Reading in the outside world. Block Club Chicago: Chicago Turns All Public School IDs Into Library Cards To Boost Student Access, Liptrot, April 8, 2026. Hat tip to G.
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What is the ideal amount of lesson coverage?
On one hand, I could thoroughly document each lesson. Meh. I have to admit that even I would not reread those posts. There are people for whom notetaking works. Rock on. For me, I do not need to be more in my head.
On the other end of the scale, I could recount amusing anecdotes and let the everything else go. Entertaining you is certainly a priority. However, I also want to keep a record.
Lately, my method has been a middle road. Record each lesson, but hit the highlights & move on. Occasionally, there are lessons that I document the details in order to refer back. [Dissecting My Position, Lesson Notes]
I honestly can’t remember what my plan was for past posts lo these ages ago. I think I have mentioned every lesson over the years. There may have been some that slipped through the cracks. Or I did not mentioned them because I had a different theory at that point.
The question of coverage does not apply to shows. Those I write up extensively. Spread that blog jam over as many post toasts as I can manage. Partly, shows are special occasions. Dress up. Spend money. Win ribbons. As with vacations, we want to remember the flashy facets of our lives. The other part is that shows are narratively distinct units. I went to this place. I rode in these classes. I did these things. I won – or did not win – these ribbons. That makes for good stories.
From an educational point of view, lessons are more important. From a narrative POV, lessons are fuzzy. The effect is cumulative. Was that bad lesson the disaster it felt like, or merely a momentary glitch. Was that good lesson actually revelatory or merely a momentary high? In general, lessons are about incremental improvements.
This all came to my attention recently when I took a bunch of lessons, the recording of which got away from me.
I was merrily reporting my lessons as they happened. [Back In The Saddle II, Lesson] & [Back in the Saddle Seat, Back in the Driver’s Seat, ASB Lessons]
Then, I had a bad lesson. As in, I never got on the horse. I didn’t want to post about it until I had processed it (and gotten a handle on my disappointment with myself). Then a driving lesson which was lovely. Should I talk about one? The other? Both? Neither? Phooey. Have a cat. [Cat Pause at the Saddlebred Barn]
Over at Rosewood. Wrote up one lesson. When the time came, I lacked the enthusiasm to add the Saturday lesson from that week. [Goldy Standard, H/J Lesson]
The next week, a really good lesson. Adding the second lesson would have diluted the narrative. [The Goldy Ticket, H/J Lesson]
Suddenly, I had lessons in piles everywhere. Some I have covered. Some I hadn’t. Some were at this barn. Some were at that barn. The chronology was all out of whack.
I ended up doing round ups. [Gathering The Goldy Dust, Hunter/Jumper Lessons] & [A Trotting Twosome, ASB Driving Lessons]
One thing I like about them is that I am now up to speed on all recent lessons, except for the bad one. I will – I intend to – tell you about that at some point. Short version, high ears combined with cow flashbacks. [Ears Up!] & [Bovine Visitor]
The other thing I liked about the round ups is that I was able to include how the lesson worked out in future lessons.
I suspect that A) I will try to keep up with lessons as they go. If nothing else, I need content. B) I will not be taking so many lessons that staying up-to-date becomes unwieldy. & C) I will always have the option of launching another round up.
Thus ends today’s edition of How The Sausage Is Made.
Archives [State of the Blog]
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 