What's Good For The Goose

An e-mail with admitted poor taste but it does hammer home a point that needs to be made.

I am perplexed that so many of my friends are against a mosque being built near Ground Zero. I think it should be the goal of every American to be tolerant. The mosque should be allowed in an effort to promote tolerance.

That is why I also propose that two gay nightclubs be opened next door to the mosque thereby promoting tolerance within the mosque. We could call the clubs "The Turban Cowboy" and "You Mecca Me So Hot".

Next door should be a butcher shop that specializes in pork and have an open barbeque with spare ribs as its daily special. Across the street a very daring lingerie store called "Victoria Keeps Nothing Secret” with sexy mannequins in the window modelling the goods.

Next door to the lingerie shop, there would be room for an Adult Toy Shop (Koranal Knowledge?), its name in flashing neon lights, and on the other side a liquor store, maybe call it "Morehammered"?

We Don't Care How They Do It Outside*

*Outside in this context means the Lower 48 states

I have been reading books about horse riding/maintenance, etc. (Donna, I've got two books by Mark Rashid on order- thanks for the suggestion) I think the one I'm currently reading must be written by someone from the east coast. It's a good book - don't get me wrong - but she comments on the importance of wearing the proper riding attire when approaching a new stable so that you will be taken seriously. She also calls rental horses "hacks." I always thought a hack was an inferior horse but it apparently means a horse available for non-owners to ride, i.e. lesson horses. My previous misinterpretation of the word causes it to jar me a little every time I read it and she uses the word a lot. Anyway, both the stables I've ridden at here in Alaska have been very easy going about my choice of clothing. Wearing a helmut is the only "must." As I've mentioned before, I'm overweight so wear jeans with an elastic waistband. I'm still reeling at the thought of wearing riding tights. I also originally thought I'd be riding Western so have a very nice pair of Luchesse cowboy boots that I bought in June. Both barns have indicated that the style of boots is unimportant, just so they have a heel so my foot won't slip through the stirrup. Now I admit I'm jonsing for a pair of paddock boots and some half chaps but they will just have to wait.

My computer just deleted a long paragraph I had written and I'm not in the mood to recreate it. My point is that even the supposed "snobby" English only riding stable staff and boarders have been friendly and helpful. It may be because Alaska is so far from mainstream equestrian events that the few horse people up here stick together. Whatever the reason, it sure makes the experience nice for a newby like me.

Where Does the Time Go?

Here we are in September already. My bruises are gone from my last fiasco and the whole incident has been put behind me. I've had four or five lessons since then without incident. One of the ladies at the stable gave me a video called, "The Rider's Workout" by Cheryl Schuhmann. I haven't had a chance to watch it yet. My brother was visiting and just left Monday. He is a reader like me so we visited a couple of book stores. I found some great reference books; one is called "The Horseless Rider" which is for people like me who want to ride but not necessarily own a horse. I also bought "The Idiot's Guide to Horseback Riding." I went to the tack store earlier this week and bought my own curry comb, brush and hoof pick. Like my friend said, it's not that we really need them since the barn has these supplies - it's just fun to have an excuse to buy something horse related. I doubt that the mare I ride will be impressed but the barn cats should like the fact that I now will be carrying treats for them in my carrier. I used to forget them in the car and be too lazy to go get them.

I'd like to make the observation here how great it is to meet people who are as goofy about horses as I am. Who knew there were so many grown women (haven't met any men) who are as juvenile in their feelings about equines as me. We're like a bunch of little kids who are thrilled to be allowed to hang around a stable. Hope the lovin' continues.