Letter Art: D is for Do

2016 letter D

Yoda was wrong. Trying is doing. Every action, even unsuccessfully lifting an X-wing out of a swamp, means you are doing something, even if it is only standing still looking cross-eyed.

You can’t “do more” with your day. At every moment you are engaged in an activity. You might be binge-eating Mint Milanos and binge-watching Joan of Arcadia. You might wish your actions ranked higher on your personal value scale [Energy Usage]. You are doing.

Which is to say, it’s all well and good for me to mope around the house flagellating myself for my sins, real or imagined, riding or otherwise. [So What]

What am I going to DO about it?

Since I will be doing something, I might as well do something that might be useful. Onwards!

2016 Alphabet
Apple
Brush
Carrot

2015 Alphabet

State of the Blog: Subtitle History

End-of-the-month coming early as I have another post for next Saturday. [Previous Posts: State of the Blog]

Observant readers may have noticed that I changed the subtitle at the beginning of the month. It was part of my campaign to refocus on progress with Milton [Where the Time Went, Milton 2.0]. I chose the subtitle because that is how we ended up paying for him at the 11th hour [Logistics: Costs ]. Here’s how I got to the current subtitle.

1) I find my midlife crisis horse. Everything goes pear-shaped. I deal.
This is the one I started with. So say my notes. I have no memory of this, nor can I find a printout. Odd.

2) A Horse Blog
Originally, the blog was to be one year. After I decided to continue [Where Do We Go From Here], I did all the digitally networking so dear to blog advice givers. When I added “Rodney’s Saga” to a blog list, there was no indication of what kind of blog it was or why one should read it. Bad marketing. I wedged the subtitle into the title. This version still lurks around the Internet: Equestrian Blog Of The Day – Rodney’s Saga (A Horse Blog).

3a) Horses. Life. A Touch of Geek.
Changed during a blog revamp, most likely associated with a snit recovery. [I’m Baaack, or possibly Sine Die]

4) & Milton’s Story: Horses. Life. A Touch of Geek.
Himself arrived [Meet Milton]. Rodney was established with 947 posts. I didn’t want to change the title. Instead, I extended the title into the subtitle. So says the WayBack Machine.

subtitle 2014

3b) Horses. Life. A Touch of Geek.
Milton goes into dog house [Universe]. Milton loses subtitle.

5) & The Tale of Milton, The PayPal Pony
Milton back in good graces [Naptime]. Milton back in subtitle. Step carefully, young horse.

Update April 9, 2016
6) & The Tale of Milton: Horses, Life, A Touch of Geek.
PayPal was amusing for a while, but not central to the blog. I like having “geek” in the header. Gives me an excuse for randomly posting science fiction, LEGO builds, or Doctor Who.

Update November 5, 2016
7) Horses, Life, A Touch of Geek.
Simplified.

Milton’s Moods

Milton grump Feb 2016

Some horses are born grumpy. Cases in point, Previous Horse [In Defense of Caesar] and Karen Briggs’ horse Toddy, “Who was an obstreperous bastard and my horse of a lifetime.” [Writing From the Right Side of the Stall: No Witnesses].

I don’t think Milton is deep down cranky. He caves too quickly. He was getting pushy before meals, so we fussed with him for a few moments before serving. After a token protest, he now expects it and assumes the attitude of ‘Okay, let’s get this over with so I can eat.’ If we had gotten between Caesar and food, his response would have been, ‘Die, puny human.’

Milton is mostly bravado. The racetrack takes a lot out of a horse. Or perhaps, losing on the track takes a toll. He won’t end up as sweet as Rodney, but Rodney is pathologic in his need for affection. Milton will be closer to the middle of the bell curve, once he gets over himself.

Therefore, we are going out of our way to love on Milton throughout the day. If that is too anthropomorphic for you, we are engaging in multiple, short sessions to increase Milton’s tolerance for human interaction.

Shopping Bonanza

My local Tractor Supply was out of Milton feed, necessitating a drive across town. On the upside, the new store had massive Breyer sale. Small in number, but large in discount. Models that originally cost $40 were 1/2 off. Models that cost $60 were $12. Awesome. I’m not the type of person who usually scores this kind of deal.

Bryer TB QH

One of my back burner projects is model horse photo showing [New Book]. Now I have a Thoroughbred and a Quarter Horse, both cantering, for realistic action scenes & Fire for fantasy dioramas [My First Model].

Breyer website: Frankel
Breyer website: Harley D Zip

Bryer PK

I don’t know what to do with one of these, much less two. OTOH, at 80% off, how could I not?

Breyer website: Peppermint Kiss
~~~
The originally scheduled post for Saddle Seat Wednesday has been delayed in transit.

Driven Dressage

How to turn a saddle seat ring into a dressage arena:

letter Feb 2016

Obtain 8 file folders in a noticeable color.
Draw letters.
Measure folders around the fence rail.
Trim.
Fasten with binder clips.
Introduce amenable Saddlebred.
Mix in ADS Training Level Test 1.
Remove when done.
Save for next time.

Greg was brilliant, as was Alvin [Report: photo]. But then, I’m prejudiced on both counts.
~~~
cones feb 2016

We have also been practicing cones. I combined my prize money from Nationals [Report] with birthday money and bought 3 more sets. We can now do a complete, if short, course.

Rodney’s Headgear Adventures

Rodney mustang bridle 1
The day I publicly bragged on how much Rodney liked his new headstall [View from the Top], he decided to protest the way it rode up his nose when I used the reins. We adjusted so that it no longer whacked his cheekbones. He calmed down about it [Progress]. Diva horse.

The headstall was right church, wrong pew. We hit the Internet looking for different pews. The Mustang Bitless Bridle from TackWholesale.com is our first attempt. The reins attach to small ropes that cross under the chin. The trick seems to be getting these snug so they don’t roll around the face.

So far, so good. He appears to like the soft rope construction. Although, as soon as this post appears, he may change his mind.

Rodney mustang bridle 3

n-k,g