Virtual Brush Box

No Kings, 18 October 2025. AL.com: ‘No Kings’ protest draws large crowd in Birmingham, Whites-Koditschek 2025. [New Equipment]

It may be tomorrow’s history. It may be a blip that disappears. This was what it was at this moment in time.

Older than I expected.

Whiter than I expected.

More American flags than I expected.

Many, many clever signs.

The majority of the signs were of the American History, Fighting Tyranny since 1776, variety.

Some signs were directed to the current incumbent.

Not NY or Chicago crowds, but more than I expected from Birmingham.

I overprepared. I deliberately chose mild, harmless clothing. I took my ID, left my wallet at home, and left my phone in the truck.

A blue protest hits different in a red state.

The speakers ran on. Addressing a crowd is like coaching in the warm up ring. Not the place for extensive theory.

Warm-up ring: Go you. Sit up. Good job.
Crowd: Go you. Action item! Good job.

One dude had a scarf over his face à la ICE, yet he was was wearing rally assistance safety vest. A statement was certainly being made, but I was unable to decipher it.

The scariest person there was a woman walking around with a large QR code on a sign, asking if people had “registered.” She would stop to let folks take a photo. There were no identifying marks on the sign or on her person. No mention of what group she was with. Yeah, right. I’m going to scan a random QR code. I think not.

My biggest danger was being under-prepared for sitting in the sun. Faint and swimmy-headed after. Tried to fix it with real food. Coke & salty potato chips were the answer.

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world.

I thought the number of traffic lights only increased. I did not realized they could be removed. Seen in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Light was blinking. Stop sign on side of road.

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Source [Painting, Mixed Media Class #1, Art]

Similar [Paint Mixing, Photography]

Onwards!
Katherine

Horses of the outside world. This. I want this. Complete with trailer camping with husband. Lyrical Equine: Kentucky Part One: Travel and First Jog. Although with less horse theatrics. I’ve had enough of those to last a lifetime.

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Goldy
Hunt Seat Lesson
Rosewood Stables
10 October 2025
Coach Deana, different barn [Checking Out Another Hunter Barn]

Goldy has the old campaigner’s ability to size up his rider. He spent the lesson humoring me.

Me: Trot?
Goldy: No.
Me: Trot?
Goldy: No.
Me: Trot.
Goldy: Okay.

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. Freedom Forum: Today’s Front Pages.

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Nibbles sent to several Standardbred rescues.

Why a Standardbred?

Why not?

Horse needs a second career. We need a horse. Sounds like a plan.

But seriously folks. We’ve heard good things from folks who have adopted jugheads, excuse me, Standardbreds.

Driving preinstalled? Plsthx.

Detoxing? We’ve had off-track horses. Previous Horse was straight off the track in his racing plates.

Cantering? Overrated. CDEs and starter events can both be done at a trot.

We’ve gone the athletic and talented route. Maybe this time we can get try.

“Standardbreds are often highly regarded for their willingness to learn, their enjoyment of work and their generally laid back natures.” Standardbred.org (UK): Standardbreds Off the Race Track.

“On the up side, there’s lots to like. Standardbreds are tough, athletic, intelligent, eager to please, and temperament-wise I have to admit they are way more tolerant and sensible than your average off-the-track Thoroughbred.  (As a lifelong owner of OTTBs, I say that with love.).” Writing From the Right Side of the Stall: A Soft Spot for Standardbreds

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. The Catholic Herald: Vatican Library grants Muslim scholars a prayer room.

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Horse

Walked to barn. Rodney around. Fed treats. Called for Milton. No sign. Called again. Still no. Minor amount of concern. We don’t expect anything to be wrong, but … twitch … horses … twitch. Although, not as much as when the 26-year-old is late.

Suddenly.

Thunder in the distance. Milton comes down the path at warp speed. Someone, somewhere is having cookies without meeeeeeee!!! Seriously, given his race record, I don’t think he moved that fast on the track.

His foot is fine. [Foot Fiesta Advances Into Autumn]

Human

My foot started to ache over the weekend. Weird, because it healed up tidily and on time. [Foot 2025]

I think I know why it hurt. In spring, we had rain & my foot was in repair mode. In summer, it was dry and & my foot was done. I have not had an intersection of rain and healed foot. The outside of my right foot can now tell the weather.

It’s going to be one of those injuries.

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. Attended a No Kings rally on Saturday. AL.com: ‘No Kings’ protest draws large crowd in Birmingham, Whites-Koditschek 2025.

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Anti-Static Fleece Coolers
Weatherbetta

We lucked out. The horses needed wanted light jackets for autumn. The store was selling these as end-of-season summer sheets.

We have one in black but a) it has holes and b) Milton kept giving us the eye that Rodney had a blanket and he didn’t. [Horse Sweatshirt]

Blanket static hasn’t bothered Rodney for years (crosses fingers) but we’ll take the anti-static feature as a bonus. [ZAP! 2013 & Blankets Are Back 2021]

Onwards!
Katherine

Art of the outside world. “What is the difference between mixed media and multi-media artworks? … multi-media is generally used to define an artwork that uses or includes a combination of electronic media, such as video, film, audio and computers.” Tate: Mixed Media

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Part Two: Posca acrylic markers, alcohol markers, Crayola, Sharpie, gel pens, pastels, colored pencils, graphite, charcoal, erasers.

Start.

Practicing with various media.

Using those media to draw on the results from last week. [Mixed Media Class #1]

There are additional marks on all three sheets. They are most obvious here.

Left pastels, right pencils.

We were charged to produce two works that were only drawing. I deeply dislike pencils. So smudgy. I opted to work with these because I don’t like them. Cheer for my artistic bravery. What did I discover? I can see how both pencils and pastels would produce interest effects. I still dislike working with them. They never dry & they get everywhere.

Previous Mixed Media [Class #1]

Update. Turns out I have mentioned my aversion previously, “Hate pencils. I hate how they smear. I hate how graphite gets everywhere.” [Free To Good Home, Pens, Pencils, Notebooks 2021]

Onwards!
Katherine