Blue Skies...Gentle Breezes

Speculation

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:30:53 GMT

http://www.stopoilspeculationnow.com/

Came across this while on hold at Delta Airlines. I've read a little bit, seems legit. Worth looking into because there is nothing wrong with the American people learning more about this issue. This is a huge problem and the time has come for us to stop it.

If what I've learned is true, did you know that:

* most trade activity is all on paper

* current barrel price levels have $30-$60 in unnecessary speculative cost per barrel

* speculators buy and sell oil just to sell it again, rather than use it, thus driving up the price over and over

This being an election year, I'd be most interested in hearing McCain's and Obama's plan, or at the very least, their ideas to restore the balance of supply and demand within the oil commodities market. Does either candidate have any solid ideas?

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Tags: oil speculation, traders, supply and demand

Words in motion...

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:53:11 GMT

So I cut the video in half...it's almost like being a magician.

After so long...

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:19:02 GMT

I'm sitting here on the couch writing, and wishing I was riding, again. Tomorrow I'm either riding early in the morning, or early evening. Sam is on call this weekend so he has to go into the office for an hour or so, and after he got home we went to Applebee's for a pancake breakfast in support of a local American Legion baseball team. Then is was down to the feed store to get Duke's hay and beet pulp. Then we stopped at the house so I could get changed into my riding clothes and Sam wanted to find the electric clippers to clip a bridle path on Duke. Sam never found the clippers and we concluded that our youngest had run off with them.

By the time we arrived at the stable it was almost noon, and getting very hot. After we put the hay up and visited with a friend who'd brought his granddaughter and her pony down for a ride, I saddled Duke and led him to the outdoor round pen. I wanted to use the indoor round pen, but it was already being used.

Once inside the round pen, after a brief lungeing exercise I slipped off his halter and put on his bridle. Sam stood by, camera in hand, ready to capture these moments in time. Getting up into the saddle is starting to get a bit easier for me and I no longer need someone to boost me up.

Duke did great! After he quit playing with the bit in his mouth, and settled down (I'm not sure who was more excited about this ride, me or Duke). The day I bought him he needed work on his stops, but today his stops improved. He still needs work on backing up, and I may ask the trainer at the stable to work on that for me. We walked and for the first time, trotted. He has a real floating trot, it not jarring like so many horses are. It felt nice and smooth...oh so floaty. Tomorrow we'll canter for the first time. I can't wait to feel what his canter is like...I wonder will it be a rocking horse canter or a glider chair canter. We'll see tomorrow.

Of course he had to poop, and smell another pile left by some other horse.

Sam took lotsof pics, as you can see, and even a video of us trotting around the pen. The file is too large for me to upload to AOL, but if I can get it uploaded somewhere else, I'll add it later.

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Tags: Morgan, horse, ride, summer, fun, learning

One more day...

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:40:29 GMT

So, Duke's 30 day stall rest period is nearly over. For the past month I've been counting down the days...June 21, the day we ride again. That's exactly 30 days. Duke's been doing so well, he's ready, I'm ready and the time is near. I've told everyone...June 21, we ride again. At night I have drifted off to sleep dreaming about it. Saturday...Saturday...Saturday. Then this morning I thought today is a good day to saddle him, ease him back into the routine. And see if my shoulder would handle hauling my 28 pound saddle onto his back. Today after work, and physical therapy, I headed down to visit Duke.

I'd like to say I got the saddle on Duke the first time, but I can't. It took two tries. But I did it.

He looks so good tacked up!

My saddle is a Fallis Balanced Ride built in 1961; I found it on-line in a saddle shop in Iowa. It's a little different than most western saddles, and has the brand M-7 (M Bar 7) carved into the cantle. I've often wondered what stories this saddle could tell. Did it belong to a cowboy working a ranch? Or is the carving from something else? Who knows...and while it's history may be interesting the best thing about the saddle is, it's mine.

Now the plan was to take Duke for a walk and just let him get used to having a saddle on his back again. And after a little work out, I had a thought, and went for it. I climbed up and went for a short sweet ride. It was very short ride, as I only had his halter and lead rope on, but it felt so good to just do it. He was ready, I was ready and I thought, why not. Could I, would I?

I did.

And I can't wait for tomorrow.

I'll say one thing. The 30 days we had just hanging around, spending undemanding time on theground paid off. In the beginning it was a little rocky, he tested me as all horses do. He thinks he's the leader, and he's got all the other horses cow-towing to him. And that's fine, but in our relationship there can only be one leader...me. Duke is teaching me so much, about him, the nature of horses, and even myself. He now trusts me, completely, if he didn't trust me or feel safe he would never roll around on the ground in my presence. Horses, being prey animals, are not so trusting of humans, being predators (yes, we are in the eyes of a horse). So I've learned that if a horse is willing to expose his soft underside to you, take it as a good sign, and a complement.

Yesterday during our little walk I turned him loose in one of the round pens and then began to initiate some play with him in the pen. I'd done this before, from the safety outside the pen, but yesterday I decided to stay in with him. And play he did! I cavorted around the pen while he stood watching me like I was some idiot, and then he got that spark, trotted away from me, and kicked up his heels when he'd reached the opposite side of the pen. From there he trotted around the pen, following the edge of the panels while I stood in the center, watching. Then he stopped, turned toward me and slowly walked to me and softly rested his face on my belly. What a horse! He has my heart that Duke does, and I believe it goes both ways.

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Tags: Horse, Morgan, play drive, fun

They're here!! Yea...babies!!!

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:30:48 GMT

Texas' lil colt only 12 hours old. Born sometime early morning, June 16.

Awww, he's sleeping.

Sweet dreams little guy. Don't cha just love the crescent moon on his forehead? Or is that a Nike swoosh?

And, of course we also have a wee baby girl...

Cream Ridge filly only 2 hourse old. Born 10:20 pm, June 17.

Interesting side note: both foals were born during a full moon cycle, and this is no accident. Mares in the wild often foal during a full moon, as they have done for thousands of years. It's instinctive, and innate...so much so that even domestic mares wait until cover of darkness to foal, even though the threat from a predator hardly exists. Mother nature is strong and powerful.

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Tags: foals, newborn

On the mend...

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:08:55 GMT

Oh, I'm getting very, very noncommittal with this journal. And it's not because I've nothing to say, heaven knows I'm not short on words or the expression of what's on my mind. No. The problem lately is time.

Time can, will and does slip away.

I really shouldn't say it's a problem because I'm not wasting time. I will confess to one thing...being obsessed with my horse. It's funny but there are times when I'm standing next to him, leaning against his rotund side with my arms resting on his back as he munches busily on his hay...and I'll take in a deep breath, letting the essence of the horsey smell linger momentarily...I smile. This is my horse. Finally, I've realized a dream. And I almost have to pinch myself. But I don't, I just rest my head against his ribs and listen to the rhythmic sound of his teeth grinding happily away on his forage.

Duke is responding so well to the treatment. Last Friday I took him for a little walk in one of the indoor arena's at the facility. He was so glad to get out of his area and stretch his legs, but I could tell what he really wanted to do was find a nice clean place in the dirt so he could roll around. For a brief moment I almost let him, but decided against it for safety's sake since he might get tangled up in the halter or lead rope, and then might panic. So instead we walked, nice and slow. He was a bit excited but I kept moving his feet. Then, Sunday morning Sam and I took him for another walk in that same indoor arena, and in the arena is a round pen, about 40 feet in diameter. I walked him into the round pen, slipped off his halter and watched as the spark lit in a fiery frolic of horse and hooves. I quickly stepped outside the round pen and watched him be a horse again. Kicking, bucking, running, snorting...and free. He threw dirt on Sam and me but we didn't care. Duke is back to being Duke again. :)

Within seconds he was kneeling, then flopping onto his belly before pushing himself over onto his back. Sam laughed and said, "Duke, you're too fat to roll over." And for a few seconds it seemed that he was...but then I watched with a huge grin as Duke's momentum froze momentarily, his front leg curled against his stomach and his back legs sticking straight up toward the roof, kicking and twisting...and then he rolled completely over. He was so happy he rolled several times before getting back to his feet, and then taking off running around the perimeter of the pen. And then, a couple of minutes later he settled down and stood quietly as I reentered the round pen, slipped his halter back on and we continued on our walk. I really enjoyed that, and look forward to the next walk I plan to take him on tomorrow night.

He was such a trooper during the treatment. He didn't fight us when we had to give him the bute. And as for soaking his hooves in the ice water, he absolutely amazed me and everyone else at the stable. Every evening Sam and I would bring a large bag of ice, and gently ask Duke to step into the tub we purchased for this purpose. At first he didn't quite understand what we wanted him to do, and he'd step out of the tub after a few minutes. But then he figured it out. It must have felt good to him, because he'd stand in that tub of freezing ice water for a half an hour. Every now and then he'd shift his weight and try to step out, but I'd press against his shoulder and he'd stop. One of the other horse owners who has the stall next to Duke's stood with us during a session and couldn't believe he stood so patiently and quietly for so long. At one point she remarked that her next horse is definitely going to be a Morgan. :)

Duke is, without a doubt, the perfect horse for me.

And, in the next few days we're expecting two foals to hit the ground. One of the mares at the stable, named Texas, is due any day. And so is one of the mares owned by my friends who have the Morgan farm. They are expecting Martina to give birth either tonight or the next. Then next month another mare of theirs, Coalette, is expecting her second foal. When it happens is anyone's guess, but I will get photo's of Texas' baby because her stall and run is just across the hall from Duke's. Exciting times are ahead.

And best of all, my 30 day waiting period is almost over. Saturday, June 21st is the day I'll finally be able to take Duke for a little ride. I've watched him when he see other horses being rode just outside his area. He always watches the other horse and rider intently, and whinneys. Then he'll look at me, and back at the horse and rider again. Last time I watched him, toward the end I could swear he let out a deep sigh. Duke thrives on interaction, and I think on some level he misses that.

My friend Barb took a lot of photos the day we picked up Duke and I finally got copies of those pics from her. She got several really good ones.

Duke giving me a good sniff and a quick nuzzle.

Looking good enough to grace a magazine cover.

In the moment...big smile inside and out.

At Duke's new home, he's making new friends...

Duke's lady friend, Painted Lady.

Another friend, a two year old jenny mule.

Does this tail make my butt look big?

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No feet...no horse

Sat, 24 May 2008 05:59:21 GMT

Well, my first week as a horse owner took a difficult turn yesterday. Last night during feeding I noticed Duke favoring his front leg and I was beside myself trying to understand why. He was sound when I purchased him on Saturday, everything was fine. What happened? And how could it have happened so quickly. Lots of things crossed my mind, and I feared the worse. Last night I cried. Every horse owner understands four simple words...no feet, no horse.

First thing this morning I contacted a local vet, the best horse doctor in the region. I had already planned to have him do a 'new horse' exam this weekend. I met up with him this afternoon and he confirmed my worse fear, Duke had a minor case of laminitis. Unfortunately, Duke is an 'at risk' horse for laminitis according to the vet for several reasons. Fortunately, we caught it early enough that the prognosis for full recovery is very good. What puts Duke at risk is first his weight, he needs to lose 100 pounds. Second, he had a severe bout with it three years ago, which his prior owner fully disclosed to me long before I decided to purchase Duke. I've done a great deal of reading about laminitis since learning of Duke's history, and everything I read gave me hope that while it could recur again, it is preventable through careful diet management. And third, he's large boned. But it was neither of these reasons that brought it about this time. The vet believes stress is the reason this time; the stress of a new home and new owners. While Duke has outwardly taken the change in stride, internally it was another story. Horses are like that, especially a horse like Duke. I've watched him carefully every day for signs of stress, but he never exhibited any outward signs.

It was frustrating, to say the least. Duke can't have alfalfa hay because of the high concentration of protein in alfalfa (which caused the bout three years ago), so I searched everywhere to find him grass hay (it's in short supply). His prior owner also fed him sweet feed and beet pulp to supplement his grass only diet. But I've heard some unfavorable views on sweet feed and so after consulting my other horsey friends, decided against the sweet feed and pulp. The vet agreed Duke doesn't need the extra bulk at this time. In the end, one of the last things he said was he's never seen a horse with such a great disposition (even in the pain he was in) and my decision to purchase him was the right one. We have a friend who also recently purchased a horse (a quarter horse) and the same vet rejected the first three horses he considered buying. This vet will tell it straight and honest, he knows how much is at stake with these horses and their people.

So, from here treatment consists of: reducing Duke's daily food intake from 20 pounds down to 10 pounds (he's not going to be happy about that!), administering a dose of horsey aspirin twice daily, soaking his feet in ice cold water every day and 30 days stall rest. No riding, no exercise. So, photos of me riding Duke will have to wait.

It's been quite a week.

As for the new job, it's been hectic too. But in different ways. New job, new people...Duke's not the only one feeling the stress of adjusting to change. But it's going very well. It's a nice change not feeling constantly overwhelmed.

Tuesday, before the lameness reared it's ugly head, Sam took photos of me and Duke after I played with him in the round pen. During a break in lounging, Duke and I posed for one shot and somehow we both managed to close our eyes at the precise second Sam pressed the shutter. Like minds Duke and I....like minds.

One...two...three...close your eyes!

Hey, I see other horses over there! Let's go check 'em out!

Eyes open and forward this time. Notice the one ear turned toward me, a sign that his attention is focused on me.

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Tags: laminitis, equine, treatment

What is it about girls and horses...

Mon, 19 May 2008 06:12:53 GMT

Introducing...Diamond B Duke

The first meeting

Meeting Duke for the first time and leading him out of his corral while my friend Barb (Elvira's mom) takes our picture. Looks like Duke's posing for the camera, doesn't it?

Duke struting his stuff. Getting warmed up by Keith, the seller.

Our first ride.

He has the sweetest face and the kindest eyes. They are so unusual in that they are a very light brown, rather than dark brown. And he's just gorgeous. Still has a bit of his winter coat to shed (it's the darker brownish black you see on his neck and body). Duke is getting settled in and adjusting to many changes. It was difficult taking him away from his home and after a couple of delays he was loaded and we were on our way. It was hot, 97 degrees and I worried about him, but he seemed to take it all in stride, and now he's home with me. He's all mine. :)

More to come...time to get rested for my new job tomorrow!

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Tags: Morgan horse, first horse

Change...there are changes afoot

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:42:29 GMT

Yesterday was a weird day. Surreal, but not different. It could have been, perhaps should have been, but through it all it was just like any other day. The one exception is that yesterday was my final day at the job I've held for the past twelve years.

May has been a month of changes.

It was bitter sweet and a difficult decision to make, one that Sam's been urging me to make for at least ten years. And it was time.

So today begins a new day, and another new chapter of my life. I am currently not employed, but that will end Monday morning when I stroll into the office of my new job. It's a major change for me, from fiscal officer to administrative assistant, but I was ready to step back from the over whelming demands and pressure cooker I've worked in since 1996. I'm so excited about this new opportunity that presented itself to me last month, now I'll be the right hand of the operations manager for a company that helps people put their lives back together. Great changes. Oh yeah...life is good.

And then there's tomorrow. My search for a horse has brought me to a happy trail, he he. At this time tomorrow I'll be on the road to the Yakima area, with horse trailer in tow, to bring home the new brown eyed boy in my life. His name is Diamond B Duke and he's a 13 year old bay Morgan gelding with a soft eye and a huge heart. I've been in constant contact with his owner, whom I was put in touch with last month after looking at a beautiful 10 year old black Morgan mare (whom I didn't take, see layout below). On the drive to the mountainsabove the community of Kamiah a friend told me about Duke, just in case the Morgan mare we were about to look at didn't work out for me. Well, she didn't and once home I got a query off to Duke's owner, introduced myself and one month later I'm one day closer to making my life long dream a reality. I may seem calm in my writing, but believe me I'm jumping for joy all over the place. Duke's owner, like many horse owners, screened me very carefully and throughout the process I could see he loves his horses and wants them to only go to a loving home. He closed one of his last messages to me by saying, "This makes my heart glad that he is going with you. It sounds like a perfect match."

Pictures, and Duke's layout, will follow, after I bring him home. :) I'm sooooooooooooo happppppyyyyyy. Last month, Sam purchased a beautiful horse trailer for my birthday present...the one I really wanted. He's such a great guy, and a wonderful person. I'm so lucky to have him in my life. :)

It's a 2006 Trails West 2 horse slant load with sealed tack room. Hard to believe it was used, the previous owner only used it three times before she realized she couldn't afford it.

Horse compartment.

And, if you love horses, you'll love watching this. Click on the link below.

http://canecorso.com/lorenzo.htm

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Tags: career change, decision, Morgan, horse

And they're at the homestretch...

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:02:38 GMT

First, I want to send a warm thank you to Sam (gaboatman) for his caring email during my recovery from surgery earlier this month. And for reminding me that I do have a place to turn. Thank you Sam for your support and friendship, and to those of you who sent wishes for my speedy recovery.

My shoulder surgery was on Monday, March 3 and everything went as planned. I'll spare you all the boring details but do want you to know I was pretty out of it that first week. I must admit I really enjoyed the one week off from work and it was made even better when Sam (my husband...not gaboatman) stayed home to take care of me the first two days. The only down side was I got a bit spoiled being waited on but I really enjoyed it. A lot. Maybe too much. ;)

I'm on the mend now, free of that restrictive arm sling (ugh!) and making progress in physical therapy three times a week...which unfortunately has created a problem neither I nor my physical therapist could have seen coming. All this intense work brought on a painful case of tennis elbow. And that's the last thing my shoulder needs right now. So it's lots of ice packs and anti-inflammatories for me until we get on top of this new, annoying development. Am I frustrated...just a weee bit.

On the bright side, I have horsey news. :) On a whim last Friday I contacted one of the local boarding facilities to see what is currently available; turns out they had one of the best stalls (with a large run) available if I wanted it. The icing on the cake is the fact that last January when I inquired about these stalls I was told none were available and there was a three year waiting list to get one. Soooo what happened? You know, I didn't ask. I just paid the lady for March and April and called it mine. Yee-haw!!!

And that brings me to another new turn in my horse world. Turns out Norma may, or may not be coming home with me...time will tell. She has quite the motor in her, too much for my current riding ability and is basically more horse than I can handle. Ray is working everyday to soften her and get her to relax and he says she is responding, but there is still some concern. So in light of all this, I've been scouting Morgan horse ads in search of another horse. I have found three others, two mares and a gelding, but none are located here in town. This weekend the plan is to visit the closest one. I haven't totally given up on Norma, and just two weeks ago I needed a horsey fix so I took up my grooming supplies and paid her a visit. Ray was gone so it was just me and Norma, spending time together and getting used to each other, just in case.

Norma and me.

Either way, I'm ready. I've got all my tack and tools...now I just need the horse. Be it Norma or another, I am sooooo ready for this.

Oh yeah, and I need a horse trailer. A two horse slant load bumper pull with front dressing room. Gotta have one of those too.

Someone recently told me the horse was the least expensive part and I was a bit skeptical. I'm not anymore.

The search continues.

"Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole and, once it has done so, he will have to accept that his life will be radically changed". -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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