Even if you do nothing more than stroke a horse’s velvet nose and look deep into his or her dark, dark eyes – you can find something truly special.

Having said that – you’ve already discovered for yourself that horses bring enormous challenges, but the rewards are just wonderful.

You’ll gather from all that gush (!) that I am well and truly a horse person. They’ve dominated most of my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m no great shakes as a rider – but when I feel that elusive but thrilling connection with my horse – that’s all it really takes to make me happy. (If the day also includes my husband, my dogs and my cats – and maybe time for a spot of reading, writing and music along the way – then I’m ecstatic!)

(Also, Paula Deen’s curried chicken and wild rice casserole with cornbread stuffing is freakin’ delicious. Granted, you may as well eat it on a treadmill, but damn if it ain’t worth it.)

Being a Scot – I come from a land of unhealthy eaters – we’re renowned for eating deep-fried Mars Bars for heaven’s sake! I’ve actually slipped through the net because I enjoy fruit and veg (clearly I must be a throwback to some other nationality…) but in any case – I think it’s up to the individual to decide what to eat – enough of the nanny state already!

I really feel that up until this point her condition was no one’s business but her own, but naturally if she chose to endorse this medical product people were going to wonder why.

Sabrina sums up my feelings well. Opinions are opinions, but the hateful way people are expressing these opinions yet again makes me want to just shut down my Internet and stay away. I’m just really, really getting over this culture of, “Look at my snark.” Pretty ashamed I ever participated, too.