Virtual Brush Box

Awareness of the outside world. Flickering candle. I reinstalled Instagram on my phone. I kept running into folks who show their work there. I found I had missed seeing a few accounts, e.g. @elizabethwheatley, an author with humorous book videos, & @dressagequeen_of_memes, as it says. Unfortunately for my ability to stay away, I immediately found links that I wanted to use. I also check Facebook occasionally, mostly to see what is happening at Stepping Stone Farm. OTOH, I have not shopped at Walmart or Amazon since swearing off. Mediocre on voting with my eyeballs. Doing better voting with my dollars. [Driving Envy]

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Stating the obvious, but the horse search is taking a sabbatical. No way I’m getting on a strange horse when I have a bum foot.

There are a few horses I would have ridden while I was on injured reserve. Horses I knew well. Horses I vibed with. Horses I had logged saddle time with. Previous Horse. George. [The Whatever Horse]

Sales horses, not so much.

It’s not just me. Looking for a new horse is an energy-draining voyage into the unknown. “this one bucked me off right there at the mounting block” Braymere Custom Saddlery: March Marches On.

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. JAC: Jackson Hole Airport Becomes First DarkSky Certified Airport in the World, 17th April 2025.

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Repost [Whip Hand, Wordless Wednesday]

Milton is driving again. In this most recent iteration, he has hitched 3 times, and trotted over the weekend. He is slowly getting getting back to where we were pre-pause. [Delay Of Game]

There were small signs that he might be starting to believe us and deciding that he can do this. If his feet and gut are in a better place, that would likely show up in a happier attitude and a more consistent approach toward work. As it would with any of us. [Shoes That Last, Weighty Considerations]

Conversely – and this is most likely my foot making me grumpy, see yesterday – I am fed up with Not Horrible counting as victory. I want to ride and drive and have fun with horses who enjoy their jobs. I want progress to be more than a glimmer. But hey, you get what you get. [Cumulative Effect]

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. “Greyhound Lines, Inc. does not consent to, or provide permission for, warrantless and/or suspicionless immigration enforcement activities on its buses or in its non-public property at bus stations.” Greyhound: Our Policy on Warrantless Bus Searches. Also, Greyhound: Your Rights & Rules on Board. Go Greyhound! Hat tip, @drneuro.bsky.social, May 4, 2025.

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Up to 3 laps for our morning walk with the horses. That means we can alternate lunging with walk days. Less of an option when I was only walking one lap. Normal is 5 laps, or one mile.

The foot is gradually getting better, I assume. Doesn’t feel much different, but I’m told these things take time. I’m still capable of overdoing, either walking too much or spending too much time with the foot down gravity.

Most of the time, it doesn’t hurt terribly much. Which is good. It is occasionally sore or achy. The only outright, stop-the-presses pain is when I take a bad step and inadvertently twist the bottom of the foot out of plane. The brace helps. As does knowing not to do that.

The problem is that healing takes energy. I forget this and get on with my life. Then I pay for it.

The foot doesn’t hurt as I overdo it – which is good! – but I have no warning that might cause me to slow down or take it easy. Instead, I become cranky and irritable and vile, without any increase in foot pain. Which is good! If I remember to rest my foot, I find I don’t hate the world quite as much as I thought I did. Still with no change to how my foot feels. Which is good! But weird.

The fifth metatarsal. Such a small bone to have such an outsized effect. [Foot post archives]

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. Happy Square Root day! Unlike Pi day, this works for both US & International date styles. Furthermore, “Only 9 dates every century qualify to be a Square Root Day.” timeanddate: Fun Holiday – Square Root Day.

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I was going to be gloomy about how long it’s been since I’ve needed the helmet, i.e. how long it’s been since I’ve ridden, but seriously, nests can appear overnight.

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. May The 4th be with you. I admit to wandering away from the franchise in recent years, but the first will always have a place in my heart. “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….”

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Bird Watching and En Plein Air Painting Event
Taught by Timothy Joe
The Wallace Center for Arts and Reconciliation
Harpersville AL USA
19 April 2025

Perception

Reality

When in doubt, add text.

I jest. I had zero expectation of discovering latent artistic talent. Instead, I had fun playing with paint & creating color.

Onwards!
Katherine

Art of the outside world. National Hat Museum. It appears to have closed. End of an Era. Website has many photos, many hats.

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Last year I showed in a fancy Derby Day hat. [Hey Kids, Let’s Put On A Show]

Here is how it was made. First, a huge thank you to my personal hat maker. What, you don’t have a personal hat maker?

Assemble the elements.

Cover helmet.

Add brim.

Fold scarf over brim.

Tuck in.

Add flowers.

Attach.

Et voila.

More helmet hat. [Guest Post: It’s Let’s-Wear-A-Helmet Day!] & [Safety Doesn’t Have to Be Ugly: Helmet-Hat Debut]

Onwards!
Katherine

Photography of the outside world. From friend, fellow blogger, & frequent contributor Life, the Universe, and Everything. “Please vote for my photo in the America’s Favorite Photos competition. It’s water droplets on a daisy. Voting starts May 4th.” LU&E: LtU&E: Photo contest.

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Creek
Shelby County AL USA
April 2025

Technical Notes

Phone camera. Went out with big camera but photos were pffft. Second trip with phone. Meta pic taken on first outing, hence the difference in lighting.

Onwards!
Katherine