Chapter 35
Lessons Learned
The sun crept over the hills, signaling to Maizie that it was time to run down to the backside to check on the new foals. The two fillies and one colt were in separate stalls, each with their mothers. Barely a month old, the foals had already been working with Jeb, learning to wear a halter and responding to a few touch commands. Maizie loved to help. When she arrived, she saw Jeb walking toward her with a halter in hand.
“Good morning there, Maizie. Lookie here at this mare and foal. Ain’t this foal gettin’ big? You start watching mother and foal and you’ll learn all you need to know about getting these babies to do what you want. I learned that back on the farm when I was a kid.”
So Maizie watched her favorite foal, a beautiful bay-colored colt with the white forelegs. The mare, Star Bright, would nudge the baby lightly either on the neck or the hindquarters in the direction she wanted him to turn. The foal responded by moving his legs in the right direction every time. When she ran to tell Jeb what she had discovered, Jeb was pleased.
“Seems you got a knack for watchin’ those mamas,” Jeb said. He pulled up his sleeve, exposing a weathered and badly scarred forearm.
Maizie looked at the scar with concern. “Jeb, what happened?”
Jeb looked at his arm and rubbed it with his gnarly fingers. “Long time ago that fence and I got into a duel, I guess. I was working trimming it and reweaving branches when I took a couple of long thorns. Guess I pulled out my arm and I got this ugly cut. It was deep too; didn’t heal for a long time.”
“The fence around this property?”
“Yep, that’s the one. Happened a long time ago.”
Maizie put her index finger on the scar and said, “I’m sorry, Jeb.”
Jeb laughed but looked appreciatively at Maizie. “No need to be sorry. I’m proud of my scars. Reminds me of the life I’ve lived. Every one of ’em has a story. When you get to be my age, you are going to have them too. Some scars you’ll see. Some of them will be in your heart.”
Maizie nodded and turned to run back to the ranch house. Climbing the steps to the back veranda, she ran into Philippe, who was sitting on a chair enjoying a glass of iced tea. After a friendly greeting, Philippe asked Maizie to get a bouquet garni from Ol’ Jon: herbs and young, tender carrot and celery leaves. When Maizie arrived at the garden she saw the old Creole on his knees, tending to his starts and the herbs that he loved.
“Good morning, Maizie. What you been doing this morning?”
“I’ve been to the stables watching the mares and their babies. The new foals are getting bigger already. Capp says he’s gonna ask Wil if I can name one of ’em.”
“Now, that’s a big thing, to name a livin’ creature. You got to give it thought. The name has to be right.”
Maizie nodded. “I’ve been thinking about naming the colt. He’s my favorite.”
“You name that creature and he’ll be yours. I knows that to be true.”
Maizie let the welcome weight of that statement linger for a moment. The idea of naming a Glidewell foal felt like a privilege, now, a responsibility. Suddenly remembering why she had come, Maizie said, “Philippe needs a bouquet garni.”
“What herbs he needin’?”
“Carrot and celery leaves if you got ’em, and parsley, bay, and thyme.”
“I sure can do that.” Ol’ Jon stood while pulling his trusty clippers from his back pocket and went to work. He had fresh parsley and thyme but had to go to his garden shed to retrieve some dried bay. Moving to another part of the garden, he found some very young celery and carrot leaves. “I bet you don’t know about God’s herbs and what they mean. Why these herbs in this garden are suitable for a good doctor and a prized chef. They got secret powers.”
“Really?”
“I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true.” Ol’ Jon cut sprigs of parsley for the bouquet and held them gently as he took a deep whiff of their smell. Did you know that parsley makes folks feel cheerful? And this thyme here makes you feel strong. Come smell ’em, Maizie.”
She put the parsley to her nose. The smell was fresh and clean. Then she smelled the thyme and was reminded of lemons, but she didn’t get how that made a person strong.
“Now here is some dried bay leaves. Bay means glory. Sweet and spicy bay. You know what glory is, Maizie?”
She took the leaves in her hand and brought them to her nose. “Not sure, but bay smells good.”
“Using bay in a dish brings glory to the chef. That’s another way of saying bay brings a chef compliments. Glory can be sweet, but there may be a bit of spice or bitterness, too.” He laughed, then he wrapped his bouquet with fresh string, tied it in a bow, and presented it to Maizie, bowing slightly as he did.
“Here. You run along now, Maizie.” Maizie took the herb bouquet in her hand, brought it to her nose and smiled at her Creole friend.
Chapter 36
Bumpy Dreams
Maizie walked into Mary’s office holding two steaming mugs of coffee with sugar and cream. As she set the first cup in front of Mary, she tipped the other cup in her left hand, the hot coffee spilling on the floor and onto Mary’s shoe.
“Ouch,” Mary yelled. “That coffee is hot!” Mary bent and removed her shoe while brushing the coffee from her leg, foot and shoe. “And now I’m a sticky mess.”
“I’m so sorry.” Maizie’s face
