The Price of Ambition--How Much Fun You Can Have

I am sore tonight! This soreness is all because of ambition!

We decided that we wanted horses. You know, a horse farm, in the country, with rolling fields of deep green grass; a handsome barn, full of sweet smelling hay and shavings for the stalls. The barn would have a separate room for the well-oiled and well-worn saddles and tack so we could throw the saddle on and go for a ride whenever we desired.

Of course, we would also probably need a round pen to exercise and train, and maybe a lunging pen when needed. The lake on the farm would be clear and deep, full of fish, with a nice stream flowing away down to keep the bubbling creek running.

OK, so we got what we wanted. Only it isn’t quite like the dream. For starters, the field is a little overgrown with pine scrub, and weeds that have grown into trees with thorns! I don’t remember ever seeing briars an inch thick before!

Somehow the rain runoff has managed to create these red clay gulleys in the fields that have to be filled in before the horses are delivered so they don’t break their legs. Oh, and the barn. Well, we still have to build it!

The lake is there! The only downside is the beavers that seem to love all trees except the briars and thorn trees. They do a great job of building dams with our nice trees that they cut down during the night while we sleep. They were cute when we got here, but it gets a little old tearing out dams and having them built back that night using our good trees! It is full of fish though! At least, that is what I heard. I have been too busy to go fishing.

We are beginning to understand the snickers and laughs we get when people find out what we are doing with the farm. How much work can it be to design, lay out and build a 36 foot by 84 foot barn that has 10 stalls, office, tack room, hay storage, wash rack and feed room. You mean we have to wash these horses too?

On the other hand, the benefits are all there. We are getting in shape! We are not frivolously wasting our money on something silly like a vacation! Ian, the eleven year old and Ryan at four are learning the joys of working as a family! We are all experiencing the joys of being out in the great outdoors.

All kidding aside the lesson comes home again as it did when we were building the sailboat we would live on and sail for over seven years – ambition has a price. In my opinion there is no question the price is well worth it.

After dinner, we sat out on the two story deck and looked out over the field we had spent the day clearing. The brush bonfire was still burning down, and the stars and the moon were our in the clear night in all their glory. As we sat out there as a family and talked about what was to come, there was a clear consensus from all – we wouldn’t have it any other way.

What is your dream?