texas - Philippe Bertaud

Connecting with Horses

Apr 162013

Since the childhood, we all dream about having a unique a deep connection with animals. It is always fascinating when someone has developed a friendship with an animal; it is like if this person is one of a few. It is bringing us back to a dream of a perfect Life Garden, an Eden where we can speak to the lion – from very far of course – sing with the birds and swim with the dolphins.
However, the animals can be used and even if we think we create a connection, we are actually hurting them. It is the case with horses. We all love the picture of the stallion running free in the open range… but when we ride them and “train” them to make them obedient, violence, abuse and pain are inflicted to our dear friends.

It is a little bit more than a year, Cookie was performing a house concert at the High Hope Ranch in Glen Rose, TX that we met Ren Hurst. A horse passionate and very interesting young woman. Riding and training horses for many, many years, she was in shock when discovering the Haute Ecole started by Russian Nevzorov.

Inspired by the ancient principles of Antoine de Pluvinel, , Alexander Nevzorov and his wife Lydia Nevzorova developed a different way to interact with horses based on on the physical and mental health of the horses.

Natural hoof care specialist, Ren is now also promoting a healthy, and deep connection with horses based on respect, understanding and care.
On Sunday April 7th, Thavone and I went to participate to a “Connection-Day” leaded by Stormy May, horse trainer from California, and Ren. Stormy even produced, directed and realized a documentary, ‘The Path of the Horse’, to advocate a new type of horse-human relationship.

First thing, we watched the documentary after an introduction to all the other people who where there, and after a vegetarian potluck (you do not want to eat meet before connecting with horses, don’t you?), Ren and Stormy took us to the pasture and taught us the rudiments of establishing a relation with horses. They where there, free and beautiful, just open to connect, or not – and you have to accept it. Nothing forced, just sitting down and wait for them to come to us. They were very curious, smelling us, tasting Thavone’s top… and walking along with us. It was a magic time! A new world of living in harmony with horses and the Nature all around. We then took also time to connect with each other during this beautiful Sunday. Stormy said “What I found is that there’s a willingness horses have to do things with us that involves no force or punishment, no restrictions or impositions.” A great and inspiring new path.

Even if you do not ride, and do not have a horse, go to such workshop next time. The children within you will be so delighted to establish a special link with horses, and humans looking for harmonious way of living.

If like me you are a horse and Nature lover, want to experience the beauty of such connection with horses, you can contact Ren:
(940) 353-7169
and Stormy in California:

stormy@stormymay.com and website www.ourhorses.org

Here is a great book:

A bientot!

Lao New Year

Savoring Life No Responses »

Apr 142013

Saturday April 14th my Baby and I went to celebrate the Lao New Year at the Rockwall Lao Buddhist Temple. How lucky to have two New Year Eves to celebrate in one year… and this for 26 years. It is always good to go out and celebrate life with people we love and meet new ones. And Lao people, there is one thing they love it’s partying.
Lao people, as soon as Friday evening arrives, they get ready for the party. Go buy drinks, cook, laugh, and dancing! They do know how to savor life and let the daily problems where they are when it’s party time. So we went to meet Theo, my brother in law, Sibone and Amone, 2 of my sisters in law and hit the road: direction Rockwall. If you have never been there, the lake offers a breath taking view. It is always so impressive how big those man made lakes can be! And this one is so big, it gives the impression to be in front of the sea.

The Wat – temple in Lao – is about 8 miles out of Rockwall, and we arrived late afternoon, before it gets to busy for us to find a parking spot. Everything was set up: little food stands, little ‘street restaurant’ and the smell of meat grilling on charcoal fires was everywhere. After buying a few things to snack on, we went right away to get some ‘khaopiack (rice noodle soup), green mango and other fresh little treat. Laughing and smiling seem like a walk of life among Lao people! While the music band was getting ready we went to the Temple – Wat… but you know that now!

Inside the Buddhist Temple

First of all, the Temple is the people’s house! They eat there, talk, kids are playing while Monks are blessing, chanting, other persons are making their offerings… In Laos it is the same: you can go to the Temple at any time and will find people praying, playing cards, laughing (of course) and Monks chanting in Pali. Before praying and making wishes, people stick some dollar bills to a ‘money tree’ and pray.

Theravada Buddhism is the tradition in Laos and Temples are the center of social life. You meet friends, get your vaccines, watch T.V… all that while Monks are chanting! Lots of guys choose to become Monk for awhile, or a life time.

Lao Party

If there is one thing Lao people know how to do, it’s… party! Everybody dance, and have great fun, laugh and all ages are mixed. Lam Lao is one of the traditional dance not too hard but very rhythmic, and women have a gracious way to move their hands. Isn’t that magical to be in the middle of Texas and be able to live another culture? Go to a Lao New Year’s Eve Party, have a different type of food, hear a different language…? What a fantastic World!

If one day you can, just go visit the Wat in Rockwall. You will be somewhere else during your visit and will have a great experience. Even better: Go to the next Lao New Year’s Eve and come dance the Lam Lao and have some delicious food, fresh coconut milk and much more!

https://www.facebook.com/inlnyf/photos_stream

Wat Lao Rockwall

Buddhist Temple

Address	2772 Blackland Rd. Royse City, TX 75032
Phone	(972) 771-3350

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wat-Lao-Rockwall/144936698875036

Amazing Grace for Solo Guitar

Sheet Music No Responses »

Apr 012012

“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn with lyrics written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton (1725–1807), published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God, “Amazing Grace” is one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world.

Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He grew up without any particular religious conviction but his life’s path was formed by a variety of twists and coincidences that were often put into motion by his recalcitrant insubordination. He was pressed into the Royal Navy and became a sailor, eventually participating in the slave trade. One night a terrible storm battered his vessel so severely that he became frightened enough to call out to God for mercy, a moment that marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion. His career in slave trading lasted a few years more until he quit going to sea altogether and began studying theology.

Ordained in the Church of England in 1764, Newton became curate of Olney, Buckinghamshire, where he began to write hymns with poet William Cowper. “Amazing Grace” was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year’s Day of 1773. It is unknown if there was any music accompanying the verses, and it may have been chanted by the congregation without music. It debuted in print in 1779 in Newton and Cowper’s Olney Hymns, but settled into relative obscurity in England. In the United States however, “Amazing Grace” was used extensively during the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century. It has been associated with more than 20 melodies, but in 1835 it was joined to a tune named “New Britain” to which it is most frequently sung today.
by Gilbert Chase

Amazing Grace for Solo Guitar by Philippe Bertaud. Watch the video and download the sheet music. Click Here.

Philippe Bertaud plays “Amazing Grace” on his Alhambra Guitar Model 9p .
You can have more information and buy it online directly from Alhambra Guitars.
Click Here!

Trinity Fall Festival

Calendar No Responses »

Nov 012011

Fall is the great occasion to celebrate, not only Halloween, and Thanksgiving, but the community!
For 8 years my family and I have been living in Mansfield, TX. We find the community to be very supportive, and the people involved in helping others.

November 5th at 3PM Trinity Presbyterian Church in Mansfield, Tx will celebrate the Fall with a family fun day! Games! Bounce House! Food and music with exceptional artists such as Isaac Thomas and Cookie Alexander.

Bring your friend and welcome the neighborhood!!

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