Got the Beat?

Today I have drum lessons. I love playing the drums. It may look easy, but it takes a lot of practice to play well. You have to be coordinated because you are playing different beats with each arm and foot. I am tired after I practice!

When we first got our drum set we didn't have mutes to soften the sound. The sound was VERY LOUD! The drums were so loud that you could hear them from quite a distance. The mutes have helped, but they make it more difficult to play. You have to hit the drums somewhat differently.

My teacher is very strict about playing the rests and getting the beat just right. He always says, "If the drummer is off, the whole band is off." Next time you are listening to music, you should pay attention to the drums! You might be surprised at how much it adds to the song.

Time

Would someone explain to me why time flies over the weekend, but can drag during the school week? This is how it is for me. How about you?

The highlight of my weekend was when I went to see Sailor on Saturday. He was really glad to see me. I didn't get to ride him because it was raining hard. It rained for most of the weekend. I can't wait until our barn is built, so I can take him home. The barn should start going up in 2 weeks!

What does Math have to do with Horses?

(Click on the graphic and watch the tails!)

I asked my vet yesterday if she used math on the job. Guess what she said? YES!

Here are the Top 10 reasons an equine vet needs to know math.

1. Uses scientific methods and math skills to solve problems.
2. Needs to add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
3. Must know how to use decimals because those pesky decimal points are very important when it comes time to give animals medicine. I have a friend whose mom gave their Corgi puppy the wrong dosage due to a decimal point error, and the puppy died!
4. Weigh animals in order to figure out the appropriate amount of medicine and food.
5. Needs math to administer anesthesia, amount of blood, IV fluids, etc.
6. Calculate appropriate amounts of food.
7. Nutritional analysis.
8. Figure out how much seed and fertilizer you need for pastures.
9. Lots of math in genetics and breeding.
10.Building---the clinic, the barns, the fencing, etc.

Want to add to my list?

Operating Room

Have you ever seen an operating room for horses? It is amazing! I spent some time at an equine clinic today, and took the above photo. Sometimes when the vet puts the horse under before surgery the horse ends up lying down on the wrong side or in an inconvenient position for the vet to work. The vet has to have a way of moving the horse easily. That is what the ropes and pulleys are for! Also, the IV bags are quite large and need to be placed high above the horse.

I'll be posting more photos of the equine clinic. Check back and have a look!

Bad hair day

It rained here all day. It was so foggy that when we went by the lake we couldn't even see the water. This type of weather makes for a really bad hair day, even for horses!

The Perfect horse

Have you ever thought about the Perfect Horse looks like? Most of us probably have an image in our heads. Perhaps a majestic black stallion with a flowing mane and tail? Or a golden palomino mare with perfectly smooth gaits and a chiseled face? But I don't think that is the Perfect Horse. I think the Perfect Horse is less of a fantasy and more of a teacher and friend.

The Perfect Horse isn't necessarily stunningly beautiful. He's probably gotten a few scars and dings from life. He's probably been hurt, but has lived through it. Maybe he's been scared but overcame it, and is ready to teach his rider to do the same. The Perfect Horse does not just ride in a round pen or arena. He will let you feel what it's like to gallop through the pasture, trot over mountain trails, or play tag on horseback.

The Perfect Horse has problems, too. He will teach you to deal with them. The Perfect Horse knows that you can't learn to be a skilled horsewoman if everything goes your way. He will buck you off when you deserve it, but wait patiently for you to get back on. Yes, I deserved it. : )

The Perfect Horse will challenge you. But he will only challenge you as much as you are ready to handle. He will teach you that you still have more to learn.

Chihuahuas

Here is a photo of my dog, Laci. She is a registered Chihuahua, but looks more like a fox terrier. Laci is a lot of fun. She loves to chase me on my bike around the yard. I am the only one in my family who can get her to play growl. I think she thinks she is my sibling because she doesn't play the same way with anyone else in the family.

Laci is very picky about what she eats. She knows I only give her dry dogfood, but tries to get my Mom to give her treats and canned food. My Mom tends to spoil her.

Some people don't like Chihuahuas. They think they are mean and vicious. Some Chihuahuas can be high strung, but a lot of it depends on how you raise them. People tend to get a little nervous when they first come here, especially people who have been bitten by a feisty Chihuahua.

If you want to learn more about this lovable breed, please check out the following link: Chihuahuas

Gardening

My Mom and I are planting gardens this spring. We want to plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables. We have been putting lots of composted horse manure on the areas we are going to plant. We had to make new gardens this year so they will be outside of our new horse pasture.

Someone gave my aunt a lot of vegetable and flower seeds. She is going to send them to us because she doesn't like to garden. She isn't too fond of the insects that are attracted to plants. : ) My aunt also has trouble with coyotes and other urban animals coming into her yard. She doesn't want to have anything to attract them even more.

Happy Gardening!

Riverdance

Have you ever done any Irish dancing? One side of my family is from West Virginia, and a lot of the mountain dances originate from the British Isles. I like the group called, Riverdance. You can see them dance on their website. There is also a link to some of the music. Check it out!

Riverdance

Fiddling Around

I have been taking Irish fiddling lessons with a woman in town. She is a great fiddler and has been teaching me a lot. I have learned how to play airs, jigs, and reels. Irish music makes you want to tap your foot and maybe even dance along.

If you want to hear some Irish tunes, go to the Amazon.com and type in Irish music. Lots of CDs will come up, and selections are clickable.

True Confessions

So, how many stuffed animals do you have? I will admit that I love stuffed animals! I have always taken care of all my small stuffed animals, so they are all in excellent condition. All of them, except the one my dog chewed! I am going to give part of my collection to the Children's Hospital. They are looking for stuffed animals in good condition, so mine qualify. If you have too many stuffed animals, think about donating some of yours.

2006 Winter Olympics--Torino, Italy

Have you been watching the Olympics? We have been watching some of the events on TV. We watched the snowboarding competitions, and they were incredible! My brother is an avid snowboarder, but I have never tried it. We aren't going skiing with our youth group this year, so I missed my chance.

My mother and I watched the ice skating competition, too. My aunt knows a lot about ice skating. My cousin Laura is a terrific skater. She practices hours every day and competes all over New England. I was amazed to learn that my cousin's skates cost over a thousand dollars, and she only wears them for a few months before she needs new ones. She and my aunt drive 4 hours back and forth to a rink every day. It takes a lot of commitment to be an outstanding athlete.

My aunt gave us her critique of the Olympic skating programs via telephone. It was fun to hear her comments since my Mom and I don't know much about the technical aspects of ice skating. She is sending us a DVD of my cousin skating. I am looking forward to receiving it.

I also learned that the last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912. The Olympic medals are designed especially for each individual Olympic Games by the host city's organizing committee. Each medal must be at least three millimeters thick and 60 millimeters in diameter. Also, the gold and silver Olympic medals must be made out of 92.5 percent silver, with the gold medal covered in six grams of gold.

Go USA!

Happy Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day. It is one of my favorite holidays. What are your plans for Valentine's Day? My Mom made us all a special Valentine's Day breakfast. I have some gifts I made that I am going to give to my family later on today. I have piano and drums lessons today. I also have all my regular schoolwork to do. I tried to talk my Mom into a No School day. No such luck! "Elizabeth, Valentine's Day is NOT a major holiday!" A kid can try can't she?

Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Life is a Roller Coaster

Kracken Roller Coaster at Sea World
Photo by Elizabeth

Roller Coaster

Just like life, full of ups and downs
slowly climbing up, quickly flying down
finally pulling up, just before the ground
going so fast, spinning round and round
Round one loop, then round another
at the front, kids with poor mother
they all scream, feeling happy and free
She is sitting there, thinking why me!
-Dean Thorpe

I Love Paris

The Eiffel Tower is one of my favorite monuments. I went to Paris last year with my mother and brother. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I loved hearing people speak French. I loved the art museums. All those impressionist paintings! I loved them all. The food was delicious!I know some Americans are boycotting France, but I won't do that. I hope to go back again one day.

Cole Porter, an American composer and songwriter, wrote a song about Paris in 1953. Have you ever heard it?

Every time I look down on this timeless town
whether blue or gray be her skies.
Whether loud be her cheers or soft be her tears,
more and more do I realize:

I love Paris in the springtime.
I love Paris in the fall.
I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles,
I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles.

I love Paris every moment,
every moment of the year.
I love Paris, why, oh why do I love Paris?
Because my love is near.

Sea Fever

Boats off the coast at St. Augustine, FL
Photo by Elizabeth

Sea Fever

I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
All I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the seagulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
-John Masefield

Discovering Poetry

Photo by Elizabeth

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are like love,
Beautiful and timeless,
A true gift from above.

Day after day, night after night,
Never stopping for a moment -
On their fanciful flight.

They cascade endlessly on,
Their journey never complete,
Their passion never gone.

All obstacles, they overcome,
With the undeniable intensity,
Of at last coming home.

Love is like a waterfall -
A little piece of heaven,
Given freely to all.

- Nightingale

Some mothers wish for new clothes, candy, or jewelry. Not my mother. She wishes for poems. You read that right---poems! My brother and I search through books and the Internet looking for the perfect poem for her. Sometimes we even write poems ourselves for her. I gave my mother the above photo that I took and the poem by the poet Nightingale for a present.

My mother has taught my brother and me to love poetry. I know many kids my age don't think about poetry much. But poems can make you laugh, cry, smile, and think. Just like movies or paintings or songs can do. Poetry is an art form that most people are not familiar with these days. We all tend to shy away from unfamiliar things. My mother says it is good to get out of our comfort zone and try new things. So, what are you waiting for? Why not pick up a poetry book the next time you are at the library? You might learn to love it, too!

Digital Fun

I love learning about digital photography, and here is an example of one of my experiments. I just received my preliminary acceptance to a digital filmmaking summer camp. Hopefully, I will learn many more techniques this summer.

A Snowy Day in West Virginia

Here is a photo of my brother and me along the creek in Kanawha County in West Virginia. We don't get to see snow very often in the Carolinas, so it was fun to go out while the snow was coming down hard. I clobbered my brother with snowballs,but he got me back. Snow down my back! Brrrr!

In Memoriam

This entry is in honor of the 14 West Virginia coal miners who died in the mines last month. I spent some time in West Virginia in January, and here is the photo of the West Virginia coal miner statue at the West Virginia State Capitol Complex. You can see that people placed flowers and candles in front of the statue.

West Virginia's Governor Joe Manchin wants legislation passed to deal with rapid responses in emergencies, electronic tracking technology and reserve oxygen stations for underground miners. I hope it passes.