Best of Redd Foxx: Comedy Stew $9.98 CD featuring Redd Foxx….

The Best of Spike Jones $9.98 Sure, you’ll laugh at the zany sound effects (gunshots, auto horns, and sounds that can only be described as semiflatulent) and delightfully loopy monologues from the great Doodles Weaver (his absurd horse-race call on “The William Tell Overture” is classic). But Jones and his City Slickers display impressive musical chops as well. Just how easy can it be to play “Dance of the Hours” on a cowbell,…

The Wonderful World of Disney – Run, Appaloosa, Run; The 101 Problems of Hercules $18.00 Double feature from the Wonderful World of Disney….

Jewels of the Triple Crown [VHS] $19.98 …

The Wonderful World of Disney – Bluegrass Special/ Runaway on the Rogue River $12.94 2 episodes from The Wonderful World of Disney! “Bluegrass Special” – A heart-tugging story about a young girl with a very special dream. Woodhill, a beautiful race horse, has a bad reputation…he threw and injured his rider in a race in Tijuana. Penny, a teenage horse trainer, dreams of becoming a jockey…and she picks Woodhill to race in the upcoming Bluegrass Special…. “Runaway on the Rogue …

Race Horse Photography books

A Look Back At The History Of Horse Racing

No matter which major city from around the world it is that you will visit, you are bound to witness a horse racing event – Australia, Mauritius, New Zealand, USA, UK, Europe, the Middle Eastern countries, and a few Asian countries. This equestrian sport has been around for centuries, but how exactly did it start out? Before delving deeper into that, let us first check on the most popular forms of horse racing. One of the most typical sights that you will see in affluent communities is Thoroughbred racing.  In Australia, Standardbred horses racing is more popular – just like in New Zealand. Quarter horse racing; and purebred Arabian horses racing or endurance racing are other forms of the sport.

Important Breakthroughs in the History of Horse Racing

After learning about some of the basic facts about horse racing, let us now check on its history as a sport. Take a look at the following important specific dates, periods and breakthroughs in horse racing:

-    4500 BCE
As mentioned earlier, horse racing as a sport has existed for centuries now. It actually started during this period when horses first became domesticated animals. Back then, it was Central Asian tribesmen who trained the animals – and this was the signal for horse racing to become a sport of the privileged and leisured.

-    680 BCE
According to the roster of ancient Olympics during this period, two-horse and four-horse racing was added to the gaming events.

-    753 BCE
One of the best ways to trace back the history of a centuries-old sport like horse racing is to consult the ancient books – and it was in the story of Romulus’ founding of Rome during this period that the mythical city-founded organized a series of horse racing events. The goal was to distract Sabine men abducted the women.

-    12th Century
This is the time that the horse racing that we know of today came to be. During the 12th century, a wave of battle-weary English men returned from the Crusades with Arabian horses. The endurance of these animals over the English ones is incomparable – so they were used in horse racing.

-    1702-1714
Under the rule of Queen Anne, the first modern races where spectators bid on their bets started. It was in 1759 that the Jockey Club was formed.

-    1894
Just like the English’ British Jockey Club, the American Jockey Club was established in this year to set up rules for breeding racing horses.

-    1930s-1970s
In the United States, the sport of horse racing has had its ups and downs – but it was during these decades when the popularity of champion horses like Seabiscuit revived the life of the sport.

Today, horse racing has become almost a national tradition – especially in the state of Louisiana. Whether you’re a true-blue horse racing fan, if you’re in it to win money or if you’re simply interested with the different facets of the sport, nothing beats the feeling of knowing that you know exactly how the sport came about so that you would appreciate its origins even more.

About the Author

Wanna learn more aboutHistory of Horse Racing Around the World? There are plenty of online resources that you can use to learn as much information as you can about the Treasure Island Resort and Casino and how you can increase your chances of winning should you decide to bet.

Jenny M, Hidden Fox Farm Horse Trainer

2011 Pacific Classic Contenders – Some of the Best Horses Ready to Compete

The field for the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar just added two more contenders, Don Cavallo, the winner of the Dominion Day Stakes at Woodbine, and Achak, who is coming off an allowance win.

The Dominion Day Stakes was run over a Polytrack surface at Woodbine, so Don Cavallo may have an additional advantage of having raced over the same type of surface over which the Pacific Classic will be run. In addition, the Dominion Day Stakes was run at 1 ¼ miles, so he has the experience with the distance. Don Cavallo is a four year old horse owned by Frank Stronach and trained by Roger Attfield. His record over synthetic tracks is three out of four.

Achak was running in the claiming ranks as recently as July 23, 2011, his most recent claiming effort being only a third place finish in a $35,000 claiming event at 1 mile over the Del Mar turf. He came back in his next race to take an Allowance optional claming event at 10-1 odds over the Del Mar Polytrack by half a length. He seems to be improving but he will still be a big long shot for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic, and his owner Mark Verge will be thrilled just to hit the board, and no wonder, a small cut of a $1 million purse is still very substantial.

Achak is a five year old trained by Doug O’Neill and has won nine of thirty one starts. He does have some stakes experience, having finished fifth in the Grade 3 Native Diver on December 4, 2010 at Hollywood Park.

The field of probably contenders includes the second and third place finishers in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Game on Dude and Twirling Candy. The champion three year old filly Blind Luck is going to take a shot against the boys but is not definite. She is also under consideration for the Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga as well as the Molly Pitcher at Monmouth, according to her trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Other contenders include Acclamation, Jeronimo, and Caracortado, the top three finishers from the Eddie Read Stakes, a Grade 1 1-1/8 mile turf race.

Tres Borrachos is also being considered for the race. He is coming off an impressive victory as a mild 8-1 long shot in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap.

Other contenders may include Setsuko, Stately Victor, Spurrier, Tres Borrachos, and Victory Pete.

The winner gains an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge as part of the “Win and You’re In” program.

The Pacific Classic will be run on August 28th.

Watching top thoroughbreds compete against each other is one of the most exciting thrills a sports fan can experience. Now imagine being able to build virtual races with the greatest race horses from all over the world. You choose the race conditions, track surface, distance and then find out which horse is truly the best. If you like to play free racing games online and you’re a fan of horse racing, get ready for some truly exciting gaming fun.

Sports fans who enjoy online fantasy games, particularly those interested in virtual racing, will love the new HorseRaceGame.com – <a href = ” http://www.horseracegame.com/betting.php“> free racing games online</a>hundreds of new features including its web player for those who are not interested in downloading racing applications Experience the real world of virtual racing in full-screen 3D by breeding, caring for, training and racing against an international player base for top game recognition and big prizes. There is no free online race game with all the diversity found at HorseRaceGame.com.

About the Author

An ardent fan of horse racing for years, I am extremely passionate about writing articles on adventurous topics on the lines of new developments in sports, online games as well as other fields. You can find articles regarding Horse racing industries and interesting facts about the understanding of horse race.

How to Become a Horse Trainer Apprentice?

I was wondering if anybody would know of any horse trainers in San Diego CA or outside of CA who would be willing to take an apprentice trainer. My long term goal is to raise and train my own animals Domestic/ Exotic for film, photo and commercial work. This also includes horses the only problem is that I have zip riding experiance riding horses. But I figured the best way to learn is from the ground up. This probably wont look good with most trainers but my initial interest is in stunt training and general behaviors that would be required of horses on a set. As well as skills in general training, gentling etc. So if you know of any horse trainers in my area who would be interested in helping me get a start I would highly appreciate it.

If you don’t have any experience riding horses, the best thing you can do right now is take riding lessons. Most trainers won’t take you on as an apprentice unless you have a high enough level of riding experience. I would also start emailing companies that do stunt work with animals and see what their recommendations would be. If you can, read through biographies and resumes of animal stunt workers and see what their backgrounds are, and that will also give you an idea of where to get started.

Join Up with Monty Roberts – An Introduction Instead of using conventional procedures, Monty persuades an unbroken horse to accept a saddle, bridle and rider in approximately 30 minutes without pain or fear, something traditionalists view as impossible. The goal is to create a foundation of trust and instill an understanding of what behavior man desires from the young animal that will carry him throughout his life….

The Seven Games of Parelli Natural Horse-Man-Ship The seven Games that horses play, that every horse-person should learn so they can communicate more naturally with horses……

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Horse Training for Equestrian Games : How to Dress to Compete in an English Riding Event

The English Horse Racing Classics – A Quick Guide

There is often much confusion as to what exactly are English Classic races and what are simply Group One races. The first aspect to remember is that there are five English Classic races and they are all carry Group One status, but due to the history of these races they carry a much higher prestige and status in the Racing world. The second point is that they are only open to three year old thoroughbred horses. The Five Classics are:

2000 Guineas

This is the opening Classic of the season and it is open to three year old colts and fillies. It is raced over the famous Rowley Mile at Newmarket and is a big test of speed, stamina and courage over an undulating straight course. Although it is open to fillies they very rarely run, they are normally entered for the 1000 Guineas (See below). For the colts it is also the first leg of the triple-crown; which is made up from the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St Leger. This year the race will be run on 2nd May, which is the opening day of the Guineas Festival.

1000 Guineas

The second Classic of the season, which is open to 3 year old thoroughbred fillies only and is also raced over Newmarket’s Rowley Mile. The race also forms the first leg of the Fillies triple-crown, which can be completed by winning this race, the Epsom Oaks and the St Leger. It is raced on the second day of the Guineas Festival, which this year will be 3rd May.

The Epsom Oaks

The third Classic is the Epsom Oaks, which like the 1000 Guineas is only open to 3 year old fillies. However this is raced on the Epsom Downs race course over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs in length. The Oaks forms the second leg of the Fillies Triple Crown and is one of the most valuable fillies only races in the world. This year it will be run on June 4th.

The Epsom Derby

The Derby is probably the most famous and prestigious race of the five English Classics and is renowned the World over. Although it is open to fillies as well as colts, it is rare for them to be entered, with the Fillies usually opting for the Epsom Oaks. Like the Oaks, it is run at Epsom Downs race course over a 1 mile 4 furlongs and forms the second leg of the colts triple crown. The race will take place this year on June 5th.

St Leger

The fifth and final Classic race of the season is the St Leger which is open to three year old colts and fillies and is raced at Doncaster race course over the longer distance of 1 mile 6 furlongs. It is a big test of stamina and often its winners stay in training for the following year. In some respects the St Leger has lost some of its importance, due mainly to its distance. The last colt to have won the Triple Crown was the great Nijinsky in 1970 and the last filly to have won the fillies version was Oh So Sharp in 1985. The St Leger takes place on 12th September.

The importance and prestige of the five classic races is underpinned by not only the prize money available to the winner of each races, all of which are well in to six figures (the prize money available for the Epsom Derby is £1.25 million) but also by the potential breeding values of the winning horses. Any horse that wins any of the classics will automatically increase in value at stud in the hope that they pass their winning genes on to future progeny.

About the Author

More information on all the races that make up the
English Classics
can be found on the author’s personal site.

Can a western trained horse become english fairly easy? (please answer)?

Ok im looking into this horse who does western i do both but i prefer english so can a western trained horse learn english easy? The big difference is the tack so can a horse get used to riding in english tack pretty easy? Also yes i know theirs other differences but that’s one of the biggest

Hi there i too will be riding my quarter horse [when i get her after my college courses] in both western[endurance riding for charity] and english [chillin with my friends down the beach] i have been told by a Q/H breeder and owner that she had no problem training to both styles of riding it just takes patience and understanding, so happy riding in both ways and hope you have the same fun as i’m going to have.

Reining II: Advanced Techniques with Al Dunning Al Dunning is a world-renowned trainer of horses in all divisions of competition, but is primarily known for his success in cutting and reining. For over ten years, his horses dominated reining events in the western United States. Particularly spectacular was the career of “Expensive Hobby” who won over one hundred reining championships in his nine year career! Champion reining horses aren’t trai…

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Tips on Training the Plantation and Liteshod Tennessee Walking Horse $19.95 “This video details the same step-by-step method Diane Gueck has used to train for 33 world championships , and two super horse awards.”…

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Horse Training Tips: Why do the seven games anyway?

Starting Out: Some Basic Horse Training Tips

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Each horse, just like each person, is a unique individual. A horse will have its own personality and learning ability, different from that of another horse. With that in mind, here are some fundamental horse training tips to remember:

1. A relationship between a horse and its owner or trainer is based on good communication and trust. Such a relationship takes time, effort and patience to build.

2. Horses learn by repetition. You cannot expect your horse to learn a new skill in one training session. It is best to start each training session with a review of the previous sessions. This reinforces the learning process.

3. Do not make lessons stressful. Shouting and whipping are not conducive to learning. A valuable horse training tip is to be patient, but firm. Teach your horse the way you would teach a child: by being patient and understanding, but also firm. Horses, like children, learn better in an environment that is calm and cheerful.

4. Be consistent. The cues or signals you give should be the same every time. Your horse will only get confused if you discourage nibbling on some days by pushing him away, and then ignore nibbling on other days. Every lesson you teach your horse adds to the communication skills between the two of you. Your horse will soon learn to interpret your cues, voice commands and body language.

5. Reward lessons learned well with a soothing stroking of his neck or flanks. Too much giving of treats during training is not really advisable. For one thing, feeding treats often leads to nibbling, then biting. Another drawback is that it is distracting.

Horses are intelligent and loyal animals. If you are a good and confident leader, they will be more than happy to please you by learning what you are teaching them.

About the Author

For more horse training videos please visit http://horsetrainingguide.org or click here to learn more horse training methods

A 3 year old just broken in horse-riding/training tips?

My neighbour has offered me a chance to ride her gelding she has just gotten broken in. I was wondering if you have any tips
(only if you know what you are talking about please) for exercises etc that I can do? Also I was wondering what was your opinion on how much longer until he can be cantered with a rider? I know that his back mucles have to be built up, but I’ve been told many different things, some not the same as my own ideas.
Thank you
Details appreciated
Ive been riding for two years and can jump
Good point Kerrisonr. I ride english,, I can do the basic walk, trot, canter, leg yeilds,canter 10m circles, jump about 90cm. Just not sure what exercise to do with the horse( arabian,sweet nature ) to tecah him to be responsive and that kind of thing.

The time it takes for a horse to develop and finish growing depends on their breeding. What breed is this horse? What discipline are you riding? What riding level are you riding at?? Give us a little more information and you’ll get the best, most educated responses!!

— Ok, with what you’ve told us about your riding abilities, you’re still fairly novice. This isn’t an insult, just how I gauge my students’ riding levels!!

With that in mind, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a successful partnership with the horse. But since you’re both still learning, you just have to be a little more cautious.

For example, an experienced rider (one who perhaps can ride at the Olympic level) or professional trainer will KNOW when the horse is feeling off balance or unsure about something– they’ll then be able to adjust their seat/position to accomodate the horse.

When you’re still figuring out how to balance yourself or still mastering the basics, that becomes a little more difficult to do without throwing the horse off balance.

Now, if you can do these things and we’ve misinterpreted your abilities, then I’m sorry. Let’s assume that’s the case.

Does the horse know how to lunge at all 3 gaits safely? Running around on the fore-hand doesn’t count– does the hrose balance himself? If this is the case, you could start to introduce a rider while on the lunge line. This will definately help the horse learn to balance and develop muscle which is what a 3 year old needs!!

When the horse can do the lunge line at all 3 gaits balanced and carrying a rider, you can move him into basic flat work.

Since he is still green broke, you need to work on directions, start, stop, listening to the leg and the seat, and basic manners.

Do the first month or so of just walk, work. Remind him that when you pull (gently backwards towards your hip– with a green horse, a slight open rein is also acceptable) on the rein, you expect him to move that direction, etc.

ANYTIME the horse does something you ask and they do it well– or they even make an ATTEMPT to do it well, you NEED to give them constant praise of “good boy!” and pats and scratches.

This is especially important with green horses!! They are just like young children and need to be told repeatedly when they’re doing something right so they remember it and do it that way next time.

So if you can get the horse to complete a GOOD figure-8 on the ground at the walk- after maybe 2 and a half weeks of riding 3 times a week, then that is GREAT. Move on to another activity — but don’t forget that activity. Make it part of his ‘warm up’ or ‘cool down’ OR even part of the new activity so he is confident about osmething he KNOWS.

Maybe now that he’s got steering down, you should work on ’start and stop’ a little more. If he’s green, he should have a good idea, but this needs to be refined. Now he needs to learn that he can do mroe than one thing at a time. So do your figure eight and ask him to stop in the middle. Reward him. Then continue on. reward him when he moves off your nice gentle leg pressure (don’t forget clucking or words are good for greenies, too!) Next time, ask him again at the same place.
Now the 3rd or 4th (etc) time you do this, he might start to think “Oh, we’re getting to that spot… I’m going to stop!” and anticipate the movement. That’s bad. Anticipation is a bad habit. If you feel him start to back off as he approaches that spot and you’re not ASKING for it, then keep him moving forward at the walk… and ask in a differnet spot this time.

What your’e doing is teaching him start and stop. But you’re ALSO – and more importantly- teaching him to listen to you, not to anticipate a movement.

Put him on a 20 m. circle, make sure he can do all these things going both directions at walk.

A good 20 m. circle is a ’safe’ place where most horses can balance and be successful. So now is the time to introduce him to a little bit of trot.

So, again, start your day with the figure eight of steering, the figure 8 of start/stop, then maybe put him on a circle, do your start/stop activity…then ask him to move forward more. Not RUSH at the walk– but ask him to trot! (this is usually practiced with a ground person the first few times or on the lunge with a rider) When he does trot, reward him, talk to him, lots of praise. Let him find a nice rythm which should take a one lap around the circle or so…then ask him to walk. PRAISE HIM. If he’s good, then maybe give him a little rest, go back to soemthing that he knows (like the figure eight, etc) and then ask him to trot again. This time it should take a little less leg pressure or voice command to get the same responce. Again, one circle around, then walk. Cool him out.

Believe it or not, these activities are HARD for a new horse. Remember Kindergarten? You know how to walk, right, but that doesn’t mean you’re a super-star at soccer! This horse knows how to walk and carry someone, but he’s still got to MASTER the rules of the game, like stearing, start/stop, etc.

Getting to the point where he can do all this can take anywhere from 3- 6 weeks or more depending on the horse, his training, your riding, how often you ride/train, etc. So give this some time.

When you are past this point, I would not introduce canter just yet. Let him build up MUCH more confidence before you ask him for that. Its hard for horses to balance at canter and he’s still figuring things out. So let that be on the lunge only for a while.

When he can do ALL of the above activities in his sleep, practically, introduce something new. No jumping just yet, but every 5th ride or so, you can put a trot-pole on the ground. Lunge him over it. It will just remind him to pick up his feet. AND it makes him focus on what’s going on!! If he’s a super-star at it, doesn’t even blink, then walk him over it. If he’s great there, trot him over it– but be careful because it is hard for him to balance all his 4 feet AND you so he may bolt, buck, or pop out from the pole if you are on him. Be careful.

Basic horse ‘excersises’ that you’re asking for can be done on the lunge line until the horse is older and more experienced. Yes, give him some more time to build his back muscles on the lunge before you canter him in saddle. Its just safer that way.

Your ‘exersises’ for him are really about strengthening his mind at this point. You need to build his confidence by taking things VERY slow while you’re on him.

Even if you think he’s beyond these activities, I still do them with my 16 yr old gelding to get him to THINK. THey are GOOD activities for all horses as they engage the mind and body safely.

Go slow, work at this horse’s pace, etc. Make sure he is thinking! make sure he is well balanced. And take you’re time! He’s only 3!! He’s got years to become a super-star. Give him time to get the basics 100% before we work on the hard stuff.

Dont’ forget to continue your own riding lessons. You need to perfect YOUR riding before you will be a good trainer for this boy. Professional trainers STILL take lessons. Olympic riders STILL take lessons. No one is too old or too good for lessons and it can only help you!!

PS: if you are a hunter/jumper rider, you are more likely to ride in a forward seat. This makes your weight heavy on the horse’s front end and this could throw him off balance. When working with greenies, try to stay a little more ‘back’ with your upper body (shoulder) position and keep your back flat instead of arched or rounded – it is safer for you and better on their joints while they are still learning.
If you are a dressage rider, you will not have this problem.

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Clinton Anderson’s Downunder Horsemanship: Establishing Respect and Control for English and Western Riders $15.76 Clinton Anderson’s training techniques can achieve amazing results with almost any horse. Now you can learn the program that teaches “everyday people” how to better communicate with their mounts….

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Beginner Horse Training Basics

Horse Training – Basics of Groundwork

Learning groundwork basics is essential in horse training. Here are some guidelines.

Next to effectively communicating with the horse, groundwork is the second most important thing that you should understand. Effective equine communication and groundwork go together because you improve your bond with the equine with constant groundwork. Through groundwork, the basics of natural horsemanship and the details of your equine’s personality are further discovered.

Always start groundwork with an open and positive mindset. This doesn’t only apply to the horseman but to the equine as well. Training with a bad mood is detrimental to your advancement. Secondly, keep in mind that it’s your horse’s job to have fun—and yours as well. Be playful but don’t forget that it is also work for you.

The Round Pen – What is it?

The round pen is not just some area where you unthinkingly lunge your horse in circles. You get the more crucial tasks done in that place such as establishing dominance and authority. Respect is established in the round pen. Sensitizing and desensitizing are done in the round pen. It is the perfect prospect for the horseperson to introduce things that may be new to the equine.

Movement is the main thing that you would want to teach your equine. You can only achieve this with patience because even with great communication skills—if something is new to animal—the equine will not get it the first time. The principle to use is “Repetition”. Communication should be clear and you should master the use of pressure to make the equine do what you want. You and your equine should memorize things by heart until they become natural and effortless.

Tips in doing ground work.

• Once in the pen, make sure that the animal is comfortable before you start training. When you feel the horse is at ease and ready for anything, immediately establish yourself as the dominant one. Get yourself and your equine into position with the necessary tools nearby—within arm’s reach.
• Although auditory directives are not yet necessary, feel free to talk to your equine if that makes the animal feel more at ease.
• It is more about being aware of your body language and movements. Be consistent.
• Master the use of pressure. Make the equine circle in both directions. Realize that the equine moves away from pressure.
• Once you and your horse are in sync, you can change directions by blocking your equine with your arm closest to its nose.
• The whole activity is also some kind of a power struggle and this where you establish your dominance further. There will be instances that the equine will test you by finding ways of escape from the pressure you impose. Remember to be patient, firm, but fair. Reward your equine by softening the pressure when it does the right thing.

Over time, your equine will realize that following your directions is the best for him. It will respect your instructions and trust you that you only want the best for the both of you. Always be keen with your horse’s body language and adjust appropriately.

About the Author

If you want to learn more about horse ground training, visit EasyHorseTraining.com. The site offers useful resources and horse training videos that you and your equine will love!

questions about martingales, and draw reigns?

I train western pleasure on my 7 year old mare. She is very good most of the time, and I hardly use any training tools, but every once in awhile I will when I ride her in a D-ring snaffle.

draw reins don’t control speed, they are to lower or collect the horses head/neck set in, and to teach them a frame

martingales are for when a horse tosses his head up & to keep him from taking off if he evades the bit/throws his head up. i don’t use a martingale cause if used in correctly (like most people do) it becomes a vice to keep the head down.

she gets behind the bit in draw reins cause you are mostlikely not supporting her with your legs/seat. you need to pull her back up with your legs & support her & ride her forward with your seat to get her on the bit. if you are having troubles w/ training aids, go back to the basics w/o them and work on the horses impulsion & head/frame in a snaffle

EDIT- draw reins are only used when ridden, NEVER on the ground, thats dangerous.

jenny- draw reins are supposed to be connected to the saddle (girth) and the bit, coming over the horses head, and back towards the saddle for the rider to hold. they are dangerous to use on the ground because you can’t help the horse frame up w/ your seat/legs. if used while the rider is on the ground, the horse could pull his/her head straight up & seriously injure himself/herself

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Rainbow’s Lunchbox Meet! Part 7 – Drops of Jupiter & Black Horse and A Cherry Tree

By Chance, A Lasting Encounter

                                                 By Chance, A Lasting Weekend Encounter.

                                                                Dave F. Ryan  © 2009

      Saturday dawned with such innocent charm it belied the viciousness of the thunderstorm that attacked the large country town some two hours drive from the city, which I was returning to after a few days away on business.  The company I am part owner of had supplied a major component to a rural client and as our field technician was on leave, I took the opportunity to do the work and get away from the office.  Before returning home, I had planed to stop at the town which was my birth place, to have both a rest and an early dinner. The storm had been showing its anger from early afternoon with the formation of large pure white cauliflower like clouds banding together to form an impressive wall of white beauty in the sky to the south.  By the time I returned to my car that had changed, the skies where now dark, the air still and calm.  In the distance the rumblings of thunder hinted that both car and self had better seek protective cover out of the way of the fury that was about to be lashed down onto the town, least there be damage to both may beyond human control.  Well why not; I hadn’t slept in the town for some thirty-two years and this situation was a very good excuse for me to do so.

      My search for a place to stay the night ended at the first motel I came to.  No sooner had I got out of the car in the garage and the first heavy drops of hail began to fall.  The entire yard seemed to light up as if by a camera flash on delay followed by a very loud clash like a whip cracking with a sharp snapping sound added to it, filling the air.  I ran into the room closing the door and felt scared.  Another blinding flash of light in harmony with an extremely loud shrilling snap followed by the faint smell of something burning.  I dived onto the bed out of fright and hoped that the lightening would go elsewhere to charged the earth with its anger and leave me alone.  Strom had no intention of taking my plea into account and ragged on for almost an hour before dying with age. Sleep in its claming way came and hid me from the reality of the night.

The next morning reviled many trees had come down and in one part of the town, two homes where left roofless.  What had the town’s people done to upset the wind and clouds for them to launch such an attack I wondered on getting into the car having paid for the room?  With the sky above a deep blue as if in an offering of a beautiful day to apologize for the storms behavior, I pondered on the idea of spending a few hours here to check out some of my old haunts.  I was seventeen year old when my parents left town and moved to the city because of the line of work my dad was in.  The opportunity offered was a platter inviting me to stay and look the place over. I hadn’t been back since leaving though I often thought about the people I knew on a personal and social level.  The school reunion committee had invited me to attend their event back in 1983.  I didn’t go for some now obscured reason and I have regretted my failing.  Though now here I was with a boyish need to explore and an excitement welling up inside of me.

I phoned my wife to tell her I’d be home a bit later than expected.  She seemed to understand and told me to enjoy myself.  Turning off the phone, a vision of the forty-five year old woman in Sydney spending a day alone with her three children without me came to mind.  I was free and going to enjoy myself.  But where to start, I had grown up in this town coming here in the way most babies tend to come, back in 1954.  Jari, my sister of course, came first, though I did beat my brother whom for some odd reason, never seemed to have much time for me, naturally we clashed a lot. I don’t think we hated each other; we were so different in how we saw life. Jari, who is two years older, was like a mother, a sister and a brother rolled into one.  She had the ability to gel and mend the fights between her two younger brothers and also ease the disputes with mother on our behalf.  Though I did get married before they did and yes we are still with our selected partners; we are still very distant.  

The town was a play ground for me with old coal mine and disserted factories to dream in. I’d get hold of a torch and go down the abandon mines much to the discomfort of my mother who said I would go down them one day and never come out again and added, she’d miss not having to cook for me.  That hit home more than telling me not to go down the holes in the ground like a lost rabbit.  Jari though shared my adventure and went down a couple of the man made caves that extracted wealth from the earth.  She would ask me a lot of questions and once commented that she felt sorry for the people who had worked in the darkness.  I had walked to the site and was surprised to see not the old workings, but a housing estate with new modern homes and parks with swings and things.  Not what I had ever envisioned as a growing child full of static insight.  I took a couple of photos and moved on towards the house I grew up in which was still there; very different to how I last remembered it.  Moving to another house that was of interest was where Libby lived with her parents and two younger brothers. Libby was a lovely young fifteen-year-old girl in 1970, who I knew in a very special way and believed that she was my girlfriend until I discovered I was not the only guy visiting her by the bedroom window in the late night hours.  Looking at the house I wondered what ever became of her and if her parents knew of their daughter’s love life would come through her bed room window?  A young child came out onto the verandah and greeted me, the mother quickly followed and gave me a filthy look as she ushered her child back inside.  Well maybe not, I thought and walked away.

In total some five homes held a level of importance to me in town.  I would stop and take a photo, ponder on what became of the girlfriends who once resided within the walls and decide not to go and see if the parents were still there to learn of what became of their daughters.  I needed time to think of what to say and not having my wife here with me, made me feel out of place. Though there was one hose that was very special to me and it was that house in which I now stood in front of from across the street.  See this house is the main reason I wanted to stop in the town alone and check out my past, for it was this hose that a major change came into my life and a time that helped me to understand myself and what I was about.  Thirty-two years ago I knew the young couple who lived within, I used to work there of a Saturday cleaning the yard and doing chores for the woman while her husband was at work.  He worked on the railways and was often out of town as part of a train crew.  The job came about after my mother saw an ad on the notice board at the local Super mart and gave me the phone number.  I think she was trying to get me out of the mines and somewhere safe, as well as earning some pocket money from someone else’s pocket.  I phoned the number which was answered by woman, I told her who I was and wished that my mum would go away so I could talk without her listening in.  The woman told me what she wanted done about her house so she could get on with her own work.  She wanted to see me first and a time was set aside the following after noon after school.  That night I wondered if I should go or give it a miss, would other guys be there and would it be another inspection of the town’s best looking youth for some ageing woman to dot over.

The house was old yet there was freshness about it.  The lawn was well kept, the few shrubs and flowers growing near the veranda, looked like they were happy being there, which was something my grand mother had taught me.  She would say that you can tell the people in a house by the quality of the garden.  I knocked on the door and waited expecting an old dear to open it and feel someone was interested in her.  The door opened and there stood one very beautiful young woman dressed in jeans, a lose top and nothing on her feet.  Thoughts flashed through my mind like a stampede as I saw myself taking her to the movies and dinner.

“Hi I’m Shane; I’m here to see Mrs. Semit about the job.” I said trying to hide my feelings for her.  She invited me in and led the way through the back of the house where we sat down on a bench seat in the shade of the veranda.

“Actually Shane I am Mrs. Semit, you’ll be working for me if you like the job.”  She told me crossing one leg over the other and settling into a comfortable position.  The thought of asking her out on a date died in midstream.  I knew in an instant I liked her and secretly wished she had been born after me.  Her excellent face made it easy for me to keep good eye contact.

“Now tell me a bit about yourself?”  She asked in a relaxed voice as if she did this every day.

“I’m in my second last year at school and feel I will do well in the end exams.”  I began and went on to explain some details about my hobbies and interest, the friends I had.  All the time I was talking she had been gazing at me intently, watching my movements as if I was a suspect in some major criminal investigation.  I finished by asking her what did she want me to do. 

“Well Shane the job here.”  She said getting to her feet “is mainly to keep the yard and house tidy, and sometimes help me in the house.”  I followed her to a small garden shed where a few tools, a hose and the lawn mower were kept.  I was told about the routine with cutting the lawns and general expectations that she expected of me as we moved to the front of the house.  I asked about her husband, what he did. He worked on the railways as a train crew and was away a lot of the time with shift work.  Inside the house, she asked if I wanted something to drink, well seeing as she’s a married woman, I’ll have tea and dream that I’m her hubby for a while.  I was by now feeling far more relaxed in her company and more adventurous in talking to her, like asking what she did for a living.  She turned and smiled at then said she thought I already knew. I shrugged my shoulders and felt an absolute idiot for being so basic.  I quickly corrected that by telling her.  I had no idea what she did.  Placing a cup on the table in front of me and offered the choice of cake or biscuits, I took the cake.  She told me she was a Child Psychologist who dealt with abused children during the week.  I had no idea how a child could be abused and that was what clicked the conversation into gear.  I asked questions and questions about her work, how she got into that field. I was surprised to learn she had been to University.  I was shown her degree that hung on the wall in her interview room, a room that I wasn’t to worry about cleaning.  Eventually it was time to leave; I had the job and was to start Saturday at 8 am.  That was about the only hard part; usually I didn’t greet the day till well into the midmorning hours

One’s mum is an excellent back up to any failed alarm clock and on my first day, I made sure I arrived before 8 am.  My first choir was to bring in the garbage bins and clean them and tidy up the yard, which didn’t really need a lot of work done to it. The windows were next, that was a different matter, and I hated removing the cobwebs more than flicking away the terrified spiders.  Her dog came over to me getting my attention and a pat.  I liked the animal and gave her the name of Flopsy because she had longs ears that flopped down over her head.  When I told Mrs. Semit of the name when she came over to me about midday saying I should clean up and come inside for some lunch, also liked the name. But as she had chosen Sweetness as the name, that it would remain, though I would tease her and call her dog Flopsy.  We had lunch in the kitchen and that was when she told me to call her Lyre. I liked that name and had no problem being on a first name basic with her. Lunch was excellent, simple and relaxed, not rushed like at home with fights and disputes and a younger brother wanting the jam pot just as I was about to get it.  What peace.

These lunchtime brakes enlightened me in many ways by slowly improved my ability to talk to women including my mother.  Jari was a real gem of a girl who was more than a sister; she was a friend, a mother and a big sister all rolled into one slender package that had managed to attract a guy in town for the past two years.  She noticed the change in me. In time came trust between us and we could talk to each other about everything and anything.  But apart from that, Lyre and I talked about life, the earth and about the people living on it.  It was in the garden where she taught me to talk to the plants.  I thought it odd at first as if the plants could understand me.  Well they did grow and were very healthy plants. Sometimes Lyre and I would sit in the garden, close our eyes and focus on the plants and listen.  Slowly I began to see they were an important part of all earth’s life.  See, Lyre was very much into Earth Medicine.  When she talked to me about this, I was fascinated at what she had to say about the early peoples and earth life forms that once lived here.  They came in their time for a mument then left without really being noticed or missed, yet they being helped to form the energy now for all that is here now.   She naturally gave me a couple of exercises to do which I found, brought about a change in how I saw people and things about me.  I saw Jari in a far deeper way than as a good friend and sister, she was a special form of being who was herself and no one else.

The weekends came and left to reside in history allowing me to meet Lyre’s husband on a couple of occasions when he wasn’t away at his work.  He didn’t seem to mind me being alone with his wife and surprisingly there wasn’t much for me to do when he was home.  Lyre got me to take a photo of her and Devon sitting on the bench seat, she also took the first of several of me.  On wet days with little or no work done outside, I would help her clean the house, folding the ironing and even doing the vacuum cleaning while she did other things about the house or looking at her photo albums and sharing the story’s of the paper trapped images.  She was a gem of a young girl when she was my age.  Now she was a superb gem of a young woman.  There were times when making the bed she would through a sheet over me and we’d tumble playfully onto the bed with much laughter and excitement.  She was stronger than I expected her to be and it was not hard for her to have me in positions were I was unable to get off the bed.  She would throw both arms into the air and shout girl power wins again.  I’d tickle her feet and she would fall on me in a heap and say something like we had work to do and normality would return.  She had by then got into the habit of touching me, like when I got there, she would give me a hug saying my mother must be a very happy woman having me as her son or she hates my girlfriend for being the lucky girl in town to have reeled me into her life.  I was flattered by that and feeling far more relaxed, I opened up more to her than I could to my own mother.  Besides my sister, I found that talking to Lyre was just as easy and eventually, I improved in relating to both of them freely.  One afternoon when being driven home, she asked if I was doing anything special the next day.  Most Sundays were spent with my girlfriend and as she was out of town with her parents for the funeral of her aunt, I had nothing important happening.  She suggested spending a day with her.

I met Lyre at 8:00 near the library as arranged.  I got into the car and looked at her splendid thighs, she had tight fitting shorts and a lose top that revealed more of her than I had seen before. We drove towards some old water storage weirs that were a short distance out of town and very secluded by bush and therefore, not known about by many town’s folk.  To get there meant turning off the main road and going alone a dirt track for a few minutes to the first of the two weirs.  The second weir was by far the best one to go to with its many rock formations and small caves by the water’s edge.  There we laid out a rug on the ground and set up the picnic things.  At first our conversation was about the earth at being a part of and listening to the sounds that were around us.  She taught me how to develop the ability to see myself from within.

The morning hours aged with time and with them the topic of my girlfriend came up as natural as if I was asked the time of day. . I was not ashamed when she asked if I enjoyed screwing her.  I replied by saying it was part of being together, seemed to satisfy Lyre. 

“What’s your fascination with my legs?”  She asked knowing that I’d been looking at them.

“They’re an excellent means of support.” I said feeling just a bit put off having being caught out.

“What these logs?”  She replied moving them apart and running her hand along her thighs. “Devon thinks they are tree trunks, but I like them.” 

“I do too Lyre.”  I said.  Her legs were not over sized, they were well proportioned to her body and Devon was joking to her about them or he liked women with thin legs

“It must be nice to have three means of support.”  I said making her look at me in an odd way.

“Having a top job, a top guy and those two excellent legs to get about on.”  I said.  She lent over to kiss my cheek and whisper in my ear that I could look at them anytime I wanted.  I reached out and ran my fingers along her shin up to her knee.

“I said you could look at them Shane.”  That caused me to totally withdraw feeling shot down about doing anything else to her.  Maybe she was just a tease, I thought and went quiet.

“It’s been a while since someone did that to me. You have a nice touch.”  She said putting her foot on my lap. I sat there looking at her legs thinking a thousand thoughts.  Reaching over, she took hold of my hand and placed it on her knee than laid back on the rug.

“You can touch them.”  She said with a smile and closing her eyes, left me to get on with stimulating her sense.  Slowly at first I guided my fingers along her shins from the ankles to her knee in a light tickling motion, and then ventured further touching her thighs. I stopped short of going any further than the hemline.  After a while I stopped and took hold of a tuff of grass and slowly dragged it over her stomach, the muscles quivered with delighted torment.  From there I moved to her face, which I tickled in slow circular motions that gave her the most pleasure yet.  She sighed slowly saying it felt nice and soothing.

A few minutes later she parted her legs slowly then reached up and grabbed me with both hands rolling me onto my back then sat her self on top of me, thrust her arms into the air above her head and claimed another victory for girl power.

“I’m going for a swim.” She said getting to her feet before I could tickle her.

“I don’t have any cozies.”  I pleaded.

“Hey I don’t either!”  Came her excited reply as she began removing her clothing in front of me as if it was something done every day then ran towards the water.  I quickly followed her lead removing my clothing then stood beside her at the waters edge.  My emotional focus was very obvious, though she appeared not to take any notice of that.  I looked at the excellent form of her body.  Not the first time I had seen a woman completely nude.  Apart from my girlfriend, there were times I spied my sister changing in her bedroom or having a shower.  Though one night I was busted big time.  Jari told mum she was going to have a shower and went to the bathroom while I went to my bedroom and climb out of the window.  What I didn’t know was mum was in on it with my sister and when I got to the window to have a look; mum opened it fully and asked me to come in and have a good look.  I was more or less dragged in and Jari gave a full on pose, as did my mum who said with that much frontal exposure, I shouldn’t need to perve through the window anymore.  The truth came out that Jari saw someone looking at her and told mum who was waiting out side when my sister had her shower and saw me.  She told Jari who it was and left it to Jari to deal with me and that was how she dealt with it.  She warned me that if I did it again, she’d tell dad.  Amazing is that line.  Tell dad, can put so much fear into a child.  Seeing Lyre though was so different, it was natural and someone outside of family.

Lyre slipped into the water sinking up to her neck and as I hadn’t stepped into the water; she thrashed her arms wildly splashing me.  I dived in and swam towards her.  As I got near to her, she swam away, a wry grin on her face.  We played catch me if you can for about a quarter of an hour until I dived under and grabbed her feet.  Not being able to take hold of her moving feet, I surfaced in front of her thinking I might steal a kiss.  She gave out a shriek and turned to swim away, then a few of strokes later rolled onto her back and floated motionless faking she had drowned.  Treading water I looked at her natural form.  Being this close to her, she looked even more beautiful and tantalizing.  Jari had remarked that Lyre was a voluptuous young woman.

“A good life guard you are.”  She sighed opening an eyelid to look at me.  With that said I took hold of her arms and swam to the shore,  lifted her out of the water and placing her on the rug.

Knelling beside her I fed my eyes on the naked form before me.

“Well don’t just, look. I need mouth to mouth.”  She said.  I needed no further prompting; my lips graced hers in a meaningful and long kiss.  She seemed to be totally absorbed in being the center of my attention and totally engulfed in the pampering showered on her now having over come my earlier inhabitations.

“Are you this slow with your girlfriend?”  She asked in a soft voice as she moved her legs over mine presenting an obvious position that she wanted me to take.  Lyre was the first real woman I had shared with in a private way.  Being with her as I was enabled me to act out my fantasies. Those girls who were my age at the time and who shared their pleasure with me were of course, nice.   In comparison, Lyre was the magic a teenage boy dreams of.

“Hey I hate your girlfriend!”  She said pushing me onto my back.

“Why.”  I asked wondering what she was getting at.

“Because if she’s getting from you what I just got, she’s one very lucky young woman.”

Wanting to know what married women really got up to, I asked many questions about her sex life and got as many answers.  One question that brought the topic to a close what when I asked her about the very first experience in her life.  She was then a fifteen year old and for her it was a very enjoyable time, sadly the guy left life the next day on his way home from school when he was hit by a bus when he ran across a busy road on his bike.  He’d have been twenty-seven now

I felt embarrassed at that news.  I hadn’t expected anything like that to come out.  My first experience in compassion, was a lame affair, Neither of us had much idea what to really do.

“What would your girlfriend do to you if she knew about this?”  She asked in a parental way.

“The same thing your husband would do.”  I replied thinking it the best reply to say.

“Oh well in that case, you don’t tell your girlfriend I won’t tell your mum.”  She informed me.

Not wanting to go back into the water, we made out way around the shoreline of the weir where I took the opportunity to give her a piggyback.  My girlfriend was sexually playful, but no where near as much as Lyre was with me.  Very educational and informative to what is expected.

Over the next few weeks we would often shear our feelings with each other.  For me those events were muments of learning about what a woman expects and likes.  She taught me how to feel for a woman, to adjust my thinking towards her rather than myself.  I was surprised on that first day to learn a woman could have more than one orgasm.  Even my own girlfriend began to suspect something, though she didn’t get too much into it and accepted my tale that I had an excellent text book.  Maybe the pleasure between us had become more satisfying for her.

Not all our time together was of a sexual nature; there were times when we simply shared

each others company like the times she taught me a few basic piano lessons and excited my musical

interest into leaning to play to a higher standard.  Tuesday she would have free to herself and during the school holidays, she would take me on trips with her to neighboring towns. Those times were spent shopping and lunching at restaurants.  Being in her company on those outings, I felt important at being part of her life.  Other times we would go for a drive into the bush far enough away from the town so as not to be seen, leave our clothes in the car and let our body’s connect to the natural forms of life about us.  On one of her days off with Devon in the city for a three day course, we went for a drive along an old abandon rail line as far as we could go in the car; she let me drive her car some of the distance.  The first time I’d driven somewhere special, what a thrill that was for me.  We walked the short distance to a tunnel, which we went through.  Yes we were in our natural form as usual, but on that day we were seen be two girls of Lyre’s age who had been camping in the area. As we came out of the tunnel, there they were, getting some water at the spring.  We looked at them and as they showed no sign of being embarrassed by our intrusion.  Lyre apologized for our exposure. They smiled and one girl asked if this was the natural way to be in the Australian bush.  Anyway, both girls also stripped off saying it felt much better.  We were invited to have lunch with them at their campsite and we accepted.  Lyre and the girls got on as if they had known each other for years.  Though here on a six month holiday from Portugal and were slowly making their way to Sydney by car for a few weeks before returning home.  The conversations between them and Lyre were varied, I listened more to how they could discuss so many topics as if talking to each other was something very special to them.  The hours of course passed and it was time to leave, Lyre asked if they needed anything, they would love a lift into town where their car was.  They had walked into the bush a week ago to explore a subject related to their work. They were Geologist and part of their University studies covered Shale Oil extraction.  They knew of the old work site and had followed the discarded rail line to the once vibrant town in the middle of nowhere   It was no trouble for Lyre to give them a lift back to their Motel. I had of course, felt a bit left out of their conversation and brought this up with Lyre as we sat in the car.  She explained that women see the importance of communication as being an important personal value – years later I knew what she meant when I was at University.

As with my sister, Lyre also shared my sense of adventure in exploring the local coalmines.

This all came about during a lunchtime discussion when I asked her if she had been underground.

The experience had not crossed her path, so a time was set for the next day.  The mine I took her too was not all that far out of town.  Leaving the car off the side of the road, we made our way along the private road to the mine site nestled in among the trees.  She was as keen as mustard and asked me lots of questions about what each building was for and what the equipment did.  She fell in love with the three pit ponies enjoying their weekend rest.  With the top side tour over it came time to go below and with touches on I led her by the hand into the earths opening walking slowly over the uneven surface.  She asked more questions about the smell and why it was warm and where the breeze was coming from and why were the post so thin,  I told her the reason was thin prop post splinter and make and make a creaking noise if the roof starts to weigh down on the post.  For a mument I thought she was about to give up going any further.  About half an hour later we arrived at one of the coalfaces.  She was hungry for knowledge of every little detail about this darkened place of work. I showed her the equipment and explained how it worked and what it did.

That was the first time she had seen explosives, there were several sticks of Gelignite in a waxed papered box hidden under an upturned skip. Finding a bundle of detonators, I used the torch to fire one off.  The nose gave her a fright so from there I took her to the crib room, which was something else. Turning on the lights, I was shocked to see someone had left their lunch on the table and alarm bells in me rang loud as my heart almost stopped.  Was someone else down here doing weekend work?  I hadn’t seen any cars topside so I asked Lyre to be very quiet while I listened for any sounds.  None could be heard but the ring of silence and the old drop of seeping water.  She poked my arm and suggested I use some of my inner ability to see if anyone else was done here.  I focused but could not detect any other energy.  Inspecting the food, it was a bit stale.  Someone didn’t hang about for crib time. Lyre had found the usual supply of girl magazines and opened a centerfold spread for me to see.   I think she wanted to see my reaction, I told her she was far better than any of those paper dreams.  She laughed at that remark.  For the first time I was able to look at a pin up magazine with a woman and ask her questions about the images on the pictures.  That was the day I learned how to tell by her nipples, if a woman had been pregnant.  I found out that she also liked looking at other women’s bodies.  I looked at her in a strange way for a mument wondering were she was taking the topic.  I was too bashful to ask in case she wanted to know if I’d played with any of the mates I had.  I had and didn’t want my mum to know of the experiment.

“Hey I don’t mean it that way, sometimes I which I looked different to what I am.”  She said as she stroked the tip of my nose with her finger.  From there I put my arm around her and a while later, another first had been added to our list of experiences.

We walked out of the mine carrying our clothes and made our way over to the stable were we fed the pit ponies before I managed to convince her to sit on one of the horses back.  I led the animal about the yard for a while as she laughed with joy at doing things she always wanted to do The ponies were happy for the social integration with the two-legged forms.  That was when she noticed a car parked further up near the office and lamp room.  I looked at her trying to read her face.  Maybe we had been a muments live performance to some silent viewing mine inspector who never thought that was part of the job description. In reality, the alarms bells rang very loud then.

“Do you think what I think?”  I asked trying not to sound concerned.

“Maybe he got more than any magazine page could ever give him.”  She replied as slid off the pony and hurried over to a more secluded area were we quickly dressed then left without checking to see if anyone was actually there.  Lyre now had a better understanding of where that black mineral comes from and how it is obtained, so next time when she puts some coal on the fire, its origin won’t be such a mystery to her.

I was allowed to drive her car again and this time, I took her to the lookout where we sat on a rock holding onto each other.  Our favorite position was for her to lean against something solid allowing me to lie between her legs on my back with my head against pelvis.  That way we could stroke each other at the same time while we talked about my future, like what I wanted to do and how well I could talk to my mother about these topics.  I couldn’t really talk that much without mum letting her familiarity cross over into the conversation and my immaturity as a child to the parent being the big obstacle to doing what comes natural to a mum.  Lyre was a big help in how to go beyond the school gate towards independence and the future that awaits all who leave school.

I had spoken to my sister on a few occasions about the same topic, but with her being only a couple of years older, it wasn’t with the same level of experience that I had with Lyre.  Mum of course was never as open and informative either, or was it parent child familiarity again that held me back from being as freely open thinking that mum would never know anything Lyre and talked about.

One of the best outings with her was to the lake a short distance from town by the old rail viaduct, a location off the main road and again, a location not all that well known by many people.  There we had lunch and a photo session, the first snaps she took of me nude.  She always had her camera with her and often took photos of me. The usual adventure with each other naturally happened and then after lunch, I took her for a walk along a dirt road that once was the main rail line to a tunnel were we entered by forcing open a corrugated metal door.  It was used as a mushroom farm and of course, we helped ourselves to several mushrooms.  We returned to the lake for another hour before setting of home.  The other outing that was special to me was a trip to Sydney.  This meant I had to ask my mum if I could go for the weekend.  Mum listened to my request then gave me a strange look as she handed me a tea towel.

“Go; just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do unless you can do it better.”  She cautioned me

“What sort of things wouldn’t you do?”  I asked wondering if she might know about something.

“Never you mind.”  She replied with a faint smile handing me a wet plate.

“Can I come?”  My sister asked with an expectant look on her face.

“No!” I exclaimed not wanting my mum to know I really wanted Jari to come. 

“You should see if your sister could go along.”  Mum suggested.

“I already have one woman with me.”  I replied.

“But two would be twice the fun.”  Jari said asserting her desire to come.  Lyre was dying to meet her again and as usual, I let them think they had won a victory over me.  My sister came and as always, she was fun to be with, even more so with another woman for her to talk to.  Lyre took us to see her best friend Sam.  Jari and Sam clicked as if they knew each other all of their lives, but Jari was that type of personality that made people feel important.  I also liked Sam; she was about the same age as Lyre and a mum of a seven month old boy.  When babies and women mix, there is a special kind of magic among them.  Well it brings out the thing they have about new life and of course, that let me see a side of my sister I hadn’t thought of.  Holding the woman’s natural handy work felt odd yet normal.  When Marissa gave birth to our own bubs, there was an even brighter level of magic; they were born because I was there to help them get started.  Lyre and Sam caught up on the latest gossip leaving Jari and me to look about the neighborhood, though we were told not to go too far and given Sam’s phone number.  That night though, we were taken into town for dinner and a movie, followed by a long walk back to the car.  Sam and Jari talked while Lyre and I strolled along behind them. I wanted to hold hand with her and would have if my sister weren’t there.   All too quickly the weekend ended, yet for Jari and me, it was a exceptional time.  What an experience, no parents fussing over us, freedom and trying to blend in as if we lived there like everyone else.  Total freedom.

Sadly this relationship came to and end.  Devon was leaving for work with an overnight stay in the next town; he was expected to return the following afternoon.  I got on with my work as usual and when I’d finished, Lyre and I where sharing the pleasure of each other in the hallway when Devon unexpectedly walked in saying something about a train derailment and no work, so he came home.  I lost my emotional focus and looked at Lyre for help.  I was too shocked to hear what she said to me.  Anyway, he saw us and came over to stand beside us asking Lyre if she was okay, she was.  He then placed his foot on my backside telling me not to make a habit of this then told Lyre he was going into town and with that, left us to get on with it.  Naturally I was flawed by the unexpected suddenness of being caught.

I got dressed as a million thoughts flashed through my mind.  The biggest fear was that my mum would find out.  Lyre was helping me to get dressed and reassuring me that it was fine and not to worry about it, she would sort it out with him.  I held her nude body in my arms and kissed her lips before falling to my knees for the last time.  I continued to work there and felt accepted by Devon who never mentioned anything about the event.  Lyre though thought it best we ease up a bit, which was fine with me.  The shock of being caught was a bit too much to endure a second time.  A few weeks later, I had left town and this story of the house behind.  Dad had been given a transfer to the city with his work; something he and mum wanted, so the three offspring had to follow them.

I never saw Lyre again nor did I make any contact with her, but she had never been forgotten.

Now as I stood in the street looking at the house, I felt the same level of shock again and that stopped me from going to the door.  Maybe the past is best left unfinished in the future. 

“Hey do you want something.”  A gruff sounding voice was yelled in my direction.  I looked up to see a guy standing at the front door looking at me.

“No.”  I replied, “I used to live in this town several years ago and new the people who lived here.”

That made gruff voice walk over to me, which was not what I really wanted happening

“Hi I’m Dane.” He said holding out his hand to me.  Bit of a change of mood I thought.

“I’m Shane.”  I replied wanting to know more while also wanting to get away.

“Did you live in this place?”  He asked as if he didn’t believe me.

“No, I worked for the couple who did for a few weeks.”  I said, “Lyre and her husband Devon.”

“They moved out a while ago.”  He advised me.  A young woman appeared at the door and asked Dane if everything was okay.  He told her I was Shane.  That revelation brought the young woman out of the house to join us.  A young woman in her early thirties and about at tall as Lyre was, who lived in an excellent body that was well looked after and her hair, well that would make any shampoo add executive empty his pockets for the chance to grace the many television screens and shampoo bottles in the country.  Dane told her about my time working for Lyre.  She looked at me in a strange way for a moment before introducing herself. I felt very much at ease with her.

“I’m Shaya and Dane is my husband.”  She began, “so tell me, what did you do here?

She listed intently as I told her the basic outline of how I got the job and ending with leaving town.

Satisfied with that, she looked at Dane then asked me if I wanted to see the place again and have a coffee.  I had hoped for this and accepted her offer.  I followed as she led the way to the house along the side passageway that gave access to the rear yard area.

“I take it you are a hair dresser.”  I ventured a guess.

“No.” She said without turning around, “why do you ask.”  

“You have absolutely top quality hair.”  I replied wishing I’d said something more intelligent.

“Thank you.”  She replied opening the gate that had been placed there.  Dane said he would make the coffee leaving me with his wife.  The yard itself though had changed little, the shrubs I had planted were now grown trees, I mentioned this and Shaya smiled at me.  The shed that once housed the garden tools and lawn mower was still there, pained a different colour.  A few gnomes had taken up residence and a birdbath too was in the middle of the yard.  I mentioned to her about the aviary not being there.  It was removed a long time ago and now naturally free birds come and went as they pleased.  With the yard tour over, she led the way to the veranda and sat down on a bench that had been fixed to the cement flooring of the veranda, it was comfortable.

“Tell me Shaya, why did Lyre move away?”  I asked feeling some concern.

“She’s still here; she and Devon have a flat in town.” She said then went on; “we bought the house not long after we were married, so that’s eight years ago now.”

Dane joined us with the coffee and handing me a cup, asked if I remembered Sham, the cat.

I looked at him for a moment puzzled by his question.

“She had a dog named Sweetness, not a cat.”  I said adding the name I used.  Shaya looked at Dane and took a sip of her coffee then drew her knees up to her chin putting her arms around her legs and looked at me with an enigmatic smile.  “She told me you took her down a mine once.”

“Oh you know about that adventure.”  I said surprised that she would know something personal.

“Lyre and I are good friends.”  She replied taking another sip of her coffee.

“I guess you know about the swimming then.”  I offered trying to gauge just what she really knew.

She gave me a broad smile raising her eyebrows and told me she and Dane go there a lot in the summer time.  I was surprised to learn that the weir was still there.  Everything else I knew of so it seemed had gone to make way for houses, but yes it is a popular family spot now.

“You should go and see her before you leave.”  Dane suggested.

“Lyre I think would enjoy meeting up with you again.”  Shaya added with a go and see her, look.

“I take it you have her address because I would like to see her again.”  I replied in a happy voice.

Dane said he would get it and got up to go inside, Shaya suggested he phone her and say we’re coming over.  With that said she got up kissed her hubby then told me to follow her.

More walking I thought as we left the house, wrong.  Lyre, I was told lived a few minutes drive on the other side of town in a new block of flats.

 She drove me, which gave her the perfect opportunity to give me a short tour of the town.

I expected a dose of a million questions, but no.  I was taken past the school where she has been teaching the fifth year students for some nine years in the room below that which I attended in part during my schooling.  She stopped the car, which gave me an opening to tell her some more of the youthful stories from those days now long past.

“Nothing has changed then.”  She said.  Her students still do the same sort of things thinking it is all very new and untried let alone known about by their teachers.  She of course loves the age group and teaching in general.  The conditions are a bit dated, yet holidays are an added bonus.

“What dose Dane do?”  I asked finding it a bit strange as how relaxed Shaya appeared to be with me, an almost total stranger alone with her, yet she was talking to me as if I was an old friend she’d not seen in years.  I enjoyed the atmosphere she imparted onto me.  Turning left off Main Street we drove along a section that used to be known as the old part of the town, well it used to be. Modern homes had settled on the blocks of land the old terrace houses once knew.  They have gone, taking with them their tales of the towns earlier times.  She stopped the car

“My sister lives in there; I think she might have gone out.”  She told me.

“This has all changed so much since I live here.”  I said telling her about the place I once knew how it used to be.  She gave me a quick smile before cutting across town on a road that in my time, was a closed off paddock. The changes to the place were many which I had not known about or even considered ever happening.  But that is progress and like the people living here, it has changed with age too.  I told her of what I could remember of the place, pointing out where a mate once lived and mentioning the name of people who lived in that house, the corner shop that was removed because it stopped people seeing around the corner when they drove along the through road in town only to come to a accidental stop with another car or a coal truck.  Much had changed I thought as the car came to a stop again at a newly built block of unit that was once the site of an old factory.

The door opened reveling the same woman I knew yes, but not as the vibrant twenty six year old.  She still had those unique features and self-confidence.  Time in unfolding the years, had been very kind in ageing her gracefully.  Shaya moved forward to give Lyre a hug and kiss which I thought a bit odd, but then they are both women who see life in a more important and meaningful way.  Lyre looked at me for a moment with a faint smile on her face.

“It’s been a very long time Shane.”  She said motioning us both to enter her flat.  Once inside, Shaya sat down in an easy chair next to the piano.

“You still have the old piano!  I exclaimed surprised that it had not been sold long ago.

“Play something.” Shaya said moving to the edge of her chair with an expectant look on her face.

Lyre opened the lid and pulled the stool out for me.  I sat down and began to play the very first piece she had taught me which brought a delighted sound from Shaya; I looked at her and smile.

“Lyre made it possible for me to take that first tune further.”  I said and began playing a Bach prelude.  Lyre sat down and listened as I played to the conclusion of the piece.

 ”You play very well indeed Shane.”  She remarked when I had finished.  I gave her a pleasing smile and then played another piece.

“I haven’t heard that before.”  Shaya said when I had finished.

“Its title is, To People Who Have Gardens.”  Lyre said adding she hadn’t heard it in years.

“I found it in an old second hand shop one day.”  I replied asking if she would like a copy of it.

Both Lyre and Shaya clapped in unison as I closed the piano.  I thanked her for having opened the door for me to learn to play.  My parents hadn’t even thought of music as an outlet for either my sister or brother.  As I swung around on the stool, I noticed the poster of world horses I gave her.

“I had forgotten about the horses!”  I exclaimed getting up to have a closer look and find fault with my schoolboy attempts of frame making.

“And why not, it was special to me.”  She replied in her usual commanding voice.  Shaya drew my attention to a framed photo on the television.  It was one that she took of me with Devon.  I picked up the frame and studied the image of a youthful time long ago frozen onto paper.  

How is Devon?”  I asked wishing I had said it differently.

“He’s fine, out again as usual.”  She replied then turned the topic back onto me by asking what I had been doing in all those years.  I told her, explaining why I left town in a hurry.

“I wondered why you up and left town.”  She remarked with that typical grin on victory on her face.

“Another claim for girl power.”  I said and was surprised to hear Shaya make an excited sound.

“Would you like something to drink Shane?”  She asked as she got up to go to the kitchen.

“I’d love one thank you Lyre.”  I answered remembering that first time I shared a coffee with her.

“Are you staying Shaya?”  She asked the young woman.

“I wouldn’t attend my own funeral if it meant missing out having a coffee with you.”  Shaya said going into one of the rooms, which caught my attention, but then, she did buy Lyre’s house, so they must have some connection. 

“Sit anywhere.”  Lyre said as she pointed to the table.  I sat down and looked out of the window at the view and remarked about the old factory that used to be here and the mine over on the far hill that hasn’t a hint of what it once looked like. 

“Milk and one sugar.”  She asked as if it had been yesterday since she last made me a cup.

There was a knock at the door and Shaya yelled out that she would get it.  Lyre smiled at me in a strange way as she asked if I still remembered any of my teaching.  I had and told her that even my own three children are very much aware of being a part of the earth as an extension to it rather than an existence living on it.  I added they were Rainbow’s which caused a raised eye brow from her.

“You should let your inner focus run wild.”  She said placing the coffee cup and a teacake on the table.  Before I could answer, Shaya entered the kitchen in company with another young women.

“Shane, this is my sister, Teraya.”  I stood up out of politeness and looked at the young woman.

“That is a very pleasant sounding name.”  I said hoping she would hear it as a complement.

“Thank you, though don’t you think Shaya also sounds unique.”  She pointed out as she sat at the table across from me.  By this time Lyre and completed her task and sat down next to Teraya which meant that Shaya sat next to me.  I couldn’t focus well with so much feminine power about me

“I brought a few photo albums out for you to look at.”   Shaya said placing them onto the table; she opened the first album to revile some photos of Lyre and the house.  Turning the page there was a print of me pushing the lawn mower over the back lawn, a few where of Lyre and me on some of our weekend outings.  Those first two albums in compassion to the next were general in contents.

I was able to add the history lesson to the times she had never known.  Next she opened a white album and showed me a picture of Devon and Lyre holding a baby in her arms.

“That must have been you.”  I said studying the images on the photo.

“Yes, I was only three days old when that was taken.”  I looked at the print with more interest.

“Okay then, I take it from these photos Lyre and Devon are your parents.”  I said wondering why they had been so secretive to me.  Lyre looked at me as if from a distance.

“He must be a very proud dad.” I said to Lyre who raised her eyes brows and looked at Shaya.

“You could say something like that.”  She said in a soft voice giving me another smile as she directed my attention back to the album to a photo of Devon holding her like any dad would do.

There was a family outing for both Shaya’s and Teraya’s fifteenth birthday taken by the lake.

It had changed a bit since my last visit there.  Teraya turned over the page and told me that the next few pages were taken at her sisters twenty-first birthday party. There were several of her with friends and people I had no idea of knowing.  However, when I saw one of Shaya next to Lyre I noticed then that Devon hadn’t been present in any of those photos.

“It must have been hard for your dad not being there.”  I said closing the album.

“There was very little chance for her to know him.”  Lyre said as she reached across the table to hold my hand.  They were looking at me expectantly for what seemed an endless time.

“I think that went over him.”  Shaya said to no one in particular sounding somewhat resigning.

“My sister has never really known her dad Shane.”  Said Teraya as she gave a comforting smiled to her sister.  I looked at the woman for a moment and began to think of some possibilities

“You were adopted then.”  I remarked hazarding a guess as to her coming to life.

“Not in the true sense of the word.”  She said sitting back and folded her arms.

“I am correct then at saying Lyre is your mother.”  I ventured wondering where I was going.

“You got that right and my sister’s as well.”  Shaya said as she gave me an enigmatic smile.

“Okay then do I know your dad?” I asked starting to feel at a loss to the game.

“You do indeed know him Shane.”  Said Lyre with a smile of achievement on her face.

“You’re my dad Shane.”  Shaya said looking me straight in the eyes, her voice clear, the remark hitting me like a screaming siren that opened a million emotions at once as a deep sense of empathy for her filled me at not being there as she grew up knowing I was somewhere and wondering what I looked like or if I even knew she existed let alone cared about her.  The children that I helped Marissa have were important to me.  Shaya was equally important to me, if not more so.

“You are here because of what Lyre and I got up to?”  I asked shaking off the shock.

“That’s the usual way us women become pregnant.”  Lyre said, her face showing no expression.

“Oh you darling, how hard it must have been for you.”  I said placing my arm around Shaya’s shoulders.  She placed her head against my arm and cried with relief that I had not been offended or upset. Teraya got up and also put her arms around her sister and kissing my cheek, thanked me.

“Devon did a very good job of raising you both.”  I said in an effort to comfort her.

“He did an excellent job in raising her.”  Lyre corrected me in a proud and motherly way.

I felt the time was right to show them the photo of my family from my wallet.  The three women showed a lot of interest in the children, asking questions about what they were likes, their hobbies and interest, schooling.  Teraya held it for a while studying the image, then said.

“It’s true then, the mother makes the child look the way she does. I look nothing like your daughter or anything like my sister.”  It was true; Shaya didn’t resemble any of the features of the three I fathered through Marissa, yet I was the same father to both forms of life.  Teraya’s features were so much different to her older sister.  I placed the photo back into my wallet.

“Would you like to have lunch with us Shane?”  Lyre asked, her eyes silently asking me to say yes.

“I would love to share a meal with you all.”  I answered.  Shaya gave my arm a gentle squeeze.

Both Lyre and Teraya got up from the table.  Shaya took my hand and suggested we go out into the courtyard, as there were a million questions she wanted to ask me.  Lyre smiled a smile of thankfulness as our daughter led me out of the kitchen.  She led me out of the unit to a common area at the rear of the units were we had a degree of privacy.

“Thank you for to day dad.”  She said stopping to face me.  I took her in my arms again and held her warm firm body close to mine.  She felt nothing like my own children, she was different.

“I am happy you had the strength to come through this far without knowing me.  I replied.

“Mum often told me that when I hold my dad, I would no longer feel the emptiness inside.”

“Has it gone from you now?”  I asked looking deep into her eyes.

“Yes, the moment I knew you are my father.”  She replied and pulled herself towards me.

I kissed her head and explained that I too felt something inside me that I’d never felt before.

I added that a dad makes part of the child who on birth, needs that energy to help it grown in towards the future years.  Meeting that dad connects the missing cycle filling in the hollowness.

We sat next to each other on a beach seat in the center of the yard and talked of the gap in our lives.  About Lyre and if I ever thought I might have left her pregnant.  The possibility of Lyre ever becoming pregnant was never considered, relating socially to her friendship squashed any idea of that happening, besides that topic was never been discussed in any depth.  She was keen to hear about my time at university as she also spent her study years there and we both had the same lecture.  How I met Marrissa captivated her and that gave birth to the question, was I going to tell my wife?  I had no problem there; we have a very open and honest attitude with each other.

I suggested she come to the city and meet my wife and family.  The idea intrigued her, but she would feel a lot better when assured my wife could handle knowing about her.  Teraya came to ask if I would like to have lunch here or out by the lake.  This event started at the lake, so why not go full circle.  Shaya smiled at me; clearly she was happy that I had come into her life.  Lyre would go with Teraya while Shaya would take me there in her car.

“We should be ready in an hour.”  Teraya said.  Shaya glanced at me and lent forward a bit.

“I’d like to show you off to my best friend!”  She exclaimed in a happy voice, I agreed.

We followed Teraya to the kitchen where Lyre was making sandwiches.  She looked at Teraya.

“The lake.”  She told her mother who smiled at me in her usual victorious way.

“I’m taking dad over to meet Karen.” She told her mother and motioned me to the door.

“Okay.”  Lyre replied kissing her daughter,  “I’ll see you at the lake then.”

In the car I was told about Karen, her best friend who she met some sixteen years ago when she was child minding the then ten-year-old girl.  Her mother being a police officer would have night shift ever three weeks and as her father worked afternoon shift every second week, Shaya got the job of minding the young girl along with her eight-year-old brother.  Over time, a very special friendship developed between them that has stood the test of time.  Karen is now a twenty-five year old woman.  Sadly though, she is blind.

Shaya and I went along the side passageway to the back patio where Karen was sitting with a cold drink in her hand.  On hearing us she got up and greeted Shaya with the usual hug of friendship then looked in my direction waiting for the introduction.  Karen stood open mouthed when told who I was.  She glared at me for a moment and hugged Shaya again expressing her joy that I had come into her life.  Invited to sit down, she said that her mother was on the phone.  Karen looked at me from behind a full smiled face.

“Shaya has said to me a million times that her wish was to know you.”  Karen said booming with true happiness for her friend’s fate.

“It almost didn’t happen.”  I replied and explained the reason.

“Storms do have their good points then.”  She remarked.

“Well hello Shaya.”  A voice from behind me said sending a slight chill through me.

“Hello Mrs. Gale.”  Shaya said getting up and turning to face the woman.

“I have someone I’d like you to meet.”  She said directing my attention to Mrs. Gale.

“This is Shane, he’s my real dad.”  She said as I got to my feet and faced the woman.

“Well you wasted no time then I see.”  She said, a faint smile on her unforgettable face.

Mrs. Gale and I looked at each other for a moment.  It seemed as if it was only yesterday that

I had last seen her.

“Hello Jenny?”  I said.

“Hi Slanky.”  She greeted me with the name she gave me because I was a tall yet short.

“Does that mean you two know each other?”  Shaya asked shocked that I should know her best friends mother.

“Indeed it does.”  Jenny replied in a jovial voice, “I was his first.”

“Oh hell!  Karen exclaimed looking at me, “you knew my mother too?”  

“A long time before your were born.”  I shot back at her in a friendly tone.

“You must have been some broom to sweep them off their feet.”  She remarked looking at me.

“Love was relatively free and sex was proof we were no longer children.”  Jenny informed them.

“Those were enjoyable times to grown up in.”  I added.  For me the late Sixties and early Seventies were a time of feeling I had broken free of the parental hold yet, I could return to if I felt the real world that would be my future, got too difficult, then I could return to the parental hold.

Jenny sat down next to me and was keen to learn of the missing years from my point of view, as I was to know about her.  I verbally filled in the gaps in our lives since closing the school gate for the last time.  She of course had wondered why I just up and left town.  Anyway, she finished high school and left for the city where she joined the police force and met a guy who she reeled in to be her husband in nineteen seventy-four.  Three years latter on returning for her dad’s funeral.  Her family liked the town and soon after she was transferred and here she’s been ever since.

I mentioned I’d been to her old house earlier and learned her mother still lives there.

We talked about the people I we knew when at school, most had gone their separate ways and are married with families.  There was a school reunion some time ago that I knew noting about and so missed the opportunity to catch up on the past.  Jenny asked if I remembered Kevin Omni.

“We were friends for a while, why?”  I asked wondering what she would say about him.  

“No one knows what happened to him.”  She said.

“Did something happen to him?”  I asked surprised his name should have come up.

“He won a lottery one day and vanished the next leaving his family behind.”  She explained.

“What no trace, just up and left?”  Jenny shook her head in comfermation.

“She must have been well off then.”  I said which put an annoyed expression on her face.

“No the prize went unclaimed; his wife didn’t have the ticket so no one got the money.”  She said, her voice hinting at the puzzlement of it all. “His wife and family gave up hope and left town.”

“Was his wife your sister?” I asked thinking there might be some connection.

“No relation at all.” She replied then added, “it’s been a mystery ever since.”

“That type of loss would be very hard for any woman.”  I concluded feeling a bit uncomfortable.

There was the usual moment of silence that gave Shaya an opportunity to change the subject.

“You guys got anything planed?”  She asked in a, want to come with us, voice.

“Nothing important.”  Jenny replied.  “Why?”

“Devon’s at bowls and I’m taking dad to the lake for lunch with mum and Teraya.”

“Do you want to take Karen with you” Jenny asked, her voice hinting at the pleasure she felt.

“That’s why I came here for.”  She said in a voice reflecting the value she felt for her friend.

We made our way to the car and helping Karen to sit in the front seat, I turned to face Jenny who shared a hug with me.  It had been a long time and we made the most of it.  She like Lyre was still the same woman.  Seeing her again had added a touch more meaning for being in town as so we exchanged phone numbers and addresses promising to keep in touch.

“We better go or mum will think we’re got lost somewhere.”  Shaya suggested touching my arm..    

Sitting in the back seat, I fed my eyes on the passing views of what was once my territorial playground for youthful adventure.  Not all that much had changed; several new homes had been built in what once was farm land and the road of course, carried more traffic now that it was connected to another part of town which I guess is also populated.  The lake road is sealed now and signed posted.  The lake itself is now a major attraction, with far more people now knowing about it than I could ever have imagined thirty years ago. The council erected shelters and other amenities. There were some rowboats on the water along with the few swimmers.  Shaya parked the car in what used to be the site of a large derelict building that was once a pump house.  Several nights my friend and I slept in there dreaming we were major discoverers of the future, well we were both fourteen then.   The building is now used for administration and a café by the lake owners.   

Lyre and Teraya were only a

About the Author

lunch box %?

Jan has 4 kids. Joey, Britt, Candle, and Harry. Each morning Jan puts something special in their lunch box. On this morning she was following a specific request from John, the husband. John had given Jan 4 specific items to give each kid. Joey was into baseball, so dad had picked out a pack of baseball cards for him. Britt was into horses, so dad had picked out a small ceramic pony for her. Candle was a big hockey fan, so he had a puck for her. Harry was a big fan of Twisted Sister, so he had a music CD for him. Jan had many things on her mind on the morning of the mistake. She gave each of the kids their lunch boxes, and after they had left she second guessed who got what. She did give one gift to each kid. What are the chances that exactly 3 of the kids got the correct gift? In %.

zero chances if she had switched a box then definetly the other one is also false therefore she would have given correctly to all the four or atleast two of them and three has no room at all.

HORSEBACK RIDING – LEARN (DVD MOVIE) $9.95 Platform:  DVD MOVIE Publisher:  SELECTMEDIA Packaging:  DVD STYLE BOX Learn how to ride from a skilled instructor!  Whether you already own a horse or are just thinking of taking up horseback riding you can benefit from the experience of expert trainer and instructor Leonie Baker as she shows you the fundamentals of English riding and horse care. …

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About the Author

This author writes about How To Train A Young Horse and Steps To Training A Horse

Where can i get horse riding lessons in Spokane Wa PLZ HORSES ARE MY DREAM?

i ride my friends horse but the horse hasn’t had all of her training.(going to be trained in about 1 week) i need to learn how to not be so scared, so build confidants. i know a lot about how to feed/ care for them. I ALSO WANT TO KNOW MAYBE SOME OTHER WESTERN WAYS OF CARING FOR A HORSE. plz and thank you.

Do a search for “horseback riding lessons in Spokane WA” and you’ll get plenty of hits. Talk to a few of them and find one that makes you comfortable. Explain that you are a beginner. They’ll also teach you about grooming, caring for tack, etc.

Here are a few that came up. I don’t know anything about them, but it’s a place to start.

http://theranchon195.com/

http://www.goldennuggetranch.com/

http://www.shadypineranch.com/

http://www.newhorse.com/page/ridinglessons/b.511.g.46.html

http://www.horseandtravel.com/riding_lessons/washington.html

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Horse Heaven Jane Smiley

Horse Heaven

Jane Smiley

In ‘Horse Heaven’ the universe of horse racing is woven into a marvellous tapestry of joy and love, chicanery, folly, greed and reckless courage. Spanning two years on the circuit, from Kentucky and California to New York and Paris, Jane Smiley’s wonderful novel puts us among trainers and track brats, horse-obsessed girls, nervy jockeys, billionaire breeders and restless track wives.
“The world of horse-racing has never been portrayed to such spellbinding effect.”
That quote from the ‘Tatler’ review illustrates the depth and breadth of this fascinating novel and explains why it is regarded as one of the great horse books of all time.
A rich tapestry of human and animal characters, ‘Booklist’ described it as “a symphonic celebration of the byzantine world of thoroughbred horse racing, an electrifying and at times melodramatic tale of two years on the thoroughbred racing circuit with a wealth of intimate knowledge about horse breeding, training and racing, not to mention sensuous description and supple human and equine psychology.”
In following the racing careers of five thoroughbreds, the novel encompasses all the thrills, heartaches and excitement of horse racing at the highest level. The horses are the stars but are supported by a myriad of fascinating human characters: owners, trainers, stud farm managers, jockeys, vets, grooms and gamblers. There are as many intriguing stories in this work as there are in a rich human life and are woven together brilliantly in a breathtakingly sustained piece of writing. Readers are kept exhilarated right up to the finishing line.
‘The Financial Times’ concluding its review says: “You will never regret having read this book and you will, even if you care nothing for horses, begin to understand why those who live by and for them, do so.”
A fitting tribute to a literary masterpiece.

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The Author

Jane Smiley was born in Los Angeles, California, moved to the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, as an infant, and lived there through grammar school and high school (The John Burroughs School). After getting her BA at Vessar College in 1971, she travelled in Europe for a year, working on an archeological dig and sightseeing, and then returned to Iowa for graduate school at the University of Iowa.
Having received her MFA and PhD, she went to work in 1981 at Iowa State University, where she taught until 1996.
Jane has written eleven works of fiction, including ‘The Age of Grief’, ‘The Greenlanders’, ‘Ordinary Love and Good Will’, ‘A Thousand Acres’, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1992, ‘Moo’, ‘Good Earth’, ‘Ten Days in the Hills’, and ‘Horse Heaven.’
She also wrote essays for ‘Vogue’, ‘The New Yorker’, ‘Practical Horseman’, ‘Harpers’, ‘The New York Times Magazine’, Victoria’, ‘Mirabella’, ‘Allure’, ‘The Nation’ and many others.
She has written on politics, farming, horse training, child-rearing, literature, impulse buying, getting dressed, Barbie, marriage and other topics. She is also the author of four books of nonfiction, including ‘A Year at the Races’, ‘Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Novel’, and from Penguin Lives Series, a biography of Charles Dickens.
Jane was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2001. In December, 2006 she received the Pen USA Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature. Her latest novel, ‘Private Life’ was published by Random House in May 2010.

She has two daughters and one son, and lives in Northern California.

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About the Author

Paddy Cummins. Irish author. Books. Novels. ‘Spare Ride’ ‘Green Lodge’ ‘The Crying Sea’ Website: www.equineglory.com Racing and Equestrian News. Free Daily Tipping. Online Sports Betting. Live Links. Trainers. Jockeys. Racecourses. Stud Farms. Horse Sales. Tack Shops. Book Reviews. Articles. Blogs.

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Learning the Japanese Language

“IMPOSSIBLE,” you say? Not necessarily. Why, if you think about it you may already know some words in Japanese, such as kimono and sake (rice wine)! Did you know that if you say the English pronoun “I,” it sounds as if you are saying “love” in Japanese (ai)? Or that if you say “cow” in English, the same pronunciation means “to buy” in Japanese (kau)?

Some claim that a person can learn Japanese overnight merely by poring over a ‘How-to-Learn’ book. Though it is not quite that easy, one can quickly master enough Japanese to have an enjoyable time visiting Japan as a tourist.

From Where?

Even more complicated than the Japanese language itself are various ideas regarding its origin. Two decades ago, Leptcha, a language spoken in a valley of the Himalaya mountains, was found to be closely related to Japanese. Others claim that Japanese bears greater affinity to Korean than to any other language.

What is the relationship between Japanese and Chinese? Due to the use of Chinese ideographic script, which we call “Kanji,” Japanese is often thought to have close connections with Chinese. But the differences are considerable. Chinese is a “monosyllabic” language, containing words of only one syllable. Japanese, however, is “polysyllabic,” having numerous words of two or more syllables. In Chinese, word meaning is conveyed by pitch and word order, while in Japanese the meaning is conveyed by the words themselves and by the word endings.

Nearly 2,500 years ago, the Japanese language had, basically, the same grammar as that used today. But by the end of the ninth and tenth centuries, changes began taking place. This made it necessary to know one set of words for reading and another set for speaking. The result was that until the end of World War II, one had to know 3,000 to 5,000 Chinese characters and two sets of syllabaries of 50 characters each in order to read any weighty material.

Since 1945, however, the essential Kanji have been somewhat simplified and reduced to a little less than 2,000. The language also has adopted many English words. Nowadays, besides these Kanji characters, schoolchildren are taught two sets of romanization. This requires hours of work at memorizing as well as writing practice until, by the end of grammar school, children have learned 881 Kanji, and, by the end of high school, 1,850. Reading college textbooks, however, requires knowledge of about 3,000 Kanji.

Let’s Say Something in Japanese

Perhaps you are anxious to test your ability at speaking Japanese. The pronunciation is easy enough, as there are, basically, only 50 different sounds possible. What presents the biggest problem is grammar. But for now, we’ll stick to simpler matters.

To begin with, there are five vowel sounds, all pronounced as in Italian: A as in far, I as e in me, E as in nest, O as in old, U as in push, when the U is a short vowel; when long, the U is as oo in soon. It is very important to learn the short and the long vowel sounds. A rather frequent mistake made by missionaries is confusing so shi ki (organization) with sM shi ki (funeral). Not a few audiences have been shocked at hearing about God’s great heavenly funeral, rather than God’s great heavenly organization. Another easy mistake is that of calling a young girl shM jM (orangutan) rather than shM jo (young girl). Clearly, both the learner of Japanese and the listener are benefited by having a sense of humor.

Often the same vowel, or phonetic sound, is used consecutively, as in a ta ma (head), ko ko ro (heart), or to ko ro (place). Sometimes a phonetic sound is lost through contraction when saying certain words. For instance, when pronouncing kM fu ku (happy), one drops the middle u and slurs the f and k together. This results in the pronunciation kM f’ku. Practice saying it several times and you will see how easily the Japanese rolls off your tongue! Another basic word is the pronoun “I,” which in Japanese is wa ta ku shi. It is pronounced correctly wa ta k’shi, with the loss of a u and the slurring of the k into the shi sound. In recent years “I” has been still further abbreviated to become wa ta shi.

Consonants can be tricky too. For example, the single-consonant “k” in the word kM ka gives us “school song,” while the double consonant in the word kok ka makes it “national anthem.”

Are there any rules as to which syllable should receive accent? Authorities differ, but some agree that it is better not to accent any syllable than to accent the wrong one. For example, the city of Numazu is pronounced nu ma zu, with equal emphasis on each syllable.

Especially since the seventeenth century, Japanese has borrowed many words from European languages. For instance, the Portuguese word “pao” (bread) becomes pan in Japanese. The Dutch “blik” (tin) is bu ri ki. “Butter” in English becomes ba ta. Another English word, “strike,” expands to five syllables, with two different meanings. It is su to ra i ku in baseball jargon, but when some want better pay or working conditions, the word becomes su to ra i ki.

Other Things of Interest

One must realize that Japanese word order differs from that in most other languages. On a visit to Japan, you might say in English: “I would like to visit Mount Fuji.” In Japanese you would say, “Watak’shi wa Fuji San o hMmon shitai desu.” The literal word order is: “I Fuji Mount visit want.” In Japanese the verb always comes at the end of the sentence. As noted above, verb endings are also most important. To know whether an expression is in the present or the past tense, or whether it is a positive or negative response to a previous question or statement, one must listen to the very last syllable of a sentence.

An unusual feature of the Japanese language is its system of honorifics or keigo. All conversations must take into consideration three things: the speaker, the one spoken to and the person spoken about. Besides these, the speaker must consider the respective positions, ages, belongings, families, friends and social groups embraced by the conversation. These factors affect-to name just a few-vocabulary, suffixes, prefixes and verb endings used in conversation. The pronoun “you,” for example, is represented by many different Japanese words, according to the status of the person addressed. The polite way is often to use the person’s name instead, or to omit the “you” altogether. One making one’s residence in Japan should be determined to learn the various forms of address. The visitor on a temporary basis, however, will be forgiven blunders of this type. The Japanese, as a whole, are delighted to hear people make the effort to speak their difficult tongue.

Let’s Read Kanji

Even though you may not know the correct pronunciation of a Kanji character, you often can know its meaning. Do not be afraid of what may appear at first sight to be “chicken scratches” all up and down a page. Although opinions vary, there is a fairly easy way to learn to read Kanji. This system of writing has, basically, 300 “building blocks.” By combinations of these, all the thousands of Kanji are formed. Shall we try a few?

The character for ka wa (river) comes from the flowing river [Artwork-River Drawing] and looks like this [Artwork-River Drawing]. Now, if you squeeze that river [Artwork-River Drawing], what do you have but the character for water [Artwork-Japanese Characters], mi zu?

A traveler in Japan will find it helpful to know the characters for “entrance” and “exit” that are in train stations and other public places. First take a mouth [Artwork-Mouth Drawing], form it into [Artwork-Japanese Characters] and pronounce it ku chi. Now picture a small river running into a large river [Artwork-River Drawing], square it up [Artwork-Japanese Characters], and you have hai ru or iru, meaning “to enter.” Put the two together [Artwork-Japanese Characters], smooth out the pronunciation, and you have the word for entrance, i ri gu chi, or, literally, ‘enter mouth.’ To leave the station, you must know another character. So think of a flower growing out of the ground [Artwork-Flower Drawing]. Shape it up a bit [Artwork-Japanese Characters], and you have the character for de ru (to leave). Put [Artwork-Japanese Characters] with [Artwork-Japanese Characters] and you have [Artwork-Japanese Characters], meaning ‘coming out mouth,’ or exit, pronounced de guchi. That wasn’t nearly as hard as you expected, was it?

Many of the characters tell a story, as does the man [Artwork-Man Drawing] [Artwork-Japanese Characters], standing by a tree [Artwork-Tree Drawing], which becomes [Artwork-Japanese Characters]. The two together [Artwork-Japanese Characters] constitute the Kanji for vacation, pronounced ya su mi. How about a man leaning on a shovel [Artwork-Man Drawing], next to his horse [Artwork-Horse Drawing]? Put them together and you have e ki, or station [Artwork-Japanese Characters], as in “Tokyo Eki,” where you can catch the bullet train.

There are many, many more to learn, and while requiring effort, it is a thoroughly fascinating and entertaining study. Over the years the writing of Kanji is being progressively simplified. As the older and younger generations differ in their way of writing Kanji, often a letter received from a grandmother or grandfather will have to be read and “translated” by someone living nearby who is in the same age group as the writer of the letter.

Some Reasons for Learning Japanese

There are many reasons that may prompt persons to learn Japanese. With some individuals, it may be simply a hobby that helps to broaden their views of people from a different culture and environment. Others will want to learn Japanese for business reasons. Tourists will enjoy their visit to Japan all the more if they know some basic Japanese. But to gain a real working knowledge of Japanese, one would have to live in this country for some years.

If you wish to learn Japanese, you can visit our site learn japanese. Our word of advice is: “Ganbatte kudasai!,” that is, “Stick to it!”

About the Author

hi i m nick from dehradun…

Colleges for horse trainers?

I live in MI and I want to be a horse trainer when I get older. I would like to go to college somewhere in MI or not too far away. Is there any colleges in MI for horse training? Or don’t you have to go to college?
Well I would like to train horses. I would like to train horses for english. I want to go to college to be certified to train horses. And then train horses on my own farm, then ride them and such.

i don’t know any in MI but in connecticut post university has a great equine management/training program.