Sprucelands State of the Nation

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

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

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

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

Courtney and Indigo are working more as partners this winter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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