Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Let it Snow


March




This is standard March weather. Wednesday will be 50 F. March is like riding the rollercoaster. Snow is expected throughout today and all day tomorrow. Later the wind starts to howl so there will be blizzard conditions. We have no need to leave home.

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Good Saturday

Just a coupla guys,


The detritus of ever changing technology. There are days when I may belong in that tumbled mess.


 But, not today.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Finished the Finish


I finished the kitchen floor yesterday. It was a fix-up, not a proper job, but it was my only choice and it turned out well enough. At least the wood is protected, which much of it had not been. I have the small bathroom, powder room, off the kitchen left to do. 


I've been keeping myself busy but news does get in. $11.8 billion was spent on the first week of bombing Iran. Let that sink in. Happy Days are here again.

On to my coffee and bagel.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026


Buongiorno amici miei. 

I have been doing my Italian study, Cheerful! I've been offline for a couple of days to get some work done as well as to get away from the overwhelming, nonstop chaos. That is not possible, but less is best sometimes.

I've been working on finish refurbishing of my kitchen floor. There is no chance of having it sanded and refinished due to the kitchen sitting in the middle of the house. There is no chance of staying in a motel with six cats and I would never leave the place empty overnight because of the horses. So, I'm channeling my father and came up with a doable solution. Today will be spent applying tung oil.

We've had pasta and more pasta for dinner while I am at this. Quick and easy. 

Shrimp, asparagus and pici pasta



 Lobster ravioli with a browned sage butter sauce. Not the most photographic, but browned butter and sage is delicious. At least I think so.

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Distraction From Chaos


My first Arabian, Shaka. I went to look at him one fine day to potentially buy. He was young and a hot-blooded fellow. I used a mounting block, which his owner decided not to mention he hadn't seen before, so............he tossed me over his body to the ground so fast it seemed like it could not have happened. Shortening the story, I said I'd buy him. The owner's jaw nearly hit the ground. I loved this horse from that day until the day he died on Thanksgiving 2009, and still love the memory of him. Talented, opinionated, he knew he was a star. He was training Prix St. George when he retired due to arthritis in a knee. 


The first American Saddlebred I owned, Spenser. His trainer, in the photo, took him to a harvested cornfield to ride and came back overflowing with excitement. He could rack! The rack is an animated, fast, high stepping gait. The surface of the corn field brought out the ability he had that we didn't know he had. I did not intend to show him so it wasn't important other than the amazement that he could do it. Instead, this fancy fellow became my trail horse. He also was taught to drive and he really liked doing that. His cart is still stored in a shed.


Wednesday, March 4, 2026

 Tabby


Frieda


Gatto


As you can see, we've been busy.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Horses

 

The old boys club.

Laddy 27, Ben 26, Bounce 24, and Scamper 23. 


My oldest is a mare, Babe, the first born to my foundation mare, LF Diamond Rose. Babe is 32. Mama Rose died giving birth to Zing in 2001. His registered name is WF Last of Roses, his barn name, Zing is also a tribute to his dam. If she wanted something she would zing her teeth up and down the stall door bars. She was also called Jailhouse Mama when she did that. That was a tough year, six foals, one an orphan. I didn't have a chance to grieve her loss, so I carried the pain for a couple of years. I adored that mare.

Mama with Topper (WF Impressive) 1997-2025



I think the horse infatuation is born into us. It tends toward the female but not exclusively. There is just something about them that grabs and holds. There is a saying in the horse world. "How do you make a small fortune in horses? Start with a large one."                                                                

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Not Much


I didn't watch the bloviating buffoon. From what I've gleaned I was wise. I did read he called this the Golden Age. It may have been Golden Years. I guess he doesn't know what that period was, the few years before the crash which brought on the Great Depression. Opulence, wealth beyond imagination for a few, all built on a house of cards. Of course he doesn't.

So, anyway. We are in single digits right now but have temperatures rising to the 40s F in a couple of days. I would not be unhappy with spring making its appearance in April. I want to play in the dirt.

I made breakfast for lunch yesterday. It was a nice break from the usual grind.                                                                


 

Monday, February 23, 2026

Just a Hello


No explanation necessary.