There’s a reason “growing pains” became a much-heard phrase. Growth, even the best kind, comes with a bit of bittersweetness.

I’ve grown as an author, mom, spouse, human, horsewoman, businessperson…and with each stretch forward, comes a tinge of longing or missing the piece of us that was left behind during the change.

As an author, I’ve said goodbye to many genres that I enjoyed writing, because the drive dissipated enough that it was no longer bringing me joy. But with that change, comes the loss of a way of thinking and writing and daydreaming…

Even the best bits of change can be hard.

When my husband and I purchased Whispering Hills from one of my best friends, we were sort of stunned at what we’d just jumped into. Working hard in a place is one thing, owning that place is quite another.

When she offered up the name her family had used for decades, Whispering Hills, I was thrilled. A place I already loved could keep its name. A friend offered up something awesome.

With that stretch forward into a new avenue of my journey as a horse lover, came things I’ve left behind…days off for one…

Quips aside, I said goodbye to my editing business and goodbye to the charity anthologies I’d spent years being a part of. I had to sit and really think about where I’d want to spend the VERY LITTLE bits of writing time I’d have while managing a horse boarding facility.

Mike and I love sitting in our version of Whispering Hills, pieces of it created by the people who have owned other Whispering Hills and the many hands that have been on this property making it what it is. As I found time to work on the business end of things, there were just enough roadblocks that we began to ponder on what we’d call our own barn. One we had started ourselves.

A few days later we had custom artwork, name, and a logo. None of it was planned, but again…growth, change. A taste of the bittersweet as we once again stretch into something new. Something OURS.

If we added up all the days and nights we’ve spent on a boat–motoryacht, sailboat, rowboat, river boat, lake boat…it would be YEARS. Boating in the Caribbean and Alaska are hands down our favorites – and the places we’ve been fortunate enough to have spent the most time.

With boating (and life, and everything in between) comes changes of direction and new paths forward.

Your compass is your guide, your compass line is the way forward. Melding our love of being on the ocean, with our love of the desert and the continuous change and direction that comes with being around horses everyday…the natural next step led us to where we are now.

Once again at a new ending, which is always actually a new beginning.

Welcome to Compass Line Equestrian – where we come to foster partnerships with our horses, and where there is the underlying understanding that we’re really here for the good rides, barn chats, nose boops, and snax.

~ Jolene