It's been a rough few days in Baltimore lately... as you may have seen in the news. The turmoil and unrest is mostly limited to a few specific and isolated communities, but the feeling that things aren't ok is pervasive and the atmosphere is heavy.
This blog is obviously not intended to be a platform for political discourse, and I'm really not one for being controversial on the internet. So I'm not digging into any details or my own personal opinions on the matter... Just saying that what's going on here makes me pretty sad.
And I've been so grateful to retreat to the barn for what has been supremely quality pony time. It's been particularly quiet there too, since the trainers were down at Rolex and lessons were cancelled. So just me and Isabel, hanging out in peaceful solitude.
I feel pretty lucky, honestly. Just while I sat there watching Isabel graze, there were blue birds and foxes and deer... plus all the trees are blossoming. It's really quite idyllic. And really easy to forget everything happening a mere 13 miles down the road...
I admit to sitting around quite a bit longer than usual - well past full dusk, actually - just soaking in the atmosphere. My neighborhood is safe; I wasn't worried about going home... but I still hear all the sirens and helicopters and it's pretty impossible to avoid thinking about the protests and the events that prompted them and wondering about the fallout...
Sorry for the downer post (despite Isabel claiming that, actually posts are the bestest thing evar!) - but it feels relevant given the therapeutic nature of the time I spend with Isabel when maybe other aspects of life are a bit depressing.
We'll return to our regularly scheduled posts on the minutiae of Isabel's and my journey into the world of eventing tomorrow... with a long but fabulous recap of a meaty bio-mechanics lesson.
I'm not one to engage in internet politics either... Just stay safe! :(
ReplyDeletethanks :(
DeleteI'm so glad you posted today - I was just about to check in with you via email to make sure you were OK! It's a rough time for your city, and it's so good that you can escape to the barn for at least a little while every day. <3
ReplyDeletethanks! i considered not writing about it... but it's kinda at the forefront of everybody's minds so.. yea.
DeleteI thought of you while I was reading the news! I'm very glad to hear that your neighborhood is safe and that you're finding a little respite at the barn. I think that's one of the best things about horses/ the barn - that peaceful atmosphere. Sometimes I find myself wishing/hoping that everyone had somewhere that they could get away to that feels so tranquil in the same way.
ReplyDeletethat's exactly what i was thinking! like it's impossible to be angry when there are quite literally little blue birds flitting about in the air, and i just wish everybody could have that same escape
DeleteTake care of Izzy, she'll take care of you. Hugs
ReplyDeletethanks - and that's exactly right: she takes better care of me than she even realizes
DeleteI'm so sorry for your city and I am glad you are safe. I didn't realise how close you were to Baltimore.
ReplyDeleteour barn is in the 'burbs, but still surprisingly close to the city - ppl are actually shocked to realize just how close. i, however, live pretty much right smack in the center of the city...
DeleteMy brother lived in Baltimore for about a year, so I am pretty familiar with where all of these riots are happening, and it makes me sad too. The barn is always a great place for refuge and escape. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteyea it's tough to see familiar locations turned upside down. the worst of it was limited to west baltimore - not really your standard tourist destination. but pockets of looting happened pretty much everywhere, it seems
DeleteHaving a quiet space to just sit, absorb the peace around you and decompress - I agree with Abby. I also wonder if and how other's are finding their quiet space and I think how lucky I am to have this patch of land with horses. Take care and stay safe!
ReplyDeletethanks! many offices and businesses were closed yesterday, and the barn was surprisingly full of people who had the exact same idea of escaping to a more peaceful place
DeleteThat's the wonderful thing about horses- no time schedule, no political agenda. Glad you are able to find solace at the barn.
ReplyDeletethanks - me too. i'm so grateful to have the horses!
DeleteI'm so frustrated with our city :( but I'm glad your neighborhood is safe.
ReplyDeleteyep. i'm right there with you...
DeleteThe barn has always been my happy place. I'm glad you found some solitude and a little comfort there - what's happening is very sad, indeed.
ReplyDeletethe barn is definitely my cure for whatever ails me...
DeleteI'm glad you are safe and have such a nice place to find some peace
ReplyDeletethanks me too!
DeleteGlad you are okay and that you're able to find peace at the barn.
ReplyDeletethanks - it's really been so perfect at the barn lately too and for that i'm grateful!
Deletemy heart breaks for balmer, and esp the cohort in the throes of this turmoil. so glad you have iz!
ReplyDeleteit's a really tough situation all around - with a lot of suffering. i'm really hoping things calm down soon!
DeleteI used to live in DC and traveled to Baltimore often... it's so sad for me to think of everything going on up there. Glad you were able to spend some quiet time. And Isabel with the post is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteit is pretty sad -- this is such a cool city and i love living here... but it's definitely not great right now... at least there's isabel to inject some humor into an otherwise dreary atmosphere!
DeleteGlad you have the barn and Isabel for a peaceful time out :)
ReplyDeletethanks i'm glad too!
Deleteit's nice to hear that in the midst of all that unrest, you have somewhere that you can just be and not think about it all.
ReplyDeletei agree - i wish others could have the same escape!
DeleteBeen thinking about you over there, and am glad to hear you aren't too effected. My good friend in STL had a similar feeling during the rioting there, the strange feeling of something being "wrong."
ReplyDeleteGood luck and I hope things come to a satisfying conclusion for all sides. Such a multi-faceted issue.
multi-faceted indeed... there are certainly a lot of moving parts, all eliciting conflicting reactions, and it's not quite over yet sadly. we'l - and in the meantime all's well where i am
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