July 3, 2025
What is time? Some say it is fleeting, some say it is endless. I was trained in a time and motion family. We were to accomplish a task in a given amount of time. They seemed to know exactly how long each task would take, if you were efficient, if you were lazy or a complete slacker. That training is so ingrained. How many times we were told, lets get it done, so we can get the next chore done. “Before we eat” was included in the instructions. In the last few decades, I have been frustrated so many times with the use and abuse of time. So little getting done and on the employer’s dollar. It is even worse now with a phone hanging in everyone’s hand. At the Sanctuary, I ask that the phones be left in the lockers. It is a safety thing. You cannot work with a 1000 lb animal if you are distracted, and they are certainly not listening to me with phone in hand. I worry that they do not get the message when it depends upon their safety and the safety of the horse. I resent my student employees using their phones for what ever. To me it is wasting the taxpayer and my money paying for time spent on the phone. One cheeky student asked my why should I care it is not my money. I quickly stopped that idea. I pay taxes, and I have to pay a share of the CPP and EI. I explained they pay taxes too. We pay taxes on everything and I like to see that money well used. Time should be used well, there is a certain pride to be gained in a job well done in a given amount of time. Time should be respected. Recently I had a volunteer to complete 20 hours of service. There was no appreciation of time or accomplishment of a task done in a timely manner. Each day there was an hour on the phone, we signed off each day the time she arrived and when she left. It took a lot of my time, I had to be there, because I could not give a task and expect it to be done. On the last day there was infinite sorrow for me. Arriving late, leaving early and then registering incorrect times. It is bad enough to come to work and then not be honourable about using time wisely. But being untruthful is a definite No No with me, I am looking for integrity. I corrected the entry and signed off on the diminished hours. There seems to be a culture of idleness, very few learn at an early age how to accomplish a task in a given amount of time. Where is this nation going to go if we do not use our time wisely in terms of the accomplishment of a task? Although our government thinks the doctors can cure our ills in 15 minutes. They are the least to give anyone a timeline. Silly service is noted to be top of the line for inefficiency. Anyone waiting 6 months for a permit will attest to that. That was quite a rant eh!!
On the farm we are still dealing with fallen fences. Today I sent a crew to the back fields to make sure wires are secure on insulators, posts are still standing. It does not happen in a day. Nick, my woodsman, had already walked the perimeter fence and cleared it from deadfalls. That is always a job well done. Since then we have had more high winds. The crew will be reporting back. I always feel bad asking to have a job done that I would be able to do. I am doing most my walking without the poles, but as nimble as I have become, it is not enough for me to do the fence crawl thing. Fences!! When you have livestock fencing is a forever thing.
Summertime and school is finished, Trailblazers time has moved to each Monday and Tuesday of the week. I am hoping with a good use of the extra time, they will be able to get more riding. Their day starts with preparing stalls, bringing the horses in from the field and then grooming and checking for problems. This takes a good chunk of time on Saturday and 5 hours isn’t enough when it includes a lot of conversation. Luckily parents are taking the time to drop them off before they go to work and picking them up after work. I have them captive for all day. My mission is the health and welfare of the horse. But Trailblazers learn to drive and ride. I try to instill a basic classic seat, (position is everything) strong core, quiet hands and strong legs. Only time on the horse will do that. With this summer and extra time, with a lot of planning, I expect miracles.
July and August bring many visitors to the Sanctuary. I live in a beautiful place and love to share the hills with visitors. Sometimes we are discovered by happenstance. Google is not always sure where we are. Sometimes my neighbours at “Wild Wind Chimes” send folks my way. I also extend the courtesy and send my visitors their way. There is fun stuff on the Millvale Road. Kindness abounds in South Granville and we can pass it along.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd at Handibear Hills Horse Sanctuary, Inc.