The Healing Horse, Ch. 11, Scene 4: Thanksgiving, 1963

If you don’t know what happened in November of 1963, keep reading anyway. I fill in a little of the background, so you can understand how determined Karen and her friends were to maintain a positive outlook.

Scene 4: Thanksgiving, 1963

On the Friday of Mama’s first week of house hunting, the President of the United States was assassinated. Like nearly everyone else in the country, Mama and Kitten fell into mourning for John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his family. However, Kitten’s determination to take care of Pegasus and to develop herself kept her going. Mama’s determination to find a home close to Pegasus kept her going, too. Mama decided that this year’s Thanksgiving Day would be the most appreciative holiday that she and Karen could ever celebrate. Even as she took Karen to the stables and then house hunted every day, she squeezed in grocery shopping trips and made time to cook.

Then she got a phone call. It was Babs at the stables.

“Would you and Karen like to have Thanksgiving Dinner with us at the ranch? Tex and I laid carpet so Pegasus can come inside and eat with us people.”

“Yes, I know my Krana Layala would love that. It sounds like a plan to me.”

They agreed that Babs would bake the turkey, pumpkin pies, and mincemeat pies, and she would make mashed potatoes from scratch. Mama and Karen would bring everything else, including a special meal for Pegasus.

On Thanksgiving morning, Kitten and Mama got up early to prepare their part of the menu. Mama put Kitten in charge of making a huge salad, and Karen roasted a kabocha squash to go with it. Mama baked yams and steamed string beans. Together, they cooked cranberries and honey into a sauce and then added walnuts, after it cooled.

For Pegasus, Karen created a full-size turkey sculpture made of carrots, celery, and Rice Krispy Treats, that she lovingly cooked with real butter and the best quality marshmallows. She chopped the celery and carrots finely with a French chef knife. She melted butter in a pot and blended marshmallows into it. Then she stirred the liquid marshmallows and butter into a bowl of Rice Krispies. After mixing them, she used her artistic skills to mold them into a sculpture of a baked turkey, and she stuffed it with raw carrots and celery.

Pegasus will love this, she said to herself.

They finished cooking just before noon. Karen dressed for dinner in her favorite purple and white striped, sleeveless dress, with a matching cotton shrug. On her feet, she wore black Mary Janes. Mama wore a casual, mustard yellow sheath dress with a white textured rayon A-line coat over it.

They drove to the stables and carried their offerings into the big ranch house, where Tex, Babs, and Rocky lived. Babs welcomed them and led them into the dining room, where Pegasus and the others were already waiting. The dining room floor now had a sturdy carpet on it, and the furniture was rearranged so that Pegasus had room to stand and eat at the foot of the long table. The turkey and pies that Tex, Rocky, and Joshua had helped Babs bake were already on the table. Karen proudly placed her turkey sculpture in front of her magical horse.

As they ate, the humans took turns sharing what they were thankful for, and in spite of the glum national mood, they kept their focus on the positive. Pegasus kept quiet except to whisper in Kitten’s ear, “I’m thankful for you.”

The Healing Horse, Ch. 11, Scene 3: Karen Visualizes Walking to the Ranch

The story continues from one high point to the next. Karen and Mama are on a roll.

Scene 3: Karen Visualizes Walking to the Ranch

As they crept through the traffic, Karen visualized herself walking the entire distance from their new home to Pegasus. As soon as they moved into their new home, she would do it. She made that promise to herself, and she would share it with Pegasus.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 11, Scene 2: Friday Evening Rush Hour

The time period that this chapter covers brought events that shook the world, but this scene is all about dealing with everyday difficulties.

Scene 2: Friday Evening Rush Hour

On Friday evening of that first week of Pegasus living at the ranch, Mama patiently waited for the car ahead of her to move forward, as she drove her daughter home. They had sat through two full cycles of the traffic light, and they still had not crossed the intersection, but then, neither had the car in front of them. The rush hour traffic was a reality. There was no point in getting upset, but there was a point in adapting and taking action.

Mama’s original estimate of a half hour each way had turned out to be wrong. Even though she picked up Kitten at school promptly at three each afternoon, which was just before rush hour started, they always got stuck in traffic on their way home from the stables. If they got to the ranch at half-past three, and if Karen spent only an hour with her horse, then they did not get home until six. This made making dinner, eating, and relaxing into a rush–which was the opposite of what she wanted it to be.

“Krana Layala,” she said. “This is just too much for us. I don’t want us wearing ourselves out with all this traffic. We’re spending more time going back and forth than you’re getting with your horse. I’m gonna find us a place close enough so you can walk to see him. It’ll be great. Just you wait and see! Thanksgiving is coming in less than two weeks, but I’m gonna start my quest for a new home, immediately, and by immediately, my girl, I mean first thing tomorrow morning!”

The Healing Horse, Ch. 11: A New Routine, House Hunting, and Thanksgiving

Now that Pegasus has a new home, little Kitten needs a way to get from her house in Santa Monica all the way to Topanga Canyon, and she needs to do it every day. This begins a transformation of her life, but it is not all easy.

Scene 1: Monday After School

The next day was Monday, and as she had promised, Mama picked up Karen after school and drove her into the hills to the ranch. As she pulled off the hardtop and onto the gravel drive, she saw that her daughter was almost overwhelmed with eagerness to see her horse. She parked near the barn and watched as Karen ran to the pasture. Following at a respectful distance, she watched Kitten and Pegasus stroll away, up a trail. After a while, they returned to the barn, and Rocky showed Karen how to brush her horse slowly and lovingly. Her daughter obviously enjoyed every moment with the horse. Then it was time to go home.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 10, Scene 10: Karen Rides Home with Mama

Chapter ten ends on a joyful and peaceful note, as Karen reflects on the new friends she has made, and on how one of them has helped her learn to express herself more eloquently.

Scene 10: Karen Rides Home with Mama

As Karen rode home with her mother, she thought over the new experiences in her life. With each had come a mystical bond, first with Pegasus, and now with Joshua. The day’s experience at the ranch had made that clear.

What’s the word I looked up the other day? Eni- enig- enigmatic! I like that. It goes hand in hand with pleasureful and pulchritudinous!

The Healing Horse, Ch. 10, Scene 9: Return to the Barn

As a beautiful day ends, and this chapter approaches its close, Karen and Pegasus return to the barn, so the little girl can ride home with her Mama.

Scene 9: Return to the Barn

The sun sank low in the sky, and she knew her Mama would soon be waiting for her. She rode back to the barn, and arrived just as Mama’s car entered the parking lot.

Karen leaned over and cooed, “Well, boy, I think I’d better say so-long for now. Mama is here. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

Pegasus smiled and neighed farewell.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 10, Scene 8: Eating at the Picnic Table with Joshua

This is the first scene in which the cowboy, Joshua, sees Pegasus fully alive–a horse, not a wooden carving. The three of them bond deeply, so deeply that spoken words become unnecessary.

Scene 8: Eating at the Picnic Table with Joshua

They walked to the picnic table, and Karen used it to dismount from Pegasus’ back. She and Joshua sat on a bench, while Pegasus stood nearby. After spreading a cloth napkin on the table, she unwrapped her tuna fish sandwich and poured chopped vegetables from the plastic bag. There were carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, and cucumber. As she arranged them, Joshua reached into his pocket.

“This here is for you, Pegasus. A pink lady apple. They’re better than delicious apples. I happen to have one on me. I always carry one for momentous moments like this here one.”

Joshua winked. Pegasus nuzzled him, and they bonded in a moment of sweetness. Even though they had spent many hours together at the carousel, this was the first time they had been together with Pegasus fully alive. There was now an inner link that united Karen, Pegasus, and Joshua, a spiritual aura articulating, connecting, and merging them into an inseparable alliance.

“What an affinity,” Karen said. “We are just like the three musketeers!”

She offered Joshua half her sandwich.

“Thanks, doll!” he said. They were growing closer every minute.

“Have some veggies, too.”

She gave Pegasus a carrot, and the three ate without further conversation.

Each of them reflected on recent events. They did not need spoken words. The words in their minds were in heavenly harmony.

Joshua had watched the changes in Karen. He was amazed at her progress and impressed by her willingness to stand up for herself and for those she cared about. I knew she would do great things the moment she chose Pegasus and clum up onto his back.

Karen’s mind drifted soothingly over the challenges of the past months. Now, I know who my real friends are, and what being a friend really means. It isn’t easy. Joshua and Pegasus are in my friendship circle, along with Mama. I will always be there for them, just like they are for me.

Pegasus also mused, Kitten has taken her first steps down an arduous path, and I have found a reason to live. We both have a long way to go, and I am grateful that I was sent to guide her.

Joshua said, “There’s just one more thing that we should talk about. Now that Pegasus is a real horse, you’ll need to learn how to take care of a real horse. Rocky can teach you. I’ll have a word with him and Tex, and he can start showin’ you what to do, next time you visit.”

After they finished the last bites of food, Karen wiped her mouth on one of the paper napkins, stood up, and dusted off her jeans. Joshua helped her pack the plastic bag and used napkins back into the paper sack, and then she and Pegasus said goodbye to him, as he walked toward his pickup truck in the parking lot.

The Healing Horse, Ch. 10, Scene 7: Karen, Pegasus, and Joshua Have Lunch Together

This short scenes sets the stage for a memorable meal.

Scene 7: Karen, Pegasus, and Joshua Have Lunch Together

It was now noon, and Karen was famished.

“I’m awfully hungry. Can you both hear my stomach growling?”

“No, Kitten, even my superior horse hearing cannot hear your tummy growl, unless it is that sound like a distant freight train coming toward us. Would you like to eat now?” asked Pegasus.

“Yes, I would. Joshua, would you give us the honor of joining Pegasus and me? We would love it if you would. Look over there! I see a pretty picnic bench. Let’s sit down and eat the lunch I brought.”

The Healing Horse, Ch. 10, Scene 6: Kitten and Pegasus Meet Joshua on His Ranch

After the ordeal of the hippodrome’s closure, and the joy of discovering Pegasus and bringing him home, little Kitten’s heart swells as she finds that her mentor and friend, Joshua, lives next door to the ranch where Pegasus now lives.

Scene 6: Kitten and Pegasus Meet Joshua on His Ranch

Enthralled as she was by the charm of the surroundings, she was not surprised to see for the second time in as many days, Joshua in the distance. He gave her a thumbs up.

She told herself that he was not a figment of her imagination. He was there, at that moment, like a confirmation of her recent accomplishments. Pegasus carried her to him.

“Hey, Joshua! I can’t believe you’re really here! I saw you in town, yesterday, but then you were gone. This is a truly sublime moment. It’s perfectly paradisic! What brings you out here?”

Joshua smiled, “Why, only a certain little missy and her magical steed.”

“You mean me and Pegasus?”

“Yes, ma’am! Tex is my uncle as sure as Babbs is my aunt, and when they told me they had a mystical stallion and a little girl ridin’ high on him at their place, I knew it had to be my Kitten on her Pegasus. Nobody else could’a brought Pegasus from a wooden carvin’ as dead as a stump (pardon me, ol’ fella’) to a livin’ cayuse. Nobody else would’ve cared ‘nuff to spirit him out’a that there hippodrome. Had’ta be you, young lady! Had’ta be you!”

Pegasus interrupted with a loud neigh, “Well! I hope I was worth the trouble.”

Surprised, Karen looked down at Pegasus from her seat on his back. He had never spoken in front of anyone other than her, but Joshua did not seem at all surprised to hear him speak.

She replied, “You two have been the actuation, the inner direction, the reason, and the cause. You’ve been the mainspring of everything I’ve done since we met.”

Joshua replied, “You’ve been an inspiration to me, too, Kitten. Watchin’ you learn to ride Pegasus showed me what horses can do for kids with disabilities. I used to have the idea that someday I might buy a ranch, but when the merry-go-round closed, I saw that this was the time. I bought this land from Uncle Tex and Aunt Babbs, and named it Joshua’s Disability Riding Ranch. This was the best way I knew to be of service to others.”

“Joshua! A ranch!” Karen said. “You actually bought a ranch!”

“And it’s right next door to where Pegasus lives, so you can come visit whenever you want.”

The Healing Horse, Ch. 10, Scene 5: Karen and Pegasus Take a Magical, Spiritual Stroll on Joshua’s Ranch.

Above Tex’s ranch lies Joshua’s. It is a magical place filled with beauty and healing energy. Karen and Pegasus willingly fall under its spell.

Scene 5: Karen and Pegasus Take a Magical, Spiritual Stroll on Joshua’s Ranch

“Pegasus,” she said. “Would you like to go for a stroll with me? It’s nice out, and I need the exercise. You do, too, now that you’re a real horse. We can check out Joshua’s ranch, up in the hills above your new home.”

More than anything else, Karen wanted them to regain the carefree composure they had shared at the carousel, before it had been destroyed and Pegasus had begun his transformation into the uncertain life of a living horse.

A few hundred yards up the trail, they passed through an ornate wooden gate and found a garden with a sign proclaiming it the Old-Fashioned Garden. She instinctively knew that this was the beginning of Joshua’s ranch. Even in November, its neat beds of dainty snapdragons, salvias, lavender, and aromatic lilacs bloomed. A white gazebo stood in the middle, and stone benches flanked the paths. As they inhaled the fragrance of the flowers, they felt a spiritual essence come over them, a mighty, powerful presence that lovingly embraced their entire being, showering them with an enduring sense of self-possession, gently enveloping and energizing them both.

They continued to a tiny, arched bridge. From it, they looked down into a meandering creek, lush with ferns, moss and rush. Gneiss and schist sparkled in its banks. Water lilies floated on the surface, bright green against the dark water. Beyond it, they soon came to another bridge, a long, wooden span over a deep ravine. They felt its spirit silently waiting for them. Half way across, they paused and took in a three hundred sixty degree view of the surrounding hills. Breathing in, all their six senses danced. This was no ordinary open air belvedere. Spiritually awakened, they stood motionless, paralyzed by beauty. The path next descended into the ravine. Everywhere they looked, they saw beauty they had never imagined. The forest canopy had become dense, and Karen had to look up to see the sunlight sprinkling through. On the hillside above them, a sweeping cascade of leaves spread over a stone retaining wall, like a green Niagara Falls, with long strands of vines hanging hundreds of feet straight down.

Karen found herself laughing, and Pegasus joined her, neighing in joy. She felt some of the relief she wanted, some of the magic of the carousel coming back. When the trail flattened at the bottom of the ravine, Pegasus exploded into a gallop. Their expectation and excitement made them fly down the path. After a moment, he stopped with a deep sigh.

“Mmm, smells so pretty,” Kitten said. “Do you feel what I feel?”

“Yes,” Pegasus whispered. “A healing energy is here, healing us after our long journey from the carousel to the ranch. It is a female energy, the restorative power of Mother Nature herself. I feel my whole being reintegrating with itself.”

Kitten sighed, “I can’t believe how beautiful this is. It’s another world.”

Pegasus smiled. “It’s our world, now. It’s a peaceful, safe world where we don’t have to think about anything but the quiet calm.”

“Yes,” she said. “And thank goodness for Joshua.”