Flying Pidgeon is my favorite Moneigh story. The small brown stallion came to Old Friends in the winter of his life...he had lost some teeth and I recall Diane going out to buy carrot juice to make his mash more appealing. He led a contented existence at our farm. He liked his pasture and his own council. Sure, hed amble over to visit but it was on his terms and after a few minutes, hed roll his unique eye, turn and walk away...back to grazing, thank you. Pidgie...he could disappear in his pasture like a hole in water. One day, and I recall it was bright and sunny with a nip in the air...Mary came to the little barn to ask FP to paint. He was led in without a fuss and presented with paints and canvas. An extraordinary thing happened then. He looked at the task before him and then Pidgie arched his neck proudly, and seemed to grow in stature. By at least 2 hands! His eyes became more lively and brighter than ever. He dipped his nose and begin to make deliberate muzzle strokes across the canvas. He worked steadily, deliberately with intent and enthusiasm until his masterpiece was complete. As his assistants stepped back to admire his work, he stood there, proudly, the look of eagles about him. Pidgie, oh, Pidge! Who knew, youve got an artists heart! Some months later, one December day Flying Pidgeon decided he had somewhere else he needed to be. He lay down in his pasture and refused to get up. Dr. Byars and Michael were by his side and in time, they let him go. That evening, Bea and I were driving in from Ohio, when we were met with the most beautiful sunset as we traveled southwest. There were brilliant streaks of gold, orange, magenta, red, against a vivid violet background, backlit by the glowing embers of the setting sun. It was the work of a master. I turned to Bea and said, dont you see, its Pidgie, he has the most amazing canvas now. Hes showing us home! I choose to think that such a soul, unlocked by creative expression, is in some good place of beauty. I miss Flying Pidgeon. He embodied a great lesson to me. In his plain brown body, there rested an artists heart. Thank you for allowing me to share this story. Heres the link to the portrait. Viv. ebay/itm/RARE-FLYING-PIDGEON-MONEIGH-AUTHENTIC-PAINTING-BELOVED-OLD-FRIEND-CHARITY-/281536635906?pt=US_Solo_Sports_Fan_Shop&hash=item418ce42402
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 18:35:33 +0000