Springtime

Howdy Folks,

 I wrote this story about Springtime for our friend Jessica Lynn of Earth Song Ranch  for her newsletter. If you want excellent herbal blends for your pets and horses, be sure to check with Jessica.

Springtime

For most of us, Springtime took its good old time drifting in, but it appears to have stopped by for a visit almost right on schedule. Here in Appomattox, VA the past few days have brought closer to summer than spring temperatures. We've already touched the mid-eighties! Completely dashing my hopes for a white Easter. We missed a white Christmas, even though we had just about the most snow ever recorded, so I was looking for a white Easter.

I'm fond of all seasons, love to see the changes. Each season has its gifts and promises. No single season do I hold favorite and my joy comes in the changes of the beauties of nature. 

Summer brings the full blooms of flowers, wild and domestic. Busy birds feeding fledglings, hummingbirds buzzing at the feeders, beautiful full foliaged trees, half grown deer bouncing with their mommas – lightning bugs and thunderstorms too. Rides through the woods taking in the beauty, the birds, and the sounds. The evening call of the Whippoorwill. Fall changes the landscape and scenery, painting the forests and mountains with colors so spectacular I must stop my mare as we ride and take in the view. Pumpkins and squash from Ravishin' Robbie's garden. Flocks of birds gathering in preparation of the coming winter. Winter brings a quietness, a resting time. Rides along sparkling snow covered trails, winter birds, and animal tracks in the snow. Birds at the feeders putting on shows to delight. Evenings snuggled inside with my Ravishin' Robbie. Oh yes, and Christmas too.

Springtime brings a gentle awakening. Riding trails lined with dozens of delicate wildflowers, birds in their most magnificent plumage courting and building nests. My favorite, Bluebirds checking out nest boxes, by middle spring Ravishin' Robbie's hummingbirds are back buzzing her feeders. Courting songs of birds of all species filling the air, especially during Coffee Clutch in the mornings. Trees sporting brand new bright green leaves, spring peepers singing into the darkness. And Robbie's strawberry rhubarb pie.

Springtime is here and rebirth is in full bloom. Treat yourself to some time on the trail, in the gardens or on the porch to take it all in.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Sitting In The Shade" - A short story

Howdy Folks,

Our friend Jessica Lynn of  Earth Song Ranch, asked me to write a short story about cooling off in the summer heat for the July, Natural Horse Magazine newsletter. So I did. And I thought it would be nice to share it here with our Coffee Clutch friends, too. Hope you enjoy.

Sitting In The Shade

The air was cooler under the spreading limbs of the grand old oak. She enjoyed many a hot day resting there. Sitting, she leaned back against the trunk, enjoying the moment, and the breeze, to gaze up through those mighty boughs. Sheltered from the sun she could think about her day, her week. Not much to think about really. Her life seemed to be in a holding pattern. A lot like the majestic oak. How many years had it stood watch over the fields and pastures from its vantage point on the hill. It had been there in her childhood when she and the horses sought its cooling shade. She giggled when she remembered the time she'd climbed halfway to the top and her father had to rescue her.

She smiled thinking of the picnic lunches she and her high school friends had here. Her fingers traced the heart shaped carving in the massive trunk. What sweet days had been enjoyed here under the embracing boughs, always in the cool shade. This was her thinking place. No place on the farm offered as great a place to think.

The chestnut mare stomped her foot, snorted. "I know, it's time to head in, Beauty." She swung up bareback, grasped Beauty's mane and they set out at a slow walk, down the hill toward the house and barn. Three more horses fell in line and the tiny procession made its way along the meandering trail toward the buildings. The heat of the sun felt good on her back, but not as good as the shade had. Looking skyward she knew today was going to be a hot one. Back to the oak? Maybe later.

Gitty Up~Dutch Henry

"Feature Friday-Jessica Lynn and "Earth Song Ranch."

Howdy Folks,

Jessica Lynn's passion in life is to share with, as well as connect with and be a resource for, as many people as possible about the healthy, homeopathic, more natural, holistic way of life for horses, cats, dogs and their people.

 Jessica grew up living a natural and homeopathic life. Her mother was on the cutting edge of the organic and homeopathic lifestyle having discovered healthy living in the 1940's when she worked at a health food store. Jessica's mother met Adelle Davis, Dr Bronner, Dr Bernard Jensen and all of the people who in the 1950's and 1960's were the gurus of health and nutrition. She raised her children naturally and protected the health of her family with all she had learned.

 

Throughout her life Jessica continued, and continues, to live and learn and share with others, the homeopathic, holistic lifestyle for animals and their humans. She witnessed the healthfulness and healing it affords every living person and animal. Momentum continued to build within her to teach others the benefits and even necessities of homeopathy, proper nutrition and the holistic approach to living and healing.

In 1998 Jessica met a microbiologist who taught her about using probiotics and digestive enzymes for her horses, cats and dogs. Convinced of those remarkable benefits to animals, Jessica teamed up with Dr Anne Smith, a holistic vet out of Arizona, who was also a homeopathic vet and together they developed some of the main formulas they still use today at Earth Song Ranch for small animals, including K-9 and Kitty Zymes.

 Earth Song Ranch is Jessica's on line store for not only probiotic and digestive enzyme blends for horses, cats and dogs, but also a wide variety of homeopathic products and treatments for animals. This is just one way she reaches out and offers help to those seeking a more natural approach and holistic life for their animals

For advice, top quality products and consultations visit her website www.earthsongranch.com . You can also sign on there to receive her monthly newsletter, and I highly recommend you subscribe at ESR News or through her FB Fan page at this link  ESR Newsletter .

A longtime friend and student of Dr. Glenn Dupree, one of the country's leading homeopathic veterinarians who recently passed away, Jessica, along with Char Raby, are in the process of setting up a Yahoo group in his name where like minded folks can gather electronically to share advice, ask questions and learn more about homeopathy. Please contact Jessica and sign on to be part of that group which is going to launch in just a few weeks. 

Jessica is also a certified equine nutritionist and consultant and offers a service to review and make recommendations for your horse's diet. This is a very helpful and healthful program. As Jessica says, "All health begins with nutrition and a healthy gut, be it horse, dog, cat or human." Just email her your questions and information regarding your horse's health, diet and lifestyle to  jessica@earthsongranch.com

Emails, consultations and education are another way Jessica helps others and their animals. Each day she receives over one hundred emails from customers and clients as well as folks just discovering the benefit of a natural path to health offers. "Please write me with any questions." Jessica invites. "It's my honor to help you help your horses and pets."

 Serving as the editor for Natural Horse Magazine's Newsletter is another area Jessica lends her talents to help animals. Visit Natural Horse Magazine here.

Thank you Jessica for all you do to help animals enjoy a healthier life!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry