Goals Aren't Just for Horses

I have realized that goals are not just for horses.

They can be for writing too.

So I have develloped a timeline for my novels so I can try and keep to is as a timeline of goals.

Current Novel I'm working on:
Cinderella Wolf (CW)

Novels in Progress but On Hold:
His Red Motorbike (HRM)
Ellipsis Blue (EB)
The Light (L)
The Cat Journal (MEOW)

Future Novels:
Metallic Moon (MM)
NaNoWriMo novel (??)

Here is a general idea of this year:

January: Continue CW
February: Continue CW
March: Continue CW
April: Continue CW
May: Finish CW, Finish HRM
[ My 2 Summer Projects: Ellipsis Blue & Metallic Moon] 
June: Continue Ellipsis Blue, Start Metallic Moon
July: Continue Ellipsis Blue, Continue Metallic Moon
August: Continue EB, Continue MM
September: Finish EB, Finish MM
October: Editing/ submitting
November: Pick a novel for NaNoWriMo
December: Continue NaNoWriMo book

Its a tight schedule but I think if I really commit, then I can get it done.
The real challenge will be juggling EB and MM in the summer, but with no school I can see myself managing. I want to challenge myself.

Also I realize that The Light and The Cat Journal are not included in the schedule. I'm sure I will find time for them in there somewhere, if I finish something early. The Light may become my NaNoWriMo book, even though I've already started.

That was my bit. I'm going to post a sample of MM tomorrow. >:)

Cheers,
Julia

When asked why my horses are so special to me, I said this:


My horses aren't just horses. They are my angels. Not religious angels, just angels. 


They are always there when I need them, no matter what. They make sure they make me laugh when I'm sad. They make me feel safe when I'm scared. They make me see reason when I'm unreasonable. I didn't save them. They saved me and they still save me every day. I couldn't imagine my life without either one of them. 


Sharlie is my joker, my sweetheart. She makes me smile and laugh, and even though we argue I know that she still loves me and she knows I still love her.


 Casper is my saviour. He always pulls me out when I'm in a dark place. I am convinced he was a pegasus in his previous life. He is truly my soulmate in horse form. I've never felt so close to a horse as I have with Casper. Of course Sharlie and Casper are special to me.


 Wouldn't your guardian angels be special to you?

To Be Forgiven

   A few years ago, over the summer I attempted to join up with Casper (who at the time was Little Britches) in an attempt to prove my worthiness and to try and reach out the the conservative pony. There was very little progress in either way. He would go on, around and around, for almost an hour before finally giving some signals of wanting to stop. Even the best he would do was just stop and look at my turned back. He would not...or perhaps could not... come in and meet me in the middle.

   After a time I learned more and more about Casper's horsenality and just more about Natural Horsemanship in general. I realized that by attempting to join up with him I had made a mistake. I began hating myself for what I did. The experience with joining up in the round pen had only added to Casper's fear and resentment of the round pen.

   Another thing on the lists which he didn't understand what was wanted of him.

   One of my 'things' with Casper is forgiveness. I hope and work toward Casper forgiving me for the sins done by myself and others before me.

   Casper forgiving me for that terrible summer was on the list.

   Recently Mom was encouraging me to try again. Finally, on Saturday, I decided I would try. I had to admit our relationship wwas much stronger than before and he was practically a different horse now compared to before.

   So I gave it a try. At first he panicked. So I took off a lot of the pressure, asking him to just stay in the trot. After several laps I began to worry that it had been a mistake. He was still tense, panicky. Maybe I should just quit before the damage is too severe.

   That was when he began to relax and settle into a slow trot. He didn't lower his head or chew the air, but he had his ear fixed on me and he blew out severa times.

   I turned away from him and listened carefully to the slowing of hooves. Then there was silence. He wasn't walking. He wasn't eating. He was just standing there, on the edge again.

   "He is looking at you." Mom whispered.

   So that is it I thought in despair. A horse who can't join me in the middle. Not that I didn't love him any less. If anything, I loved him more. He was about to add another question to the list of mysteries titled "Casper's Questions."


   I was about to turn to reward him for trying when I heard the quiet thudding of hooves on dirt approaching. I stayed perfectly still. Barely even breathing.


   Then he nudged my shoulder. I turned and hugged him affectionately. I almost cried I was so happy.


   I could see in his eyes that he had forgiven me. If he had even needed to forgive me in the first place. More importantly, I forgave myself.

Conyers Countdown begins TODAY!!!

Conyers Countdown begins TODAY! Just over 30 days to go!!!!!!

Light as a Feather & Troubles of the Bit

Feather Line: I love you!


You know when something new things come out and you are sure it is a complete and utter waste of money and you don't need it, and then you are usually proved wrong?


That was my attitude towards the Feather Line when it first came out. I saw Pete Rodda play with his horse at the Summit a couple years ago and my first impression was it was for extremely advanced levels.


I grudgingly tried a Feather Line for the first time at camp with Kara in the summer of  2011. The first impression was everything.


It was a revelation. An epiphany.


You almost never realize you are doing something wrong until someone points it out to you. The Feather Line was that 'someone.' I never realized just how 'loud' I was being when I played with Sharlie and Casper. With the help of that line, I made some pretty amazing progress on myself during the duration of camp.


[Look for the "Back To The Herd" camp blog posts in June 2011 to read more.]


Since camp I have been begging, bargaining and saving to buy a pair of Feather lines. I planned to buy someat Conyers at the end of February but thank you SANTA CLAUS I got a pair for Christmas!


Quick, find some clips that are strong enough to endure a run-away horse! We don't have any? Well I'll just use these instead!


Wait for the rain to stop! Waiting for the rain to stop...3 days later...
Alright Sharlie, let's see what you got!


She flew on that line. She danced. There weas a few ugly expressions when I asked something wrong, or if I asked too strongly, or if I just asked too much. We played for about half an hour which is about when she realized I had no treats.


That ended pretty quickly. *laughs*

NOW onto troubles of the BIT! (Focusing on Casper)


As all of you know- or most of you at least- Casper and I have been going through the very slow but very educational process of starting. It has been an interesting journey so far and we have recently reached another wall to break through (One of several)


Riding with a  bridle


This, of course, isn't an immediate concern. But it was an important beginning of a step to share.


The other day I rode Casper in a bridle for the first time since he had been with me. I was usnure how I would react, let alone how he would react!
He was tese. (DUH). He tried to eat a couple times but after I corrected him he stopped. His walk was fast and choppy for the most part, until the last minute or so of our ride. He calmed down, so stupid me, asked him to trot instead of rewarding him by getting off.


He shot forward and I tensed before trying to pull him to a stop. It didn't work and he just went faster attempting to dislodge me more. I panicked and thought "This is how I die. Death by trot."


Luckily there was a fence post in front of us so I just aimed him for that and he stopped.


I immediadtly jumped off and just walked him around to calm him down. When we had both recovered from the shock, we went back to the field.

Fun little experience, no?


That tis all for now!


Julia

Horse Poem

Why do I like horses?

 I think I must be mad. 

My mother wasn’t horsey - and neither was my dad. 

But the madness hit me early - and hit me like a curse.

 And I’ve never got much better. In fact, I’ve just got worse.


 My stables are immaculate. My house is like a hovel. 


Last year for my birthday - I got a brand-new shovel.
 
I hardly read a paper - but I know who’s sold their horse.

And I wouldn’t watch the news - unless Mr Ed was on, of course. 

One eye’s always on the heavens - but washing waves in vain. 

As I rush to get the horses in - in case it’s going to rain. 

And though they’re wearing 15 rugs, the best that you can get, 

I bring them in to keep them dry - while I get soaking wet. 

I spend every pound I’ve got- on horsey stuff for sure.
 
I buy saddles, bridles, fancy rugs - and then I buy some more.
 
I should have had my hair cut - or bought that nice blue shirt,
 
At least it wouldn’t now look ripped and showing up the dirt. 

I can’t make the books balance - so I don’t even try. 

But I can back up a car and trailer in the twinkling of an eye.
 
It’s jeans and joddy boots that I live in night and day.
 
And that smell of sweaty horses just doesn’t wash away. 

Once every now and then I dress up for a ball,
 
With make-up and posh hairdo- and high-heel shoes and all.

I ache from long-forgotten falls. My knees have got no skin.
 
My toes have gone a funny shape from being squashed again.

But late at night, when all is still- and I’ve gone to give them hay, 

I touch their velvet softness and my worries float away.
 
They give a gentle nicker and they nuzzle through my hair.
 


And I know where my heart is - more here than anywhere.

New Year's Resolutions

My New Year's Resolutions are the following:

- 2012 will be a year to meet new people and make connections in the Natural Horsemanship and Parelli world.

- I shall finish at least one novel and continue to improve my writing.

- I shall continue to put the relationship first with both Sharlie and Casper, fix my flaws and make progress in our horsemanship journey.

- Survive the end of the world. :)


Upcoming Posts in the new year:


~Light as A Feather & The Troubles of The Bit


~"Horses Never Lie" by Mark Rashid Review


~ What You Will Find in My...


~ The Search for the Saddle: It's ON!


~ Hesitation in a Step

Book Review: Horses Never Lie by Mark Rashid

Hey guys!

This is a new thing I want to do for the blog, if only till the end of summer. Not only is this an attempt at attracting more readers and followers, (who am I to complain though with almost 10,000 views) this is also an attempt to read more non-fiction and horse related literature.

So I just finished reading Mark Rashid's book Horses Never Lie and to describe it in one word: magical.

This edition of Horses Never Lie by Mark Rashid was combined with beautiful drawings and sketches as well as well-spaced words. Overall it's rather large book but it's such an easy read.

I believe that the rather large layout makes it easier to read. The whole atmosphere of the book and reading the book is magical itself. Mark Rashid gets you very detailed examples are both entertaining and educational and give you a clear picture of what he's talking about.

Being the kind of person I am I need to rate it out of five stars. I would give this 4.5 out of 5 stars because while it was very entertaining and educational read, it did tend to lag in some parts. This could be just me and my problem or it could be the book itself that's up to the reader to decide.

One thing that I feel I must point out is that through his writing, you can find that Mark Rashid actually has a great sense of humor. His words are also able to relate to you how easy and laid back he is. I can truly admire a writer who can indirectly inform the reader of what his personality is because I've read too many books where the writer is cold and inpersonal.

I do look forward to reading his other books in the near future.

Curious Casper- MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hello everyone,

I know I have been absent from here for a long time so I think that this is the time for a well deserved blog post.

School is finally out for the holidays. I plan to do a lot of writing and riding. Or- knowing winter weather- just a lot of horsey time.

As my Christmas post I have decided to talk about my darling Casper. Honestly- what is new with Sharlie? Not much...

Plus Casper and Christmas...both begin with C! :)

So Curious Casper. I have noticed that Casper's attitude while being ridden with or without a bareback pad/saddle are different. Completely bareback he is relaxed and curious. (Though it kills me because it is so bony. It is actually really painful) However with a pad (which is much more comfortable for me) or saddle he is tense, walks faster and more likely to spook.

A few days ago I went to go play with both Sharlie and Casper and I rode both. I rode Casper with the bareback pad and he was very difficult. I needed to cool off so I put him in the round pen while i played with Sharlie.

When I came back 20 minutes later to take him back to the field, I hopped on him completely bareback with just a halter and leadrope- no helmet, no nothing. And he was the best little horse I could imagine. He was curious, wanting to investigate everything. He even tried to climb into the tackroom. He went up to and pawed at the roof tilings that he had found terrifying only an hour before.

Perhaps it was my attitude too, as well as his that caused this.

One thing is for sure. No matter what I do when I ride Casper, I always feel extremely safe on him. Even when he is like a coiled spring, ready to be released. I've ridden him a bit without a helmet and those rides seem to be the best that we have.

Merry Christmas
Julia

PS- Sorry its short. Will have another post on this subject in a few weeks. :)

Read this. :)

10 things to stop caring about today! Really good.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/76SGnt/www.marcandangel.com/2011/10/02/things-to-stop-caring-about-today/

Kitty Cats

Walle!

Wikipedia

Wabu

Wabu

Wapka

Wiki

Just felt like sharing my adorable kitties with you guys!

Wapka: Wapka is the oldest cat. He is black and white, has the cat equivalent of a beer belly and is about 70 if you translate from cat years. He has traveled the world. We believe he was born on the Mexico/California border before being picked up by the pound in Orange County. We adopted him and since then he has traveled to South Carolina, France, England and now Tennessee. He is grumpy, lazy and loves Gold Fish and Lays. Don't question it! 

Walle: You know how they say someone has 'lost their marbles'? Well Walle never had any marbles to begin with. Walle is open, friendly but still rather stupid. He is the cat that you will find laying out in the middle of the street when the garbage truck is coming. Walle is now 3 years old and has lived on this block of the neighborhood his whole life. He was born next door and now lives here. He is the hunter of the family. (As proven by the dead squirrel on the porch as well as countless birds, mice and chipmunks) There has been some suspicion he is an alien from another planet here to steal human brains and replace them with his own. It has not been confirmed nor denied.

Wabu: We got Wabu about a year ago from the pound. At first he meowed and meowed and meowed. Never ever shut up! Now he is much more quiet. He has let his walls fall slightly and we can see the vunerable, insecure Wabu. (Which is not always a good thing!!) We now get to see paranoid Wabu, damsel in distress Wabu, can't-hold-onto-my-bladder Wabu and many more. However he can still be rather affectionate and lovable. We can only guess that Wabu used to live in a frat boy college dorm room/gay couple's apartment. Not quite sure which one. :)

Wikipedia:  THE FIRST GIRL CAT WE HAVE HAD IN OVER A DECADE! We picked up Wiki in the Mcdonald's parking lot.We planned to give her away to a good home because we were happy with our three cats (above) but she has wiggled into our hearts like some sort of adorable fluffy heart worm. She is rather intelligent and communicates via a series of purrs, squeaks and tiny mews. She the inspiration of a Christmas story I am writing. 

Walle & Lilly

Walle