I needed this.
All eight grandkids, my “kids”, two sweet daughters-in-law, and Vernon zipping around somewhere in the side by side. Gorgeous fall day. Horseback. Riding the mountain pasture to prepare to bring them off the top of the mountain tomorrow.
“This God forsaken Land” by Juanita Leach has been rolling through my mind lately. Today reinforced many of its sentiments. People that don’t understand this lifestyle and are clueless have been crowding my life lately and I needed this ride to reestablish the happiness and peace that appears when I step outside. The tension and stress left me as I listened to children’s laughter, felt the sunshine on my face, and watched my dogs trotting happily alongside my horse. I focused on all my blessings and let that other ”junk” slip away.
I sooooooooooooooo needed this.
I love the country life. I currently live in a densely populated area in Maryland. Fortunately for me I have access to vast tracts of a Maryland state park and it’s trails, a comfortable walking distance from my front door. I do miss the open vistas of the southwest and the huge conifers of the NW forests but these woods do have their own charm.
But I also very much appreciate the industry that comes from cities like the technology that allows you to share your life with us.
You are extremely lucky to live in such a beautiful, peaceful place. I will treasure my 2 weeks there for the rest of my life and I tell everyone I know about Ten Sleep, Wyoming. It’s one of the couple of places that I have been that brought tears streaming down my face when I first saw it.
You are very lucky to access this WY peace with your family and animals. As the Welsh poet W H Davies (1871-1940) wrote: ‘what is this life so full of care, we have no time to stand and stare’. We all need ‘time to stare’ . Mine is waiting for the sunrise as our home faces east. So glad you had this special day.
Wonderful poem that captures the love of living in a beautiful part of
our country. It echoes your thoughts perfectly. Thank you for sharing it.
No matter where one lives, getting outdoors spending a day is nature
is rejuvenating.
I have always lived in the city, except for one year living in a 15′ trailer on the road out in the openlands of the west, but I spent my summers with my grandparents (homesteaders originally in Lovell in 1925) in their trailer traveling around Yellowstone and other points in Wyoming, fishing and hiking and learned a great appreciation and love for the country that most of my friend didn’t understand. I rediscovered that my year on the road, doing route inventory for a BLM contracted company. I worked in your neck of the woods for a few weeks! Now I live in a smaller town in Utah, closer to all that and love it. Took me 63 years to get here. I totally get it.
Watching the cattle come up the mountain last summer , observing the marvelous skies and sunsets, and experiencing the beauty and absolute peace of this remote piece of heaven was a time I will never forget and hope to have again. Your poem captured it all — even the “Badlands” with their oil and minerals.
You are an amazing women. I am continually amazed at your talents and enthusiasm for your family and the life you lead. I look forward to reading and viewing what you share each day.
Oh my goodness! What a poem!! I love it and I love that you get to enjoy that beautiful life everyday! There are many of us out here in civilization that long for those wild and quiet spaces! Thanks Carol for sharing !