Virtual Brush Box

I’m Not Late, It Is Still The Christmas Season

Well, the gift was late, the post is not

 
Awareness of the outside world. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night … nor Christmas season nor massive online-shopping volume nor increased sick leave nor political machinations … stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. The Post Office is doing a decent job, for a 2020 definition of “swift”. Things I ordered are showing up eventually. This gift was mailed two weeks ago on the Monday before Christmas. It arrived one week later, on the Monday after Christmas. One week delivery during any Christmas season is a darn good feat. All lateness is my fault. Public props to our postal carrier for taking the time to put our packages up the driveway where they can’t be seen from the road, rather than leaving them at the mailbox, which is faster & easier.
~~~

To: Cruisen In Stilletos
From: Virtual Brush Box

Dear Giftee:

In my cover letter, I promised I’d explain in a blog post.

First, apologies, as above, for my lateness. I wish I could blame 2020. Alas, I only ordered one thing. It arrived promptly, I utter flopped on getting it in the mail. Buying gifts for others? I’m on it! Giving gifts to others? Here ya go! Packing and shipping? Ick to the ick. I displayed such an aversion to this activity that I am reconsidering signing up for next year.

Enough about my foibles.

Second, I either spent too much or not enough. By commercial value, over the spending suggestion. By outlay for this specific project, way under the limit. Three of four were things I had lying around the house. In my defense, I’ve ended up with some nice things lying around the house.

Dr. Seuss’s Horse Museum by Dr. Seuss, Illustrated by Andrew Joyner (Penquin 2019). Who doesn’t like a book? I know you like horses. Who doesn’t like Dr. S (sort of)? A while back, I bought several copies – full price, from an indie bookstore – for a giveaway I never held. This is my copy. Still have a third one to give away. Maybe someday.

Field Notes. I love these. I love the size. I love the aesthetic. I love the materials. I have a quarterly subscription. I use them to take notes when I am out & about. I am neither out nor about. No notes to take. Subscription piling up. Hate to cancel. 😦 Give them away! 🙂

Spot On Braiding Wax. This was from your want list. Bought some for myself. Water has always worked well enough for me, but I’ll give it a try. At least I knew you would like one of the four.

I’ll braid again, maybe someday. [Firm Grip On Last Place]

Waxed Braiding Thread. While I was at it, I bought myself a roll of thread. I’m picky about what I braid with, but I’ll give this a try as well.

Breyer Stablemates. I’ve starting picking up a few here and there. Who knew that something so small could accumulate so fast. Didja notice I picked one that was braided? Didja? Huh? I’ll show myself out.

Finally, I’m sure you join me in thanking Alberta Equest for taking on Blogger Secret Santa 2020.

Aw, you’re too kind. Cruisen In Stilletos: 2020 Equestrian Blogger Secret Santa.

Stay safe. Stay sane.
Katherine Walcott

Words

 
Awareness of the outside world. The Scamperbeasts, @scamperbeasts.
~~~
Blogger explaining to non-horsey coworker about progress with trainer.

My horse is away at boarding school and he started doing advanced calculus without me today and I only know math up to addition and subtraction so I’m kind of amazed.

Cob Jockey: Pony’s First FLYING CHANGES!!!!

Does that mean our horses are home-schooled?
~~~

Researchers have found that it takes seven positive comments to override the impact of one negative comment.

“Are You Prepared *Not* To Win?”
by Melonie Kessler
USDF Connection
May/June 2020
p 60
~~~

Your mind is governed by three natural laws: 1. You are what you think. 2. Every thought causes a physical reaction. 3. Imagination is more powerful than knowledge. So be careful what you watch and listen to (even music and TV), and learn to replace worry, negative self-talk, jealousy, and judgment with goals solutions, gratitude, positive relationships, and mindfulness. – Laura King, performance and life coach, certified hypnotist, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming practitioner.

“Through The Levels”
by Jennifer O. Bryant
USDF Connection
May/June 2020
p 50
~~~
The Horse: Study Confirms Horses ‘Talk’ to Human Handlers, by Christa Lesté-Lasserre, 2016.

File this under No Shit. Although I was interested that the horses waited to get the human’s attention before communicating. ‘Hey, you. Yeah you, hooman. That bucket. Right over there.’ I wonder if they sometimes think we are slow.

Stay safe. Stay sane.
Katherine Walcott

Fit To Ride, For The Record

Because I’m going to want to remember where I went.

 
Awareness of the outside world. Daily news briefs by Deborah Cox Richardson. If you’re strong enough.
~~~
“Does bling matter? You might as well ask if horse show ribbons matter. and that’s just plain heresy.” [Green Bay]

I’ll save you the counting. That’s 15 medals.
14 recognized walks
+ 2 DIY walks
+ 1 bonus bling for being in both races [Bee]
– 2 unarrived medals

Three virtual challenges. [Will Walk and Bike for Bling]

Locations
After the first few around the pasture, I decided to see the sights. Outside and away from other people was deemed okay. Aimed for a new park for each walk. Amazed at what I was able to find. 5k unless otherwise stated.

April
Pasture [La Jolla Shores, Medal] first virtual walk

May
Pasture [Green Bay, Medal] second virtual walk, fourth walk, first medal

June
Pasture [Flying Pig] weekend, Saturday
Pasture [Bear With Me] weekend, Sunday

July
Oak Meadow [Gaelic Gallop]

August
Birmingham Botanical Gardens [Calgary & Photos]

Wind Creek [Walk In The Woods & Mississippi River DIY Aug 29]

September
Aldridge Gardens [Dragon Within DIY & Art]

Hoover [Santa Fe] 3-in-1, Monday
Birmingham Zoo [Toronto Zoo] 3-in-1, Wednesday
Heardmont Park [Bronx Zoo] 3-in-1, Friday

Pasture [5th Avenue Mile]

Oak Meadow, return [Mississippi River DIY, Sept 29] inaugural weekly 5k if no bling walk

October
Montevallo Greenway [Queen Bee 4-Miler & Mississippi River DIY, Oct 20]

Orr Park & Greenway [Baltimore & Mississippi River DIY, Oct 27 ]

Chelsea Rec [Mississippi River DIY, Oct 28] 1 mile

Buck Creek Trail [Mississippi River DIY, Oct 30] 2 miles

November
Joe Tucker [LEJOG, Nov 4 & Photos]

Lake Cosby [LEJOG Nov 6] 2 km

Richard Wood Park, Thorsby [LEJOG Nov 13] feed store

Vulcan Trail [Magic City & LEJOG Nov 20]

Rotary Trail [LEJOG Nov 24]

Beeswax Creek [Peachtree] 10K

December
Railroad Park [Savannah Bridge & LEJOG Dec 5]

Lee Springs [LEJOG Dec 9]
Inverness corporate park [Melbourne & LEJOG Dec 10] redo
Hillsboro Trail. Lee Springs walk on part of this.
unnamed woods hike. Lee Springs walk on part of this. Update.

Inverness corporate park II [LEJOG Dec 17]

Stay safe. Stay sane.
Katherine Walcott

I went two for two on beta readers telling me that the post drafted for today was confrontational. I didn’t see it that way, but that’s why one has beta readers. Since I couldn’t see the effect, I couldn’t change it nor accurately weigh the merits of letting it stand. This is unusual for me. Le mot juste is the closest thing I have to a superpower. So then I tried to figure out exactly what I wanted to say and why I wanted to say it. So then I ran out of energy. Here, have an evergreen.
~~~
Long ago in the deeps of time.

Party at a friend’s house. Chatting with a fellow I did not know. Host walks over. Says, “Oh, I see the two horse people have found each other.” Walks off.

We exchange looks and nods along the lines of ‘You? Yes. You? Yes.’

He was a large fellow, both tall and heavyset. His physique did not scream At Home In The Saddle. I figured he’d been on a horse once or twice. That counted as a horse person to muggles.

Him: What kind of riding do you do?

Me: Have you ever heard of three-day eventing?

Him: I’m a graduate-A Pony Clubber.

Game. Set. Match.

Stay safe. Stay sane.
Katherine Walcott