“That skiff of snow wasn’t enough to bring the ‘new’ sleigh out of the barn.”
Uncertain if there’d even been sufficient white stuff whether Maggie would have been hooked. Still oh what fun it will be when that time comes.
Several friends had been on the lookout for a sleigh and finally one was located in South Carolina. After describing the antique sleigh, relating the cost and opportunities for delivery to Kansas, approval was given for purchase.
First off, one-horse open sleighs like pictured on record covers for the Christmas song are “hot commodities.” While supply is somewhat limited, they are actually available all across the country.
Quality is widely varied, but everyone has a very high cost. The one to be purchased was at the lowest end of other printed asking prices.
When picking up the “new” sleigh, first sight was rather disappointing compared to what had been envisioned. There was little resemblance of other advertised sleighs, one like Santa Claus has, and some displayed during Christmas holidays.
Still, the antique sleigh was in good shape considering how old it could possibly be. Everything is timeworn but ready to use including the shafts which alone sometimes are expensive. Scratched and frayed, paint is original; important to collectors.
“You don’t have to take it, and then I’ll just keep it myself,” said the friend who’d acquired the sleigh.
Without much contemplation, check was written, sleigh loaded in the 12-foot horse-stock trailer, brought to the ranch, and into storage.
“You really need that like a hole in the head,” nobody said, but it could have been thought. Still few people have a one-horse open sleigh and majority of those who do never hook it to a horse.
This one will definitely be hooked to Maggie when the snow is just right. Of course, the driver must get the ambition to do so.
With extreme caution, Maggie has been trained to pull horse vehicles during the past several months. Most who’ve seen her horseshow shenanigans wouldn’t believe she’d make a driving horse.
To the contrary, Maggie took right to the new task becoming enjoyable to drive pulling the high-wheeled cart. She has yet to be hooked to the fringe-topped carriage.
Reminded of Solomon 3:8: “The manager had a sleigh built from fine lumber and lined with fabric.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XVI–14–4-3-2022
