8/24/09: It's time to start the blog...updating the website today and thinking about that book I've been talking about for a couple years now. If any of you reading this out there have interesting stories about hauling horses from hither to yon, I'd be interested in reading about them. Contact me if you are so inclined. I'm especially interested in others recollections of my own adventures and misadventures... there've been so many over the 500k miles and 20 years of hauling horses around this country and others too... We're down to the final few horses for sale here at Alfasaga. The closing of the business should be completed by years end, and it's a bittersweet goal. I was reading on the USIHC forum a few days ago and 2 things struck me. The first was a comment by someone basically commenting on another post with a "wow - a breeder who actually cares about breeding". What a sad idea that was for me. I guess I've been lucky to be involved with many knowledgable breeders thruout the years. And, the breeding organization I founded in 2002 has a strong contingent of breeders who do care. That includes the recipient of the above mentioned comment. The 2nd thing that struck me was someone's comment on the USIHC Quarterly publication (the last issue). I agree it was a terrific issue and the team responsible deserve a big hand. What I liked about the issue was the news that the USIHC board had formally reversed the decision made around the time NAIHBA was formed, and now individuals, groups, farms, whatever, can hold official evaluations. Regional clubs are no longer the only game in town. This comes a bit late for me, tho I am keeping a couple fine young stallions and a few mares too. It does mean the opportunity exists for more evaluations, more information for all of us and the potential to improve our breeding "best practices" here in the US Icelandic community. I sincerely hope that happens. What a joy these horses are to have in our lives! Peace, Karen

8/25/09: Spent the morning in Tucson Superior Court, another chapter in my youngest son's lenthy divorce cronicle. For the second time in a month, the judge saw things his way, and, now time (and loads of money) goes on and on... It's so sad to see people who were once so close become as strangers. But, it sure does demonstrate the power of friends, family and energy in general. As I age, I'm becoming more convinced that energy drives everything. We can't think a bad thought or hold anger and resentment in our hearts without it affecting others and ourselves. Conversely, when we hold love and good will in our hearts and express it in our actions, we experience goodness coming back to us in a thousand different ways. Maybe that's why there's usually someone around to help when things go bad. Many people ask why I'm not afraid to drive horses so far across country, usually by myself. The answer is simply that I trust that things will work out. And when they don't (which has happened once or twice - LOL) people appear who go above and beyond the call of duty to help out. For example, 3 years ago I was hauling Vakar and 3 other stallions from Vancouver to San Diego. Somewhere near Buttonwillow CA (on I5), I got a flat tire on the truck - which was changed by a tow company guy from Shafter. About 100 miles south, at the Burbank exit, the front wheel of the truck fell off. Evidently the tow guy didn't tighten the lug nuts properly. The look on the face of the semi truck driver next to me was astounding - pure horror! The truck and rig were swerving all over the freeway. The horse trailer hitch was dragging on the pavement, sparking and making a loud screeching noise. This happened around midnight on one of the busiest sections of the LA freeway. There was a VERY narrow shoulder, which I managed to pull on to. But the semi trucks flying by were only about 8-10" away from the horses. Initially, they were jumping each time a semi blew past us, but they settled down after some time passed and they were still alive. Amazing what we can adjust too when we have no choice! There was just nowhere to go... Around 7am, someone finally stopped to help me. When I'd called the tow plan at midnight, they declined to help, because there was no way to disconnect the truck from the trailer. So we sat there all night (I now carry a bottle jack - just in case). The young man who stopped was approximately 25 years old, hispanic and extremely concerned. He got a bottle jack and managed to get the rig in a position where we could unhook the trailer. Then he gave me directions for the nearest repair company and stayed with me until the tow folks arrived. He mentioned that the CHP might move the horses - since the freeway shoulders were so narrow at that exit, but said he would stay for awhile and then check on them thruout the day. Maybe 4 hours later, he called my cell and told me the patrol was there and they were going to take the horses. Finally the CHP guy told us he would give us another hour and then the horses were going to the humane society. This young man (and I never even got his name) went and borrowed a truck from a friend, hooked up the trailer, hauled it to the repair shop and parked the horses in the shade right next to the building. He wouldn't take any money, just told me he was glad to help and drove off, with me in tears... There are dozens of stories that are similar to this. And, after experienceing one after another, I've come to believe that if we help others, when we need help - it's there for us. Similar effects can be experienced between ourselves and our horses. Over time, I've seen that if I'm in a really bad mood and go out to the barn, the horses sense it and can get wierded out. But, If I merely THINK the words: sorry guys, I'm just a bit "X" because of "Y", I'm just (sad.depressed, whatever I'm feeling)"... then they relax and we're all OK. I find horses to be the most healing of animals... which is why I can't imagine life without them. Namaste, Karen

9/18/09: Spent the entire day in Tucson Superior Court, hopefully for the last time. It looks like this is finally over, Sam (my grandson), will spend alot of time on airplanes for the next 2 years. But, he will see alot of his dad, that's the price. Of course, I'm conflicted! Since I live both in WA and AZ (with Iceland in there at times) maybe I'll see Sam more, maybe not. I do understand Jen's desire to move back home, the PNW is a wonderful place to be... Just feeling a huge relief this evening... Shalom, Karen

9/21/09: Updated the website and starting the auction for the horses. 1st up are 2 young stallions (to be gelded) and a mare I'm currently riding. All the horses need to be sold before winter sets in. I'm not going to be in the country to take care of them! Meanwhile, looking for boarding places here in AZ for Jan thru March. I've decided to leave WA for the winters - becoming a snow bird. Trying to remember how irritated I would get with them when I was younger and driving around Mesa AZ in the winter. When the snowbirds arrived in the fall, we all started grumbling. Now the shoe's on the other foot! Time goes by so quickly, just impossible to fathom at times. Telling myself just to focus - one thing at a time and all that. Sell horses! My mantra for the next few weeks... Love, Karen

9/27/09: Today is restart day for the auction. It was not going well... the evaluation scores results are in for teh young horses, so putting them all up at once and redoing the text. Cindy Seibert also needs to sell 1 of her horses, so today is a website update day. It's been a transition week for us. The angst over the kids divorce is fading and reality around the new order is sinking in. Things will be OK. A great week for finding/reconnecting with old friends. It's hard to believe just 9 months ago I was whining about Kris forcing me to get on facebook. Now I am SO grateful! What a blessing this has turning out to be for me. Wonderful tool for finding old friends and keeping up with new ones. I'm loving it. But enough musing - it's HTML time. This too shall pass... Bless, Karen

10/14/09: Today and tomorrow and the auction is completed. I am sad and happy all at the same time. Happy that I know pretty much everyone who has bid and sad that thyey will be gone soon. But - so will I and that's a good thing... Talked to Kris yesterday, can not wait to get over there and see everyone again. But - 1 more short trip to Tucson (next week) and then will start to think about what to buy and bring for Christmas. Is it possible it's only a couple months from now? This year has been a blur, but alot of good stuff inbetween the changes. Keep on truckin, Karen

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