Judith Tarr's Blog, page 9
March 4, 2012
Spring!
First bat, check.
First snake trail, check.
First anthill, check.
First wildflower on the farm, check.
First eggshell in the barn, check.
I'd say it's spring.
And yesterday, the moon got caught in the first bird of paradise blossom:
Coolness, says da Pooka. Or rather, not the coolness. The warmness. We approve, he says.
First snake trail, check.
First anthill, check.
First wildflower on the farm, check.
First eggshell in the barn, check.
I'd say it's spring.
And yesterday, the moon got caught in the first bird of paradise blossom:
Coolness, says da Pooka. Or rather, not the coolness. The warmness. We approve, he says.
March 3, 2012
Kicking into Week 2, with Bonus Horse Neep
And so the Kickstarter adventure rolls into week number two--over 80% funded. Less than $750 to go. And if it goes to $4000, I'm writing "Ponies in Space." We're talking about it on the Update blog.
It's been an experience. And being a marathon, that means it has weeks and weeks to go. Eeeeeeeeee. Also, EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
I've been maintaining such calm as I can by working on Other Stuff. And yesterday there was a lesson with S. It was supposed to be about getting Ephiny back to her saddle training, but a fierce cold front and strong winds had even Pooka non-hormonally off his head--he nearly pulled me off my feet as I was moving him before the lesson. Not the best conditions for riding a very (very very) green horse who likes to courbette.
So we went to Plan B. Ephiny got all her tack on and I got into all my riding gear, just to be casual about the whiole thing, and then we did groundwork. Working on that issue of hers with being in her body and using all of it without wigging over stray segments, notably the right rear.
She was exemplary.
With S she finally had her standard spook, which was clear evasion, and not nearly as dramatic as it's been known to be. By the time S handed her over to me, that had been discussed and she was entertaining the notion of Not Spooking when asked to go a little out of her comfort zone. And while we did our whole-body walk and circle, she thought about blowing again, and quite deliberately chose to relax and soften instead.
Cheers! Kudos! Gold stars!
And she did it again. Then again. At which point I felt the tumblers click over and the pieces fall into place. And there was the Lipizzan brain she's been skittering away from in favor of being a normal reactive greenie mare. Clear, quiet, focused. With Zen calm.
I am very, very proud of her. I didn't try to ride at that point--she needed to stop and think and process--but I booked another lesson in two weeks.
There is homework. Keep the bodywork going. Recognize that when she gets mouthy and starts eating reins, leadrope, longeline, whip, fingers..., she's evading. Keep the volume turned down low and the patience turned up high. Make sure she gets the cross-body thing--inside shoulder to outside hip. Keep everything moving from back to front even with the saddle in the middle. And if she gets stuck, she's probably stuck in the base of the neck--apply pressure to the points there, very lightly, and she'll get it.
Next time, the weather gods permitting, I'll be back in the saddle.
Then Pooka got a turn, because Pooka had to have a turn--some massage and encouragement to unlock the muscles he pulled in October. He's improving, slowly. His PT is on the right track, weary Yay. He's been dinging his right fore pastern with the injured right hind, so he's in bell boots. S says there's no reason for him to be that crooked, or that evasive; he's guarding, but there's no permanent damage. He just needs to realize he can move without getting stuck.
Word on that street is that he's taken himself offline (as one friend wisely said) to give me room to work the others. I being a bear of little brain have taken a long time to realize this. Maybe now I have, he'll finally stop messing himself up and get back to being ridable.
It's been an experience. And being a marathon, that means it has weeks and weeks to go. Eeeeeeeeee. Also, EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
I've been maintaining such calm as I can by working on Other Stuff. And yesterday there was a lesson with S. It was supposed to be about getting Ephiny back to her saddle training, but a fierce cold front and strong winds had even Pooka non-hormonally off his head--he nearly pulled me off my feet as I was moving him before the lesson. Not the best conditions for riding a very (very very) green horse who likes to courbette.
So we went to Plan B. Ephiny got all her tack on and I got into all my riding gear, just to be casual about the whiole thing, and then we did groundwork. Working on that issue of hers with being in her body and using all of it without wigging over stray segments, notably the right rear.
She was exemplary.
With S she finally had her standard spook, which was clear evasion, and not nearly as dramatic as it's been known to be. By the time S handed her over to me, that had been discussed and she was entertaining the notion of Not Spooking when asked to go a little out of her comfort zone. And while we did our whole-body walk and circle, she thought about blowing again, and quite deliberately chose to relax and soften instead.
Cheers! Kudos! Gold stars!
And she did it again. Then again. At which point I felt the tumblers click over and the pieces fall into place. And there was the Lipizzan brain she's been skittering away from in favor of being a normal reactive greenie mare. Clear, quiet, focused. With Zen calm.
I am very, very proud of her. I didn't try to ride at that point--she needed to stop and think and process--but I booked another lesson in two weeks.
There is homework. Keep the bodywork going. Recognize that when she gets mouthy and starts eating reins, leadrope, longeline, whip, fingers..., she's evading. Keep the volume turned down low and the patience turned up high. Make sure she gets the cross-body thing--inside shoulder to outside hip. Keep everything moving from back to front even with the saddle in the middle. And if she gets stuck, she's probably stuck in the base of the neck--apply pressure to the points there, very lightly, and she'll get it.
Next time, the weather gods permitting, I'll be back in the saddle.
Then Pooka got a turn, because Pooka had to have a turn--some massage and encouragement to unlock the muscles he pulled in October. He's improving, slowly. His PT is on the right track, weary Yay. He's been dinging his right fore pastern with the injured right hind, so he's in bell boots. S says there's no reason for him to be that crooked, or that evasive; he's guarding, but there's no permanent damage. He just needs to realize he can move without getting stuck.
Word on that street is that he's taken himself offline (as one friend wisely said) to give me room to work the others. I being a bear of little brain have taken a long time to realize this. Maybe now I have, he'll finally stop messing himself up and get back to being ridable.
February 28, 2012
Happy Birthday to Pooka!
Fifteen years ago today, plus about three months, this happened:
Yep. Born that way.
Yep. Born that way.
February 26, 2012
I Blame the Horse
This morning the Kickstarter is over 50%. Headed toward $2000. It even made the "Popular This Week" feature--in its first day.
Eeeeeee! People are so awesome! Eeeeeeeeee!
Later today I'll be putting up a special treat for the backers, and another treat for passersby who might want to be backers. You heard it here first.
One friend said, Hey! Unfair advantage! You've got Lipizzan mares to do the kicking!
To which I replied, Hey. Whatever works.
It is amazing how much energy this thing both gives and takes. It's like being onstage, but on your own time, at your own pace, and drinking up the energy and enthusiasm of the audience through the whole performance. And the audience gets an ongoing return, not just the "official" rewards but the chance to share in the process. It's fascinating.
Eeeeeee! People are so awesome! Eeeeeeeeee!
Later today I'll be putting up a special treat for the backers, and another treat for passersby who might want to be backers. You heard it here first.
One friend said, Hey! Unfair advantage! You've got Lipizzan mares to do the kicking!
To which I replied, Hey. Whatever works.
It is amazing how much energy this thing both gives and takes. It's like being onstage, but on your own time, at your own pace, and drinking up the energy and enthusiasm of the audience through the whole performance. And the audience gets an ongoing return, not just the "official" rewards but the chance to share in the process. It's fascinating.
February 25, 2012
Oh My Word
Almost $1000 at the 12-hour mark of the Kickstarter. Still quite a ways to go, but what a start--and what an amazing crew of backers and signal boosters. Thank you all.
Now I have to figure out how I'll make it through the next six weeks. Eeeeeeep. And if it goes over goal, which would be really, really wonderful, I've got bonuses in mind. But if it doesn't, and still makes goal, that's excellent, too.
Eeeeeeeep.
Ponies are working on keeping my feet on the ground. Camilla is allllmost ready to try the riding thing again from the yoga angle, in collaboration with Yoga-J. S noted that Pooka is telling me something by being unridable so long. "Once is a stupid horse trick. Twice, OK, they do reinjure themselves, it happens. Three times? That's a message."
Hard part is to figure out what the message is.
Meanwhile S is coming next week to work with me and we hope get Ephiny back to work developing her steering and brakes. Time to stop lollygagging there.
Also meanwhile, it's looking as if I may be rewriting a book in the next few months. And finally publishing something new in the novel line.
Eeeeeeep.
Now I have to figure out how I'll make it through the next six weeks. Eeeeeeep. And if it goes over goal, which would be really, really wonderful, I've got bonuses in mind. But if it doesn't, and still makes goal, that's excellent, too.
Eeeeeeeep.
Ponies are working on keeping my feet on the ground. Camilla is allllmost ready to try the riding thing again from the yoga angle, in collaboration with Yoga-J. S noted that Pooka is telling me something by being unridable so long. "Once is a stupid horse trick. Twice, OK, they do reinjure themselves, it happens. Three times? That's a message."
Hard part is to figure out what the message is.
Meanwhile S is coming next week to work with me and we hope get Ephiny back to work developing her steering and brakes. Time to stop lollygagging there.
Also meanwhile, it's looking as if I may be rewriting a book in the next few months. And finally publishing something new in the novel line.
Eeeeeeep.
February 21, 2012
Oh. Em. Gee.
They did it. They said I can do the Kickstarter. It's not live yet. I have to do some setup and upload the video.
Eep.
ETA It may be a while. I have to get my bank account verified. "5 to 7 business days," they say. Phoo.
Watch the skies.
Eep.
ETA It may be a while. I have to get my bank account verified. "5 to 7 business days," they say. Phoo.
Watch the skies.
February 20, 2012
It's Not Too Late (with Bonus! YogaNeep!)
The Feed the Ponies Sale is still on--and many many many many thanks to all those who have boosted the signal so far. We are all most grateful.
And the Kickstarter project is in the works. We shot a video today but had issues with getting it uploaded. Will keep trying, and will reshoot with a different camera if necessary. But we are working on it, and there are ponies in it. Also, pre-caffeinated me, which is always amusing. (I'm about as lively post-caffeine, but I tend to make a bit more sense.)
On Friday we had yoga. The weather outside was frightful, the house inside delightful, so of course we were outside. Where the horses were. We staked out the grooming area under the breezeway, which meant that the horses were separated from us by the fence panels, like so:
That's Camilla looking remarkably soft (and damp), and modeling her rather awesome blanket. It's my favorite, and it's Her. Also, Pandora in the background, in her Giant Blueberry Blanket, meditating.
Because we weren't in the herd, we were able to do things a little bit differently. the five of us where concentrated into a much smaller space. People could close their eyes. Horses wondered why we were in there and not out in the lovely mud and wet. We had our blankets, didn't we?
The theme to start with was the Martian Salute--it's at ca. 1:31 here. It's actual real yoga and you are supposed to imagine you have four arms. Big step forward, let out a chant, fling the energy out, gather it back in. Lots of fun. Rather uninhibited.
Camilla Loved It. She watched in complete fascination.
Then something strange happened.
She went like this:
We'd been warned before we started that we might spook the horses. The horses didn't bat an eye--war horses, you know--but the War Mare went into an abrupt and striking Zen state. All the tension ran out of her, and she carries a lot of it. She turned into a puddle (but look at her neck; and note that she's drawing something from Tia, who is concentrating Very Very Hard).
So the rest of the session was about Camilla mostly. The others contributed. Happy Pooka was Happy. Capria and Khepera kibitzed.
Tia was curious. Also, would someone pass some of that loose hay down there? Plzkthx?
Pandora came and went. And showed off her wonderful profile.
But mostly it was about Camilla and Yoga J. They were going back and forth with the breathing and the energy and the chanting. And at the end, of course, Namaste (with Gabriella watching, in between exchanging sweet nothings with Pooka up in the stalls--these layers of who's doing what where or why are very much a part of Herd Yoga).
This is Camilla's thing as much as our work with S is Pooka's. She lives for it. It's transforming her. She's so much softer, quieter, less tight and angry. The world doesn't come at her as fast or as hard. It makes her happy.
And the Kickstarter project is in the works. We shot a video today but had issues with getting it uploaded. Will keep trying, and will reshoot with a different camera if necessary. But we are working on it, and there are ponies in it. Also, pre-caffeinated me, which is always amusing. (I'm about as lively post-caffeine, but I tend to make a bit more sense.)
On Friday we had yoga. The weather outside was frightful, the house inside delightful, so of course we were outside. Where the horses were. We staked out the grooming area under the breezeway, which meant that the horses were separated from us by the fence panels, like so:
That's Camilla looking remarkably soft (and damp), and modeling her rather awesome blanket. It's my favorite, and it's Her. Also, Pandora in the background, in her Giant Blueberry Blanket, meditating.
Because we weren't in the herd, we were able to do things a little bit differently. the five of us where concentrated into a much smaller space. People could close their eyes. Horses wondered why we were in there and not out in the lovely mud and wet. We had our blankets, didn't we?
The theme to start with was the Martian Salute--it's at ca. 1:31 here. It's actual real yoga and you are supposed to imagine you have four arms. Big step forward, let out a chant, fling the energy out, gather it back in. Lots of fun. Rather uninhibited.
Camilla Loved It. She watched in complete fascination.
Then something strange happened.
She went like this:
We'd been warned before we started that we might spook the horses. The horses didn't bat an eye--war horses, you know--but the War Mare went into an abrupt and striking Zen state. All the tension ran out of her, and she carries a lot of it. She turned into a puddle (but look at her neck; and note that she's drawing something from Tia, who is concentrating Very Very Hard).
So the rest of the session was about Camilla mostly. The others contributed. Happy Pooka was Happy. Capria and Khepera kibitzed.
Tia was curious. Also, would someone pass some of that loose hay down there? Plzkthx?
Pandora came and went. And showed off her wonderful profile.
But mostly it was about Camilla and Yoga J. They were going back and forth with the breathing and the energy and the chanting. And at the end, of course, Namaste (with Gabriella watching, in between exchanging sweet nothings with Pooka up in the stalls--these layers of who's doing what where or why are very much a part of Herd Yoga).
This is Camilla's thing as much as our work with S is Pooka's. She lives for it. It's transforming her. She's so much softer, quieter, less tight and angry. The world doesn't come at her as fast or as hard. It makes her happy.
February 14, 2012
Snow Day!
We were expecting wind and rain, and maybe temps in the 40s F. Along about noon, we got temps right around freezing, and a brief but rather spectacular snowstorm.
The proof is in the photos.
The proof is in the photos.
February 13, 2012
Hay for Ponies Now, Kickstarter Soon
The Feed the Fat White Ponies sale continues--now through Monday the 20th. Here's the deal:
Writing mentoring, editing, and general word-related services are on sale. 5 hours for $180. For that you get whatever you need. Some of the things I can do for you and your project or ms.:
Read and comment on your submission package for agent or publisher (cover letter, synopsis, opening chapters). Usually this includes a go at the revision of the package, as well.
Help you develop a submission package from your ms. This can range from a master class in writing the synopsis to an in-depth edit of your opening chapters.
Five hours of chapter edits, from line edits to overall plot and structure. This usually covers about 20,000 words of text, depending on how detailed the edits turn out to be.
But that's not all I can do. I can help you with your idea from the bottom on up, help you develop a plot and setting. Or I can help you with worldbuilding and research. Help you develop characters. Give you a short, individualized, customized course in plot, setting, characterization, dialogue.
Development of projects is one of my most favorite things to do. I love doing it, and I love seeing the results. If you're stuck, if you're not sure how to pull it together, if you've got a plot but the whole idea of the synopsis is presenting a big brick wall--that's one of the things I really enjoy doing. Almost as much as the ponies enjoy eating. ;>
Camp Lipizzan is also on sale. A long weekend (or several weekdays) on a horse farm in southern Arizona, with hot and cold running Lipizzans. Horse Camp for Writers is one way we play it--a writing retreat in the desert with Fat White Ponies, with or without workshopping. We also do Camp Among the Lipizzans for non-writer-type people. Yoga Camp (coordinating with Desert Horse Yoga). Riding Camp (working with Desert Horse Equestrian, which teaches everything from dressage to sports massage). Book and pay a minimum of 4 nights/5 days at $475 per person, get a night free. This includes food (menu developed to your specifications--it's farmhouse fare, like the lodgings, but it's comfortable and we do our best to make it taste excellent), lodging (we have two guest rooms with shared bath), unlimited pony-petting time, and one White Horse Herd Yoga session.
Either one sound alluring? Questions? Email me at capriole at that gmail thing. I can also do shorter mentoring stints, and a shorter Camp (no free night, yes free yoga session).
That's the short-term, watching the hay pile dwindle with alarming speed, wheezing at the cost of replacing it thing.
Here's what's happening real soon now, within the next week or two:
Kickstarter! I've had an offer I can't refuse, from a very good young artist, and if this funds, we've got cover art and interior art. The project is a rewrite of a novel that will be published in ebook form by Book View Cafe. I'm having a great time developing rewards and bonuses. Things like art in various forms, bags o' swag, additional stories, and if it goes far enough over goal--a printed edition.
The next step is a video to introduce the project. I believe it will have ponies. In fact I think it had better have ponies. The book is not a horse book per se, but there is a horse in it. (Of course.) Also a cat. And something else that you will have to wait to see. When I have the video, I'll be ready to go live. For now I'm still working out details. Should take me another week to two weeks to firm it all up and put in the application at Kickstarter, but from what I'm seeing, this is the kind of project they like to do.
The beauty of Kickstarter is that it rewards small donors as well as big ones. (Psst--put in $5 and you get the ebook when it's published.) I like that part of it very much.
Right now I'm thinking a 45-day Kickstarter--as![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1381048626i/3980983.gif)
mizkit
pointed out, that gives people who get paid monthly a chance to get on board. I'd be interested in alternative suggestions or advice.
Please feel free to forward and share all this. I thank you. The ponies thank you. Pooka will even let you pull his tongue, if you make it here for Camp.
Writing mentoring, editing, and general word-related services are on sale. 5 hours for $180. For that you get whatever you need. Some of the things I can do for you and your project or ms.:
Read and comment on your submission package for agent or publisher (cover letter, synopsis, opening chapters). Usually this includes a go at the revision of the package, as well.
Help you develop a submission package from your ms. This can range from a master class in writing the synopsis to an in-depth edit of your opening chapters.
Five hours of chapter edits, from line edits to overall plot and structure. This usually covers about 20,000 words of text, depending on how detailed the edits turn out to be.
But that's not all I can do. I can help you with your idea from the bottom on up, help you develop a plot and setting. Or I can help you with worldbuilding and research. Help you develop characters. Give you a short, individualized, customized course in plot, setting, characterization, dialogue.
Development of projects is one of my most favorite things to do. I love doing it, and I love seeing the results. If you're stuck, if you're not sure how to pull it together, if you've got a plot but the whole idea of the synopsis is presenting a big brick wall--that's one of the things I really enjoy doing. Almost as much as the ponies enjoy eating. ;>
Camp Lipizzan is also on sale. A long weekend (or several weekdays) on a horse farm in southern Arizona, with hot and cold running Lipizzans. Horse Camp for Writers is one way we play it--a writing retreat in the desert with Fat White Ponies, with or without workshopping. We also do Camp Among the Lipizzans for non-writer-type people. Yoga Camp (coordinating with Desert Horse Yoga). Riding Camp (working with Desert Horse Equestrian, which teaches everything from dressage to sports massage). Book and pay a minimum of 4 nights/5 days at $475 per person, get a night free. This includes food (menu developed to your specifications--it's farmhouse fare, like the lodgings, but it's comfortable and we do our best to make it taste excellent), lodging (we have two guest rooms with shared bath), unlimited pony-petting time, and one White Horse Herd Yoga session.
Either one sound alluring? Questions? Email me at capriole at that gmail thing. I can also do shorter mentoring stints, and a shorter Camp (no free night, yes free yoga session).
That's the short-term, watching the hay pile dwindle with alarming speed, wheezing at the cost of replacing it thing.
Here's what's happening real soon now, within the next week or two:
Kickstarter! I've had an offer I can't refuse, from a very good young artist, and if this funds, we've got cover art and interior art. The project is a rewrite of a novel that will be published in ebook form by Book View Cafe. I'm having a great time developing rewards and bonuses. Things like art in various forms, bags o' swag, additional stories, and if it goes far enough over goal--a printed edition.
The next step is a video to introduce the project. I believe it will have ponies. In fact I think it had better have ponies. The book is not a horse book per se, but there is a horse in it. (Of course.) Also a cat. And something else that you will have to wait to see. When I have the video, I'll be ready to go live. For now I'm still working out details. Should take me another week to two weeks to firm it all up and put in the application at Kickstarter, but from what I'm seeing, this is the kind of project they like to do.
The beauty of Kickstarter is that it rewards small donors as well as big ones. (Psst--put in $5 and you get the ebook when it's published.) I like that part of it very much.
Right now I'm thinking a 45-day Kickstarter--as
mizkit
pointed out, that gives people who get paid monthly a chance to get on board. I'd be interested in alternative suggestions or advice.Please feel free to forward and share all this. I thank you. The ponies thank you. Pooka will even let you pull his tongue, if you make it here for Camp.
