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From TGO for Monday – Sept29, 2013 – Today Horse hugs

Today we try out a new format – hope it works for you — I expect to make more then one post per day – usually only one subject per post. Let’s see how it goes!

When on the Island, I play/work/enjoy being with Perla every day at 4:00 pm. A typical day consisted of me walking out to the pasture – most often with my friend – he with a three foot string (small diameter rope) and me with a rope halter. He has taught me many things about natural horsemanship. But, he supports me doing the details a way that is most comfortable for me. My comfort way, may be a little different than his, but he and I both believe one of the most important things to remember, when you play/work/enjoy being with animals is consistency – Especially with prey animals. In the case of horses, if you do the same gentle thing to them for several days and you did not eat them, they relax and tend to respond to your every wish. First, they must make sure that you are not a lion, tiger, or bear — ’cause their momma told them watch out for lions, tiger, and bears — they will hurt you – maybe even eat you! Run away quickly!

As I said, I have learned much, much, much from my friend about natural horsemanship. Consistency of course, how you approach a horse in the pasture, and much more. So when I approach Perla, I have a definition of a win, — We win if we prove our enjoyment of being together. Here is how we get to WIN. First, I did not go to the pasture to catch her — I want her move to me — to catch me — come to me for something — no not food — for GROOMING and our connection — a hug.This is not a horse hug – It is a people hug. Horses do not hug and connect with each other this way. But they do hug — a mother horse will turn her head along her side and push the colt up against her body with her head – that is a horse hug — Perla (and all most all horses) love to be groomed, after Perla catches me each day — I do not put the halter on — I groom her. — I do it in the same way each day. She turns her head and gently pushes me against her body – that is a horse hug. We connected – she knows that I ask her to trust me and she does trust me. The routine sets us up for our fun activities of ground work/play, riding, and round pen hooking-on. Who knows in the future we may do Whitney Bay road touring, agility, and driving?

She even lets me clown around with her. We are becoming a team — wonder where this team will pick up when I return to the Island?

Sometimes we need to hug our tractors too – I am ready to get to the Island and do some road work and set up my brand new garden area for next year — Sorry Perla. Catch me later.

Off we go to exercise, help Melissa set up dog agility, and woodshop, and more

September 29, 2013
From TGO – Sept 28, 2013 Cloudy but nice

TODAY: 1. My TV news experience, 2. My house problem status, 3. Mushrooms and passions

1. My TV news experience Good Morning – I watched TV news this morning (Not used to TV – no TV on Island) Government with no money, bad health care – oops good health care — oops fight over which is correct,–

oops it doesn’t matter -The TV told me we eat too much, that will make us sick, and no one found a way to prevent us from eating so much. Then the TV advertisements said their diet or the their low fat food would remove the weight we got from eating too much– I think what they said is eat all you want to eat but be sure to eat the stuff “my company” makes!????

Then– the local TV guy — who wants to be on good terms the the local Economic Development group -urged us to attend the food and wine festival this week end, take the overnight Gambling Cruise Ship where the buffets are open all night, and support the new restaurant where Friday nights have all you can eat fish for 11.95 — Booze is extra!

Think I will turn off the TV and go have a snack! —

2. My house problem status I did put on about 3 pounds this month – while traveling south and getting Florida and the problem with the house organized – hope next week goes well — the Engineering Company that is coming on Tuesday is well respected by the Developer, The Real Estate Office and the Builder — they must all take the engineers recommendation and fix the problem — and not at my expense — we will see how well I can hold this group to that end! And I hope they do it without my pushing them, I need to get back to Drummond to take care of obligations there — and of course PLAY WITH PERLA!

Ever onward:

3. Mushrooms and and passions Just look at these mushrooms – do not eat these mushrooms I’ve seen:

Now the sagway — I just wanted to talk about passion because yesterday i kind of suggested you may live happier and longer if you had a passion and followed the passion.

— I have a very good friend on the Island who is very passionate about two outdoor activities — I mean really passionate — would you go fishing every day of the year? She misses very few – in her little boat in 3 foot Lake waves, rain, snow — how about 20 degrees below zero – ice fishing!

Are you getting the drife – passions, mushrooms — you got the connection?

Ever onward!

My friends second passion is mushrooms – Morel mushrooms — the Morel is a mushroom that grows in most states and is quite eatable – it is more then eatable — it is worth killing for — well not really but it sure is worth lying for —

“How did your morel picking go today?” — “Oh, not so good, I found one or two.” as a large blanket is thrown over the 3 gallon bucket sitting in the passenger set of the old pickup.

From the web dictionary — Morels have been called by many local names; some of the more colorful include dryland fish, because when sliced lengthwise then breaded and fried, their outline resembles the shape of a fish; hickory chickens, as they are known in many parts of Kentucky; and merkels or miracles, based on a story of how a mountain family was saved from starvation by eating morels. In parts of West Virginia, they are known as “molly moochers.” Other common names for morels include sponge mushroom. Genus Morchella is derived from morchel, an old German word for mushroom, while morel itself is derived from the Latin maurus meaning brown.

Here we go, on a hunt somewhere in the world and not the North Pole , — that is all I will tell you about where we hunt. My friend made me promise that if I accidentally told anyone where we hunt, I would have to shoot them, then she would shoot me. All morel hunters are that way — no one ever knows where they find their morels — just to get here we first traveled north, then west , then back tracked a little — looked left, looked right, then put our boots on backward and walked into the woods .

Q: With all this secret attitude, why in the world would even a friend invited me to go along? — A: Because there are bear in this woods and she knows that I can not run as fast as her. – what a friend!

I found this morel — My friend ran over with the GPS and marked the spot – recorded date and time – then plucked it into her mesh bag. She said the chance of finding one right here next year was very high.

I do not trust eating wild mushrooms — but I do have a passion for making them my target topic for a photo shoot!

Say I to you all — goodnight till Monday – or maybe Sunday night — You can check it out! I saw an interesting animal while biking today — show your tomorrow — And I will speak of brushing Perla and more! Did you notice, i changed to a back to school format for the blog — do you like it?

September 28, 2013
From TGO – Sept 27, 2013 — Beeeuuutiful Day

Today – My topic was mushrooms as I did my bike ride: (I’ll show you two views of one mushroom)

The armadillo saw this;

What did I do all day? biked/exercised, cleaned house, to DMV to update license. I Have CDL and they require answers to questions every now and then, got Grandma snapper fish for dinner — I had leftover pork! – we played a few holes of golf –that is it so far.

You know, I was thinking about what I said the other day — I like to go out search for one target topic to photograph — I said the target could be smart dogs, dumb dogs, mushrooms, birds, garbage, leaves that are not green,….. what ever .

I saw this

Max, I know, years ago was looking for license plates from every state. — think he got them. My brother looks for clocks. I have a neighbor that looks for rocks. These later folks are collectors rather than photographers. But you see, Max did not have to steal/buy the plates, just photographed them. — much less expensive that way, and not all, but most photo targets are legal.

Grandma just came in and told me of an article she read about older folks, I think as old as nursing homes, — but any way — they lived longer and were happier if they lived a life with the excitement of a passion. I think she was telling me that her wonderful passion with the arts is a good thing — Now, I am sure you grandkids knew that it is a good thing — Each of you were taught, taken to see, and/or received finished products of her passions in fiber arts, oil painting, watercolor painting, — and yes live stage performances.

So I went back thru some of my photo archives to see what some of my targets of the day were (called TODs ) — I have a short attention span for my passions – not a life time like Grandma (Oh, I just rationalized me — I have a life time passion for passions!). anyway, I will pass along 1 photo from some of my photo targets – maybe they will trigger a thought in your mind!

1. How ’bout paintings on walls, railroad cars, billboards….

2. You know I do clouds. How about food:

3. How ’bout fountains: (or fountain pens) oops I tweaked this one a little:4. I run a photo club in our community and we often do field trips for one target topic — sometimes Grandma goes along — here is one of her selections when the target was – feathers5. The end – many opportunities to search out things that are “Over the hill” – Grandma says, take a self portrait — I made that up!6. These seeds could be the end or the beginning

7. Faces is a fun target:

You got the idea! — Rest assured, I do have thousands of Photos in many different target topics — Before I go, here is one from Grandma’s photo club shoot – target = doors:

Or how about a target of Decals/Bumper stickers:Or last but not least target “Patterns”Now I go — My Target is Read and Sleep!

& dream of better shots

September 26, 2013
From TGO – Sept 26, 2013 – Cloudy and no rain – Very Busy

Today 1. Questions for you. 2 Smart dogs 3. Things ladies and Grandpas need to learn 4. The Homestead

Today 1. Questions for you. Heather sent me this photo – She said it is because I often tell you in this Blog that I did it my way — Frank was the singer – It was real rewarding to me to hear someone say – while they were out and about they remembered my blog — Really glad you sent it to me, Heather.

Now the question folks — How did she get this photo? I know. Here is a hint: Madame Tussauds.

I tweaked the photo just a little. Now that brings up a new question who sang and “danced” “Me and My Shadow”. Was it a new group? Here is a hint:

2. Smart dogs Now, let me move to a new photo Heather also sent.

She says “I see this lady in town a lot with this dog. I think it is about as cute as a dog gets.”

I call it smart. Why? Because, it does not have to walk. It gets to ride while it’s person (human) has to walk. Last year I went to an art show with Grandma — My focus last about 10 minutes – so I took out my trusty camera and photographed 25 smart dogs. I displayed them on the SPCA web site — they were a hit — Now I say to you – any time you are out and about and the ones you are with are focused on something and you are killing time – select a photo target – see what you get — the target could be smart dogs, dumb dogs, mushrooms, birds, garbage, leaves that are not green,…………. what ever . It is fun say I.

Most cats are smart.

Most horses do not get carried around – Dumb horse.

3. Things ladies and Grandpas need to learn I was sent this photo of Caroline shopping — smart – all women need to learn the art of shopping! Well, I did tweak the photo a little to prove that this Grandpa loves the natural art of carrying shopping bags for beautiful ladies. – and he knows that boots and Jean jackets are a must. – Would not want embarrass anyone by looking out of style.

4. The Homestead In 1903 Grandpa said “Jan 6. Snowed slowly all day. All pupils present except Chas Shaffer. In evening did the chores, chopped chestnut tree down and cleaned cellar. Ellen Baked.”

Jan. 7 Wed. Snowed and stormed all day. not so cold. Sent 8 bu. potatoes to Hooversville and bought flour and feed. Got quarter of beef at home. School about all present. Chopped tree down in evening. Ellen not feeling well.”

Hey folks – I got to go — need to put laundry in dryer, get mail – rest – have a glass of wine – take clothes out of dryer, and read few pages on Thomas Jefferson – “The Art of Power” by Jon Meacham – Pulitzer Prize winner.

Good Night!

September 25, 2013

From TGO – Sept 25, 2013 – Again warm ran in PM

OK – Now, my house problem is in the hands of Geotech Engineer — expect answer late next week.

Today I speak of: 1. Out and about and the computer, 2. The homestead in 1903. 3. Don’t be bored

Did you look up today – what did you see? – did you look down – what did you see?

1. Out and about I looked up at the sky via yesterday’s photo — I really enjoy trying to see things that are not really there because, by doing that, I really get to see the artistic beauty of God’s cloud-creations.

: I looked at the cloud photo — I visioned an animal — PhotoShop helps me tell what I see in my mindt … just a hint of some kind of animal face — you see it?

If you do not want to carry an expensive camera – take your phone out and about – snap it – show your family what interesting creation of God you found today —

: Maybe a frog!

Out and about and the computer You can take your “snapshot” home and create your own “mind generated piece of art” – nothing wrong with that if it was fun. I find it more relaxing then playing competitive computer games, watching Netflix, trying to understand reality shows, or absorbing fearful news programs. If you create a photo art piece, print your creation and hang it on the refrigerator — see if anyone notices! I did – I will see if Grandma notices.

Not real – I made it my way – Who sang that song? — hint blue eyes

: Hearts in nature are a fun out and about target – see how many you can find in rocks, leaves, mushrooms, tree bark …

: Another mushroom heart — not a butt.

: How ’bout rock hearts

2. The homestead in 1903.Jan 3, 1903 Grandpa wrote – “Went to Hooversville in afternoon- paid 45 cents for oysters and crackers, 45 cents for new shoes for Ellen (Grandma), and 2 cents for gum, and 12 cents for coffee. had 2 doz. eggs along at 30 cents.

Jan 4, Sunday. At home all day. Ida Berkey and Tillie here in afternoon.

Jan 5, Weather mild, snow in afternoon and evening. Ellen washed.”

That is it for the Homestead today. And you thought your day’s are boring?

3. Don’t be bored You could be in the Homestead house in 1903.

So, for excitement - get on a paddle board, no life vest, paddle way out, fall in, wait for life guard help, and be as dumb as this old man! If you do not know what this all about - ask Heather — **So, for excitement – get on a paddle board, no life vest, paddle way out, fall in, wait for life guard help, and be as dumb as this old man! If you do not know what this all about – ask Heather**

Dyna my retired agility dog – Now Melissa want some ideas on how to create an agility course in her backyard for her dog — I will work on that tonight — Hey, Missy – in 6 months I want to show, on this blog, your dog doing the jumps and chutes!

Off into the sunset I go for tonight - read and sleep time — Off into the sunset I go for tonight – read and sleep time

September 24, 2013

From TGO – Tuesday – Sept 24, 2013 – Yipes a day of rain – but warm rain – Florida, you know!

Oops – Sorry, I am a day late.

Today 1. Friends are great 2. Look up and look down

By now you know that much of my retirement is centered on 1. working/playing with animals, 2. spending hours outdoors in natural surroundings, and 3. digital photography. I get lots of 2 and 3 here here in Florida but, my playing with animals has been somewhat derailed. But I still get horse sense from friends via the phone:

1. Friends are great First my friend, Allen, on the Island called me. Since I left, he says he works with each horse – including Perla – in getting them to turn their head with just a slight touch to the cheek — why would he want to do that — it is to be able to turn and control direction — while in the saddle — with only a slight touch on the cheek with the rein on the side away from the turn –The human sitting on their back does not need to jerk on the reigns to turn their head. Allen is a great Natural Horseman and teacher of me. He is a great friend who talks with excitement about horses – any time we talk, he talks to the horses and doctors them too.

See that metal bit in her mouth -- bet she would like to be rid of it - or at least never have me jerk on it again! — See that metal bit in her mouth — bet she would like to be rid of it – or at least never have me jerk on it again!

Then, Helen Longest- Saccone returned my call to her about my magazine subscription – the conversation quickly migrated to horses – That made her seem like a friend already – Helen who does not use a bit on her horse — like that ugly metal thing you see here in Perl’s mouth. She directs and controls with a bridle that has no bit — Is that great or what! I have never met Helen, only talked via phone – She is the Editor-In-Cheif (Founder and much more) of a great magazine that over the years had a lot to do with my love of photography and enjoyment of nature – the magazine is Nature Photographer.

In the Summer Issue – Helen wrote “For me, horses are fantastic teachers. They show me who I am at my most basic self without any pretense.” I think, with out exception, horse trainer emphasize that horses sense your feelings a lot better then you do because they communicate with each other thru honest feeling — so they get to be very good at reading you — as Helen says ,a horse teaches you who you are without pretense.

Finally, Heather called, She often calls and suggests I purchase a farm in New Jersey and have horses for “us”. But this time she was all excited about an article in Oprah.com August issue – called Horse Senses — it tells of Koelle Simpson who uses horses to help people – it is called Horse therapy. She makes the same point as Helen – since horses do not lie to each other – what they are thinking is what the other horses get – “Which means to gain their (horses) trust, humans must be genuine, clear, and honest.”

Meet Your New Therapist. He's Wise, Compassionate...and Likes to Eat Hay — Meet Your New Therapist. He’s Wise, Compassionate…and Likes to Eat Hay

I will send the article to Allen & Tess, and to Helen —

See, friends keep me in touch with horses – when they call with excitement in their voice it really adds to my day – Thanks!

2. Look up and down (Clouds and Ants) Maybe it is an obsession but it sure is a fun obsession — I can not go out with out looking up for cloud figures – or down for pudding stones, heart shaped stones, shapes in tree trunks, or animal tracks in the sand, or ants, or mushrooms or …….. I really hope you think about doing your own looking — if you have a camera, take photos to show your Mom. Be careful though– be sure to look where you are walking also.

I could PhotoShop it into a flop eared rabbit, or a bird, .. You can make it what ever you want it to in your own mind! — Look up — I could PhotoShop this into a flop-eared rabbit, or a bird, .. You can make it what ever you want it to be in your own mind, then it is yours.

I'll show many ant hills - they make many different looking hills -- but they all seem to have a road out -- see this one at about 4 O'clock — Ants make many different looking hills — but they all seem to have a road out — see this one at about 3-4 O’clock

This was a complex “ant country” – with 5 “villages” connected with a road – just like these 2 villages were connected.

This was a complex "ant country" - with 5 "villages" connected with a road - just like these 2 villages were connected. — Ants make many different looking hills — but they all seem to have a road out — see this one at about 3-4 O’clock

This was a complex “ant country” – with 5 “villages” connected with a road – just like these 2 villages were connected.

Hey, you kids with dogs — they are great companions too!

September 23, 2013

Today: 1. The homestead, 2. Grandma and the arts, 3. Grandpa and the arts.

A hint of tomorrow:

— Click photos to see full size – use back arrow to return to this page.

1. The homestead In 1903 Grandpa wrote – I assume from the house in the background – these words : Jan 2 Weather pleasant in morning but turned to rain in forenoon and continued. Began fifth month school. Unloaded coal in evening. picked 7 bu. potatoes to sell. Children’s colds no better. Jan 3. Sat morning – Raining a little snow in evening. Put 3 shoes on “Gert”. Did a little work around home.

2. Grandma is an artist: Being married to an artist is always interesting – Often, I will find your Grandma in her studio creating yet another work of art — or find her off getting pictures framed, copied, turned into note cards — or off to a lesson, workshop or what ever.

Every day there are questions about which looks better — often I can not tell the difference and often I pick the wrong one — but really I do better then 50-50. I must tell you the excitement generated by living with a person with a passion generates excitement — So, say I kids, find your passion -it does not have to be the same passion forever — find a new one every day if you want to — but have one all the time!

A few years ago I did not know what a studio was — just in case you do not know either, here is what a passion for art’s studio looks like.

This is just one corner - and look at the shelf - It is a beautiful room -- I as that she think about expanding the wall to wall to celling hangings to other rooms - I think she will — This is just one corner in one house – and look at the shelf – It is a beautiful room — I have ask that she think about expanding the wall to wall to celling hangings to other rooms – I think she will.

This month, we made a couple of trips to the big city for to get some paintings scanned and printed so that the copied version looks just like the original – Lots of technical expertise need to do it right! Tomorrow, we get to try it again. As you can see most of the hangings in her studio are more or less realistic — but this one gets lots of praise:

This is in New York City --Freedom tower - as an abstract - Love It — This is in New York City –Freedom tower – as an abstract – Love It

One World Trade Center (also 1 World Trade Center or 1 WTC, formerly known as the Freedom Tower) is the primary building of the new World Trade Center complex. The 104-story supertall skyscraper stands on the northwest corner of the 16-acre occupying the former location of the original World Trade Center. On May 10, 2013, the final component of the skyscraper’s spire was installed, making One World Trade Center the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the fourth-tallest skyscraper in the world by pinnacle height. Its spire reaches a symbolic height of 1,776 feet (541 m) in reference to the year of the United States Declaration of Independence.

3. Grandpa and the arts — Yesterday, I wrote: Your Grandpa is never bashful about asking young (or old) ladies about the art work on their bodies — I will show you one BIG surprise this little old country boy got from the manager of a very fine mens store in the big city:

I was buying shaving cream and brush when I noticed the beautiful snake tattoo on the arm of a very attractive outgoing lady who seemed to be the boss.

It turned out, she is the general manager of all their stores in the area. I ask her if I could photograph her arm for my blog — of course that was OK (she said she was part Native American and Native Americas love snakes) — after a little blushing on her part and a little blushing on my part too – I told of unseen tattoos on some folks — next, (With Grandma’s approval of course) the manager and I went into the back room of the store and this is what I saw (I think that is the title to country song) — I saw the “Exotic Princess’s” interest in art — Now, you all know I did this just for you Grandkids. I wanted to show you the excitement that my passion for mobil art can bring! But, do not try it, guys, until you are as old as me!