'My' Introduction

I was born 16 February, 1951 and grew up in the greater Los Angeles area until I joined Uncle Sam's Canoe Club (e.g., the U.S. Navy) in 1972 where I invested 9 years of my life. My most recent vocation (which I retired from in February 2006) was as a technical-professional in the nuclear industry. I have two sons born in 1983 and 1985 respectively. My wife and I have been separated now for about ten years. We're still good friends we just don't do well living together. I've loved horses for as long as I can remember. I was married on horseback! In the 50's my favorite activity was to watch as many shows that had horses in them as I could. I remember My Friend Flicka (my favorite as it was about a boy and his beloved mare), Fury (another story about a boy and his horse), The Cisco Kid, The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers to name but a few. When growing up in Los Angeles about the only opportunity I had to interact with horses were the pony rides at the local amusement parks. I would absolutely wail when I had to get off! I have been graced with stewardship of the following living treasures. I am humbled and pleased that three of my beloveds have achieved some level of notoriety on-line as noted. It is primarily because of Metigoshe Mariah that I have become more interested in the genetics of color. Christy, 11.0 hh, Bay (w chrome) Shetland-type Pony mare, foaled in 1992: http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Christy/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Elnoras Gin Fizz, 14.1 hh, Bay w Chrome Morgan mare, foaled September 20, 2004 (Tanq's foal): http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Fizzy%20-%20Elnora…" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; LSR Tanqueray Sterling (Tanq) 16.0 hh Chestnut/Flaxen Morgan mare foaled February 21, 1992: http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Tanq%20-%20LSR%20T…" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Tanq is a lovely mare that actually looks more sporthorse than Morgan IMO. She is my 'super model' mare and the 'loner' of my herd. When she moves she glides over the ground. Tanq is featured on the following web pages: http://colormorgans.tripod.com/othercolors.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; http://www.rainbowmorganhorseassoc.com/index/flaxen.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Metigoshe Marquessa (Kessa) 15.1 hh, Chestnut Morgan mare foaled April 27, 1999: http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Kessa%20-%20Metigo…" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Metigoshe Mariah (Mariah), 15.1 hh, (VERY sooty) DNA verified Palomino Morgan mare foaled June 19, 2003 (Kessa's foal): http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Mariah%20-%20Metig…" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Mariah has been featured in the Spring 2004 edition of the Rainbow Morgan Horse Association newsletter as well the April 2006 edition of The Morgan Horse article on Look Alike Colors. Mariah is featured on following web pages: http://colormorgans.tripod.com/palomino.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; http://www.mindspring.com/~morgans/notsilver.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; My Miss Gidget (Misty), 9.2 hh, Silver Dappled Dun Class B Miniature mare foaled July 1, 1990: http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Misty%20-%20My%20M…" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Misty being such an unusual color has drawn some attention other than just my own. During a web search I discovered that she is featured on the following web page: http://duncentralstation.com/DunOtherDilute.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Narnia Farms Black Satin Knight (Knight), 8.0 hh, Black, Class A, vasectomized Miniature stallion foaled May 1, 1992: http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Knight%20-%20Narna…" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Questor Mystique (Mystique), 14.1 hh, Chestnut/Flaxen Morgan mare foaled May 23rd 1993: http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Mystique%20-%20Que…" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Sable Wild Fantazee (Tazee) 14.1 hh, Seal Brown Morgan mare foaled September 13, 2003: http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Tazee%20-%20Sable%…" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Shes a Scootin Bond (Scooter), 15.2 hh, Bay Appaloosa mare foaled February 28, 1998: http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/DRCharltonJr/Scooter%20-%20Shes…" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Non-equine companions: Kelly, a 7 year old uncropped, spayed Great Dane bitch Tinker, a 2 year old spayed, declawed, grey tabby cat. Charlie, a several year old neutered, declawed, orange tabby cat which I 'inherited' following my late mother's death. I became steward to my first horse in 1974. That's when a stunning chestnut/flaxen Morgan filly, Gays Candle Light (Candle), captured my eye and my heart. I was graced to be her steward for nearly 18 years until her death in 1992 from the after-effects of a terrible colic. I managed about three months without a horse around before I starting 'climbing the walls'. Then in the fall of 1992 two miniature horses Jewel and Knight came into my 'keeping'. Even with the Minis though the hole left by Candle in my soul persisted. Sadly my beloved Jewel was euthanized in February 2008 due to a neurological issue that had developed as the result of a conformational defect. She was 3 months shy of turning 26. The summer of 1995, I happened across an Internet ad for Mystique, as a two-year-old filly. I contacted Mystique's breeder requesting pictures and a video. I had one look at the video and fell immediately 'in love' with her. If my 'intuition' is on-target Mystique would be my very own 'Flicka' yet, due to the mystery of the eternal, 'different'. In 1998 a co-worker where I worked told me that her brother had a Class B miniature mare that he needed to sell due to a divorce and financial issues. Misty (and Jewel) suffered from past abuse, it is pleasing to be in the position to provide her with loving sanctuary. In 2001, Scooter came into my 'keeping'. Scooter was originally purchased by a Morgan breeder that I know to be an embryo recipient mare. It turned out her reproductive 'system' was 'immature' and she would not be able to support a pregnancy without a LOT of management. She was traded to me in exchange for money owed. Kessa and Mariah arrived in mid 2003 as a pair when Mariah was only 6-weeks-oldl. I belonged to a Yahoo Morgan Pictures group for several years and followed Kessa's birth and growth along with Kessa's breeder. I didn't even know Kessa was for sale when she was sold. Through convoluted circumstances Kessa was bred as an early three year old and put up for sale due to her 'owner's' financial hardships. Kessa's breeder went to great lengths to help me become her steward and we have become close friends. In 2003 Tazee also entered my 'circle' although there was a detour first. A friend who had met Mystique 'fell' hard for her *smile* I wanted to try and find a Morgan like my Mystique for him. I fronted the money to purchase Tazee with the 'condition' that she stay with me temporarily so I could meet and interact with her. Sadly, a 'connection with Tazee didn't manifest for my friend which is just how things happen sometimes. In 2005 it was mutually decided that Tazee should be returned to my stewardship. I was SO pleased when she arrived back 'home'! In 2006 Tanqueray and Fizzy came into my 'keeping'. I had been a fan of Tanq's since I first saw her pictures on the same Yahoo Morgan Pictures group where I first noticed Kessa. I considered myself her biggest fan (next to her then 'owner'). Long story short, I was promised first offer on Tanq if her 'owner' ever sold her. That promise was not honored and she was sold to another person who promptly bred her. Alas, I considered Tanq forever lost to me but Spirit saw fit to allow events to manifest otherwise. Apparently I needed Fizzy too, eh? Let me tell you Fizzy is a firecracker too! I have no interest in breeding since I realize that there are MANY more horses than there are genuinely loving forever homes for them all. Why risk one of my beloveds's on a maybe thing when there are SO many horses that need a good home? I have my life full trying to be more appreciative of the blessings that I already have. I feel graced to 'see' animals my spiritual equals, yet different. I have learned much about unconditional, spiritual love from animals. I 'talk' to the animal companions that grace my life. I confess that I have 'issues' with clear hearing however. I have attended basic and intermediate courses in interspecies telepathic communication facilitated by Penelope Smith. Penelope's web site is at: http://www.animaltalk.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; My desire in life is to live by a single standard of unconditional love (e.g., agape) and to do as little harm and cause as little suffering in this world as my abundant ignorance permits. I would compare my ignorance to a mountain and my knowledge and understanding to a thimbleful of sand. Each day when I'm graced to look at the person in the mirror my hope is to be able to move one grain of sand from the mountain to my small thimbleful of unconditional love and understanding. My dream is to someday facilitate a spiritually focused animal rescue and sanctuary. Perhaps then I might be able to give back some tiny portion of what animals have given me... DISCLAIMER (or the 'Fine Print'): *VBG* I am a VERY opinionated person. Gee, I'm sure nobody reading this introduction knows anyone else that is this way! As a result of my opinionated nature I may come across as judgmental and/or chauvinistic. PLEASE take this into consideration when communicating with me. My opinions are just that opinions. I am keenly aware that my ignorance far surpasses my understanding. I try not to be so bold as to say that my opinions and positions are 'right' for anyone other than myself. However exploitative, self-indulgent behavior is unloving and I will so state. One of my favorite caveats is 'it depends' on the 'intent' behind an action as well as the situation that a behavior is manifest in. I try NOT to draw conclusions from incomplete information. Time bears witness to the intent behind all things. If I ask with intent and am patient in waiting for the answer I will be granted understanding most often. When dialoging with me if there is a misunderstanding, please ask rather than assume. After all the spelling of assume is ass-u-me! Namaste'! Darrell