Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I wonder if anyone else's mother made a pineapple into a turkey every year?!!? Mommy did, and I inherited the felt turkey head that she constructed. I will never know if she "invented" this pattern or if it was in some woman's magazine of her day. All I know is that it was a feature on the dining table every year. (*1) I was so traditional this year: I located the turkey head, made a note to secure an actual pineapple and I even rested it on a bed of Easter grass. As I mentioned to Bob, there are few displays that aren't improved by neon Easter grass.

 Here's our real turkey:

 Of course it is/was frozen and they take days to thaw so we're already working on that. This picture is expressly provided to alert certain family members (they know who they are!) that we are proceeding forward with Thanksgiving celebrations whether they attend or not. The weather looks good- sunny and in the 50's!(*2)- so we are accepting no excuses. Be there (or here) or be square.

We also have cranberries and pumpkin and potatoes and all sorts of food in the works. And we have weird food surprises like the classic butter truck seen here, fabricated by Bob.

Yes, holidays are fun here at the BobnRita Ranch.

(*1) Last year, I forgot to get a pineapple so I jammed the head on a lump of wood. Or maybe it was an odd squash. I don't remember. The year before that, I couldn't find the felt turkey head and Thnaksgiving just didn't feel like Thanksgiving.

(*2) But our family being our family, we are NOT celebrating Thanksgiving on the actual Thanksgiving Day. We are entertaining family on Saturday (as my sister Cathy works on Thanksgiving). We often push holidays around. Whatever. On the actual Thanksgiving, Bob and I are having a non-traditional meal and entertaining a friend.

Dressing for Success

 

I realized as I was going out the door to ride my pony that I had a LOT of clothing/equipment or gear on me. Getting strapped in to go riding is several degrees more complicated now that the weather has turned cold and now that I am making more accommodations to safety.

When I was a kid, going riding was as simple as throwing yourself on your horse bareback with nary a helmet or even a "correct" pair of boots. We rode in shorts and sneakers and sometimes with only a halter to guide the horse. But then we were kids: we bounced if we fell off (thought it was fun!) and our horses were saints.

This is Neko. She is a very good horsey, but she is no saint. Sometimes, being a chestnut mare (*1) she has strong opinions about what I am asking her to do. We have interesting discussions with her voicing her opposition to my riding choices with much swishing of her tail and flaring of nostril and becoming "strong". Fortunately, she has a good brain and is not prone to spooking or bucking or rearing up. But she does get excited and sometimes wants to go fast. This is alternately fun and sort of like being on a little red dragon. 

Hence the above mentioned equipment. I wear a helmet- no one with half a brain refuses to wear a helmet. Like football players, many riders (some very good!) have suffered head injuries and helmets are now required for all equestrian pursuits. Because it has suddenly gotten cold, I am wearing a jacket and full suede chaps over insulated pantaloons. (Additionally, the chaps offer another level of "gripiness", the better to stick to the saddle if one's horse decides to catapult sideways at 90 miles an hour.) Over my jacket is the latest addition to my get up. I now am the proud owner of an inflatable vest. (*2) Such an interesting invention!

The vest actually plugs into a strap attached to the front (pommel) of the saddle. If you should (ahem) part company from your charging steed, the cable snaps and hey presto! the canister inside the vest discharges, causing the vest to inflate and protect your neck, ribs, internal organs and hips. Fortunately, it doesn't weigh much and I soon became utterly used to it. 

Here is Neko and myself in warmer weather. She is pretending to enjoy my silly affection and has no doubt just sighed (deeply), hoping our riding session is thankfully over with. I have no illusions: she'd most likely rather be eating.

(*1) There are all kinds of stories and legends regarding chestnut mares. They are reputed to be "hot" (in the sense of spicy), and given to stubbornness and a certain intensity. Neko is a pretty good egg, but she is at least partially your typical chestnut mare. Sometimes a challenge but definitely an interesting equine partner. Some people prefer geldings for that reason, but give me a mare any day!

(*2)Thank you Bob for wishing to keep me alive to ride another day. He insisted he buy me this vest after my trainer showed him a short video of her being "yeeted" from another horse she rides. Persuasive stuff! Bob was impressed at how fast one comes off a determined horse!

(*3) You may also have noticed that I am carrying a riding crop in my right hand in the first picture. Occasionally, Neko wants to play pokey little pony and requires "encouragement". Not often, though, as she's typically what is referred to as "forward". And it is certainly worth mentioning that the riding crop is not used to beat or bludgeon the horse with. It is an extension of one's arm and hand and typically all the rider has to do is show the horse the crop and off we go!

Preaching to the Choir

 

Amen to that, right? Above, my latest vote piece. I have a history of these; it continues to be a necessary message. Although- correct me if I'm wrong- it seems many of our countries weirder elements take this more seriously then choir to whom I preach.

It seems- according to polls(*1), so-called young people aren't turning out in large numbers for early voting so far. Do they ever? I seem to remember young people adoring Bernie Sanders and then simply not turning out to vote for him in presidential primaries. And they have so much at stake! I am old enough (ahem) to know that I may not have to personally worry about the death of our planet. Fuck it: I may not be around 20 years from now. But aren't young women concerned about losing autonomy over their bodies? Aren't young people- particularly in southern states worried about gerrymandering and the stacking of the Supreme Court? Or LGBTQ+ rights? Younger people can't all be white incels who cherish gun rights uber alles!!!

See? This one's from a coupla years ago. Still beating that same old drum...

Here's another early one:

Hey! I even SOLD that one!! You never know: maybe my message will actually get through somehow.

(*1) And we all know how reliable polls are! (NOT!!)