Quiet Moments |
PROBLEM
I have been thinking a lot about this blog lately (among other things, my brain is a hamster on drugs, remember). Because there is a conundrum. Longtime readers know that my writing (ok, world) centers around Solo and his big little brother, eventing, horsemanship, and associated topics.
As our Facebook page notes, it focuses on “being an adult amateur, putting your horse first, and fighting for your goals in a sport that has no mercy for the unprepared or faint of heart (or wallet).” Aside from an occasional note about the unique challenges (and sometimes awesomeness) of my real job, my personal life is, well, personal. For myself, the latter is neither relevant nor appropriate content re: my mission statement.
That being said, those of you who have been wonderful supporters along the way also know that my policy is 100% open honesty (pretty sure that’s redundant but my level of give-a-shit is low right now). Result: conundrum.
SOLUTION?
But I think I have made a decision (reference said hamsters above while laughing about lack of decisiveness in statement of decision). Although TFS (Team Flying Solo) is an entity I often reference, as is (now) FSF (Flying Solo Farm), the title of this blog remains “We Are Flying Solo: The Journey Of A Horse & His Girl.” Just like Solo’s name, there are many layers there, but our story IS about the journey. And no journey (except maybe a really boring one) is complete or worthwhile without highs AND lows.
Go Pandas! They get to wear polos now?! |
Mrs. Bricking was the kind of teacher who challenges you to constantly raise the bar, with the motive of opening the minds and eyes of 15-18 year-olds, who are sure they know everything, to a broader view of the world, and the powerful themes and tools that great literature provides.
I totally just used Spiderman; but he fits |
She is rife with good qualities, but she always has a “Tragic Flaw,” an Achilles heel, which is required, otherwise you wouldn’t have a story! It may be an unrequited love, a physical weakness, a negative personality trait, what have you.
As a result, she travels the worn path of the “Tragic Journey.” Its outcome is uncertain, but there will always be a build-up, a “Tragic Fall” (yeah, everything is Tragic, LOL, goes back to the Greek Tragedies of Sophocles and his peers) to the nadir, the lowest point of the journey. The Hero(ine) must then struggle to rise from this nadir in order to triumph (or not) in the end. Think about your favourite movie or book plots – see it?
THAT’S NICE, BUT WHAT, SO YOU’RE A HEROINE NOW?
Hardly. But that is how I arrived at my conclusion that there is a story that I have not yet written down which needs to be told, because it most certainly is not only a part, but both initiates and shapes OUR entire journey.
A few of you know the details, but I experienced my own nadir in a trauma like no other several years ago (not horse-related) and it continues to haunt my steps. No doubt you have noticed a change in the blog and I can tell you that it is not, in large part, due to the purchase and move to the farm. Rather, the reverse is the case, where Flying Solo Farm was born of the Tragic Fall in an attempt to salvage what pieces of the future remained.
BFF & the amazing Texas Pete at Uwharrie NF |
So I hope that you can be patient with me as the epileptic hamster tries to find his way back to the wheel in the dark. Blindfolded. On three legs.
I do count myself very lucky in having BFF and Erica, who have been unbelievably awesome help, along with THREE incredible neighbours, the wonderful network of Area II Adult Riders and the eventing community.
They’ve got my six and I am also thankful every day to my mother, who helped make it possible for me to have the most wonderful scenery ever, including my two orange buddies, in which to negotiate the maze and find my way back to this woman.
Gallop (or walk, or just hug) on and don’t worry: my ridiculous dorkiness and penchant for crazy adventures which never go according to plan remains intact, so you need not cry yourself to sleep that your life shall be unfulfilled without the TFS posts (haha). Writing is wonderfully cathartic and I hope to continue to share posts with you and of course am reading all of yours!
And I am still determined as ever to get my amazing Encore (daily thanks too, CANTER MA!) to a T3DE, it’s just going to take a little longer than planned (oh wait, it was a horse plan, that’s a given).
Evening therapy sessions by the pond |
Out.