know about this post. Maybe they will take advantage of this special. Offer them the opportunity to bloom and grow. Let's dance in the sunshine together! Share camp the way you share a smile! Make a difference and help build a beautiful tomorrow.

Comments? Share some sunshine with me.

A Sprucelands Thank You

Country singer Willie Nelson said, "When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." And with that thought on the tip of my tongue I start April 1st, readying myself for the multitude of April Fool's comments in school. This is one of those fun days I will say thanks in my heart for the fact that I have children in my life who keep me on my toes ~ and laughing!

What I have been working on this week is finding genuine, real ways to express my gratitude. You know, it's one thing to quietly appreciate all that I have. It's quite another to stop myself and take the time to actually share a 'thank you' with those around me. It could be a student in school, a teacher with whom I work, a camper, staff member or riding lesson student. Fact is, I know I need to say "thank you" more often.

I recently stumbled upon the phrase that 'thank you' are two of the most powerful words in the English language and they may very well be the most under-utilized. Author Ken Blanchard writes, "We are quick to complain, but slow to compliment. We don't hesitate to point out what's wrong, but completely neglect to point out what's right. We're eager to find fault, but reluctant to praise. We lament our woes, but overlook our blessings."

You know, the economy has been the pits. Businesses and families everywhere are struggling to keep from drowning in the whole sinking reality that financial obligations are stressful and overwhelming. Sprucelands is so far a survivor because so many people invest their time, efforts and money in making sure this wonderful riding program for kids is about kids having the best time of their lives.

For all your support, I say 'thank you'. We are the best team. It's terrific! We stick together through ups and downs, spread the Sprucelands spirit and cherish our commitment to making sure Sprucelands lives long past year 75. I still can't believe Sprucelands is celebrating 75 years this summer. Amazing! It's all because people like you are dedicated to making great things happen. Thank you.

What is equally wonderful is how Sprucelands attracts quality campers. Eager to learn about horses and riding, they connect so positively with horses, friends, safety, and independence. We are a camp that reaches out to every newcomer and makes them an old friend very quickly. I love that! I love that we are so welcoming. We put our arms around the reality that it's okay to be who we are. We express ourselves openly at Sprucelands, let laughter take over, and yet make more serious moments meaningful. Thank you.

I leave you with the words that Esther and Jerry Hicks write in their book, Ask and It Is Given: "A desire to appreciate is a very good first step; and then as you find more things that you would like to feel appreciation for, it quickly gains momentum. And as you want to feel appreciation, you attract something to appreciate. And as you appreciate it, then you attract something else to appreciate, until, in time you are experiencing a Rampage of Appreciation."

On this April Fool's Day, accept my thank you gifts and smile yourself through the day. Have fun along the way. Sing a little, dance a silly little dance when your music is playing, and look forward to the coming spring breaks we will soon enjoy. Be grateful you can sing. Celebrate that you can hear the music. Appreciate that the weather is changing and summer is in the near future. Keep in mind that feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it...and that's no April Fool's!

Comments? Sure! Make my day! I love hearing from you.