Headstall

We've had pretty steady rain here all summer for the most part, and that has kept the grass in the paddock healthy and growing. My mare, at her age, does best on green grass... I supplement her hay with alfalfa cubes and will do that all winter. Because she is old, she is not an easy keeper anymore. She looks really good right now, but it's a struggle. She also has a scratched cornea I've been treating for about five weeks... today was the first day I thought she had vision back in it. It was really cloudy but now some parts are clear. The vet... she's been out twice... says the loss could be permanent but I keep putting ointment in four times a day because I don't want to give up.

Aloha, Albert!

Looking fab, Drewcilla!

Lol. Whose new vision are we talking about? You make a really good point here, Terry. Alphas need to evolve, and we can sort of seeing it happening with Clarence. Delia had a lot of input into his decisions, and he never did anything arbitrarily. I suspect he has learned from past mistakes. Morningstar has flourished under its leadership trio, and Kellar understands that is no fluke. This was and still is a tearjerker for me too. My eyes are wet after rereading this. The tension of those moments while Fendral made up his mind still get me... as does Kellar's plea to his grandfather. And once again we see that despite Kellar's continual heroics, Tobyn plays just as important a role in his own way. Now we can see that stubborn streak is a blessing. Thanks again, buddy. I'm slowly getting there. Cheers!

We don't know who killed the older brother... we only know he was killed by shifters from what Reznick said before Tobyn tore out his throat. As far as Fendral being Kellar's grandfather, that was never said or known before this chapter. This was the big reveal. Yeah, I agree this closure was good for Kellar. Learning his heritage is a big deal, even though Miss Sybil's vision was horribly sad. He knows his mother and father saved him, and that will mean so much as time goes by. He also was able to reclaim that memory of his mother, and that is priceless. This was a powerful chapter to write... but the time had come to reveal this truth. Thanks for the support and great comment, buddy. Sorry it has taken so long to reply. Cheers!

Happy Monday, all! Rainy morning here, but it's nice.

All the kids and grandkids are gone home now. It was a really fun night and morning. We're doing it again on Thanksgiving next month, and if it's warm out we will eat our turkey dinners outside by the fire. I'm dragging my ass, but I did some cleanup outside... washed out the portable fire pit, and hung some loungers and chairs back up in the garage. They all did a good job of cleaning up all the mess. Sigh... the house is so quiet....

Thank you, spikey. Love, and the memories we have for it, are often bittersweet. I'm sure many readers understood this poem on a personal level. Life has a way of intervening, and we are often left alone, our dreams in pieces, yet our love still strong and resolute. There is beauty in that, I think. Keeping love alive in the corners of our hearts make us who we are, so in that respect, we haven't lost it. I wax poetic, but this poem is a tribute to something enduring and still remembered as real and strong. Cheers, my friend.

I was happy to share these poems as part of the Anthology. The Anthology spurred me to write again, and I am thankful for the motivation. Happy to hear you liked these offerings... they are deeply personal for sure. Thank you, Val! Cheers!

I expect many can relate to this one. This time period was almost impossible to navigate for our like. The pressure to be someone 'acceptable' was enormous, within families and within society. But, that old saying is true... Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. Not sure it applies as much to the first poem, though. Thank you, northie... your thoughts are always welcomed. Cheers!

Thank you, Adi!

Thank you, Parker. This poem is indeed melancholy, but I remember the beauty of that time too. I had thought that bond would be too strong to break.... Appreciate the beautiful comment. Cheers!

Yeah... 'if onlys' can haunt us for a lifetime. Thanks, buddy. Cheers!

It is for me, Doc. Love is a truly wonderful thing, and a driving force behind humans and animals alike. Unfortunately, society is constantly putting roadblocks in the way of it, even now. One in love should never have to choose a different path, but here we are. The unfairness of it is profound. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, my friend. Cheers!

Thank you so much, Chris!

Thank you, Kris! You're right that the first poem held much anger. It was needed in order to be able to accomplish what needed to be done. And you're right too the second one is sad... there is a certain melancholy that accompanies those early memories. I believe there is some regret... I've often wondered myself just how much, but their time has passed, I'm afraid. Appreciate hearing how these poems affected you. Cheers!

Happy Sunday, all!

Happy Sunday, Albert!

Same here. Two to go.

Hi, B. I had a little too much red wine... just a little... and am ready for bed.

Me too!!

You are very kind, Mancunian. Thank you for reading and leaving such a wonderful comment. Cheers!

Thanks, Tony. Yeah, we did as expected, and suffered the costs. it's an ache that never really goes away. I will always wonder 'what if?' Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts with me. Cheers!

Sam Cooke... good choice, Mags. I have learned I can love for a very long time... forever really. Some don't fade. Things don't always happen the way we want... especially for people of my generation. We had to make the best choice for us, and survival plays a part in that. I based my choice on his... and for years I convinced myself it was the right one. In many ways it was, but we can only go so long before our heart demands its truth. I think of him often, and I wish... Thanks for the kind words of support, my friend. Cheers!

Yeah, that is a pretty accurate interpretation, W_L. Happy to hear you found it beautiful. Cheers!