New beginnings and speedy lickety-split endings are part of life here as time passes by on planet earth…we have seasons of life much like the earth has weather seasons. There’s a time for everything…a time for hello and a time to say goodbye…a time to seed and plant the crops and a time to harvest in July…a brand new day begins each dawn and the end of day comes as the sun sets each evening. The last few weeks with the end of summer and the beginning of fall, beginnings and endings have been on my mind a lot, as time passes by so quickly…we get busy and forget to focus on the important people in our lives or the important blessings we have, until one day they are gone.
As I dwell on this simple truth, Ecclesiastes: Chapter 3: Verse:1-8, comes to mind as God spoke of a time for everything. I began to see how every part of our life has seasons or beginnings and endings. It’s how God designed life and yet, a new beginning comes and before we know it the ending sneaks up on us…from loosing those we love, to coming home after a week’s vacation, to giving birth, you blink and the baby is grown up with babies of their own…sometimes the ending comes with great pain and grief, while other times it comes with celebration upon college graduation with your diploma in hand…well deserved with true happiness!
I believe that life has a rhythm in all parts of it…a constant beat full of heart and passion with the joyful energy of our soul. Maybe because I love music and love to dance, counting double time or half time with ease, it makes sense to me that God would give rhythm to His earth and to our lives…two steps forward, one step back. The dance of life can be one of incredible joys, contrasted by times of great difficulties. Milestone moments in life can take our breath away, as we either accomplished our dreams or we lost someone or something very dear to our heart. It’s up to us how we choose to live our life and how we maneuver the times of highs and lows…as we keep dancing with all we’ve got.
I try to see the positive in life…the glass is half full and not half empty. I believe anything is possible when we put our mind to it…I laugh as I have said under my breath since I was in grade school “Where there’s a Marcy, there’s a way!” Even when things look their darkest, I hang on to my faith as I know but I know that somehow, someway, things will work out. Going through breast cancer 7 years ago was scary at times, but God told me I would survive and I knew if God said it, He meant it, and I believe it and that is that. We have many areas in our life today that we can not count on…but I know I can count on God with all my soul and all my heart.
This time of year for me is bittersweet as I lost my Dad in October and lost my Mom a year later in December. It doesn’t seem that long ago and yet it has been 16 years…the painful memories are softer now…but every year beginning in September, I begin to reflect on my life and the life around me, as I ponder the last year of our life here. Being a writer and a deep thinker, I process life circumstances deeply in my heart as I ask the hard questions and seek the truth of life events and how those events have effected me. After I ponder the last year in the innermost part of me, only then after I have come to some conclusion will my thoughts fall onto paper with sincere and sometimes crazy writers abandon. I ask lots of questions in order to wrap my understanding around whatever it is…but yeah…I seek the answers to life’s deepest, greatest and toughest questions. I know I will never know all the answers until I get to heaven someday, but I feel life deeply and think on things a long time…before I can give the answer to those questions.
As I am writing this afternoon, the light outside my window is full of golden softness as my world is filled with an amber glow, fall has truly fallen on Juniper Canyon. When I write I often look out on the land, watching the shadows of the clouds above, play on the landscape, making new odd shapes…and I remember old times, simple times and good memories. This week as I reflect more on memories of my parents, I can hear Dad’s voice in my head. One of the first times he was deathly ill, we called 911 for help…it was scary for all of us. I was very thankful we were not living in Wyoming, and instead lived next door allowing us to get there in a hurry if we were needed. Once Dad was stable and loaded into the ambulance on that clear blue sky morning, I sat with Dad while Mom and Bill got her jacket etc. for the ride to the hospital.
I noticed Dad was looking out and up the hill, and then he said “Have you and Bill decided if this ranch is home and is this where you will put down roots and grow old?” I was taken back with his direct question as my thoughts were not on Wild Bill and me…my thoughts were on Dad and Mom. I stuttered and stammered saying something like “Dad, I know this is home and yes we will put down our roots and build our life here.” He kept pondering his life and the landscape and said ” I sure hope I come back home again, as I will surely miss this place.” I hugged his neck and said to him “You will Dad, you will.” And he did many times, from several near death emergencies, over the next four years…his doctor told us “Your Dad is one tough cowboy.”
The crazy thing about our lives is that often we do not recognize the beginning of something great in our lives until the end of it. Growing up I lived on a vast cattle ranch, I did not understand that living on private land was a gift and a privilege of life. I thought everyone had a cattle ranch in the mountains and that we all owned land somewhere. I also thought everyone had a horse and lived the same life I lived! I had an active imagination growing up as I was taught that everything was possible if we believe…and today I still believe in the impossibilities of life:)
Learning to look at the glass half full instead of almost empty, was one of the simple truths of life my parents taught me…having a positive attitude instead of a bitter one has carried me through some tough times and still carries me today in my life, as I still have tough issues to deal with in our lives here.
Our lives are a gift to live with love, joy, hope and faith that tomorrow will come as it will. When one door closes and the season is over…you may feel a pang of sadness, but you know there is always hope for a new beginning and we will find it if we seek it out…as we will never give up! Beginnings and endings…sunrise and sunset…summer began and summer ended, as fall began. I felt a moment of grief for the warm days of harvest and the magical summers we live here and yet as soon as the moment passed, I saw the beauty of fall and I was at peace knowing this was the beginning of a new season that would be filled with wonder and home spun days of gold:)
I leave you with one of my favorite bible verses…it is so true as it is the heart of life!
A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
May You Have A Fantastic Fall Weekend And A Fabulous Frivolous Friday!
Hot Rod Cowgirl 
Nov 12, 2013 @ 09:44:08
Beautiful words and pictures. I had to put a horse and a dog down last year, the horse was 26, the dog 14, miss them both dearly.
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Nov 13, 2013 @ 22:51:25
How hard that would be, my heart goes out to you my friend as losing them both would be so hard…they knew you loved them and did not want them to suffer…losing my horse Hobby was the hardest decision I ever had to make but I knew she was suffering and prolonging her pain by surgeries would not have helped her…I miss her too, the memories are softer now as it will be 6 years this next spring. Animals love us with such pure love and adding them to our home and family says we love you and we will take care of you forever no matter what. My Minnie kitty will be 19 in May next year and so far her health has been great, the vet says her blood work is like that of an 8 year old kitty…every once in a while she throws up for no reason but her digestive system is more sensitive now…she will throw up and I clean up and then she is fine again…no matter what she does I will love her and be her mom…she likes wool blankets to sleep on and occasionally throws up on them so off to the cleaners they go but she is my girl and that is ok. Our animals are such special hearts to us all:) Hugs to you:)
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Nov 09, 2013 @ 14:49:42
I love everything about this post!! God Bless!
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Nov 09, 2013 @ 20:55:21
Thank you so much:) I do love all of God’s seasons…even the hard ones as He shows His mercy so often in the middle of hardship…and sure I am not crazy about the learning curves He gives us at times but I have learned so much in those times:) God is so very good to us:)
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Nov 10, 2013 @ 15:09:05
Amazing how with God, we can be steadfast in our trust, through all the changing seasons of our lives!! Otherwise life would be a roller-coaster ride with no purpose! We’re blessed to know Him, because He always sees the BIG picture!!
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Nov 10, 2013 @ 17:50:19
I agree…..we are blessed and always looked after….I can not imagine not having God, He is my rock:)
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Nov 11, 2013 @ 09:09:27
We know our place of safety…for sure!! Amen!!
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 13:00:18
Thank you for your kind words HRCG: You totally *get* my love & devotion for Nylablue. She had no life before I rescued her..just an existance. I am not boosting; just stating a fact. No one would take her…she was hours from being put to sleep…every day has been better just having her with me.
Wow you have so many 4 leggedz…they all sounds so lovely…
I am sorry you lost Kiah….they can leave us in an instant….I am so glad you have Ellie…her being a half sister to Kiah that must be a HUGE comfort to you & WB. The way you speak of Minnie reminds me of Mingflower. I used to carry her out of bedroom in morning on her pillow & at nite she would snooze on her pillow on my lap til bedtime…I would carry her to bed. She was still mobile til the end altho her eyesight was not very good…I was a ‘seeing eye human’ for a Siamese kitty, lol….
I miss her to this day but I have such lovely memories.
As for Nylablue she is a trooper…she even went into her carrier of her own free will today!!! She is doing her best to live….I am humbled again by a 4 legged!!!
May G-d bless both you & WB & all your 4 leggeds too.
Sherri-Ellen
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 07:45:14
🙂 Big huggies and kitty loves too:)
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 09:15:19
I always enjoy your blog and its my pleasure to pass along the WordPress Family award http://neilirving73.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/wordpress-family-award/
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 07:46:35
Thank you so much:) I am honored that you chose HRCG for this award:)
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 11:33:27
My pleasure I love your blog
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 20:43:29
🙂
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Nov 06, 2013 @ 15:43:18
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
LISTEN TO THE RHYTHM OF LIFE IN THE COUNTRY, ON A RANCH
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Nov 06, 2013 @ 21:16:39
Thank you:) You are much appreciated for the reblog:)
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Nov 03, 2013 @ 12:42:18
Beautiful post, Hot Rod Marcy. Isn’t it wonderful to be able to appreciate what blessings we have here. I love life as well, and even can embrace the hurts along with the joys. It’s all part of life, and I love it and the people who live in my circle of it especially. 🙂 Lots of love to you, Miss Marcy. 🙂 xox
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Nov 05, 2013 @ 01:47:21
Thank you so much:) I appreciate your kind words of encouragement:) Yes while growing up there were some things I just took for granted as I did not know they were special, but lots of other things in my life, I saw and appreciated while we had them. I was raised to have a thankful heart with a humble spirit and to look for the many blessings around us. I love life too and I agree that the hurts and hard times are part of our life here…and just when things get really dark, joy and gratitude break through the dark clouds and reveal the Sonshine in our lives:) Lots of love to you too Marcia.
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Nov 06, 2013 @ 06:52:36
Sometimes we get a jolt that tells us that we didn’t have a clue just how lucky and blessed we are. I think we have to live in that state to be truly accurate. It is easy for me when things are going well, not so much when I am struggling. Then there are times that we should make a change because things are not good, and we need to have the wisdom to know the difference. I think God can work out our lives either way, though.
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Nov 06, 2013 @ 21:30:20
Me too and I agree totally. Much of our life circumstances and events can be a challenge for us…do we choose to see it as a positive or do we focus on the negative part…it makes a huge difference in the outcome. I have seen it work both ways…I learned a long time ago to see life as our school of life…God will never give us more than we can handle…so if we are in the middle of a crisis and we think oh God I can not stand this….wait….no we can as God already knows we are strong enough, we just have to see that one simple truth that yes, we can do this, yes yes yes we can:) God would not allow us to go through this thing if we could not do it so lets saddle up and take care of this issue right now:) And yes sometimes it totally stinks and is very hard but we can do it:) Hugs to my sister the other Marcia:)
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 04:54:26
And hugs right back to you. When you are going through things, that verse seems so inadequate. When you are on top of the world, you look back at the struggles, and think, “That wasn’t so bad. Life is good.” I’m glad we get a rest from bad parts of life. I hope everyone does get a rest! 🙂
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 09:02:12
Yes in the “middle of difficult life stinks circumstances” it is hard to see our way…all we can do is keep walking forward through the fog and get through whatever we are dealing with…and as you mentioned, we do get through it and as we look back, we think wow, that was not that hard at all and I am ok and life is good. I hope we all get a rest too:)
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 12:19:31
I agree wholeheartedly. I’m great right now. 🙂 xox
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Nov 01, 2013 @ 21:02:29
I love the meaning and poetry in there is a season for everything… very true and beautiful, too!
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Nov 05, 2013 @ 01:36:47
Thank you for stopping in for a visit:) It is always good to hear from you…and I agree, the seasons in our lives seem to change at the right time:)
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Oct 29, 2013 @ 14:26:11
It is so good to be thankful and so wonderful to count our blessings. It is also good to see the glass as half-full and to realize that most of us have more abundance even in our simplicity than the rest of the world! I never tire of your life stories or beautiful photography. And, it’s here in the blogging land that those of us who are deep thinkers and ponderers of life can connect-awesome! Thanks, HRCG, and if you would, since you are a prayer warrior, I’m sure, could you pray for our new horse, Fancy, that we rescued a month ago? She collapsed on Sunday, and the vet thinks she has some sort of neurological disorder. She is doing okay, never was in any pain, and it hasn’t happened again yet. She also has severe arthritis in her neck, which could have also caused the collapse if the pressure and swelling as going into her spinal chord. Thank you! XOXO-Kasey
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Oct 29, 2013 @ 18:05:58
Hi Kasey, it is good to hear from you:) I will pray for your new horse, that God will heal and restore her health…she will be a blessing and you are a blessing to her as well:) I know how scary it is to have your horse collapse, I have had that happen and boy, it scares you good as you want to help your horse and you do not know what is wrong. How wonderful that you rescued her.
Thank you for your positive support of my blog and photography:) I love that we can connect with our creative spirits and explore our deep thoughts and questions of life with other like minded people:) That is a blessing too:) God Bless You and Lord, God Bless Kasey’s horse with healing and restore her gentle spirit….we ask that you let her live so that she can experience the love she deserves as one of Your mighty horses. We ask in the name of Jesus and ask that the blood of Jesus would cover this horse with life, grace and healing….Amen!
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Oct 31, 2013 @ 16:49:21
Amen!! 🙂 Thanks, HRCG. 🙂 XOXO
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Nov 05, 2013 @ 01:30:42
You are welcome, how is your horse doing this week? Hoping and praying he is making progress:)
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Nov 05, 2013 @ 13:55:10
Fancy (she) is doing alright. Swelling went down in her back legs for the most part, and she seems more alert already from the Vitamin E we’re giving her. Thanks so much for the prayers! I believe she will keep getting better and better. 🙂
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Nov 06, 2013 @ 21:25:02
I am so glad to hear she is doing better! We will keep praying for her…I had a horse that bowed a tendon many years ago and after the dire diagnosis, I was blessed with a vet who believed anything could happen so he gave me the run down of what to do each day to stimulate blood flow to her leg etc. She was laid off for a year and twice a day for months I made my own hydro jet bath for her leg…it was a 5 gallon white bucket that hit her a bit over the knee after she put her leg in, then I made our own hydro jet water with either an attachment or my fingers…twice a day she had a great cold hydro bath on her bowed tendon and lots of prayer:) A year later she was sound…completely healed and well! She went back to the mountains with us and we gathered cattle together for many more good years as well as she was healthy and very sound…she was a such a good girl and we were so blessed to have her…and God answers prayer for our animals for sure:) So Fancy, we are praying for you that you will be dancing as soon as you can:)
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Nov 07, 2013 @ 12:55:03
That is wonderful! And, this is how I feel about Fancy. I just believe in my heart of hearts she is not meant to never ride again…maybe it will only be in the arena to be safe, but I’m totally okay with that. I’ve been studying a lot about her condition and plan to take slow steps but stay consistent with her treatment. She is such a wonderful girl! Thank you! XOXO
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Nov 08, 2013 @ 07:44:19
🙂
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Oct 27, 2013 @ 01:11:48
Lovely landscapes!
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Oct 27, 2013 @ 09:36:01
Thank you:)
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Oct 26, 2013 @ 17:02:37
Every time I think of that bible verse I think of the song version made famous by Judy Collins many years ago. I’ve been retired now for more than 3 years and can’t even explain the most peaceful time of my life. I have a full life even though I live alone. I’m never bored or stressed. Life is good!
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Oct 26, 2013 @ 18:02:12
I am happy for you, and congrats on retirement! You are truly in the season you are suppose to be in as evidenced by the peace you feel…and as you said, life is good for you:):):)
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Oct 26, 2013 @ 16:00:37
What a fabulous & insightful blog HotRod Cowgirl!!! I too find myself reflecting on life during Autumn months….My Father died in Aug. ’09; my Nanna Oct. ’95…they were my driving forces in my Life….So many memories…those are what keep me going…seeing the cup half full…
Life is a continuous cycle…I realize that everything has a beginning, a middle & an end…yet Life goes on forward…..we are a part of this amazing wheel of Life….
Thank you again for such a wonderful blog!
Sherri-Ellen & (tuna-tuna eating) Nylablue xo
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Oct 26, 2013 @ 16:40:13
Thank you so much:) Loosing our loved ones I found to be one of the hardest parts of our life. Both my parents were my driving force too and each in their own way. We were a close family of three and after loosing them both I really felt alone…I eventually healed up from that feeling as I know I have my husband and my animal kids but it was an odd feeling. And no matter how many years pass, while time softens the loss, we will always miss them…someday we will see them again and we will see our animals too:) Mom was in a weird sleep state for about 6 hours one day and when she woke up she was totally different and very peaceful, very aware and when she first opened her eyes and looked at me it was a deep look…not sure how to describe it…first she said I can’t believe I am still here…then she squeezed my hand and said I saw your Dad and he is fine…and I saw Jesus and I saw my dog Rhett! She was so at peace…she gave me the gift of knowing that we would all be together again one day:) And our pets will be there too! I am so glad that Nylablue is doing good and enjoying the tuna…yummy yummy for her tummy:) My Minnie kitty will be 19 in May 2014…she is doing fine but this last year I do see the changes in her body more now and she walks a bit slower but her eyes are still full of kitty love and adventure. We both send you big hugs and a kitty loves hug to Nylablue too:)
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Oct 31, 2013 @ 16:44:35
I keep a Memorial list & there are 26 names on it…there would be more but I would be spending all my time thinking of the dead instead of the living….
My Great Grandfather died when I was 9 yrs old. I was not scared; just very very sad. It seemd that relatives died every year…my Aunt committed suicide when she was 61 & i was 15. It was awful & I was not allowed to go to her funeral….I prayed her soul was free & she was no longer suffering. I still miss Dale; he was a crazy guy but so loveable. Saying Goodbye is always hard whether sudden or knowing the person had a good life… I felt saying Goodbye to my Nanna (89) & my Father (91 1/2) was easier….they had long lives & had done so much. I could accept their leaving much easier.
The 2nd hubby who died committed suicide & that tore me to shreds…I am still not whole & doubt I will be,,,,I also had a Sister-In-Law committ suicide in ’93 & she was only in her 30’s…too much sadness & pain!!
So I make sure to live as much in the moment as I can! To love Nylablue & care for the wild critters & birds & be grateful for my memories…
Having a 4 legged for that many years is amazing & wonderful & when they must go it is like losing a child…the best thing is that we can love again!!
For now I am glad nylablue & Minnie are still with us. 😉
Sherri-Ellen xo
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Nov 05, 2013 @ 01:29:36
Hi there, I’m sorry to be so late in answering you…I have been gone and just got back tonight. I am hoping Nylablue is doing much better and that your strength of heart is renewed. I do understand how hard it is to be the caregiver and worrying so much for Nyla…my thoughts and my prayers have been with you and Nylablue. I wish I had some magical cure to help her with and I know you do too. You have a beautiful heart to choose the ones that truly need rescued. You give so much love to them and also the trust and security they did not have before coming to live with you. My heart goes out to all homeless animals…people can be so awful and terribly mean…and animals are so very precious, they just want to love us and they hope that we will love them back. Nylablue has a very special heart and spirit, I can see that in her eyes in the photos…she loves you lots and truly enjoys her life with you. You have lost so many loved ones…and dealing with suicide would be awful…I can not imagine. You are right in that the older a person is and the life they have lived, they are able to go to God and rest as they lived a full life. Sending you hugs and prayers….Ms. Minnie sends kitty hugs and prayers too. Yes we both are blessed to have Nylablue and Minnie. Please keep me posted. More kitty loves sent your way Nylablue from Minnie and her mommy HRCG.
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Nov 06, 2013 @ 10:43:33
Hello HRCG: I am sorry that it took me so long to reply to you also. I had no phone service for almost for days & had a quite a time of it trying to get them to fix the problem. It was a nightmare I can tell you. I had to go bother 3 different neighbors to use their phones & harrass the reps I dealt with….thankfully the phone is back on…I have decided to change phone/et providers however I have to give 30 days notice to the present company…they are nasty too when one tries to leave…not looking forward to that skirmish, lol!
Nylablue is precious to me. I promised her i would give her at least 5 good years of life as her first 5 were atrocious….well it has been 7 1/2 yrs so I have done well. WE got the Bowes calmed down & she is back on the original food. So that is one thign solved. Her appetite was good until last nite…she goes to vet tomorrow (Thursday) for more treatment…we are not giving up!! Thank you for the compliments..it does my heart good to know people understand my devotion to a 4 legged that has chronic health problems.
I hope Minnie is doing well & Ellie also….
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue xoxo
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Nov 06, 2013 @ 21:37:56
I totally understand how you feel and the blessed tender relationship yo have with Nylablue:) I know that love as I have that for Minnie and all my animals…Ellie, Melody, Buck, Annie, Tucker, Dash and Pat. When these truly beautiful precious gifts of God come into our lives, they are the bright spot in our hearts and lives…animals are so loving and protective to us and I can not imagine having them in my life…Minnie humbles me each morning when we get up and head down the stairs…she takes her time and so do I…she leads the way and I follow…and I loves her so much:) I do believe our relationships with our animals are eternal and we will be with them again no matter what. They are so very brave and such fighters…I love them all. It killed me last winter to loose Kiah…she was truly brave and so very tough. I loved her so much and she was with me one minute and the next she was with God…getting Ellie has been such a healing for both WB and me…Ellie is half Kiah’s sister…so I am a praying for Nyla and for the vet as well and for you Sherri-Ellen…lots of hugs and prayers all around you both:) God Bless You Both!
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Oct 25, 2013 @ 18:23:06
My mother died in 1982 and I still miss her. The pain softens, but never goes away. You write so beautifully of the rhythm of life and the seasons.
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Oct 25, 2013 @ 21:16:26
I lost Dad first and thought Mom and I had another 10 years or longer if she remained healthy…and we wold take her places that she longed to see. Loosing her so soon after Dad was difficult…you are right the pain softens but yes you miss them all the time don’t you…I used to visit them everyday talking over life and such. I love to write and hope to paint the picture that I see for those who read it…I love to be creative:) Thank yo so much for your words and your friendship:)
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Oct 25, 2013 @ 15:53:09
Really nice post. You have captured the love of the land and those who lived on it. Today Hot Rod Cowgirl is more like Soft, Thankful, Introspective Cowgirl, but don’t change the name. Well done and touching.
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Oct 25, 2013 @ 16:36:36
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement…sometimes the words pour out and today was one of those times:) Wishing you a peaceful and joyful weekend!
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Oct 25, 2013 @ 18:00:34
You as well
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Oct 25, 2013 @ 21:10:50
🙂
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