I am in NH at a horse bodywork clinic that I have wanted to do for a long time. It is the first time Ive been away from home since before Covid. I brought my travel trailer and am staying in an old farm field by a singing stream. I keep thinking about previous camping trips and realize there is no going back. So much has happened since a…
I am in NH at a horse bodywork clinic that I have wanted to do for a long time. It is the first time Ive been away from home since before Covid. I brought my travel trailer and am staying in an old farm field by a singing stream. I keep thinking about previous camping trips and realize there is no going back. So much has happened since and we are each changed as is our world. I ate dinner is a pretty down on its luck town in Trump country. Could hear jokes about rainbow flags coming from the bar. When I asked the waitress if They could leave the chicken off the pasta she screwed up her brow. I thought I guess not. Then she said I have to charge you the same amount in a very apologetic way. That hadn't even crossed my mind to ask to pay less. Then she came up with the idea of giving me extra broccoli and her face cleared. I felt a number of emotions over this exchange. Worrying about each and every penny is something I am fortunate not to have the burden of. How does that burden affect people in their every day lives? Their relationships? Their ability to share their gifts? How they feel about their world and their politics? What other burdens go side by side? A reminder to try to listen behind the noise on the surface as hard as it can be. And that I believe our party really does want to try to lift all boats, seeing that we all thrive more when we all thrive.
Kim, I live and practice human bodywork in NH and initially thought to myself, "she must be up north" which those of us down south in NH who are not trumpers often consider to be trump territory. Then I came to my senses (not enough coffee yet) and remembered that this is the state that re-elected its republican governor and sent all dems to DC in the same election. In my rural area of southern NH, not only am I surrounded by horse farms where you could be for all I know, but , thanks in large part to gerrmandering, the libertarian-free staters represent us in the statehouse. We have rainbow flags and BLM signs (mine is regularly stolen) alongside fuck Biden signs. My point is how mixed in we are with each other but don't usually realize it outside the obvious lawn signs, flags, bumper stickers, hats and t-shirts. These are all good questions you ask and an important reminder to me to "try to listen behind the noise on the surface, as hard as it can be". Love that. Thank you.
I was born in a hospital in Portsmouth, N.H, in 1944, and was raised across the Piscataqual River in Kittery, Maine. Back then, the motto of NH was appropriately name "Granite State." I think the it was changed some time in the 50s or 60s to "Scenic." But when that guy from Georgia moved to NH and was elected, he had the motto changed to "Live Free Or Die." That was Meldrim(sp?) Thompson. Of course the mofo was a Republican. Libertarians are also called "Republican Light." New Hampshire has been the slowest state in changing its majority party toward Democrat. When I grew up in northern New England, ME, NH, and VT were all deeply red. Northern NH remains quite red today, and so do the northern and rural part of ME and VT. Much of those areas still think the only things to eat are animals and dairy. That being the case, small restaurants in those areas have nothing on their menus for vegans like me. Even here is south central PA, much of the so-called fare in many restaurants have little or nothing for us vegans and vegetarians. Also, in this part of PA, it's a lot like it was in northern New England back in the 50s = Deeply red. Please remember that old Chinese saying "Life is movement," and things change. I think a line from one of Bob Dylan's songs reads "Life moves slowly our here in the country."
I worked at Portsmouth Hospital the first ten years of my nursing career, in the maternity unit, 95-05. And currently my daughter works in Kittery at a restaurant it sounds like you would like. I grew up in Exeter and you're right about Meldrim Thompson, I remember him, heartily supported by the Loebs who owned the Manchester Union Leader. All dreadful people who had a huge influence on NH politics.
I probably shouldn't have said I was in Trump country. I can totally see that there might be a mix here. The more important point was after that. Thanks for your reply Beth!
I love your post. Sleeping next to a singing stream sounds like heaven. Of extreme importance to consider the other’s life path, and financial constraints is a definite weight on most, I think, and must have impact on ability to be generous. I live in a seaside community full of fortunates. Recently asked to join the garden club and learned that their main focus is to beautify the few association-owned parcels, benefiting the fortunate who life here. No community education, no beautifying the larger community, food garden for the hungry, helping informed with garden chores. Sorry to ramble but coffee near your singing stream seems luxurious and takes my mind away from selfish. Maybe exercise will help. Haha. Enjoy your clinic! Sounds wonderful!
Yes, Cary, what those well-to-do's do is a part of environmental racism and apartheid. Also the poor of whatever color are force to live in the industrial areas where the air quality is bad. A good book to read is "Cancer Alley" by two women whose names I forget. They wrote about the are between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is about 70 miles long and called "Cancer Alley" by folks who live their because of the polluting factories along the Mississippi River there.
My dream is to plant a variety fruit trees near the downtown area of my city to provide free access to nutritional food for the homeless and lower wage earners. Wanted my city to help. That sunk like a rock. I wish I had the funding to do such an endeavor in several parts of town and get volunteers to help with upkeep.
What an interesting exchange between this waitress and you, Kim. More than meets the eye. Maybe if more of us "listen behind the noise on the surface," we can achieve some semblance of balance. We should at least try! Good to know another horse person on this page. Hope the clinic goes well for you both!
When I juxtaposition your "singing stream" with "listen behind the noise on the surface" and with Buddy Poland's "Good Morning," I find myself in a perfect place on this Sunday morning. Thank you!
Hi Maggie. I am an avid follower of Anna. Have been to a couple of her clinics ( so fun) and active online as well. She has been instrumental in changing ( and helping) how I work with horses.
Shes great! Wish I had known about her when I still was involved with horses. I'm sure her clinics are fun & must be life-changing for a lot of people (and horses).
I am in NH at a horse bodywork clinic that I have wanted to do for a long time. It is the first time Ive been away from home since before Covid. I brought my travel trailer and am staying in an old farm field by a singing stream. I keep thinking about previous camping trips and realize there is no going back. So much has happened since and we are each changed as is our world. I ate dinner is a pretty down on its luck town in Trump country. Could hear jokes about rainbow flags coming from the bar. When I asked the waitress if They could leave the chicken off the pasta she screwed up her brow. I thought I guess not. Then she said I have to charge you the same amount in a very apologetic way. That hadn't even crossed my mind to ask to pay less. Then she came up with the idea of giving me extra broccoli and her face cleared. I felt a number of emotions over this exchange. Worrying about each and every penny is something I am fortunate not to have the burden of. How does that burden affect people in their every day lives? Their relationships? Their ability to share their gifts? How they feel about their world and their politics? What other burdens go side by side? A reminder to try to listen behind the noise on the surface as hard as it can be. And that I believe our party really does want to try to lift all boats, seeing that we all thrive more when we all thrive.
Kim, I live and practice human bodywork in NH and initially thought to myself, "she must be up north" which those of us down south in NH who are not trumpers often consider to be trump territory. Then I came to my senses (not enough coffee yet) and remembered that this is the state that re-elected its republican governor and sent all dems to DC in the same election. In my rural area of southern NH, not only am I surrounded by horse farms where you could be for all I know, but , thanks in large part to gerrmandering, the libertarian-free staters represent us in the statehouse. We have rainbow flags and BLM signs (mine is regularly stolen) alongside fuck Biden signs. My point is how mixed in we are with each other but don't usually realize it outside the obvious lawn signs, flags, bumper stickers, hats and t-shirts. These are all good questions you ask and an important reminder to me to "try to listen behind the noise on the surface, as hard as it can be". Love that. Thank you.
I was born in a hospital in Portsmouth, N.H, in 1944, and was raised across the Piscataqual River in Kittery, Maine. Back then, the motto of NH was appropriately name "Granite State." I think the it was changed some time in the 50s or 60s to "Scenic." But when that guy from Georgia moved to NH and was elected, he had the motto changed to "Live Free Or Die." That was Meldrim(sp?) Thompson. Of course the mofo was a Republican. Libertarians are also called "Republican Light." New Hampshire has been the slowest state in changing its majority party toward Democrat. When I grew up in northern New England, ME, NH, and VT were all deeply red. Northern NH remains quite red today, and so do the northern and rural part of ME and VT. Much of those areas still think the only things to eat are animals and dairy. That being the case, small restaurants in those areas have nothing on their menus for vegans like me. Even here is south central PA, much of the so-called fare in many restaurants have little or nothing for us vegans and vegetarians. Also, in this part of PA, it's a lot like it was in northern New England back in the 50s = Deeply red. Please remember that old Chinese saying "Life is movement," and things change. I think a line from one of Bob Dylan's songs reads "Life moves slowly our here in the country."
I worked at Portsmouth Hospital the first ten years of my nursing career, in the maternity unit, 95-05. And currently my daughter works in Kittery at a restaurant it sounds like you would like. I grew up in Exeter and you're right about Meldrim Thompson, I remember him, heartily supported by the Loebs who owned the Manchester Union Leader. All dreadful people who had a huge influence on NH politics.
The great writer John Irving lives in Exeter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjxraD723Ks
Granite State of Mind, by the Super Secret Project. Super funny y'all.
Yes, they've done some great things, thanks for sharing and reminding me.
It did not seem a good idea to say any v word! I am 97% vegan :)
I'm in southern NH too. I understand your frustration!
I probably shouldn't have said I was in Trump country. I can totally see that there might be a mix here. The more important point was after that. Thanks for your reply Beth!
I love your post. Sleeping next to a singing stream sounds like heaven. Of extreme importance to consider the other’s life path, and financial constraints is a definite weight on most, I think, and must have impact on ability to be generous. I live in a seaside community full of fortunates. Recently asked to join the garden club and learned that their main focus is to beautify the few association-owned parcels, benefiting the fortunate who life here. No community education, no beautifying the larger community, food garden for the hungry, helping informed with garden chores. Sorry to ramble but coffee near your singing stream seems luxurious and takes my mind away from selfish. Maybe exercise will help. Haha. Enjoy your clinic! Sounds wonderful!
Cary, unfortunately, your garden club invite is indicative of the 'haves'. They have climbed the ladder of success and pulled it up after them.
Wow...”and pulled it up after them” really hits me :-(
Yes, Cary, what those well-to-do's do is a part of environmental racism and apartheid. Also the poor of whatever color are force to live in the industrial areas where the air quality is bad. A good book to read is "Cancer Alley" by two women whose names I forget. They wrote about the are between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is about 70 miles long and called "Cancer Alley" by folks who live their because of the polluting factories along the Mississippi River there.
My dream is to plant a variety fruit trees near the downtown area of my city to provide free access to nutritional food for the homeless and lower wage earners. Wanted my city to help. That sunk like a rock. I wish I had the funding to do such an endeavor in several parts of town and get volunteers to help with upkeep.
Sounds like the Junior League. I never was a fan of that type of activity personally..
*infirmed*
What an interesting exchange between this waitress and you, Kim. More than meets the eye. Maybe if more of us "listen behind the noise on the surface," we can achieve some semblance of balance. We should at least try! Good to know another horse person on this page. Hope the clinic goes well for you both!
Thanks to you, Lynell - it makes 3 of us! Well, 2 horse people & 1 no longer horse person - but its thought that counts!
No matter, Maggie. Once a horse person, ALWAYS a horse person! Count Kathy Rizzoni as one as well. (We should form a sub-group?)
Yes! If you can include an oldie with three 25 year old rescue mares. Also look for Aging Horsewomen group on fb
You're in, Susan!
I was just thinking the same thing Lynell!
The sub-group is growing!!
The part about once a horse person always a horse person.
Another familiar name - and yes to sub-group.
May you all gallop along!
LOL, Richard!
When I juxtaposition your "singing stream" with "listen behind the noise on the surface" and with Buddy Poland's "Good Morning," I find myself in a perfect place on this Sunday morning. Thank you!
Thank YOU Ellen!
Sounds like a really good time. Have you heard of Anna Blake? She has a blog & before Covid traveled all over doing clinics. You might enjoy the blog.
Hi Maggie. I am an avid follower of Anna. Have been to a couple of her clinics ( so fun) and active online as well. She has been instrumental in changing ( and helping) how I work with horses.
🙂🙂
Shes great! Wish I had known about her when I still was involved with horses. I'm sure her clinics are fun & must be life-changing for a lot of people (and horses).
Hey, Maggie. Yes! I have been reading Anna's blogs since about 2010! I think of her as the Heather Cox Richardson for horses.
Yup I know YOU are - you are responsible for my finding this blog! Many thanks.
Oh, my goodness. I just remember telling Kathy. Sorry about that!
If you told her on Anna's blog - that was likely where I saw the link.