Sunday, November 9, 2008

Home Is Where the Horse Is

I spent all last week out of town on business.

I don't mind traveling. It's nice to run on other cities' greenbelts, explore new sights, listen in to homogenized conversations over the roar of espresso machines at Starbucks. I enjoy the quiet of a hotel room in the evening, where I can be alone with a book and a glass of wine and no worries about what my greyhounds might be chewing up in the next room.

But, I do miss the horses. Mornings are incomplete without their wickers in the dark, evenings lonesome without fuzzy muzzles wreathed in steam. I am always glad to return to my farm, cast off high heels in favor of muck boots and jeans and a baseball cap, breathe in the hay and sweat and mud.

This time, I brought home a nasty flu that held me captive all night in the throes of a headache, sore throat, chills, aches, and fever such as I can't remember experiencing in years. I wasted a Saturday of perfectly decent weather huddled on the couch with a mug of my Magic Tea (2 Tbs lemon juice, 2 tsp honey, 2 slices fresh ginger, a dash of cayenne, and hot water -- try it next time you're sick), a novel, and two snoozing hounds.

By evening, I couldn't bear it any longer. I pulled on boots and a coat, grabbed a carrot, and met Aaruba at his paddock gate. I led him to the round corral with a hand on his jaw, released him to trot the perimeter.

For twenty minutes he trotted around me. I stood with hands in pockets, turning him occasionally with tiny step and tilt of shoulder. Dusk crept over us like fog, obscuring the valley where a farmer tilled sable swaths across his golden field. Bats swirled overhead. Cold settled like a moist blanket tucked into the edges of night.

At last I turned my back and moved to the rail, drawing Aaruba with me as though by a spell. We walked then, side by side as his breathing slowed, and I felt truly home.
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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ultimate Perfection

Anonymous said...

Finally I see your greyhounds. Beautiful! My sister housed a greyhound for almost a year but did not use a muzzle. She had to send her back to the rescue because the sweet sweet girl killed every small animal she sighted. Including tiny dogs. A muzzle would have prevented that possibility.

Thanks for the tea recipe. I"m such a baby when sick. It'll make me less of one to have a cup of comfort.

It's so inspiring to read of your electric relationship with Aaruba. You should post video someday. I know I"m not the only one who would love to see such a demonstration of the human/horse bond.

Kristi said...

Hi - I randomized my way here through NaBloPoMo. Your farm sounds like my dream house and I enjoyed reading your lovely description. So sorry you're sick! I use that same "Magic Tea" recipe!

Good luck posting in November!

Jonna said...

Hope you are feeling better soon... and the drink... definitely a good one for the flu, although in desperate times, I have been known to add a kick to it with a shot of brandy ! (HOT TOTTIE!)

Unknown said...

I know just how you feel...the best moment following my recent surgery was when I felt well enough to go out and be surrounded by warm, friendly horse noses, greeting me, checking me out from head to toe and politely asking for cookies. Hope you are completely well soon. Carmon

Tamara Baysinger said...

EH Kim -- Yes, some greys have very high prey drives and will never be small-animal safe. Fortunately, neither of mine have this problem...I have cats!

About that tea...be sure to see Jonna's suggestion for improving it!

Video. Hmm. I've been thinking about that...might have to wait until spring when the beasties are done looking like Frosty the Snowman. Or was that Muddy the Muckman?

Welcome, Kristi!

Carmon -- YOU'RE the one who needs to get well soon, lady! Been thinking about you... :-)