Giant Toads and Shooting Stars

...also a surprise rainbow, some decent lightning, some good horse time, much siesta, and a sufficient amount of Pages.

That was Sunday and part of Saturday, post-lesson neep. Saturday afternoon we had rain--.15 inch, no less; the inch of toad-strangler hit west of us again. However it cleared up enough by evening that I was able to get in a ride on da Pook, and it was a most excellent ride. Riding after lessons is turning out to be a good idea. I have the lesson fresh in my mind, we've discussed Pooka even while working with someone else, and I'm primed to relax and let him show me how to do it. The rein problem is fading fast (thank god) and his trot work is getting more balanced and less panicky. We actually managed some trot circles, which look simple but are very difficult to do correctly. He's starting to allow as how I can, like, help him balance. And his trot under saddle is getting less freaky and easier to stay with--I don't boing onto his neck as much in the transitions.

Sunday was Very hot--104 in town, humidity to match. Evaporative coolers have trouble with this. They do not evaporate, therefore do not cool well. Every year someone says I should get a window a/c, but I have those narrow vertical windows and vertical units are pricey. There's always something else to spend the money on. So I end up flopped on the couch in front of a large fan, ice water near at hand, taking a siesta when the temp in the house hits 85.

I still managed to get quite a lot of writing done. In response to a previous query, my page quota for the day is 5--about 1000 words. I aim for 10 but don't usually hit it. Yesterday I got over 10. Go Me. A blitz day is 15-20 and I'll be flattened the following day. I'm not a blindingly fast writer, but the draft that goes on the page is pretty clean--I don't rewrite a lot as a rule. Exception would be the start of a book when I'm still figuring out the best way to get into it--then I might tweak it quite a bit before I go on. Past about page 100 however, what goes down is for the most part what stays.

In the evening, the sun was shining brightly and I expected to go out into very hot humidity and try to get in a small longe with Capria. I discovered on heading out the door that it was sprinkling lightly out of a mostly clear sky, and there was a lovely bright full bow of rainbow in front of the Rincons. The lightning held off enough for a longe, though as I was feeding the troops, it was fairly ambitious to the south.

It never did cool off after sundown--usually the temperature drops 10 or even 20 degrees, but last night, it didn't. When I let the dogs in at bedtime, one of the Colorado River toads--I have at least three living under the house--was right outside. Huge thing, about eight inches long and about eight inches wide, kind of olive green in color and rather beautiful if you're a toad. You know it's monsoons when the giant toads come out.

Last thing before bed was bed check for the horses--opening up stalls so everyone could have the paddock, and feeding overnight hay. As I was heading down to the barn, I looked up and a shooting star fell like an ember--visible even through clouds. Lovely end to a monsoon day.

I do hope we get rain today. This heat needs to break.

By Request: Dramatis Personae

jonquil asked, I answer:

These are the Usual Suspects, aka the Troops, with a few additions:

Pluto Carrma III aka Pooka, da Pook, der Studmuffin...you get the drift. 1997 Lipizzan stallion (Pluto Gloria II-1 x Carrma). Bought in utero from Charlie Horse Acres in Graham, WA.

Carrma, the Mother of Nations. 1987 Lipizzan mare (Maestoso Africa-68 x Canissa). Mother of Pooka. Bought (with Pook on board) from Charlie Horse per above. Broodmare. Can be ridden but mostly looks after the kids.

Capria, my first Lipizzan. 1988 Lipizzan mare (Favory Cremona x Amelinda). Schoolmaster mare--knows it all, indulges my eccentricities and incapacities. Trained to low third level at one time, comfortable at second if I ride her right. Very patient. Teaches wonderful lessons.

DHF Khepera aka ze keed, der FlederMoose, Dr. Evil, the Evil Gelding, et mult. al. 1995 Arabian/Lipizzan gelding (Shalimar Jordie x Capria). Capria's kid. My first "offspring" and the one who corrupted me into wanting a stallion and wanting to breed Lipizzans. Mostly he's my trail bud. Trainer Joni is putting dressage miles on him for fun and mutual profit.

Camilla aka the War Mare. 1999 Lipizzan mare (Pluto Gloria II-1 x Carrma). Full sister to Pooka. Built like a Mack truck (she throws back to the old Maestoso--massive, imposing horses--and moves like a big Warmblood). Definitely not the kid's pony she impersonates with her curly mane and adorable face. Grows to 18 hands or more when switched to On position. Just started under saddle.

And the Girlz (usually accompanied by Camilla):

Gloriosa II aka Ephiny, nicknamed after an Amazon from Xena. 2002 Lipizzan filly (Favory II Bonasera III x Gabriella II). My big (15.1hh at 2) black (going grey) girl. Also known as Bride of Pooka--her daddy's first daughter in seven years, and bred to be a broodmare for the farm. She'll be ridden as her schedule allows. She'll be bred for the first time probably in '07.

Gaudia, aka the Pookette and Pooklet Prime. 2003 Lipizzan filly (Pluto Carrma III x Gabriella II). Pooka's firstborn. Sale baby--payments are being made on her. Meanwhile she stays here and learns the powers of Evil from her Aunt Camilla and her big sis Ephiny and the Master of All Evil, ze keed.

And not on the farm but a frequent player in the drama:

Twilight Ablaze aka Twix. 2004 Lipizzan/Arabian filly, owned by lynnesite(Pluto Carrma III x Rem-Member Me). Twix lives in California but is definitely family.

And that's the Usual Suspects at DHF.

...and You're the Daughter-in-Law Elect!

Monday evening meme-age:

Who were you in a past life? by Kat007
Name:
Birthdate:
Favorite Color:
Country:
You were most probably:	A japanese emperor
If not then you were:	A nobody named Sal
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