The Owls Approve: April 2016

introspective ponderings

The above stolen photo is a wild hog, photographed in Valdosta. Prior to our move to Savannah back in 2010, I'd never seen a wild hog. I didn't realize this was a "thing". Our first experience with a wild hog was one probably twice the size of the above photo, hanging out in our parking lot of our townhouse. I assumed it was a domesticated pig (albeit a really fucking huge one) and started to approach it before D stopped me. In recalling the story to my local friends, I found out that I was a freaking idiot and that the wild hog population has a reputation of being nasty. There's a special section on Wiki for "attacks on humans".

Truck for reference.
I still think it's a domesticated pig.
Better safe than mauled?

In my Sunday trail rides, we've noticed the dirt road we ride on has been torn up and all we could think was that it was the wild pigs rooting or whatever. Snuffling the dirt. The other rider mentioned having seen one and, this past ride, we actually did an abrupt U-turn after seeing one walking in the other direction. I don't know if they'd go after a horse, but I don't particularly want to find out.

So last night, I take Archie back to that trail but intentionally plan to avoid the area where we saw the pig the day before. I'd had him trotting for a few minutes and finally let him break to a walk just as we were approaching the loop. Then we both hear a scream.

Fortunately, the giant scary never-seen wild hog screamed again, so I could tell where it was and knew that if we continued on our path, we'd be headed straight for it. I have never in my life ridden Archie like this, but I whipped him around while pressing my heels into him and told him to go. Again, no idea if they'd run screaming from him, but no interest in finding out. Of course, "go" for a geriatric crippled pony is an extended trot, but it was fine because it was safe and sustainable.

Of course the only heart rate it captures is "oh shit" mode.

And that's the story of how we got chased out of the woods by pig squeals.

I just need a hug.

Archie

Boldly They Rode and Well

10:00 AM
By Beka Burke
11 Comments

Humane Society

WW: What White Balance?

10:01 AM
By Beka Burke
12 Comments

farrier

Happy AF.

11:35 AM
By Beka Burke
21 Comments

It might be the new meds (surprise!), but I was just.. fucking thrilled with life this weekend. So before I puddle into contented goo, here's a small novel of some of the happy things:

Shoes

The Archer got his feets put back on. Sure, he was a total asshole the entire time, but shoes! The farrier went for a bigger shoe and was really satisfied with the results. I'm just happy to have two shoes on the Kid, because it means we can do more than gimp along in a boot at a walk. Like show off our ability to trot and canter in the ring. It's the little things.

New Rider

There's a new rider at the barn who is lessoning with the BM and leasing one of the BM's show ponies. It's not your typical situation. This isn't a kid or someone who's been riding forever or an adult re-rider. This lady has never ridden, her kids are almost grown, and, by god, she wants to be a dressage rider. I can't get over her passion. She asks questions, she talks theories, she absorbs everything we tell her and asks for more. It's refreshing. It's invigorating. Her passion is contagious and I love it.

Used the opportunity of riding Big G to explain to her how downward transitions start with the seat.
He's so sensitive that it was perfect.

Photos

The BM's kid and I did a trade off - I took some photos of her and her new (enormous) pony, and she reciprocated with some photos of the hubs and me. She's young, just got a dslr last Christmas and is a natural. I set it up on aperture-priority, set the ISO to auto, and tossed my camera with my 24mm lens into her hands. She'd never used a primary lens and she was phenomenal. She has a natural eye for composition and angles and I hope she keeps it up. She got some great photos, so here are some of my favorites.

I just like how gray my hair looks.

I thought long and hard about getting on Archie. And if we'd taken a single step, I wouldn't have. But I felt okay about sitting on him without a helmet in a relatively controlled setting. Vanity, your name is hypocrite.

More Photos

The Humane Society at which I volunteer got a studio set up donated by Purina. The requirement is that all my photos will now have to be on this white backdrop, which is more time-consuming, but it's freaking awesome to get some experience with remote flash photography and figuring out appropriate settings. Like, I can't shoot faster than 1/320, or I'm too fast for the flash. And, whoops, why am shooting the white cat on the white backdrop wide open? I always use the lowest F setting and had to ask the helper to bring that cat back once I figured out that I could close the aperture a smidge and actually see the cat. Prepare for those photos on Wednesday.

Trail Ride

Boss pony is cementing his position as trail leader. We took a group of three other riders on a trail ride yesterday, including the baby QH and the beginner rider, and we had absolutely no issues. No spooks, no falls, no panics, just perfection. I freaking love this horse. He kept one ear on the people behind us and periodically looked back to check their position. I rode on the buckle the entire time.

Listening ear.

Fitness/Appearance

Fuck squad goals. I have quad goals. I'm half-way through my third week in a new training program and it's kicking my ass. I love it. If you've got access to a gym and some experience, it's the free training program by Ashley Horner called Charlie Mike, offered via app for free from Bodybuilding.com. The first week is devoted to finding your one-rep max for a bunch of traditional lifts, then building on your ability to regularly lift a percentage of that. It's hard.

And, oh hey, I'm a serious blonde now. I took my stylist a few photos and walked out with a higher side cut and some high lights. It's petty, in the grand scheme of things, but I feel like every day I'm becoming more "me" again. And me is a blonde. With a hint of silver, because yes.

The Hubs

Ten years ago yesterday, I sent the man a friend request on Facebook, thinking that he'd blow me off like he did all through high school. Ten minutes later, I'm in the bathroom calling my bestie because he not only accepted, but messaged me with his email address and wanted to hang out. We've been together ever since.