Process

Knitting has taught me a lot about following through from inspiration to planning to finished product. I'm easily inspired, but easily frustrated. Especially when I start digging deeper and realize that things aren't as easy as they might seem.

Like, for example, just about any pattern made to fit a an adult female. Hey! Looks great on the model. Looks great on knitters in blogs and on Ravelry. But hey! I'm generally too tiny for even the smallest size of most knit patterns. So anything I knit for myself from a pattern is going to take some modifying.

But of course, modifying isn't always as easy as it sounds. Sure, you can take out a pattern repeat here or there - but then it affects how the sleeves come together or how this-or-that is shaped. I often feel like I'm in way over my head when I start doing all those gymnastics. However, some projects inspired me enough to do the math, think of all the alternatives, try it out, rip it out, think again, try again, rip again.. etc. Like my darn Hourglass Cardi. (More on that monster some other day.)

I do have a point.. somewhere.

Spring is doing its thing, and there are beautiful flowers and lots of green popping up in all my neighbors' yards. My yard, however, looks like a wasteland. Well, okay. We have some dandelions.


And some cute little purple flowers. And some more cute little purple flowers. And some not-entirely-unpleasant white flowers that I'm fairly certain are weeds. And lots of nasty spikey things.


I guess there are things growing. But all in all, it's a darn pathetic yard. (It could use another good mowing... guess I should get on that.)


A few weeks ago, I hopped over to Lowe's to buy some edging, mulch, and flowers. Uh, yeah. The edging was ugly, and I didn't even get past that. Haha.

So I've been reading, researching, and wandering around nurseries. Each time I start, I'm motivated and excited. About 10-15 minutes into it, I'm completely dismayed at the amount of planning necessary.. as well as the extreme lack of knowledge I possess.

I need plants that grow well in shade. I need to test the soil. We have an erosion problem, so I need to grade the area in front of the house and build a small barrier. We need retaining walls - 2 on each side (leaving that to the pros!). I need to make sure that everything drains properly.. away from the house, but also around it and down the hill.. instead of forming a lake in front of the house. There are pipes and wires to consider. Termites to beware of. Clay soil to amend.

I'm beginning to realize that this will be a long process. I want to do it right, and I want to do it (mostly) myself. I've got a lotta learning to do.

But I'm pretty sure I can at least stick to it.

Abba has gone home

Yesterday an approved adopter came over to see Miss Abba, and was instantly smitten. I convinced her to take a look at one other dog (she already had the appointment), but she called me right after to say that Abba was the one. So - Abba went home yesterday! I'm so happy for the pair - they seem very well suited. And Abbs was extremely happy to see her when she came back that second time!

I'll miss having her around and going on our long walks.. but I am very excited to have more time now. There has been a definite lack of Squirrel and Addy time lately. Plus, we'll be getting our next foster in May.

I went out to see Addy yesterday, and all the horses were snoozing around the watering hole. I guess they've finally gotten their fill of that green grass! This is just one corner of their 40-something rolling acres...


Addy is shedding - I love this time of year. Haha. I was covered head to toe in orange hair almost instantly. You can't really tell from the picture, but her undercoat is that dark purpley chestnut.. so gorgeous.. but it looks funny with all the sunburnt orange! Too bad her dark coat will get bleached very quickly this year. (She lived in a shaded sandlot (perfect for ponies!) down in Florida, and had the most amazingly shiny, dappled coat)


We had our second "real" ride of the year. She was, as always, wonderful. We are both decidedly out of shape, unbalanced, and uncoordinated.. but I don't think it will take too long to get it back.

Edit: I forgot to add the Proud Mommy brag.. Addy's with the "cool kids" in this picture. That's Pie, behind her.. the boss man's main girl. And those dark legs and ears sticking out in the far back are Boomer, Mr. Boss Man himself. Addy attached herself to Boomer almost immediately upon becoming part of the herd, but she teases all the other boys too. Asifa, the older unbroke Arabian gelding, screamed for her the entire time I had her out yesterday. Silly boy. Or maybe my girl's just a little slutty. ;)

Spring time =....?

Being from Florida, I never thought much of spring. It's not really a season that exists there. The one thing that marked spring for me was the arrival of the foals.


This is my second spring up in Maryland, and my second away from the farm. I really need to go visit and see the new babies. Actually, I feel terrible - I don't even know which mares are due!


It's hard not to fall in love with every foal. They are so full of wonder, and are so darn cute! I really miss working with them.. and I miss being greeted every morning with nickers and love. *Someday* I'm going to work with foals again!


Unfortunately, I find it difficult to justify breeding more horses/ponies when the U.S. is already swamped with them.. so my kidhood dreams of being a small time Welsh pony breeder will likely never come true. But I'd surely like to go play with other people's babies!

My first tag! ;)

So I guess it took me awhile.. but I finally figured it out. Thanks Stellify! Here goes!

The rules:

1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules.
3) Share six non-important things / habits / quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people.
5) Be sure the people you tagged KNOW you tagged them by commenting what you did.

1 - I harbor a bit of an unhealthy fixation for Publix. (Wow, their website is ugly!) We moved up to Maryland last year from Florida, and I still complain on a weekly basis about how much I miss a good grocery store. Nothing compares, nothing compares.. to you....

Haha. Sorry.

2 - I always swore I'd never own a chestnut mare. And yet.. I do. And I wouldn't trade her for anything.

3 - My sense of smell is terrible. (And there are times that I am truly thankful for that.)

4 - I get a little crazy about symmetry. Always have. Even my Lego creations had to be symmetrical.

5 - I dislike drinking water. Actually, I dislike most drinks other than tea. Black teas are my favorite.

6 - This really has nothing to do with anything.. but I guess that's what this tag is all about. ;) I miss the beach. Diving under crashing waves, listening to the gleefully squealing children, absorbing all the warmth of that hot hot sun, dry salt on every hair of my body. And sand castles! Walking down to Publix for sushi and pineapple. :( Beach. sniff sniff

I'm tagging.. Bea and Meredith! (Yes, I'm aware that's not 3)



In other news - more Abba pictures. Two families are coming to look at her this weekend, so she might be moving on to her "forever" home... I'll definitely miss her, but right now the weather is so gorgeous and it's killing me that instead of going riding I have to go home to take the dog out.



How can anyone resist this face? (She was having a pretty bad day. Lots of new dogs around.. and not just greyhounds! Who knew there were other breeds of dog?! ;) It's amazing how sheltered these dogs are...)

Baltimore

I'm well aware that violence is high in Baltimore. But, wow.. check this map out.

Homicides in Baltimore

Astounding.

ABBA!

Meet Abba.


Pretty, isn't she? She's our first foster-pup, and we're in love. Well, we're not quite in love with the whole dog thing.. getting up at 6am for a 40 minute walk before work.. rushing home after work (and thus skipping the barn) for another 20-40 minute walk.. being serenaded until midnight... But I'm sure falling for this dog!

Look at how good she is on a leash! She pulled a bit on the first outing, but now she stays right by your side, keeping pace.

Every time I interact with her, I'm amazed by how smart she is. Who said greys were jocks?! ;) (Of course I have the nerdy grey.) She has adjusted very quickly to life off the track.... Cats, stairs, wood floors, baths, back seats of cars, strange dogs and unknown people.. notta a problem! Abba is one confident little lady.


The one thing she doesn't understand yet is how to play. I think she needs a nice, safe, fenced in area and another grey or two to help her out with that....