Wordless Wednesday

Mother's Day weekend

Redefined

This quote resounded with me quite profoundly, especially while I try to balance and embrace just how much my life has grown and changed in a single decade. Ten years ago, I was a very different person with very different dreams and motivations.

I grew up with strict parents who tried very hard to discourage me from doing everything that wasn't what they wanted me to do. As a kid, when I started showing an interest in art and started teaching myself how to draw, my mom even tried to throw out my art supplies. I remember hiding my sketchbooks (that I bought with my first summer job working as a lifeguard at the local community pool) when I was away from home so didn't have to worry about coming back to find them missing. 

My parents were scared of horses. I never got to be around them either and only really started riding in 2014 after graduating college and getting my master's degree as a working adult when I had my own income to pay for lessons, a half-lease, and finally taking the dive into full ownership a year later. 

I am ever so incredibly grateful to those who have been instrumental in providing me a safe place to discover and explore the best parts of me, those who encouraged me to pursue dreams, be it art or riding, respectively. My art mentor and friend who believed I had the skill to freelance and generously gifted me my first professional-grade Wacom tablet. My first trainer who told me after just two lessons that I had a natural seat and talent; to keep riding and keep learning. With only 1-2 years of riding under my belt, I was blessed with incredibly generous owners who trusted me with their endurance horse as I got to ride across the country from Pennsylvania, Texas, and California. 

Muckleratz CTR - July 2015

Texas, Oct 2016

California Day 1, Oct 2017

California Day 2, Pacific Crest Trail

I admit to thinking the "better" days were over, especially during the past few years as Quest and I came to an involuntary standstill in our distance riding journey together. It took time, but I've come to see that though my adventures now look a little different, they are no less transformative and meaningful. It's infinitely more valuable to find your tribe, to surround yourself with a community uplifting and positive people who will celebrate with you in the good times and cry with you in the bad times. 

It is, quite simply, easy as that.  

North NJ Jigsaw Puzzle Swap

This past weekend I hosted my very first puzzle swap and it was a huge success. 

The closest swap to me is a 3-hour round trip south...I know NJ might not seem like a big state, but it is big enough. I couldn't in good conscience drag my whole family out there with me just to be there for one hour. However I had a voracious appetite for puzzles and needed more. 

A few months ago, I was thinking to myself how awesome it would be to have a local swap event nearby. After scouring the local FB groups and seeing nothing, in very typical me-fashion, I thought "Why not just host it myself?" I reached out to my local library and asked about reserving a public meeting room. To my delight, they were excited and happy to have us there. With date and time details confirmed, I put my plan into motion and spread the news in the local jigsaw puzzle FB groups. I had a ton of feedback and people planning to show up but, in all seriousness, you never know until you get there...

Well the event went off without a hitch; it was a textbook perfect day.  

I had around 30-40 people show up at various times throughout the 1.5-hour event which made it feel very manageable and sane. There were few were old-timers who obviously knew each other from other swap events. Others were brand new, like me, and attending for the first time. Everyone was so kind and friendly though. Many were quite impressed that this was my first swap and first-time hosting. 

As I was the host, I made a point to walk through and personally check-in with as many people as possible. Along the way I had so many meaningful conversations, and it was heart-warming to hear everyone's stories. We all started doing puzzles for various reasons. Some did it to connect with friends near and some far away. Others were looking for puzzles to share with their young kids or for their aging parents living alone at home. We all had our reasons. 

At one point, I said to someone that I found my tribe.  

Even though I didn't really intend to trade as I wanted to focus on hosting, I still ended up coming home with a ton of new puzzles to do! At the end of the event, a couple folks volunteered to help me clean-up which was so greatly appreciated. After getting home, I checked my messages and was inundated with comments saying how much fun the event was and thanked me for the role I played. 

For me, I was simply happy that I found a whole community of kind, like-minded people who genuinely enjoy a hobby. If things work out, I think I'd like to try hosting another swap in the near future. 

All is Well

Earlier this week, my family did a short vacation getaway in the Poconos. We met up with our friends and their family. It was so nice just to take a break from reality for a little bit. On the drive home, I made a point to stop by the barn and visit Quest. I helped her shed out the last of her winter fuzz and gave her a nice grooming session. 

Mareface held her weight and condition excellent this past winter. For a senior, she is doing so well and absolutely thriving where she is now. 

After some thought and conversation with my husband, I've decided to switch tack (figuratively and literally). 

For the past few weeks, I've been low-key searching for a local barn to take start jump lessons and eventually try cross country. I have no intentions of competition as I mainly just want to improve and invest in myself as a rider. I haven't taken a lesson in nearly a decade so I'm going into this without any real expectations for myself. 

My previous trainer moved to the Midwest so I'm starting from scratch with finding a lesson barn. Hopefully I'll find a good place soon and it proves to be a good fit. Wish me luck!