I lived in a big city at the time, so owning a horse was never an option, but Point Defiance Park (Tacoma, WA) had stables where one could rent a horse for a few hours for an affordable price. My babysitting money was usually enough, and I was a regular customer for a while, from about age 11 to 14. You could practice one-foot jumps in the corral or ride on a trail, and the horses were as gentle as lambs. Insurance and lawyers got wind of this at some point (no doubt there were injuries) and the stables were eventually closed for 'insurance reasons'. To my knowledge, stables like this no longer exist.
So, today I am celebrating a simpler time when pony rides were more than a spin around the ring at the local fair, which I often see at county fairs and carnivals today. How about you? Ever have a door to door salesman come to your door with a pony and offer to take your picture? Were you as crazy about horses (and ponies) as I was?On a smaller level (because I should be done by now!), I finished a chapter last week. My frustration level with the novel I am trying to finish could comprise an entire post, but I won't bore with the details. Just happy to have made some progress.
Hope you have had a good week. Enjoy your weekend!
Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl
I have a similar photo from about 1993 of my youngest daughter. The guy wasn't going door to door but he was set up in the parking lot of our local supermarket. When I was a kid I recall a guy who would come around about once a year with a small four horse merry-go-round on the back of a truck. Those were simpler times indeed.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
Thanks for commenting, Arlee. I suspect a lot of us relate. Things are so different now.
ReplyDeleteYay that you finished another chapter. I wouldn't be bored to read about your struggles. I'm sure that they're not alien to other writers.
ReplyDeleteWe never had anyone come around with a pony. Very unique idea. Cute picture. I never had the chance to ride a horse as a kid. I hadn't realized you went through a horse crazy phase.
Thanks, Cathy, for the encouragement. I am sure you are right, but I am resisting sounding too negative. I hope it's just an ugly phase. Interesting about horses, isn't it? It seems every girl I knew was crazy about horses, except for maybe my mother, who had been chased by one as a kid and had a deathly fear.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. :) I don't remember ever having the experience of a door2door salesman. Glad yours turned out great. And yes, the usual pony rides are those going in circles, which was my experience with horses as a child, so I never developed a great love for them, other than that they are gorgeous, powerful creatures.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by my blog! Writer’s Mark
Hi Nancy. I'm glad you stopped by. Enjoyed your blog today!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory! I wish the salesmen would come by with something that original. Although we do have an ice cream truck which drives down the street still (does that count?)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you're frustrated. Usually, I just ignore that part of the book for a while or simply go to a different project for a few days. Sometimes stepping back a bit helps more than plugging away. Good luck!
Oh, I forgot about the ice cream truck. We have one in our neighborhood too. They are wonderful and I'm such an ice cream fan. Thanks for the book frustration advice. I need all I can get!
DeleteThat is a great memory and you have the picture and the love for horses that it created in you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful "small thing" to celebrate!
As far as the novel goes, it will come. When I am having trouble with a particular part of a book I just write what is in my head (usually it is horrible first draft) but getting it out of the way allows me to see what it should really look like.
Good luck, Shelly
Thanks, Shelly. I love memories like these. The novel really is up and down, and so hard to write at times. Really want to get it right this time.
DeleteI love to reminiscent on the simpler times in my life. Congrats on completing a chapter last week, that's a start to the finish.
ReplyDeleteThanks. If only life in general could be so simple. The novel really does feel like a race. I'm a tortoise, but I can see the finish line now.
DeleteWhat a cute picture. And congrats on the chapter completion!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Viklit, for stopping by my blog!
DeleteYou are so cute. That is so cool that you had such a wonderful opportunity.
ReplyDeleteAw....gee, thanks. It was fun to look back.
DeleteI sometimes long for those simple days of childhood too...except I wouldn't want to give up my computer.
ReplyDeleteMe, too:) Although the computer can be a pain in the *!#*%* when it acts up. Last week's virus attack was no fun! Made me yearn for simpler times.
DeleteI loved horses as a child and was lucky to grow up in a seaside town where riding stables were everywhere. I even had a friend who's mother owned a stable which was great. My sister and I used to muck out stables for free rides too which was good. I went on from that to work at a film farm with horses among other animals and then later worked at a stables where we taught children with disabilities to ride. I don't get to do much with horses these days as my back injury means I cannot ride, but I will always have fond memories of the days I spent on horseback and watching little kids beam as they got to learn to do something, that many of them never thought they would.
ReplyDeleteWhat an marvelous story, Joss. I am sorry your back injury changed all that. I have always known about the healing power of animals. I could tell you about a cat I had once. I have heard about horse ranches that help children with disabilities. You are so fortunate to have been a part of that. Thanks for for stopping by. Nice to meet your:)
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of door to salesmen or horses, but let me congratulate you on making some progress with your novel.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
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