Pluto: approaching planetesimal size again

Significantly rounder

Disapproving horse says "Stop taking pictures and let's do something."

I went out after work to check on Pluto.  The rain rot on his back is definitely conquered.  Now he has it on his hind legs, but not enough to cause him discomfort.  You know what that means:  I can finally ride!  I just have to find time.  Possibly after work one day next week.

De Schnork had a really bad day yesterday, but she is feeling much better today except for the part where Beauty blissfully whacked her with her tail, causing the Schnork to go flying down the stairs.  (I'm feel Beauty would feel bad if she had noticed.  She appears to like the Schnork, for some reason.)  Schnork does not appear to have taken any additional damage.  She begged at dinner and then asked to come up on my lap at the desk, so I'd say it's a very schnorky day.

The Inaugural AT 2010 Reminiscence Hike

I flew out to Tennessee this weekend.  Cody had the genius idea of getting some 2010 thruhikers together.  It was me, her, and Just Blue Skies.  Blue Sky was invited too, but she had a grandbaby on the way and couldn't be torn away from the expectant mother's side.

I had a *fantastic* time.  It was so fun and relaxing to get together.  We hiked all three of the full days we had together.  Cody only hiked two because she had school one day, but JBS and I went out on a couple of short hikes that day.

The first day of hiking, we met up with Cody's friends Lillian and Marnell for a hike down to Virgin Falls.  

It started out nice and easy, but it didn't stay that way

The first of many falls on the trail

Almost a classic Cody shot - the red jacket is missing.

Just Blue Skies and her fancy new daypack

Cool overhanging rock wall

Virgin Falls.  It comes out of a hole in the rocks, and it thunders down into a hole in the rocks.  It's a feature of the porous geology of the area.

Coming back, Lillian and Marnell led us off trail, across country.  It was definitely tougher than staying on the trail, but it was a lot of fun.  I would have found the hike challenging prior to some of my New England hiking, but without a backpack it was just a really, really good time.  I loved meeting Cody's friends.  They're definitely my kind of people.

In the morning JBS and I headed on out to a really nice overlook

And then we walked out to Welch Point, which was a flat road walk in a gated off area.

Then we spent the afternoon slowly getting colder, as neither of us were bright enough to figure out that Cody's thermostat had a touch screen.  We stared at it like chimps, trying to figure out where the buttons were.  Doh.  I made Cody's little dog Nutmeg stay on my lap to keep me warm.

Friday night, Stickwalker and Belle showed up!  I'd been texting Stick, trying to convince him to join us, but I didn't think he would do it.  It was great to see both of them.  This is the group watching JBS's trail photo compilations.

In the morning, it was way below freezing.  I had bought a bottle of Cheerwine to take on the trail, but I decided to drink it at home rather than risk it freezing in my pack.  I can't get Cheerwine at home very easily.  Note that my low carb menu went out the window while I was hiking. 

We all headed out to Falls Creek Falls.  Here's Stick and Belle, back on the trail!

Stick dayhiked with his thruhiker pack!  I had my little daypack I've been using for dayhiking and as luggage for the last decade or two.  I didn't even notice he was using a giant pack until later when I saw it in the house.

I was a little saddened to see that Belle apparently has Bell's Palsy.  She got sick with Lyme on the trail, and that's one of the possible problems with it.  One side of her face doesn't work quite right.  It doesn't appear to bother her, though.  Belle took a fair amount of damage from the trail but she's still a pretty happy dog.  Stinky, but happy.  I love that crazy Weimaraner.

So, here's another falls.  You can see too many falls, if you ask me.

Back in the woods, I fantasized that I was back on the AT.  It was nice.  I daydreamed about what the shelter would be like that night, and about snuggling into my sleeping bag, and meeting other thruhikers.  I didn't fantasize about blisters, hiker stench, or ramen.  My fantasy, my rules.

It was such a good time.  We're hoping to make it an annual tradition.  I talked and laughed so much that my throat hurt.  I figure we hiked around 20 miles, so those oreos were TOTALLY REASONABLE.  I don't know what my excuse for the wine was.

Tomorrow morning it's back to physical therapy, work, and low carbs.  I'm a little scared to step on the scale.  But I don't regret one single minute of this weekend.  Or one oreo.

Perfectly ordinary, perfectly beautiful

Good GRAVY I love fall days like this.  The leaves are turning, the sun is bright, the sky is quite blue, and it's warm enough to be in shirtsleeves if you're active.

Fall doesn't last long enough.  Fall and spring never do.  They're the best times, and the shortest.  I suppose that makes them all the more sweet.

My day has been awesome.  Not just because of how beautiful it is outside, although it didn't hurt.  I slept in, ate apple pancakes that JD had made, and then went out to ride my horse.  And this time I actually rode him.  I covered up as much as I could, wore sunscreen, and used my giant goofy looking Equivisor.  I'm pretty sure I escaped without sunburn.  I kept forgetting my head effectively projected out several more inches, so I bonked Pluto on the forehead multiple times while nodding or bending down.  He didn't appear to mind.

His feet, which were perfect last week, now look as if they've been through a wood chipper.  They were good enough for riding at the walk, though, and since that's all I'm doing they were good enough.  I've texted the farrier to see when he can get out.

Pluto and I worked on side pass today.  He so, so didn't get it.  I hopped off and worked with him on the ground.  With me pushing him, he could do it.  I expect we'll work it out under saddle.  I'm using the voice cues "left" and "right".  Soon I shall find out if Pluto can tell his left from his right.  Right now, when I ask for sidepass he does this line dancing maneuver where he goes forward, back, and side to side.  He may have "Achy Breaky Heart" playing in his head.

I was grateful that he has finally grown a brain when I dropped a ziplock back while riding him.  It drifted past his head and landed on the ground in front of him.  He grew several inches taller but did not otherwise react.  When I was sure he wasn't going to bolt, I dismounted to get the bag back.  First, though, I fed him a cookie from it.  He decided the bag probably wasn't evil.

On the walk back, I made him stop and back up several times.  This accomplished two goals.  One:  work on his backing up skills, which have never been spectacular.  Two:  remind him that I am the one in charge while we walk back to the field.  He's very well behaved in the arena these days, but not so much on the walk home.  Given that my options have changed from "dressage queen" to "gentle walk work and ground training" I am much more focused on his ground behavior than I used to be.  I hope to someday (maybe someday soon!) have a horse worthy of showing off for his skills in hand.

I love the ray of light shining down on him

Between the ears shot, shortly before the ziplock bag attacked

This afternoon is dedicated to domestic activities.  Throwing things away, doing laundry, and generally sorting things out.  It's not as fun as playing the with horse, but still rewarding.  I hope to find some sofa and book time later on.  :)

A letter to a young me

Things I wish someone had told me in 1980

If you never touch a horse again, you will avoid many injuries, heartbreak, and financial drain.  Also some of the best times of your life.  Maybe enjoy them from a distance.

Makeup is both optional and expensive.  Also?  All those daily facial rituals that you will read about in Young Miss can be skipped.  When your face starts to feel dry after showering, around age 30, buy a nice hypoallergenic moisturizer and apply it after every shower.  Otherwise, forget about it.

Not everybody is going to like you.  It's okay.  Like yourself - you're the one who has to live with you.  If you don't like yourself, figure out why and start living your life so you're the person you want to be.

One of the best ways to get to know and become close to people is to work with them.  Help out.  Ask people if you can help them.  If they really need the help and you know they'll tell you "no thanks" because they don't want to be any trouble, don't ask first.

Squeamish folks, skip this part.  I'll put up a line of asterisks when it's safe to read again.

Your vaginal fluids will vary throughout your menstrual cycle.  It doesn't indicate any kind of illness.  In fact it indicates everything is working normally.  Do not sweat it unless you have tremendous itching, pain, or a foul odor that is not removed by a regular old shower.

Your temperature also varies throughout your menstrual cycle.  Unless your temperature is over 100, or you also feel lousy, you probably aren't sick. 

Don't use latex.  That includes condoms, diaphragms, menstrual cups, and even bandaids.  Find non-latex solutions.  Latex causes you to hurt and bleed.

**************************Safe reading again!

It can be hard to figure out how much alcohol you can safely drink.  And you will suffer hangovers and horrendous vomiting before you figure it out.  So I'm just going to tell you. Your limit is 2.5 beers.  You can have a little more than that, but not without consequences.  By no means ever drink more than six beers in one sitting.

You are going to spend a lot of time alone.  Keep a list of things you want to ponder when you have time.  WRITE THEM DOWN because you will also have a crappy memory.

"Alternative" medicine is not all quackery.   It is not normal to have constant pain in your spine and other joints when you are young.  See a chiropractor.  Do the exercises they tell you to do.


You may have noticed by now that eating is usually followed by pain.  Find out about digestive enzymes.  Use them, especially with greasy foods.   Andrographis may solve many of your digestive troubles, as well as curing or preventing Lyme Disease.  Also?  Try to avoid ticks.

You did not inherit fantastic teeth.  Find a dentist you like.  You'll be spending a lot of time with him.  Brush and floss regularly to minimize damage.  When the first hygienist tells you that you grind your teeth, it is not a judgement on you.  It is a practical observation.  Find out what you can do to prevent tooth grinding, because the longer you can keep your own original teeth, the better.  Fake teeth are not as good.

Stretching is important.  The more so the older you get. 

If something is making you unhappy, ask yourself "What can I do to make this better?  What do I really want?"  The answers may surprise you.  Positive action is always better than inaction and worry.  When you figure out what you need to do to overcome your own fears and inhibitions, do so.  Ignore people who tell you that you're going to slow or doing it wrong.  They don't have to live inside your head.

Your family are your first and closest friends.  Pay attention to them.  They will not be there forever.

Move.  Walking feels good, is good for you, and is an excellent way to clear your mind.

Bad things will happen.  That's life.  It is okay to grieve.  You have to do it before you can move on.  But then, move on.

You aren't perfect now, nor will you be in the future.  Do your best and be happy with what you've got. 

Smile.  It makes other people happy, which will in turn make you happy.  It's free, it's easy,  and it's the best way to meet a new person who might become a friend.

People move on.  It's okay to miss them.  But love the ones you're with, too.

Enjoy your life.  Look around and notice the beauty.

That about sums it up.  You're good to go, kiddo.

Maybe it was the oatmeal?

Today rocked so hard.  Nothing big happened.. but nothing went wrong, either.  Woke up rested, had a delicious breakfast (adulterated oatmeal*) and drove on in to work.  Got an answer I needed, spent my day being productive, took TWO walks, bought multiple varieties of apples** at the fruit stand, and visited My Organic Market after work.

I was in such a happy mood today.  I got to play tunes on my tunerator while I walked around, and I sang in the car while driving.  The sunset while I was driving home was freaking fantastic.  Birds were flying around in changing formations in the blue part of the sky, while the sun set glorious fire to the horizon.  I saw some of the weirdest plane trails I've ever seen - it looked like ten little comets with short tails, directly in front of me.

JD asked me to pick up some dinner and surprise him, so I chose some things he doesn't normally get for himself and we had tasty, if bad for us, carryout***.

That nasty tasting crapola the doc gave me is apparently really, really good.  I can't remember the last time I felt this full of life.  Things that would normally be a chore, aren't.  I love it.

Tomorrow I have plans to meet a friend for horseback riding, then I'll go to work afterward.  So I expect tomorrow to be good too.  :)

*Real oatmeal, not instant.  Seasoned with a little ground sea salt, a dab of margarine, some raisins, some walnuts, and Vermont maple syrup.  Slurp.

**Braeburn, Stayman, Fuji, and Gala

***With Stevia-sweetened ginger ale, which was good.