tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post7813181783181283886..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: On Being a HermitJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-71764737469364248602013-05-15T16:48:56.200-07:002013-05-15T16:48:56.200-07:00Thanks for an insightful comment, stillearning. I ...Thanks for an insightful comment, stillearning. I always enjoy your comments--we seem to be on the same page.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-58612509507929372252013-05-15T10:03:02.517-07:002013-05-15T10:03:02.517-07:00I am with you. Being a hermit is certainly less d...I am with you. Being a hermit is certainly less drama, something I am over, done with, and choose not to participate in, if at all possible. While I do not desire fluff or truth couched in flowers, I can't say I need it in barbs, daggers and full blown gossip either. So if I find an occasional person who will deliver the truth as just what it is without the aforementioned containers or deliveries, that person has a chance of being someone I could really like and appreciate. I do not know everything. But at this stage in my life I do want people in it that enhance my life and do not tear me down.stilllearningnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-13113649099799322142013-05-01T07:17:08.204-07:002013-05-01T07:17:08.204-07:00Thank you, lilyrose. I think we have a lot of thin...Thank you, lilyrose. I think we have a lot of things in common. I appreciate the comment. Wow, forty years of marriage, and it sounds like a very happy one. What a great thing.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-65952299001822784692013-04-30T22:59:39.962-07:002013-04-30T22:59:39.962-07:00I wonder if age helps us to weed out all the nonse...I wonder if age helps us to weed out all the nonsense in life. As I approach 60...I am finding more reasons to stay at home with my horses and dogs. They are good company. I don't need to make small-talk or listen to gossip with them. I have also been going through spurts of giving/throwing things away. I feel a need to unburden myself from unecessary stuff. I have never been comfortable in crowds, so I'm sure I will never see places like Disneyland. But I have no desire for that type of fluff. I could quite easily become a hermit if my husband would allow it. Lucky for me he enjoys long, quiet rides and just hanging out at home reading. I suppose that's why we've gotten along so well for these past 40 years. Most TV is a huge waste of time...however, we enjoy watching old movies...westerns mostly.<br />I enjoy reading several blogs...mostly horse-related ones. I rarely comment, but I do enjoy yours very much.lilyrosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11067723613133972938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-20770426987480010032013-04-30T07:28:28.038-07:002013-04-30T07:28:28.038-07:00Heidi E Cruz--What a fascinating adventure. I will...Heidi E Cruz--What a fascinating adventure. I will admit I do not envy anyone who is living in a city, but that is just me. And how lovely that you have your horse waiting for you at home. Thanks so much for the comment!Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-10569430091253722432013-04-30T00:19:48.623-07:002013-04-30T00:19:48.623-07:00And I still have my horse, waiting for me back hom...And I still have my horse, waiting for me back home and my awesome friends who are taking care of her for me :DAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05112423009975551896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-51288896588275665372013-04-30T00:18:03.641-07:002013-04-30T00:18:03.641-07:00I have to agree with the idea you can be happy bei...I have to agree with the idea you can be happy being a hermit at times in your life or if that is the lifestyle you choose. Right now I live in Kawasaki, Japan near Tokyo. There are times I miss my old hermit lifestyle of riding my horse alone in the NH woods. Here in Japan, sometimes I stay home to avoid the rustle and bustle of the trains ( as I did today). I do not like to go on the crowded streets of Shinjuku all the time. If anything, I am happy to go to the racetrack, watching the horses gallop on the track while I take photos. I am the only foreigner there most of the time. I do not go with friends. I am constantly asked why I spend so much time alone and at the end of the day I prefer it, even in this metropolitan area. I came to Japan because I appreciate the culture and I wanted to learn about the horses here and write their stories. That is path I chose to walk alone, quite happily. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05112423009975551896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-50095246354898830542013-04-27T16:55:54.262-07:002013-04-27T16:55:54.262-07:00WHP--I so agree about the way the world's care...WHP--I so agree about the way the world's cares disappear when one is riding a horse down the trail. For me, this also happens puttering around my garden, looking at plants and animals, domestic and wild. And I find that the friends that are the easiest for me to be with are other reasonably-like-minded horse people. This is, I think, one reason I enjoy the horse blogging community so much. We all share a deep interest in horses and writing, and I think we are mostly introverts as a whole...so there is a real common ground.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-74379743162285684002013-04-27T16:36:21.228-07:002013-04-27T16:36:21.228-07:00This is interesting. I ran an equestrian business ...This is interesting. I ran an equestrian business where I did a lot of guiding, which was quite extraverted in a way. But in another way it was a way - by no means calculated - to induct others in a quiet, beautiful introverted world. Now life is a bit quieter and most rides are solitary. Over the years I've become pickier about whom I associate with. So I gain more pleasure from the friends I do hang out with, whilst becoming better at avoiding the people with sociopathic tendencies. Being picky does keep the social circle small. <br /><br />I can't avoid working. At least I've found a job with constructive, creative colleagues. That makes it easier. The hardest part nowadays is commuting as there is so much negative energy about the transport network. That's where one sees the grind of life oppressing so many people. It takes willpower to keep the darkness at bay, and sometimes I don't succeed. Those days I'd love to be a hermit, only that's not an option financially. <br /><br />One thing I like about time with horses and riding is how the world's worries recede and disappear. Focusing on my horse and the trail I can relax in my own little world which somehow seems timeless and good. The people I do meet on the trail mostly seem to be relaxing too, which brings out the best in them as indeed it has in me.White Horse Pilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18256903307281225327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-45965966262877928392013-04-26T15:33:23.536-07:002013-04-26T15:33:23.536-07:00redhorse--That constant looking at the i-phone thi...redhorse--That constant looking at the i-phone thing drives me crazy. Even though it has nothing to do with me. I don't do it, but I can't help feeling creeped out by those who do.<br /><br />I think the rant part was when I went on about how I don't really feel comfortable with most people any more. To be honest there was a whole lot of that part that I deleted because it was just beginning to sound too unkind. Some of my friends do peer incessantly at their phones...even though they are good people. And some of them follow professional sports and watch TV...etc. So I tried not to go on and on about that. I didn't think the beauties of being a hermit part was so much a rant...just the I don't get along with people part.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-85662595224892658972013-04-26T14:02:17.039-07:002013-04-26T14:02:17.039-07:00You're funny, was there a rant in this post? ...You're funny, was there a rant in this post? It just sounded like the honest observations of someone outside the media crazed society we've become. For a long time now (and I'm older than you and Kate) I've noticed that people try to live their lives like TV characters. Nowadays, even children seem to be imitating children on commercials. To me that's very creepy. And don't get me started on the weird phenomena of looking through your i-phone to see what you're looking at, or the constant tweets and texting. As you said, horses and plants and even children haven't changed.<br /><br />I also grow a lot of my own food, and buy what I can from local farmers I know. Although I have a few friends I love to see, especially the ones I meet to ride with, I can spend days without leaving the farm. In the summer, when the garden is full of vegetables and herbs, I don't have to leave. I spend most of my days puttering in the barn or the garden and taking my dogs for walks. I also like to have a cup of tea in the afternoon, but I don't get the smell of Jasmine with it. And when I go on a trail ride, it's beautiful and I can't complain, but I don't get the ocean and awesome views you have.<br /> I think you're very blessed with what you have, you love it and you don't need to go out looking for more. No need to call it a rant. There's also no need to keep it to yourself, I think a lot of us share your viewpoint. "The Secret of Roaninnish" is one of my favorite movies too. I also love the old folk songs about the Silkies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-67773867881831711462013-04-25T14:13:38.734-07:002013-04-25T14:13:38.734-07:00jenj and lytha--Its interesting that so many horse...jenj and lytha--Its interesting that so many horse people feel this way.<br /><br />Kel--You can come drink margaritas on the porch any time. The thing is (and since I actually met you in real life I can say this), you are a very direct, straight shooter sort of person. I felt totally comfortable with you. Uhmm, to use someone else's phrase, you absolutely did NOT trigger my "bullshit meter." And I feel absolutely confident that in any interaction--email or whatever--that you are going to speak your honest truth and be comfortable with me speaking mine. So yeah, people like you, especially horse people, I am fine with. (Barring the axe murder, of course).<br /><br />I do think you are more social by nature than I am, but my best friend is, too. It seems to make a nice balance between us, actually.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-1071273745061226742013-04-25T14:01:39.604-07:002013-04-25T14:01:39.604-07:00Well since we have actually met in real life - I c...Well since we have actually met in real life - I can say without reservation that you are a genuine caring human being. I very much enjoyed our ride and our many email conversations. I appreciate your honesty and am confident that no matter what we feel, say or do we can agree to disagree and happily move on. Unless of course one of us decides to become an axe murdered! I pretty much draw the line there. :) <br /><br />I am truly a social person and love to be surrounded by good people. Love it. I love to have friends over for dinner and often on summer evenings my house becomes the place to meet and enjoy one anothers company. What I don't do is stress over it. If you show up the house might be a mess, you might get hot dogs for dinner, or ?? My house is my home and we LIVE there and I won't apologize for it. I love to laugh (laugh with - not at) and listen to stories and adventures. If you want to take snid shots at good people you aren't welcome. I don't tolerate bullies or assholes. Pretty sure you and your family would fit right in. <br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I love my alone time. Often I take off on a ride by myself and just get lost in my head. It is a balance and we all need it. <br /><br />I understand what you mean by being a hermit but I think more of what you are describing is that your time is precious and spending it with people and animals that you enjoy and make you happy is more important to you than being an accepted by the masses as a social butterfly. I get that. <br /><br />And if I lived by you...I sure hope I would be gettin' in invite for a margie on the porch every now and then.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-8424148585972775922013-04-25T13:19:23.144-07:002013-04-25T13:19:23.144-07:00horses themselves appeal to introverts. almost eve...horses themselves appeal to introverts. almost every horse crazy person i know is slightly off socially. i agree though that blogging is a resource for introverts, especially in comparison to twitter and facebook.lythahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719586193059362084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-39317630142268434322013-04-25T08:17:29.393-07:002013-04-25T08:17:29.393-07:00Oh, me too, me too! I'm lucky that my "da...Oh, me too, me too! I'm lucky that my "day job" is with a bunch of other introverts, who do silly things like IM and email each other even though they sit one or two cubes away. I'd much rather be at home than out socializing. I can DO the social thing, but not for long and I find it exhausting - moreso as I get older.<br /><br />So... cheers! To all us hermits!jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-73993704222433476982013-04-25T07:23:53.747-07:002013-04-25T07:23:53.747-07:00Thanks TBDancer--Sounds like we are on the same pa...Thanks TBDancer--Sounds like we are on the same page. And good look with the novel. Publishing via ebooks has opened up a whole new world for authors.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-49272938986216780842013-04-25T07:18:05.362-07:002013-04-25T07:18:05.362-07:00Count me among the "I prefer animals to peopl...Count me among the "I prefer animals to people" crowd. I'm almost 70 (it still surprises me to write that ;o) and have found that while I need interaction with people now and then (otherwise I have problems making sentences ;o), I do prefer alone time--with my animals or sitting at the computer, composing emails and getting my news from various websites. I don't have TV either--canceled DISH in November and honestly don't miss it. I enjoy the $90+ I save each month, too.<br /><br />I live in a politically conservative part of southern California--which suits me just fine. There are dirt roads and lots of "open land" for riding--and we have four seasons, which makes for a nice year.<br /><br />My time alone includes trying to come up with a suitable blog topic that involves horses--specifically OTTBs--with a smattering of being the "older adult rider" and trying to learn dressage. I am a writer part-time for the local paper--I work three days a week, more or less, in advertising--and have been published in both fiction and non-fiction in several magazines over the years. There's "a novel in me somewhere," and I'd like to pursue Print on Demand or other publication possibilities OTHER than sending a heavy manuscript box to some "dead tree publisher" in New York City. I've done the agent thing and the "over the transom" thing, so far to little or no avail. But that involves concentrating on finding out about all this stuff--and I am easily distracted with a dog that simply MUST have another cookie or some appointment or other.<br /><br />You are among friends, Laura, and I think your blog's attraction to those of us who follow it comes from the fact that we see a bit of ourselves in you.TBDancerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03889066602819359591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-54448960878518352542013-04-25T07:10:13.960-07:002013-04-25T07:10:13.960-07:00falconfeathers and CG--Its interesting that so man...falconfeathers and CG--Its interesting that so many bloggers feel this way. I wonder if blogging is particularly appealing to introverts?Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-56848349553858709542013-04-24T20:34:52.857-07:002013-04-24T20:34:52.857-07:00Raising hand over here! I once wondered what was ...Raising hand over here! I once wondered what was wrong with me?? I would rather be home with my animals than out "visiting". Social situations exhaust me.<br /><br />Then we took some psychology test thing at work and I found out that I'm just a 10/10 on the introverted side! Whew, that was a relief- lol.<br /><br />Social gathering always end up giving me a headache too.CGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05083608347643075663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-62035104956740461302013-04-24T17:26:18.662-07:002013-04-24T17:26:18.662-07:00I thought you were writing about me in this post.....I thought you were writing about me in this post...except that I don't have a husband and my kids are all in their 20's experiencing life on the East Coast with me in the West.<br /><br />I always was a loner or only had a couple of friends. Some people have since told me they thought I was stuck up as a teenager, but in reality, I was shy-scared to death of social interactions.<br />I get headaches at family reunions and social gatherings.<br /><br />My job is in the medical field...managing people all day...I love coming home to the critters and peace. But I would also love to have a man to share it with. I don't want to be totally alone.falconfeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009324555521743579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-57201211247033811942013-04-24T16:55:53.341-07:002013-04-24T16:55:53.341-07:00juliette--You really sound just like me. And you k...juliette--You really sound just like me. And you know what, my little "ranch" is surrounded by suburbia, too. I chose a place where the hills screen us from view of other houses, and I've planted trees and shrubs to help with the screening, but a quarter mile from my front gate is a busy road. One reason I lock that gate when I turn my horses loose to graze. You know, pretty much everything you said in your comment could have come out of my mouth--thanks so much for commenting. Like you, I find its a nice feeling to know others share my emotions.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-58314386549870328572013-04-24T16:49:13.528-07:002013-04-24T16:49:13.528-07:00Please sign me up to join the group of non-joiners...Please sign me up to join the group of non-joiners. Something about being with my husband, Brian, and daughter, Maizie, and my horses makes me ONLY want to be with that small group all the time. I've always been like this but it has gotten worse in the last four years.<br /><br />I love blogging and reading blogs but I do despise the computer and internet in ways. It robs me of my time outside. <br /><br />Like Kate, I envy your location - on your blog it looks like heaven on earth. Our farm is nice, but landlocked by suburbia and encroachment and noise. If I were where you are, I would drop out entirely I think! <br /> <br />When I come home from the simplest of errands, Brian has to endure my rants because even small, easy interactions seem ridiculous to me anymore. My horses and our cat and said husband and daughter hold my attention. Everyone else out there are usually kind and well meaning, but they seem silly these days. Not sure if it is them or me, but it does make me feel better to know that others feel this way too. Thanks for the post!<br />juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17488138405040629084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-65027596594140315002013-04-24T16:38:28.009-07:002013-04-24T16:38:28.009-07:00Val--I like blogging, too. And we also have favori...Val--I like blogging, too. And we also have favorite movies that we watch over and over. "Bagdad Cafe" and " The Secret of Roaninnish" are two of my favorites. I have a teaching credential and taught for awhile in my 20's. But I found it absolutely draining. So I moved on to working for horse trainers (draining in a different way). And from there to writing novels...which suited me best. When I rode eight or more horses a day for money, I never wanted to ride my own horses when I got home (!) And you're so right...not "going out" post child is not a big problem for me at all. On the contrary, it makes a lovely excuse not to do things I'd rather not do anyway.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-60921466541425591852013-04-24T16:01:46.053-07:002013-04-24T16:01:46.053-07:00I completely get what you are saying, Laura. I, t...I completely get what you are saying, Laura. I, too, can be rather blunt. I actively chose not to be sometimes, because I am aware that it is in my best interest at work. Since we are expecting our first child, I have been warned many times that our life is going to change and we will not be able to "go out" anymore. That is not a problem if you are already a semi-hermit. ;)<br /><br />I don't mind purposeful socialization, but I can hardly stand idle socialization, like chit-chat. As a teacher I have a very social job, but since I am not a very social person, I do not crave face to face interaction after work. The only exception is horse friends, because I never tire of discussion that involves horses or the farm. Being with my husband and our animals at home or at Harley's farm is how I recharge my batteries. Even though I love teaching, the amount of human interaction that I get on a daily basis often leaves me drained. My husband and I don't watch much TV, although we love movies; it is just very difficult to find truly good movies. When we do, we like to re-watch them. Surprisingly, this is very relaxing!<br /><br />I enjoy blogging, because I get to interact with many more horse people/animal lovers than I know locally. That helps recharge my batteries, too!Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-76107094297622869562013-04-24T15:46:17.641-07:002013-04-24T15:46:17.641-07:00Thanks, Merry! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Not so...Thanks, Merry! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Not so surprising we might feel a lot alike, don't you think?Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.com