Sunday (four elements)

This week's challenge was the four elements. I knew just where to go. There is a street in Albuquerque with outdoor art of the four elements. I couldn't get very good shots because I was driving past and it was turning dusk, but here they are:

Earth

Air

Fire

Water

I also wanted to add this one for Spirit, just because I like her!

For more Sunday Stills, please visit here.

Sunday - song: Sunday, artist: David Bowie, album: Heathen

In full costume dress, part deux

I saw the Native Costume class at the Arabian Youth Nationals. I love this class! They spend thousands of dollars on these costumes. Some even use authentic Arabian saddles!

Doesn't this look like Prince Charming's leg?

In full costume dress - song: Growin' up, artist: David Bowie covering Bruce Springsteen

In full costume dress

For over thirty years, I have been attending the Arabian National Horse Show. However, Albuquerque lost the contract with the International Arabian Horse Association so they don't come here any more. Lucky for me, the youth still have their nationals here every year.

Last weekend I went to the Arabian Youth Nationals. I love the Arabian horse shows because they have so much variety in their classes. The Youth Nationals have many of the same classes as the Nationals with the exception of exhibiting stallions. Youth are not allowed to show stallions in youth classes.

First, I attended a halter clinic with Andrew Sellman. He is a top handler of Arabian show horses. During the clinic, he worked with six youths and their horses. He worked with each handler and their horse individually to show them at their best. Notice the slight change in this horse's stance and head position. The second photo shows off the head and neck more with a straighter topline. He explained that you must "stand up" your horse very quickly for the judges inspection and show them at their best, with presence and animation. He showed how to get them to raise their heads and reach forward with their noses. He explained that the handler must not whip the horse but they must have the horse's undivided attention. As soon as the horse gives the desired response, the handler should reward the horse.

Here's a group shot of Andrew and the six students. All the horses were so lovely!

I took lots of videos because I am interested in showing Yalla! at halter in the future.

I watched the ladies sidesaddle class, one of my favorite events. This was the English class. They also have a ladies western sidesaddle. I love the outfits they wear.

Although she didn't even make Top Ten, I thought this young lady's outfit was stunning.Here is a closer view of the other side of the sidesaddle. Notice how they even braid the horses' manes and tails.
This young woman was awarded the Reserve Championship.This teenager was so happy that she cried when she was named National Youth Champion.

I found it rather interesting that they wear two different style boots under their skirts.

to be continued...

In full costume dress - song: Growin' up, artist: David Bowie covering Bruce Springsteen

Little Wonder

I love Johnny Depp!

Here is a trailer/teaser for his new movie coming out next spring, Alice in Wonderland. He is the Mad Hatter. Helena Bonham Carter is the Red Queen. She was Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd with Johnny Depp in 2007. Looks good, doesn't it?

Little Wonder - song: Little Wonder, artist: David Bowie, album: Earthling

'cause your future's at stake

This semester has been crazy! I've done huge projects and tons of studying for my classes.

As I look into the future, today is my last day of school! Yippeee! :)

However, I have to get through today...

Yesterday, I found out that I have an A in Payroll Accounting.

Today, I have to take a final in my Accounting Applications class. In Business Law, I have to take a final and turn in some homework. And in Calculus, I have a take home test to turn in and I have to take a final. Then I'm all finished! Wish me luck, pray for me, or whatever! I need all the help I can get, especially in Calculus. (fingers and toes crossed that I do well)

'cause your future's at stake: song: Candidate, artist: David Bowie, album: Diamond Dogs extras

Sunday (Fences 8-2-09)

This week's challenge was fences...

I saw barb wire fences near arroyos,

gourd plants growing along a coyote fence,
makeshift fences for little Yalla!, a cowboy's whiskey bottle
near these historical corral fencesand one curious horse.

For more Sunday stills photographs, please visit here.

Sunday - song: Sunday, artist: David Bowie, album: Heathen

Roll in the Daylight

While Annie was pregnant, she never laid down. Now that she's herself again, she rolls every chance she gets.

Although she doesn't run as much or as hard as she used to, she still flashes a pretty trot.
I like this photo of mare and filly investigating together.

Roll in the Daylight - song: How Lucky You Are, artist: David Bowie

I'm chameleon

Yalla! is starting to change color. But is seems to be concentrating on one side of her back. It's beginning to appear grayish smoky brown in certain light. It looks like an overlong saddle blanket mark. Isn't it strange?The other side hasn't changed from the light brown that it's always been. She looks mangy here, doesn't she?

All of her many scraps are turning black - it's either skin or black hair, depending on the location.She has lost all the hair around her eyes and muzzle now and her skin is all black there too. Is she going to turn all dark like her daddy? Or will she shed out to gray in the next year or two like her mom? I wonder.

I'm chameleon - song: The Bewlay Brothers, artist: David Bowie, album: Space Oddity

One inch thoughts

Why do we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway?

If we make corn oil from corn, and olive oil from olives, where does baby oil come from?

Why do we say heat up and cool down?

If we swim in a swim suit and smoke in a smoking jacket, what do we do in a windbreaker?

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

Why is it called rush hour, when everything moves so slow?

When you put THE in front of IRS it forms the word THEIRS, coincidence?

Why are there flotation devices under plane seats and not parachutes?

If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?

Why is it when we ask for a check in a restaurant, they bring us a bill instead?

Can fat people go skinny dipping?

Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?

Why do they sterilize needles for lethal injections?


What is life about?


One inch thoughts - song: Sons of the Silent Age, artist: David Bowie, album: Heroes

Sunday (Nuts 7-19-09)

I found this photo challenge hard but I delved into my photo files and memories and came up with this picture of a squirrel and his nut.

For more Sunday Stills, please visit here.

Sunday - song: Sunday, artist: David Bowie, album: Heathen