BarnBiz n’ Bits

Through My Eye

A Collection of Literary Equine Wisdom

Welcome to the remarkable world of equine literature and the everlasting beauty of God’s most majestic creature.

A poem, like a dream, has layers of hidden meaning. To each reader its quiet flowing words reveal both personal and universal truths.

Barn Biz n’ Bits invites the horse lover in us all to experience these written words in a wonderful on-going collection of poetic works.

Your submissions or those of a cherished author are gladly received as an addition to this column.

Please send entries to kmortensen@fcpbuildings.com

The Galloping Mare

We enter the forest,
There’s a soft calmness in the air,
Nature’s breath through the trees
And the breath of my mare.

Sun melts through the trees
And it lights up her hair,
And the wind dances softly,
With the mane of my mare.

She snorts at the shadows
That dance in the air,
With a prancing half-buck
And her nostrils a-flare.

She’s longing for light,
And she knows I’m aware.
So I loosen the reins
And she accepts my dare.

Off all at once,
At a gallop we tear,
The wind cools our faces
And whips at our hair.

And the trees are a blur
And the ground’s barely there
And the day runs to night
But we don’t really care.

When we stop time has gone
But it’s cool and it’s fair
So we both have a drink
From a creek that flows there.

I don’t know the way home
But to know I don’t care,
All I  want or I need
Is all I have there.

It’s nature and nothing
And the cool forest air
It’s time to loose time
And the love of a mare.

I could almost be lost
I can live without care
But sadly I see that
Her hoof prints are there.
O! For a horse that can gallop on air!

Inspirational Quotes for March 2009

“When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk.
He trots the air, the earth sings when he touches it.”

William Shakespeare

“To see the wind’s power, the rain’s cleansing,
And the sun’s radiant life, one need only look at the horse.”

Author Unknown

“I have seen things so beautiful they have brought tears to my eyes.
Yet none of them can match the gracefulness and beauty
Of a horse running free.”

Author Unknown

“Half the failures in life result from pulling in
One’s horse when it is leaping.”

Author Unknown

“Virtue shall be bound into the hair of thy forelock.
I have given thee the power of flight without wings.”

The Koran

Chef Louie’s Hors(e) d’Oeuvres

Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague Oat Cake

Marguerite Henry’s world-famous book about the real pony, Misty of Chincoteague, brought Misty and the wild ponies of Assateague into the nation’s spotlight.  Marguerite created and baked this very same cake for Misty’s first birthday!

Ingredients:

2-1/4 Cups Flour
1-1/2 Cups Sugar
3 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Oats
1/2 Cup Shortening
2 Egg Yolks
2 Egg Whites
1 Cup Milk
1/4 Cup Finely Chopped Walnuts
Molasses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch layer cake pans.
Sift together: Flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Mix in oats.
Add shortening.
Beat egg yolks and milk.
After well mixed, fold into egg whites.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
Test with a toothpick.
When cool, spread top with molasses and sprinkle with walnuts.

Chef Louie

Share with your favorite ponies and people too!

Bon Appétit

Chef Louie’s feature recipe is proudly brought to you courtesy of
June Evers ~ Author of “The Original Book of Horse Treats,” Horse Hollow Press

Welcome to BarnBiz n’ Bits’ Newest Column

Just for Laughs!

In a world seemingly gone to the dogs …
Who better to put a smile on your face
Than our four-legged friends!

Please join us in this collaboration of animal antics
To collect and share in the BarnBiz n’ Bits “NEIGH”borhood!

Send your photos to:
kmortensen@fcpbuildings.com