Magi | orples

Oh, the Irony is today’s challenge, so I figure, now that I’ve thought about the challenge for awhile, I will touch on two subjects, both gifts revolving around ‘The Magi‘. First there is the book: ‘The Gift of the Magi‘, by O’Henry. The story is about as ironic as you can get. It is the story of a young couple in love. Neither of these young lovers have any money, so they each sell something to give the other a gift for Christmas; he sells his watch to buy his beloved a comb, and she sells her hair to buy him a gold watch chain. The other Magi, my sister’s gift to me, in 1990, has it’s own sense of Irony. When my sister originally bought ‘my Magi’, he was a rescue horse, and I have no doubt he’d have died early had he not been saved. The horse was literally starving to death. As it turned out, I’m not so sure that it wasn’t Magi that rescued me. He certainly was a rock for me through some trying years. I don’t have Magi anymore, but he will always own a piece of my heart. He was named after The Magi that followed the star when Jesus was born. Appropriate, since, indeed, Magi was a godsend—to us both.

Magi. the day my sister bought him. He had worms, so she left him in his pasture for the 1st week and carried him oats, hay, and fresh water everyday to avoid contaminating her own fields.

Magi—only about seven years old shown here— the day my sister bought him. He had worms, so she left him in his pasture for the first week and carried him oats, hay, and fresh water everyday to avoid contaminating her own fields. That cute kid in the forefront is my little niece, all grown up now.

Look at what a handsome, happy fellow he turned out to be seventeen years later. Another seven years have passed since the above photo was taken, and while I don’t have Magi anymore, he is still alive and has a good home on a big farm in Cumberland County, Virginia. He’s retired now, but very well loved by some friends of mine who were thrilled to adopt him. I think if it had not been for my fine stead in years past, I’d have lost my mind a long time ago. Another little tidbit, only my blogging audience knows, is that Polly, Beth’s horse in Book 2 of my new Bride’s trilogy, is based on Magi’s coloring, although, Polly is written to be a mare, while my guy is a gelding. I’m sure Magi would forgive me if he knew I turned him into a girl. He probably figures the Vet beat me to it anyway. I wish I’d gotten Magi while he was still at colt. He’d have been a wonderful daddy, and I have no doubt, would have sired some beautiful foals. To watch the story on you tube, just click the title story––The gift of the Magi video:

Magi was rescued Mid-December of 1990 by my sister, Laura, who purchased him for me for Christmas that year. Her gift was a gift to both Magi and Me, since I honestly think she saved his life and possibly my sanity as the years passed. Magi stayed with Laura until the spring so I could scout around and find somewhere to board him closer to where I lived. In the meantime, Laura continued to nurse him along and bring him back to health. He had gained about 75 – 100 pounds in those few months. One day, I will do a post on the befores, and afters, and fill in a few more durings, shots. This is a ‘in the beginning’ shot.

Magi and Me . Spring 1991. Orange County, Virginia . Getting ready to load up and head to a new home (Chesterfield County).

As time went on, Magi and I became the best of friends and bonded trail partners.

Winter of 1998-99. As you can see, Magi had turned out to be a fine horse. We rode for hours on end, thus the need for all of the gear. I liked to be prepared.

As the years went by, Magi and I started hauling cargo. This is Jacob hopping on board in the summer of 2005. This photo was taken in Halifax County.

Here's another little package I found that needed a lift. Jayden joined Magi and me in 2008 for a ride around the ring. This was his first pony ride. He was terrified. Can you tell?