Music Man

I was trying to be logical and rational.  Really, I was.  

My horse, Kody, came up lame and found a new job as a trail horse.  I decided this would be a good time to take a hiatus from owning a horse.  I'd do some other things, maybe take lessons on SG's horse.

That was two days ago.  Today I rode Music Man. 

So much for reason.  I've decided to lease him.

I've been depressed and cranky for the last several weeks while finding a new home for Kody, and today...well, today I'm happy.  Happy knowing a good horse has a good home.  Happy to look forward to learning a lot from a school master.  In general, just happy to have a horse again.

Who knew it was that easy?

Could Utah go for Obama?

I don't believe it.  I spent three hours today calling people in Colorado, reminding them to send in their mail-in ballots and get the vote out for Obama.  Today, I log into the web site and find I have 50 more voters to contact....IN UTAH!

Yes, the Obama campaign is actually asking me to call registered voters in Utah.  I know (from data collected in a previous post) that McCain is polling in the low 60's, but could it be possible that Obama could take Utah?  I am sure he will make the best showing for a democratic candidate this state has seen for a very long time. 

But maybe the unthinkable could actually happen?  I'm going to start calling!

Armstrong's law

Last night I saw a news cast about McCain's "Robocalls" and the fact that Obama pals around with terrorists.  Given the horror of 9/11, and what the word "terrorist" conjures up in the post 9/11 world, you think people would have a little more perspective.

Have you ever heard of Godwin's Law?  You know, when you are arguing with someone, and they say something like "that's how it started with the Nazi's"...they instantly lose the argument.  That's Godwin's law.

Armstrong's law is the same, but with terrorists.  As soon as you say "Barack Obama pals around with terrorists" (he is a U.S. Senator for the love of Christ!) .... you lose.  Let's hope Armstrong's law plays out during the presidential election.

To make sure, this year I am up off my ass, making personal calls to people in Colorado on Obama's behalf. I have never, ever considered doing this before. I really care this time, because it really matters this time.  I may live in Utah where my vote doesn't matter, but this is still my country and my home!

SG reminded me what makes Obama so appealing, summed up by this quote from Taylor Mali:

"So don’t waste my time and your curses on verses
about what you are against, despise, and abhor.
Tell me what inspires you, what fulfills and fires you,
put your precious pen to paper and tell me what you’re for!"

Obama is telling me what we can do to make this my country again, the one I learned about in grade school.  The one that has always made me proud to be an American.  He can help us get there.

Harvest Time!

I was about to post something about the severe weather in Utah, and then SG tells me she is hiding from tornados.  So, nevermind.

What I will tell you about is....RADISHES!

Look at that photo.  I planted those about 4-5 weeks ago, mostly in vermiculite.  Suddenly, you know where food comes from...the air!  Crazy, but true!

I've also been feeding the little pumpkins to the chickies.  Their little minds are blown.  In fact, I think I know what I'll do with all the squash.

SuperDell for Governer

The Utah Voter Guide came out this week.  I love looking through this, because it puts to rest the old lie that America is trapped in a two-party system.  There are plenty of parties out there.  Don't like McCain?  Don't trust Obama?  You've got choices.  And, did you know the Green Party actually trumps republicans and Sarah Palin, with a woman running for president and vice president?

Of course, my favorite is Dell "SuperDell" Schanze, running for Governor of Utah.  Why is he my choice for Governor?  Just listen to his own words:

"There is no question that Dell Schanze is different.  There are only three people on the ballot and SUPERDELL is the only one that is NOT a socialist.  If you are unsure then fill your heart with love, completely open your mind and pray to God earnestly.  You can't afford to get this wrong and will be held accountable for your choice."

What a campaign slogan: Vote for SuperDell or go to Hell!  You can't go wrong with that.

All quiet on the home front

A light frost killed off the squash and pumpkin plants last night.  The peppers and tomatoes are brown and drooping.  The cukes are starting to get a freeze-thaw line visible when you cut them open.  The drizzle is broken only by a few bold but rare snow flakes.  And I still don't have the coop insulated.

But the radishes!  They seem to relish the cold air, their green stalks bright, upright, exclaiming "Winter?  Bring it!"

Speaking of Bring It, I noticed at the IFA that Ariat (the dressage and show jumping boot maker) has diversified into cowboy boots.  Their ads, showing a handsome, buff, nearly shirtless cowboy, says simply "Ariat.  Bring It."  Made me laugh so hard that one of the sales women asked me if I was ok.  Those would be pretty effective ads for all the women buying dressage boots, too!

I tried to explain it to her, but I don't think she understood.  Oh well, I am sure they get crazy "city slicker" types in there all the time.  There is probably some store code for the customer who only buys 10 feet of chicken wire and one bale of straw hay.  I can hear the boys in the back now: "Looks like city boy's got himself a couple a chickens".  Sigh.

I usually don't mind sticking out in these situations.  Still, I made sure no one was looking when I check my iPhone for text messages on the way out.

Winter is coming (redux)

I can always tell when it's winter time.  Our long-haired pup starts sneaking into the bed again after I get up in the morning.  When I got up today, the house was at 60 degrees.  This weekend, the high (the high) will be 45.  Cassie is going to be in the bed this weekend I can tell you.

I'd better get the chicken coop insulated!