Tuesday, September 03, 2019

He weighs 25 lbs., is smaller than a medium-size dog, and is protective, determined, and loyal to the hilt. This fellow has lived with me for nine of his ten years, and might be destined to become a “favorite pup”.

It never occurred to me to have a fav, an okay label, although I appreciate and enjoy all four of my dogs, each distinctive in appearance, personality, and social needs. They have in common wanting to be with me wherever and anytime. My property isn’t fully fenced so they can’t be with me always, but have for themselves a large fenced area. In the old days I rode horseback with all the dogs running along–lovely experiences on the trails! These days I don’t ride, but instead drive my horses, usually on neighborhood streets where dangers confront loose dogs. Besides, dogs don’t understand wheels and my rig could do damage.

Creating a constant companion seems okay because I used to have one–a relationship forced on me by a little fifteen pound dog with health issues. She wouldn’t be left alone, didn’t take up much space, was accommodating about being lifted and moved around, and did her best to be protective. We were together several years before she passed away from her chronic illness. To my great surprise, I miss her companionship.

These days, with plenty of dogs and not wishing to adopt another, I consider Louie, the smallest and with a large personality, who’d love being special. He’s slightly problematic though, for unlike my earlier little companion doesn’t enjoy seeing strangers approaching and wanting to touch him. And I’ve found that people usually hope to be friendly with this cute mini-Aussie in his blue merle coat. Louie has marbled (multi-colored) eyes that confuse where his gaze might be aimed. Nonetheless, he can direct a very effective stink eye toward a would-be overly-friendly stranger.

Lately, I’ve noticed Louie limping slightly on his right front leg, maybe he has some arthritis, and so, it could be appropriate to remove him from the pack full-time, to be more with me. Maybe he could learn to ride beside me, behind the horses, if I could ensure his safety. But as usual when planning, I jump ahead of the initial move, which is to start separating him from the others in a way that limits competitive ruckus.

Dear Friends: Oh my, falling big time for a lap dog! Who’d have guessed? Diana

Monday, September 02, 2019

Labor Day! Another end of summer. It cools down some after sundown, and that’s welcome, for until recently all our 24-7’s were sweltering. During the night before last, coyotes came to call. They’d been in the neighborhood awhile because in the distance dogs barked consistently. Nothing bothered me much, even when the four dogs in my bedroom periodically and noisily accompanied neighboring dogs. Suddenly, the sounds came from coyotes themselves, and they’re on my property!

It’s been a long while since coyote sounds last penetrated my household. Over the years, this side of town has become increasingly populated and busier with traffic. There are BLM lands nearby, and so, it seemed puzzling when the frequent deep night sounds of hunting coyotes nearly disappeared.

Now to try describing the sounds of truly wild animals. Coyotes produce nothing like the barks of domestic dogs, and instead make ear-wrenching screeches, not quite screams but unquestioningly sounding of wildness. Those screeches turned my dogs into their noisiest, got them running back and forth throughout the house. My cat had been sitting in a window, and now, leaped onto my bed and dived under the covers. I arose and peered through various windows to see where the coyotes actually were. Their sounds came from within 50 feet but no animals were visible. Something held them in place for long noisy minutes–a pause in action but not in sounds. Events must have occurred more quickly than it seemed, for suddenly, the coyote noises moved off and eventually quieted, but not for my dogs and others in outside surroundings, who continued sounding alarms.

I looked at the clock, it was around midnight, cool outside, perfect fall weather for nortunal animals, those who feed, those who hunt, and for packs cycling in sprees of wilding.

While searching for a visual for coyotes to accompany this essay, I was reminded of the many ways humans feel about these animals. For example, who can forget Looney Toon’s Wile E. Coyote and his nemesis the Roadrunner?

Coyotes are problematic for many reasons, for one they’re not terrifying although often not far away. They may live near civilization in relative success given that trapping and hunting are legal activities among the many who always dislike the animals. Others of us grew up watching Wile E. cartoons and still see coyotes in a “funny way” as wistful and humane creatures.

Listening to them the other night was a realistic and almost fearful experience. Those sounds of sheer wildness remind us that coyotes aren’t comical creatures. I like them anyway.

Dear Friends: A wilder world reminds us of itself by revisiting in pieces. Diana

Sunday, September 01, 2019

Yesterday, during some very expert training, I learned how to bend my horse, and bingo!, our turns became rounder and nicer. It helped, attending this clinic and hearing a new voice, different words, fresh ideas. It’s important to work my horses on details of training each time we’re out. In other words, no more simply bogeying down the road.

This new awareness makes me realize how much I can compartmentalize learning. For example, training tips with my horses, it seemed, would arise as I’m drawing closer to driving competitively. But clearly, learning must be applied now and ongoing. Training is a ticket to improving communications with my horses.

The clinic instructor explained how to avoid surprising the horse by using reins to signal, at least a horse-head ahead of my real horse’s head, what next will happen, thus setting the horse’s expectation for a next move. We practiced by turning Sunni at an arena’s corner. I kept her moving straight alongside the rail, and on nearing a corner, I slightly tilted Sunni’s head toward the anticipated turn before giving her an actual signal to turn.

It will take planning and practice to get me and my horses up to speed. It will require routine training during our exercise outings. It will mean that I will start viewing our streets differently, by locating spots (or markers) to guide our moves. For example, turning around in a cul de sac will mean me sighting ahead pre-identified spots, for guidance, while circling my horse (at a rate of my choice, not the horse’s), until our turns are coordinated, round, and smooth.

Dear Friends: Success begins with a realistic large perspective and goal setting. Diana

Saturday, August 31, 2019

I intend to end this month with courage and step into September feeling renewed. The other day, I felt myself a looser for not having better been prepared for the driving clinic I attended. Even after this summer’s many lessons, I couldn’t seem to comprehend and follow many of the clinician’s instructions.

In the day between that lesson and another this afternoon, I drove both horses on the neighborhood streets. This time, instead of having them trot several miles for exercise before coming home, I changed the format. I moved them in differing speeds and asked alternately for a whoa, walk, trot, slow, and trot. I used both rein and voice commands and when possible, tapered vocal instructions, using only reins. Sunni adapted more easily than Rosie, who disliked my interrupting her focus on possible bears behind trees, but she had to cooperate.

Both mares adapted well enough during a first lesson on neighborhood streets. But I had an epiphany…couldn’t get them to turn smoothly (correctly), neither left nor right, nor in circles. Most of our driving lessons have centered on turning and circling and I’ve not been practicing. Instead, I compartmentalized those lessons, set them aside for a show ring someday. No practice and somewhat forgotten.

Today is a renewal. I’ll listen differently and use what I learn. From now on, our drives will include technical lessons. Although it’s embarrassing to try and work with an expert, and simply not “get it”, the jolt of a wake up call is worthwhile.

Dear Friends: Comprehension and learning are complex. Never give up. Diana

Friday, August 30 2019

En route to my first ever driving clinic, I felt knowledgeable enough about driving a horse to slip past all but the most critical radar. Uh huh, sure, and the world-class driver who was our instructor knew right away that I didn’t have much of a handle on anything. Besides, I was confounded by Sunni, who unlike her normal self stayed in a big hurry while I fumbled to lower her energy (she had transitioned into hyper-Rosie). It was as if we’d never had a training session.

I could feel Suzy (the instructor) reducing her energy. She stepped into the carriage, rode with me and provided basic driving instructions–kind, patient, knowledgeable–repeating many things our trainer, Megan, has said, but enough differently to capture my attention. In that situation, all our street work was meaningless, for now, Sunni and I had to practice competition-style driving. Suzy worked us in 40 meter circles (yes, exactly 40 meters), and each circle had to be round, smooth, accurate, with Sunni’s gait exact and steady. In a nutshell, nothing like our street driving.

Sunni and I have practiced 40 meter circles with Megan, but new eyes and a new voice threw me, and in my discomfort I couldn’t adequately control my horse. It didn’t take Suzy long to reassure and calm me, and so, together we reconnected with Sunni. Finally, things went better, but not enough. There’s much work ahead if there’s to be a competition in my future.

We discussed how to practice discipline while out on the streets. Suzy suggested choosing a mailbox and walking the horse in a controlled straight line to another mailbox; or setting my cart’s wheels near the far edge of a curve and moving the horse into a smooth turn; or (if it feels safe enough) driving on the wrong side of the street, against traffic, in order to circle right and across (most on-street circling is toward the left). Today, Sunni and I will practice discipline using these methods (and others that come to me) while out on the street.

Tomorrow, Saturday, I’ve another session with Suzy. I had planned to spend it in the field where courses are set up for cones and obstacles. Now, instead, I will opt to work again in the arena, on those 40 meter circles. Hopefully, I’ll be less fearful and perform better, and if so, Sunni who takes cues from me will cooperate nicely.

Dear Friends: It’s Emerson’s Law of Compensation, expectations vs. outcomes. Diana

Thursday, August 28, 2019

I’ve hustled to create another video, this time of Sunni being driven on neighborhood streets. It’s short and slightly boring because this mare is cooperative and great, without spooks, swerves, or worries. She performs as asked for as long as her driver wants.

That’s why she’s going with me today, to Lebanon, to attend a driving clinic. We’ll ride with and learn from a person who wins frequently in driving competitions. We’ll actually make the trip twice, today and again on Saturday. Today, we’ll work on dressage in the arena, and on Saturday, we’ll be in the field to make timed runs over courses arranged with cones and obstacles.

The advantage of partnering with a dependable and trusted horse is that she will leave me free to concentrate on accuracy in order to save precious seconds. We can be speedy by using short-cuts to hasten finishing a course. That’s exactly as we would do in real competitions. Thankfully, having a great horse is a relief, but as for me–myself not so great. I’ve a chronic problem of not quickly finding my right hand or my left. If my deficit results (often the case) in asking Sunni to take wrong directions, our time will fade away.

I’ve tried really hard to find ways to get “right” right. Must keep trying, but so far this lifelong pain in the behind sticks.

Anyway, this day will be a fine one to get into my head another voice of authority along with that of our trainer. Meanwhile, you might enjoy a relaxing 30 seconds of touring the neighborhood with Sunni and me. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaojxKIstiU

Dear Friends: This hobby of driving, it’s creating a life of its own. Diana

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

I’m in a great mood, noticeably, and it’s a bit overwhelming. This morning, the horses came into the barn quietly and cooperatively, fish in the watering troughs sprang upward for their eats, and a surprised bunny (a pretty white and brown cottontail) dashed from the barn. She might have a nest with babies under the hay, for this is the second morning she’s bounced away upon my appearance. I gaze at our mountain range emerging from a mist. Even the surrounding weeds aren’t particularly bothersome. I take a closer look at the Sego Lilies. They’re still here, tall and straight, but with pedals closed together. In years past, they’ve not remained visible this long. Maybe the difference is from all the rain that landed this summer.

On my early brief outings to feed large animals, my four dogs stay inside the house to lessen their waves of barking, but even from the barn they’re noisy. Anyway they’re inside and hopefully less intrusive. On re-entering the house, I get a new boost, for noticeably, the carpet’s been vacuumed. Yes, I’m into cleaning the house, always a production, and as usual, because I’m anticipating guests. With all else to take care of on this small acreage with large animals and my part-time job, there’s little time (and so little energy) for diligent inside maintenance. I’m happier when the inside job is done.

Maybe this is why my improved mood–more’s getting into order. The weather is cooler, animals are cooperating, my part-time working hours are reduced, and the vehicles and tools are in decent working order. This is a good day to go buy a lottery ticket!

Dear Friends: Boil everything to an essence, and Voila! Simple is da’ bomb. Diana

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

As I write, my newly-finished one-minute video slowly is uploading to You Tube. If the clip actually shows up online, and correctly, I’ll keep the GoPro Camera. It’s with me on a trial basis and has generated a steep learning curve. First, the camera has complex photographic capabilities, more than I’ll ever need; and second, it’s tiny with too many parts, difficult to hold onto while messing with; and third, one must understand how to capture from it, how to save pictures and video externally and post them independently.

GoPro tries to own what’s in its memory and will export only to Facebook or You Tube. Those sites suit me, but so far none of my exports have reached their destinations, haven’t materialized on either platform. I decided trying to download from GoPro, save to my computer, and on my own perform the editing and exporting. After researching and experimenting, I came across “Lightworks”, a complex but do-able video editing software with a free trial period. And thus finally, my little feature has been created and is en route to You Tube.

My editing goals weren’t complicated. I reduced five-minutes of “driving Rosie” footage to one-minute and added a title. The hardest thing was having to kill four cool minutes of our travels, but only I would hang in throughout the whole show. There’s so much possible in working with video, especially if there’s also time to experiment and play with possibilities. The same is true of a GoPro, which despite its smallness has amazing capabilities. While learning to use this camera and the trial editing software, I’m targeting to achieve what’s most simple. If it happens ultimately that I wind up knowing more, than at the start I wished to get my arms around, that’s a bonus.

Okay, the video successfully has uploaded and is going live to viewers. Please check it out and tell me what you think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGJsaP8yeLI

Dear Friends: These sleepless hours of learning are over, finally and happily. Diana

Monday, August 26, 2019

My friend, Susie, who lives in the neighborhood loop where my horses routinely are exercised, was out bicycling. She spotted Rosie pulling our cart, fell in and bicycled behind to come for a visit. We’ve been friends for a year but this was Susie’s first tour of my little ranch to meet the critters and see how the setup works.

Horses are friend magnets and that’s what drew Susie and me together. Unlike many in the neighborhood who enjoy hearing, seeing, and greeting/touching my animals, Susie is an ex-horsewoman, an experienced rider. Like all with that life experience, she’s greatly drawn to horses. So, we got to know each other. Susie’s joined me in the cart behind Sunni several times. From her years living in the neighborhood with a passion for bicycling, she knows every inch of this area. From Susie, I’ve learned local places to drive a horse that otherwise I might not have discovered.

Susie is busy and must carve out time for little jaunts with my horses and me. She and her creative husband, Dale, operate a small manufacturing business–building very specialized ladders designed by Dale for use in repairing helicopters. I’ve seen these ladders, unique in design for their intended jobs, and beautiful to behold–modular, colorful, intricately balanced. The second impression that sighting one conjures in my mind is “ladder”. The first is “art object”!

Anyway, she insisted on helping me replace a battery in a beeping smoke alarm, set too high for me to reach. We hauled a not-pretty extension ladder up from the hay shed and set it for climbing about 10 feet toward the smoke alarm. I tried to go up but felt too insecure, upon which Susie fearlessly stepped upward and changed the battery. (It’s a mitzvah, knowing one who knows ladders.)

Thanks, Susie!

Dear Readers: Emily Dickinson said it right, “My friends are my estate.” Diana

For days I’ve been trying to understand a GoPro Camera before finalizing its purchase. This is a complex little instrument, I’ve figured out its basics, enough to capture videos of my horses being driven. My next step, editing a video is more difficult. It seems that the GoPro essentially owns its videos, won’t allow them downloaded from the camera to a video-editing software other than what GoPro provides. After editing a clip using GoPro’s software, the setup enables sharing only to Facebook and You Tube. I’d be happy having a clip on either site, but haven’t managed to upload a 60-second video clip. All my attempts have failed, and how-to-do is a mystery that finally has become tiring and discouraging.

The alternative sent me researching on the internet which introduced me to various editing software, some really complicated, like for example, mainly geared to develop 3-D animated videos. Uh huh, not for me. I sought a most simple program, hopefully do-able and free. It needed somehow to grab from GoPro a video for editing, and then, transfer the finished product to social media. Ideally, an edited video would be uploaded to my You Tube channel, and from there directed to Facebook.

Editing a video clip used to be simple. In the old days Microsoft provided an editing program, “Windows Movie Maker”. Using it was a breeze. You’d import a video clip, edit it, add subtitles and music, and upload to anywhere. Now apparently, MS no longer supplies or supports WMM–an enormous loss to we who enjoy, but are total novices when it comes to video technologies.

Even if I learn successfully how to post videos from GoPro, this camera might not be a keeper. I’m adventurous but don’t cover lots of territory, and frequent videos of my horses trotting on drives through our neighborhood won’t hold interest. Except perhaps to me, for the value of recognizing my mistakes in handling the reins during a drive.

Whatever comes from all this, I’ll be more aware of how to use videos. I’ll understand better their shooting and editing, varieties of supportive software, and the fine art of assembling pictorial communications.

Dear Readers: It’s another example of how life experiences force us to learn. Diana