wacipi

Camping June 28th-29th

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:14:58 GMT

Um, I posted the wrong dates for the camping trip... its June 28 and 29th.

Camping June 28th-29th

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:45:43 GMT

I am planning to go camping June 28th and 29th, probably up at Washington Park in Anecortes, unless the weather forecast is not good as it gets closer, then there are nice places around Wenatchee that should be lovely weather. Those interested in going, let me know, if you are short on gear, please let me know that as well and we can work something out.

Brutal cooking show

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:57:53 GMT

Food animals

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:16:22 GMT

Curious how meat, dairy and eggs are processed? take a look at
this video
Do you know where your food has been? or what it has been through?
There are local farmers guilds where people grow and sell their own organic vegetables, free range meat, eggs, etc. There are also quite a few people in the city who have small back yard flocks of chickens, and sell some of the eggs to help pay for the good care they give their birds. A person does not have to give up meat, dairy or eggs if they disagree with the treatment of food animals, just be aware of what is being condoned and consumed.

Jesse cook at triple door 7/13

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:07:40 GMT

Jesse Cook is playing at the Triple Door on July 13th. This Neuvo Flamenco Guitarist is very talented, check out the you tube and links below.

Dance of Spring
For location and pricing
Anyone interested in catching this show with me?

So much rain

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:24:21 GMT

The weather looks as though it is going to be wet and cold this weekend, not a good time for Kayaking. If there interest in going next weekend, let me know!

Goodbye Coby

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:30:20 GMT

Rest peacefully, sweet girl, you will be missed.

This was one of the biggest, sweetest dogs I have known, it was adorable to watch this huge dog play adoringly with my cousins little toddlers. She was an intelligent, and attentive companion dog for my Grandmother. As well as a very affective guard dog, as the breed is well known for. Coby completed her journey in this life last month, I know she will be very much missed by those whose lives she touched.

Its been too long

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:22:21 GMT

Call me when you arrive/get settled into Seattle, I miss you!

captivating

Sat, 31 May 2008 04:24:07 GMT

This guy is an awesome illusionist. Check out this video

training fish

Sat, 24 May 2008 02:07:14 GMT

Ok, these are some really intersting videos my uncle showed me. This guy makes fish trick training kits. Check out these clips to see what his fish can do.

Infusoria

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:39:58 GMT

Infusoria is a micro organism, that just happens to be ideal food for newly hatched, very small fry.

So here is my first try at growing infusoria to feed to my upcomming fry. Hopefully this will help in solving the issues I have had with losing beta fry at around 3 days of age, about the time their egg sack is used up.
I will post more on this aquatic hobby project later, for the mean time, take a look at the infusoria.

You will need to prepare some food for your Infusoria; chop up some old lettuce from the fridge, a food processor works great for this.

Collecting the infusoria can be done a couple of ways, you can use a sponge filter from a healthy tank. Or you can collect water from a gravel filter or gravel siphon, like the one in this picture. Remember, the key is a "healthy" aquarium, having live plants in the aquarium help to feed infusoria as well. A sample collected from a contaminated, or potentially diseased aquarium could result in killing new fry.

collect the water in a clean container, never use soap, detergents, bleach or other toxic cleaners around your aquarium. Salt water is a good way to clean items used in your aquarium. Its best to rinse any item with water from the aquarium before letting it come in contact with your aquarium or fish. Tap water can have hard minerals or chlorine that can weaken and stress fish.

Ad the chopped lettuce to a clean, clear wine bottle, then pour some of the water you collected with the Infusoria.
Cork the bottle and let it stand at room temperature for several days to a week. This gives the Infusoria time to multiply, feeding on the decomposing plant matter.

Plan ahead when growing infusoria, so that it is ready to feed when new fry arrive.
When the culture is ready, use an eye dropper to collect a small amount of the murky water, and place a small amount of this in the tank with your new fry on a regular feeding schedule.
You can continue to re use your infusoria culture, remove some of the water, and add it to a clean bottle with freshly processed vegetable matter for them to feed on, and allow the same amount of time for it to mature before feeding.

Well fed

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:46:57 GMT

Imagine a fort made out of four tons of food...

Body of War

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:35:37 GMT

If you haven't heard of this documentary, look into it. It's currently playing in Seattle.

Too busy being fabulous

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:51:22 GMT

I heard this song on the radio the other day, and it made me think.

Ever notice those times someone gets caught up in themselves, and you just cant get through to them?

New threads for the pony

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:05:46 GMT

Spending time with this lovely mare is a joy. She's an amazing animal, and it's so rewarding to work with her and see what she is capable of. There is nothing like the agility, athletic ability, intelligence and unique temperament of an Andalusian.

Last week I found this saddle on Craig's list, after months of keeping an eye out for something suitable, I actually was looking for a bare back pad, but this saddle ended up being such a great price that I had to look into it. It's ultra light weight, made of all synthetic materials, and practically brand new. This saddle was a steal, it came with a set of irons, a new red saddle blanket, and a matching red leather girth. The Black saddle, and red blanket I think looks rather sophisticated on a white horse.

Not that there was anything wrong with the saddle I have, other than the fact that it is perhaps a little too good. The high quality German saddle I have been riding in for years, is something I try very hard to take care of, as I know I couldn't afford to replace it. After riding in the rain (which is no rarity in Seattle)the leather needs to be oiled and conditioned, and stored in a dry place. The stable provides a tack locker, in a typical cool damp barn, and I would be concerned about theft or damage. So rather than keep toting my saddle back and forth in my car, now i have one that I can easily leave at the stable that I don't have to worry about, and requires minimal care of the synthetic material.
I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the new saddle is as well. I guess it's Lucy's turn to get new clothes this month. :)

cute video

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:25:54 GMT

This is a cute music video, poking fun quite accurately at the scene of dance classes. And of course, Michael Buble' has an awesome voice..
This is a link to an example website

Equine semi-urban existence

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:18:39 GMT

Who says piggies are pink?

Lucy has been very enduring with her move from 2+ acres of lovely lush grass pasture, huge open stall, shade trees, babbling brook, not to mention her own apple tree, and her buddy of 7 years, out in the country; to a much smaller stall, and a small muddy paddock attached to it, no pasture, and no room to run, and isolation from other horses, as is life in a stable.

It's been a lot of work, and a fair bit of money, but the rewards are far beyond the effort. And it's really starting to get fun. I suppose it's like people say riding a bicycle is; although i might equate it more to running along tops of fences or tree branches, and other things I haven't done in a while and would question my ability to find the balance for without bruises. its starting to feel natural, and wonderful again, and we are moving forward playing around with new things. I like to go late at night when there is no one else in the stable, I will turn her loose and play games, ride bareback, and sometimes without a bridle, we are working on the subtleties of communication, and the beauty of the results.

So it takes me back to some of the things I love in life, and they are very real, and very present now. There is nothing superficial, or pretentious about it. I am a country girl at heart. I also love the opportunity and beauty Seattle has to offer, and try hard to hang on to both.

Fresh food saves money

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:30:46 GMT

I am cooking and preparing food more for myself, and forfeiting restaurants (for the most part) in an attempt to save money, as well as the thought simply grossing me out.

My cat eats high quality dry kibble, with no extras. and my horse gets quality simple food, with no expensive treats or supplements.

The fish however, are getting home grown, fresh food..

I may not be able to have much in the way of a garden for myself this year, or to grow the herbs i Love to cook, and make other things with.. and no raising chickens for fresh organic free range meat, not this spring. But, as I have just learned, while cleaning out my patio pond, that I am able to grow fresh fish food in my water garden.

Amusing ventriloquist

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:42:25 GMT

Check out the turtle duet below.

Happy Easter!

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:24:56 GMT

Garrocha Pole Dancing

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:59:57 GMT

Garrocha, Equestrian Pole Dancing. This is something that caught my eye a few years back in a performance I when't to by Circue du soleil. I hadn't come across it again until last year when I bought a DVD off of eBay. This is something I want to do with my horse.
It's very simplistic, precision riding, best when done to music, like many Spanish styles of riding, it can be more of a dance.

This video is a theatrical compilation, with Garrocha Interspersed with other styles of riding. I gotta admit, the fire dancing with horses, towards the end of the clip, is pretty cool though:)

As many styles of riding ordinate, Garrocha too has a more practice use, with its roots in cattle herding.

Color test

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:31:13 GMT

How well do you see color, vs your interpretation of what you see.

Color test

Fitting in

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:49:40 GMT

Thursday!

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:49:48 GMT

Friends gathering on Thursday this week.

Who wants to get out?

Some days you want to scream

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:28:13 GMT

Okay.. some times you just want to scream, but you can't.

So I got something like this, only in a fabulous mustard color. I wore it over khaki legs and red shoes, allowing me to act like an adult at work today, and the screaming was done for me, visually :p
This is throwing a fashion tantrum; its a slightly more socially acceptable form of kicking and screaming.