Storms Of Life

Life is full of ups and downs; the calm and the storm.  And the storm is not necessarily violent.  It can be the long oppressive heat of summer, draining our tank of energy.  We will all face storms in life, there's just no getting around it.  And the storms we face will not all be the same.  

In the Bible, "storm" is both a literal weather event and a powerful metaphor for hardship, tribulation, and divine intervention.  It signifies life's sudden, overwhelming challenges that test a person's faith.  Or it can be acts of God used to display His ultimate power and sovereign control over creation.

Spiritually, storms represent periods of intense transition, emotional release, and necessary hardship.  Rather than mere destruction, they symbolize a profound "cleansing" of stagnant energy and a catalyst for personal transformation.  Navigating these turbulent times requires surrender, resilience, and learning to adapt to the winds of change.  



Sometimes I think of Rico as 'the storm.'  He has presented me with challenges, fears, and frustrations; while also making me question myself.  But he has helped grow me as an equestrian and given me his heart and trust. 

Sometimes I feel burdened by extra responsibilities, such as the ranch or fostering an extra dog and two extra cats.  But I know caring for these is important.

Saturday - Happy July 4th!  
It was a good celebration of our country's 250th year of existence.

After walking the dogs I went down back to feed the deer and look around to assess storm damage.  We had gotten 2¼ inches of rain and had one large top half of a fairly dead tree, down in the yard.  Joe had later brought home the chain saw from the ranch to cut it up.

Courtney and Kent arrived a little after 11am, bringing tons of lunch supplies, and Patty soon joined us for the meal.  Cookie was most happy to have more humans to play with and pester.

Vale's parents were visiting them and Yaneth took this (video) of Layla boogieing.  What a cutie and she's got moves.   




   





We watched World Cup soccer and there was dog frolic and walks, board game play, and nap time.


We also enjoyed sitting around chatting.  
At one point, Joe and I went to the ranch to pick up the truck so we had two drive-able vehicles, since my car was out of commission with the broken window and glass all over inside it.  We also got the chain saw and I brought the horses in off the pasture since they would be out all night.  






Patty and I had been invited to Fran's (a pool friend), for a July 4th party and she was gracious enough to let us bring three guests.  

Her condo has a beautiful setting on Lake Catherine and the perfect spot to sit and watch the fireworks.

Thankfully the forecast of rain had changed so Fran had a great turn out. 

There was a ton of good food which we all enjoyed, going back for seconds and even thirds.

What was left of the once threatening clouds.  

This was a welcomed cloud to block the sun's intense heat.

We watched the sunset and enjoyed the beauty of the lake.  

Lots of boats had appeared on the lake and Venus shined bright in the darkening sky.

Soon the fireworks began.  They were shot off at Robinhood Park, right across a small inlet from us, and they were going off almost right overhead.

 




Fairfield Glade puts on a really good show for such a small community

Oh, and someone had handed out glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets.  

Patty, I in the middle, and Courtney; in the backseat of the car, glowing away as we headed (just a mile) home... and soon to bed for me.

Sunday 7/5 - Our 46th anniversary.  It was a typical morning until Courtney, Kent and even Joe got up, a bit after 8am.  









Then, in less than an hour, Courtney and I had Rico and Zorro in the barn and were tacking up for a ride.  


I started out in the lead.

My attempt at a selfie with Courtney and Zorro behind us. 
 
 

Once out on Marmaduke, Zorro and Courtney went in front and they lead for most of the inside trail.  


Both horses did very well today.  They were fairly forward moving, never spooked, and didn't even get too hot even though we gaited for awhile, two different times. 

We stopped to decide how far to go, when it thundered not too far off.  So that sealed the deal.  We headed back to the barn.  






It started sprinkling while we were in the woods along the back pasture and was pouring when we came out into the barn yard and rode right into the barn to dismount.  






The rain let up after a bit and we walked the horses through the corral to the front pasture.  Rico rolled immediately.  Patty sent this (video) after evening chores, of him rolling again. 

Courtney took this photo of Wanda before she headed back to the Flossmoor house because Kent needed to get back to Nashville.  I mucked and did a few other little things.  
I had planned to go from the ranch to the pool early (before my shift) for the potluck, but rain continued to threaten and it did occasionally pass through the area.  







So I came home to wait on the weather and see what the pool peeps game plan was.  In the mean time, I went up to strip the guest bed.  Guess where Paco was.  I also did a few of my Sunday chores.

The pool party people had decided to do the pot-luck at 1:00.  I arrived at 1:30 and they were going strong, even though a storm was predicted to hit.  They wanted to wait it out, and see.  We got a heavy rain for a short while and then light rain, but not strong wind or lightening.  Thank God the predicted storm did not hit.  It actually cleared off and was a nice afternoon.  This photo was taken after over half the people had left when it started raining.  



Captain America (Steve) entered the pool after I announced that it was now safe to go back in the water.  He broke the no diving rule, but scored a 9½ on his form.  



The party goers left at 5:30 and it was 6 by the time I got everything cleaned up and the pool closed.






I ended up bringing home plenty of left-overs again.  The pool party folks are too good to me.

Monday 7/6 - I was back at the pool just after 9am for my five hour shift.  There was a good chance of rain all morning and again in the afternoon and evening, so very few people came to the pool.  But it ended up being a rather nice day.  It never did rain until a small sprinkle at 6:30pm while I was walking Cookie.







Mirror Lake Blast had been cancelled due to the weather report (but as it turned out, we could have had it) so when I got home from work, I really wanted (needed) to go to the gym.  But first I had to rest... and take a nap... and then eat while I woke up.  Ugh, it was now too late for the gym.

I ended up taking Cookie for a long three mile walk.  We spent part of the time looking around at the Druid club house to check out the progress.  I'm still not sure what this square structure is between the club house and driving range.  Either for a sign, small fountain, light, or something else?  






I have been perplexed and troubled by the this big, tall, ugly wall that is all you see when coming up the hill on Lakeview towards the club house.  You can't even see the big, beautiful, expensive building that we have all helped pay for.  



So I got some 'up close' photos to show some of the ladies that walk in the pool most mornings.  
The freight entrance (not yet finished with the concrete work) is quite large at the road.  

But then the drive is two lanes, that the freight trucks will have to back up.  





And worse to deal with, is this 'turn' (kink) in the drive that the trucks will have to back through...







...to get to the freight entrance to the building.  You can see there’s a ramp and steps for people to get in and out of the area.  





Cookie and I then went up and around to the new parking lot for the club house.  It is about four feet lower than the existing parking for golf.  With the course closed until September 1st, they are now working on removal of all the rock under the old black top of the golf parking lot, to lower the surface. 

This is a huge pile of rock they have dug up.  











You can see how much ground they need to move to get it level with the new club house parking lot.

Walking a loop around the new parking lot, here is what will be the entrance to the golf parking lot.  Notice all the dirt that needs to be removed to finish this entrance/exit out to the road.








This entrance/exit to the club house parking is fairly finished and currently where all construction crews are driving to come and go.     

Here Cookie and I are looking down at Lakeview Drive.  The wall with its temporary fence and freight entrance is on the right side of the photo, with club house entrance just across from the driveway of the house.  








This is a view from at top of the tall wall, looking down at the freight drive and Lakeview Drive.  Hopefully this will be nicely landscaped with some trees to beautify (hide) the view of the wall.  

The club house entrance is not finished, but very nice and accessible.  You can see the top of the wall, with it's temporary fence, to the left of the entrance.  









Moving down to the right side of the club house, is the golf section.  This is the starter's 'shack.'  



Just to the right of the starter's 'shack' is the golf cart ramp down to under the building where they will be stored at night.  The ramp is not near as steep as a Druid golf employee had led me to believe.

Cookie and I needed to hydrate once we got home, for a quiet evening, with Poker Joe gone and no Mirror Lake Bast.

Tuesday 7/7 - A look at our house and a deer (yesterday evening) from the 17th green of Druid.  

I worked here at my computer, on this blog, for much of the morning.  

A zoomed in photo of our backyard and house.  It is fairly well concealed by all the greenery.




I had not gotten good sleep and felt very deprived, even after a late morning nap.  At 1:00 I had to force myself to get to the gym.  My workout started slow and was grueling to begin with.  But halfway through, I got a burst of energy and was able to finish strong (doing abs and upper body).
 

I went straight to the ranch, switched from tennis shoes to boots, and started on chores.  Can you see GW (the gray and white cat) that Patty now calls George.  How about in this second photo?  A lot more of his white, than his gray, is visible from this shot.





  

After chores, even though I was tired, dirty, and sweaty; I dropped in on Andy's to see Micki and take them some farm fresh eggs.  Rita is in her end stage of life, having fell and hit her head a week ago.  Hospice is there keeping her comfortable.  She has not been communicative since her fall.  Andy and Micki are devastated but resolved about this reality.  I pray God will ease their pain during this storm.  Rita has lived a long, full 97 years.  

Wednesday 7/8 - Notice Monita behind my computer while I worked here this morning.  I could hear the jack-hammering up at Druid, so opened the window to get this (video) so you can hear it too. 

I had morning chores at the ranch.  Jan had let the Pasos out so I took care of other little tasks.





I chatted with Bonnie who was down at the barn and then Jem came over to borrow our tractor.  The sale (closing) of his property has been delayed and will be another two weeks, so he continues to maintain the gardens, yard, and field. 





Before it got too hot, I went out on a four mile ride on Rico.  He gave me attitude in the field when I was walking him to the barn, not wanting to leave A&Z.  The second time he pulled away and spun, he gave me a rope burn (He can be The Storm).  I more forcefully corrected him the second time.  
I was expecting problems from him on the trail, but he actually behaved fairly well.

I took this photo of Mountain View as I left at nearly 1:00.





I am very happy that our three Pasos get along so well.  Zorro and Rico especially like having Amiga between them.

I worry about Cash bullying Rosco too much (especially at feeding time) but we are getting it down to a procedure that eliminates most of the conflicts.  I pray their herd dynamics settles into a more peaceful co-existence soon.  



When I arrived home, the car window replacement guy (Safelite) was in the garage working on my car.  He did not have the correct window, so would be back next Wednesday, but at least he got all (well most) of the glass out of my car and off the garage floor.

I ate a late protein lunch, digested and rested for a bit, and then went to the gym for leg weights and an aerobic workout. 

Walking the dogs after dinner, my legs felt fatigued and sore.  A good thing, because it indicates I worked them hard.

Thursday 7/9 - By 8:30am I was headed to the ranch to ride with Patty and Joanne.  Patty started feeling sick so gracefully bowed out.  I was going to ride Amiga (always go bareback on her) so was in shorts and my work boots.  Well, I decided to give Zorro a try because I haven't ridden him since I bought Rico.  


So, here I am, in my shorts and work boots, in the saddle.  Not an ideal 'cowgirl' outfit to wear while riding.  












But, I have on my safety helmet and orange vest.  





Joanne and I took turns leading and following and even got Zorro and Rico to walk side-by-side for awhile.  Our horses would really rather follow, and let the other one lead.  I took this (video) of us trotting (actually gaiting) down the trail.

Both horses did very well.  It was barely up into the 80s and there was a nice breeze, so none of us got overly hot.  


The below photo is similar to a photo I took yesterday while riding Rico home on the backwoods trail.  I was trying to show the huge mushroom you see below Zorro's nose.  In yesterday's photo, Rico's rein was kind of blocking it.  

After our ride, I walked the backwoods trail, trimming and clearing a few things.  My main purpose was to remove some big branches hanging down, blocking the side of the road on Marmaduke.  I got it cleared so that we will be able to ride along the edge of the road once again.

When I got home, I read and napped on the back screened porch.  

When it was time to go back to the ranch to do chores, Joe went with me to weed whack.  Patty was there just finishing up mowing and George was waiting to be fed. 
We three went home, cleaned up and then Joe and I took Patty out to dinner at Skillets.

Friday 7/10 - What can be a storm to one person (a snake on your front steps), can be natural and acceptable to another.  Debra sent this photo of our typically friendly black snake acting defensive because Pugsley was barking at it.  I wondered if this was the same one out on the trail that bit Cookie, and/or the one that used to sometimes show up in our chicken coop. 

The rainy morning had the pool opening postponed until noon.  By 1130, I was dressed in pool work clothes and about to go out the door when I got a text that the Internet was down and it was still crummy weather, so to close the pool for the day.  I changed, had a big early lunch and then headed out the door to do my much-needed big shopping trip.

  
By the time I got home, finished unloading and storing away everything, I was tired and ready for a nap.  I sat on the back porch swing to make two important (difficult) phone calls.

These two photos, of me on the porch swing with Stevie, were taken a little over two years ago, in August 2024.  I was recovering from colon cancer surgery.  




I remember having lots of time to sit, read, and nap out here.  I hated not being able to workout or ride, but the time relaxing with my four kitties and dog was so peaceful.  I was able to read two paperbacks in those six weeks.  I often miss that slower pace of life.

I did get a load of laundry finished along with pet care and two dog walks before heading upstairs for the night and to give Kitty and Paco some company.  





The distant thunder actually helped settle my troubled mind as I drifted off to sleep... or maybe it was the sleep aid I took.

Thunder is an audible reminder that there are things bigger and more powerful than us in this world; that storms are part of life and that some circumstances are out of our control.  These storms of life make us stronger and then able to later help others going through the same thing.  They also help us be more compassionate and understanding.