Morning walk in the olive grove with the horses

I went for a morning walk and was joined by some friends.

Whenever the news gets me down, I go for a walk. It helps me to clear my mind, bring me back to the present moment, and concentrate on I what I’m grateful for. What a pleasure it was to be joined by these magical animals today.

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30 thoughts on “Morning walk in the olive grove with the horses

  1. That was a beautiful walk in the olive groves, such a peaceful place. It makes you stop & think how wonderful nature is. It was great seeing the two horses walking along with you. I could not stop smiling just looking at them.

    It is such a time of uncertainty in the states but we will prevail. We will be stronger with the knowledge of knowing the danger we are facing at times from organizations that want to destroy our democracy. Praying for peace.

    1. Yes, these are strange times. It feels like the US is resting on a knife-edge. I’m hoping for the best and trying to find things to be grateful for.

  2. So beautiful there; would love to move to NZ but immigrating there is tough these days 🙂 Loved your book and looking very much forward to the new one!

    Appreciated the brief respite of what we’re seeing on this side of the world. Heartbreaking to think the US could ever sink so low. But given the rhetoric of the last four years, how can any of us really say we’re surprised.

      1. We sold our house at the end of March after 3 years of planning to move to NZ and now are in limbo, homeless and jobless. NZ Immigration was in a shambles for years before covid and is now even worse. They have closed down the Skilled Migrant visas which were already 2 years just to get your application looked at. We are going to have to move to Central America and hope in a couple years we can become Kiwis ????

        1. Andrea – I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. I didn’t know that the Skilled Migrant visas have been closed down. I just looked it up and confirmed that yes, due to COVID-19, that category is suspended until further notice. Wow. They must be flooded with applications. I’m very sorry. Sending you all the best wishes for a bright future, wherever that may be.

  3. Thank you for sharing your beautiful walk with Sweetie and Noddy. I do so enjoy your wonderful photos and commentary. It is refreshing for all of us here during so many tumultuous days of political unrest. Look forward to your next post! Thank you!

  4. Magical Creatures from Some Alien Planet. I think that’s the title of your next book! Maybe Noddy and Sweetie are really super heroes that can save ours? Carrots are the new kryptonite.

    I do love that morning light. I could never peel myself from the Adirondack chairs for a walk since sipping French press and staring out was all I needed every morning.

    1. Haha yes excellent title. Noddy and Sweetie will be flying to the US to save democracy soon. 🙂

  5. Wonderful video! I can’t deny I’m a bit jealous. Also, I’m looking forward to the novel. I actually found you after reading another novel you wrote under a pseudonym – a novel I enjoyed immensely. I ended up buying and reading your memoir and the follow-up short story. Keep writing; I’ll keep reading!

    1. Well, you clearly have very diverse taste! 🙂 Thanks so much for your interest in my scribbles.

  6. Lovely, Jared, and it’s nice to put a voice to a familiar face.

    It’s hard to take walks here between the rain and the heat but the light is extraordinary. I can (and do!) spend hours just sitting here watching the light change. It’s easy to feel grateful…and to ignore what’s happening elsewhere, or at least tuck it into the back seat for a while. Kind regards to Sweetie and Noddy.

    1. Love the thought of you spending hours watching the light change in your island paradise. Take care in strange times.

  7. A lovely early morning walk on a summer day. I well understand your anxiety and shock at events in the US. It seems like another world, almost another planet. My son and grandchildren live in New Jersy and I need constant distractions to stop myself worrying. One of them has had Covid, thankfully not severe but enough to know how serious it can be. A year ago they were here and memories of our view across the Seatoun. Beach and the surrounding beauty is their equivalent of your morning walk. Every good wish to you for 2021.

    1. So sorry to hear you’ve had loved ones with Covid. Glad it wasn’t severe. Let’s hope 2021 turns out better than 2020!

  8. I enjoyed that wee stroll in your Olive grove with Noddy and Sweetie, just what I needed after a busy day. The uncertainty in America is upsetting, also the rest of the world and their problems as well. Makes us realised what a beautiful country we live in, and how great it is to be able to take a morning walk. So peaceful with the animals and birds.

    1. Glad to hear you enjoyed the stroll. Nothing’s better than a walk in nature, even virtually! 🙂

  9. Sweet. Horses are new. What did I miss, for when they arrived? There are/were pigs and chooks and goats and whatever. What’s up with them – oh and olives

  10. Ah so peaceful thank you Jared! It’s crazy stressful times here in South Africa too what with our Covid numbers soaring and endless corruption! This helped ????????

    1. Glad it could help in some small way. I’ve been reading about South Africa. Sending thoughts and prayers to you!

  11. I loved your walk, especially the light in the video. Gloomily looking out the window here in CT, slate grey sky, drab leafless trees it pretty well sums up the mood of this country right now. Thank you for a little warming glimpse of my homeland which seems so far away right now

    1. Summer is coming to you! It’s a seasonal fact, but it also sounds like a promise of hope. 🙂 All the best.

  12. I really enjoyed your walk. Beautiful horses and I see they enjoy your company. Things have been chaotic here so you are lucky to be in NZ. Any more books about your life in the olive grove?

    1. Glad you enjoyed it. I’m not planning any books about our life in the olive grove at this point, but never say never! 🙂

  13. Hope your families are safe. San Diego is pretty bad and hoping the New Year rise in cases does not happen as they expect. Grateful for the beaches to walk most days. Your right we are living on a knife edge here as a Kiwi living in the US it blows my mind to see what is happening over here.
    Love your glimpses of NZ and look forward to your new book.

  14. Hello from Canada. (I see you have another Lorna responding to your posts. Not a common name.) Our ‘morning’ walk usually takes place in the early afternoon when the temperature has warmed up a little! Lots of beautiful snow, which can make walking an extra challenge ????
    Thank you for sharing a piece of NZ – our favourite country to visit! ❤️ We keep dreaming that we will get another visit there once again when Covid is finally over. Take care.

    1. So many Lornas! ???? Your ‘morning’ walk sounds lovely. Until we can travel we can remember and dream.

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