Hummel . Horse

[The man on the horse is the man who purchased it, he isn't related to me.]

Lucky

I keep seeing the "Equestrian Prep" Gift Guide at the side of Etsy's homepage (the title of this post links to it), and it always reminds me of my Grandpa, and the tattoo I've been contemplating in his memory. He was really my main positive father figure when I was growing up.

He grew up on a farm and they had horses, and some of them were fabulous beauties that sold for a lot of money. I have an old photo of one of them, I'll try to remember to scan it & post it soon.

I almost got a horseshoe tattoo last year, above my hip, on my back, with his family brand in the middle of the horseshoe. I ducked out of the appointment last minute because a tattoo is sort of, you know, forever, and I was afraid to commit. I was going to do it on his birthday. I've been thinking of it again - at least the horseshoe part for now. His birthday is May 1st. We'll see how I feel closer to the date.

Bloom

My grandma is always giving the family plants for special occasions. Primulas for Easter, Christmas cactus' or poinsettias for Christmas, some sort of flowering succulent for, I don't know, summer. I think she must be under the impression that everyone else either accidentally kills their plants or throws them out when they stop flowering, like she does. But I love plants and keep them until they die, as a general rule. My kitchen counter is getting overrun as a result. She gave me this Christmas cactus two or three years ago. I did something to it not long after she gave it to me and it started dying, but I rescued it. It hadn't flowered since I got it, but look!! A flower! It's bloomed now, and it's lovely. I was sooo happy when I saw that bud.

Also, it is now officially spring! My mini irises have bloomed and my crocuses and starting to as well! I'm so excited!! Crocuses are my fave. I'll try to remember to snap some photos of those before they're gone.

Psyche & Cupid ♥

[Jacques Louis David]

So I wanted to share this book with you: it is called "Cupid: A Tale of Love and Desire" and it is by Julius Lester. It is based on the Greek/Roman myth of Cupid (Amor, Eros) and Psyche. Since I love me a good fairytale or myth, I'm all in.

When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I would like it because it's a different style than anything I usually read. However, I got into it. I love it because it fleshes out the characters more than in the myth (obviously, as it's a novel) and gives them more/better reasons for their actions. It's cool because it brings in other gods and goddesses to flesh out the story, and it's kind of nifty in the way the author editorializes and gives little love & life lessons along the way throughout the story.

If mythology is your thing, or you like a good love story, or maybe you feel it never hurts to get a bit of advice, I suggest you check it out. I think it's an especially good book for pre-teens/teens.
xo.

[Antonio Canova]