Opposistes attract... Glorious Galloping

Having vented...

Mrs. Mom is right: it's only right and proper that blessings get counted, too. So...

In spite of minor tackroom annoyances, I'm blessed that I can spend an hour each day with the horses. Most days they truly are my mental health break. It's not that I mind having human company when I tend to spreading hay and measuring grain. At times, I even ask for it - but sometimes? The four-legged critters provide a welcome relief from having to think of something to say. I can mutter or murmur, pat a neck or scratch behind an ear, and they appreciate or wander off - no one gets offended. If ears get laid back or heels get cocked (they'd better not be at ME!) the offending party shifts themself off, and life moves on with no hard feelings. Sometimes it would be really nice to be a horse....

I'm thankful that, although we've had our go-rounds over feeding practices this winter, J & G provide a a place for the horses where they're comfortable and have plenty of space to just be horses. I'm blessed to have a good and supportive friend in J, even though we don't always see eye to eye on everything - and that's part of what makes it a strong friendship.

And I'm doubly thankful to have an understanding spouse who enjoys driving the tractor and is willing to slog and slide through spring mud to help with worming and vaccinations. Yes, I know Amyra is "his" but in reality, only because Sunny is mine, so I'm appreciative.

I'm hopeful that even though the economy is bad, things will look up, and I'm heartened by the stories of people who continue to solider on, doing good things in their own quiet ways. Mikey and Sugarfoot, for example, and let's not forget the news that the Jockey Club is now joining other breed associations in providing free tatto identification services for TBs so that more horses hopefully avoid the packing plants. Even small steps make the world a better place.

Thursday thoughts - Of nothing in particular

In Sunny's opinion, grass is something to be thankful for.

The first round bale of the season is out, but none of the horses are interested yet.

A bit of warmth, and all of the past weekend's rain means that there's new grass poking up, and it's getting all their attention. Sure, they might snatch a mouthful of hay on the way up to water, but the bale is pretty much pristine at this point. Still, it's okay that it's there. This way they'll be used to having it available, and won't gorge themselves silly they way they might later when there isn't any greenery attracting their attention.

The forecast for this weekend is windy & warm (60's) - sweet! Good for grass, and better for fencing. We'll (fingers crossed) work on the front alley like I'd planned for last weekend. Wearing blaze orange, highly visible from the road... hopefully our presence will deter any idiotic road hunters before pheasant fever gets the best of them and they start blasting away across the pasture.

In other news - I picked out a new camera.

I was this close to buying another Nikon Coolpix like the one Sunny stepped on - but then I actually got my hands on a Coolpix L16 the other day. Unfortunately, in the multiple new editions since my trusty L6 came out, Nikon's moved the SD card slot from the side of the camera (where it's super easy to access), to the battery compartment. That's bad news in my book.

We have several of the more expensive Nikon digital SLRs at work. They're great cameras. But we've had to send them in numerous times to get the battery door hinges & latches replaced. The battery springs are too strong for the thin plastic catches on the doors, and they don't stand up well to frequent use. I've never used the cable that came with my camera for transferring pictures - I prefer popping the card out and using a card reader (that way I don't have to install any extra software on my computer). So with this design I'd be putting a lot of extra wear and tear on those flimsy little plastic catches. I just don't think they'd stand up to it. And replacing those doors isn't cheap. :(

Glad I discovered the Coolpix are now made that way before I ordered one.

So I explored the alternatives, and found one made by Canon. A Powershot A590. The reviews on CNET and elsewhere were mostly positive, so hopefully I'll like it when it arrives, which it's supposed to do tomorrow!

I'll keep using the Nikon at the farm, though - I just won't have to worry so much about it getting smashed! (Does anyone else experience camera withdrawal when your batteries go dead or you forget to bring it along? I guess there are worse things to be hooked on though - lol!)