Today's theme: Horsey love

I opened up our treat jar a couple of nights ago and in the midst of all the Ginger Ridge Meadow Mints, there was one solitary Harvest Heart. Isn't that funny? It must have somehow gotten mixed into the batch. I took it as a good omen, of what I don't know, but it definitely made me smile.

Today I visited Raven Ledge Farm, where owner Linda does sleigh rides on her beautiful property. At work we are hosting a family visiting through Make A Wish Foundation, and Linda very generously offers a sleigh ride to the families who want to have that experience. I am usually lucky enough each winter to head to Raven Ledge at least once during the season. It was wonderful to be a part of the outing today and see the family enjoy the thrill of the ride and the barn visit with the horses. May, Linda's big draft mare, is the classic gentle giant; well trained and so patient. Another highlight was the discovery of a recently laid egg in the chicken stall, leading to priceless looks of wonder and excitement from the two youngest kids.

Linda told me a great story. Her husband trained two Morgans as a driving pair, and they were bought by a man from out of state, somewhere down south. This sale happened years ago, as Linda's husband passed away in 1993. Recently Linda got a call from a relative of the man who had purchased the horses. He just recently passed away, and as no one in the family was interested in keeping the two horses, they decided to try to find Linda and her husband to see if they wanted to the pair back. It's so amazing to me that  this family made the effort and were able to track Linda down after all these years. The happy ending? Linda is taking the two horses back. Now 28 and 29 years old, they will live out their days on her farm. Full circle.