I’ve known people who don’t have a passion for something, and I’m sad for them. I’m not talking about an obsession for ice cream or pizza, but something that colors your life and makes it better.
For me, one of my passions is horses. If you know anything about me, I wouldn’t have to tell you that, would I? My love of horses began in the fourth grade with the Black Stallion Books. A year or so later, my parents gave me riding lessons—hunter jumpers. I fell off a few times and got scared. My passion was hidden for a while until my nine-year-old daughter asked for riding lessons. Six months later, I started riding lessons too, deciding I wouldn’t live my life through my daughter.
That began my obsession with American Saddlebreds. Over the years, I’ve owned three of them, but I don’t own one now. I continue to take riding lessons so I can get a weekly horse fix. My favorite is a big boy named Calloway’s Aspiration—or barn name Dan. I even own 1.5% of a Thoroughbred racehorse named Fire Marshall Bill. He was second in a race at Churchill Downs September 1st. He’s only three, but no, he didn’t run in the Kentucky Derby.
So, it was only natural that one of my first books was about American Saddlebred horses. Kentucky Flame finds two trainers, the hero and heroine, competing against each other at a big horse show. For another book, I toured Kentucky horse country for the setting of Kentucky Blue Bloods.
Do you have a passion for something? Maybe it’s not a living creature, but something you like to do—playing golf, cooking, ball room dancing, gardening, sewing, fishing. Whatever it is, does it make your life better?
***
Don’t forget to grab your copy of LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer’s End, where Dreams go to live again. Find true love at #LastChanceBeach. 14 all-new #Romance #ShortStories from bestselling, award winning authors.
Oh, gosh, wouldn't you hate not to have a passion? Or even worse, not to feel passionately about things that matter? I loved your post, Jan, and love that you're still taking lessons.
ReplyDeleteIt is bad not to have a passion for SOMETHING. I agree.
DeleteI'm so glad I have writing, and it is one of my passions. However, I also have a passion for teaching middle school students compensation skills for their weaknesses in executive functioning. I believe the more we show them how to take care of those skills, the better chance they have at success when they leave public school.
ReplyDeleteMy passion is writing, hands down. I do have some pastimes, though. I enjoy baking (especially in these times) and I really enjoy walking in the nearby wooded trails and parks. Travel is a passion, but I didn’t know how much until this pandemic stopped all hope for more.
ReplyDeleteLove you post, Jan! My first thought is writing is my passion. It's where I spend most of my time. But I think the overall passion is creation -- I love to create "things" whether it's a story, or a new recipe, or tackling a new crafty project, or learning how to grow vegetables. I like to make something from nothing. LOL Not sure if that is a passion or not but there you have it!
ReplyDeleteMy mom grew up with horses, but alas we never had any. I did love going horseback riding often at a local stable when I was younger. Haven't been in a million years or so!
ReplyDeleteOur daughter had horses for several years. I like to ride but don't want to do the other things required--mucking out stalls, picking hooves, brushing down, etc.
ReplyDeleteI must have read the same books as you, Jan. I too wanted a horse. Then I switched to reading about dogs, and I wanted one of those too—especially a cocker spaniel named Rusty like in my favorite book in third grade. Fortunately, dogs were more easily owned than horses so I was able to get that wish fulfilled. *g*
ReplyDeleteI was lucky as an adult to get the horse I wanted as a child. LOL!
DeleteOne of my Louisville friends bought a mini-share of a race horse from MyRaceHorse.com. Turns out his name is Authentic and he won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday!
ReplyDeleteThat was quite the Kentucky Derby. My friend who is into horses was happy because she likes the trainer.
ReplyDeleteReading would be my main passion. I do love to knit though. I can't pass a yarn shop without buying up big.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
My daughter was a rider. She loved riding and competing. FOr me I like to crochet and read.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at hotmail dot com
I'm passionate about travel. The more exotic the better. Unfortunately curtailed due to the pandemic. I'm having withdrawals.
ReplyDelete