Virtual Brush Box

Riding

Awareness of the outside world. The policy wonk in my household thinks the supply chain issues are partly due to people buying more stuff instead of spending the money on going out. It doesn’t take much of a shift to throw the system out of whack.
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The next day, we trailered Milton over to Stepping Stone Farm. Husband Greg took a lesson. Got to be at the barn to take care of horses. Might as well teach a few lessons. [Holiday Adventures, Rodney at FHF]

It’s not my story. I never know what to say. Since I am capable (so very, very capable) of saying too much, I overcorrect by saying too little.

I’ll repeat my comment from last year. Still true.

“Since the Virtual Tevis, my husband has been riding Milton. They seem to get along. At least he (the husband) doesn’t look at him (the horse) and tear his hair (either husband or horse) out in frustration and despair. Unlike some people.”

[Miracle Boots, More Of The Story, Milton History]

Lesson Report

Milton (taking one look at Coach Courtney in the middle of the ring): Yes, Ma’am. Right away, Ma’am. No one here but us exceedingly well-behaved horses.

No media because I got all wrapped up in watching and forgot.

“The next day”, as in Friday, as in December 24. Dunno which is weirder. Spending Christmas Eve at the barn, or spending Christmas Eve at the barn and not thinking it’s weird.

Onwards!
Katherine

Riding

Awareness of the outside world. Ancient Alabama, part seven, “That process formed hematite, which is Alabama’s official state mineral because of its economic importance.” AL.com: Birmingham became the Magic City thanks to an ancient bacteria, Pillion, 1 Dec 2021.
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Last Thursday, we took Rodney over to Falcon Hill Farm. Hunter Barn was unavailable over holidays. So, I figured I’d go over to FHF and trot around their lovely ring.

Might as well schedule a lesson. See what happens. Coach Molly had kinda gotten thrown out with Milton bathwater.

An excellent time was had by all.

Hunter Barn has a program that they put all their horses through. My lesson with Rodney stayed low and focused on accuracy. FHF lessons are more flexible. I had more input into our exercises. Christmas Tree trot poles? Sure. Canter pole? Not quite yet. Both approaches work. Just different.

Although I wasn’t ready to wrap my head around canter poles, we did canter in both directions, which we need to do more of. We also did one set of trot poles so often that Rodney started looking for them as we came around the corner, which is awesome.

Onwards!
Katherine

Horsekeeping

Awareness of the outside world. Track the telescope. NASA: Where is Webb?
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As seen on EQUINE Ink: Gua Sha for your Horse.

I absolutely, totally believe that the best body work comes from a good pair of hands. Gadgets can make up the difference if you don’t have access to an equine massage therapist. (Or you are one, or at least have the training, and managed to work on the ASB lesson horses back when that was a thing, yet can’t seem to get your act together on a regular basis at home because the shoemaker’s kids go barefoot. But I digress.)

As much as Milton loved the Bemer Blanket, the massage was better. (I have not gotten back with the people on their preferred level of publicly. Hence vagueness. End second digression.) [Beaming with Bemer Blanket]

So, the best thing for me to do is get off my ass and work on my horses.

And yet.

I still fail prey to the lure of a shiny new object, In this case, literally a shiny object. The belief that this gadget, this ointment, this technique, will solve all my problems, will turn me into a brilliant body worker, will be the missing miracle step.

Ah well, it wasn’t expensive and perhaps it will help.

Onwards!
Katherine

Blogging About Blogging

Awareness of the outside world. LEGO® Build Day & International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. How’s that for a range of human experience?
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At this point, I usually get fired up to spend a week recapping the year: horses, blog, fiction, fitness, and anything else that comes to mind.

Meh.

Not feeling it this year.

This is weird. I love lists. I find them to be an amusing recreational activity.

Nor is it a reflection on the quality of the year. I managed to recap last year, and that was no SR 1420.

Personally, 2021 was non-horrible.

Globally, well, you were there.

I’m ready to move forward.

Lead photo repost [Wishing]

Quick Roundup of Recaps

Horses. One show. Virtual Tevis. Started H/J lessons. Everyone is ears up. Added, Mosely clinics. Overnight team trip.

Blog. When I say I’m not feeling the retrospective, I’m serious. Last Wednesday was the 10-year blogaversary. Again, meh. I’m happy with the blog. I’m pleased that it has lasted. Didn’t feel the need to mark the occasion.

Fiction. Already keep a running list. [Posts: Fiction]

Fitness. Still liking the park project. Will continue to search out new. Will probably draw up a comprehensive list at some point.

I’m sure there is more.

For now, I’m looking ahead.

Onwards!
Katherine

Images

Words

Writer: Hello, Muse.

Muse: Hello.

Writer: It’s that time of year again.

Muse: Time to write the holiday movie.

Writer: Yup. ‘Tis the season. While everyone is in Christmas mode, they want a draft script to get started on next year’s movie.

Muse: What have you got so far.

Writer: A lot of questions. Animation? Live action? Historical? Present day?

Muse: Have they given you any direction?

Writer: The same thing they say every year. Give them another Diehard.

Muse: Well, it is a good movie.

Writer: Sure, but why is it considered a Christmas movie? It could be the corporate 4th of July BBQ and Hans Gruber would still fall off the Nakatomi tower at the end.

Muse: Barbecue grills in a high-rise?

Writer: So, they got takeout. Work with me here.

Muse: It has a great cast.

Writer: Yeah, I can’t do anything about who gets cast. We’re not going to get the equivalent of Rickman & Willis in a made-for-TV movie. BUT. A good screen play will attract good actors. I can’t control what happens after, but I can control that.

Muse: That sounds familiar.

Writer: See, I listen.

Muse: That’s good. Back to the task at hand.

Writer: (in monotone) Stay on target. Stay on target. I wonder what holidays they had a long time ago, in a …

Muse: You are getting distracted again.

Writer: Arggg.

Muse:

Writer: This is where you jump in with the brilliant idea.

Muse:

Writer:

Muse: How about Christmas in Mongolia?

Writer: They don’t celebrate Christmas in Mongolia.

Muse: Exactly.

Writer: ooooh … or Africa or Asia or the Mideast … some non-Western country … avoid places Christmas is banned … too political … are there places it is still banned? … (clicks on tab) … no, look that up later … a country where Christmas is sympathetic but not a big deal … young person … working abroad … alone-on-the-holidays sympathy … maybe a small village … heartwarming scene of kids surprising the main character with tree decorations … maybe a big city … bound to be other Christmas celebrants if the city is big enough … local church if we want to go religious … maybe a Christmas friendsgiving with other expats … scrambling to find decor … food … maybe has to work that day … maybe celebration includes someone the main character doesn’t like … enemies to lovers if we want to go romance …

Muse: You will have to make choices at some point.

Writer: No, no. I mean yes, absolutely, I’ll need to decide on a story line. But they like it when I provide options. I’ll give off ramps at key points, change of characters, change of venue, different genres, different countries. This is great. I can work with this. What do I owe you?

Muse: Same as always. Do your best work.

Writer: Merry Christmas, Muse.

Muse: Merry Christmas.

(Sounds of rapid keyboard clicking.)

~~~ curtain ~~~

Fit To Ride

Awareness of the outside world. “A portion of all proceeds from this event will go to ‘Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana’.” Medal Dash: ‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’ 5K, Description.
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(Medal photo pending. Having trouble with sun. No complaints. Been gray and ick all week. Yay for sun!)

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS 5K
Homewood Shades Creek Greenway
Saturday, 11 December 2021
5K time – 56:21 minutes
Total walk – 57:42 minutes
Map My Walk

This 5K was of the buy-a-medal, do-as-you-will variety. I have decided that I prefer the vicarious travel aspect of having my virtual walks tied to an IRL location, i.e. zoo fundraisers, marathons etc. However, this was last minute. Take what I can get.

… muddy … need a paved place for my daily mile … haven’t done a official walk here … hmm, the total trail is 2.6 miles … that’s close to 3.1 … I smell a 5K …

A quick Internet search and I was signed up for this.

I get the mental satisfaction of finishing a 5K. I get a medal. I get a seasonal blog post. Most importantly, I get the impetus to continue wandering around the shopping mall parking lot for half a mile to finish the 5K.

“Broke many of the rules prevalent for animated holiday specials during the 1960s: it didn’t make use of a laugh track; real children were used for the character voices instead of adult actors imitating children’s voices; and Biblical references were used to illustrate the true meaning of Christmas.” IMDB: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Trivia

Stay safe. Stay sane.
Katherine