The Girl Matilda Built: October 2013

(I need to rename this blog "Matilda's Project" and change some things. It's time to commit to letting this be about more than training Matilda and we are so far past the whole clicker training thing....)

About 13 years ago, I was working in an office in Washington, DC and living at home with my folks, saving money. I decided I had to do something different and after contemplating many options (including a simple vacation and taking classes for Microsoft certification) I decided to go back to school to get a music teaching degree at Converse College.

I was taking voice lessons at the time from an amazing teacher, Mrs. Eddy-Hurley. She was amazing to me not because of her teaching ability, though she is an excellent teacher, but because of her intuitive empathy. My arthritis was in it's 'glory' at the time and she could tell by the look on my face and how I walked into her studio how I was feeling. She would instinctively know that I was not up to standing next to the piano and pull out a chair that I could perch on for work or that I was so uncomfortable and sore we had to chuck the lesson and do body work, stretching and breathing on the floor. I would always leave her studio a little less locked up than when I walked into it.

She inspired me. I wanted to go back to school to be a teacher like her. Sharing a joy with people of all ages and from any walk of life but in such a way that was not limited by an expectation that we would simply work at singing everyday.

I was quickly side tracked at Converse. I made choices, some good~some bad (don't worry Ron, I think of you as one of the good ones:), that took me on a different path. It wasn't long before I was back in an office.

Ron and I caught some real breaks that allowed us to make some different choices in our lives. One was that Ron wanted me to realize a childhood dream of riding horses. I remember him talking about finding a place out in Taylors, he had talked to one of the owners on the phone and wanted to take a look. I remember driving out from Spartanburg that first time, thinking that it was too long a drive and there was no way this was actually happening; no way we would keep this up. Silliness.

Then I found myself riding. And I found Mrs. Eddy-Hurley again, this time in Kim. She seemed to know when my knees hurt too much or when I was too frightened to be pushed (more on fear later) but I rarely had to tell her. She knew (and still knows) when to chuck the lesson plan and just talk. Then she invited me deeper into her world.

Now I find, unexpectedly, that I have ended up on the path that was started 13 years ago. I am in a place where I can be the teacher I dreamed of being: 'Sharing a joy with people of all ages and from any walk of life but in such a way that was not limited by an expectation that we would simply work at singing (now riding) everyday.'. I just saw all this for the first time yesterday. Amazing.

It is never, ever too late folks. If God calls you to something, He calls you. It may not look like what you thought and the path may have many side trips but keep yourself open and all of a sudden you find yourself There. Too cool.

Thank you Kim, for inviting me into your Wonderland.

In October 2007 (I think), Ron and I walked down the gravel driveway of Bramblewood Stables for the first time:

Cathy, the first horse I rode at Bramblewood


Ron and Iggy


Bella, the only horse I ever owned, with Matilda, the horse that taught me you do not own horses. Horses own you. Then you spend your life making yourself worthy of their trust.