We celebrate growth at Sprucelands.

Another of my riding students is Erin. She has been with me since a little tyke. Her legs were always so short that she had a hard time giving her horse any messages.

We always used to chuckle about Erin's size and wondered aloud to each other when the day would come where the stirrups would be longer. Erin used to think she wasn't growing at all. She rode twice a week for an eternity and there were big celebrations when we realized her legs were able to finally touch the horse.

Erin and Kokomo having a quiet moment.

The other day I watched Erin ride Kokomo and was amazed at how tall she seems these days. She has become a thoughtful, caring young woman. This spring she took a break from riding to participate on her school softball team. I missed her terribly. We had been pretty close what with her previous riding schedule of twice a week. But she had a great time with her friends and that is important these days.

Still I heard Erin say how good it was to be back at the barn. She did some wonderful jumping on Kokomo and he smiled from ear to ear as he picked up the right lead off the jumps. Their canters together showed their partnership as rider and horse. 

When I finished the lesson, I wondered briefly if Erin is a different person because of her love for horses. I know I've loved being her guide through the horse experience. I also wondered if she might be a little sore this week. While she worked Kokomo and herself hard, she could be amazed at how out of shape her riding legs are.

If you're interested in how much Erin has grown, she told me that she is now taller than her mom. Out of curiosity I asked how tall that was. She exclaimed happily, "I'm 5'1"!". Fact is, her legs easily reach the barrel of the horse and that is something to celebrate.

Comments welcome about how you've changed over the years of your riding horses.

It is so easy to catch the Sprucelands Spirit.

Writing about my riding students is always a joy. I am so proud of their accomplishments and pray they feel the same way. From time to time I share the faces of those riding students. Today meet Alycia and Katie.

One year ago last fall, Alycia and Katie came to Sprucelands as girl scouts wanting to participate in a weekend riding clinic experience. As part of their scout troop, they went through the weekend with flying colors, sharing every bit of the horsemanship challenges with their mom because mom was one of the girl scout leaders. I sensed their enthusaism and suggested they consider coming to summer camp. They took me up on the offer and we had a ball.

Alycia has a confidence now that makes a difference in her ride.

Before coming to camp last summer, Katie, Alycia and their mom formed the Saturday Club. Across the last two winters, they have often showed up at camp - sometimes with other scouts from their troop - to help me with Saturday chores. That meant they practiced horse care and management skills. I am amazed at their courage and determination to learn well.

Along the way they have become clinic helpers running those weekend clinics that originally hooked them into the Sprucelands spirit. They are in the process of learning how to teach and share the information they have been acquiring through hands-on work. Our challenge is to convince seasoned clinic helpers to mentor Alycia and Katie because they are capable of doing more.

I don't know how I got along without these girls. They and their mom worked right along with me feeding and cleaning stalls one or two weekends each month. I am so grateful for their cheerful help. We have become good friends.

Katie and Patti are so in love.

Across the winter, the girls took occasional riding lessons often riding in the snow and cold. Anyone knows that if you are a rider dedicated to riding even in the worst of the winter, then you have a royal interest in horses and riding. You have been bitten by the bug bad. Besides, I think they discovered that it is really easy to catch the Sprucelands Spirit.

The girls have gone from knowing nothing to a confident walk, sitting trot and posting trot. Katie can steer Patti well and she is not rattled when Patti pulls her "I-think-I'm-done-and-I'll-go-in-the-middle-now" routine. Katie who was initially afraid of the horses is becoming quite a masterful rider. She has tried out the canter. That is where we will be doing more work. By next fall, she will be proficient with that skill.

Alycia does really well on Honey although she loves Dancer and Fella. Recently, she has mastered the concept of swiveling. Her posting trot consistently maintains rhythm.  She knows how to sit-a-bounce to change diagonals and can maintain Honey on the rail for an entire lesson. What progress!

So I present to you Alycia and Katie. The above photos are from our Tuesday evening lesson. I am excited because I have learned how to make the actual photo look like a painting. Beautiful horses. Beautiful girls.

Your comments make my day. Helps me know you are reading the blog. Just a few words?

Take a look at how Sprucelands is changing.

I am so excited. The sides came down on the barn yesterday. That really means summer is here...well almost. With temperatures in the 80s, we were finally ready to invite more air circulation into the barn. 

So goodbye to the winter siding on the barns and hello summer. Now I cross my fingers that the warmth is here to stay because this after all is Western New York and living here we all learned long, long ago, there is nothing so sure as change.

I'm so glad winter is behind us.

Lots of times those changes are welcome changes. I can show you one illustration from my photos. If you've been following this blog, you remember when I shared pictures of the horses in wintertime.

Here I capture an extremely cold day mid-winter when Sugar, Honey and Thunder were eating from a big round bale of hay in Ring #2. They were as close to that hay as they could get and they were eating as much as they could inhale in a day.

The second photo takes you into Ring #2 now. This photo was from last evening. I was doing lessons and had a minute as my lesson group took a little cooling off trail ride down the Al Capone trail. Here are the same horses cleaning up what is left of that round bale. No. Not really. They're eating from a bale that was tossed them earlier on.

Here are our three girls shiny and sleek.

But look at the contrast in photos. What a change since midwinter...and I love every minute of the warmth that has gradually slipped into Sprucelands. When I hear people complain about the heat, I just can't go there. It feels so wonderful to have the sun on my face. It feels equally wonderful to be free of indefinite layers of clothing and heavy winter boots.

Tomorrow I'll show you change in my riders. They are growing up, becoming more confident and feeling terrific about all they have learned. But that's tomorrow. Stay tuned.

I invite your comments. As always they are special. Also check out the lovely pandora beads we now have for sale in our camp store...right here on the blog. They are waiting for you!

Where does your passion lie?

Just stay with me a while.

Right now I am taking a photography class that is titled Self-discovery: Where does your passion lie? I am having an interesting experience this time around because I am in fact opening doors to new approaches in my picture taking and processing.

Along the photographic journey, we are learning new photoshop techniques to enhance and correct pictures that may need work. You know, those photos you don't want to throw away. The ones with subjects that you love and want to remember for years and years to come. I have a thousands of those pictures. Now I am learning some of them can be saved. I won't have to delete them.

I am also learning how the subjects I pick and the angles I select for framing my photos make a huge difference to whether the photograph has a dynamic that makes the subject stand out, look important, or get the recognition it deserves. We are working with landscapes, abstracts, portraits, and more.

Reflecting is good for the soul.

In fact, I am discovering what I love. I love when the lighting is soft and warm. I love when the colors are bright and clear. I love to photograph the beauty around us. I am not a pain and suffering photographer although I love to capture faces that tell a story. You can figure out the story. It could be anything. I also adore photographing moments when a person makes a connection with a horse friend or a people friend that is genuine and real.

The class has six weeks yet. So while I am getting ready for camp, I am 'self-discovering'. Some of the photos I am pulling out for the class are from last summer. This week's topic is outdoor portraits. Since I have tons of pictures I snapped of riders loving their horses, I am sharing with my photo class.

These photos are bound to turn the eye of students in the class because you are in the photos. And so here is one of my self discoveries, I am passionate about Sprucelands campers, horses, and how you love each other. I like sharing that with others who truly appreciate good photography.

It is so good to feel loved.

So here is my thought for the day. Think about where your passion lies and share that with me in the comments below. Is it photography, art, music, reading, writing poems, maintaining friendships, loving your pets, sewing, planting flowers...? Just think. The list is endless.

I can tell you flat out that one of the reasons I get so excited about camp each year is that you come back. I look forward to your return all year long. I am passionate about you all and the spirit we share. I want you here ~ soon! Counting the days...and I hope you are too.

Leave me a thought about what you are passionate about. I can hardly wait to hear.

It's a two way street at Sprucelands.

This a horse in love.

Thunder was so in her glory this weekend. I saw her shine with this group of girl scouts. She was about smiling with all the attention. Wouldn't you agree?

Watching what horses do for kids and what kids do for horses is fascinating. It is definitely a process with give-and-take. The horses benefit as much as the riders. I can honestly say it is a two way street. Everyone wins. Close friends are made. I love it.

Coming off their annual vetting on Friday, some of our herd was a bit overwhelmed with the effects of their shots. They needed tender loving care and patience. Besides, they were ready to have a confidence booster before camp begins and this weekend's clinic was just that. The girls and adults in the clinic were wonderfully thoughtful and equally enthusiastic, especially as they let their horses know how handsome or beautiful they were. Talk about building confidence!

Smiles at the horse show make it all worthwhile.

We had fifteen riders and as many clinic helpers exchanging all the dynamics of the horse experience with a group from the Churchville-Chili area. Everyone clicked so well as questions were answered and hands-on fun happened. There were very few dull moments because everyone was an active participant, purposeful about their business of learning and eager to connect with their horse.

There were a few who conquered fears while they were here. It's always a challenge to touch a horse or mount them for your first ride if you are afraid of heights or timid about the size of the animal. I totally understand that. When one of our riders is able to trust our support however and tackle her nervousness, the outcome is generally successful. It was this weekend and the smile at the ending horse show was worth every bit of investment in positive learning and great fun.

This was a group that enjoyed being with each other and we loved being with them. Some would reach up and pat their horse with tenderness. Others would lean into their horse's shoulder, say nothing, just let the horse know they cared. These were very special people appreciating their Sprucelands adventure. They worked for two years to get here. I have the distinct feeling we will see them again.

What memories from a wonderful horse experience.

I enjoyed the peacefulness in our herd this weekend. The horses took such good care of these riders, somehow giving back the caring they received. That's what I mean about give-and-take. We do get back what we give, especially when we're loving a horse.

Comment below should you want to say 'hi' in passing by. Also become a follower of our blog so you always know what's happening at Sprucelands.

Five informational things to know about Sprucelands.

Read my lips. Camp is around the corner and I can hardly wait!

This post is quick and easy. It's a "Good-morning-how-are-you-I'm-getting-excited-about-camp" greeting all rolled into one. At the same time, I am admitting I'm short on time to write you an inspirational message. I'm sending along an informative one instead.

(1) If you have not registered for camp, there is still time. We have openings waiting with open arms for you. There are still five weeks till camp so make your decision, fill out the camp application and mail it. New campers and old campers are welcome. You can download a camp application here.

(2) For all those registered for camp, please remember to complete the forms needed for you to actually be here.  You've already sent in your camp application. Now you must schedule a doctor's visit and fill out your medical form. There are other forms too: rider release, homesick plan, out of camp permission, and more. All can be found and downloaded on the website. Click here and you will go there.

(3) Accelerated Horsemaster spots are going fast. Let us know if you are going to slip into that program. It means you ride twice a day instead of once a day and it costs $140 extra each week.

(4) Read the April newsletter if you haven't already. I'm in the process of writing a May newsletter. Will let you know when that is available. The newsletter is in pdf format so is sometimes slow to download. Be patient. You will get it.

(5) We are looking for some extra free lease horses. If you know of anyone with a horse available for use either for the summer or for half the summer, contact Eileen at spruceland@gmail.com. Sometimes folks are having a baby and need to have their horse cared for or they are going on vacation. We are willing to take their horses at no cost as long as the horse is safe, sound and willing to earn his/her keep. They get good care here especially with you loving them.

I'm off and running for the day. Any questions that need answering, contact me at the email listed in #5. We are doing a riding clinic again this weekend. It's supposed to be lovely weather so I'm looking forward to the fun although I have to say we have a good time even when it's miserable.

Take care. Share a smile. Use our blog to shop at Amazon. Look forward to camp. Spread the spirit and find something for which you can say "Thank you."

Leave a comment if you have an extra minute and become a follower of our camp blog. We are getting over 2000 hits every week. That feels really good.

Sprucelands evening programs are creative and fun.

A number of campers have requested that I tell the world about fun evening programs we do during the summer. So my attempt here is to do just that. I'm going to start with a game that we call Hit the Deck.

Jellyfish!

Hit the Deck is one of the silliest evenings of each session. We have adapted Hit the Deck to almost every summer theme imaginable. One summer we had Harry Potter as our theme and the game took on a whole new twist. If you in fact put the words 'hit the deck' in the search button on this blog, you will get quite a hit the deck education.

A narrator directs the game by calling out commands: Bow, Stern, Jellyfish, Up Periscope, Man Overboard, Hit the Deck and more. All players function with a partner and immediately respond with different motions. Up Periscope is throwing yourselves on the ground and putting your leg in the air. Jellyfish is a similar position but you move your hands and legs widely. Man Overboard means one partner jumps on the other's back and Hit the Deck means both partners hit the ground and lay there.

The object of the game - besides having hilarious fun - is to be the last team standing. In other words, that narrator eliminates a team each time, usually the kids who were the last to scramble into position.

Kristin, Miranda, Anna and Hannah sharing silliness.

Talent Shows, Skit Nights, and Karaoke Night are often surprising adventures. I've been amazed over the years at how clever and creative our campers and staff can be. Often they create characters and stories that are genuinely funny. They have written songs and poems and then dressed in costumes to act them out.

Every once in a while someone has an original skit that peeks our fancy and catches us off guard because there is a twist that no one expected. I have been amazed at musical talents - singing, dancing, piano playing, violin, and more - that campers and staff share. And then there are the crazy rock bands that emerge or we have an air band competition that is totally out there. Sprucelands seems to be a place where we allow ourselves to just be and so we are. Everyone feels so accepted.

Sometimes there's a twist that catches us off guard.

Treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, and counselor hunts are fun. We come up with amazing clues or requests and that usually means teamwork to solve a mystery of some sort. Every hunt takes on a theme. Every theme is an adventure and when we finish a hunt we are genuinely tired and ready to share stories of where we went and how we missed a clue and who was silly and the list goes on until we dissolve into laughter and eventually crash for a welcome night's sleep.

We do lots of experimenting with evening programs. We have trust games we often play. Occasionally there are stations that we set up and camper teams move from station to station for an evening of challenges. There are obstacle courses, horseless horse shows, kick ball games, and fashion shows. Last summer we loved Whacky Wednesdays because we were into All Things Dr. Seuss. We have carnivals, horse fashion shows, and quirky special events. There's a big celebration on the fourth of July. Often we get a drill team organized during one session.

There's always genuine laughter at Sprucelands.

And then there's the Sports Toto. Here we group the camp into four teams. Pre-determined events are planned by the leaders of the evening. Then, for example, one person is called from a team and the team needs to pick which representative they will send. Perhaps the leader will say, "Send us one person who loves sports." Now there are four players standing in front of the whole group and each team needs to vote on who they think will win the event without knowing what the event will be. If the player the team voted for wins, then they earn a point.

The novel thing about the Sports Toto is that you can vote for a player on a different team. If that player wins, your team gets a point. When the leader finally announces the event, often everyone is surprised. Like it could be that they have to hop on one foot until they are the last one hopping. Or maybe they have to push another player out of a circle that is drawn on the floor. Or maybe they have to gargle the National Anthem. No matter what it is an evening of fun.

I am looking forward to what we create this summer for the Finding Nemo theme. As most of you know, we have a different theme every summer. This year campers voted to do Finding Nemo and I like that because there are a lot of positive messages in that clever little movie and you will quickly discover I'm big into positive messages.

Matt and Luke trying to stay inside the circle.

Fact is, you may have an idea for an evening program. If so, bring it with you to camp so we can try it on for size. You never know. It may become a repeat program, especially if it hooks us all into laughable moments that will stay with us forever and always. Besides, we invite creativity. So brainstorm new ideas and we will mix them with the old to build another summer of total, awesome fun.

Comments are welcome. Tell me what your favorite evening program is because I would like to add a new page to the website or blog that defines our favorite evening programs.

Sprucelands Horse Shows have a unique twist.

Horse shows have never been my thing. I was never thrilled with the competition piece, especially when there were 60 riders in a class. Since I hated how riders sabotaged each other, I vowed that one day I would create a horse show with a unique twist.

It's all about horse and rider connection.

At Sprucelands we actually do two kinds of shows. The first is the horse show of our weekend clinics. It is part of the whole horsemanship program. In other words, we work hard at giving the scouts an experience with horses that introduces them to hard work and satisfaction within the horse world.

Their grand finale to a weekend is a little horse show. They are the riders in the show. That is big since most of the girls sat on a horse for the first time on Saturday morning. The Sunday afternoon show is their opportunity to demonstrate what they learned: balance, steering, communicating with their horse, looking where they are going, and safety.

What is fun is watching the girls at the end of their ride. There is a 'victory lap' during which each rider manages an entire ride around the ring without any help from their spotter.What a confidence booster! Then everyone lines up facing the audience and each girl gets a ribbon. 

In these weekend shows the riders in each class receive the same color ribbon. That eliminates the competition and emphasizes what is really important: the skills that each girl learned across their weekend of riding and horse care. The smiles are enormous. Ribbons are treasured trophies and everyone celebrates.

Smiles come with success.

Sprucelands second kind of horse show happens at summer camp. I write this so new campers understand our approach. The show is actually a schooling show; it is also feedback for riders on their acquired, practiced skills, how they present themselves, and their rider attitude.

Each rider is given a horse show form to complete during the week prior to the actual show. This means each rider has a voice in what horse they ride and also in what skills they want to be judged on in the show. Riders may collect their horse show form after the show and read the comments written by the judges of their class.

Included in judging are assessments of whether the rider looks neat and clean. That doesn't mean they must be wearing show blouses and jackets. Most summer riders choose to wear Sprucelands t-shirts and breeches or jeans. To earn points in the class however they need to present well.

Also included in judging is an overall evaluation of how the rider has related to the Sprucelands horses and also to fellow riders and instructors during their camp session. Blue ribbon riders connect with their horses firmly and with kindness. They understand a horse has a bad day just as a rider may. And in a horse show if the ride falls apart, a blue ribbon rider takes it in stride - pardon the pun - and doesn't take it out on their horse, themselves or each other.

Feeling good about you is the best!

Blue ribbon riders combine good people skills with balanced riding. They are balanced on the ground as well as in the saddle. They are positive thinkers who see something beautiful in every horse. They are willing to learn and ready to have fun. They speak up for themselves when changes need to be made or if they have suggestions for instruction. Best of all, they take initiative within their riding experiences to connect all the way around with what Sprucelands has to offer.

So in a summer schooling show ribbons of different color are given. However, the competition has a slightly different twist because many riders compete with themselves. They discover a winning attitude, taking pride in their ride on that horse at that moment in time, smiling their way through the class and praising their horse no matter what. Often recognition is there for a job well done, and it feels really good.

Included in this post are riders from the weekend clinic shows this spring. I think you can tell from facial expressions that their ride went well and the clinic was successful fun. That's what it is all about isn't it? If you truly enjoy horses and riding, then every moment is one to remember and you will feel good about you.

Leave a comment before leaving. Become a follower of our blog and then have a great day!

Trust built confidence at Sprucelands this weekend.

Our weekend riding clinic was wonderful.

A spirited junior scout troop arrived on Friday night ready to go immediately to the barn and get down and dirty. They were wound and ready for an action packed adventure with horses. We of course slowed them down with a bit of orientation and then safety rules. By the end of Friday evening, we knew everyone's name - 17 riders - and the scouts heard that working with horses was not only fun, it was serious business.

Our clinic helpers are positive role models.

Saturday morning was feeding. Later we went through the grooming, stall cleaning, leading, and riding routines. What I wanted to comment on in this post however was how nicely these girls bonded with each other and also with our clinic helpers. While there was an eagerness to learn, there was also a thoughtful caring that got my attention. This would be a special clinic.

I wandered over to ring #1 when a number of groups were leading their horses. Individual scouts walked in partnership with their horse and helper and then walked solo with their horse to practice safe leading, winding here and there so they understood how to do more than walk in a straight line.

What was heartwarming was watching the scoutsconnect with their clinic helpers. It was pretty obvious our helpers were immediate role models for these girls. Just the expressions on the scout faces caught my attention. They asked genuine questions of our helpers and received quality answers. Impressive.

Now don't these look like happy campers?

Across the weekend, we laughed, shared interesting horse facts, worked together, and helped riders overcome fear. I was so proud of the girls who were nervous or scared when they first touched their horse or sat on the saddle. They managed themselves well and confronted their insecurities so boldly that by the end of Sunday, they were steering on their own.

Of course, I need to plug my clinic helpers here. None of the nervous scouts would have succeeded in overcoming their scare if they hadn't trusted our helpers. However, I believe kids learn best from other kids and so with an emphasis on safety and sincere information exchanges, Sprucelands clinic helpers built trust easily. They help miracles happen in a weekend clinic. 

Kudos also to the troop leaders and helping moms because they enable independence in their girls. None of the moms hovered or worried over their daughters. Their presence was real and supportive, encouraging the girls to ask questions, offer ideas, and do their work. I love when I see leadership that promotes character development because that leadership builds a solid foundation for the persons their girls will become.

What an awesome good time with horses and new friends!

I watched confidence happen between Friday night and Sunday. I saw girl scouts sitting taller in the saddle and walking taller on the ground because they were handling big horses and not getting hurt. I also observed clinic helpers become better teachers.

The weekend was a positive experience with horses all the way around. While our clinic helpers expanded their skills, the scouts connected with the world of horses - a whole new way of thinking - that will stay with them for years.

As I listened to the girls chattering at the end of the clinic, I could tell they just might become forever friends. Already they were talking about coming back for another clinic. Somehow our 'goodbyes' didn't feel so final. I like that.

Fact is, when the girls fall asleep on the way home in the car or tonight in the comfort of their own beds, they will feel satisfied because they really rode horses. They made a dream come true this weekend. They knew they would ride well at the start, and now they know they safely can. Sprucelands Forever! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Comments are welcome. Please share your thoughts, and remember to become a follower of this blog. We like knowing you are on our team.

Sprucelands introduces animals we love to love.

For those of you who are new to Sprucelands, you might wonder whether there are animals here in addition to horses. I thought I might take a few minutes to introduce you to creatures we love to love.

There is Lily. She is our Australian Shepherd/Border Collie cross who was born in December 2008. She came to Sprucelands on Valentine's Day 2009 and has quickly grown from a wee one to an almost adult dog who truly believes she directs all activities at Sprucelands.

I'm Lily and I'm wishin' you would get here soon!

Lily absolutely, positively loves kids. In fact, this fall after camp was over, she literally went looking for kids. You know where she found them? In Java Center. She was chasing the school bus! When it stopped, she greeted every one of the kids who jumped off the bus. Suddenly they were all pals until I got a call that Lily was in Java Center and I was to come get her. Naughty Lily!

Last summer, Lily was all puppy and she pushed the boundaries sometimes a little too far. She chewed life preservers and about anything else she could sink her teeth into. She hid in the back of Alison's car and went to sleep. When Alison arrived home (40 minutes away), she discovered Lily and had to drive all the way back to camp. Naughty Lily!

Lily explores the woods, tracks foxes and skunk and eventually went a little too far because she found chickens on a local farm. My guess is that she throughly enjoyed the chase. But then, I had a visit from the local Sheriff telling me Lily had killed three chickens and I had to pay. Lily is now tied up or in her cage most of the time and you can well imagine she hates it. So I am looking for alternatives. I think the best solution is to get you kids back here so she has a playmate or six or eight. Naughty Lily!

Sit with me, pet me, hug me, please!

Pudge is our other dog, a yellow English lab that knows how to roll in the mud just before coming into the house. She also gets nervous and excited easily. You should hear her huff and puff and pant to let me know that she is nervous and excited. She even does that in the wintertime. It about makes me crazy!

Pudge seems to accompany Lily on her little adventures. Shame on Pudge. Sometimes I wonder if it's Pudge who is quietly getting Lily into trouble or maybe she is trying to get rid of Lily. I'm not sure about that. I have to laugh because when Lily is tied, Pudge will lay down just a little farther away from Lily than Lily can reach on the line. Then Lily gets mad and hollers at Pudge. What a ruckus! It's a good thing we live in the country.

I will say that Pudge is loveable, huggable like a teddy bear. You can lay your head on her, snuggle, talk to her, tell her your troubles. She is a bit timid at first. After she is comfortable with you though, she is fine with any pampering you want to share.

Spring kitten sightings are fun.

There are also many cats at the barn with about five ladies in waiting at the moment. At least, two cat litters have been born. They are tucked away in the hay somewhere. I had a kitten sighting in the hayloft this week. Ghost is the mother and this time she had two who are starting to move around. Elvis lays with the kittens to protect them. He's such a good dad.

Anyone who decides they are in the market for a kitten, we will have plenty this spring and early summer. I have an all black mother who is pregnant. A few calico mothers are ready to pop. Some of our dads have long hair so I'm hoping we end up with beautiful kittens for you to choose from. We find many homes each summer. If not, they go to a pet shop for adoption.

Aside from dogs and cats, there are foxes, racoons, skunks, deer, ground hogs, chipmunk, squirrels, mice and more to keep you entertained across the summer. Because this is the country we always have little critters about. Past campers will verify sightings of different kinds. That's one reason why I say no food in the cabins. Just a few little crumbs will attract these four legged country bumpkins and often that doesn't make you happy.

Comments and questions are welcome. Often your feedback makes me smile.

There's lots of hope around Sprucelands...always.

As long as I live, I have to believe there is hope. That is my optimistic self speaking. It is a part of how I define myself. I am a person with hope. I always will be, forever and ever, amen.

Hope puts sunshine in the day even when it is cloudy because there's always a little patch of blue sky that says the day will get better. Isn't there? Hope is a spark in the eye of a sick horse that tells me he is going to make it through. I get this feeling that says we are out of the woods. Thank goodness. Somehow it does work out and I can hug my horse knowing he is okay.

Hope is always for safety on a trail ride.

Hope is realizing that a trail ride I'm leading will come back safe and sound. The horses give me the eye that they will take care of my riders. Hope is believing there's money in the mail that will help pay a big bill when I don't have quite enough. And then it's there and hope was right. There's hope in a flower. There's hope in a bird song. There's hope in a telephone call or an email. It's everywhere we turn.

Hope is eternal. I even have hope when the day doesn't turn out sunny. I know the day after or the days at the end of the week will bring us better weather. I know that if my horse doesn't get well, he will be free of pain where he is going and I hope he will wait for me on the other side. I hope my trail riders will do what makes sense if the horses act up. I know that the money piece always works out. I always have hope.

Meet my friend Hope.

Now...I need to introduce you to my friend Hope. She is a wonderfully kind young lady who takes riding lessons at Sprucelands. She also comes to camp for two weeks in the summer and we love her.

Hope rides Honey and adores Thunder. Her connection with both horses is very special. Hope has a unique way of quietly being with her horses. Her touch is as magical as her smile and their response to her is complete submission. Honey and Thunder will do almost anything Hope asks them to do. She has a gift.

I have fun with Hope. Often I'll say, "Now we can move forward again because Hope is back." Or "I'm so sad. Hope has to leave." Then there's "Hope can do that. She's a good teacher." When you think in terms of hope rather than Hope, you might be able to see the fun of a double play on the word 'hope'. It's tons of fun because it makes us smile.

I need lots of hope around Sprucelands always. In addition to my friend Hope, hope is an optimism, an attitude, that makes all the difference in whether I look forward to the next day, the next project, or the next challenge. Hope keeps me excited about the future. Hope gives me a reason for being. Hope is beautiful. Just look around you this spring.

Hope and Honey have a special bond.

I have a tendency to look for the good in every situation. When bad things happen, I often say, "Well, at least..." Some people hate when I do that, but I've decided my habit of looking for a sliver of sunshine keeps me hopeful always. There's good in everything. If it rains on that trail ride and everyone is wet and chilly when we return, I say, "Well at least we didn't have thunder and lightning,"  or "At least everyone is safe and we had some laughs." I've got to hope that some realize we had a good time and are grateful for a safe ride.

Today the sun is shining bright. What a beautiful sunrise. I'm hopeful I might snap a few beautiful photos for you. I'm hopeful this cold I'm nurturing will pass me by. I'm hopeful I will handle whatever challenges come my way today. I'm hopeful the weekend works out well. You see. I always have hope, and then there's my friend, Hope. Just look at that, Hope is riding in ring one. Life is good. I hope Hope is enjoying every minute.

Comments? I'll bet you have something to share about hope.

Sprucelands shops at Amazon.com! You can too.

Help us by shopping at Amazon.com.

Spring is really here. Everything, everything  is turning green. Of course, you'll see a bit of snow in this photo too because winter and spring are struggling with each other, but there is definitely hope that summer is around the corner. I can hardly wait!

Speaking of green, this is a quick post to alert you about an addition to this blog. If you scroll down and look at the blog sidebars, you will see that we are now a portal - a doorway - into Amazon.com. That means if you click on any of the links to Amazon.com, you will walk through that door and be able to order anything you choose. You may order what is in the specific link or use the Amazon search bar to find what you want.

What this means for Sprucelands is that we earn 15% of anything and everything you purchase at Amazon IF you enter Amazon.com through our blog. This is really BIG because I know many of you use Amazon for purchasing everything from Regents Review books to recreational reading, Kindles, mud boots, riding helmets, sweatshirts, music and more.

Tell your friends and family. Spread the word. This is an opportunity we can't pass up. Help Sprucelands build a scholarship fund for campers who want to come to camp and can't manage the expense in this economy. Every time you shop on Amazon.com WHEN you use our blog as your entrance to the Amazon Mall so to speak, Sprucelands will earn a percentage. 

So shop till you drop. Pick up that book you needed. Look for our links to half chaps or mud boots. There's even a link to riding helmets or riding sneakers. If you are looking for them for camp or for riding at home, then you are set. One click and you are there. Thank you for helping us out. Besides, this could be fun. I might just happen to see you at Amazon.com when I'm shopping there too.

Comments? Let me know any specific links on Amazon that might be helpful additions to the blog.

Sprucelands weather never damped our spirits one bit!

This is one of the happiest weekend clinic groups ever!

Our weekend clinic was worth remembering. The girls in this scout troop so wanted to be at Sprucelands. They were totally invested in the horsemanship experience. Very easily, they connected with horses and clinic helpers. From beginning to end, they were receptive to safety concepts, applying that safety in the barn and during their riding lessons. It was awesome.

I love when we have a troop that ‘gets it’ at the start and rolls with the program until the horse show on Sunday afternoon. Their willingness to learn soon translates to confidence and enthusiasm. I observe honest to goodness growth as they practice new skills. By the time Saturday afternoon is finished, they know how to groom, clean stalls, tack up, lead, and ride with the basics. I do believe these girls were walking taller.

Patti had a new 'do' this weekend. La-ti-dah!

Troops like this one fascinate me. When I talk with them, they are bubbly about their assigned horses. Like their horses are their personal friends for life. Look at Patti in this photo. Flattered by the La-ti-dah-horse-spa treatment, she models a new look for the prom. As I walked by her, she whispered that she loved being one of the girls. All that tender loving care rejuvenated her enthusiasm and brightened her spirits.

With this group, it was particularly fun sharing tidbits of interesting facts about horse psychology, rhythm, balance, steering, and communicating with a horse. These girls would hang on my words and come back with questions that were right on target. They also had a ball in the gymkhana on Sunday morning. Games on horseback all the way. A number of the girls succeeded in carrying the egg on the spoon to the finish. Well done, girls!

The gymkhana was freezing cold and still fun.

The weather this weekend was challenging. We went from thunder and lightning storms to blue sky and sunshine, pouring rain, hail, terribly strong winds, and then a snowstorm. Our electricity was off all Saturday afternoon. Go figure. It was actually scary. We had trees down across the camp road and have more down in the woods. I am in fact going to travel around camp this evening to look at the damage.

Still, it didn’t matter to this troop. They bundled in layers of fleece, sweatshirts, mud boots, winter jackets and smiles. Trudging up and down the hill made them laugh. They shared jokes and loved teasing back and forth with the clinic helpers. I was so happy they were good natured because there was no way I could control the weather. We just needed to keep on keeping on and that’s what we did.

Sprucelands Forever! Yes! Yes! Yes!

I always take a before and after photo of our weekend clinic groups. At the top you see the before photo. Don't they look like a happy bunch? I mean that. Seriously. At the bottom is the after photo. Don't they still look like a happy bunch? Gosh! I'm so glad I know these guys, and our clinic helpers feel the same way. Thank you to a most wonderful troop for participating with us in the Sprucelands horse experience. Please come again. We miss you already!

Comments make my day. Please say 'hi' before you're on your way.

I'm excited! You can meet my mom this Mother's Day!

This is my mom. I love to brag about her!

Since this is Mother’s Day, I want to tell you about my mom. I know there are all kinds of special mother essays across the internet today and that is a good thing. Personally, I love to brag that mom is 92 and definitely strong enough to make 100.

I love that I can still pick up the phone and say, “Hi Mom! I was thinking of you today.” I can still go visit. I love that she likes to come here for my birthday in October. In fact, last October she and my dad drove from their home in Brownsburg, Indiana to celebrate with me. We made a quick trip to the Adirondacks for old time’s sake and to see the changing leaves.

I thoroughly appreciate the positive messages I hear from mom by example and in conversations. We talk  about not giving up. What better role model than a woman whose goal is to live a century! Something I've always enjoyed is how we share thoughts and ideas like good friends, often discussing the importance of making a difference so that when we are gone perhaps the world is a little better because we were here.

Me with my mom. I'm the one on the left!

I have learned that being a woman is a total adventure. There are always surprises. Armed with education, faith and family, we handle the challenges that come our way. In the process, we define ourselves. For mom, part of her identity was as a teacher. Another was parenting four daughters and still another was partnering with my dad as a minister’s wife.

Mom is big on keeping her mind active. Between word games, reading, attending lectures, discussing ideas, voicing strong opinions, and staying on top of current events, mom stretches her brain so she is an up-to-date senior. I follow her example because it outright makes sense.

Three or four years ago, Mom announced that she and dad made a big decision. They were going to move out of their retirement community and build a new house. Mom said she was tired of all the death and dying around her. She and dad weren’t done living yet. “Besides,” she said, “we always want something to look forward to and building a new house will give us that.” So today they live in their new house and keep up with a garden.

Be able to laugh and stay optimistic.

All of this is a terrific model for aging gracefully. And in addition I hear all the time that laughter is the best medicine. Even during the heaviness of occasional hospital visits and therapy, the sunshine peeks through and tickles us with a silly something. I do believe laughter keeps us optimistic about the future...one day at a time.

So think about all the positive mother memories and funny stories that you nurture in your heart. I’m sure your permissions and messages guide you no matter where you are. Celebrate them. Love them. Be grateful, and then take some time today to say, “Hi Mom! I was just thinking about you.”

Comments? But of course, especially if you will share Mother's Day thoughts. Remember to become a follower of this blog. It's fun to stay connected.

Being grateful only takes a minute.

All fall and winter I shared photos of Sprucelands because you wanted to know what it looked like during the different seasons. Today I'm giving you a look at the apple trees because they are so beautiful.

I love my apple trees in the spring.

The first tree is on my front lawn taken in that golden time before sunset. This tree mind you is a hastle in the fall because it drops apples everywhere and they are not apples we want to eat. The lawnmower has a hay-day with them until they ferment on the ground. Then we get busy and clean them up for another year.

Sounds horrible doesn't it? And yet, that tree is gorgeous every spring. The birds love it. The bees love it and I love it. Often it takes my breath away. So I am grateful for its beauty. I will look at this photo in the fall before I begin raking up those apples to remind myself. LOL

Yesterday I was at the barn giving lessons when the apple trees over by Ring #3 caught my eye. Immediately I wanted to say 'thank you' for their beauty. With the horses grazing in the background, I just had to stop for a minute and let myself be grateful. It was lovely.

Horses and apple blossoms: what a pretty picture!

I am surprised each year by the beauty here at camp. I forget about those flowering trees. They have a place in the evolution of the seasons just as the lilacs, May Apples, trillium, Johnny Jump-Ups, and dandelions. And they make our bees so happy. Just think of all the honey in the making.

As a footnote to yesterday's post, I heard from Amy, one of our Hill Parents. She sent me a link for dandelion fritters. I didn't realize how nutritional dandelions really are. So I'm including that link here today. You might want to have some fun and try these out. Hey! You never know. They could be tasty.

Click here and you'll go to the recipe for dandelion fritters. Amazing. All those dandelions we are trying so hard to kill could actually be beneficial to our health. Maybe we need to listen to their persistence. I wonder if you can eat apple blossoms? Hmmm.

Comments are welcome. Let me know if you try the dandelion fritters.

Is Sprucelands spirit like a dandelion?

We celebrate individual growth and group unity.

Something we always talk about at Sprucelands is spreading our spirit. That is because we have something unique here. There is a caring, a comraderie, and a connection that we all enjoy and love.

Our Sprucelands Spirit celebrates individual growth and group unity. It sustains us when the going is difficult and it inspires us to venture forth into new experiences.

Dedication to our spirit is echoed at the end of each trail ride when we chime together: "Sprucelands Forever! Yes! Yes! Yes!" In addition, we recognize the potential in its strong message with our camp motto: "Anything is Possible at Sprucelands!"

You will inspire just the way dandelions do.

Lately I've been watching dandelions quietly take over lawns, fields, pastures, meadows, and hillsides. This after all is the country and quite honestly, dandelions rule! They are persistent, strong, colorful, and even nutritious if you are knowledgeable about harvesting their greens. I always laugh because the morning after the lawns are mowed, our dandelions peek up their heads to let us know that they are survivors.

I got to thinking the other day that if our Sprucelands Spirit spread as fast and with as much persistence as those dandelions, then Sprucelands would continue for another 75 years. Just think about it. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Click: larger view.

As role models, we stand tall, taking initiative, accepting responsibility, speaking up for ourselves, empathizing with friends, and tapping into our creative thinking. I am happy to report that I love watching that process in weekend clinics and during summer camp.

Together we balance leadership with followership so that we may lead at times and support others when their opportunity to lead evolves. We become solid teachers who aim to make a positive difference, and we are good friends, wanting to stay in each other's lives forever. There are many 'out there' who continue to connect to camp friends from years and years ago, and that feels so good.

Fact is, there's something very basic that happens here at Sprucelands. You are accepted for who you are, plain and simple, and when that reality is clearly felt, then you discover you can do great things. It's very freeing to know that it's okay to be the person you are becoming, and to partner with a horse in the process is beautiful.

So my post today challenges you to do as dandelions do. Spread the spirit everyday in your own respectable, responsible way. By example let others know that if they choose to participate in this Sprucelands summer experience, it will benefit them one way or another all life long.

Leave a comment if you have a minute. Join us! Become a follower of this blog and along the way, enjoy the dandelions.

Sprucelands Weekend Riding Clinics are therapy to the soul.

It feels so good to be back into our weekend riding clinics. I can't tell you the fun we had with this clinic group, even as putting the clinic together was hard work. The rewards were well worth all our effort.

For those not familiar with Sprucelands weekend riding clinics, a group of 15 or more moves into the Camp Lodge on Friday evening around 7:30 p.m. and stays through Sunday, departing about 4:00 p.m. The group unpacks their bedding and meals, then readies for our staff to teach horsemanship safety rules.

Friday evening is our introduction. As we learn names, get a feel for each rider, and establish an organizational framework for the weekend, trust begins. That trust is so important to the success of our clinic.

Saturday morning one third of the group meets us at the barn for morning feeding. They learn about horse diets that include salt, minerals, soy and ground oats. Each feeder has hands-on experience with actually feeding individual horses. Afterwards, they help lead horses to the pasture and turn-out areas, leaving in the barn any horses that will be ridden during their day. It's quite an eye-opener for these weekend riders when they realize they are really at a stable, touching the horses they have dreamed about for so long.

Morning program is learning to clean stalls, lead, groom and tack up horses. Saddle and bridle parts are taught. Introductory riding lessons are given, and those lessons emphasize balance, sitting correctly in the saddle, and steering. Everyone walks and trots their horse with a spotter at their side for safety. By the time lunch rolls around, the kids are walking taller and sounding like they have been around horses their whole life.

Afternoon program is dedicated to group riding lessons. Additional instruction teaches horse colors and markings with an introduction to horse parts. These are helpful for any scout troop that may be working on a badge or two. Saturday afternoon feeding involves a second group of feeders; the third group of feeders starts off the day on Sunday.

We have fun with games on horses on Sunday morning. We call it a gymkhana. The scouts ride through an obstacle course to challenge their steering, balance and swiveling skills. They also carry eggs on a spoon and later ride to music as they play musical stalls. I am particularly eager for each rider to feel the rhythm their horse gives them at a walk and trot. It makes such a difference to how grounded they are in their saddles.

Sunday afternoon is our horse show. Every rider earns a ribbon. There is no competition in weekend clinic horse shows. Our ribbons are extras from camp in the summer and they serve as recognition for hard work during the clinic. They also are a 'thank you' souvenir for participating in the Sprucelands whole horse experience. The kids are so thrilled when they get an actual ribbon to take home; they now know what it is like to be in a little horse show of their very own.

I watch kids come in here who have never touched a horse and by Sunday afternoon, they are balanced and steering on their own. Of course, they still have spotters working with them, but their confidence soars, and the love they share with the horses is touching. I often hear the kids wishing they didn't have to go home because they allowed themselves to trust a horse. The bond is real. It's hard to say 'goodbye'.

Scout troops develop group spirit while they are here, especially as leaders join in the horse fun. As adults realize that horseback riding is real exercise, we have lots of laughs . Besides, relaxing in nature, connecting with horses, enjoying a campfire, and escaping TV and telephone is therapy to the soul.

So the clinic season has officially begun. Hats off and giant hugs to my clinic helpers this weekend. Everyone taught well and kept their riders safe. We were a good team with this troop. As we each one snuggle into bed tonight, we can feel satisfied with this start, knowing in our hearts that we made a positive difference to some young riders who now have a horse friend to treasure.

Comments are welcome...always. Love to hear from you!