WayfaringStrangers

When I was a horse-crazed teenager, I was given the opportunity to free lease a horse named Bart for a year. I had been a rider for years, and confident in my ability. I could gallop around, jump, handle the occasional buck. I'd ridden dozens of horses, had countless lessons. I thought I was a good rider. And then I got Bart. He was a stocky, strong, dark bay (brown) quarter horse, stubborn and strong willed. It didn't take long for him to establish who was in charge. He was sweet on the ground, but once I was riding, I couldn't control him very well. We'd be doing great, and then he'd whip around, get the bit in his teeth, and pull my skinny 16 year old self back to the barn. I created lesson plans and exercises, trotted him in circles for hours (until he got bored and pulled me back to the barn), and read articles about how to train a stubborn horse. He'd buck out of no where (as I'm typing this, I'm wondering if his saddle fit right...maybe there wa...

Megan The Dreamer, With High Expectations Christmas Tree Version (Note: this has never happened): On a pretty December day, we tell the kids we are going to go pick out and cut our own tree at a Christmas tree farm. They excitedly gather their coats and obediently get in the van. We merrily make our way to a Christmas tree farm, where we are greeted by a hot chocolate booth. We get our hot chocolate and make our way into the trees. The boys romp with us and we pick out the perfect tree. My husband suddenly becomes a woodsman and cuts the tree down in 10 seconds. Magically, a photographer has appeared, capturing our beautiful family moments. We are all smiles and magic is in the air. It begins to flurry. Tree had, it is tied on the car and we all go home. The next few hours are pure family bliss. The boys' eyes light up as we gently pull out ornaments and decorate our perfect tree, pretty Christmas music on in the background. I make homemade popcorn. All is calm, all is bright. ...