Virtual Brush Box

Awareness of the outside world. NYC Historic Floral District Museum. Online only at the moment. Much history of the 28th street district. 💐🌼🌸🌹🪷🌻🌷💐

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My monthly 5Ks for 2024. All taken at a mild walk on mostly flat, mostly paved paths.

January

IRL local park/self-awarded medal, Feb post. [Month of the Dragon, State of the Fitness]

February

IRL Ebenezer Swamp/self-awarded medal, March post. In which I discuss selfie medals. [Leaping Around The Swamp, State of the Fitness] ..

March

IRL Inverness/virtual Georgia Aquarium 5K, April post. [Jamais Vu Is The Opposite of Déjà Vu, State of the Fitness]

April

IRL Lake George/virtual Atlanta Zoo 5K, no post. [Adjusting The Line Up, State of the Blog]

May

Hugh Kaul Trail, Birmingham, no medal. The trail is 0.63 mile. I was expecting to have to walk back & forth. Turns out the Hugh Kaul Trail is part of the Red Rock Trail system. I was able to walk out & back instead of zinging back & forth like a typewriter platen.

June

IRL Columbiana [Wandering Along, Walk Report, L💐🌼iberty Day 5K 2024]

July

IRL local park/virtual BreyerFest 5K, no post.

In February, it was about the medal. In June, I had a medal, but the motivation was more about checking off a walk for the month. Between heat & thunderstorms, I ran out of month. First thing on the 31st, local park, as early as possible right after feeding. Check. Easy. Slightly boring if anything. Joints once again reminded me that I don’t walk on pavement often, see June.

August – almost

Pelham City Park with local walking group. Yes actual, live people. Official walk was 2 miles. Thought about adding on an extra mile after. Didn’t feel that strongly about it.

September One

Virtual New Balance 5th Avenue Mile
Sunday 8 September 2024
Distance: 1 mile
Average Elapsed Speed – 17:27 minutes/mile
Elapsed Time – 21:21 minutes
Strava

“No one predicted that we would spend hundreds of dollars for devices we would carry with us at all times and then ASK Big Sibling to keep track of where we are and who we know.” [Replicating The Setting, Virtual New Balance 5th Avenue Mile 2021]

[Strolling Along The Avenue In My Mind’s Eye, Virtual New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, September 2020]

September Two

City Walk Bham

3.04 miles = 4.89 km, close enough. My ride was on the way.

Unposted photo from 2022 showing how City Walk is mostly under the highway. Also [What Is Public Art?]

October

From golf course …

… to wildlife habitat.

Harmon Park

November 2024

Chace Lake Park
Hoover AL

Another former golf course, 2.5 miles. Finished mileage at nearby shopping strip, lower photo. Wandered about until I had the numbers. Not sure why it had sidewalks? Basically a series of buildings & parking lots, although I did see another person getting their steps in. Shopping area in upper right, white area on map. Once done, turned off record, went shopping, walked back to truck.

AL.com: Chace Lake Country Club in Hoover, Alabama closes after 46 years, Anderson 2008.

“The plan for the new Chace Lake subdivision calls for 215 new single-family houses and a 35-acre public park on the river.” Bham Wiki: Chace Lake Country Club

December – Pending

Tried to find a holiday themed walk. No dice. Will end the year the way I began with a march around the local walking track. No medal.

Update. Last Walk of 2024, In Which I Encounter A Social Trend, A Fitness Post

Selfie Medals

Yammered on about. Order a bunch. Then, meh. Suddenly, I was over that adventure.

Onwards!
Katherine

A post for the classes I did not show in. Yes, I am spreading this show report jam over as much post toast as I can manage. [The Winter Blues You Want, Show Report AWTA 2024-2025 #1]

Usually when I do Winter Tournament, I show in the Advanced WTC Adult classes.

I couldn’t even.

They are the first classes of the day.

Which means being there first thing.

Which means cold.

Which means being the first rider on the horse.

If shenanigans occur, this is when.

“The first class? That was bumper cars.” [Show Report & Tweets: Winter Tournament 2015 #3, B&W Stables]

“Some of Robert’s ideas on Saturday included a lovely transition to counter canter and a few steps of rack. Unfortunately, those movements were not called for at this level.” [Show Report, Winter Tournament #3, 2017]

I couldn’t even, despite meaning that I will likely miss out on 3 series-end awards. That’s how much I was not feeling it. [Celebrating The Series, AWTA 2023-2024 Banquet]

The division is open. Suit riders. Trainers. Whoever. Generally not on their fancy horses, but definitely folks who do this at a higher level than I do.

I have no problem punching above my weight class.

However.

I don’t want to look like an idiot. If I’m going to be the only Academy rider in the class, I better be ready to represent.

Onwards!
Katherine

Once again, I squeezed in a lesson before a show. [The Winter Blues You Want, Show Report AWTA 2024-2025 #1]

Not my favorite habit, but seems to be where I end up. It’s how I started Winter Tournament last year. [Show Prep Part Two, The Rider Who Did Show, AWTA 2023-2024 #1]

Riding has been hit or miss these last few months, mostly miss. Therefore, as with last summer, I decided I would drive but not ride. At least keep my hand in. [Summer Showing, Show Report]

Since it’s been almost that long since I’ve been in a cart, I got out to Stepping Stone Farm the week before as a reminder. Drove Diego. He was wonderful. No media.

While there, I was told that I had been signed up for the Masters class. Strong possibility that I would be by myself. Hmm. One simple class. I could probably do this. With Diego, who is a doll but I have not been my best with him. [Trying To Get Back In the Saddle, November Lessons]

I chose not to ride before the show. I wasn’t going to learn anything new between now and then. Given the way lessons had been going, it might even make it worse. I knew I would rise to the occasion at the show.

I dithered.

I was kinda hoping that my pre-show errands would force me to miss the class.

Nope.

All right. I would ride, but all credit or blame would go to Coach Courtney for however it turned out.

Hey, would I ride Opt instead?

So much yes.

Hence my delight in being reassigned to Optimus.

Onwards!
Katherine

Alabama Winter Tournament Association, 2024-2025 #1
Rocking S Farm
Helena, AL USA
Saturday 14 December 2024

14. Masters Pleasure 50+ – 1st of 2 with Optimus
26. Academy Driving – 1st of 1 with Diego

Thank you to the Gray Family for the outstanding Optimus. Thank you to the Mullins family for the debonair Diego. Thank you to Couch Courtney and the entire Stepping Stone Farm crew.

Riding Optimus

Due to unavoidable errands in the am, I rolled up to the showgrounds right before my first class. Would I ride Optimus instead of the horse I was scheduled to ride? Yes, please. As I helped my chauffeur turn the truck around I looked over to see my saddle already on a familiar black back. Well, okay then. Grabbed helmet. Got on.

I was happy to be on a horse I knew well. I was happy to find out that the old man was also in a good mood. Bring on the horse show!

Got my trot diagonals and canter leads, even had the zip to manage a bit of fancy steering. All of this despite not having been on a horse since November. At one point, Optimus was convinced – convinced I tell you – that the judge was going to ask for a trot in the upcoming corner. No, you have to wait until you actually hear the words. We kept both canters. Go us.

An observer pointed out that Opt may have been feeding off my attitude. He was in a good mood because I was in a good mood. Whatever the reason, a joyous time was had by all.

Driving Diego

A little bit more concern before driving a new-to-me horse, but I knew I would be set up for success. Coach James takes the horse for a spin in the ring, By the time I get in the cart, the question is as easy as it can be. Plus, Diego is a star.

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. Thought after having carols as earworms last year. We make a big deal about The Infant Jesus because it’s easier to adore a baby than to listen to a grown man telling us to behave better. “”And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:38-40.

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Lunch hath ended.

Much discussion and pondering. Short version, no one was getting enough food to be worth spreading over three meals. More importantly, Rodney was not putting on weight.

Last week was a halfway step of lunch hay but no grain. Rodney was philosophical. Oh well, I’ll just go eat hay. Milton was furious, and yelling about this injustice to anyone who would listen.

How Lunch Progressed

It begins. [Stall Rest Chronicles 22 March, Lunch Is Served] March 2023

It becomes a habit. [Lunch Is Served. Again.] November 2023

Being home to serve it. [The Logistics of Lunch] December 2023

More thoughts on being home to serve it. [Reconsidering Lunch] March 2024

Rodney gets grain. [Did You Say Lunch?] November 2024

Both get grain. [Adjusting the Lunch Protocol] November 2024

Lunch ends. Saturday 14 December shall be remember in the barn as the day without sunshine, excuse me, the day without lunch.

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. Cute greetings from last year, Three Chestnuts: Merry Merry December 25, 2023

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From last year’s design, although I lightened up the colors. [Fractal Gift Boxes]

Onwards!
Katherine

Last year was the gifts I wanted to get. This year, gifts I wish I could give. [Gift Guide]

One article of clothing.

That one item of clothing you have not been able to find. A pair of jeans that fit in all of your measurements, not just two out of three. A technical outfit for your sport/hobby to see if the expense is worth the hype. A flattering show coat. The perfect cosplay cape made with traditional methods true to the era in question. A formal outfit for a fancy occasion.

One Internet search of a person.

Have you ever wondered, What happened to whats-his/her/their/name? This would be your chance to find out. Their address. What they have posted on social media. What books they list on Goodreads. Satisfy your curiosity without hiring a private detective. Option to contact the person, or to operate in stealth mode so they never know you were looking. [But Keep the Old]

One food to eat without consequences.

Food allergies? Food dislikes? Do you wilt at the slightest hint of spiciness? This would be your chance to try that food &/or meal and find out what all the fuss is about.

What would you ask for?

Onwards!
Katherine