Motivational Monday – "The Value Of Virtue"

Howdy Friends,
 
What is virtue? Webster defines virtue as morally good behavior or character: a good and moral quality: a commendable quality or trait: the good result that comes from something.

Benjamin Franklin had a list of 12 virtue references to gage himself and his own actions. These guidelines ranged from temperance, frugality, sincerity, justice, to humility.

Many religions speak of virtue as love, honor, trust, morality, truthfulness, and respect in perhaps dozens of different ways and guidelines, but at the root of all of them is perhaps the most grounding idea, can we say morality, or does that create a whole new area of conversation needed?
The word virtue come from the Latin word, “virtus” which again refers to self control, prudence, and courage, among other things defining a good Roman citizen.

William J. Bennett compiled a book of short stories from all times, lands and countries titled, The Book of Virtues, A Treasury of Great Moral Stories. Stories about responsibility, courage, compassion, honesty, friendship, persistence, hard work, self discipline and faith, he chose as examples that might shape young minds. In the introduction Mr. Bennett says, “Today we speak of values as things we should possess like beads on a string—these stories speak of morality and virtue not as possessions but as something to be, the most important thing to be.” I have read from this book when working with at-risk youths, or when reading to school children.

Can virtue, the value of virtue, serve not only as a root for good Roman citizens, American citizens, citizens of the world, but also as a motivator in an individual’s life? Can striving to be of good virtue propel someone to try harder, chase their dreams, and overcome shackling hardships? Will a solid base of morality provide within an individual the courage it takes to pick themselves up after a stumble? Surely it can, and will.

Virtues can and will motivate, strengthen and even build up troubled hearts, struggling self respect and even lighten sad hearts. That is there power.

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry

P.S. If you've not yet had a look at my book, "It's For The Horses" please have a look HERE on Amazon  Or have a look at www.itsforthehorses.com

"I'm Back – But Where Have I Been?"

Howdy Friends! – Didn't know if I was going to write about this or not, but we have so many good friends who enjoy our Coffee Clutch who may not be on Facebook and might be wondering what has happened to our blog … So here goes, and I'll try to keep it brief … Haha – 

Kessy ran to me nickering when I got home

On Good Friday I had a heart attack, actually now that I know what a heart attack is, I've been having them for some time. But this one knocked me down. Ravishin' Robbie and I were in the barn and I had to sit down. Soon, as it always had, the pain and wooziness passed and I tried to brush it off. Robbie didn't. Let me say here, if you're experiencing any symptoms, go get it checked out, you just might save yourself the nightmare of going through open heart surgery, I wish I had.

Even though I have a condition that gives me constant chronic pain in my back, legs, arms and hands, the pain of the first few weeks after surgery was like nothing I'd ever experienced, or want to again. I was told had I looked into this long ago I could most likely have avoided this surgery, so I'm telling you to be mindful. You don't want this, trust me. I'd always attributed my heart symptoms to my chronic condition, for which there is no relief, so I never bothered to get checked out. I implore you to not make the same mistake.

Saturday after my incident I felt poorly overall, but I often experience that too, and disregarding Robbie's urging to go to the hospital, I just rested. Sunday, still not back on my feed, I went for a ride, and sure enough the ride, Kessy's wonderful attitude and gait helped me to feel better, but I was really tired and weak. Sunday evening I told Robbie we'll go to the doctor on Monday.

When we called for an appointment they said, "Don't come here, go to the emergency room." We did, and there they confirmed a heart attack, and trucked me to the Lynchburg Cardiac Care Unit, which happens to be in the top 10 in the nation. The catheterization test showed 4 really blocked arteries, 2 of them 100%, the other 2 only in the 90s, several more in the 70s – no stints for me.

Because of blood complications surgery had to wait a week, but they kept me right there under watchful eyes. My doctor said I was about a month away from, the heart attack that would turn my lights out. So I was going nowhere. The nurses, doctors and everyone there are so wonderful, caring and professional. Every minute I was cared for so marvelously, before and after my surgery.

We did put a few posts on Facebook, and I received so many beautiful cards my room looked like a Hallmark store! Nurses and doctors would come in for daily counts! I want to thank everyone for those cards, gifts and prayers. They really helped me endure those terrible first painful days post surgery. I could feel the magic of the prayers.

I've been home for 3 weeks, the first 2 weeks were really rough, for me and Robbie, too … but each day sees improvement. Unfortunately it'll be 3 more months before I can ride again, but Kessy's lovin' on me and I can brush her now, gently. Our friend Chris Cooper is riding her a little for exercise, calls Kessy a Cadillac … Chris also took care of all the chores here while Robbie was at the hospital, and the first weeks I was home. Thank You, Chris!

Still not sure how much I'll be posting for the next little while, but I felt I owed an explanation of my absence. I treasure each of you who take the time to read what I write, know that your friendship is important to Robbie and me. I will be polishing/editing "Tom Named By Horse" these next weeks/months as I get my strength back and I'll get it published as soon as I can, hopefully by fall. I'll continue to post excerpts from time to time. If you've not yet read any "Tom Named By Horse" excerpts CLICK HERE to read Pt 1-

God Bless you all, thanks for your friendship! ~ Gitty Up, Dutch Henry

My New Beautiful Cane

Howdy Folks,

 A good cane has been an important part of my ensemble for more than a few years now. Even when I'm doing a "Therapy For Therapy Horses Clinic," I always ask someone to follow me and hand me my cane when I drop it to use my hands to give therapy to a horse. There are more than a few silly stories about that.

Earlier this year, Robyn Yeager and I were together at a horse event and, unbeknownst to me, Robyn noticed the trouble I had with my hand on my cane. Lately my hand had begun to hurt when I leaned on my cane ... Secretly, Robyn studied my cane AND my hand, then set to work to make this work of art with a specially shaped hand-grip that takes away that pain. She even stealthily enlisted the aid of my sweet Ravishin' Robbie.

Thank you Robyn for your friendship, your kindness and this stunningly beautiful cane! Saying Thank You seems hardly adequate for the hours, care and planning you put into this most wonderful gift. Folks, she's been working on this since February!
 

 There are 14 carvings of my favorite birds , a picture of Coffee Clutch and our dear Sweetness, too. "We'll Have The Summer" is etched in, too, as well as my name. The hours Robyn put into this is so moving.

Look how beautiful - The Coffee Clutch, my favorite bird the Bluebird, and my name inscribed.

A true work of art! ... I have a new friend to lean on for years to come.

Thank you so much Robyn!! - If you'd like to look at more canes and walking sticks, and perhaps order one for yourself or a friend, have a look at Robyn's Facebook page - RS Walkin Stix

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Birdwatching From The Saddle, Along The James River

Howdy Folks,

 

Just hooking up the trailer I had to tie my hat on. Cold wind gusts hadn't lessened any since Coffee Clutch earlier in the morning. Had it gotten even more windy, and cold? Well, I'm one of those folks who, when I have a plan in mind, hate to squash it just because of a little wind. But I must admit, when a surprise gust just about tore the trailer door from my hand, I had second thoughts. For at least half a minute. Then there's the fact that Kessy was still in her on-again off-again trailer loading frame of mind and it would be a cold night sleeping in the trailer at James River State Park … if she decided she'd be off-again today.

However, it's hunting season and we can only ride here at home on Sundays, and I needed a ride. No hunting at James River State Park, a short half hour drive away, so I'd told Kessy we're going. She loaded nicely, took about two minutes, Ravishin' Robbie handed me my thermos of Folgers, baloney sandwich, carrots for Kessy, and we were off. 

No one greeted us at the Park greeting station, must have figured nobody would be coming on such a blustery day, so I put my $3 in the little yellow envelope and set out to park by the big oak in the pretty grassy lot on the edge of the forest.

Kessy and I were alone, with only the wind for company. When I opened the door for her to step out, a great gust whipped up the shavings, startling me. Not Kessy though, she stepped off like a pro. Pre-ride exercises done and saddled up, we hit the trail. The trees groaned and branches rattled as they swayed in the wind, but our first sighting was only a few hundred feet into the woods. A Hairy Woodpecker busily tore at a dead limb, tossing chips into the air. We paused a second to watch the show.

Down the trail we go - "The best view in the world is between your horse's ears."

It's about a half mile through woods to the river trail, with a nice hill to navigate. Along the way we saw several Chickadees and Titmice. We entered the river trail through a canopy of brown vines and brush. The dense thicket was alive with Robins. They flew all about us setting up a delightful chatter. I stopped Kessy to watch as they bounced here and there. Mixed in with the Robins were White Throated Sparrows, Juncos and White Crowned Sparrows.

There was no escaping the wind, and as we snuck along the trail, riding among more birds than I'd seen on any ride in a long time, I wondered if the blustery day had driven them down to the brushy cover along the river. No matter, I welcomed their silly antics and lively banter. 

On both sides of the trail the thickets were alive with winged beauties. A Mockingbird sat on the trail until Kessy could almost touch it with her nose, and then it flew only to sit on a branch at eye level. For a second I looked right into its shining eye!

At one point the trail meanders through a tall field of dry reedy grass. As tall as my head. This had Kessy just a little nervous. The wind had the reeds roaring, not rustling, but she worked through it with only a few added dance steps. One of her moves would have had Derek Hough on Dancing With The Stars smiling. It did me too.

It's a flat trail along the river, in and out of tall trees, mostly Sycamore. Sometimes the trail is next to the wide river and the rapids roared above the wind. Sometimes the river can't be seen. But always today there were birds. Over the years Kessy has learned to stand quietly when I ask to look at the birds, it almost seems she's looking for them too.

She had a tough time with it though at the pond. The wind was creating tiny waves, and that worried her. A lot. She stood though and, in the pond, among the reeds and stalks I spied a Great Blue Heron, a few Diving Ducks, and I heard a Green Heron. And surprisingly some Red Winged Blackbirds. I thought they'd be gone for the winter, but there they were.

Along the way yesterday we also saw 3 Pileated Woodpeckers, several Hairy Woodpeckers, a Belted Kingfisher, lots of Goldfinches, Fox Sparrows, Cardinals, and Bluebirds. Some others I couldn't identify. Every step of the way we had birds. It was the right combination of great habitat, a great horse, riding alone – and the wind.

Ready to go home

Back at the trailer, Kessy capped a perfect day by stepping right into the trailer, on the third try. We'd been working lately on self-loading, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but yesterday, she was as perfect with her trailer manners, and her trail manners. The wind was really bad, and she truly was splendid. It's a lot for a horse to ride a strange place, alone in high wind and stay solid, calm. And she did, even stood still whenever I wanted to search the blowing brush for hiding birds. What a day, great birding and a terrific partner. Thanks Kessy for your friendship!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry