Month: February 2026

The Dream of Coco

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Gina with Coco and Thimble in 1985.

The Dream of Coco
By Gina M. Gafford
Magical, Mystical and Just Plain Cool
Reading/Poem
Sponsored by the Literary Committee of the Arts Consortium of Carver County (ACCC)
Sower Gallery (Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church, Chaska, Minnesota)
February 8, 2026, 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Whenever I am near a horse, I feel like everything will be okay. My heart gallops in rhythm with the horse. Dust fills my nostrils, always bringing me back to my youth.

When I was 10 years old, I met Heidi at school. She was two grades younger than I, but we connected right away. She introduced me to the world of horses. Heidi had a hobby farm on the outskirts of Chanhassen, Minnesota. I would walk to the hobby farm by cutting across fields. Back then, there were a few houses, and the business district was still a dream.

My first ride was on a Shetland pony named Thimble. Thimble was always tolerant of our shenanigans. We would ride on Thimble’s neck (I know that wasn’t very nice), invite her into the kitchen to eat out of the refrigerator, and take her into town where people would slow down to see the cream-colored pony.

Thimble was my first love until I met Coco a few years later. Coco was a chestnut brown quarter horse. She appeared so tall. I learned how to put on a bridle, saddle, and a lead rope. Coco was so majestic, I was in love.

I loved kissing her velvet nose and rubbing the white stripe on her forehead. I could feel the massive muscles under her short, rough fur.

Heidi and I took the horses for a swim in Lake Ann. It was a quiet lake; no motorboats were allowed. I rode Coco. I gently walked her into the calm, cool lake. She appeared confident as we got deeper and deeper. 

Then in one mystical moment, I was swimming with the horse. I didn’t even know horses could swim. As we rode bareback, Heidi and I laughed and laughed. Then Coco turned her head and bit me on my left thigh. After the sharp pain, I fell off the horse and began to cry. Heidi jumped off her horse to grab Coco’s halter. I couldn’t believe Coco bit me! The red spot turned into a huge black and blue bruise, the size of a grapefruit, and I had a new respect for horses. I forgave Coco for biting me.

Through the years, I rode Coco and other horses that joined the hobby farm. I begged my parents to buy me a horse, but they said they couldn’t afford one, and that we’d have to board it. Later, I volunteered at We Can Ride, which is a therapeutic riding program. I volunteered so I could be near horses and help children and adults with disabilities. It was an excellent program, and because of this reflection and story, I’m thinking about volunteering again.

The Dream of Coco, by GG

In the quiet stillness of the star-filled night,
Coco dreamt of running free.
She felt her dark gray hooves pounding on the packed white snow, 
and her warm, pumping breath, mixed with the glow of the morning sun. 
Her chocolate-brown mane whipped in the cool air. 
She had the confidence of a Mustang, wild and free.
In the morning, once the yellow sun reached the horizon,
Coco woke from her dream.
She shook her dusty mane
and felt the cool air filled with possibilities.
Coco’s spirit will always be wild and free.
Heidi Davis and Thimble in 1985.

Namaste.

Becoming a Diamond (Poem)

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Open Mic (Poetry Reading)
Chanhassen Library
7711 Kerber Blvd., Chanhassen, Minnesota
February 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.                                                                                                                                           


Becoming a Diamond, by GG

My ancestors are buried deep in the Earth’s mantle
Over millions (maybe billions) of years, their remains turned into shiny, black carbon
Each rotting body dissolved  

from earth to water 
water to fire 
fire to air 
air to space

Eventually, each ancestor became a radiant diamond, taking their place in the twinkling sky

The way to the Earth’s depths requires an inward journey 
My turbulent mind holds positive and negative thoughts
The facets of my life reflect the past, present, and future

The intense heat of my emotions rolls on the whipping winds of a swirling storm
Daily stress cooks and bakes me into something resilient
 
Life’s pressures sculpt something precious inside me
And I can be brilliant or dull – the choice is mine

My spiritual jewel is revealed when I become awake to a higher consciousness
Through meditation and self-reflection, I polish myself into luminosity
I am strong and refined

I become a diamond

Finding the Truth (without technology and screens)

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In the midst of death life persists, in the midst of untruth truth persists,

in the midst of darkness light persists.

-Mahatma Gandhi

I love this line by Mahatma Gandhi: “In the midst of untruth truth persists.” No matter what happens in life. No matter how many lies are on the surface. The truth exists at the core.

There is also a truth that is within us. One way to find this truth is to come back “home” to ourselves. The word “home” contains “OM.” There are so many distractions in life that we need to intentionally find the truth within us. Meditation, self-reflection, silence, and yoga are ways to find this truth.

Technology is changing the way we think and function. We must reduce our screen time. Engage with screens and technology in small doses. Each time we are on a screen, our brains change. The dopamine hits light up certain aspects of our brain, which creates addiction. We need to figure out a balance when engaging with screens.

In the documentary “The Social Dilemma,” I recall Jaron Lanier, a computer scientist and futurist, discussing the crucial need for humans who are not manipulated to sit down and have a conversation. He is referring to people whose brains are not addicted to or manipulated by screens. I understood that he said this because we will need humans with normal brain function to make life-changing decisions. People who have become zombies will be of no help.

Also, we must not give children iPads or smartphones. Children are our future, and they are becoming zombies. The human child needs to play, dream, imagine, create, and have space. Screens are rewiring their brains to become addicted, distracted, and have less focus and concentration.

One of the goals of meditation is to learn to focus and concentrate. Screens are the opposite of meditation. The distraction of screens takes us farther away from ourselves. As humans, we need to come back home to ourselves.

We are at a crossroads right now. Each adult needs to do an assessment with their phone, computer, or any other screen. Ask yourself:

  • How do I physically feel when I’m on my screen for more than an hour?
  • How does my brain feel after scrolling on my phone?
  • Do I feel dizzy when I’m on my phone for too long?
  • In my day-to-day life, do I feel distracted and impatient?
  • Do I have enough attention span to mindfully listen to someone in person?
  • Are my emotions more severe after spending over two hours on my phone?

I know that I physically feel dizzy and nauseous if I’m on my phone or computer for too long. I actually start to feel “unwell.” Therefore, I know that phones and computers are unhealthy and dangerous to the human brain.

I still use screens, but in small doses (like radiation, which it is). I do not allow any technology, including my cell phone, in my bedroom. I turned off all notifications except text messages. I also find ways to disconnect by doing art projects, practicing yoga, meditating, exercising, or reading. I also enjoy phone-free conversations with family and friends.

We can find a way to balance our screentime. We need to have normal brain function without manipulation and addiction. We need to find the truth within us.

Namaste.