Two Weeks Out

Looked at the calendar and was surprised to see that it's been two weeks since the move. Today was the first day that I felt like I was going to be okay here. Not that I've been moping around or anything. I was just...numb. Just going through the motions and trying to keep moving, trying to keep busy, because when I stopped, it got unbearable. So much has happened in the last six months, and I had been packed and living out of boxes back home for more than a few months. For so long, everything was geared towards the goal of moving, with twin layers of excitement and sorrow/loss permeating my days. With the move now accomplished, it has taken me a while to wake up and start living again. Still miss my friends, both human and equine, back home, and I've got spring break marked on my calendar as an incentive to work hard and do well and maybe, just maybe, go visit. It is nice to know that I'm going to be okay here.

Today was yet another foggy day. Maybe that's why I wasn't so homesick today! lol. Spent the greater part of the day working on the Needs sections of the two grants I've been assigned to. Now that I have all the statistics collected, the writing part comes. I did not go to the university today, because of the work I did at home. Will go in tomorrow; and maybe I'll get to see the office space that I'll be sharing with someone. How cool is that--Emily will have an office at the university!

After working all day, I went out to work with the horses. This was their second day of real work since they moved. Amazing how much they have settled down. They both have pretty good work ethics. The best part of working them today was getting to see Giovanna's real trot-canter transitions. See, I have never gotten to work her on good enough footing for her to really work on the canter. I don't count when we worked at Elaine's, because we were learning so much about working together, and she was kind of a fruit-loop and dashing off. With this footing, she was able to show me that she can depart nicely into the canter, and can have smooth transitions. Now we can actually work on the canter and get it going. She's got a lot to live up to, with her brother Maisa's near "10" canter! Sorry, no pictures of canter yet. I'm not coordinated enough to hold lunge, whip, and camera at the same time, at the canter. Soon.

Giovanna trotting. Taking pictures while they are working on the lunge is not easy. Hence the slack rope hitting the ground. Not great form on my part.

Giovanna walking. The webbing going from the saddle, to her bit, to the D-ring on the girth is to help her learn to balance and carry her self in a way that will make it easier for her to carry a rider. They are called Balancing Reins. It is not natural for horses to carry weight on their backs, so if you can teach them to use their back, hind legs, and abdominal muscles in a certain way, it will be better for them. Also more comfortable to ride.

Giovanna walking the other direction. Pretty mare.

Berhwood walking out. What a handsome boy. I think this is actually a downward transition from trot to walk. When I started taking the picture he was trotting, but when it was done, he was walking.

Berhwood trotting. A round boy.

Georgia now uses the doggie ramps that Stuart installed, 87.53% of the time. It is pretty cute, watching her. Arcy still thinks they are for old dogs, and she is not interested in admitting that she is an old dog!

Arcy:"Um, Emily, I believe it is 6:07, and we get a can of food now, don't we?"

"No, I don't use ramps."

Georgia thinks she ought to model these doggie coats for the catalog. She cuts quite the striking figure, doesn't she?

Correction: Eagle Island IS an island. I looked at the park on a large map last night, and found that the park, including the lake, is an island in the middle of the Boise River. The river splits in two, and forms a north and south fork. On the other side of the island, the two forks merge again. So, I stand corrected!

Okay, back to statistics.