Let Go and Let God

   The decision is made and we are finally sweeping the closets clean and moving to a darling down sized little home in Grand Junction. It is within walking distance to Mesa State University. We have merely delayed our Oregon dream for a year. Our golden Gracie is aged and we fear the move will be too stressful for her. I often arise at night and find her sitting up and staring into the thin mountain air. I have seen the look of death on our years at our rescue ranch. It was my responsibility as the man of the ranch to work with the Vet each and every time and animal went to rest. Each time a little bigger piece of my heart was opened. The hardest of all was the Raja and his wife Sage. I remember backing Sage out of the horse trailer she was terribly crippled. She was feisty and full of life in a crippled body. Her husband Boobala Raja yelled to her when he couldn't see her. He was a proud arrogant military horse who often ignored her until he couldn't see her and then he professed his love for her by yelling to her. The young Vet Tech assisting me looked at me in amazement and said, "They're married." I have looked death the destroyer in the eye each and every time I have laid an animal to rest. We have the time and wish to become part of the downsizing movement. My writing star is on the rise. I am reminded of a book that I have read Shambala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior. In the book the author says that the majority of people have a setting sun mentality and that you need to expand your mind to have a Great Eastern Rising Sun Mentality. 


   This past summer my wife and I have renewed our wedding vows at the Ocean in Ventura, California. It was a simple ceremony between her and I sitting in our little chairs watching the sun set. We exchanged new silver rings, hers with ocean waves and mine with the mountains. I will take her to her rest in Oregon at the ocean's edge. Eagles mate for life. I am reminded by this each and every time we drive toward our new temporary home in Grand Junction. The trip leaves the lower mountains where we live and proceeds along I-70 west and the Colorado River into Hogbacks and then into Mesas. When you start down a long curving road that brings you to the rivers edge there is a sign for the entrance to the county that says "Welcome to Mesa County, the Home of Monuments, Mesas, and Memories." When you reach the rivers edge there is an Eagle Sanctuary along the river in the trees and in the spring like now, you can see the big white heads of the mother's brooding with the father sitting in the trees, his eye on the prize, the prey in the river. If you are lucky enough you may even see one on the wing , the prey in its talons for the young.


    A footnote ending. Our good friend Little Fox died tragically in a trailering accident.  Some day I will find the strength to write of it. To comfort our buddy Jack London who was devastated, we purchased an alpine goat named Daisy, who at the time was pregnant and we didn't know. She had Justin's Little Rose and eventually the whole family went to the Brand Inspector. The Brand Inspector's wife took a liking to our friend Jack and called to ask why he didn't like his grain. We explained that he preferred Folac and now Folac Jack gets his bucket every day and probably passed eating it. I have been taken by the name The Brand Inspector's Wife and I think it would make a good book title.

Now all the closets are swept and the spirits have been cleared. I hope that you have enjoyed the little foray in our Equine Rescue Ranch and journey into an awakening. All the characters have been set and one day, all the cats, horses, goats, and oh yes, the big cougar will make it into my masterpiece.

Beau reunited with his brother Murphy after a long absence.

Paramahansa Yogananda's Mahasamadhi is March 7.

Sri Yukteswar's Mahasamadhi is March 9.

They're Prayer
"Heavenly Father, it is Thou who dost diretly sustain my body. Awaken within me conscious will, conscious vitality, conscious realization, O Eternal Youth of body and mind, abide in me forever and forever."