My maiden name was Harlamoff (anglicized spelling for a
Russian name) and the kids in grammar school called me Horsamoff. I
couldn't handle teasing as a child and I was deeply hurt. Everyone tried
to tell me that teasing meant they liked me, but I couldn't understand
that. Somewhere along in my 30s, we became friends with a young
couple, and the man was a terrible tease. He taught me how to laugh at
myself. What a great gift that was!!
My grandfather was a little old Italian who spoke accented
English. Although he knew nothing about horses, he knew about my
obsession with horses and he called me Maryhorse until the day he
died............Maryben
