I love coming to the ranch, especially this time of year. It's February, the
month of LOVE! The air is crisp, the sky is blue and there is a light
covering of snow on the ground. I love getting away from the trials and
tribulations of "real" life. I love feeling the stress slowly blow away,
like the dust in the wind, as you turn off the unpaved road that leads to
the Double O Ranch entrance.
"There is something so peaceful about the sound of tiny pea gravel being
crushed and scooted around as you drive over it". *TM Erin*
I love passing the Freckled Stallion as he basks in the sun, watching his
head bob up and down as if saying "Welcome, it is so good to see you again."
I love how all the Broads that gather here can go weeks and even months
(sometimes years) without "seeing" each other, yet can fall easily back into
that circle of friendship we've come to weave. I love that our lives were
somehow meant to be intertwined.
I love watching everyone arrive with glitter on their face, tassels in their
proper place (well, except for a few and you know who WE are,
the 'dramatics') and brightly polished tiaras on their heads. I love that we
all have tales to tell and they start before we have even begun to unpack. I
love that we all eagerly listen and we all BELIEVE. Most of all, I love that
a man we have never "really" met (well, there was that one time in the back
of Bus # 2 but, that is a different story) arrives here, just in time. EVERY
TIME.. to "relax" with us (funny how that happens!)
I love that, like Cupid, he brings his "bows and arrows" (insert YOUR idea
of bows and arrows here) and pierces our hearts (insert your idea of HEART)
over and over again (insert how many times here). And we never, EVER tire of
it. We stand in line for it, like it is healing waters. And really, IT IS.
I love that many here will soon be celebrating their 2nd anniversary with
us. Two years, can you believe that! But more than that, I love that many will
be visiting for the first time. And next week, just as many newcomers will
be here as there are "old ranch hands". I love that the Welcome mat still
looks the same now as it did the day we laid it out. I love that you do not
need a membership card to get in, everyone is welcome.
I love that the
"Security" at the ranch entrance looks more like a group of "weekly scrapbookers."
And they probably are!
I love that you can sneak into the kitchen, long after Cookie Wendy has
closed it, and still get a bowl of vanilla ice cream. And no matter how many
bowls you go through, there is always more.
I love that even when it is cold
outside, it is still warm in the main house (often we don't even have to
have LOGS in our fireplace).
I love sitting around the campfire with our always Special guest, listening
to the songs from MOAM and MCWL, not to mention our many varied requests
(none of which are ever turned down). That Voice, it coats the air, the trees
and your spirit like thick molasses. Soon, your toes are so warm (insert
your idea of toes) you forget it is still winter. Roasted marshmallows never
tasted so good and no one minds if you get all sticky, most of us even like
it.
I love snuggling up in our jammies. Sipping on warm buttered rum (what?! It
goes with the theme), talking until the early morning hours. And
sometimes, not just about "him". Although all OTHER discussions we have, do
lead BACK TO HIM, from hairdressers to foot long hotdogs (again, another
story).
I love that when it is time to go home, we cry. Not tears of sorrow but
those of joy. Joy knowing we get to visit here as often as we wish. Joy
knowing that we just experienced something special, AGAIN. Joy knowing that
the world is good and kind and gentle..and our insanity does not shift or
alter that.
As someone we all 'know' once sang, it's "All About Love". It doesn't have to
be Valentine's Day to know that! No special anniversary needed, not even a
birthday necessary. That's just the way it is and here at The Ranch, that's
the way it will always be.
It's cold outside, snuggle up to someone you love. And if you look around
and don't see anyone, come crawl in the bed with any one of the Broads, we
never mind the company. And the "guests" have never complained! Heck, we
once had 12 in a bed ... oh wait, that's a different story too.
Robin and The MP Broads
Thanks to Wendy in FL and Cindy for the Photochops ...
