Parelli Level 1 audition - check!

We did it! Finally, after riding the fence, hemming and hawing, making the decision to go forward only to be side-lined for two months by a persistent hoof abcess, Duke and I completed our Level 1 audition. I submitted it to Parelli for evaluation this morning. :) Yea!!! Last I heard Pat Parelli himself is personally evaluating all the auditions, so I'm really excited about that!



I'm very pleased with how it turned out; was nervous at first but once I forgot about the camera my nerves disappeared. Duke was awesome, but I definitely need to work on my draw. He used to come to me with a lot of energy; last summer I could send him 100 feet away, get his attention and he'd canter or trot right back to me. Something happened and now my draw is broke....OR I spent way too much time in Level 1 and he lost interest (I'm thinking the latter). I have to really keep things interesting for him.

In the Parelli program, Level 1 is all about safety and building the relationship. Basic horsemanship skills must be demonstrated, but Parelli isn't looking for perfection. As Pat says, "It's not the technique that matters, it is the respect that follows." I admit I got hung up on the perfection thing...but mainly because my rope handling skills were lacking. I was constantly fumbling with the rope, stepping on it, and completely unable to manage it and the carrot stick (the tool you see me using...it's not a whip, but an extension of my arm).

Compulsory skills for Level 1: friendly game, massage all four legs, porcupine game (move horse around using direct pressure), driving game (move horse around using rhythmic pressure), touch-it (ball), yo-yo (drive horse away and draw back to you), figure 8, squeeze game, sideways game, walk/trot forward then stop and back up keeping horse out of personal space, back through gate (or stall door in our case...up a short hill no less!).

I had to find royalty free music...that also created a delay finding just the right music to accompany us. What you can't hear was all the background noise going on that night...another horse munching on his dinner, a tom cat yowling, one of the barn cats crawling around on Debbie (my camera person) although you can tell when he jumped up on her at the beginning of the tape. Just before then, you'll see me laughing after I untied Duke...that's because two of the barn cats were playing at Debbie's feet. You'll see one walking away from the camera at the very end. We see them almost every day, sometimes they sit by the door, waiting for us. They actually belong to a neighbor, but prefer to spend time with us. Must be because we're so much fun!

So anywho, enjoy the video. I'll post my results after I receive them.  Yee-haw!!!

Turn back the hands

Someone once told me when it comes to writing, stick to what you know. This is what I know.

Last night while writing my last entry I was struggling. Struggling with a name. As I read what I wrote, I repeated the name, over and over, Roberts, Roberts, Roberts. Something didn't seem quite right, something didn't connect. I knew it, but didn't listen. And in doing so I set myself up to tarnish my own credibility. Not a good thing. Deep down inside I knew Oral Roberts would never make that kind of statement, he was not that kind of leader. I knew he passed away recently. But I didn't listen to my own inner feeling. I made a huge error in judgement; I should have proofed my entry. If I offended anyone, that was never my intent.

That is one entry I wish I could do over.



Again, thank you Dan for setting me straight. I appreciate your comment and am grateful you took the time to correct my statement.

Lesson learned. Next time I'll engage my brain before I put my fingers in gear.

A eulogy for credibility

If change is good, where does that leave consistancy?

I'd rather watch Jay than Conan. I want to be entertained, not bored. I want to laugh, not yawn. To watch a show in it's entirety, not grab the remote the second the show begins.

I've got nothing against change...BUT, I don't like what I'm seeing in my country and for the first time in my life I'm wondering what the future holds for this nation and its people. It all starts somewhere...

We have comedians who aren't funny. Reality shows driven by scripts. And Hollywood seems to think the movie-going public needs doom and gloom, end of the world films to take their mind off daily headlines. Politicians have lost touch with the people.  And then there's Oral Roberts (I stand corrected, that should read Pat Robertson, thank you Dan); does he ever engage his brain before he puts his mouth in gear? His comment last week about the Haitian people exemplified ignorance; was it really necessary? If he is the face of Christianity, no wonder people are turned off by religion.

Has credibility passed away? Is accountability a lost characteristic of humanity? Where are we going?

Twenty some odd years ago, after seeing movies like Running Man, or Robo Cop, I told myself the world I live in would not turn into that. It's not what I want...it's not acceptable.

I have a dream...

Highlights and Pickings

2009...a year of discoveries and affirmations

One year ago the following was unknown to me. Here is a glimpse of the little things that I discovered along the way.

Best Wedding Entrance EVAH!!

I love this!!! It puts a smile on my face everytime I see it. The expression of delight, joy, and happiness is so evident on everyone's face...every generation present is swept by the moment! They all got it! What better way to create a new beginning! Now that's originality.

iFinds on iTunes

Every now and then I find an unknown treasure on iTunes. In late summer, while wandering around iTunes, I noticed their 'Free Download of the Day' and it piqued my interest. So I listened. From the first chords I knew I loved this song. It's sad and beautiful. And a treasure...well written from the heart. Love it!


Another freebie I found. I love this song!!! I also have Love Me Too Much from the same album, Love This Mess, but Big Sky is my fav.

Our Family Grew by Four Feet

Meet Oliver aka Louie. He joined our family the day before Halloween. A co-worker's husband found him on a golf course when he heard a strange sound coming from a bush. He investigated to find this three week old kitten staring up at him, alone, crying and shivering. He must have been crying for some time because the first few days after I brought him home his meow was weak and inaudible. Nothing a little TLC couldn't take of. It took awhile to name him...Oliver seemed to fit at first since he was an orphan, but Sam noticed something and started calling him Louie..."because he's evil"...and well, he does have a very high play drive. Now he's fully recovered and running the house.

The Best in 2010!

Happy New Year everyone!

Many projects...little time

I'm still around...just haven't felt like writing lately.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their loved and dear one. I did. :)

A wish for all...