Virtual Brush Box

Skittles
Stepping Stone Farm
July 2024

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. Olympics.com: Para Equestrian.

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I will often pay for all or part of bodywork session for my lesson horse of the moment. While I am sometimes lukewarm on the modalities chosen, that is the program the horses are in, so I support it.

This makes me sound kind and charitable. I confess to an element of ‘What have you done for me lately?’

Lessons? A local show? I’ll offer to split the fee. Recently paid for a half session for Andre. [Summer Showing]

Fancy ribbons from a big show? Bring it on. Back in 2017, paid for full sessions for both Dottie & Snippy after Nationals. [NACHS 2017, Riding, NACHS 2017, Driving]

I should add that I have never felt the slightest suggestion that I am required to contribute to the upkeep of lesson horses. This is me approving of bodywork and sticking my nose in.

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. Para Games begin today. IPC: Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

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Am considering a new project.

Gonna be vague about it until I decide.

Whatever I decide, I will let you know next week.

Meanwhile, am inviting guesses.

Is with horses.

Is not something I ever thought I would do.

Is not a new horse.

Unlimited guesses allowed.

Prize $25 gift card to online retailer of your choice. First correct guess in comments. Because I’m gonna be amazed if someone gets this. I’m kind of amazed I’m considering it.

Update. [The Mystery Project Is … drumroll …]

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. NPR: A new round of free COVID tests is coming soon, Bowman, August 24, 2024. Hat tip to C.

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Morning walks been our routine since spring of 2023.

First thing in the morning. Get up. Dogs out. To barn. Halters on. One-mile walk in hand back and forth in pasture. Done. Go on about our day. We miss the occasional walk for rain, but fewer than you would think.

Every time we exit the barn, Rodney stops to inform me that retired, big-time, fancy, show horses don’t do this. I assure him that walks are good for all of us.

Me, looking at Rodney: Do we have to have this conversation every morning?

Rodney, looking at me: Do we have to have this conversation every morning?

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. Your Local Epidemiologist: A guide to fall 2024 vaccines, And a 1-page PDF summary, Katelyn Jetelina, Aug 22, 2024.

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There is a cute song & video going around called The Cheese Tax. In it, the dogs explain that they get snacks from the cheese drawer.

🎵 And when the cheese drawer opens
You gotta pay the tax 🎶

Puppy Songs: Cheese Tax, scroll down for lyrics
YouTube: Cheese Tax
Probably also available on the SocMed of your choice.

We have the same at our barn.

If you open the treat box – say to get a handful of treats for the morning walk – you are immediately presented with two snoots demanding samples.

I even call it the cheese tax.

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. “The deepest point in the entire river is in New Orleans near Algiers Point, where it dips to about 200 feet.” NOLA.com: How deep is the Mississippi River near New Orleans as salt water threatens? Walck, 2023. Algiers Point is where the river turns sharply in front of Jackson Square & the St. Louis cathedral.

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My entry for the 2024 Graceful Envelope Contest run by the The Washington Calligraphers Guild. Theme: Mapping the World’s Cities. WCG: 2024 Graceful Envelope Winners.

Legend

N.E.W. – Not happy contributing to the trope that Mardi Gras is all there it to New Orleans, but I needed the color variety.

O – Ironwork balconies

R.L.E.A.N. – Flags: Spain, France, US, state of Louisiana, city of New Orleans. For Spain & France, the colors are from the current flags. It was not easy to find which version of the flag flew during the years in question. I was looking for colors, not a deep-dive history lesson.

S – Beignets & coffee at Café Du Monde.

Flair pens were not the best choice of media, but they – you may be sensing a theme – had the colors I needed.

Contest Info

2024 theme: Mapping the World’s Cities

The world’s great cities have distinctive landmarks, cultures, histories, cuisines, or geography that are said to put each town “on the map.” There is even a tradition of depicting such characteristics on actual maps. Your challenge is to pick a city and consider what contributes to its unique character. For example, what makes New York bustling, Paris romantic, Tokyo energetic, and Sydney beautiful? Then—using artistry, lettering and the integration of postage stamps—create some sort of map on your Graceful Envelope that captures the spirit of the city of your choice.

Graceful Envelope Contest

I give myself 0/10 for artistry, a middle grade for lettering, and 10/10 for integration. Stamp? River? New Orleans? Nailed it. As for artistry/lettering, my ideas often exceed my ability to execute.

Philately Links

USPS: Postal Service To Honor Mighty Mississippi on Forever Stamps, 2022

Stamps post [Meandering Through Minnesota, Virtually] 2022

Previous Envelopes

[Fan Mail, The Graceful Envelope Contest 2023, Graphic Art]

[The Graceful Envelope Contest 2022, with contest relevant links]

Finishing With A Furry Photo Bomb

Onwards!
Katherine

Awareness of the outside world. When I was young, my grandmother once told me not to wish my life away. I try not to, but August is grinding me down. Per usual. Stressing about work. No legit reason, just my brain gnawing on itself. Milton’s Gotcha Day was Friday. Rodney’s is tomorrow. The AEC start on Tuesday, and I am once again not there, nor anywhere near ever getting there. The 31st is a bad anniversary. Anyway. I hate August. The planned post was a casualty of the month. Here is one from the vaults. Welcome Roaming Reader. [Gotcha Days]

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Stabled at Atrium, a clothing store in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Courtesy of Roaming Reader, taken in 2019.

More vicarious travel from the peripatetic Roaming Reader [archives]

Onwards!
Katherine