We’ve been together a long time, two horses, a donkey and moi.
We’re all getting old. One of the horses is at the DMD stage, damn near dead. Except even at the overripe age of 33 she’s as healthy as, well, a horse.
The other one isn’t far behind. At 26 he’s pushing the age thing. And the last few years he’s had skin problems that make his life miserable every summer.
The donkey came to me as a rescue 13 years ago. I knew she had issues but I signed on for the duration. At 17 she’s the baby of the bunch. Just recently her gray coat has begun showing signs of the other kind of gray.
Just like me.
Last month I began taking their photographs every day. It was an exercise for Catherine Just’s Soul*full eCourse. I signed up for the class because I love love love love LOVE Catherine’s photography. And philosophy. And great big BEAUTIFUL heart.
This is not your average photography class. The word aperture has not been mentioned once. Then again, with a tagline of deepen your mind*body*spirit connection what was I expecting?
I wasn’t expecting to resume my long dormant daily meditation practice. Or take up Qi Gong again. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with my gray hair or to feel comfortable enough in my own skin to take self-portraits.
Often. Like every time I whip out the camera. Just because I can.
Even though I always did my best to avoid being photographed. Even though I cringed at the toll age has taken on my face.
The first week of class we were given an assignment to photograph something in our daily life. And to keep photographing it every day. I decided to photograph the horses every morning when I fed them. Simple enough. Throw the iPhone in my pocket, snap a few pictures, post ’em online.
But it turned into something much more than that. First I began arting them up in one app or another, turning snapshots into something more interesting. And I began including myself in many of the photos. My first thing in the morning self. Pre-shower. Pre-coffee. Sleepy eyes, puffy face, uncombed hair and all SELF.
And as I documented this ritual, as I studied the images, I realized I was falling in love all over again. In love with old horses who will break my heart soon enough.
And in love with myself. Because I’m no longer afraid to love old horses. Or anyone else.
You can see more of these photos on my FaceBook page. And if you like what you see, please share with your friends. And say hello in the comments below. I love to hear what you have to say. As always, heart emoticons here. xoxoxo
Susan, your post is beautiful. What a beautiful thing to do, daily dedications to ones you love, who have loved you, share your company. Many take photos with the subject as the feature, you have shared intimate connections of souls. The space between, the tenderness, the soft delicate greyness, so warmly captured in these soft focus frames. Photographic works of art, like your paintings, your have captured something very special. Thank you for sharing.
suzi poland recently posted..I bought a yellow hat!
“…you have shared intimate connections of souls…” I didn’t know this was going to be the case when I began this series, Suzi. Like all art, it evolved. And it’s still evolving….
xo
All I can say is that what is truly beautiful can only be seen with the eyes of the heart. I think Ponies in the Morning is a wonderful Valentine to all of us! 🙂
Wait until you see what I have lined up for Valentine’s Day, Bonnie. Be sure to check my FB page on the 14th 🙂
Susan, Beautiful photos, beautiful process. Falling in love with yourself, priceless! like some TV commercial might say. Thank you for sharing this!
Janet Hovde recently posted..Grounding your Energy, Part 1 of 3
Priceless indeed, Janet. I’ve spent too may years beating myself up over one thing or another. The place I’m in right now is like a giant exhale…ahhhhhhh…and it feels sooooo good! 🙂
These photos have been beautiful – but now they are even more beautiful – because each one has been a love story.
xxoo
Judy Shreve recently posted..New Books!!
Ohhhh…thank you Judy. The story behind them gives truth to the old adage, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’. But sometimes, like in this case, a few words makes the picture more powerful.
xoxo
I love all of this and please keep it coming; I am just beginning to like myself at the age of 61. Soooo much more work to do. Thank you so much for all that you do.
Sprinkling magic ‘like yourself’ dust in your direction Gerry. No, make that LOVE yourself dust. It’s all sparkley like glitter and, just like glitter, once it gets on your skin and clothes you just can’t shake it out no matter how hard you try. So sit back, accept the fact you’re stuck with loving yourself and enjoy it 🙂
xoxo
Thank you for spreading all that Love onto with all these amazing photos with your beautiful animals and your beautiful self. I am really enjoying the daily dose of your photographs with your horses. And gratitude for showing us the way to learning how to love ourselves. I could use a dose of that myself. xo
Suzanne McRae recently posted..9 months and 1 1/2 weeks later
Something we all need, Suzanne. 🙂
Taking photographs is something on my list to improve when I have some more time. I have taken some pictures I’m very proud of. I haven’t done any adjusting of them except the size of the file. I enjoyed your photos.
Sheila Skillingstead recently posted..When you can’t write
Just take the camera and shoot something you love, Sheila. Over and over and over again. Every kind of lighting, from every angle. Don’t worry about making it technically right, it’s a matter of capturing how you feel about the subject.
Susan, I am in awe of your dedication to these beautiful animals and your dedication to your talent!
You gave me pause to realize I won’t take my own photo and am upset when others do. I’ve got work to do!
I look forward to more of your photographs!
It’s quite liberating to take these self-portraits, Ruth. But I don’t think I’m at the stage where I’d let someone else take them. Looks like I’ve still got some work to do too!
Thank you so much for sharing this – I’ve seen your pictures before and enjoyed them. With this back story, I love them even more!!!! I no longer like getting my picture taken either – but kind of hit me on the head with that – kind of a “get over it” moment!
Vickie Martin recently posted..MY TANGLED ARTIST DATE
Get over it, Vickie, lol. Oh, I so know that feeling 🙂
Susan I can’t tell you how much these photos touched my heart each time I saw one on facebook.
Really beautiful stuff….deeply, profoundly beautiful.
both the horses and you….the dance you do.
the way you are so like and apart of them
and they you.
i found these pics of you stunning beauty
and am glad you got to see right past the skin
and into the spirit of the thing.
love, love, love it,
Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson recently posted..once upon a winter….
A whole row of heart emoticons just for you, Jennifer! xoxo
What a beautiful post about her course and your experiences, not just with the course, but in your life because of the work you are doing. I just love your photos.
Michele Bergh recently posted..Random Acts of Kindness Week
This course has changed the way I ‘look’ at things, Michele. As an artist I’ve always looked at my surroundings a little differently than others but now even more so.
Gorgeousness in every sense of the word!
Deborah Weber recently posted..Random Acts of Kindness Week
Thank you, Deborah 🙂
The trite, and oh so overused, saying about how you have to love yourself before you can really love others is, once again, proved oh so WRONG — flipped completely on its head, in fact. Like you, loving myself came through loving others, and through the love from others. Love, beauty, embracing the value to be found in so many places the media (and, thus, much of our society) simply cannot fathom, THAT is where such joy and happiness lie (and are too often overlooked). I love it that your love of those old and gray ponies has lead you to love yourself more — even in your own old & gray moments at the start of the day … Old and gray are just adjectives. They don’t imply lack of value or worthiness to be loved unless you allow them to. I love the Susan in these pictures. She’s so much more interesting and, yes, beautiful than than the “pretty” headshot on the home page. I like her, too, but women like her can be found in every suburban grocery store. Whereas, the Susan who feeds those sweet old ponies every morning before she does anything for herself is infinitely more beautiful.
It’s the old chicken and the egg conundrum, Lyndy. If I didn’t love myself first, loving others would be a heart suck. We all know people who are doormats. But loving others feeds me which makes me feel good which makes me love myself more.
I agree, it’s time to update the photo. Soon. I’m in the process of redesigning the blog.
Susan:
Absolutely beautiful! Your writing is wonderful. The line “Because I’m no longer afraid to love old horses. Or anyone else.” is devine!
Amy Kelsch recently posted..How To Simplify Your Life and Get Organized | The Kitchen: Part 1
Thank you, Amy 🙂
Susan,
What a beautiful reminder that getting older can be just as beautiful as being young, sometimes more so. You post was a beautiful way to start the day and a wonderful reminder to reflect on the joys that each day can bring, regardless of what your to do list says!
I’m discovering a freedom in this aging process, Sherry. My mother used to say ‘life is what you make of it’ and I’ve decided to make mine be as full and rich as I can. 🙂
This tribute is beautiful. You are beautiful. Whenever we shine our light of authenticity, we learn and we settle into a deep place of acceptance, which is brighter than the fading bling of youth…because it is so real. Blessings!
Thank you, Michelle. I do believe the older, wiser, mellower me is far more attractive than the woman I was in my bling time. And a lot happier too!
Hmmm…falling in love with oneself..what a gift…fearless in the face of loving others..now that is an ART form! Blessings,
“…fearless in the face of loving others…” I LOVE the way you put that, Pam. Because that’s indeed what this post…and life…is all about. xo
Beautiful!
Tat recently posted..Grateful for getting to know my inner critic
Thank you, Tat!
Aaaahhh, no one better to love, it gives you the heart to love the rest of us! I love YOU!
Ahhhh Perci Kotts, I love you, sister mine xoxoxo
Lovely blogpost. So enjoyed both your writing and the wonderful images you shared.
Thank you, Evi.
Susan:
What a beautiful heart warming post and your photos delighted my heart. Thanks so much, Tanya
Tanya recently posted..Deciding on the Next Right Thing for You
I’m so glad you like it Tanya. I felt it fit in with our conversation about self acceptance and self image. xo