tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255026332024-03-18T20:02:42.481-05:00Ordinary TimeLife at Bittersweet Farmthecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.comBlogger4363125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-43698427868838166642024-03-18T20:01:00.003-05:002024-03-18T20:01:43.654-05:00Don't mind me <div style="text-align: left;">Sticking my head in the orange trees to smell the orange blossoms one last time before I head home. It is truly my favorite smell in the world. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbHeSeuhEkJsHnXAAfnL2MSlqayYCl3RSQ9cFF3MgQBTcgPNsF2LU0_t5PUfzy1vyncb1Ib_ybkxgCXDM_Gggr5sDeqdwieyXjr2KuKVYrSAUAhUYcKYN5pU2nBOBB07fkY51nWqlBe46z67RuBqSm6jVy3tIOv7ICZuxsAxKQOyUyYXiKmSbnA/s4032/PXL_20240318_231646639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbHeSeuhEkJsHnXAAfnL2MSlqayYCl3RSQ9cFF3MgQBTcgPNsF2LU0_t5PUfzy1vyncb1Ib_ybkxgCXDM_Gggr5sDeqdwieyXjr2KuKVYrSAUAhUYcKYN5pU2nBOBB07fkY51nWqlBe46z67RuBqSm6jVy3tIOv7ICZuxsAxKQOyUyYXiKmSbnA/s320/PXL_20240318_231646639.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-40828948799823114102024-03-18T00:17:00.006-05:002024-03-18T00:17:41.196-05:00Disorganized attachment and brain washing <div style="text-align: left;">There was a brief moment of sun this afternoon, so I was able to read outside for a bit. Here was my view.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB-_Ay-Q6Y9idyl14dVVcELW3NfPAdySad6xaJ-Zm5_JFaTj9GNachXt9WZP64LD7ARKYPlN5nUwEyRSIIu5oHhndm9SPJ-WdbAlUTbpkgy17UOuNqFpMdeOxiTEOLXYb0xIGJfzyYkYUJUPtCgXwOYOMgorK5iogIraFfHsQYCVrGeL9r15oPA/s4032/PXL_20240317_230800871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB-_Ay-Q6Y9idyl14dVVcELW3NfPAdySad6xaJ-Zm5_JFaTj9GNachXt9WZP64LD7ARKYPlN5nUwEyRSIIu5oHhndm9SPJ-WdbAlUTbpkgy17UOuNqFpMdeOxiTEOLXYb0xIGJfzyYkYUJUPtCgXwOYOMgorK5iogIraFfHsQYCVrGeL9r15oPA/s320/PXL_20240317_230800871.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It also meant I was able to finish Terror, Love & Brainwashing by Alexandra Stein. (A little light reading for a weekend away.) What drew me to this book was the juxtaposition of attachment theory and totalist groups or belief systems. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Attachment theory is really a descriptive way to describe how people interact with each other and relate to the world. Usually attachment styles are determined in early childhood by relationships with intimate caregivers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In a way, the book was not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a discussion of which attachment styles are most likely to be susceptible to cults or totalist thinking. It turned out to be far more complicated and interesting that that simple premise. The short version is that any person with any attachment style can be drawn into totalist groups, even those with healthy attachments. What type author really focused on was how cults and totalist create disorganized attachment in the people who are drawn into them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Disorganized attachment was first described by Margaret Main as what happens in children who grow up in abusive families. It is the result of having the attachment figure be both the source of terror and the only source of comfort and safety. The child ends up in a place of terror without any escape. As a result, the child's brain disassociated from what is happening. Memories are not stored in explicit memory. Instead they are stored in the more feeling emotional parts of the brain and body, in implicit memory. The part of memory without a time stamp and without any language describing what is happening. There is no way to think critically about what is happening because the connection to language has been dissolved in an act of self preservation. This is also what happens when developing PTSD. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This, it turns out, is the same process of people who are sucked into cults and totalist groups. It is the root of brain washing. The biggest difference is that the individual needs to be cut off from all other sources of comfort and safety. This is why cults and abusers find ways to make their victims severe all outside relationships. Without these outside sources of safety, the ability to create terror without escape can occur, which then causes disassociation, followed by an inability to think rationally about what is happening. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the very abbreviated description, at least. I am a bit fascinated by attachment theory and all of its long term implications. I highly recommend this book if you at all concerned about the rise of extreme and fundamentalist groups. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some quotes that seem particularly pertinent. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Although the follower is encouraged to expose their doubts and weaknesses of belief, and confess their failings, such confessions are then used by the group and turned against the follower. Any actual critique of the group's practices, on the other hand, is strictly forbidden. This, even between a couple, or close friends, it is a dangerous practice to try to criticize the group, and especially the leader, in any way. The risks of punishment, up to and including expulsion, which will result in the follower being shunned. In the Newman Tendency [one of the cults the author studied] former members reported to me [the author] that they could not freely share doubts about the group to anyone - they were aware that this risked punishment. The former members of the non-cultic Green Party, on the other hand, constantly and freely shared doubts and complained about a variety of aspects of party life - this was almost Central to their experience. In fact we can say that the freedom to doubt is a hallmark of an open, democratic society." (p. 103)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you cannot freely criticize or question any group or religion you are a part of, I would say this is a big problem and definitely a cause for concern. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One more...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Defining identity as being <i>different from</i> (as in fundamentalist, nationalist or identity politics) can lead to closed, isolated systems, with accompanying absolutist values, resulting in the absurd phenomenon of each of these different systems laying claim to the one and only Truth. This is a fear driven response. But defining identity as being a particular part of a complex and changing whole, where one's difference is an integral part of this diverse whole - <i>different with -</i> can allow a reaching over divided that prevent us sitting together at a common table." (p. 202)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've said it before and I'll say it again. Any entity or belief system that inculcates fear, especially of another person or group of people, is not healthy or good or from a God who made one of the greatest commandments to love others as you love yourself. </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-56264996933577188152024-03-16T21:05:00.003-05:002024-03-16T21:05:46.644-05:00Nothin'<div style="text-align: left;">After eight hours of judging a piano festival I've got nothing left. It was a lot of writing. Writing which was done very quickly while trying to give positive feedback and constructive comments that will be helpful but not feel overwhelming. It always feels like a very fine line to walk, because I don't want to be the reason someone decides that playing the piano isn't for them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So now I'm going to watch brainless television in comfy clothes and not think about anything even remotely constructive. I have some knitting sitting next to my, but that might be too much for my have that still feels a little crampy. I might add a warm cup of tea to the evening's festivities because for the second day in a row, Phoenix has been colder than Chicago. Someone should hire me just to visit places that I expect to be warm and dry so I can bring the cold and rain. </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-9470766382433027182024-03-15T19:51:00.002-05:002024-03-15T19:51:34.676-05:00Teaser <div style="text-align: left;">J. has been working a bit on the barn while I'm in Arizona. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdAOX3Szu5C3zbUY697NhR97V4-7880JCavuJ2NmT3wMpbhGCi49Y3eByedbDFGNXIKAnGmoIlWKVbFnowij0KVOMNkI-ELIsPgyZqKfuhSDjU94l-Nak5cUPudyVppb-UBUcs3t5dCaZetooi0pcORz1HUCj8q1sl52ekPjo8NYcZD0d4zAocw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdAOX3Szu5C3zbUY697NhR97V4-7880JCavuJ2NmT3wMpbhGCi49Y3eByedbDFGNXIKAnGmoIlWKVbFnowij0KVOMNkI-ELIsPgyZqKfuhSDjU94l-Nak5cUPudyVppb-UBUcs3t5dCaZetooi0pcORz1HUCj8q1sl52ekPjo8NYcZD0d4zAocw/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-62990455022512225372024-03-13T21:11:00.002-05:002024-03-13T21:50:38.581-05:00On bizarrely warm days in March...<div style="text-align: left;">I get to start all my indoor seeds outside. Which seems odd and wrong, but enjoyable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnhqztDS3qkpT43pjd2LMty6FkgTr4YaJWAUFS55EfKF_bpOyGAVRzO6mzL35sqG-Tijs-RzEUDPAnl9uxAiFVC8Pna9W8yEO_x58wUHmozTvA43cZRbkw-5PfKw6a0bm99tu6LL9gp6_vVWhODUqULiFJLnTNIqmlsywNbDu_KwuHgQwHqZ4lQ/s4032/PXL_20240313_165402980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnhqztDS3qkpT43pjd2LMty6FkgTr4YaJWAUFS55EfKF_bpOyGAVRzO6mzL35sqG-Tijs-RzEUDPAnl9uxAiFVC8Pna9W8yEO_x58wUHmozTvA43cZRbkw-5PfKw6a0bm99tu6LL9gp6_vVWhODUqULiFJLnTNIqmlsywNbDu_KwuHgQwHqZ4lQ/s320/PXL_20240313_165402980.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">L. and H. healing mix up the soil blocking mixture.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFXskO5IJ9PzG5XUMCHgqiu1HRZd9RbypVe_lqFiCOvtD4b1m7PVSuyMh27IcOt52Hde3m_ZAulCi-SVtHKdhhy1BNaBVufH2krhf_kcFYB1WkKy0usrTLM7yfNRevIBswuhJ632dav6JJ-BsfLcClvSOhUtCZHEOL-3yuWWf4v62vSd363Uqwg/s4032/PXL_20240313_190156131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFXskO5IJ9PzG5XUMCHgqiu1HRZd9RbypVe_lqFiCOvtD4b1m7PVSuyMh27IcOt52Hde3m_ZAulCi-SVtHKdhhy1BNaBVufH2krhf_kcFYB1WkKy0usrTLM7yfNRevIBswuhJ632dav6JJ-BsfLcClvSOhUtCZHEOL-3yuWWf4v62vSd363Uqwg/s320/PXL_20240313_190156131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All the little soil blocks planted with seeds.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They did get moved inside under the grow light. It is March after all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kenzie gets to do his favorite thing of napping in the sun. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_LShxDW5uBtLu2zVJNhvjsxmo5yYkeQm28DP7uA1nFpZ97DWKhFvnHEVKyMfl0SjIV9F7Kymlv4-JLyQxt-atzCFQkFfuFEzfI8p3eSSEHlTJccI5JIUEpyJTZRQG5NjQDS9sqMGuk_qvli9koK73eEoSuvLfeunZl3QezjwhPxn8QlwpsHrSA/s4032/PXL_20240313_182411247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_LShxDW5uBtLu2zVJNhvjsxmo5yYkeQm28DP7uA1nFpZ97DWKhFvnHEVKyMfl0SjIV9F7Kymlv4-JLyQxt-atzCFQkFfuFEzfI8p3eSSEHlTJccI5JIUEpyJTZRQG5NjQDS9sqMGuk_qvli9koK73eEoSuvLfeunZl3QezjwhPxn8QlwpsHrSA/s320/PXL_20240313_182411247.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>The pony gets washed!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9in_5qL2ZLBufpzY9zE5g1jTDv7hQfoFFBKj52Ps_APT2IjfmofWhRzqkNayDfkhFso85YFm2uhfYa7_fozqQB9eYj0USQahIdmHxcr1ebF6g52n3zJHsemjR-3tvNgm5csOphG8Xxs7tNh9-W8gP670ZvxNUJxmTxNhxOrW9LVBAUmvpevESuA/s4032/PXL_20240313_152418102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9in_5qL2ZLBufpzY9zE5g1jTDv7hQfoFFBKj52Ps_APT2IjfmofWhRzqkNayDfkhFso85YFm2uhfYa7_fozqQB9eYj0USQahIdmHxcr1ebF6g52n3zJHsemjR-3tvNgm5csOphG8Xxs7tNh9-W8gP670ZvxNUJxmTxNhxOrW9LVBAUmvpevESuA/s320/PXL_20240313_152418102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Vienna is normally a very tidy pony, but during her worst days where she was laying down nearly continuously, it was difficult to keep her from lying in her own filth. It wasn't pleasant and I'm sure it bothered her. With the warm weather and her improvement it was a great day to clean her up a bit. <div><br /></div><div>The cat got to do her very favorite thing and go outside.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MRQzjbVJJL5Nvj5iQ2g6Gb6uG4cCxVV8n3Q1EvGDE3TnRnUmG8mq0rNnzQgbFjc3Al_HTWXrRJ6Tb7gzhT9pVHixKpH0cfRBatiBbFtqSHqCeYy4HJPCfVLv2lAtNTRWJLh8SAVpNQlmvrgVPHsL5rhsTyF9ZrIhr_wF9uRKauMxugg7LUPAog/s1280/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MRQzjbVJJL5Nvj5iQ2g6Gb6uG4cCxVV8n3Q1EvGDE3TnRnUmG8mq0rNnzQgbFjc3Al_HTWXrRJ6Tb7gzhT9pVHixKpH0cfRBatiBbFtqSHqCeYy4HJPCfVLv2lAtNTRWJLh8SAVpNQlmvrgVPHsL5rhsTyF9ZrIhr_wF9uRKauMxugg7LUPAog/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>And Y. sat in the dry lot crocheting for a while to keep the poor lonely pony company. (We're working on that lonely bit.) Plus Vienna ended up with a hair scrunchy.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-W2KaPvHz1-snGEFYFPRkNkcFdDz8xof3inRgd7nJtYDHGkU80SH7GC5ztlF0f5R8sIn-veBwT3CwlZmXwWlfh_5_rSamR3P1QyHPNw9B_S_Om1XLRYLzAWAYRfH7U55fA6pxnOTmfu8vR0opJWTaNVz8YVhyphenhypheneFk4RWwRZ-P5VCVojETh074ZEw/s1280/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-W2KaPvHz1-snGEFYFPRkNkcFdDz8xof3inRgd7nJtYDHGkU80SH7GC5ztlF0f5R8sIn-veBwT3CwlZmXwWlfh_5_rSamR3P1QyHPNw9B_S_Om1XLRYLzAWAYRfH7U55fA6pxnOTmfu8vR0opJWTaNVz8YVhyphenhypheneFk4RWwRZ-P5VCVojETh074ZEw/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>What I don't have a picture of is L.'s continuing efforts to train her own chicken army. L. has been profligate with the sunflower seeds to encourage the chickens to follow wherever she goes, which the chickens are happy to do because they love sunflower seeds. Well, all except Zoro the rooster. He is above such things.</div><div><br /></div><div>All those chickens, whether they are an army or not, do lay a lot of eggs. We are swamped. This is just from the past two days. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lo4e5i2GvR2H3eikXQG5AQtHaI2EDlOzIEUHnl0mTvbUkgudpEynwGCDzZsi70LCmGUN3md9-U8EMgzlCx65Fw3TEYyIYGmb9R3DJVPkZfKOIcQQwduOnNuH1A0NB8M1t1vrMt7I841QlfcIc6FPG41Gp6eUoUQr51JgB2Fskbz-2xwdor9ISA/s4032/PXL_20240313_202401823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lo4e5i2GvR2H3eikXQG5AQtHaI2EDlOzIEUHnl0mTvbUkgudpEynwGCDzZsi70LCmGUN3md9-U8EMgzlCx65Fw3TEYyIYGmb9R3DJVPkZfKOIcQQwduOnNuH1A0NB8M1t1vrMt7I841QlfcIc6FPG41Gp6eUoUQr51JgB2Fskbz-2xwdor9ISA/s320/PXL_20240313_202401823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I leave for Arizona to visit my mom tomorrow night. J. will be home with the masses. I have no idea what blogging will look like while I am gone. <br /><p><br /></p></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-17420404543837576412024-03-12T20:42:00.001-05:002024-03-12T20:42:09.402-05:00Vocabulary lesson <div style="text-align: left;">Who said school had to be serious? Today we were learning about the animal kingdoms of Monera and Protozoa. Among the phyla in the Protozoans is Vorticella. This organism is bell-shaped and had a stalk which connects the Vorticella to a surface. We learned that organisms in this phyla have no locomotion; they are sessile. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had come across this word earlier, but I wanted to be sure everyone remembered what it meant, so I clarified. "Sessile means they don't move from one place to another. They stay stuck where they are." Then I added, "Not unlike teenagers on a couch looking at their small electronics." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then for good measure, I drew a picture for everyone. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFx3d5qMW3S1R9eJANmV-PcfB3uJos0jxYuTiP6icmGF_J2bNDitjpnjOQUOsAThmtLP4DCJYgoflGJ6_bcJTeDfyZq-iH4pCfZiupKIi-XGP0yPS2BBqYQl9IxsQvCGGHMYuDU6FoFv5shQLz2mf669NBl-tD3onM57h9TAIWOun1qC3FrsPWg/s4032/PXL_20240312_163347129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFx3d5qMW3S1R9eJANmV-PcfB3uJos0jxYuTiP6icmGF_J2bNDitjpnjOQUOsAThmtLP4DCJYgoflGJ6_bcJTeDfyZq-iH4pCfZiupKIi-XGP0yPS2BBqYQl9IxsQvCGGHMYuDU6FoFv5shQLz2mf669NBl-tD3onM57h9TAIWOun1qC3FrsPWg/s320/PXL_20240312_163347129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And because we were learning about Vorticella, I added one attached to the couch along with the teen. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While no one actually took issue with the idea that teens with small electronics don't move from couches, they did take issue with my drawing, complaining that it wasn't a very good picture. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm okay with that. Because from now on whenever they come across the word sessile, they will have no idea why they are suddenly thinking about couches and Protozoa. It's my little gift to them. </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-64453651799300046932024-03-11T21:02:00.001-05:002024-03-11T21:02:07.858-05:00No fiber again...<div style="text-align: left;">So how about some gardening?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a beautiful day and for the first time in ages, everyone seems to be in good health. After the grocery store, I decided I really needed to get the cold hardy seeds in the garden beds. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">L. was a huge help. We first needed to clear off the new pile of well composted horse manure, then fill the wheelbarrow and take it to the garden to mix it into the garden beds. I had Bern avoiding it because it felt like a job that would take forever. With, two people, it went far faster than I had expected. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I planted lettuce, spinach, mizuna, Chard, beets, borage, and sugar snap peas. I even planned out the beds so I can plant lettuce in succession in order to prolong the harvest. This seems like a big gardener step from just dumping all the seeds in the beds all at once. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here they are.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB4MNnK8bcUiZR7GH32Gi1rsZOkFEIAEN4pPfEqmUxUTwzjStvjnBUpSebQYMK7x_1lpwswkp7F77P8XTPbQY3HkNhAW96gJcG-CN-wFEoStzDdiXRHW9NJ49uYqgGNFRa_JDHe7X5IfNwKcEMuNZ_px6F70Ino_RRAsFvwWPqCMn69C9T4w33A/s4032/PXL_20240311_200943014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB4MNnK8bcUiZR7GH32Gi1rsZOkFEIAEN4pPfEqmUxUTwzjStvjnBUpSebQYMK7x_1lpwswkp7F77P8XTPbQY3HkNhAW96gJcG-CN-wFEoStzDdiXRHW9NJ49uYqgGNFRa_JDHe7X5IfNwKcEMuNZ_px6F70Ino_RRAsFvwWPqCMn69C9T4w33A/s320/PXL_20240311_200943014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Having sat for over a year, the compost is very, well, composted. Our two wheelbarrow fills barely made a dent in what we have. While we still have more beds to fill, there is plenty there. I'm serious in my offer to giving it away to whomever wants to come get some. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhlQ7K6yFtYgM_BaUcGTLbATEe7eAv5o-acHyyGC2ZGtYXx35ZBOPO_sRrC_uPqGi7r6L9rJKtu49-xMumHqpz5UIN-DrKsrx-lrYNJLtipfA7sOyicjLtCe3iHBrDgaYK3LCX8YhflcLMZx1xFnDfi0XBI0YsoQaTEorbHmAQnK5FPz2_v0SGQ/s4032/PXL_20240311_191622282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhlQ7K6yFtYgM_BaUcGTLbATEe7eAv5o-acHyyGC2ZGtYXx35ZBOPO_sRrC_uPqGi7r6L9rJKtu49-xMumHqpz5UIN-DrKsrx-lrYNJLtipfA7sOyicjLtCe3iHBrDgaYK3LCX8YhflcLMZx1xFnDfi0XBI0YsoQaTEorbHmAQnK5FPz2_v0SGQ/s320/PXL_20240311_191622282.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm hoping to get the indoor seeds started soon. They probably should have been first, but the weather was too nice to stay inside. Maybe tomorrow... </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-9828022513727633742024-03-10T19:52:00.000-05:002024-03-10T19:52:04.238-05:00Connecting with your teensSometimes connecting with adolescent aged children can be challenging because hanging out with parents is not always at the top of their list. If you can join them in an activity they are interested in, it can be helpful. <div><br /></div><div>G. and L. are very interested by video games and one of their favorites is Skyrim. They have been after J. to play it for a while and this afternoon he sat down to have a second Skyrim playing session with them. J. is not bad at video games (as opposed to me, whom they don't even ask because just figuring out the mechanics of it feels too difficult to try to teach me), but he's used to different controllers than what they are using, which makes it challenging. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have to say it's very amusing to watch J. try to figure out the game based on L.'s fairly cryptic instructions, then have her get frustrated and reach over and do it for him. As a bystander, it is even more amusing to listen to L.'s commentary about the whole thing. I felt as though sometimes the whole thing started to border on farce. </div><div><br /></div><div>D. eventually joined us and his instructions were a bit more useful and thorough which allowed J. to be more successful. It did not stop L. from leaning over every now and then to "help". Given the sketchy instructions from L. and the sheer complexity of the game, I thought J. did rather well. Far, far better than I would have done had I tried. </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-32338079639042713132024-03-09T20:20:00.001-06:002024-03-09T20:20:08.771-06:00Inflammatory statements followed by a rant <div style="text-align: left;">Evidently my new hobby has become <strike>arguing</strike> discussing things with people I know on social media. I don't want it to be and I know very well that it is not the venue for reasonable discussion. But sometimes I come across a statement that someone makes that I just can't scroll by because it is so wrong and there are other people reading who could be hurt by it. Not pushing back on outrageous and erroneous statements gives tacit approval. There are just some things that I cannot approve of tacitly or otherwise. This is also a case of knowing your audience. Sometimes the comment comes from a source that I know without a doubt won't be open to discussion, so I do keep scrolling. It's a fine line. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This particular instance happened to do with a post sharing the listing of a child on a re-adoption site. I don't even want to share the name of this particular one because I am so adamantly opposed to them. The listings made me want to weep with grief for the child and a combination of frustration and anger for the adults involved. This is where post-placement services need to step in, not a a questionable agency who purports to be "helping". Anyway, back to my story. The conversation revolved around the idea that if an adopted child doesn't fit well with their new family, then it is a favor to the child to place them with a new family. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was the idea that it was positive for a child to endure yet more trauma and yet another break in attachment, even if that attachment was tenuous. There is nothing beneficial about this for the child.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I was kvetching at J. (lucky man) as to whether it was worth replying to an entrenched position on the opposing side or just let it go (I let it go... I'm reasonable sometimes) that I sputtered, "If people are going to use the term RAD, it would be better used to refer to parents and not children." I think there is something in that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While children, due to having difficult pasts, may have attachment challenges, it is hardly their fault nor is it anything to do with their core as a person. It was adults in their life who didn't do their job to watch over and nurture this baby or child. They are behaving as anyone would when you have limited social-emotional resources, are terrified, often filled with shame, and have had your entire life uprooted without any say or input. I'm actually surprised children do as well as they do given the circumstances. These children cannot change how they relate to the world until they experience a world that is both caring and safe. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet I have interacted with parents who just can't see it. They spend years expecting the new, then not so new, child to fall in with the program, raising the consequence stakes as the years go by. (I know, I've been there.) Along the way, specialists, doctors, that friend that adopted or knew someone who had, are consulted. "Ooooh, that sounds like RAD. You might have got a bad one. Better double down on your parenting or bad things will happen." RAD, the great adoption boogie man that is the stuff of adoptive parents' nightmares. Once it enters the picture, you might as well give up. RAD tells you that your child is broken and they clearly don't need you because they never do anything you ask. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Over the top? It might sound like it, but I've spoken to parents who want their child fixed without their being willing to bend even the slightest bit. Who has RAD now I want to know? If the adults in the equation are unwilling to bend in order to help their child heal, how on earth do they expect the child to be able to do it? And if you were that child, how much trust would you feel in these parents? Would you want to try to connect with such parents if your only experience is one of high demand and little understanding? I surely wouldn't. If RAD is the inability to form connections with another human being, then I'd argue this describes parents who are unwilling to reshape themselves to form an attachment to an adopted child.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It makes me want to scream because children aren't bad! Hurt? Frightened? Disconnected? Yes, but those things can be healed with time and kindness and understanding. Will it be easy? Good golly no, but the things that are really, truly, genuinely worth it rarely are. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(I need to add, because I am very aware that this touches on my line of work, that I understand exactly how hard this all is. There is absolutely no condemnation from me for parents who are doing their best yet finding it terribly hard. That's where I or another parent coach or a therapist step in and help support those who are struggling. No, it is the parents who have given up and those who facilitate their rehoming their child as if they were an unwanted and difficult pet.)</div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-4821133213212457082024-03-08T20:29:00.002-06:002024-03-08T20:29:31.430-06:00Weekly update - March 8, 2024<div style="text-align: left;">It has been a crazy busy week. All I did this afternoon was sit on the couch... because I could.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>D. comes home for spring break tomorrow. It will be very good to see him. </li><li>Those seeds I talked about starting last weekend? Well, this is as far as I got.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2QJ73pFwDwVXQuiR29ZPNyVZI7z2cYJZFtzQ4MmztekFMTPlewSYaNUvLkSnH3GwtgeuYm8K_JM-QssUNMYhQeKnY_gAK_QiumcgpV1ITHhRuYkCu5TfziKeCYyHjN-OFhO_Tohv8lxuiZIzZn4TLvJjyFnMLCBeshD-A78F8tBqDZJBQlcy2g/s4032/PXL_20240309_014815004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2QJ73pFwDwVXQuiR29ZPNyVZI7z2cYJZFtzQ4MmztekFMTPlewSYaNUvLkSnH3GwtgeuYm8K_JM-QssUNMYhQeKnY_gAK_QiumcgpV1ITHhRuYkCu5TfziKeCYyHjN-OFhO_Tohv8lxuiZIzZn4TLvJjyFnMLCBeshD-A78F8tBqDZJBQlcy2g/s320/PXL_20240309_014815004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bags of stuff to make the soil mix for the soil blocker which we've been stepping over all week. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdScDXtwae5FZbw7d0mwxLU_cSn5vk8QXpTp_V7Zv_A3_n-oCUYNPuY8P67K17IcVD8HKe9qklHJaBYl54u0ATaTPTIdoTZFxd-egRqmjgILUk0WqeQVcSyt-DPGAb9Fc5_VQuHjTG02V4esabMjEArHJniZkDMROnW0acCVGuwOfWKaPD9dITyw/s4032/PXL_20240309_014826091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdScDXtwae5FZbw7d0mwxLU_cSn5vk8QXpTp_V7Zv_A3_n-oCUYNPuY8P67K17IcVD8HKe9qklHJaBYl54u0ATaTPTIdoTZFxd-egRqmjgILUk0WqeQVcSyt-DPGAb9Fc5_VQuHjTG02V4esabMjEArHJniZkDMROnW0acCVGuwOfWKaPD9dITyw/s320/PXL_20240309_014826091.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The pile of seed packets on the island that has sat here all week as well getting more and more scattered. I will need to reorganize them... again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We have been watching A 's cats while she stays with a friend between apartments. Her cats have been a little slow to warm up in the temporary surroundings, and Nefertiti has not gone out of her way to be welcoming. This morning, though, there was a brief detente and no one growled or hissed. (That someone would be Nefertiti, by the way.)</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_jBwMKdMv65P9nb_HiWOvcy58v26XoQzteS2QIGmGoY3WtF6A3jmZC3khdcNypiPV4G1WJ4r0D3-xQCNDqmO21a2R7oJ_CxpcblQUdv5hed_RO6V248CmAjK-3mPQF34zlQ6oX0s3HwaA14qu8TwiSwMlexdc9ifqjZqU48MsL8D-ciT7QcOtw/s4032/PXL_20240308_143602255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_jBwMKdMv65P9nb_HiWOvcy58v26XoQzteS2QIGmGoY3WtF6A3jmZC3khdcNypiPV4G1WJ4r0D3-xQCNDqmO21a2R7oJ_CxpcblQUdv5hed_RO6V248CmAjK-3mPQF34zlQ6oX0s3HwaA14qu8TwiSwMlexdc9ifqjZqU48MsL8D-ciT7QcOtw/s320/PXL_20240308_143602255.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Vienna continues to improve and we are seeing her personality come out again. I had a horse class here this morning and she seemed genuinely excited to have children making a fuss about her.</li><li>The book I'm reading about cults and brainwashing is really fascinating.</li><li>We are now on about page 300 of Lonesome Dove, with 500 left to go. We are enjoying it, but it is definitely PG-13. The characters are interesting and there are now multiple story lines that we are following. The library is very nice and keeps renewing it for us.</li><li>I head to Arizona this coming Thursday to visit my mom and do some piano festival judging.</li><li>G. and L. got new glasses today. They both needed new lenses and it had been quite a few years since they had new frames, so everything about the glasses was new. They are both very pleased at how clear the world is again. </li><li>I paid off my outstanding hay bill today, but am still working on my vet bill from Vienna. I will be very relieved when it is no longer hanging over my head. </li><li>Come do some EFL work with me and you could help make a small dent in that bill. </li><li>Finally, I have to mention something about Katie Britt's performance last night. I was going to write a lengthy blog post addressing all the myriad ways that her pandering and inanity annoyed me. But you can be thankful that it's been a busier than usual week for me because I don't have the energy. Instead I'll keep my reaction brief. (Well, brief for me.) My mother-in-law was a wonderful actress. She would often say that if an actor expresses all the feelings for their audience it leaves no room for the audience to experience their own emotions. Well, Ms. Britt certainly did all the emoting for all of us last night. It made her look foolish more than anything else. I won't even ask if this is the best the lunatic fringe can do because I already know the answer. But I suppose if your Dictator in Chief orders you to make a fool of yourself, you don't ask why, you just jump in and do it with gusto. She may worry about getting her household chores done at 2 am, but I worry about the state of our country. </li></ul></div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-2190604631599432512024-03-07T20:41:00.003-06:002024-03-07T20:41:33.997-06:00Two down<div style="text-align: left;"> Y.'s and K.'s passports arrived today. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_iaelFNB6FWccJREoTy5RlMGSYSq_vgnJpwP0cw4QALk6DhDMLM6ce_RnGOf0yYvo1XVvqksYW2C2mHyQk0uyfTCiER_XWLB1iKUKhrswFqUcVv1nMzTUzPaojAxZ89iYnPtf4vTwmCJTv0pnLdQYJzpI2MQ6xjekxV6kOUSGuymYKEMY-dDUw/s4032/PXL_20240308_022757654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_iaelFNB6FWccJREoTy5RlMGSYSq_vgnJpwP0cw4QALk6DhDMLM6ce_RnGOf0yYvo1XVvqksYW2C2mHyQk0uyfTCiER_XWLB1iKUKhrswFqUcVv1nMzTUzPaojAxZ89iYnPtf4vTwmCJTv0pnLdQYJzpI2MQ6xjekxV6kOUSGuymYKEMY-dDUw/s320/PXL_20240308_022757654.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I cannot tell you how relieved I feel when one of my adopted, immigrant children have a US passport issued. It always feels a little nervous making to apply for them and once they arrive it is another document to prove citizenship. I don't think someone can have too many of those, especially when there is anti-immigrant rhetoric being so terribly common. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the envelopes in the mail today.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are still waiting for G.'s and L.'s, but we didn't expedite their passports, so I imagine we won't see them for another couple of weeks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is all I have this evening. The past four days have been non-stop. Yesterday I left at 8:45 am and had things on the calendar until 5:30. I really don't enjoy living that way. Tomorrow by mid-afternoon the craziness should abate. I'm looking forward to it. </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-72782690738903332002024-03-05T20:24:00.003-06:002024-03-05T20:24:35.354-06:00Hedgehogs and brainwashing <div style="text-align: left;">If that title doesn't make you want to click on the post, I can't imagine what would. Let's start with the hedgehogs. Y. has taken on the task of making them both crocheted hats to match the season. Since it is now March, they needed spring hats. But since some of my children just can't seem to completely shake whatever cold is going around, L. has been putting their hats over their noses as masks. To keep them safe, you know. This annoys Y. So in an effort to keep the hedgehogs' hats on their heads and to keep them from getting sick, not only do they have new spring hats, but they have new spring masks as well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPNv1GBzmZ-9ihxdWKSiFXr0kHcxIjwiF7Y-gf4QPXFHDNg9VuAzC9DuP1m6vWOAPY5xAT83J79Gg1a7cRC0iSgqJkSl1eu93Zijjv7y2fJyq0oVvFmCh9tRPl4Qhgsmp1vHCWEtdux5iGEafPG70BBXo5JpliapL-tDGY7iRiuR5d-v6RmXZZA/s4032/PXL_20240306_020948977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPNv1GBzmZ-9ihxdWKSiFXr0kHcxIjwiF7Y-gf4QPXFHDNg9VuAzC9DuP1m6vWOAPY5xAT83J79Gg1a7cRC0iSgqJkSl1eu93Zijjv7y2fJyq0oVvFmCh9tRPl4Qhgsmp1vHCWEtdux5iGEafPG70BBXo5JpliapL-tDGY7iRiuR5d-v6RmXZZA/s320/PXL_20240306_020948977.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnESfsZzF7_1wfZ6Fu-2hNX0CEjDLLFLs9xSzbdJbdO9QEEqdBYVbkKVGU9EhIsjye6hGQZh745ElIDRf3t4YKGItumshVv4GGyzgYtfnhraLBldOzlP1dGvJd-UhYKlN1eyURy8S22NeG_QbIuENZMyhGdPf8xMOrjoyz8A5EH77E-kDwVTHlaw/s4032/PXL_20240306_021003637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnESfsZzF7_1wfZ6Fu-2hNX0CEjDLLFLs9xSzbdJbdO9QEEqdBYVbkKVGU9EhIsjye6hGQZh745ElIDRf3t4YKGItumshVv4GGyzgYtfnhraLBldOzlP1dGvJd-UhYKlN1eyURy8S22NeG_QbIuENZMyhGdPf8xMOrjoyz8A5EH77E-kDwVTHlaw/s320/PXL_20240306_021003637.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Now on to the brainwashing. A friend recommended a book to me and it arrived at the library yesterday. It is Terror, Love, & Brainwashing: attachment in cults and totalitarian systems by Alexandra Stein. Nothing like a little light reading, huh? I'm actually really excited about it. As I understand it, the author takes the different attachment styles (secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized) and examines how one's attachment style affects how they are influenced by cult and other high demand organizations. I find attachment theory to be fascinating as to how someone's attachment style affects their day to day life and relationships, but this takes the whole thing up a notch. I'm sure I will be reporting back. <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-64424275614003495502024-03-04T20:29:00.002-06:002024-03-04T20:29:49.421-06:00No fiber, but a pony update<div style="text-align: left;">I've done some spinning over the past week, but that's about all fiber wise. And endless photos of yarn on bobbins have limited interest... even for me. So let's talk about Vienna instead. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She has been standing up more and for longer periods of time this past week. Our farrier was due today and I had warned her that Vienna could be having a lying down morning. But Vienna was up when I got to the barn and was still up when the farrier arrived. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the good news. The farrier was able to get all four hooves trimmed. That's far better than I was bracing for. And she didn't see any really bad things... severe bruising, pools of blood in the hooves. She definitely sees Vienna as having moderate laminitis and not acute. Vienna is sore, but it actually seems to be her muscles and joints and not so much her feet. Doing nothing but laying on your side is not kind for flexibility and ease of movement. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All this means is that Vienna got to be turned out into the dry lot today. It will give her more reason to move around which is what her joints and muscles need. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t2CHhktPLUch3nRh4tlp3R4mtiPVQ18ZdZZJ5Wc8umWto8yqyd7I2h3yUDNaohxuUs7dWaq6xsPBFdFa3rq3ZxmYdMvuEuzWq2g37Lo1bbbcWZWN8_bgv85L09QmvidLLqBJNdR65IREq2mQ0bz7-PyLIUO377bLZ5KHE9jPLdZZgZ4QtiCmzw/s4032/PXL_20240304_212621838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t2CHhktPLUch3nRh4tlp3R4mtiPVQ18ZdZZJ5Wc8umWto8yqyd7I2h3yUDNaohxuUs7dWaq6xsPBFdFa3rq3ZxmYdMvuEuzWq2g37Lo1bbbcWZWN8_bgv85L09QmvidLLqBJNdR65IREq2mQ0bz7-PyLIUO377bLZ5KHE9jPLdZZgZ4QtiCmzw/s320/PXL_20240304_212621838.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6BjmOEef5mqLiHHId-eyIhtRmrr91snc6puo_mqSPcA3PHD5AL4q8jfakj27WKzubkAdqn3kAffgmT48IPWNF3BMK2SjlPSEaLzXYTmLcuCdjawUKFqXmxbJAwIK6Kt8jwzlQiWjZBTYwurZXzuDicasDBZJ7JUtBNSfT0nql-WzERYfId6frg/s4032/PXL_20240304_212630423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6BjmOEef5mqLiHHId-eyIhtRmrr91snc6puo_mqSPcA3PHD5AL4q8jfakj27WKzubkAdqn3kAffgmT48IPWNF3BMK2SjlPSEaLzXYTmLcuCdjawUKFqXmxbJAwIK6Kt8jwzlQiWjZBTYwurZXzuDicasDBZJ7JUtBNSfT0nql-WzERYfId6frg/s320/PXL_20240304_212630423.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB4jktOYN1t4-PfA4AJGEueHiEjY2fchqbUHkMWuGsegUcc2mbGirUIEcoC8lz-HZRDYoRQRgQ_IHrT_wB-GNhTPOKBITfcF9EeKKTC3j9f49wWP4oTp92Irbt1qq8k1sCDG4YU97tljq2yD-gra2X0TgdgMhTDHskEEpTcSOlspO43Ytf0BjIA/s4032/PXL_20240304_212644656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB4jktOYN1t4-PfA4AJGEueHiEjY2fchqbUHkMWuGsegUcc2mbGirUIEcoC8lz-HZRDYoRQRgQ_IHrT_wB-GNhTPOKBITfcF9EeKKTC3j9f49wWP4oTp92Irbt1qq8k1sCDG4YU97tljq2yD-gra2X0TgdgMhTDHskEEpTcSOlspO43Ytf0BjIA/s320/PXL_20240304_212644656.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is the most hopeful I have felt in six weeks. But she's lonely. The big horses spend their day in the pasture, which is somewhere Vienna really can't be anymore. I keep telling J. that we really need another small pony or mini because Vienna desperately needs a friend who can hang in the dry lot with her. </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-41256519673292458692024-03-03T21:24:00.003-06:002024-03-03T21:24:32.477-06:00Emotional competence <div style="text-align: left;">I had a ridiculously large pile of library books that sounded interesting that I had begun reading. Some I started and decided that I didn't need to finish them. Either they weren't what I thought they would be it they were so similar to books I had already read that there wasn't a whole lot of new information to be gleaned from them. I dislike it when the partly started pile of books grows too large, so the past few days I've been sorting through and deciding what I really want to finish. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the books that hasn't made the cut because it falls into the second category is When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection by Gabor Maté. I like the book, but I have read quite a few on very similar topics and it's time to move on. However there were two passages I had marked that I wanted to share with you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"There is another way to look at it [the body's fight or flight response]. The fight-or-flight alarm reaction exists today for the same purpose evolution originally assigned to it: to enable us to survive. What has happened is that we have lost touch with the gut feelings designed to be our warning system. The body mounts a stress response, but the mind is unaware of the threat. We keep ourselves in physiologically stressful situations, with only a dim awareness of distress or no awareness at all. As Selye [author of The Stress of Life] pointed out, the salient stressors in the lives of most human beings today -- at least in the industrialized world -- are emotional. Just like laboratory animals unable to escape, people find themselves trapped in lifestyles and emotional patterns inimical to their health. The higher the level of economic development, it seems, the more anaesthetized we have become to our emotional realities. We no longer sense what is happening in our bodies and cannot therefore act in self-preserving ways. The physiology of stress eats away at our bodies not because it has outlived its usefulness but because we may no longer have the competence to recognize its signals." (p. 36)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Emotional competence requires</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The capacity to feel our emotions, so that we are aware when we are experiencing stress;</li><li>The ability to express our emotions effectively and thereby to assert our needs and maintain the integrity of our emotional boundaries;</li><li>The facility to distinguish between psychological reactions that are pertinent to the present situation and those that represent residue from the past. What we want and demand from the world needs to conform to our present needs, not to unconscious, unsatisfied needs from childhood. If distinctions between past and present blur, we will perceive loss or the threat of loss where none exists; and</li><li>The awareness of those genuine needs that do require satisfaction, rather than their repression for the sake of gaining acceptance or approval of others.</li></ul><div>Stress occurs in the absence of these criteria, and it leads to the disruption of homeostasis. Chronic disruption results in ill health. In each of the individual histories in this book, one or more aspect of emotional competence was significantly compromised, usually in ways entirely unknown to the person involved.</div><div><br /></div><div>Emotional competence is what we need to develop is we are to protect ourselves from the hidden stresses that create a risk to health, and it is what we need to regain if we are to heal. We need to foster emotional competence in our children, as the best preventive medicine." (p. 38)</div><div><br /></div><div>I know I have said it before, but working with horses is an excellent way of developing self-awareness into our physical and emotional state. I offer sessions for adults as well as parent-child sessions. Much of what we do revolves around the idea of learning to recognize emotional states. <a href="https://www.bittersweet-farm.com/">Bittersweet Farm LLC </a></div></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-19088748213861095972024-03-02T21:58:00.003-06:002024-03-02T21:58:36.771-06:00Seed starting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoc68AfJeNjtd05GHM8QFupVlHyhV94zizCo1RU_9Qmtp-NpUCJUjEIYcUEx14xprY-U8BZkPTBrC6YsQ4UXA6KoXHiAdwWi80oLCdyp-h8xbFL7BJK2HQkX7VUExt7OQW4n5lJPrCDDxgpVINSQL1Vcd8RHKIDd7tomnQ0MUBnZVK8jfr7XlkA/s4032/PXL_20240302_172531909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoc68AfJeNjtd05GHM8QFupVlHyhV94zizCo1RU_9Qmtp-NpUCJUjEIYcUEx14xprY-U8BZkPTBrC6YsQ4UXA6KoXHiAdwWi80oLCdyp-h8xbFL7BJK2HQkX7VUExt7OQW4n5lJPrCDDxgpVINSQL1Vcd8RHKIDd7tomnQ0MUBnZVK8jfr7XlkA/s320/PXL_20240302_172531909.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Despite Nefertiti's help, I did get some planning done for this year's garden. We are going to plant a smaller garden this year in the hopes that it will be more manageable to keep up with. I sorted through the seeds (once the cat had decided to get up, and ordered a few more that I needed. (I still have a lot of seeds, though.) I know which ones I need to start now, which I need to start in a couple of weeks, and what seeds I'm going to plant outside this week. I even went to the store to pick up the things I need to make the soil mix for the seed blocker.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a lot of looking at seeds, but have I actually started any planting? No, no I have not. I hope to get the seed starting equipment set up tomorrow and some seeds planted. We'll see how that goes. But I at least have started the process. </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-71718901552688815872024-03-01T19:41:00.003-06:002024-03-01T19:41:33.906-06:00Friday update - March 1, 2024<div style="text-align: left;">It's March, but I honestly don't have any idea what season it is anymore. I do know I was wearing all my winter outerwear in the barn this morning.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I have a bunch of sick children. There has been a lot of laying about on couches and I pretty much cancelled school. We didn't even make it to our co-op yesterday. I think some are at least showing some improvement. </li><li>This means that as well as not knowing what season it is, I'm not really sure of the day, either. Disrupting the usual schedule will do that. </li><li>Vienna was up all day yesterday. This is the first time in weeks that this has happened. She lay down for a little bit today, but stood up when she thought I was bringing food. I don't blame her for lying down. The gloomy, cold weather today made me want to go back to bed, too. </li><li>Sometimes when we walk by our stuffed hedgehogs we see this. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefkGhuHv12U5oSYKtshEbfwZFpO8ufrMyeuGYepbfNmCkFKa9XgJW3ssM2A4PvwJAJPF0Px_JbQZ1F0O04obdK3cepJNYbAdBG2kaZsheHy_sh5TjSvaSoggsPMEkSkhliYiULArk-CB9cKbEkW_WqFDUPFb8BQ3dyUAC6sMnhIrn7OR0aMH0zA/s4032/PXL_20240302_011901897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefkGhuHv12U5oSYKtshEbfwZFpO8ufrMyeuGYepbfNmCkFKa9XgJW3ssM2A4PvwJAJPF0Px_JbQZ1F0O04obdK3cepJNYbAdBG2kaZsheHy_sh5TjSvaSoggsPMEkSkhliYiULArk-CB9cKbEkW_WqFDUPFb8BQ3dyUAC6sMnhIrn7OR0aMH0zA/s320/PXL_20240302_011901897.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>There are certain family members who like to take the hedgehogs crocheted hats and put them in the hedgehogs' noses. When another family member complained, it was explained that the offender didn't want the hedgehogs to get sick. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I was able to spend some of my unanticipated free time yesterday finally getting around to writing a critique of the parenting method called The Nurtured Heart that I said I would write for a parenting group. If anyone is interested in reading it, let me know. Bút, boy, did I like being able to cross off a long standing to-do list item. </li><li>I'm still more than a little obsessed with watching videos about ultra luxury cruises. I'm hoping this abates somewhat when the weather improves. </li><li>It's March and I have done nothing about getting any seeds started. I think I will need to spend some time on that this weekend. Last year's garden was such a bust, I'd like to do a better job this year. </li><li>Anyone want some totally composted horse manure for their garden? It's free, you just have to come get it. </li><li>There just hasn't been much going on here this week. So, for your amusement, I have a picture to share. Our co-op is having an 80's theme day coming up, so the art teacher is collecting people's 80's photos. Now, I'm not sure about two things. 1. I find it difficult to imagine the 80's is now a decade for costumes. And 2. That there are some adults in our co-op who don't have 80's photos because they weren't born yet. Anyway, the photo I shared.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9TJWPaeQL9qcP5_jRT0Xt6AsAZw74rMQWlIDt_EO5_kPsRaM2tx-Q8py7l9K2GySizSYuf5AjSYodZ5c8Nnkgt5UQPyx2ExBbEhwaOA8B4l8SzbHstVqgla0C3q3gmI5La3pxFmVvGrdP1irWr9RMrbT18dMt-hSF3H_IJOx9fPTawacBx7kXA/s4032/PXL_20240229_164331998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9TJWPaeQL9qcP5_jRT0Xt6AsAZw74rMQWlIDt_EO5_kPsRaM2tx-Q8py7l9K2GySizSYuf5AjSYodZ5c8Nnkgt5UQPyx2ExBbEhwaOA8B4l8SzbHstVqgla0C3q3gmI5La3pxFmVvGrdP1irWr9RMrbT18dMt-hSF3H_IJOx9fPTawacBx7kXA/s320/PXL_20240229_164331998.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is from 1982. I was either 16, or just about to turn 16. I was a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding. Appreciate the very large glasses, the Farrah Faucet hair, and the Gunne Sax dress. <br /><div><br /></div></div></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-57983238336105090322024-02-29T20:57:00.002-06:002024-02-29T20:57:46.557-06:00Utopia<div style="text-align: left;">Because we are now learning about Tudor England in history, I have asked everyone to read at least parts of Utopia by Thomas More. Earlier today, Y. comes stomping into my bedroom where I am working at my desk to complain about Thomas More and his supposed perfect society. She has a bone or two to pick with him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This evening while we were fixing dinner, J. was continuing the discussion offering different ways that Utopia can be interpreted. Nope, Y. was giving no quarter and proceeded to list all the ways he was wrong. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She may not like or appreciate the book, but I bet it stays with her. </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-5523994205337580672024-02-27T20:25:00.002-06:002024-02-27T20:25:41.219-06:00All the weather<div style="text-align: left;">Today was warm. Warm as in we opened up the windows and I contemplated changing into a short sleeved shirt. It's still February, mind you, historically my least favorite month of the year because of the unrelenting cold weather. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Late this afternoon a storm started rolling in. It was totally dark by 5:40 because of the heavy clouds. When I went to feed horses about the same time, it was just starting to rain lightly. Further west, where TM lives and J. works there was some significant hail. But ever the photographer, TM braved the falling balls of ice for a good photo.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAsKRwbrJckL60hEy07ae8Ke9bvUkn87M16mmQUCuTlswPwsYXuTn6MONCcKuvtkWzrI5hnMzGDkKBLnSR-j-8K09ojK_9116vkhqbQrh8kPeCncMew9IQdGCsCEcs4XhO8bzrRNXWmWM7CY-RJtTjEjZIFxyI6DGAHosXk4x-NmqzH0KSF6M3w/s1290/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1290" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAsKRwbrJckL60hEy07ae8Ke9bvUkn87M16mmQUCuTlswPwsYXuTn6MONCcKuvtkWzrI5hnMzGDkKBLnSR-j-8K09ojK_9116vkhqbQrh8kPeCncMew9IQdGCsCEcs4XhO8bzrRNXWmWM7CY-RJtTjEjZIFxyI6DGAHosXk4x-NmqzH0KSF6M3w/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By 6:30 I was keeping the live weather forecast on my phone because of the number of tornado sightings. It was a rather stressful forty minutes as we kept track of where tornados were. One did pass about three miles south of us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Poor Kenzie spent the storm sheltering in the downstairs bathroom, which he does whenever a storm passes through. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEQuSTa41rt7tDrU5eFKrtXmpTrWFfCVZj9VAQ_F9rDK5IRwY-Mge15U6n4D5HVCqde6u1vS2JLZ-8gQn7PfCUoIw_MPUY1n8_ijeyFl3tfyu0bnfI_GZ_QIkOCexSMVxuDqHZx1c39n6e0gOkDKw0vlqz2Rk2JQjANYlAH4cKl3rsvVmJb88WA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEQuSTa41rt7tDrU5eFKrtXmpTrWFfCVZj9VAQ_F9rDK5IRwY-Mge15U6n4D5HVCqde6u1vS2JLZ-8gQn7PfCUoIw_MPUY1n8_ijeyFl3tfyu0bnfI_GZ_QIkOCexSMVxuDqHZx1c39n6e0gOkDKw0vlqz2Rk2JQjANYlAH4cKl3rsvVmJb88WA/s320/image.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm sure he didn't think it was the optimum way of celebrating his right year anniversary as part of our family. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To continue with our little weather fest, the temperature is supposed to drop tonight to well below freezing and bring some snow as well. We're going to be under freezing for the rest of the day. Then on Thursday, we're supposed to go back to the upper forties. It's nuts. </div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-89660276522832149302024-02-26T20:31:00.004-06:002024-02-26T20:31:52.161-06:00Fiber Monday - Overly ambitious plans <div style="text-align: left;">Over the weekend I decided I wanted to spin something pretty, so I dug through my fiber stash and pulled out a couple of merino/silk dyed braids that I got a while back. I didn't really have a plan for them, so was a bit unsure what kind of yarn I wanted to spin. This particular fiber seemed to want to spin on the fine side, so I decided to do that. I could always make it a bit thicker by playing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I was spinning, I realized that the color of the braid was reminding me of some yarn I picked up at a thrift store several years ago. There was a lot of it, and I thought it might make a decent warp for... something. It was fairly thin and had a soft drape to it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is where the rather outlandish idea began. What if I used the thrift store yarn for the warp and kept my new project as singles and used them for weft. They were about the sand diameter as I was spinning, so it could make a lovely twill fabric. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have a lot of the yarn and I have eight ounces of the fiber (which will make a lot of singles). I could feasibly end up with five or six yards of fabric at least. Which brings me to the next evolution of my outrageous idea. What if I used the fabric to make a dress for myself for B.'s wedding? It would save me from having to shop for one. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So to make this work, I would need to have the fabric woven by the beginning of summer. I want to see what it looks and feels like before trying to figure out a pattern. Then I would need to spend some time really getting the pattern fit perfected before sewing into the hand woven fabric. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Spinning the yarn is easy. Actually weaving the cloth is also fairly easy, just a bit time consuming. Sewing the dress once I have the pattern sorted is also pretty simple. The biggest hurdle to my mind is getting a pattern to fit well. It's the part of sewing I like the least and the biggest reason I don't do more sewing for myself. It's just so much easier to fit another person. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So that's my plan, but I have given myself permission to jump ship at any point. The P. Family mom is all set to go dress shopping with me if it comes to that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are what the various components look like at the moment.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYgnn0qeU6fAyB79mM0sddDsOD-4UvJRBV2nShRB3vGphbp4AoBK5C34ElLzWYR0uQKAnGFnvR7kNlyYM_L00V63xbhxNTv1YaAaAxv_2mIWUzB-BiEBnLEIFxmXlLLP0ITZf6dY7ZUpcopjKppxIAXvDLEdiij1ARx8-I_qr5iZZdJ_cULfmfQ/s4032/PXL_20240227_021237480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYgnn0qeU6fAyB79mM0sddDsOD-4UvJRBV2nShRB3vGphbp4AoBK5C34ElLzWYR0uQKAnGFnvR7kNlyYM_L00V63xbhxNTv1YaAaAxv_2mIWUzB-BiEBnLEIFxmXlLLP0ITZf6dY7ZUpcopjKppxIAXvDLEdiij1ARx8-I_qr5iZZdJ_cULfmfQ/s320/PXL_20240227_021237480.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This singles on the spinning wheel.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug7dpIeq9AfWukYBFeylwiHS7_5ChzgQGCqsADS0w8UIRx6Y9dvznkjzlx9Vcqh5lAd7P02GQ2653yCN7M-yEfwNNkXX5fJnyH9Mc-dea8qH7Zz8rjOZBzbHdg0Cue0Hs78NgpjILvWAM_2aDw7QObBKd9eS4PMHGdbIC-EqW__dA7niX0ZaxNA/s4032/PXL_20240227_021242507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug7dpIeq9AfWukYBFeylwiHS7_5ChzgQGCqsADS0w8UIRx6Y9dvznkjzlx9Vcqh5lAd7P02GQ2653yCN7M-yEfwNNkXX5fJnyH9Mc-dea8qH7Zz8rjOZBzbHdg0Cue0Hs78NgpjILvWAM_2aDw7QObBKd9eS4PMHGdbIC-EqW__dA7niX0ZaxNA/s320/PXL_20240227_021242507.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is what the unspun fiber looks like. It's various shades of green and blue.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqAh94TEBI6RsPS3ALDVZz1_5lpjJvFWYB1oKoSkg44UYMzwhbEnvqtCFl-sm9IBlPSoon_2vLnQ2ZQyhVYhHvFvJ8Iy1NDdPJl6wq5JswzE6owkiIrAINsGUveXI1b2jTsGobCMmdtl6cNM-ysyJxkLBJVlJ5bhYUk0VePcaCR5gqKk2LqV8ow/s4032/PXL_20240227_021252093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqAh94TEBI6RsPS3ALDVZz1_5lpjJvFWYB1oKoSkg44UYMzwhbEnvqtCFl-sm9IBlPSoon_2vLnQ2ZQyhVYhHvFvJ8Iy1NDdPJl6wq5JswzE6owkiIrAINsGUveXI1b2jTsGobCMmdtl6cNM-ysyJxkLBJVlJ5bhYUk0VePcaCR5gqKk2LqV8ow/s320/PXL_20240227_021252093.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That picture above is just four ounces. Here is the other four ounce braid. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLbB9RiDosOV42IOzjQm3tJ3KmoZcivsGoTZXnBqmV13GI4z6gadSLhel8bbP-cqOjXo12_SmGecrRTZoP_cngmobCzGDlFxverLPIapjWpecbnNTM0avJrMSsXSmHLG92B64gSTIr3Tsq3ilr_48UOSNSjMkqz7zBlfXlaY262VfQPKEI20SoA/s4032/PXL_20240227_021317993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLbB9RiDosOV42IOzjQm3tJ3KmoZcivsGoTZXnBqmV13GI4z6gadSLhel8bbP-cqOjXo12_SmGecrRTZoP_cngmobCzGDlFxverLPIapjWpecbnNTM0avJrMSsXSmHLG92B64gSTIr3Tsq3ilr_48UOSNSjMkqz7zBlfXlaY262VfQPKEI20SoA/s320/PXL_20240227_021317993.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the thrift store yarn. The yarn on the left is a little more green than in the photo, and both of them have a lot of metallic thread running through them. </div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-36716756901472043502024-02-25T21:26:00.001-06:002024-02-25T21:26:14.864-06:00Weekly update - February 25, 2024<div style="text-align: left;">This could be brief as I don't think there was all that much that happened this week.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>J. and I went out for two Saturdays in a row which is pretty unheard of around here. Last week we went out to dinner just ourselves as we couldn't remember the last time we had done that. Last night we met our very good friends the P. Family mom and dad because it had been far too long since we had seen them. Some children think it is a bit profligate of us to go out two weeks in a row.</li><li>We have been living pretty frugally since the new year (our two nights out not withstanding) because we have had several large bills which we are working on getting paid off. But I did splurge on one thing ... a laundry sorter. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX45S6gy9BupE6k67TcQZm4r41LeYUj_YQ-jvkddLrwJMTv47ofit1Ruu-8wyQKswmX5FTEcZXbjHPbGB5j5aQ15dqCJILN2jaLNNVqazrOdCscudY0obE40CSbYuuQEN7Aira1wBUJ9RTXrevM2th63ieR90u10j-hfZUSW5X1j6oal2fsnM4lQ/s4032/PXL_20240226_025443700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX45S6gy9BupE6k67TcQZm4r41LeYUj_YQ-jvkddLrwJMTv47ofit1Ruu-8wyQKswmX5FTEcZXbjHPbGB5j5aQ15dqCJILN2jaLNNVqazrOdCscudY0obE40CSbYuuQEN7Aira1wBUJ9RTXrevM2th63ieR90u10j-hfZUSW5X1j6oal2fsnM4lQ/s320/PXL_20240226_025443700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">This falls under the heading of why didn't I do this sooner? I'd been using baskets to sort laundry, but they take up a lot of floor room in an area that doesn't have a lot of floor room. I had a similar sorter in the old house, but it was made of PVC pipe and would always be falling apart. It didn't make the move. I guess it felt wrong to buy one when I could have just moved the old one. But I'm so happy with this new one. It is sturdy, it frees up a lot of floor space, and I love the blue color. It's the little things, isn't it?</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I have some sad news to share. I try to give my adult children privacy, especially when they are grieving, but since their animals have been a part of this blog, I wanted to share that A. lost Olive earlier this week and P. lost Midnight last fall. It has been a tough year losing animals we have all loved and cared about. </li><li>How about a picture of the sunset from tonight as everyone processes that last bit?</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlIx3OZENmnnRb84qKCwq7YN1-SsRxhsNtWH0z2e-mjowSrqwCOO90nrHPr9pPyTux7RIMuLGc5e6pxUHSJCyX5PY4z8uMaU7DpXI3N5zasVaUMBW0rL8YLbjW00vz2nkJMwEORsT8TZs4gkFu-v4-oXRMCXdf-iTZV3PpnB14GZ1XrlUJI6x-w/s4032/PXL_20240225_234134766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlIx3OZENmnnRb84qKCwq7YN1-SsRxhsNtWH0z2e-mjowSrqwCOO90nrHPr9pPyTux7RIMuLGc5e6pxUHSJCyX5PY4z8uMaU7DpXI3N5zasVaUMBW0rL8YLbjW00vz2nkJMwEORsT8TZs4gkFu-v4-oXRMCXdf-iTZV3PpnB14GZ1XrlUJI6x-w/s320/PXL_20240225_234134766.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I'm not sure how old I am anymore. Oh, I know my age, I'm just never sure how I fit in age wise with anyone else. There was that moment a couple of weeks ago where I realized I was indeed the oldest member of our co-op. Things like this are surprising every single time they happen.</li><li>The weather was so nice today we spent time doing some outside jobs. You know, as if it were early April. It was lovely... but very odd.</li><li>I'll end with a couple more Vienna pictures from today. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_H7-491soAt4y1UUSY-trC3CNZTM0zcG6nS93RQ_AplhdFdhlTIRXjpwR578K2oET44BAhaTIWoCGj_97Z1e9_lReaJUKEnXxQZ2XY9YHmxL6Qaf1lMWy-DglUE14BgtIToFc_J8m-SplF6j3yrHGDK3OD98sjB50x7J9Z2IiwivoYjNn-qOIQ/s4032/PXL_20240225_194443539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_H7-491soAt4y1UUSY-trC3CNZTM0zcG6nS93RQ_AplhdFdhlTIRXjpwR578K2oET44BAhaTIWoCGj_97Z1e9_lReaJUKEnXxQZ2XY9YHmxL6Qaf1lMWy-DglUE14BgtIToFc_J8m-SplF6j3yrHGDK3OD98sjB50x7J9Z2IiwivoYjNn-qOIQ/s320/PXL_20240225_194443539.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap5-v__4vibzXGwkMR2ftgmwNRc_sEZXab7P01v3MsNBqjz3797t3R0naDHbXZy_ACxDZeQhNmsdW4pACFT0op1LOztWAfFlik-_8C3zRHUQr4rOn4Fm3b_fkEvXYIwKLENrM_FTFBnIvGMgouID7rRZAk1ntSWyMGbEBxggQfgj3FEG8NZl_Dw/s4032/PXL_20240225_194501071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap5-v__4vibzXGwkMR2ftgmwNRc_sEZXab7P01v3MsNBqjz3797t3R0naDHbXZy_ACxDZeQhNmsdW4pACFT0op1LOztWAfFlik-_8C3zRHUQr4rOn4Fm3b_fkEvXYIwKLENrM_FTFBnIvGMgouID7rRZAk1ntSWyMGbEBxggQfgj3FEG8NZl_Dw/s320/PXL_20240225_194501071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-73558423627735910472024-02-24T22:10:00.000-06:002024-02-24T22:10:07.174-06:00Baby chicks <div style="text-align: left;">It's that time of year when you start seeing <strike>eggs</strike> baby chicks. We're no exception here. I asked L. to take the <strike>eggs</strike> baby chicks out so they could get some exercise, so she took some pictures of them while they were enjoying the sunny weather. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Want to see?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovSHi3DAhh3YxdQ0d7MssFtLNVcevABsNUjoPBiIOxV4S6QMWTUSU12n48pDgrVdZtRib0TQgtheO2vhpF9ddxX1vTACJKLlb8_Oli-R6Fr160jzLM0So3XryrAO51NO_fn9S_FqEyWytBL5eQvg7cRLthUJR29lTeArejJp-6LupqHcwQ5E1Gw/s2560/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovSHi3DAhh3YxdQ0d7MssFtLNVcevABsNUjoPBiIOxV4S6QMWTUSU12n48pDgrVdZtRib0TQgtheO2vhpF9ddxX1vTACJKLlb8_Oli-R6Fr160jzLM0So3XryrAO51NO_fn9S_FqEyWytBL5eQvg7cRLthUJR29lTeArejJp-6LupqHcwQ5E1Gw/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just enjoying the view.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt2h804jUWPVViLGjyQoSRim0PcME66LuevyzycLSXL-kPx4gUgq8jDSilX1O1K-3kjWdC2HHxj1jy-ETa9yYeJqHdgOYWMbGImBpAFUBMIaQ5h3CQL8qx-zhuxG59FvkB86ToDTDCRJp0J3sdS3bV1RKlkuEnBClDRSz-rY_E869CsyaIN-9mw/s2560/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt2h804jUWPVViLGjyQoSRim0PcME66LuevyzycLSXL-kPx4gUgq8jDSilX1O1K-3kjWdC2HHxj1jy-ETa9yYeJqHdgOYWMbGImBpAFUBMIaQ5h3CQL8qx-zhuxG59FvkB86ToDTDCRJp0J3sdS3bV1RKlkuEnBClDRSz-rY_E869CsyaIN-9mw/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Admiring the tulips that are beginning to come up.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiLBGASYDXyvelq2ylN9Dzv2GRSQWF72DVosv8DieHvwoYz3S1c429zvwUxQpxrCr91sgVGhyphenhyphenbcYhPvTTIhyAKCU6sX1U1fqftQZgxqM2KtMVAvLEGb2VBmXwqD0OuEMx6mMmapLSGqhy6iG-M0SscFlfPelTmROs-eXAtc8Znsm7GE6ZNurQrg/s2560/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiLBGASYDXyvelq2ylN9Dzv2GRSQWF72DVosv8DieHvwoYz3S1c429zvwUxQpxrCr91sgVGhyphenhyphenbcYhPvTTIhyAKCU6sX1U1fqftQZgxqM2KtMVAvLEGb2VBmXwqD0OuEMx6mMmapLSGqhy6iG-M0SscFlfPelTmROs-eXAtc8Znsm7GE6ZNurQrg/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The chicks' first snow.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF2NNmSUjehEHHgTUAOYtSCKaYOjmwYtKtChebHaLSliCkL0tbMiOiidZvVjv6nOcbxz_LcHsh0Cx7ENlxYEjHBFJ40k-2JwfVVBJA27X8vQSeqD9KC2QzW1J0M_tz0jM6Jm2gd3OQaOU1SGSNWuF8uPHirHpZR_1YmkhrN8YRww-AvADJrXavg/s2560/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF2NNmSUjehEHHgTUAOYtSCKaYOjmwYtKtChebHaLSliCkL0tbMiOiidZvVjv6nOcbxz_LcHsh0Cx7ENlxYEjHBFJ40k-2JwfVVBJA27X8vQSeqD9KC2QzW1J0M_tz0jM6Jm2gd3OQaOU1SGSNWuF8uPHirHpZR_1YmkhrN8YRww-AvADJrXavg/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sitting under a tree.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now a little biology lesson. All these <strike>chicks</strike> <strike>eggs</strike> chicks are fertilized. How do I know? We have two roosters. They take their job very, very seriously. I assure you, they are fertilized. And, yes, all the eggs we eat are also fertilized, while the eggs you buy in the store are not. (Yes, I realize sometimes you can find fertilized eggs in the grocery store, but they are labeled as such.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This sometimes confuses people, so I often find myself giving chicken biology lessons. Hens lay eggs regardless of their fertilization status. A hen will lay whether there is a rooster around or not. For fertilized eggs, no, there are no baby chicks in those eggs. A fertile egg and a baby chick are different things. A fertilized egg must be incubated before a baby chick will start to develop. We don't have broody hens who want to sit on eggs, so no one here worries about finding a chick inside an egg. Fertilized eggs are the potential of a chick, not a baby chick. You would think this would be pretty straightforward.</div><div style="text-align: left;">_____</div><div style="text-align: left;">L., in payment for taking the <strike>eggs</strike> baby chicks on an adventure, asked if in return I would publish something she wrote. Here it is, I have done no editing other than a couple of bits of punctuation, the words are all hers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><<Currently about 1.5 million people are estimated to be crammed into a Palestinian city called rafah, which is located in the southern Gaza strip bordering Egypt. they have limited access to food. </div><div>Palestinians desperate to leave Gaza are paying bribes of up to $10,000 to get them and their families out. Most Palestinians are unable to pay that much and are forced to stay in Rafah while Israel gets closer and closer to bombing the living daylights out of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>29,092 is the current Palestinian death toll; an estimated two thirds of those dead are women and children.</div><div>This is not a war nor is this a conflict this is a genocide (and if you disagree with this statement then I urge you to Google the requirements for something to be considered a genocide.)</div><div>If you care at all for these suffering people, If you care at all for your fellow humans then please donate and spread the word or contact your representative about a ceasefire.</div><div><br /></div><div>To donate: <a href="https://alkhidmat.org/appeal/emergency-appeal-palestine-save-lives-in-gaza-today">Emergency appeal</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>To email a representative: <a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-ceasefire-now?source=IG_ceasefire">Action network </a></div><div>>></div><div>___</div><div>To end on a slightly lighter note, here are some out takes from. L.'s adventures with the <strike>eggs</strike> baby chicks today. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Jrd79nBfJ_6pjP3fOzH3Ry_Lw2B2lPO8-oVwKXSBFGI_hHBaPLevGi4Xnmj1E4xNd_TjMsP1Fv7PX9ut1Id2VBVXcAseeirN3ENuA6_AAIE-OIPoszzsfy6eQ_FgST_bDhiwT6haFC9SCZmnozM9JKR_Dy82zZvhq4BrtD_CN1Nttn6lqfvpCA/s2560/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Jrd79nBfJ_6pjP3fOzH3Ry_Lw2B2lPO8-oVwKXSBFGI_hHBaPLevGi4Xnmj1E4xNd_TjMsP1Fv7PX9ut1Id2VBVXcAseeirN3ENuA6_AAIE-OIPoszzsfy6eQ_FgST_bDhiwT6haFC9SCZmnozM9JKR_Dy82zZvhq4BrtD_CN1Nttn6lqfvpCA/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1GEPXcCBMKzZNnej9Plp2T8ZGBSJsMJlo284va16Ic-QwDp1Qj9sMIMBFyi2GzRktLJTzgi5vsWfw9JPwQgVBPXvjK5iT8WaK7iSPHe-bAeCYRcTYnJhEgnLlEXjBWkfU6A-ZFmsJtcehRSl8ZsnTlDt76-C9-TjJTyvkmTmsnNu1JsnVY07og/s2560/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1GEPXcCBMKzZNnej9Plp2T8ZGBSJsMJlo284va16Ic-QwDp1Qj9sMIMBFyi2GzRktLJTzgi5vsWfw9JPwQgVBPXvjK5iT8WaK7iSPHe-bAeCYRcTYnJhEgnLlEXjBWkfU6A-ZFmsJtcehRSl8ZsnTlDt76-C9-TjJTyvkmTmsnNu1JsnVY07og/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhYj98lfUyW-1mLEfWnu5SV-Li5JrvKpUFj-YsD149SznTaoaOMrp0Zwn-6lm_wGeqFsUSWYNlyIXHj5e8NV7ZcRa3Yp_b7ziFXQmnvRRsB5DfClMzPwREW5nxS9IJFA523mch51zlnkBJ6Q9mDh9GJs7VcnZfBs7hLQE5v_M0GbtavpOHryVjg/s2560/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhYj98lfUyW-1mLEfWnu5SV-Li5JrvKpUFj-YsD149SznTaoaOMrp0Zwn-6lm_wGeqFsUSWYNlyIXHj5e8NV7ZcRa3Yp_b7ziFXQmnvRRsB5DfClMzPwREW5nxS9IJFA523mch51zlnkBJ6Q9mDh9GJs7VcnZfBs7hLQE5v_M0GbtavpOHryVjg/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-73886614316230009142024-02-23T21:38:00.001-06:002024-02-23T21:38:02.026-06:00Brief Vienna update<div style="text-align: left;">I was at a memorial service this evening, so will save the weekly update for later. But I know people are wondering about the pony. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think she is slowly improving. That would be an emphasis on slowly. She is up on her feet more, they seem to be a little less sore, and she's eating more. That's all good news. But, she still has enough times when I look at her and wonder if she is actually getting better. I wouldn't call her out of the woods yet. She has been showing a little more interest in life, though, and will nicker at us when we come to pass out more hay. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish I had a functioning crystal ball, because if I knew she would get better, I'd give her as much recovery time as she needs. But if she can't beat this, then it doesn't seem fair to ask her to keep going. The short answer continues to be that I just don't really know how she's doing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here she is from a couple of days ago trying her darndest to get Java's unsoaked hay from under the stall door. It was one of her better days. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9rdTTPybTYx9llM_zIdDzJg8evvxWQ6mnOtX3BwvvNsF_D3vmy5_JaPjF8R6-LeLqKhZQAKdO7mFW9jktSk_5L8XbQ_qYxV8ZQOQS7K6qpg-Wi8tjpXyNRMdMCRcR1taG0OSaOpZdk5wH-E_USk5qPncvUzLEYVGg3S5KT-iovtVemUg9CCcgg/s4032/PXL_20240221_232300004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9rdTTPybTYx9llM_zIdDzJg8evvxWQ6mnOtX3BwvvNsF_D3vmy5_JaPjF8R6-LeLqKhZQAKdO7mFW9jktSk_5L8XbQ_qYxV8ZQOQS7K6qpg-Wi8tjpXyNRMdMCRcR1taG0OSaOpZdk5wH-E_USk5qPncvUzLEYVGg3S5KT-iovtVemUg9CCcgg/s320/PXL_20240221_232300004.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-32928590947859497162024-02-22T20:33:00.002-06:002024-02-22T20:33:19.936-06:00Sort of wordless Thursday<div style="text-align: left;">Co-op days take it out of me, leaving little energy to cone up with something to write. Instead, enjoy the picture I took this evening when I went out to feed the horses.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAOWsV2WLAYfVnnwIqmm95V2nBfvtl_-HeVb0tsHuf-F-Wmoxx25VeYlMsIlie0ZptFrt5QcM86L5HxDAxjiDRNjXbHFOJN3aQ6easvuDceuOUk5P-CB-wJmUTyeWjW7GAsdp_BtZNMQltXRDWBW_p6mYJ_4ZUx-bi0twQipGgrrEIKpfDddCJg/s4032/PXL_20240222_234246053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAOWsV2WLAYfVnnwIqmm95V2nBfvtl_-HeVb0tsHuf-F-Wmoxx25VeYlMsIlie0ZptFrt5QcM86L5HxDAxjiDRNjXbHFOJN3aQ6easvuDceuOUk5P-CB-wJmUTyeWjW7GAsdp_BtZNMQltXRDWBW_p6mYJ_4ZUx-bi0twQipGgrrEIKpfDddCJg/s320/PXL_20240222_234246053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And looking the other direction. I love the pink clouds in the blue sky.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPVE-iwvdqHRkzTgT2yGS-D-rXld__xxw7sA9nOTBQV9deqUbKXSXN-xTmi_zYyWmELnWo9gZ0xKrjQay2gvzQt7kK7XuCo9t5cuRmAHgGjx8oviKGtLwLog9oQVm9vzEveQyNoOzRHw3DP-1btxqlDWYFfK9RvXheGqXi5qDUDsplfK2XKpB4A/s4032/PXL_20240222_234203953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPVE-iwvdqHRkzTgT2yGS-D-rXld__xxw7sA9nOTBQV9deqUbKXSXN-xTmi_zYyWmELnWo9gZ0xKrjQay2gvzQt7kK7XuCo9t5cuRmAHgGjx8oviKGtLwLog9oQVm9vzEveQyNoOzRHw3DP-1btxqlDWYFfK9RvXheGqXi5qDUDsplfK2XKpB4A/s320/PXL_20240222_234203953.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-73871488766792173062024-02-21T20:34:00.001-06:002024-02-21T20:34:04.621-06:00Y. turned 17<div style="text-align: left;">Today is Y.'s 17th birthday, if you can believe it. I'm not sure I can. She chose dumpling stir fry for her birthday dinner and apple pie for the dessert. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before we could celebrate, though, we first all headed down to the library because we had an appointment to get K.'s, Y.'s, G.'s, and L.'s passports applied for. I hate letting those Certificate of Citizenship documents out of my possession and will rest easier when they are returned. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">An hour later, we made it home and started the celebration. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wnSkyOM0nD0Zy1EE6QfNRN8n3saI94F9f-d5QNxhLdwoxBzl04cpnoxYn4dOP0eh-e8iru_Vb72YzAEEfXONuo9NdAajKC0At02fU32rLBq6xNEdug-MpHFT-9DZO4JZ7UnXiWW9JoDqY7eRvam81j-RlZ1H_Ob7WQ1mf3MaefPGF3K6oBFakw/s4032/PXL_20240222_020559799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wnSkyOM0nD0Zy1EE6QfNRN8n3saI94F9f-d5QNxhLdwoxBzl04cpnoxYn4dOP0eh-e8iru_Vb72YzAEEfXONuo9NdAajKC0At02fU32rLBq6xNEdug-MpHFT-9DZO4JZ7UnXiWW9JoDqY7eRvam81j-RlZ1H_Ob7WQ1mf3MaefPGF3K6oBFakw/s320/PXL_20240222_020559799.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The candles are a '1' and a '7' if you can't tell. Our '1' candle has seen a lot of use over the past eight years and is looking a bit short.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNTa2FDh5KjfAB1LRmcRbHeqBg8I-Q68VkyHHjdI11F_nmp0VLrWMmR1qcw-amRTuzDZtRd_bL5UnEJ5WlUYH55qSIIU81Vpc1Vk9JJP5B3PUBYBUMHNlL9sOKc8HmUAJte-xmezhS2X3MA1dvyNLyEJcvPlfOofmIkGsA9_7RTjqZjgRpSNq4Q/s4032/PXL_20240222_020556276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNTa2FDh5KjfAB1LRmcRbHeqBg8I-Q68VkyHHjdI11F_nmp0VLrWMmR1qcw-amRTuzDZtRd_bL5UnEJ5WlUYH55qSIIU81Vpc1Vk9JJP5B3PUBYBUMHNlL9sOKc8HmUAJte-xmezhS2X3MA1dvyNLyEJcvPlfOofmIkGsA9_7RTjqZjgRpSNq4Q/s320/PXL_20240222_020556276.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrO78_RySlJWDcXiuWjtC86fZU1IeUZETLWoU_F23qIbH81srRudoBGwVUlrzIajSsdBE2x7CMPJmh9cgPNO9DqWPSuXTpD3mPDSuP9s0-ENaop9L5VJJ6ji9RIiq30jl_f3ac1LhWoBxSXNnqL4jOxNK1sH6U82mcIYPovPQRs1o08KuSYnQbOg/s4032/PXL_20240222_020442992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrO78_RySlJWDcXiuWjtC86fZU1IeUZETLWoU_F23qIbH81srRudoBGwVUlrzIajSsdBE2x7CMPJmh9cgPNO9DqWPSuXTpD3mPDSuP9s0-ENaop9L5VJJ6ji9RIiq30jl_f3ac1LhWoBxSXNnqL4jOxNK1sH6U82mcIYPovPQRs1o08KuSYnQbOg/s320/PXL_20240222_020442992.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaup7J0IcbocejIoP4fFTOHHH_1xCpwSL24Sa_OgkytHbCL-stVnoL_1TqXz8uWDoAt8bQcMDuBjmYqw_4kUfUWiczy3_be6zUEKn85szmMCSt2S0TAGdjMt_4JPTTDD-QXZbqmSfSPXz_B-zj2yWhi6zYaYU68oqSv0v1pcbFFknIJ2EC-auxg/s4032/PXL_20240222_020539062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaup7J0IcbocejIoP4fFTOHHH_1xCpwSL24Sa_OgkytHbCL-stVnoL_1TqXz8uWDoAt8bQcMDuBjmYqw_4kUfUWiczy3_be6zUEKn85szmMCSt2S0TAGdjMt_4JPTTDD-QXZbqmSfSPXz_B-zj2yWhi6zYaYU68oqSv0v1pcbFFknIJ2EC-auxg/s320/PXL_20240222_020539062.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because L.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8_bPZbyvJVrjxjeUfitxgLuZan0H46dR50iYT-IiQU7Sx4zNbOKYOfv_YxSv5fpZyW4f9hDrVqTNmTknE65AyzPjdJgYnEirLdqtxB7Dxj5GqP-P4DdQKjoC2bz2VWU_DMenpXTBIc5Bu_W2vHzUWph0S_NkN0wvxPFNX9G6sRBWqqgwCovJaA/s4032/PXL_20240222_021857976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8_bPZbyvJVrjxjeUfitxgLuZan0H46dR50iYT-IiQU7Sx4zNbOKYOfv_YxSv5fpZyW4f9hDrVqTNmTknE65AyzPjdJgYnEirLdqtxB7Dxj5GqP-P4DdQKjoC2bz2VWU_DMenpXTBIc5Bu_W2vHzUWph0S_NkN0wvxPFNX9G6sRBWqqgwCovJaA/s320/PXL_20240222_021857976.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Y. loved birds and was thrilled to get a 750+ page book all about them. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZL_F01WpYKZRPVvohQjr3YUSV6mCES16n0x2V1Hm-HBj8fdHKhGQWtZreYBbRxoRU0CTd3aVVp3yJYvMnsnTk8F6YpSJYQjqZA0fxrU0jMgj13asMN6VHUcVKxWlkKDmX0lijs05lACvtYqKz6R4eqXxWOEECmedN0qPAdNPPond82kLOeoPMg/s4032/PXL_20240222_022127121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZL_F01WpYKZRPVvohQjr3YUSV6mCES16n0x2V1Hm-HBj8fdHKhGQWtZreYBbRxoRU0CTd3aVVp3yJYvMnsnTk8F6YpSJYQjqZA0fxrU0jMgj13asMN6VHUcVKxWlkKDmX0lijs05lACvtYqKz6R4eqXxWOEECmedN0qPAdNPPond82kLOeoPMg/s320/PXL_20240222_022127121.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a really cool crochet book from Grammy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Happy Birthday, Y.! We love you!!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25502633.post-56429187489475509262024-02-20T20:18:00.002-06:002024-02-20T20:18:44.591-06:00Something to watch<div style="text-align: left;">Today I finished co-teaching a training module on working with young people in the Equine Assisted Activities realm for <a href="https://athenaherd.org/">Athena Herd Foundation</a>. As I was reviewing the material for today's session, I realized that two of the videos we had assigned the group are actually pertinent to my <a href="https://ordinary-time.blogspot.com/2024/02/warning-signs.html?m=1">post from Sunday</a>. I think they are also just really useful for parents or anyone who works with children and young people. They don't take long and are well worth your time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/msJnpcP-i1k" width="320" youtube-src-id="msJnpcP-i1k"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x5Xw75lv3t8" width="320" youtube-src-id="x5Xw75lv3t8"></iframe></div><br /><p>One of the main takeaways is that adults working with children need to know their own bodily states so that they can create safety for the children around them. One reason I am excited by Equine Assisted Learning is that it is a valuable tool for gaining that self awareness. If you want to be a better parent, spending time with horses via Equine Assisted Learning is a very effective way to reach that goal.</p><p><a href="https://www.bittersweet-farm.com/">Bittersweet Farm LLC </a></p>thecurrysevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932092243753160814noreply@blogger.com0