Necessary Mutilation

Weight: 192.3 lbs.

Yesterday was a sparkingly clear and beautiful summer day, and a wonderful experience all around. After a morning of garage sales and some packing for our trip, we headed out to my supervisors house as planned. We took Rose with us, and she too enjoyed a fine time in nature, eating and socializing.

My favorite thing was after walking the trails to a huge pond, we walked along the edges of it, and saw hundreds of tadpoles, frogs of every size and color, a snapping turtle, and something that looked and swam rather like a little eel. I think Rose called it a loach…which is a creature I have never heard of before, but might just have nightmares about as it slithered so eelishly and was rather gross. But cool!

We also took in the beauty of MaryEllen’s hundred plus acres,  petted and fed the horses, said “hi” to the goats, played with a feral barn cat who was super friendly, listened to her cocks crowing, and saw hummingbirds in her amazingly huge trumpet plant. And petted a bazillion dogs that either she or her friends and company owned and saw fit to bring for the occassion. There were so many breeds represented that I joked that this could be an AKC event instead.

Oh, and we ate. A lot, unfortunately. With probably a hundred guests and everyone bringing a dish to pass, there was every food item known to man there, and I felt compelled to taste at least a bite of most of it! From burgers and dogs to beans and potatoes to fruits and salads to unusual dishes to desserts. Including these darling cupcakes made up to look like little horses.

I know that I ate way too much and chose not to set limits on either what I chose, or how much I fit in. Fortunately my stomach set some limits for me, but not as well as it could have or I should have. But god, it was a real treat to eat in the great outdoors and try so many different dishes…. And my own fault that I am clearly paying for it, weight wise.

I was actually hoping that the metal detecting and walking that I did there might offset some of the calories, but clearly not enough to count. But, I did find some cool buried junk, including some  pieces of crock (pottery) that her Native American neighbor said were likely very old.

But mostly, it was a day to detoxify from everyday life, and find the beauty in the world around us. I don’t think that I would want to live there, but it sure was a nice place to visit…. 

Called Chestnut Rose Adventures, Mary Ellen uses all this wonder to run a  not for profit nature program on her property and her rescue horses are the stars.One emphasis is on buiding compassion and an appreciation for nature through guided nature walks and teaching. Also, this program is designed to build confidence and esteem in troubled or disenfranchised young people, and in this way, her property and spirit serves as a healing place not just for those of us who visit once a year for her 4th of July type party, but for hundreds of kids year round, who are similarily encouraged and refreshed by what is offered.

And all I can say today, is “ahhhhh….”