Calvinists Just Want to Have Fun

 

We have a good friend who has on several occasions referred to Bob and I as Calvinists. I am certain that his facetious reference alludes to what he sees as a sober, hard-working couple whose idea of fun is well, sober and hard-working. I don't know about the "sober" aspect (as we do enjoy our tipple!) but I suppose the hard-working label has some truth to it. I offer the above picture for illustration.

One end of my riding area is low and because I have to squeeze every square foot of available flat land to use for my equestrian pursuits (*1), I thought to raise this end up by adding dirt. But before dirt must come rocks to stabilize and fill in some of that space that needs raising.

This requires moving rocks- of which we have plenty!- from point A to point B. There's a heap of rocks where several large trees fell down at the edge of the horse field, fortunately not too far from my low area. This necessitates pilling the rocks into the wheel barrow. Oh! We love our wheel barrows! Probably one of our most useful tools...

I transport the rocks in smaller "lady-like" loads as I am a small Calvinist and not as strong as my male counterpart. But I get the job done, singing stirring Calvinist hymns as I go. Many barrowsful did I schlepp today! Along with "contami-poop" (*2) as dirt is in short supply. The "contami-poop" fills in the spaces between the rocks and cover them. I will then add more dirt on top. Use what you have!

Yes, I realize the partially broken down manure will settle and sink, but it's available and there's more to add if it sinks a whole lot. In the meantime, I'm making progress and having a blast. I don't know about you, but even if something is hard physically, it can still be pleasant. Besides, I get the pleasure of knowing that a bit of labor makes my riding experience more fun. Anyone interested in a real good time can feel free to come on over and help me work!

(*1) The "official" size of a small dressage arena is 60' x 120' I am a tad tight on one end width-wise... the end I'm attempting to make higher. When you're piloting a 1000 pound beast around at speed, every foot counts!

(*2) "Contami-poop" is the horse manure I sequestered while Neko was on antibiotics for her Lyme disease. I also save aside the manure produced when I administer horse wormer (Yes! Ivermectin! Hard to find these days because of (ahem) alternative use as a COVID therapy. So this manure is not good for use in composting for garden use, but perfect for filling holes.

 

 

Living the Life Historical

 

The other day, while out gleaning the field of horse poop, it dawned on me that I could be a peasant from any time in history. Essentially my activity- and even my garb- could have been from two, three, four (or more) hundred years ago. I asked Bob to document me in all my earthy glory. And it confirmed what I feared: I make a pretty good peasant.

A case in point. Same pitchfork (well, mine is plastic and came from tractor Supply. She probably made hers!), same basic stance, similar head gear (but her ground length skirt is fetching!)... you get the idea. I probably staggered off to lunch on the same moldy potatoes as her!

This is a painting by Kazimir Malevich entitled something like "Peasant Out in the Field" I don't know where his pitchfork went, but he's got that same attitude as me and the romanticized peasant in the above painting or even this woman with a wheelbarrow by Millet. Notice how our "technology" hasn't changed!

(She's probably praying that she smells better than I do when I'm done collecting manure!) I rest my case. I could be whisked back in time in some accident created by a tesseract! Why, I'd fit right in! Further oddball illustration is the below picture sent to me by my sister Cathy (Hi Cathy!). It purports to be a photo promoting vacationing in Estonia- one 1/2 of our family background. I'd look at home among these fine folks, too!