To AZ

The 25th of October I got a call from Jenn that a horse pushed her down a hill where she fell on a bush, broke a rib and had damaged her lung. I flew down to Arizona and stayed with her the 27th-31st. I could tell she was in a lot of pain, and I was there to try to help her, but nothing can slow that woman down! Sunday the 28th we went in early for church where as choir director she led and sang preparing the number they were performing the next week. Jenn needed to be back to work on Monday, so I went with her. She manages the therapeutic horse program at ranch for troubled boys. It was fantastic for me to see her in action, and get a glimpse of one of the ways animal assisted therapy is making a big difference in peoples lives. I was able to interact a bit with the boys and horses, but I really enjoyed observing and learn while the boys work with their horses, Jenn give lessons, and I even got to sit in on a few meetings.

The program is based on a philosophy developed by the Arbinger Institute, that is really wonderful. They argue that "we are responsible for our own actions and even negative emotions which we often use to accuse others rather than responding to their needs. We therefore have the power to free our relationships with others from negativity." The Arbinger Institute has put out several books. I have read one called Leadership and Self-Deception, that was fantastic and recommend it to you. Their philosophy is being applied to large businesses as well as in individual, marital, and family therapy.

I knew the ranch was full of troubled youth, but I was amazed at the high level of constant attention and therapy that was happening, and how every minute boys were having to face issues and make decisions creating new habits and changing their expectations.

I had never been to Arizona before, and enjoyed the whole experience, but especially seeing Jenn and getting to watch her in action.

Full moon rise over the ranch. 

The landscape there was so harsh, especially compared to the soft lush and sodden terrain I come from. I felt like everything there was trying to kill you. It was all blistering sun, parched earth, fire ants, and cactus. When I first heard that Jenn had been hurt so badly falling on a bush I was a little confused as how that happened, but once I saw what "bushes" were like there, the confusion was gone.

I found it interesting that we were close enough to the Mexican border the measurements were in kilometers. 

I found the architecture very interesting.  The area is so flat and lacking in color it is like the people living there try to make up for it in their clothes and styles of their buildings. The houses and even the interiors are often painted absurd colors, that you actually find refreshing because it creates a pleasing contrasts with the natural environment. I was constantly amused at the use of seashells and teak right along side traditional Southwestern decor.

First time I had seen real saguaro and barrel cactus. They really do look like the ones in the cartoons.