Just thought I'd share something I saw over on The Chronicle of The Horse bulletin board. I love me some Middle TN Pony Club Horse Trials. I have competed there at least 3 times and been a few others to spectate and hang-out. Percy Warner Park is fantastic and so are the organizers. I am also fairly sure MTPC is the longest consecutively running horse trials in the U.S.
One of the things I routinely seek is a system of organization that thinks like me (McCrazy). And while it doesn't always hit the mark, I must say I was thrilled when my uber-talented webmaster tipped me off to Evernote. If you're an iPhone user (and if you're not, you should be), Evernote is the white-hot bomb, and here's why: it syncs between your phone, the web, or a desktop download.
Even though it was 75 degrees yesterday, the week prior to Thanksgiving (one of the reasons I love me some Deep South), I was looking ahead. I knew winter would arrive eventually (good morning rain-arrival and frigidity!) and when you keep the sort of calendar I keep, that can only mean one thing: accommodations for Memorial Day at Pensacola Beach.
I have been into quinoa for a few years now, but only because I read an article that briefly mentioned it as a great protein source, easy to cook, yada yada yada. I knew it came from South America, but only now did I actually read the Wikipedia entry (essentially verifying me as an expert), and mostly because I am having a big bowl following my Wednesday Night Workout and thinking "I'm doing so good for myself. I'm having protein. I'm steaming stuff. OMG I have creamy caesar dressing in the refrigerator!"
I have very specific standards for horsekeeping. Of paramount importance, in my opinion, is bodyclipping through the winter months if you're going to keep a horse in any amount of work. Note I emphasized that last little point because obviously horses grow winter coats for a reason - protection from the elements - but horses in their natural state and horses in domestication and performance are almost two different animals. What it comes down to, basically, is a critical physiological function: the ability to regulate body temperature. Horses, like humans, sweat as a primary means of maintaining their temps. Unlike humans, however, they're also highly susceptible to anhidrosis, or a reduction/complete shutdown of the cooling system. Anhidrosis exists in varying degrees but, as someone who has had a horse shut down and thereby catapulted me into the world of anhidrosis management, I do everything I can to make it easy for the surface of their skin to evaporate sweat easily. And what that comes down to is clipping. After all, we don't go for a jog in a full-length mink jacket, do we? (Mariah Carey not included.)
10 at initial count but I know there must be stragglers tucked away in crevices and corners. Actually, now that I think about it I can immediately account for 3 more. Sickness, as evidenced by wax!
They say ask 1000 people and you'll get 1000 answers. I think that's how the old saying goes. Or maybe I just made it up. Maybe what I meant was "Try 1000 lip balms and you'll form 1000 opinions." That's probably more indicative of one of my many eccentricities - you know, those little things that feed my alter-superhero ego Captain Crazy.
From the "Interesting Products I Should Try" file comes OnTyte, a magnetic stirrup system that works with a special boot sole to keep your foot connected to the stirrup. Before I go any farther, I will say that your foot isn't glued in, nor is it a magnet akin to the Wile E. Coyote version from "Roadrunner," that would lift you through the Grand Canyon. Quite simply, the connection breaks as soon as the angle is challenged.
Sometimes when I am driving and the thumpa thumpa of my Sirius starts to wear me out, I flick open my vault of CD's and have a little roadway jam session. If you ever see a tiny little black go-cart Honda Fit with a guy who looks like Moby pushing the limits of a 4-cylinder engine AT 75 MPH and rockin' his singing face, you will understand the theater that happens inside my little Banzai ... you really can do just about anything in those cars.
One of my biggest fears is being mauled by an animal. I find this story of Canadian folk singer Taylor Mitchell's death by coyote attack very gruesome and equally as sad. I have dear friends in Canada who are also members of the folk music scene and appreciate the connection to "the thing" that inspires them creatively.
Around the office, we routinely make reference to a mysterious co-worker named Lynda. She's a demi-goddess when it comes to quirky little software how-to's you just cannot seem to recall, or else have never learned. She's available 24/7, and we won't even talk about how cheap she is. Hey, if she wants to price herself at less than $300 per year that's her business. I will gladly pay!
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. - Buddha
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So I have been the MacDaddy of sickly since returning from England oh, six weeks ago. I love autumn, of course, but it also brings with it seasonal allergies. If I maintain my autumn love-interest metaphor, I'd say this is the part where you realize you have picked up an STD. Thanks a lot, lover!
I try to make it a practice to let sleeping dogs lie, unless of course it involves infidelity or money you owe me in which case, wake your ass up sucka, cuz we gotz to talk.
I love me some Janet (aka "Juanita"). We have been friends for about 6 years or so, and we always have a ton of fun when we're together. Typical of "horse folks" the range of emotions we share in friendship is extreme: super highs and dreadful lows. But also typical of horse folks is the ability to pull yourself up by the boot straps, climb back on, and get goin'.
I spent 24 fantastic hours with my family camping at Roland Cooper State Park in Camden, Alabama, over the weekend. In case you've never been to Camden, or the Alabama River near Historic Gee's Bend, I can only describe it as unbridled relaxation, with a soft note of magic vibrating below the surface.
We were visited both days by this really odd caterpillar, which I loved because I felt like it was wearing couture Givenchy. My dad lent his hand as a runway. I have no idea how it will emerge from its chrysalis, but I like to think it will be singing a melody about freedom and individuality.
It should come as no surprise that I am one of those weird people who has and uses reusable grocery bags. People who don't like that can suck it. That goes mostly to the people who work at my local grocery store and look at me like an alien from another planet (that actually happens a lot around here) when I use them EVEN THOUGH THEY SEE ME AT LEAST ONCE EACH WEEK. I have now taken to obnoxious chastising and recognition of the obvious. "Yes, just like last week, those are still my reusable bags ... the same ones I've had for 3 years, and did you know how much petroleum is used to make plastic bags - the same ones you insist on filling with exactly 1 item?" to which I usually get vacant stares of indifference.
If you think I won't go to Bermuda, you're wrong. Not that I'm planning to anytime soon of course, but ever since I elevated my bed on these bed risers (for storage purposes, of course, and it's just been two nights and let's be honest, who might be teetering on the brink of exhaustion?), I have slept a regal sleep, reminiscent of times spent in the Caribbean, even though Bermuda is in the Atlantic, and I think that's why I should go there - to see if the sleep is the same.
My friend Jennifer and I somehow discovered last night that we both remembered this song from the 80's. I remembered the song very well as it was really big at my first job - Camelot Music HEY! - in 1987, but I'd never seen the video. Feast on this gem of the 80's, overloaded with imagery and literal interpretations. I think my favorite part is the champagne coming up out of the desert and that raggedy-ass cat running out from beneath the car.
