Everywhere, Sanctuary

This has been the most mild winter I can remember, and I made a decision to leave the horses out as much as possible. They have round bales and loafing sheds, and I thought it was best to have them learn to navigate the mud and ice, rather than lock them in. 

There was one year where I locked Tumbleweed and the others in and then we ended up with weeks of ice that kept me from allowing them turnout. I felt like part of him becoming a more sure-footed, grownup horse this year was allowing him more time out with the herd, even when there was ice. They make paths and learn to navigate them.

Being out more was new for Epona, too, but her former baby/mama stall had a larger turnout pen attached which allowed her to practice running around on ice and mud. She even slipped and injured herself once running around on it, but had a quick recovery and learned a lesson.

Anyway, I felt it was important to take the bubble wrap off for both of them, and they have survived.

We can see the light at the end up the tunnel.

Speaking of light, we made a trip to Sedona for my mom's 80th birthday. It is somewhere she has always wanted to go. 

Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, Sedona was inundated with rain and snow the entire time we were there. 

If there was a bright side it was that we got to see the Red Rocks in snow, something I've always missed seeing. It also meant less crowds.

We have another, longer, trip to Sedona planned in April. We will be spending my birthday there and getting in a lot of hikes and sunshine. 

Sedona is my happy place.

The last day of our trip, we had the entire day to kill before our plane took off. My daughter had been wanting to go to a store called Rancher Hat Bar in Old Town Scottsdale. You choose your hat, and then a designer helps you put together the bling and brands of your choice.

A little side note: We have been going to Scottsdale, AZ for decades and I just can't believe how much it has changed. It was once such a quaint little westerny town, but now it's part of Phoenix with the "Old Town" preserved in the middle. Sigh. Time changes everything.

Anyway, as you can see, there are many colors to choose from. I didn't do one. I just watched. But if I had done one, I think I'd have chosen the green.

It is a hopping place, and can be very, very busy, but my daughter loved her finished product.

Now, we're home and I'm back in my Sanctuary with Tuffy.

I came back from Sedona with a renewed commitment to self-care and training for the April hikes. More yoga, music, walks, healthier foods, hydration, horses, and HEART.

While in Sedona, we attended a mass at the Chapel of the Holy Cross and his message was about our hearts. Basically, what can't corrupt them (food, drinks, etc), and what can (bad thoughts).

It got me thinking about the last year, and I realized it is time to grasp the future and put death behind me.

Where there was sadness and loss, I hope for joy and renewed abundance.

Though this room is my sanctuary, sanctuary is also something we should carry with us everywhere we go.

Always, a place of peace. Everywhere a Sedona. Everywhere a sanctuary.