Solandana

Seasons Greetings from Solandana A rest in the sun, before the storms. The mighty oak, centuries old, doesn't mind, just another year. Stark trees, the feeble winter sun. Ponies don't mind, the little trio is my joy as is the beautiful, sturdy barn. Gone is the green, deep rest finds us. May the deep peace of Winter find you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to announce Solandana's newest member, Miss Dolly  Madison... She lived close by and needed some TLC. In another blog we will go into more detail as she will be a most exquisite study of human intentions on the equine body. She is older and a pony (under 14.2 hands), she is in her 20's.  I have waited a month to post pics, as her initial pics showed a very skinny pony. So even though she needs to muscle up and fill out some more, realize these pics are a month into her stay here. She spent some time in the round pen, getting to know Pinky and Belle. She was alone for a long time and needed some time to rebuild her equine social skills. The second day after her arrival I felt like a kid at Christmas, be it she was a very skinny pony. I was up at 4am and it was the neatest thing to walk next door to the barn and peek in on them all. As you can see, the herd of 3 is getting along just fine.There is s...

The Harvest Moon of late summer The quail people climb into the Willows at dusk, the bats of the night shift fly out to feast on bugs. Frogs croak, crickets sing, the nightly summer chorus begins. The Coyotes howl as they do on Full Moons That primal, haunting cacophony. I smile to myself and allow the sound to embrace my feral self. I may not be fit for human ways anymore. Sunflowers bow their heads to the fading sun. The Earth brings forth her best, both bearing  fruit and seed,while getting ready to retreat for winters rest. Deer visit frequently, young bucks, rutting season will start soon. Anytime the wild ones show,  I get lost in wonder.  There is no fear, just pure experience.  The wild ways, creatures in charge of their own volition,  keeping time with ancient song. I linger and watch,  cause God came to visit in a place where all life matters. The season of gratitude beg...

Its been a most wonderful summer. The bounty of the earth in full swing. It seems we are in the midst of harvesting, canning and freezing all the goodness that surrounds us. Rose petals infused and dried for further candies and lotions. Apricots, raspberries, Oregon grape, Elderberry, Cherries, pears, apples and more. Lovely visits from family, The Mountain Festival, the youngsters coming of age riding the tractor, ride mower and honing driving skills down dirt country roads just like we did out in the desert all those years ago. I am so happy to be in a place where kids can still grow in such freedoms! The Mountain Blue birds returned, along with many other summer favorites. I saw my first California Condor, what I sight, almost extinct, the 1,000 chick just born. How bankrupt my soul would be had I never laid eyes on that gigantic soaring wonder. Deer and Elk roam the neighborhood. They sleep in surrounding fields. Such Majesty they bring. Most creatures here...

About 2 weeks before, you begin to feel uneasy, queasy, nervous and fearful. Not your norm, but as a sensitive you know somethings off. So do the critters. As it gets closer you feel a certain heaviness to the air, the ground gives the feeling it wants to vomit. The best one can put it into words. The horses were reluctant to leave the barn. Yeah, there's your sign. They poop in places they didn't before. The dogs were extra clinging, the cats nervous, leaping from window to window. Birds act erratic, nervous flight, bickering and "alarm calls" abundant. Just before it hits, the normal chatter of the natural world goes silent, eerily silent and then it hits. The wind sometimes blows with such powerful gusts here, the whole house buffets. A quick glance outside to still leaves on the trees lets you know, this is different. Many times one can feel a quake in the atmosphere before the ground quakes. Its like the crack breaking free deep in the belly of the earth, c...

I  never thought I would leave Los Angeles. I saw myself growing old and one day dying in our little Torrance home of many years. My youth was spent at the beach. Playing in the surf with nieces and nephews, swimming with dolphins, seeing whales and breathing that fine ocean mist. The expansive Pacific, so blue and serene. It was a such a good place to grow up under that golden So Cal sun. But So Cal's easy weather beckons the masses. The CAFO housing, as I call it, popping up everywhere. Massive multi-unit dwellings that grow for blocks and blocks and reach for the sky. Too many residents for the existing infrastructure. The traffic doesn't move, no matter the time or day. Legalize pot and the accidents on the freeways exceed logic. I could care less what people do with their time, but when we are all together on the roadways, chemical management has no business putting the rest at risk. The resulting horrific accidents that shut down freeways. What could have been ...

I have no need to die, I am in heaven. We have a local wild herd that is privately managed, no BLM, thank God. They have much room to roam. You can see them in the commercial that urges humans to take care of California. Their caretaker is a diligent sort,  managing a wild herd is no easy task.  The herd is about 120 head, some are adopted out to suitable homes. They are believed to be descendants of old Morgan farms that no longer exist. These hardy creatures have roamed here for nearly 100 years, facing weather and predators. Those of you that were fortunate enough to immerse in Equine Guided Healing Sessions  with the incredible, late Penny know the eternal, sagacious,  magic this blessed breed brings. They have re-wild. I hope to learn much from them and pass it on. Till next time, stay wild.

A Spring surprise, the Painted Lady Butterfly migration There's so many! They rest on the Lilac before continuing. All through the town the migration continued for a few days. The sweet air perfumed by Lilac and Butterfly's! Welcome Spring!

The green grass sprouts, the ponies are happy! Flower plums, crocus, lily of the valley and violets adorn the land. The land comes back to life after winters deep rest.

The landscape comes back to life Hillsides awash in color, the oaks just starting to get leaves.