Stopping to Smell the Roses

Or waking up to smell the coffee, or something like that...
If you're reading you may have noticed that we haven't had the easiest time since opening the doors to our horse facility last fall (although there have been lots of good things). There was a crazy cold, record breaking winter with blizzards every few days, Doug's broken rib, my shingles, living in a camp (much of the time) heated by a wood stove, without running water (away from our beautiful old farm house where Mom at 90 was holding down the fort), etc.
We looked forward to spring, because there were so many great little events booked (we are an events facility) -  we felt so lucky that things were working out. Then... a strangles outbreak hit Nova Scotia, the worst in many years, and barns went into lock down. No one, and rightfully so, was going anywhere.
We cancelled almost all of our events as a precautionary step and for the first time, slowly but surely, I began to have doubts about the future. I didn't sit and worry, it was more like a dawning awareness that nothing was going as planned. I began to feel very low, a failure, and lost confidence in my ability to plan.
So here's the link back to the title - I'd been too crazy busy to enjoy this place. It dawned on me that although things hadn't gone as planned, this could be one of the best summers of my life. Financially it's tight but we'll manage to get by, and in the meantime I have a magnificent in door, a sound horse, regular lessons with my beloved Joan, time to play with my sweet ponies. Maybe this is what was supposed to happen at this point? Maybe this is the best thing ever, if I just recognize it before it's gone?

Comments

Carol said…
I should mention, we got hit by post tropical storm Arthur yesterday (gusts to 120 km)and lost power for awhile, had a few things blown around, doors blown off the arena, but all in all got off pretty lightly.
Carol said…
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Carol said…
Also :)I should make clear, I don't want to sound like I'm seeing a benefit to strangles - it's awful and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
Jodi said…
It definitely sounds like a rough start, but I bet things will get much better soon :) I think it's great that you can see the bright side of the situation too.
You've had a bit of a rocky start. None of it your fault or anything you could have controlled. In the meantime you seem to have the right attitude about things. Making lemonade when life hands you lemons is the way to go.
Achieve1dream said…
We knew you weren't saying that about the strangles!! I'm just thankful it didn't get into your facility. There have been outbreaks down south too. I wonder why it's going around so much again....

I'm glad you're staying positive and enjoying your summer. It will work out! All of the events that had to be canceled can be done later. Everyone knows it wasn't your fault. Your place is going to be so fantastic when everything is done. :)

I'm glad you got away with minimal damage from the storm. Enjoy your summer and your sweet Rogo!!
Oak Creek Ranch said…
We've been guilty a bit of the same here. So many things to be replaced and repaired that we lose sight of how beautiful it is here. You did have a very tough winter; enjoy your summer -- you've earned it.