The chemistry of twosomes at Sprucelands.

Lucky and Boomer do most everything together.

There are some things that we can count on. I know for example that we have horse partners in our herd. Everyday these horses pair up together. It seems to happen naturally.

Boomer and Lucky are two of those horses. They hang out together in the pasture, grazing on the grass. Often they are eating at the round bales side by side. Never do I see them gang up on other horses. They are simply a presence in the herd that grounds all the other horses. No matter what happens, the guys can count on Boomer and Lucky being there for them.

Another twosome is Lightning and Bugler. Interesting. Like shadows they walk next to each other, wait at the gate, and come in together. They have their own language, acknowledging and affirming that they are best buds no matter where they are.

The ladies of course have match-ups too. There is Bonnie and Honey. We all have heard about that combination. Bonnie doesn't let us forget! Ellie and Thunder seem to be another duet that rings true. It's fun and interesting to watch. 

Brady is my best four year old helper at the barn.

Well, I have a buddy too. That would be Stacy's four year son, Brady. I love when Brady comes over for a visit. Last weekend he helped me with raking leaves in front of the barn. While I was cleaning stalls, Brady raked and raked and piled leaves in a wheelbarrow and then surprised me with dumping the wheelbarrow off the end of the barn.

It was when I heard "Grandma, I need some help," that I realized Brady was a bit stuck and couldn't get the wheelbarrow tipped upright on his own. So we worked together to get it where he wanted it and he went back to work. What fun it is to be a grandma!

Another twosome: my two dogs, Lily and Pudge. They go together like peanut butter and jelly. Where one is so is the other. There are days when I do believe they are attached by an invisible string.


Pudge and Lily are full of surprises.

Right now, Lily is helping me tremendously with the kittens that I am trying to manage. She has flabergasted me with how mothering she is. She gives them a literal bath - a kitty spa if you can go there - and manages the bathroom needs of the kittens the way a cat mom would do. Pudge on the other hand thinks Lily is totally wierd. In her book, the kittens are little rats that have no business getting my or Lily's attention.

So what is the point of this post? I guess I marvel at how the chemistry between two beings - whether animals or humans - can be so perfect. Their unspoken dedication to friendship and caring is mindboggling and marvelous.

Like Lily and Pudge they accept each other totally. Yet there is still room to be an individual within the partnership and surprise each other with hidden talents or interests. You could have blown me away when Lily started taking care of the kittens. When she is all done, she sits down next to me and asks me to shake her hand. I mean paw. She is so proud to be a cat mama. Pudge just wrinkles her nose and tells Lily she is out of her mind!

Comments? But of course!

A Sprucelands General Meeting is called to order.

Attention! Attention! I'd like you to look over here please.

Okay. I saw all these geese and seagulls gathered at a pond that I pass on the way home from school and decided it was time for a general meeting through the blog. So - hear ye, hear ye - I'm calling the meeting to order. There are three things I'd like to share with you.

First, this is the time of year to plan for next summer. Our special discounts are running down. There is a slight discount off each week of camp until the end of December. There is a bigger discount off each week of camp if you pay in full by Thanksgiving. You don't have to claim your dates if you don't know them yet. You can save the smaller discounts with a $200 registration deposit attached to your camp application. Quite a number of you have taken advantage of these options already. Keep your registrations coming because quite honestly that is my operating money across the winter. Download a camp application by clicking here.

Second, these are the weeks when CITs (Counselors in Training) need to claim their space. The response so far is really positive. I'm impressed with the quality CITs that are registering for 2011. We are going to have a terrific CIT team. I would like CITs to be registered by Thanksgiving. Then we can start building our team spirit over the winter. Just a note. Offered discounts are not applicable to CITs because they are already getting a discount as part of their tuition. Send in your applications soon and check the CIT box on the right hand side of the application.

Third, I am offering a riding clinic the first weekend in November: November 5-7, 2010. That's the weekend after next. Clinic helpers have been interested, but others are welcome as long as they are already independent riders. This is not a weekend for brand new beginner riders. It is primarily for those who want to work on their skills and at the same time enjoy a laid back weekend. There is no real schedule. We're going to do what we want when we want to do it. If the weather cooperates, we'll burn that campfire in lower girls village that is waiting to be lit. Cost is $60, bring a contribution to supper on Saturday night and your own lunches. I'll do breakfasts. RSVP to me on facebook or over email. Just click here.

So that's the general meeting. I hope everyone on the pond out there could hear me. If not, be in touch and I'll clarify anything that needs clarifying. Watch for more general meetings in the future. Our meeting is closed. Giant hugs to one and all, and a great flight south.

Comments and honks from any geese annoyed by those seagulls are welcome here.

Independence and friendship thrives at Sprucelands.

Madison's confidence has tripled since last fall.

Little Madison was also here to ride this weekend. She came to ride Honey on Saturday. I always get a kick out of her because she is so determined to manage safe grooming and tacking up. She also wants desperately to be balanced on Honey so that she can keep her going.

You would be amazed at how independent Madison has become. I have written on my blog about her previously. That was way back a year ago when she was starting out on Fella, literally getting a sense of what this whole horse care and riding thing was about.

Now Madison pops out of the car with her grooming tote in hand, grabs a lead rope and gets Honey out of her stall. She curries and brushes, picks Honey's feet, and gets the tack. I still help some with positioning the saddle and snuggling up the girth. Together we put on the bridle, and then Madison is good to go. I check with her to see where she wants to ride: Ring #1, the indoor or the round arena. This week she rode in the round arena.

What was special about this weekend was that Alicia and Katie were here and they brought out a new camper, Brianna. So Madison was proving herself in front of the girls.


A trail ride with the girls and the dogs was the highlight of Madison's day.

It was fun that she had an audience when she rode. That meant Madison was about bursting her buttons, especially as she kept Honey trotting. Her balance was excellent. She watched where she was going, handled changes in direction professionally, and stayed on the correct diagonal.

Three quarters through the lesson, Maddie began to get tired so I asked if she would like to do a little trail ride. That's our routine. When the girls said they would walk with her, you would have thought Madison was given an academy award. So off they went, Lily and Pudge as lead and drag.

Max is my barn helper. What would I do without him?

Meanwhile, Madison's brother, Max, was having fun raking leaves and climbing trees in front of the barn. He generally joins Madison when she comes to ride. I get a kick out of Max because he is so much help. He finds trash around the barn and throws it away. Some days he collects rocks in Ring #1 and gets rid of them. I am lucky to have Max as a friend.

Well, the trail ride eventually returned. All the girls were chittering and chattering. Madison was sitting up tall, smiling and excited about the journey. We snapped some pictures before untacking and giving Honey a hug.

As I listened to everyone interacting, I realized again how grateful I am to have all these young people in my life. Their support for each other is priceless. Friendships, independence and learning is what Sprucelands is all about. I am so fortunate. I am so rich.

Leave a comment if you have a minute and make me richer. 

Sprucelands encourages you to blossom and grow.

Indigo and Courtney are a perfect match.

Friday evening started off my weekend with Courtney coming to ride and love Indigo. It has been a while since she has been able to do very much because Indigo was nursing an abcess. Last Tuesday she rode him for a short time and Friday she rode a little longer.

Indigo still isn't totally sound. He had a very deep abcess that made him uncomfortable enough to start a colic one evening. Lori, our barn manager, spent one whole day with Indigo making sure he was okay. It was tedious but built a relationship between Lori and Indigo that results in Indigo's doing anything for Lori that Lori wants him to do, and that's a good thing. He is so big and Lori is so small.

Meanwhile, Courtney is gradually getting him back to where he is supposed to be. Indigo still has one shoe on and one shoe off so he gimps a bit. Until the foot is totally healed, we have to accept his gimpiness.

I am impressed with Courtney's dedication to Indigo. These two are truly a match made in heaven. Courtney is learning to set limits for Indigo. He responds well by lowering his head to submit as he learns to trust that Courtney is kind and caring.

Courtney is discovering herself in her relatiionship with Indigo.

I am equally impressed with Courtney's maturity. She is coming out of herself, laughing and talking and joking. Just look at the smile on her face. Is this the same shy girl that was around here a year ago seeming to be afraid of asserting herself? Oh my! Wonders never cease.

Indigo and Sprucelands are working together to tap Courtney's potential. This is a young lady who is already doing great things, and will make a difference in this world.

She is evolving into a positive role model and excellent clinic helper. Next summer she will be a Counselor in Training (CIT). Meanwhile, she is working at Pumpkinville in Franklinville and in her own time, she is tackling the challenge of babysitting. Shy? I don't think so. Blossom and grow. That's what we encourage. Congratulations, Courtney. You are doing yourself proud.

Your comments are the best.

Confront the ghosts and grow at Sprucelands?

Kalayne and Patti have become quite a team.

Teaching riding lessons is one of the most rewarding things I do. Lessons give me a spark, makes my week feel fresh and new. When I know there's a lesson planned, I look forward to that lesson all day long.

I love watching my riders grow. With some of my younger riders, I note when their legs are getting longer and they are sitting taller in the saddle. I probably notice their changes quicker than mom or dad because I don't see them everyday. When they come week after week and then year after year, I am happy to say that I watch them grow up.

One little girl started with me as a kindergartener. Actually, she came to sit on a horse when she was four years old and continued riding every year after that. Now she's in high school. She will always be known in camp as my kindergartener. We all smile when we think of her progress over time.



Sprucelands riders grow in other ways too. I see them work on difficult riding skills. Kalayne is one who has been challenged with balance. After camp, she picked up lessons with me to become more grounded in her saddle and I'm happy to say that with Patti's help, Kalayne has gradually found an easier freedom to her riding. Patti's comfortable trot has made a big difference. Kalayne even connects with Patti's canter.



You guys should see me canter now! I stay on!

I have admired Kalayne's determination to master her skills. She loves horses so much and she wants to ride so well that she carries in her mind a vision for what she wants to be and do. That determination and vision work together inside Kalayne and drive her to learn whatever she can in our lessons.



It is fun teaching Kalayne. Her enthusiasm and sense of humor is awesome. We joke about things throughout our time together and in the process we are becoming good friends. I love when that happens because then both of us are invested in learning, enjoying a horse and building a relationship that will hopefully last a lifetime.

One thing Kalayne wants everyone to know: with practice you really can confront what haunts you and get a grip on the skills that sabotage your riding. Kalayne struggled with her balance during camp and then on clinic weekends. She was President of the Dusty Bottoms Club for quite some time. That's fun to joke about but it's not so much fun when it happens over and over again.


Kalayne never gives up. As a result, we are getting her balanced and she is feeling the satisfaction of completing her lessons in the saddle. She's finding her center, looking where she rides, and gradually making her skeleton more comfortable. That really helps. She's discovering how to loosen her hips and lower back so she can better follow the motion of her horse.



One important thing: keep at it because it gets better.

So as a riding teacher, I enjoy every moment of the progress and discoveries we make together. Best of all, life lessons pop up along the way involving trust, courage and willingness to work. I love when that happens.

You know though, what my riders don't realize is that I continue to grow as a teacher. Because every rider is so different, our lessons are genuinely interesting. I renew my awareness that riding builds confidence and that makes all the difference in how both of us tackle the week in front of us.

If you have never ridden, I invite you to try a lesson sometime. You might open the door to a new adventure. If you rode years ago, get back on. It's wonderful therapy, especially a trail ride in the fall. If you are fearful, let's work together on the ground until you are ready to sit in the saddle. Discover a new balance to your life. There is a horse waiting for you.

Comments from you refresh me.

Projects at Sprucelands that make a difference.

Trish and her pies are becoming a Sprucelands tradition.

This summer we were happy to have a visit from the Dimarino family. In fact, Andrew, Jenny and Trish were in and out, joining in the camp fun. Even Cassie was with us for a time. We loved having them involved with Sprucelands. They are such a genuine part of our camp family.

Trish helped bake pies. It is tradition! I can't tell you what fun that is for the staff especially because they giggle and chatter about anything and everything as they create.

There were cream pies, apple pie, blueberry and strawberry pie. The list was long and the eyes of the kids when they saw those pies was fun to watch. When they had to make a decision about what pie to eat, it was nearly impossible.


Bridhouses now hang in every tree by the lodge.

Well, when Trish came she also brought along a bunch of birdhouses. I'm not remembering how she came upon the birdhouses. I think it was a project of the Boy Scouts and she asked to have them used at Sprucelands. So a week ago, Phil our wonderful maintenance man, hung the birdhouses.

Now when you come to camp, you will see a birdhouse hanging in almost every tree down by the lodge. I also have one on my telephone pole up here in front of the house. I'm not sure what kind of birds these houses will attract. Doesn't matter. As long as the birds come spring have a cozy home, then we will have bird families to watch as they flitter in and out of the houses. Thank you Trish!

On another note, think with me about the end of the barn. Remember how for years we had ugly plastic hanging there. It served its purpose, blocking wind, rain and snow from inside the barn. But it was terribly ugly. I was not proud of how it made the barn look.


This also gives me ideas for an evening program. Hmmm.

Again thanks to Phil, the plastic was removed this summer and the whole end of the barn was closed in with a fresh new look. I never thought I would see our barn look so cool. It will undoubtedly be warmer, and before camp next summer I hope to get it stained. I hope you are both amazed and surprised at how nice this looks.

So that's today's update. Fresh pies, handsome birdhouses and a fresh new barn look. I am so grateful for the people in Sprucelands life who help make her better. They are keeping with Sprucelands tradition: they make a difference that is positive and appreciated. Thank you all.

Your comments also make a difference. I love hearing from you.

Sprucelands color was wonderful this year.

There's nothing like early morning sun on a fall hillside.

Wow! I have to do some catching up. I was down with bronchitis last week. Meant that my mind was working at 50%. Writing was difficult at the start or the end of the day. Yucky!

I had all I could do to function at school. Now that the meds are working, I'm into a coughing reality. With a kleenex box in hand, I'm thinking again. Ta-dah! That is good. I am as grateful for health as I am for the colorful mornings that greet me on the trip to school in the morning.


The view along Ring #1 is quite different from summer.

One thing I like to do with the blog is show you how camp looks during the changes of seasons. You can see that our leaves have been colorful. They are falling fast and carpeting the earth with rustling sounds that are fun to hear under the horse's feet on trails.

I love that sound of  leaves underfoot. In the woods, everywhere I look the colors cover the ground. I once said to some trail riders, "Who knows? Maybe this is life after death and you are with me in my heaven."

Reality is that bow season has started. Now that the hunters are out in the woods, our trail riding has about ended for the year. I always feel sad when that happens. Sometimes we sneak in a ride or two. I suppose that's taking a risk, and it's a risk I'm willing to take as long as we stay on our land. I do love trail rides.


The trees will soon be asleep until spring.

I'm hoping you folks are enjoying the leaves in your area. When we went to the Adirondacks, the color was gone. Their peak was the last weekend in September. It was interesting that what we went looking for was here at camp all along. My sister commented that the color at Sprucelands was the prettiest she had seen all weekend.



Guess that's often the case, isn't it? The grass is greener on the other side of the fence. I know horses think so. Maybe we were thinking so too when the best color was right here.

Well, know that I'm open for riding lessons on weekends now. Give me a call if you can join me. We'll do what you want. I'll ride with you or I'll teach. We'll come up with an adventure. We always do.

Your comments are the color in my life.

My birthday visit to the Adirondacks.

We couldn't believe it was warm enough to enjoy sitting on the dock.

This Columbus Day weekend I traveled to the Adirondacks. My parents and my sister and her husband treated me to this trip. It was their birthday gift to me. What a wonderful gift!

We stayed on First Lake at the start of the Fulton Chain of Lakes in the Pine Knoll Motel. Our view from the hillside was absolutely, positively breathtaking. I would recommend this respite to anyone wanting a hideaway weekend because we were right on the water. If you love how restful friendly waters can be, then this is the life!



So peaceful in the early morning mists.

To the right of our weekend residence was a boat livery. For me that was fun because I could sneak out in the early morning for photos. You know me. Always a good photo. They complete me somehow.

I have to admit we were all surprised that the leaves were pretty much gone. Compared to our area here, the color was missing. Apparently, peak viewing of the leaves was the last weekend in September. Most residents of the area acknowledged the seasons were about three weeks ahead this year.

It didn't hamper our good time. We saw the sights anyway. Revisited our beloved 7th Lake where we camped as children. Even though it was a bit nippy, we bundled up and sat at the end of the lake, reminiscing over old camping stories and laughing about what those good old days were like.

Notice the color is gone. Now the pine trees are the primary focus.

Toured the campgrounds at 8th Lake. That gave us an opportunity to do some walking and looking up toward 7th Lake from a different angle. You can guess how amazing my parents are. They are still up and around at ages 92 and 90, anticipating more visits to their Adirondack stomping grounds.

My sister's only disappointment was not having a campfire. I told her we could do that back here at camp. Remembering the campfire that stands waiting to be lit in the Lower Girls Village, I was excited to make the offer. However, when we returned yesterday from our trip, it was pouring rain. So the campfire sadly didn't happen. It continues to wait for a happy group to share its warmth.



This was a wonderful birthday!

We did play lots of pinochle. Of course, us kids don't stand a chance. Mom and dad are such pinochle wizards that the gods usually smile on them and give them all the good cards. Often we moan and groan about our lousy hands and marvel at their expertise. They blow us away everytime!

Between the beauty of the woods and wandering deer, blue waters, boats, magnificent views and silly little notes, this weekend was spectacular. I'm amazed that this Columbus Day was as lovely as it was. The weather was just perfect. Perfect in every way possible. I am so grateful for a family that feels like good friends. This was my best birthday ever!

Comments from you make me smile. Drop by and enjoy the sights with me. That would make everything really special.

Big Announcement about the Sprucelands Blog



Blow some bubbles and celebrate this addition to the blog.

This is a crazy week. I seem to have a lot of those, don't I? This is a different kind of crazy though. And I'm running out the door soon, so I'm going to write quick. I have an announcement to make.

First, my week. I've been preparing for Open House at school on Thursday night. Lots of photo displays to hang in the school hallways. At the same time, I've prepared my house for company. My parents and my middle sister and her husband arrived last night.  Add to that a sick horse.

You're going to ask immediately who was sick. Lorie has worked very hard this week with Indigo. He has been nursing an abcess in his foot and the discomfort from that abcess caused him to be colicky. We were really worried about him because we couldn't seem to get him better. However, the vet was here last night and dug until he released the abcess. The prognosis is good. Indigo started to eat again and in two weeks should be sound. Hurray.

My folks are here so we can make my birthday trek to the Adirondacks. We like to visit our old stomping grounds about now because the leaves are usually lovely. It should be pleasant. My parents who are 92 and 90 made the trip here from Indianapolis just fine. I sure admire them.

Here is my announcement. Go to the tabs on the right panel of the blog. Below Puzzlemania is another tab called SLIDESHOWS. On that page are two slideshows. My first one was of Rose an eight week camper. That was my experimental attempt. It worked so well that I made another for the first session of camp. I think you'll enjoy looking at the fun we had.

My goal is to get a slideshow uploaded from every session this summer. So that gives you something to anticipate. We all need things to look forward to. That is one of my life views. So there you have it for today. Celebrate. Blow some bubbles and enjoy the new addition to our blog!

Comments? Put some spark in my day!

Sprucelands 2011 brochure is all about decisions.



Cover photo for 2011 brochure. It's all about connection.

Good morning to you! Good morning to you! We're all in our places with sunshiny faces. This is the way to start a new day. Yup. I'm the one late this morning. I still sing our late song from camp when I oversleep. It's a great song for the shower! LOL

Last night I updated the 2011 camp brochure. It now has new photos of camp fun and memories. You'll never know how hard it is to choose a photo for the front cover. Some years I automatically know what photo I will put there. It's like I snap a picture and make a mental note, "Now if that picture turns out, it will go on the front cover."



This year there were so many good pictures of so many wonderful campers that I couldn't decide. Talk about indecision. I'd put one photo in and then take it out and then try another and take that one out.

You know what it's like to make hard choices. We think one way and then choose another. Then we change our mind and do it again and again. Could be it's deciding what to wear to school. For me last night, it was selecting a photo for the brochure cover. Fact is, sometimes we don't know what the right decision is and in the end, we have to trust ourselves and go for it.



Our last drill team made it into the brochure as well. What a memory!



I love the photo I chose. It captures a moment of connection between horses and friends that is so basic to Sprucelands. It's what we are all about. Thank you Kalayne and Bria.

Included in this post are a few photos that are also inside our brochure. One is of the last drill team we did. This summer we did three drill teams. I was blown away by the synchronization and beauty of each one of them. They move me to tears. That's when I'm happy to be hiding behind the camera.

I also slipped in the colorful picture of four staff members in their new tye-dye shirts. Our Nart Room is so excellent at tye-dye. Over the years, I think they've entered into an A-rating called perfection when it comes to design and color.

Toy Story  here we come!

Those shirts fit perfectly with announcing the theme for 2011. I think we're going to have fun with Toy Story because it has so many positive messages. It does mean I'm going to be snuggling onto the couch with lots of popcorn and pad and pencil so that I can review the movies over the winter and collect all those positives. Maybe you can do the same. I'm also hoping there is appropriate music that can be used in our DVDs.

So I'm off to school and another Friday. Dress down day today. I'm on my own at the barn tomorrow. Will be doing a few lessons, wallowing in the mud from yesterday, and getting burdock out of horses. Then I have more hard choices to make about what to do with my time. Hmmm. Maybe I'll do this. No I think I'll do that. Well, I could do this... I think I've got to make a plan.

Oh by the way, if you'd like to look at the new brochure, click here to go there. You will need a fast connection to load it because it is a big file. If you'd like a copy of the new brochure, send me an email or drop me a comment and I'll gladly mail one out to you.

Your comments are the blue sky on a rainy day. Have a great weekend.