Soul Stirring

So, recently Pony Girl did a post on what she likes about Twilight. I totally agreed with everything on her list, but I now have one more to add.

I realized that one extra thing I've gotten from Twilight is an introduction to music that I probably wouldn't have happened upon otherwise. An eclectic range of music that I've really been missing out on. Last year, after seeing Twilight, I downloaded the soundtrack to my iPod...and then burnt myself a CD from it 'cause I'm old skool and don't have one of them iPod jack thingys in my car. ;) For the last year, I'd say that that CD has been in my CD player at least one day out of every week. For some weeks it didn't leave, but rather got played over and over and over again. I'd drive down the road daydreaming (um, but still concentrating) about doing a freestyle dressage routine to Paramore's "I Caught Myself" (never mind that my horse is barely greenbroke...it's a daydream, remember?)

It's funny, it actually took me a few listens through to warm up to it...and there are still a couple of songs there that I'm not crazy about...but that's with any CD right? But for the most part, I really love the CD and the variety of music included on it.

With a different director for New Moon, I was a little skeptical about whether or not I would like this new soundtrack. But a couple of weekends ago, I was at Wal*Mart and there it was next to me in the check out line (I mean seriously...is it possible to be anywhere these days without standing next to something New Moon?!) ;) Curiosity got the best of me so I threw it in my basket (blushing and feeling like a teenybopper). Once in my car I immediately popped it into the CD player, preparing to let the New Moon mood wash over me, transporting me to Twilight land.

But it didn't happen for me right away. Once again, it took a couple of listens through before it really got under my skin. But then it did and now I'm hooked. And it hasn't left my CD player since. I've been missing listening to my favorite morning show on my way in to work, but I'm alright with that.

One of my favorite songs on the soundtrack is "Roslyn" by Bon Iver (with St. Vincent). It's the one that first got me sucked in...then the rest of the songs followed suit. Curious about this band, I googled 'em and learned that the lead singer is from Wisconsin and wrote the majority of the songs on their most recent record while hibernating in a cabin in northern Wisconsin, nursing a broken heart. Then, in an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Kristen Stewart mentioned the band and they talked about a you tube video of them singing a capella...so of course I had to check it out. And it was AMAZING. One of those things that you feel in your guts, ya know? I totally dig that kind of music.

If y'all want to check it out here ya go...

Sunday Stills: Fins, Fur, and Feathers

This week's Sunday Stills challenge of Fins, Fur, and Feathers (did I get that order right?) was a fun one! Of course, this time of year, there's no shortage of fuzzy fur around here!

As much as I love my smooth summer horsie, I also like him furry in the winter so I can warm up my cold fingers when we're visiting!

His winter coat had already started coming in by early September this year and he's definitely my fuzzy furball now! Can you see my handprint remaining? :)

For fins I went to the archives and chose this cute picture of the Orcas at Sea World. Such an unbelievable show they put on. I think eveyone leaves that show wanting to be a whale or dolphin trainer. ;) I know I do.

Lastly, for feathers, a photo of one of our resident hawks. I think I've already posted this guy...for Skywatch Friday if I remember correctly. But I don't have a whole ton of other birds pictures, so here he is again! I'm definintely now going to make it a goal to get more bird shots. They're just so fast! Kinda hard to capture.

Well, that's it! Thanks for visiting...hope everyone has a great week! :)

And up from the barn, there arose such a clatter!

Okay, pardon the Christmas reference...I know we're not quite there yet. But I couldn't help but think of that poem this evening when up from the barn came the familiar clang-clang-clang of Mr. Arab kicking his feed bucket to beckon me to come out and give him his "seconds". Can anyone say demanding? Sheesh. :)

As you can see in the photo above, he has parked himself just perfectly in front of the bucket and if you look closely you will see his right rear hoof poised to deliver a few perfectly placed kicks. He's very clear about getting his message across.

You would not believe how loud this is! I can be in the house, with a washer going and TV on and hear it as though he's right in the backyard. He's definitely close to the house, but not that close!

I really don't mind though...after all, I did set up this routine. See, I feed him so early in the winter (he insists on eating by dusk...otherwise MAJOR Arab-tude ensues). So, lately, I've been going back out around 8:00ish or so to give him either a little extra warm mush or a litte extra hay. And now that I've started it, he's not gonna let me skip an evening. But it's no biggie, 'cause I actually really enjoy going down and visiting with him...and I know he appreciates the company (although he probably appreciates the food more).

Doesn't he look so content now? :)

It will be so nice when we have a companion for him...I feel bad that he spends so much time alone, so I definitely try to make a point to visit with him frequently. After all, I am his herd for now! Except, of course, for when the elk come 'round...then I'm kicked to the curb while he visits with his girlfriends. The other morning my husband caught him standing at the front of the arena whinnying at them while they cow called back to him. Hilarious.

Anyway, that's off topic. Where was I? Oh, yeah...my demanding Arab. Gotta admire his tenacity, right? ;) Whatta nut.

For the love of your dog...

Okay...I don't do this often, but I'm going to clamber up onto my soap box for a minute. Those of you who don't like soapbox climbers...better not keep reading.

Tonight I had a scary thing happen on the way home...I came very close to hitting one of our neighbor's dogs. Who also happens to be a Weimaraner, so I have an extra soft spot in my heart for him. Not that I don't love ALL dogs. ;)

Anyway, it was about 4:50-5:00ish, definitely dusk. Now, we may live out in the sticks, but our road is a county road and does serve quite a few houses. And unfortunately, a lot of people go WAY too fast on it. Fortunately, though, I was tooling along pretty slowly...I especially always try to slow down a bit when I'm passing in front of people's houses. As I was passing this little guy's house all of a sudden I saw a blur of grey streak out in front of my car and jump around by my left front tire. He was close. It totally startled me...I jumped in my seat and my heart started pounding furiously. I always try to keep my eyes peeled in this area, but with this guy's coloring (he's the same color as Caleb) he was very hard to see at dusk! I'm still trying to figure out where he came from. I think he might have been on the other side of the road and decided to dart out in front of me. Holy cow. Scared the crap out of me. And pissed me off too. I collected myself and pulled to the side...thought I might just mention to his owner that we had a close call. I got out and approached their driveway...finally the ding-dong comes out and feebly starts calling for him. Meanwhile, another neighbor is drives by and the dog is still running around.

Still shaken, I politely said to him, "you might want to keep him in when it's dark like this. I almost hit him." I promise, I was polite. Didn't yell or anything. Well, the creep doesn't even respond. No acknowldegement whatsoever. Hoping for some kind of response I said "that was really scary". Still nothing. What a butt. Just turns around and heads back for the garage. I was still shaking for about a half hour after this. One, because of the close call, and two, because of his rudeness!

Now, I realize it's really none of my business what people do with their animals. But I do think that we all have a responsiblity to look out for animals' safety. And especially when there's an incident that directly affects me, it becomes my business. That was a very close call and if I would have hit that little guy, my life would have been turned upside down in an instant. I was shaken enough just from the near miss.

It's not hard to be responsible. When you're not, it's not only unfair to your animal, but it's unfair for others who may have to suffer from the reprocutions of your irresponsibility.

Having said that, I will confess...I am a bit of a crazy dog lady. I know it and I embrace it. Maybe I'm a little over the top...by someone's standards anyway. But if there are moving vehicles around my dogs are either on a leash or in their kennel. When it's potty time, they're on their leashes and I'm out there in the rain with them. Even if it's at 2am. It's what I signed up for. Our property is not fully fenced yet and what fencing we do have is defininitely not Weimy proof.

If my dogs are ever off leash on our property playing, I'm with them watching. If Cabela gets a wild hair up her butt to go taking off over to the neighbor's I'm chasing after her and apologizing to the neighbors for the intrusion. Not acting like it's no big deal. And trust me, if we were near the main road where that other little guy lives there is NO WAY in H-E-double hockey sticks that they'd be allowed to run free and cross the road. Accidents can happen anytime and it usually happens in a split second.

Sometimes people (especially those who don't have dogs) look at me like I'm nuts. But I don't care. Being a dog owner is not always an easy (or fun) job. But again, it's what we sign up for. We are responsible for ensuring their well-being. And personally, I'd rather be known as a crazy dog lady and keep these knuckleheads around for as long as possible than have to deal with the unthinkable alternative.

Okay, stepping down now. Sorry for the bitch-fest. But thanks for listening. ;) I feel a little better now.

November 1st

Wow. We had the most unbelievably BEAUTIFUL day here today. The only thing that wasn't perfect about it was the whole "falling back" thing...I hate when it gets dark so early! Oh, well...time to hibernate I guess! But I was sure glad to get one last really nice (and even warm!) day in before I retire to my den. ;)

Before night fell, I decided to load up the crazies and take a little drive. They love going for rides and I wanted to try to get some good full moon shots. With the clear sky, turning leaves, and the smell of woodstove in the air we were in heaven. Both dogs had their little snouts poked through the crack of their windows, taking in the smells of a fall evening.

We headed out my favorite "Sunday Drive" road for a few miles 'till we reached the entrance to our locally managed timberland area. I pulled over and got a couple of shots, but didn't linger too long...

I really wanted to get back to the bridge that goes over the river by our house before it got too dark. I had a feeling the moon would soon be at just the right height in the sky & I didn't want to miss it!

These photo turned out a little dark, so I might have to do some messin' around with them. But I really like how the moonlight is reflected on the water, the trees displaying their fall color, and the smoke from a bonfire hanging above them.

On the way back up our road, I looked to the left at one point and was surprised and delighted to see this beautiful sunset!

Shortly after I got home, darkness took over...it sure happens quickly this time of year! For the finale of my picture taking excursion, I was excited to get some extra moon shots, complete with spooky clouds. :)

In this cropped shot the clouds remind me of toasted marshmallows. :)

I had so much fun with this that I think I'm gonna try to make it a point to go out of my way to take pictures of something interesting on the first day of each month. I think it will be fun to have them in their own picture folder, representing what my world looks like at different times of the year. We'll see if I remember next month... ;)

Happy November!!

P.S. For all my fellow Twi-hards...JUST 18 DAYS TO GO!!!