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GMDI – Good morning — Aug 13 – Icelandic History, Clouds, Trails

An Icelandic farmer floating a sheep over a deep, cold glacier-river recently. What a horse – and farmer – the sheep ain’t doin too bad either!!

The icelandic horse is the descendant of the horses that were in Norway in the time of the vikings.

Perla getting a fly repellent sponged on by my friend prior to our trail ride – He is very good at getting horses to accept whatever act of doctoring or care required – see how well he has Perla accepting the sponge!

Typical view down one of the logging roads – we have miles of such trails available to us. Thanks to friends of our friends, the State of Michigan, the logging companies, and maybe we just trespass some times — never been shot yet! But I ask Perla – an ex-Viking — to keep a watchful eye!

Did you ever own a breed of dog, cat, horse, –or maybe even a gerbil of which I know very little — As you do your research, you will find that those who write about your favorite breed make then sound like creatures that can walk on water, warm your bed, feed you dinner, and get your mail, clean your cloths, — They do just about everything a wife will do for you but for many fewer dollars and without grumbling about you bringing dirty shoes into the house or bringing drunk friends home for dinner — My research of the Icelandic, shows they walk on water and more, They even give forth the blessing of the Nordic-Viking Gods to their riders.

I like northern outdoor breeds — I’ve had a Newfoundland, a Siberian Husky, a Scottish Border Collie, a Welsh Corgi, Belted Galloways, Aberdeen Angus, and now an Icelandic. Always wanted a Norwegian Fiord and a Dexter — Maybe next year – I have books on training them and a corral waiting!

Maybe it is the northern sky that I like – strange things happen in the land of the midnight sun you know

Do you know who wrote this?

“There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see”….

Who sang this?

“Ain’t no hay left on the ground.

My last bale and well my tail is dragging.

Hose me down and dress me up.

Out the gate and let them horses run.

Jukebox, soft pretties on a hardwood floor,

A cowboys work is never done in the land of the midnight sun.”…

One of the most fascinating features of the Icelandic horse is it’s extreme genetic purity. No infusions of outside blood has propably happened to the icelandic horses for over 800 years, and there is only one breed of horses in Iceland. No horse that leaves Iceland can ever return. If a horse leaves Iceland for a competition, it can never return.

So, U C, Perla is much purer than me — that is why the 10 point lesson plan, the one Perla and I have been going through, is for me more then Perla. Tomorrow you get more history written by a Icelandic Horse enthusiast – maybe biased — and our report card — filled out by me – may be biased.

At full tolt we go into the rest of the day. Much to do — My son and wife arrive next week – Really looking forward to their arrival – maybe Perla gets a rider that knows what they are doing – My son’s wife!

August 13, 2013
GMDI – Good Morning – Aug 12, 2013 – 50 degrees: Grandpa and Town names, Happiness

Here goes Grandpa’s horse on it’s way to Scalp Level. Think Grandpa fell off.

I. GRANDPA AND TOWN NAMES:

May 4, 1903 Grandpa said “Cold in forenoon – Warm in afternoon. Plowed for Mehlon Berkey in forenoon. Went to Scalp (Level) after dinner. Bought flour, shoes for Ellen (Grandma) and my self and other things.”

Scalp Level from the web: 1.When settled, 2. how many people/horses, 3. why the name:

1. John Fyock settled there around 1790. Fire wiped out the Farmers Milling Co., the general store, and two houses in Jan 1903.

2 . In 1840 the Township of Paint (Where Scalp Level is located) had 487 people, 94 horses over 2 years of age.

3. The name Scalp Level is said to have come from Jacob Eash who directed his friends to “Scalp it level, boys”, when the frontiersmen cleared his land.

II. HAPPINESS, YOGA, AND AN ALTERNATIVE:

Grandma, daughter and granddaughter went to a 5 day Yoga retreat (summer camp say I) so I went to the Google “answer all questions” web and ask “What is the purpose of Yoga?” and I got a long multi page answer – you can go read it all if you want. but I will extract this for you “… helping human beings to become aware of their deepest nature” I make the assumption we humans would want that awareness to become happy if we were not happy or to stay happy if we were happy.

I was walking the road thru Central Park NYC last December and found a sign that was an alternative to Yoga. I will present it here for you:

It works – I stood there and smiled a lot!!!

III. HAPPINESS THU SMILING:

I will show you a few other photos that made me smile – I think smiling is an indication of happiness — If it is otherwise, just let me go on with my delusion:

On an Island, this creative picnic table on floats with a beer cooler attached is happiness for those who must fish, drink, and eat

This tavern sign in Ashville, I think it is for vegans to seek happiness through the spirits – I assume beer and wine are on their diet!!!

It is time for my cloud watching bird to start to think about flying south to seek happiness in the sunny south.

Perla is an Icelandic – I love Icelandic Horses – Reading about them, riding them, watching outhers ride them — somehow all that makes me smile. Are they classy or what?
So long for now – I must get ready to ride.

August 12, 2013

GMDI Good Morning – Aug 11, 2013 – Perla started high school !

Next week, I will tell you of Icelandic Horses and their history.

But today, I will only talk about Perla’s nature and her schooling. Sort of like a dissertation on Perla. I want to do that so that you better understand Perla’s and my summer of learning.

Perla is an Icelandic Horse. I purchased her in 2012. Her seller said these things of her:

1. Perla is being sold as greenbroke. (I found this definition on the web:A green broke horse is one who has recently learned to accept a rider on his/her back, or to be “under saddle.”)

2. Since she is only green broke, she needs an advanced rider and she still needs miles of riding. (My comment – I thought that meant advanced in age – which I am. I knew my friends like long trail rides – fit perfect – so I bought her!)

3. She needs firm boundaries clearly defined objectives. (my comment: Ask my kids – do I set firm boundaries? Of course they never adhered to them – In spite of me they turned out great – so I guess Perla will too. Thus, I setup a ten step learning program about 7 weeks ago–with two weeks off for my trip to NYC – that left 5 weeks of training so far)

4. She will Tolt forever. Perla has large elastic movements. Her sire, Nattfari, got 9’s for tolt. (my comment: That is a major Icelandic trait that caused me to want an Icelandic for years)

From the web I got this description of tolt:

Icelandics have gained most of their popularity due to their ability to tolt. For an Icelandic Horse enthusiast there is probably no greater pleasure than to enjoy nature while riding a good tolter.

Tolt is a four-beat gait. There are alternately one or two feet on the ground, the two feet are alternately in lateral and diagonal pairs.

The horse carries itself proudly and gives a very smooth ride, enabling the rider to cover long distances without tiring.

Icelandics tolt naturally, many young foals are seen to tolt in the field. However, every horse naturally offers a different combination of gaits: for some, tolt is their favorite gait, others prefer to trot

As for this summer’s learnings, we passed most of the ten step learning program. My free time to train is quickly running out for this summer, so, yesterday I added step number 11 – Long distances at a tolt -That is what I call entering high school.

Today on way home from Sunday Brunch group - saw God pull this heart pendent across the sky. Pretty neat!!! — Nothing to do with tolting but – Love cloud watching too! Today on way home from Sunday Brunch group – I saw God pull this heart pendent across the sky. I did use Photoshop a little — to help better show U what I saw. Pretty neat!!!

Perla and I tolted for about 1/2 mile through the fields and trails, yesterday . Wonderful. What fun to tolt thru nature. Just like her sire Nattfari who got 9’s for tolt.

But, we both need to practice our communications – when to walk, when to tolt, how to stay in a tolt, when to return to walk. — all with very little show of signals being passed between us. No yelling commands. No yanking on reins. I know it will take more learning on both our parts.

Since Perla is not good at reading, I must do all the text book studying for both of us!

My assignment — I have been assigned the reading

Perla is assigned Tolting. Adios, Trail ride soon.

August 11, 2013

GMDI – Good Morning – Aug 10, 2013 48 degrees and sunny – Yesterday’s wind is gone, but ….

New Neighbor - at our dock! — New Neighbor – at our dock!

Our new neighbor moved here from the other side of the bay — We did not get an invitation for cocktails though? Why? No one on deck. That boat drug anchor, in yesterday’s wind, and its keel is now sitting in the mud off our dock!

Today, lets continue to look at signs – U know signs are messages and art work, both at the same time – And Grandma being an artist I just have to sprinkle in the art aspect.

Air travel causes a person to miss a lot of signs – even the names of towns. Did you ever wonder about the meeting that was held to decide on a name for for towns as you drive by? We lived in a town called Pleasantville at one time. Wonder what options were placed before the town fathers: Prettytown, Quiet Village, Kindburg, Jimstown — do not laugh – I once lived in Johnstown. Anyway they decided on Pleasantville.

Thinking of Pleasantville made me think of a sign in front of a barbershop on main street Pleasantville: “WE SPECIALIZE IN MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN’S HAIRCUT” – I assume that excluded haircuts for dogs and cats. I laughed at it because I wonder about the “artist” that made that sign – bet the artist was proud of his/her message that was painted on that sign outside the barbershop!

More sign/art work from my Digital Photo Gallery:

Speaking of dogs -- Here is a dog for sale sign at the SPCA - $80 bucks for KIT - not KITTEN — Speaking of dogs — Here is a dog for sale sign at the SPCA – $80 bucks for KIT – not KITTEN

Misleading sign - Hawk is not for sale — Misleading sign – Hawk is not for sale

Clean dog - sort of like a car wash - do it your self here if you want to — Another sign involving our best friends the dog. Of course we want a clean dog – sort of like a clean car after we run it through the car wash – Love this idea of a dog wash – lookout for those turning/flapping brushes – and put the antenna (ears) down.

Mobil Art Gallery - If you want to purchase this piece of art - it is expensive and you need a large living room to display it! — Mobil Art Gallery – If you want to purchase this piece of art – it is expensive and you need a large living room to display it!

An art sign painted by Joe Wettow JR. — From the Two Pillar Gallery – This piece was created by local artist Joe Wetfeet JR. – displayed in the crossover section of the outdoor natural museum – What should we name this piece?

Let's have an apple as we re-look Jim's Art Museum address "One Blog Street" in Jimstown — Let’s have an apple as we re-look at Jim’s Art Museum address “One Blog Street” in Jimstown

August 10, 2013

GMDI – Good Morning – 60 degrees – Hints of fall, I think the hint is geese and deer behave differently!

I have been thinking – language and signs are built around geography, culture, daily happenings and the need to warn. Some are a simple desire to communicate, and some have the objective of changing someones mind (Selling them something). Some sings are just to entertain and some are “I do not know” ????.

Speaking of the language side of it. Yesterday I ask if you knew what Grandpa meant by “Cow came fresh” – I got one response which I posted as a reply yesterday. Click yesterday’s bubble to read it – When I grew up, “Cow came fresh” was as a statement of information as well understood as saying “Don’t forget today it is right hand side of the street parking.”

Hey, New New york City folks please send me a comment, thru the bubble, explaining what “Don’t forget today it is right hand side of the street parking.” means. Then I will post it so the rest of the world will know!

Oh, about “the cow came fresh ” —cows recently calved and still in their first flush of lactation, that is within 2 weeks, possibly 4 weeks since calving. got that information from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/fresh+cows

I love signs — sort of like looking for things in nature – I talked about that yesterday! — My photo library contains many photos of signs. – I will show a few to you today — maybe more tomorrow!

You guys out there . tell me about this flag. — **A sign for all of us in USA** – An old flag – Yet a sign 4 us Americans!

**A sign 4 us Drummond golfers.** — And you better read the sign and obey!

A sign 4 us Drummond golfers. And you better read the sign and obey! — **A sign for all of us in USA** – An old flag – Yet a sign 4 us Americans!

**A sign 4 us Drummond golfers.** — And you better read the sign and obey!

It says to me -- "I've been everywhere." — **A sign for all WILD LIFE FESTIVAL attendees** – It says to me — “I’ve been everywhere.”

It did not work -- Oh , was I supposed spray it around the garden? — **A sign for all garden salad stealers** – It did not work — Oh , was I supposed spray it around the garden?

Ain't it a fact!!! — **A sign for us humans** -Ain’t it a fact!!! Love it – I like driving this sport car too fast around all of life’s curves. Yipes, Hang On .

Found this at the Soo Locks yesterday -- Not sure why it was there but it seemed appropriate that I should apply to to the curves of life! — **A sign for all who find signs that make us laugh** – Found this at the Soo Locks yesterday — Not sure why it was there but it seemed appropriate that I should apply it to the curves of life!

If you can read this you are by default a member -- Welcome to the club of life! — If you can read this you are by default a member — **Welcome member to the club of life!**

August 9, 2013

GMDI – Good morning – Aug 8, 2013 – Hello Lucas – Hope all is well and hope everyone is getting some sleep!

Breaking News — Back from Soo on 3:40 — will go help clean up poop in pasture after posting this-

Tomorrow we must go to the Soo on the 7:10 (Sault Ste Marie) to get our truck serviced at 9:00 am and for Grandma to deal with some art products she has in a gallery in the Soo. – The Lake Superior State University purchased from the gallery one of her WaterColor PaintingsSo, lets congratulate her!-

In this blog, I will start to tell you of things I see that really are not there.

You see that is an inherited problem — at least the family story is that Grandpa — yes, the very same one the I post from his diary — Fell from a church steeple while helping to roof it and broke is back? he was delirious for several days – and saw things in his room that were not there — After he recovered, the family teased him of being crazy those few days — you know it became sort of a family joke — so, just read about what I say that I see in these photos but do not tell others who may consider me crazy!

Please comment, to me, about your seeing things hidden in nature that others my not have seen. You can click the speak bubble above to comment. Maybe you can make (or already have made) seeing hidden things in nature a hobby for your self .

CLOUD – I see a squid or jellyfish or some ocean creature!!

I c a face - Bet u do 2 — STONE – I c a face – Bet u do 2

CLOUD - what do u c? — CLOUD – what do u c?

CLOUD – I c a fish – A Blue Gill I think — What do you think?

CLOUD - I c a fish — CLOUD – what do u c?

CLOUD – I c a fish – A Blue Gill I think — What do you think?

STICK - lets rotate — STICK – lets rotate

STICK - Now what do u c? — STICK – Now what do u c?

STICK - I c a bird head. — STICK – I c a bird head. — Can u c it?

Update just befor posting — Cloud watching is really is a fun hobby. But, It is probably worse then texting while driving — looking at clouds while driving — on the way back fron the Soo, i must have see a dozen things — will not tell you of them all due to what RORSCHACH TEST would reveal.

Has nothing to do with anything, but just read this Grandpa entry — “June 20, 1902 – At Hooversville. Sold two turkeys = 31 1/2 # 12cents Cow came fresh.”

This question is for all Grand Kids, all children, and all adults — all others need not bother answering these questions:

1. Was that 12 cents for two turkeys, or 12 cents each, or 31 1/2 # times 12 cents per pound? —

2. Do you know what he means “Cow came fresh”

Not exactly the 7:10 ferry -- but it will have to do for tonight -- Happy hunting for things in nature!

Not exactly the 7:10 ferry — but it will have to do — Happy hunting for things in nature that others may not see!

GMDI – Good Morning – Aug 7, 2013 – Rain Rain Thunder Rain but warm – 60 degrees

Hey, help me out – click the Speak Balloon shown above – was it easy to leave a comment? – I am working on that part of the blog. Thanks

To me, small community means living near nature – and rain is nature:

River delta, plus shadows, reflections, but no clouds, rocks, tree bark -- Maybe 2moro I will tell you of RORSCHACH and thing I see in nature -- In preparation look up RORSCHACH on the web! — River delta, with shadows, & reflections, for me to study, but no things hidden in clouds, rocks, tree bark — Maybe 2moro I will tell you of hidden things I see in nature — In preparation for 2moro’s blog look up RORSCHACH on the web!

“A River Runs Through It” My driveway, is made of gravel, leads up from the township road – the township road now has a lot of my gravel on it!! – at the delta of the DRIVEWAY river. U see, nature will keep me from getting bored here by the Bay – I will spend hours fixing this driveway!

Last night, I stood in front of our windows – one overlooking the bay and one overlooking the woods — marveled at the beautiful storm – pouring rain and lightening flashes — loved it. You see, I love weather!!!

Thunder - yipes, I must hide — Thunder – yipes, I must hide

Why does dog Dyna hide in the shower (or under anything available) when there is thunder within 50 miles? Grandma reminded me of what I did on Oct 12, 2001. Dyna and I sat on our front porch over looking the Pedernales River Vally -on our ranch in Texas. The river was 2 1/2 mile away – storm much worse then last night’s – it was beautiful – then a bolt of lightening struck a tree in our pasture – much closer then 2 1/2 miles away — startled me so much that I think I jumped a foot off of my front porch swing

My legs are very short - me is Corgi u know! — My legs are very short – me is Corgi u know!

— But poor height challenged Dyna jumped so high we were looking eye to eye. — that might be a little editorial licence — but that bolt sure scared the h… out of Dyna . To my daughter and Grand children who deal with Dyna in their shower when it thunders – you now know my version of the story as to why she hides!

Oh, while Dyna and I were mid-air – a category 3 tornado ripped thru Stonewall – by the river 2 1/2 miles away wiping out a 300 foot swath the length of the village of Stonewall! – a lot of days of small community coming together to help in the cleanup.

In the small communities I have lived in, we were near nature – woods, forest, hill country, oceans, big lakes, swamps, etc – where we share space with squirrels, mink, river otters, deer, bear, snakes, and many animals including ferrel cats “A domestic cat that that turns to the wild — and maybe back again”

The link I left you yesterday – told of a flying squirrel’s tail. My friend has an ex ferrel cat that sneaks off into the woods at night and returns with gifts for my friends. After some research we determined Saturday’s gift was the tail of a flying squirrel — I always hate to see my friend be so sad when we know that the cat’s gift was at the expense of a life — but I told her smile – a life may have been spared for Saturday’s gift:

“The tail is passively employed in escaping the grasp of a predator’s teeth or talons. Flying squirrels have “break-away” tails. Should a predator attack and grab a flyer’s tail, escape is possible, if only at the cost of part of its tail, not its life. The sight of a wild flying squirrel with half a tail is not an uncommon sight. The affected squirrel makes adjustments to this loss and can live a normal life afterwards”. from http://www.flyingsquirrels.com

Wednesday - Golf -- Pick a number for my score - I have a number in mind - Damn I am optimistic! — Wednesday – Golf — Pick a number for my score – I have a number in mind – Damn I am optimistic!

GMDI – Good Morning – Aug 6, 2013 – Already – Our friends are now the Grandparents of a brand new 9 # baby boy WOW!

WOW WOW – Enjoy that new family addition – arn’t families fun? Hey, kids – go to the web address I put at the end of this blog to see a page of interesting fact — of nature of course – like a science lesson!

FROM FAMILY: My family sent me this picture of “Princess Hiawatha and her loyal Corgi Companion” whose name is Dyna – and in the summer they choose to enjoy a SMALL COMMUNITY — Since I did not ask Princess Hiawatha if it is OK to put her face on the blog, I will just show the dog’s face — but you can imagine they are both having fun kayaking.

Seeing SMALL COMMUNITY photos from the family of Princess Hiawatha’s and Dyna’s kayak ride – and home – made me ponder the word community — I think I will ponder with you — sure hope you will listen – I mean read —

OF COMMUNITY: Small Communities are fun! In almost 3/4 of my life I have lived in small communities (four different small communities in fact: On a small farm in hills of Appalachia, On the bluff on Block Island in the Atlantic Ocean, On a small, what I call, play-ranch in the Hill Country of Texas, and On a bay on Drummond Island in Lake Huron) — They have all been FUN!! Well, Drummond, as you know, continues to be fun. Grandma says – small communities are me — not sure what she means by that, but that is what she says!

Small Community things happened here this morning already:

SMALL COMMUNITY Neighbor stopped in to visit with Grandma - Had not seen her since her return from NYC - But he often stopped for coffee - as we chatted this is what we saw. — SMALL COMMUNITY: – Neighbor stopped in to visit with Grandma – Had not seen her since her return from NYC & he wanted to be sure her teeth were on the mend! – But he often stops by for coffee but he always seems to offer an excuse for visiting – as we chatted this was our view.

SMALL COMMUNITY - Each morning Bo collect minnows from her traps for fish bait. Today I saw her put a magazine in the mail box for Grandma - they share much reading. — SMALL COMMUNITY – Each morning Bo collects minnows from her traps for fish bait. Today I saw her put a magazine in the mail box for Grandma – they share much reading.

SMALL COMMUNITY — Breakfast from fish that BO brought – I grilled these last night – the fish Bo says is payment for letting her use our dock — I think it is just because she is a generous friend.

SMALL COMMUNITY -- More breakfast from cherries that T & A brought. Grandma baked the pie on Sunday - T & A hand pitted all five pounds of cherries - great friends - from their garden we have had beans broccoli too — SMALL COMMUNITY — More breakfast from cherries that T & A brought. Grandma baked the pie on Sunday – T & A hand pitted all five pounds of cherries – great generous friends – from their garden we have had beans & broccoli too. We get to share many thing with them. I like pie for breakfast – after I eat my greenies of beans and broccoli of course – and a little fish for protein.

SMALL COMMUNITY – A view of Princess Hiawatha’s and Dyna’s home in their summer small community

SMALL COMMUNITY - A view of Princess Hiawatha's and Dyna's summer small community — SMALL COMMUNITY — More breakfast from cherries that T & A brought. Grandma baked the pie on Sunday – T & A hand pitted all five pounds of cherries – great generous friends – from their garden we have had beans & broccoli too. We get to share many thing with them. I like pie for breakfast – after I eat my greenies of beans and broccoli of course – and a little fish for protein.

SMALL COMMUNITY – A view of Princess Hiawatha’s and Dyna’s home in their summer small community

SMALL COMMUNITY - Another view of Princess Hiawatha's and Dyna's summer small community — SMALL COMMUNITY – Another view of Princess Hiawatha’s and Dyna’s summer small community – The chairs and boats tell me this is a small community. Dyna’s people told me that too. Bet they get visitors for coffee too and young friends to share kayak rides with Princess Hiawatha and Dyna

To exit this day’s blog, I am going to give you a web address – I will explain tomorrow – It does have to do with small community though — in my mind anyway! http://www.flyingsquirrels.com/Anatomy/tail.html BYE!

GMDI – Good Morning – ‘Tis Aug 5, 2013 – 49 degrees – sunny – heading shows shadows on geese

Hey to you grandkids — think I should tell you what a day in the life of Grandma and Grandpa is like — since you were not here yesterday to share it. I know you would of had fun if you were here.

But, first a couple days ago Marc asked — “Why did hours of grandpa’s churning NOT result in butter? Temperature?” I have no idea – but he sure was persistent to spend many hours on a failure – think in inherited his trait of not knowing when to cut our losses and run. I went to web and watched several videos on butter making in an attempt to answer your question, Marc, and I am sure temperature is one critical factor – but there are others!

What a weekend — much fun — for example — Yesterday we read newspaper, Grandma and I discussed philosophy of news items (You think we argued?) There was hardly any screeming at each other – and no name calling — Do you think we have some different view on politics? What fun.

Next we went to breakfast with our Sunday morning group.

Next – we had a gift of 5 pounds of cherries — to store for crust mix – Grandma made pie.

She off to Art and craft show with friend and me off to 4 hours of horsing around with 2 and 1/2 hour trail ride thru much new territory with 3 other horsed (And riders).

Then we sat on porch and had a beer – then 8 of us met at a home 51/2 miles from nowhere over dirt roads — but on the shores of Lake Heron for sloppy Joes, ham, and much other food including a brand new peach cobbler with peach frozen yogurt. Great group of friends.

Home by 10pm – too tired to do anything but nothing.

Damm what a boring life — oh, I did much cloud watching too and the “wasted” (invested) a lot of time this morning trying to find some clouds to show you — and doing a little Photoshop to highlight better what I saw in the clouds. So bear with me, I am learning:

I added strange creatures behind moon over NYC - see city at bottom of page. — I added strange creatures behind moon over NYC – see city at bottom of page.

Almost untouched – a sleeping bear over our bay – Think I will re-name it Sleeping Bear Dunes — OOPS! Can not do that — Michigan already used that name! Look it up on the map!!

Untouched - just a shot -- Storm :A-Brewing — Untouched – just a shot — Storm :A-Brewing

Trail ride snack! Time for me to get to real wok maintaing things around here, and doing horse play, and Yes, snacking for lunch!!

GMDI – Good Morning – Aug 3, 2013 – 49 degrees and Just a WOW day – Morning on the Bay, Shadows, and Me/Perla Transition

The geese are back maybe 50 or more - where were they in July? Ah dun know! Hey, see early morning shadow on bank? — The geese are back — maybe 50 or more – where were they in July? — “Ah dun know!” — Hey, see early morning shadow on the bank?

I sure can waste (Spend) hours playing around with Photoshop. I am not an artist – just an Engineer – I can make Photoshop do most anything — but knowing what needs to be done to create art — not my strong point – but that does not stop me from looking at natural art happenings! You know, clouds and things — maybe I should add shadows to clouds as a natural art form.

Grandma & I saw this happening as we sat reading digital news this morning. As the geese swam in front of a tree (No the tree was not in the water -- No the geese were no swimming on the shore - you figure out how to explain it) anyway each in turn would become a black goose!! — Grandma & I saw this happening — as we sat reading our digital newspaper this morning. When a goose swam in front of a tree (No, the tree was not in the water — No, the goose was not swimming on the shore – you figure out how to explain it) anyway each goose in turn would become a black goose!! Shadows to an artist are important – so I ran out and took this shot just to show you what God can do with an early morning shadow.

Now the question – How is my training of (BUDDY) Perla coming along? — Be ready because the answer is not simple! – So here are some thoughts — I will update you often thru this blog.

When our friendly hardware store owner asked “How’s the training going?” Here is what I said “Whose training – Mine or Perla’s? Anyway, thanks for asking, we are getting much better” – Being near lunch time I needed a snack – so I went on to ask the store owner – “By the way do you sell oats – I am a little hungry” Not sure that he got my point – Did you?

Fourth of July 2013 Parad - the perfect horse. — Fourth of July 2013 Parade – the perfect BUDDY horse.

On July 27 I told you about my 10 step lesson plan (I call it a transition plan) for me and (BUDDY)Perla – all with lots of praise. In summary:

1. get (BUDDY) Perla to catch me

2. get her in the mood.

3. ground tie

4. circle me

5. ask her to come to me

6. walk beside me

7. walk into trailer

8. walk into stall

9. ride — away from barn and herd – slow, normal, tolt

10. not bolt out of barn when I say “All done”

Ground tie - tolerate me jumping around - shooting breeze with friend, four wheelers and jeeps zooming by, me throwing hat at her, not munching grass, WOW — Ground tie – tolerate me jumping around, me shooting breeze with a friend for 10 minutes, listening to four wheelers and jeeps zooming by, me throwing my hat at her, my not allowing munching grass, WOW What a good student(BUDDY)!

But the question is “Why in the hell would (BUDDY)Perla want to do any of these things?”

Doing figure 8’s around rocks sticking out of the ground must seem very stupid to a horse — why go down a trail with 160 pounds on my back and this steel thing in my mouth? Why stand there when I could be munching grass? Why get in that box on wheels when I do not want to be transported any away from where I am? The reason has to be so that I (Perla) can be with a fun BUDDY (Me).

Bottom line — We do all 10 steps pretty darn good – better then I ever expected. Why?

Not sure – Lets take a look at which of these are the most rewarding to Perla.

1. Rest during or after a work-out

2. Release of pressure – pulling on reins, pointing at rear quarters (I have many forms of pressure to use)

3. Food treat

4. Petting/and words of praise

5. Fun, Fun, Fun with a consistent BUDDY

In this modern day one can do much research on the web – I conclude: the experts do not know which is most rewarding.

But what all experts and dummies like me do agree on, horses want to be with their buddies – they are a herd animal – AND – horses like to play with their buddies – Just the other day my friend, the owner of the farm where Perla lives, was telling me about one of his horses getting the whole herd to race around the barn – not in fear but just for the fun of racing around — like school kids in the playground.

10 PLAYSTEPS : So, my 10 step transition plan is really aimed at getting me to be the best (BUDDY) Perla ever had and to bring to her 10 steps of play – every day !

Well, not all can be play and praise –there is the need for some punishment (Negative reward) but CONSISTENT FAIRNESS is the key. Got that from the Ag extension office – Mich State “MyHorseUniversity” program.

Whatever the answer to the question “How are we doing with our training?” — I really love it and I think Perla does too. I already have Grad School planning underway.