Norco—“Horse Country”—my spirit is home—I am at peace in my mind, at last!

I was raised on a ranch in the San Fernando Valley (before it was wall-to-wall houses). My grandfather bought me my first horse, Mickey, a Morgan, when I was 12 years old at an auction house on Sepulveda Blvd. for $50. We took her home tied to the back bumper of Grandpa’s car. He helped me break her and taught me to ride. Many good times for a teenager—riding the canyons, Lopez, Little Tujunga, Big Tujunga, Hanson’s Dam, etc.

Time passes, you marry, you have children, you move on—many years pass. Suddenly you find yourself married to an ex-jockey and you’re back in the “horse world” again! Fifteen years on a ranch in Fallbrook. Time passes, husband dies, ranch sold, “Mimi” moves into an apartment—nice but sterile—three years and I didn’t know one neighbor!

Then—I found Norco! Or, I should say my granddaughter and daughter found it. I always knew it was “horse country,” but had never been here. They showed me this nice little, neglected house on Sixth Street and I knew at once it was right! A big yard for my big dog—birds to chase—gophers to dig for—heaven for Puppy.

My first weekend here must have been something special going on because all afternoon horse after horse, sulky’s and carriages, trailer after trailer kept going by on their way home. Wonder what I missed.

Every day I get to see the riders and their beautiful horses go by. Today was a pretty girl, dressed in white with a white horse and white carriage. Then there is the beautiful Pinto or Paint (I’m not sure of the difference any more) with the black head, white middle, black rear and tail with white on top and black on tip! Then, the blond girl with a pony tail hairdo that sits her horse so well. Then, the girl that was training her horse—I suspect for penning. First time Puppy had heard a horse whinny, she didn’t know horses could talk!

The adventures of Pup and Mimi continue—wonder what next week will bring. My new neighbors have told me to look forward to a 4^th of July and Christmas parade—right past my front door. Imagine that!!