Op/Ed

Dig in your heels and hang on!

An Opinion Column
by Karen Henslee

     Horses seem to know when they’re heading for home, they know the trough is full, and they’re anticipating the rest and perhaps a brisk rubdown.
     At least that’s the way it was with the last horse I rode.
     We were at Long Beach several years ago, and we somehow thought it sounded like a good idea to rent horses for an hour and ride on the beach. After all, haven’t we all watched movies where the main characters gallop their horses (in slow motion), manes flowing, across the sand with the water splashing gloriously around them?
     That’s the way it is in the movies anyway.
     People who seldom, if ever, ride horses, should never assume that’s the norm.
     The ride was to last one hour. So, we mounted the horses and headed down the beach. My horse walked at a leisurely pace, only picking up speed when motivated by a strong nudge from my heel.      That is, until we hit the half-way point, and turned them around.
     Suddenly, they had all the energy of young foals, and I was bouncing all over in the saddle trying to stay on.
     That was nearly 15 years ago... and it won’t happen again. I could hardly walk for several days (or sit, for that matter).
     Did I mention it was the LAST time I rode?
     Here we are with only 10 weeks left in 2008; and like the horses, we’re heading toward the stable.
The elections are less than a month away and, like those headstrong horses, the candidates won’t be reined in.
     And it’s not just the presidential candidates. State representatives, governors, senators, and county commissioners are all pointing out why they’re the best candidate, or at least why their opponent is not.
     Shortly after the election is a time we’ve designated as a country for Thanksgiving... is there a bit of irony in the timing, do you think?
     Supporters of the “also rans” may not be so thankful.
     All I know is that after the elections I’m always thankful-- thankful that they’re over. Rather than a victory party, perhaps we should throw “it’s finally over” parties across the country.
     Change seems to be what people want. No matter what the political party, they seem to want something different than what they’ve got now.
     We should not expect that by electing a new leader, things will change that much. Those government cogs turn ever-so-slowly. But we can all affect change in our own lives, one small act at a time.
     Volunteer, donate food to the food bank, mentor a child. Not only will you be more thankful, you’ll make someone else thankful too. And that’s the best kind of change, one you can see firsthand.