May 2, 2025 Mom And Her Kindergarten Pal, Deb, Attend Melinda Starr's "Starr Horse Retreats"
So here they are, the Kindergarten pals, about to go on a Horse Retreat together.
I may have shared this with you already, but my Mom had heard about Melinda Starr's Horse Retreats,when she first arrived in Tahoe, and was looking for a place to connect with horses.
It didn't seem like the place for my Mom, because it included a yoga session each morning.
This was a pass for my Mom because she was not a yoga practitioner.
However, lo and behold, a year or more later, my Mom started to take yoga from/with Mallory Junkin.
And guess what?
Mallory is going to be teaching yoga at Melinda's next retreat!
Wow!
The Universe is wild right?
So...my Mom signed up.
Then Mom thought about who she knows who practices yoga, and she reaches out to her childhood friend Deb, who decides to come from Florida to attend.
Could this be true?
How fantastic to connect with her lifelong friend at a spiritual retreat!
Once Deb got here, the very next day, my Mom drove Deb around, to show her Lake Tahoe of course.
The selfie below, was taken near the water.
They had gotten some lunch, and were sitting above the beach at a picnic table.
Deb and Mom
My Mom didn't take a photo of them, but about a dozen squirrels were also trying to share the girls' lunch!
I'm pretty sure Deb and Mom went to The Idle Hour wine bar, pretty soon afterwards, to further catch up, and mentally prepare themselves for the retreat.
I think it's best to be relaxed when you start a retreat.
Right?
Sometime along here, my Mom drove to two places, to check out Luis Pena's water features.
My Mom is having Luis renovate/renew the water feature (waterfall) that Robin had installed many years ago.
This will add to the serenity and sanctuary of our yard.
My Mom wants the water feature working so that the birds, squirrels and bunnies, can come and get a drink and also, so my Mom can hear the water as it tumbles over the rocks!
It's very soothing.
She can have her own little retreat!
Here are the two water feature examples Luis told my Mom to look at.
She and Deb liked Luis' work very much.
Early afternoon the next day, they headed to the retreat, which was about an hour or so over the mountains and into Nevada.
There were about 7 retreaters, Melinda the ranch owner (also her husband and daughter), a number of facilitators, a dozen horses, some donkeys, miniature horses, and a dog named Bandit.
They spent 3 nights on the property.
Here are a few photos of the property when they first arrived.
The horses are pastured, other than when they are fed grain or special foods in the barn, and maybe when it is raining or windy.
As far as my Mom could tell, the horses have the run of the land, with paths connecting the pastures throughout the property.
What a great life they have.❤️
Each day of the retreat, the horses were brought into a yard, that surrounds one of the residence houses, so that everyone could get to know the horses.
This "meet and greet" was very casual and quiet.
The horses sniffed around everyone while munching grass and bushes.
The horses were getting to know everyone as well.
Here are some photos when the horses were in the main pasture.
When they are not mingling with retreaters, they are doing what they probably do best, and what they do most of the time, graze.
Thank goodness they have long necks!
The human "meet and greet" when my Mom and Deb first arrived, was a sit on comfortable sofas and pillows, in a large kind of living room area in one of the residences.
These "circles" were once or twice a day to check in, see how everyone was doing, sharing insights and experiences with oneself, others and/or horses.
Mallory's yoga was every morning, bright and early, in a beautiful huge yurt, a special tent that Melinda's husband built.
There are probably photos on Melinda's website: https://www.starrhorseretreats.com/
They also experienced a "Sound Healing" in the yurt.
A sound healing is a practice that uses sounds, frequencies, and vibrations to promote physical, mental and emotional well-being.
My Mom really liked that.
It was very relaxing.
Angelene Hall was the practitioner, my Mom thought she was great.
Everyone experienced a "Sweat Lodge" too!
It's called a Temazcal.
it's heated with lava rocks (sort of like a sauna) and it's used for purification, enlightenment and spiritual, emotional and physical healing.
According to Melinda, in ancient Mesoamerica, the temazcal was a regular practice,to maintain a healthy body, still mind and strong spirit.
It was referred to as a "hospital" and the "womb of Mother Earth".
The "sweat lodge" was really hot and very interesting.
My Mom was worried that she wouldn't be able to breathe well, or that they'd have to sweep her out as a puddle afterwards, but, neither happened.
My Mom actually felt refreshed, especially after they all jumped in an outdoor flower petal bath!
The biggest "healers" in spirit and size, were absolutely the horses.
Everyone connected with one special horse.
At the top of this blog post is a photo of Deb looking for a horse to connect with.
Ultimately she connected with "Feather".
Deb with "Feather"
Melinda had "oracle cards" made for her horses.
She said she "channeled" all of the descriptions, written beneath the pictures of each horse.
I'll show you them later.
My Mom connected most with "River".
There's a partial view of him in the photo of Deb, when she was "looking" for her horse.
River allowed my Mom to touch /massage him, on both sides of his body.
He seemed to enjoy that and was relaxed.
At one point he stepped on my Mom's foot, (the front of her boot).
My Mom said it seemed deliberate, like he didn't want her to stop paying attention to him.
She simply couldn't move her position.
During this past year that my Mom has been spending time around horses, she has never been stepped on (thank God!).
They do weigh about 1,000 pounds or more.
She thought it was interesting that of all times, it happened at the retreat.
She felt that River was nonchalantly telling her to stay put, right by his side.
By the way, River didn't hurt my Mom's foot at all, but she couldn't pull it out from under his hoof either!
He lifted off when he was ready.
My Mom thought this was very meaningful.
Here are the oracle cards of Feather and River.
Feather's card
River's card
Once everyone got connected to "their" horse, there were some exercises they did with "their" horses.
Everyone was supposed to see the horses, as "mirroring" themselves in some way.
My Mom observed this part, she did not want to participate, (this was about harnessing the horses, and then taking them through an obstacle course).
My Mom says that her "agreement" with horses, is, that she doesn't want them to "do" anything but be present.
She wants them to be them and she'll be herself, no tricks, no training, no riding, just being "one" with one another.
She's not sure what the "mirror" is reflecting about her!
There was something else the weekend was about....GREAT FOOD,
by a GREAT Chef,
Chef Catalina Orrego!
Chef Catalina (who happens to be Melinda's daughter), prepared vegetarian meals for the retreaters and facilitators, throughout the weekend.
My Mom was in Heaven.
She would also be thrilled if Catalina lived close by.
Her kitchen would be my Mom's regular food spot!
Here are a bunch of photos of Catalina's preparations:
Tomato, onion, pepper and an egg, etc.
Lentil salad with the most beautiful ribboned carrot salad
Vegetable Paella
Another lovely breakfast
I can't forget "Bandit", Melinda's dog!
What a guy.
In the attached photo, he's taking a rest but that dog was non-stop.
If he wasn't making sure Melinda was in his sight, he was chasing a ball that seemed to always be in motion.
He's a really great companion.
Bandit
Healing and spiritual connectedness, was really what the entire weekend was about.
It was a wonderful weekend in every aspect.
My Mom was so happy to be around so many horses, and she was really happy to share this weekend with Deb and Mallory, too.
She made some new friends as well and some of them live pretty close to us.
We hope you enjoyed our 2 adventures: Utah and the Horse Retreat.
Here are the Utah blog posts if you've missed them:
April 23, 2025 Nature's Beauty is Alive and Well in The State of Utah!
April 24, 2025 Shocking News: Onyx is Not Thrilled About My Mom Going Away.
April 25, 2025 It's Always Good To Have a Backup For Your Main Bathroom!
April 26, 2025 My Mom Chose Somatic Therapy Over a Beautiful Hike, Go Figure
I'm sure the summer will prove to be filled with more fun adventures.
Be well, breathe deeply, and connect with animals, people and nature in general.
It'll be good for your soul.
LOVE,
Maisy❤️
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April 26, 2025 My Mom Chose Somatic Therapy Over a Beautiful Hike, Go Figure
April 25, 2025 It's Always Good To Have a Backup For Your Main Bathroom!
April 24, 2025 Shocking News: Onyx is Not Thrilled About My Mom Going Away.
April 23, 2025 Nature's Beauty is Alive and Well in The State of Utah!
April 14, 2025 Love is All Around Us, We just Have to See it!
April 6, 2025 Goodbye Scootery Dootery, We LOVE You Sweet Boy
April 5, 2025 Birthday Week for Maisy and Marybeth
March 29, 2025 Procrastination Stinks!
March 22, 2025 Feeling Our Emotions
March 10, 2025 We Are All Connected, This is Not a Solo Journey
March 5, 2025 The Power was Out But Not The Power of the Pen!
February 25, 2025 Part Three: It Seems That Horses Can Share.
February 25, 2025 Part Two: All About Horses, and Their Standing, Sleeping and Resting Habits
February 25, 2025 Part One: A Two Nighter at Costanoa, in Pescadero, California, It's on The Coast.
February 16, 2025 Much Too Windy for Brushing the Horses Today!
February 10, 2025 Lake Tahoe's Beautiful Blue Skies...
January 29, 2025 Acupuncture and The Native American Indian Spirit.
January 22, 2025 Choosing Love Might Come in The Form of a Walk in a Beautiful Place.
January 13, 2025 Being Mindful About Our Choices and Making Them Loving and Compassionate.
January 1, 2025 Happy New Year Every Day!
December 18, 2024 Out with The Old and in with The New!
December 7, 2024 Can You Love Someone Before You Ever Meet Them?
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December 1, 2024 Good Energy Engages with Good Energy!
November 27, 2024 (Part 2) We Have More Love to Share!
November 27, 2024 (Part 1) Raise Your Vibrations, Raise the World!
November 21, 2024 Our Christmas Story, The Thinning of the Veil
November 12, 2024 Onyx is Bathed by The Sun and Maybe More!
November 4, 2024 Hi Judge Rogers Here (Marybeth Rogers)
November 3, 2024 Life is Busy and Changing Around Here!
October 23, 2024 Gray, The Handsome Bachelor.
October 22, 2024 A Surprise Visit From Glenn, Kristen's Dad.
October 21, 2024 Baby Bear Watch and Winnie Knew It!
October 20, 2024 Sunday With The Horses!
October 13, 2024 There is a Definite Dynamic Between Horses and Marybeth is sensitive to that.
October 12, 2024 The End of Mom's Beginner Animal Communication Course.
October 10, 2024 Mija, the Official Carson Valley Horse!
October 6, 2024 Our neighbor Dawn's photo at dawn at Baron Lake!
September 30, 2024 My Mom Is So Sad.
September 25, 2024 Marybeth Has an Important Meeting with Patti Zorr.
September 21, 2024 A Very Early Morning Adventure.
September 20, 2024 Does Animal Communication Really Work?
September 19, 2024 A Relaxing Rainy Day for Marybeth and Kathe.
September 18, 2024 Marybeth and Kathe Make a Short Visit to Gardiner.
September 17, 2024 Marybeth and Kathe Get The Lay of The Ranch.
September 16, 2024 Montana Here We Come!
September 14, 2024 Marybeth Prepares Herself For a Trip to Montana.
September 3, 2024 All Clear on the Observation Deck!
August 30, 2024 Time to Celebrate! Good food and old dogs.
August 28, 2024 A Day of Days: Looks like our website is a "go" on Earth, and in Heaven!
August 21, 2024 Living in the Present Moment: Or at least trying to.
August 20, 2024 Needles in the body, clothespins on the line.
August 17, 2024 A sigh of relief, an all night vigil and a new look coming soon!
August 15, 2024 Getting away to Napa wine country! A special wine and beautiful vineyard!
August 13, 2024 Onyx Barricades Herself in the Cabin.
August 10, 2024 Adrian and The Guys Are Back!
August 9, 2024 A Bean Bag Toss But With Bread.
August 8, 2024 Will Winter Find Us Lost for Words?
August 7, 2024 Meet "Bean" the Accounting Assistant.
August 3, 2024 Plant milk, Cashews and Beef
August 1, 2024 Are Our Posts More Pleasurable Than Painful?
July 31, 2024 Maybe Dogs Have Two Sets of Ears
July 26, 2024 A lovely lakeside dance performance and later, a bear came "knocking" at the cabin!
July 21, 2024 So Much to Write! Clean office and desk, clear mind.
July 20, 2024 Nurturing a Cabin: And can a spirit be nurtured?
July 18, 2024 All about Onyx: Onyx certainly keeps herself busy, inside and outside the house!
July 17, 2024 The Girl In The Other Room: My Mom's younger self came to visit.
July 16, 2024 Birdbaths past and present: A dip into the past while having a sip of prosecco.
July 14, 2024 A Restful Sunday
July 8, 2024 Jake the Pest Controller
June 30, 2024 A Meditation Retreat
June 24, 2024 Butterflies, Onyx and Horses
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