Owl Ears

Some time ago, I had learned that the owl's face and feathers are designed to enhance its ability to locate prey. Not only that, but also that its head doesn't really turn all the way around, just a mere 270 degrees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yps7pgq1TAk

Sometimes You Just Have to Speak Your Mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaR9ZcQ05oo

Tiny Dwellings

While browsing on the internet the other day, I discovered Tumbleweed Houses. The designer is very crafty, a man with tiny personal space, but clever nonetheless.

It got me thinking about camping. If that little house on wheels could be towed to a forest area and set up, it would be just like Daniel Boone or Davey Crocket times.

Then, I started thinking about my horse. Her stall at Green's Acres is bigger than the tiny house. She probably weighs more, too.

When I move her to Red Barn Farm, her run-in shelter will be bigger than the tiny house. I think it would be kind of neat (for a brief time) to park my house right next to my horse in the pasture.

Actual Conversation

me: Did you move the candles?

my husband: Yes

me: Why did you do that?

my husband: Because I wanted the tree smell in the living room.

Grades for Fall 2010 Are Posted

Well, my current 4.0 GPA combined with my previous semesters of 4.0 GPA still can't overcome those first two years of undergrad.

Poop.

One day, I might be interested in academics beyond a bachelor's level. Unfortunately, my overall GPA doesn't muster up to the required GPA for entrance level of a master's program. I just might have to revisit Chemistry 101 and 102. Those classes are out of date for me anyway. Seems current programs aren't impressed with science classes older than 10 years. Okay, I get it. Technological advances and new discoveries. The basics are still the same. Two Hydrogens plus one Oxygen is still H2O and NaCl is still salt and 3 molar hydrochloric acid fumes will burn contact lens and corneas.

Foiled Equestrian Workout

This past Wednesday, I had gone to the barn at Green's Acres with the full intention of bringing Kadance in from the pasture to work on walk-trot-walk transitions using very light aids. Funny how things chance in a few seconds.

I was bundled up against the cold, yet the sun was shining and felt warm. I collected my halter and lead rope and began the long walk out to the far pasture. The closer I got, the fewer horses I could see. There should have been four, yet I could only see two. Too soon to panic, I suspected my big girl would be further away and possibly in the tree line. She sometimes does that to either get away from the wind or heat of the summer sun. I continued my trek.

Then, I noticed Gunner, a spotted gelding laying down. He was clearly sound asleep. His deep exhalations visibly billowed about his head. Although my approach was soon discovered, he chose to remain recumbent. A few yards passed him, laying near the tree line, my big girl slept soundly. She stirred at my approach yet made no effort to stand. I ever-so-slowly moved closer and she still remained down with her front legs curled nearly under her.

"You're okay," I calmly told her as I gently set the halter on the grass. "You don't have to get up."

She sighed a cloud of warm breath and I knelt down and began easing closer to her.  My predatory-like behavior didn't phase her.

Inching next to her, I sat and rested my head on her shoulder. She looked at me then closed her eyes. Although I was leaping and squealing with excitement on the inside, I forced myself to take slow deep breaths and show no emotion other than complete peace and serenity. Not concerned that my elbow dug into my side or that my bum was not only absorbing the dew, but also the chill from the ground. My only concern was Kadance's need for safety and comfort. Twenty minutes of bonding bliss.

When she finally decided to stand up, she shook and we stood face to face. Neither of us were in a hurry to move. Eventually, Gunner decided to get to his feet and join us. Sniff and pets satisfied, I retrieved my halter and lead rope. Testing how far I could go, I opted to not use my artificial tools, and simply placed my palm under her chin and lead her back to the barn. In those moments, when she is relaxed, Kadance is amazing and compliant. Only when she gets emotional and excited does she loose her mind and forget what is being asked of her. But, there we were walking easily across the pasture, to and through the gate and into the barn just as nice as you please.

After that experience, there was no way I could make her physically exert herself. So, I fed her some hay and put her into the "Jenny Craig" lot. We played chase around the round pen and she helped my scoop poop. Apparently, I didn't have enough poop to remove, so she added some.

And such was my day with my horse.

Level 2 Audition

Yes, Kadance and I passed our Level 2 ground skills. We now much work on our riding skills. That will take some time. We've got  to get a smooth canter and an 18 inch jump.

And What's New With Me?

Let me back up a bit.

Back in October, my brother finally got married. As he and his now wife live the life of excitement, their marriage started off with a bang with a wedding cruise to the Cayman Islands and to Cozumel.

The wedding was a beautiful ceremony on a deck overlooking the sea. Very nice, intimate and casual. They were surrounded by friends and family. She, naturally, is a delight and makes a fabulous addition to our  family. Plus, she makes my brother very happy.

As they were doing their newlywed thing, my amazing husband and I did our thing. Not passing on a Kodak moment, I made my ever-patient husband be in many photographs. Of course, we had to have one overlooking the sea where my brother was married. I didn't notice until later that one of my earring had magically disappeared. I looked silly wearing only one earring, so we had to take more pictures. The retakes weren't nearly as flattering as the originals, but what are you gonna do?

After the wedding, we had a bit of free time, so we wandered around town, checking out shops and a few typical tourist spots. My husband, who in the past has been forced onto big boulders, a mechanical bull, statues at zoos and even onto a display in Las Vegas, accepted his inevitible fate of having to pose next to a giant Jabber Jaw goofy cartoon shark.

Prior to the wedding outing, the cruise had a formal dinner night. I had this great dress and I loved how it made me feel like the center of attention. Then, my mother suggested that I looked like a hussy. Humph. She might have been right. No wonder folks were looking at me.  What really matters is that I had a good time and my husband likes it when I'm a little bit trashy.

When we stopped in Cozumel, I had planned an excursion with Jungle Buggies. That was super fun even though it was pouring rain. The guide described our buggies as Mexican "Lambor-genies." And yes, that's how he said it.