Eternal Refuge

Sorry for the non-Spuffy fans ... you have just had 2 lots of posts from me already.   Today is my posting day at seasonal_spuffy and as you can guess, I made some icons, but also had an idea for a fic and went with it.  Having not written anything for some time I dread to think how my grammer went, but decided to post it anyway.

But now we are back to a normal Saturday post ... well, normal for me, so just a ramble about nothing special!

Let me start by wishing spikereader a happy birthday ... she is one of the few people I have met, so although not here now I didn't wat to miss the post.  I also want to wish DJ a happy birthday ... He was a very special friend to me, so hope, if still alive, he is having special people with him now.
 

The weather, so far, is looking good.  So I am going to have a walk this morning once I have finished here,  It's nice to actually have a day off where the weather is being kind to me, for a change.

Tomorrow is Sunday, so Church in the morning ... although I do have a shift booked for the afternoon/evening.  Not a personal choice of working Sunday, but the welcome/reception desk is short-staffed so I do agree to them, although won't work the morning half of the day as I really don't want to miss Church.

I am hoping to catch up with Christine later, as we normally chat on a Sunday.  As I am also off on MOnday we are hoping to possibly meet up, but as yet, no real plans.  However, in the hope we can sort out something ...



13 – World Fair Trade Day: Do you try to buy certified fair trade products?
Not especially ... I don't drink coffee, or eat bananas ... but buy tea & chocolate by brand. I know there are other things, but they are 4 popular examples

14 – World Migratory Bird Day: World Migratory Bird Day is observed twice a year during the second Saturday in May and again on the second Saturday in October. The goal is to raise awareness of issues affecting migratory birds and to inspire action around the world to take measures for their conservation. Do you live in a region that sees bird migrations in the spring and fall? Light pollution is a major threat to migratory birds. Does your municipality have any "Dim the Lights" policies in place to protect migratory birds?
The house the Mum & Dad had in Bude, for 11 years, was actually overlooking wet lands, so we got very used to seeing the seasons change

15 – Bring Flowers to Someone Day: When was the last time someone gave you flowers? When was the last time you brought flowers to someone else?
The last flowers I had was a bouquet from work when Jiffy died ... a stunning suprise.
I took flowers round to Claire when she had her latest op ... when I go to either sister-in-law for food I take drink, as they buy themselves flowers, so nice to take something else.


Right, let's get on and have a look through you latest posts ... and then go and enjoy the sun xx

18 Have you ever named a pet after a real person?

I haven't, but the pony in the icon is called DJ - and he is named after me. I was horse sitting for her, when he was born - a totally unexpected foal

One thing that I have managed to do over the last couple of weeks is make 20 icons for the first round of monthlyinspo ... the theme is "Blazing Blue". There were no other prompts, which I tend to find slightly harder.

Anyway, here are the three teasers :-

   




( The full set is here )

strikske  reminded me that I hadn't posted an update on Claire's health.  Her wound is now closed (13 weeks on) ... although still quite scabby.

She picks up her work-laptop this morning, as she is going to start back at 2 mornings this week at home.  I have reminded her to take it easy, but it is so marvellous to know she is now at the next step of her journey.

THANK YOU for all the prayers and positive vibes the 3 "patients" have had ... it is great to write good news.


And finally .... Happy Birthday to my namesake ... 15 today.

I thought you might like to hear that he is going well - I had a message from Toni's daughter to say -

DJ is worth all of his weight in gold, he won a showing class with little Rowan, even walked, trotted and cantered with about ten other horses! such a good boy! Mother doesnt want to keep sharing him now!

(Rowan is 8, btw)

The other story I heard about him was just as great -

His owner, and her friend put DJ, and another horse in a box and drove them the 10-ish miles to ... Windsor!  Then the 4 of them proceeded to have a ride around the town, and apparantly, DJ took the lead, and was on the outside at all times ... claver boy.

However, having spent the day in Windsor, and getting a first in a showing class, he would probably think he's too posh for me now.

It is just great to hear he is happy, loved ... and having fun.

Let me start with huge thanks for my waffles - they are scrummy ... Thank you louise39 and all_choseny 

realise life has nipped past and I haven't whittered on to my friends ... Life, Toni, work ...

( So, friends, here's the babble )

Well, thats about me up to date - not that there was much to say!

Hope you all have a good weekend ... I have to hope it stays dry tomorrow, as I want to get the grass cut, and mum was talking about me chopping a chunk down from a tree!

And so I continue with my Picture Meme that I snagged from hell0kittyangel ...

Day 1 — Your Best Friend ... Toni
Day 2 — Your crush ... James Marsters
Day 3 — Your Parents ... Mum and Dad
Day 4 — Your sibling ... Nick & Tim
Day 5 — Your dreams ... Mum and Dad
Day 4 — Your sibling ... Nick & Tim
Day 5 — Your dreams ... here
Day 6 — A Stranger ... here
Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush ... N/A
Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend ... Annemarie (& Stefan)
Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet ... The Queen & Prince Philip ... and James, of course
Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to ... College - The British Scool of Osteopathy
Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to ... My Grandparents
Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain ... School - The Cooper's Company and Coborn School
Day 13 — Someone you wish could forgive you ... I know GOD has forgiven me.
Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from ... Chris, Sharon & Sylv
Day 15 — The person you miss the most ... Jaykub
Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country ... Pandas after the Chinese earthquake
Day 17 — Someone from your childhood ... Penny
Day 18 - The person you wish you could be ... Spike
Day 19 — Someone that pesters your mind—good or bad ... N/A
Day 20 — The one that broke your heart the hardest ... N/A
Day 21 — Someone you judged by their first impression ... Everyone
Day 22 — Someone you want to give a second chance to ... N/A
Day 23 — The last person you kissed ... Jiffy!

Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory

Yet again, I would be copying pictures -

Mum and Dad have given me some amazing memories over the years, too many to mention; as have Nick and Tim.
Annemarie made my day when she asked me to be her Maid of Honour, back in 1989.
Toni has given me some brilliant memories - as has James.
Some of you that are reading this have given me some amazing memories, as well.

But I'm going to chose a certain day, and a certain memory ... the first thought was one of "HELP" ... but he was a cutie ... and became my namesake. Yes, it was 13th May 1999, and checking up on Toni's horses while she was away at a funeral, to find she had gained one ...
Yes, DJ (and Tilly) the following morning) -




( Pictures still to post )

 

And so I continue with my Picture Meme that I snagged from hell0kittyangel ...

Day 1 — Your Best Friend ... Toni
Day 2 — Your crush ... James Marsters
Day 3 — Your Parents ... Mum and Dad
Day 4 — Your sibling ... Nick & Tim
Day 5 — Your dreams ... Mum and Dad
Day 4 — Your sibling ... Nick & Tim
Day 5 — Your dreams ... here
Day 6 — A Stranger ... here
Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush ... N/A
Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend ... Annemarie (& Stefan)
Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet ... The Queen & Prince Philip ... and James, of course
Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to ... College - The British Scool of Osteopathy
Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to ... My Grandparents
Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain ... School - The Cooper's Company and Coborn School
Day 13 — Someone you wish could forgive you ... I know GOD has forgiven me.
Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from ... Chris, Sharon & Sylv

Day 15 — The person you miss the most

As most of you know I only started learning to ride in my mid 30s ... and about the time I was mastering a basic rising-trot, and learning basic equine skills, Toni bought a new horse for the stables - it was love at first sight.  He was too much for me to handle, yet he was one special boy.

Toni named him, Jaykub, as a lot of Cobs are called Jacob and she knew he had more character than others of his breed.

He was mad ... and had a main skill of teaching everyone that a horse could always win, yet if you asked for help, he was a gentle and careful with you as possible.  He was very intellegent, and sadly had a nervous breakdown, which is when I took on his care, and for 3 months was his only rider, to let him settle - and when the time came, I couldn't say Goodbye.

This picture was taken on that day - the day he became mine.  One thing I must say is that his nerves gave him sweetitch and I am lying on very sore skin, yet we stood/lay like that for quite a time.

I know he loved me - I have never doubted that - yes, we did "come adrift" ... the last twice where the classics of him caring for me.  He dumped me during a lesson, as he had to move out of the way of another spooked horse - in dong so he injured his side on a fence - he dumped me to save my leg (and spun to side-track the other horse).  The last time I fell was rider error - t gallop!  And I fell under him, he missed a stride to avoid stepping on me.  One very special boy.

Sadly, at age 10, I got the phone call I never thought I would have - he had broken his leg, in his own field and had to be put to sleep. 

I miss him - he broke his leg and my heart - one very special person.

( Love is ... having a cuddle )

Yes, I do miss DJ, but I know he has gone to live in a place where he is having fun and being loved and cared for - a positive end of our story.



( Pictures still to post )

 

I may not be seeing my namesake today - but couldn't let the day go by without wishing him a Happy Birthday ... and remembering the day, 11 years ago, when he landed, unexpecedly, into our lives.

Happy Birthday DJ



Happy Birthday Glitter Graphics

On day 1 he was a gangly black foal, who had been born through 2 rugs, to land into a wet field ... when I last saw him, he was a light paddled grey, but still an escape-artist ... and loves rolling in the mud.


( A couple of pictures of him that I didn't post at the time )


I hope that he does have a fun day - with an extra carrot, of course.