This one has been a draft (for months) and it's amazing with drafts, when I come back to them. I wonder why they are still in draft mode. What am I missing? Anyway, as I read this, I realized that tomorrow is Mother's day. Wow. What a coincidence that I read this draft today and can post today and it's quite appropriate for Mother's Day? Maybe it was meant to be! Enjoy... and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all moms out there.
I am not a mother. Being a pediatric dentist, however, I get the unique opportunity to talk to many many many mothers; one child mothers, two children mothers and yesterday was the mother of six. We started off with the basics of "how's life?" Simple enough. She had brought in her two little ones, a set of twins. I verified that she had 2 other children. Oh no, she corrected me. She stated that she had 4 others and I laughed and said that I couldn't keep track anymore. We talked about her husband and his job and moving states and then the conversation went to her.
"What about you?" I asked. "You're a doctor, aren't you?" She said, "Yes, but I have to study and it's hard with these kids." I asked if she had to study for her Step 1, 2 or 3. I have not been paying attention. She stated that she had done all that and that she had to get her license renewed. She talked about a program to get her current. We talked about working and I asked her why she wanted so desperately to get back to it. She talked about how she was fine being at home with the 4 kids, but when the twins came along, she said, she wasn't sure what happened. She said she was not prepared to have the self-need to go back to work. She talked about wanting to make a difference. I smiled and talked about my life and working and how I felt it would be nice to maybe not work. She reminded me that I did make a difference for our community. I told her that I had read about women wanting to do something for themselves as they got older. She said, there was something within her. We talked about finding our purpose in this life. She talked about wearing her hijab during her 3rd year of medical school and soon after she got married. She told me about all the questions that people asked of her. She said that people thought her husband had asked her to wear it, which was far from the truth. Of course, we talked about Islam and the current state of politics and women's rights. I told her that I could not see myself wear a hijab everyday. She said that she felt the same way and that it takes getting used to. She said, it still does.
So, there we were at lunch time, in my reception area having an easy conversation. Her 3 year old daughter was quiet the whole time and very patient. While we were finishing up our talk, the mom said, "it's so good to have an adult conversation, once in a while. I've missed it!" The gal at my front desk laughed. She's a mom too. I smiled. Yet another factor of motherhood that I have to file away. The gift of adult conversation!
It's quite a statement when one has to find oneself and takes pleasure in conversing with another adult. Things I take for granted. So, here's to the moms and the sacrifices they make everyday!
Best to you all,
TTR
This is a blog about everything really. I love to write and love this forum where I can share my thoughts and not have to worry about being perfect. I do want to blog about my travels and just things I find interesting. Don't be surprised if I go off on a philosophical rant. But hang on tight. This one is going to be fun. :-)
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Buck - my horse at Geronimo Trails Guest Ranch
What can I say about this beauty? Well, for starters, his name is Buck and he was my assigned horse for my weeks stay at the Geronimo Trails Guest Ranch.
So, there's a lot I've learned about Buck in the week that I rode him. The first thing is that, when we are all getting ready to get off on a trail ride, Buck likes to get out ahead. As you can see on the right. He's off. He wants to get a head start. That's pretty much all he gets, is a head start, because he just chills after that and decides that since he has the starting position, he can set the pace. Yes, that's great and all, if his pace was that of the others. No. Not Buck. His pace is New Mexico time. Desi Standard Time. Island Time. Whatever you want to call it. That's Buck's pace. I'm constantly thinking "come on Buck! Keep up!" and I'm sure Buck is like "Whatever! Just chill and stop and smell the roses woman!
As you can see, that's my husband, on his horse Rooster and he's about 3 horses length ahead of us. It took me some time to get used to Buck being so far behind. So, I would cheat. I would prompt him to go faster and he would get in a trot and catch up. That's the interesting thing about Buck. He was very responsive. I could get him to trot, go right, go left, backwards, without any problems. Walk faster? No! That was Buck's weakness.
There were times I would get Buck to trot, but then it wasn't such a good idea because when one horse trots, the other horses want to follow suit. I was just trying to get Buck to keep up. On our last day and our last trail ride, I got the opportunity to lope with Buck. Buck has no issues loping or even keeping pace while loping. He just doesn't like to do it on a walk.
The other thing about Buck is that he trips a lot (about 6 - 10 times a ride), but he's pretty surefooted when he needs to be. When crossing the streams, he's nervous and he takes the safe path and it's not that big a deal. On a casual walk, suddenly, he'll just slide a little. "Buck! What is going on?" Well, of course, the horse doesn't answer back.
There were several times I had to pull back the reins to stop him from wherever he wanted to suddenly head off to, because something in the bushes startled him.
What is Buck truly afraid of though? Well, he is most certainly afraid of these angus cows. Yes, the other horses have had a show down with these cows. I don't know if I have the picture, but there's a calf that these cows are protecting and so obviously, they are going to be on high alert. If the cow so much as moves, Buck freaks out. Over my stay in the ranch, I was a bit scared of the cows because of their intimidation and poor Buck, responded in fear. Yes, I see cows, I'm tightening my reins. Can't take a chance. Buck will freak out.
Buck and I visited some amazing places. The scenery cannot be captured with a camera. I'm beginning to realize with my trips that while I have some pictures, it's so different when you are actually there. The scale and grandeur of the area is something that has to be experienced.
I wish I remember the name of the places that are in the photographs below but that rock is a beauty. The picture on the left looks like a submarine to me, but I can't recall what it was called. This trip was a couple of months ago and I didn't take notes, so unfortunately, I cannot totally help, but if you do a vacation down by the Gila National Forest, you'll get to see this too.
I wish I remember the name of the places that are in the photographs below but that rock is a beauty. The picture on the left looks like a submarine to me, but I can't recall what it was called. This trip was a couple of months ago and I didn't take notes, so unfortunately, I cannot totally help, but if you do a vacation down by the Gila National Forest, you'll get to see this too.
I will go through my other pictures and see if I have a more perfect one of Buck, but despite shadow and all, you can see him. I love his dark mane that hangs to his left always. I found that unique about him. I miss you, Buck. You were very special to me.
Best wishes to all and safe travels,
TTR.
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