Wow, another year has come and is just about over, and I haven’t gotten back to blogging. đŚ
But I REALLY hope 2022 is a better year.
I have been SO busy: working full-time, editing a LONG textbook of technical material, and taking care of my 92-year-old mother.
Last Sunday was my birthday. I was anxious to get outside for a walk and picture-taking, my joy and zen-inducing pastime. I had found a new trail, on a road across from a park I went to often. It was a chilly, but beautiful day. As I walked, I spoke to the Universe: please let me come across something special for my birthday! Maybe an eagle??? I met a couple walking their dog and we talked a bit as we circled around. The man told me he had seen an eagle on that trail in the past, but alas, not that day.
I got in my car, put in my headphones, and called my mother. I pulled out of the road and at the park, I saw a woman on a magnificent white horse, and other horses through the trees! The eleven-year-old horse-lover in me piped up, “Oh Mom, there are horses!! I have to hang up!” I pulled into the park and jumped out of my car with my camera.

I had come upon a riding club photo shoot. I was so excited I snapped and snapped without composing my shots. (I would regret that.) I thanked the Universe, “This is better than an eagle! Thank you!”

The horses lined up and crossed a stone bridge. I thought, “How perfect!”

Unfortunately, in my excitement, I did not stay in one place to get the best shots. When I got home and looked at the shots I realized what I had done in my haste. I took every horse passing over the bridge, but some horses ended up behind the bushes, and some shots cut out the beautiful blue water under the bridge. So not much to keep for posterity, but the feelings remained.
I felt alight, hopeful and young. The best feeling any of us can have on our birthday.