a day in the life...

"Green Chimneys"

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:43:33 -0500

I am thankful for the abundance of documentaries available to educate me. Green Chimneys is an organization I first heard about a little over two years ago when I first started my current job. How exactly I came to be familiar with it, I can’t remember. I just recall sending a link to a coworker who was from New York (GC is in Brewster), and bookmarking a page.

Tonight I watched this documentary following the lives of 3 boys who were residents of the GC facility, a home for children who have been unsuccessful in the foster care system, and also a farm. The documentary was supposed to highlight some of the animal therapy, and while there were some features, I think it missed the mark on that being the focus. I wondered about the credability further when I saw kids with behavioral problems drinking Coca-Cola and supervisors telling children to “shut up.”

Beyond all of that, my heart was touched by the stories of these children. One was the result of his mother’s rape when she was only 14. Another just lost his drug addicted mother to AIDS not long after his father walked away. The third is one of eight children of HIV positive, drug abusing parents, one of whom dies during the course of filming. I know we are all a human family, because more than once there was a tear in my eye for the pain these children were living through. When you can be moved in such a way by people you don’t even know, you understand compassion.

Tonight at the bar,

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:29:30 -0500

a stranger told me that tomorrow would be the best day of my life.

"King Corn"

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:24:43 -0500

139 million gallons of soda - sweetened by 20,000 acres of corn.

Gross much? This is the quantity consumed in Brooklyn, NY each year. Just Brooklyn. Imagine if we actually used our farmland to grow healthy crops we can eat.

"The Beautiful Truth"

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:11:48 -0500

Another great documentary about food. Slightly terrifying, but not at all surprising.

Planned!

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:03:48 -0500

Road trip. New Year’s. Cabin. Shenandoah. Friends. Dogs. Dance parties. Best time ever? Could be!

Awesome prospect of the moment:

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:46:07 -0500

Asana Alphabet children’s yoga certification. More discussion this weekend.

Riding horses in the morning & drinking whiskey by the fire at night. I think I’m gearing...

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:04:00 -0500

Riding horses in the morning & drinking whiskey by the fire at night. I think I’m gearing up for the life of a cowgirl. Yippeee!

I'm getting an avocado tree!!!

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:12:05 -0500

Yessssss. This is awesome.

2010 garden plan! It’s going to be a tasty summer!

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:22:25 -0500

2010 garden plan! It’s going to be a tasty summer!

Someday

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:45:16 -0500

I want an old farmhouse with a big country kitchen where family and friends can gather to share good food and memorable stories. There will be lots of sunlight, too, because all of the important rooms in the house will be oriented in a SW direction for maximum light. The land will be plenty and the vegetable garden bountiful. The chickens will give us fresh eggs and you might even find a horse or two grazing the field. There will be lively music, beautiful views and scents of delicious homecooked meals. But that’s only someday…first I have the entire world to conquer while following the strings that are tugging my heart.

Weekend Win

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:36:02 -0500

I finished my work in the barn and headed down to where we do the indoor riding. Jill was waiting, and she had two students. Two of the three horses I’ve been training with were out of commission for the day, one with his owner and the other being used for a lesson.

“Should I get Charlie?” I asked, hoping for a yes. He’s my favorite.

I picked through the halters hanging on the hooks until I found Charlie’s - his is one of the biggest, as a Holsteiner over 16 hands high. Halter and lead rope in hand, I walked out to the field. The boys were scattered across the field, grazing, and probably enjoying the sunny day as much as I was. My boy was the farthest away, standing on the hill.

“Charlie!” I called out to him. His ears perked when he stopped munching grass, looked up and spotted me. “Come on Charlie!”

As soon as he saw me standing there, he took a few steps forward and then broke into a gallop. All the way down the hill and across the field he came galloping to my side. I swear he was happy to see me. He pranced around a bit in front of me and then came up beside and nuzzled. As simple as it may be, that recognition was the highlight of my weekend.

You're comfortable.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:19:02 -0500

playnice:

Pep Talk: If you’re not in pain, celebrate! If you’re warm and dry, smile. If you’ve lived peacefully today, be grateful. You’ve got a good life. Get cozy.

Today remind yourself: I’m comfortable.

“If I don’t see her, she can’t see me. Then...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:51:00 -0500

“If I don’t see her, she can’t see me. Then she does not know where I hide the bone.”

Dog eating habits. Hilarious.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:43:43 -0500

Dog eating habits. Hilarious.

(via sweethomestyle) This is the kind of brightness I miss on...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:44:33 -0500

(via sweethomestyle)

This is the kind of brightness I miss on dreary winter days.

Can we all agree that this dashboard proposal is the craftiest and most ridiculously adorable idea...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:34:00 -0500

Can we all agree that this dashboard proposal is the craftiest and most ridiculously adorable idea ever? Yes? Yes. Good.

biracial jalapeno.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:07:01 -0500

biracial jalapeno.

When swapping heels for sneaks at the end of a long event, bonus...

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:02:48 -0500

When swapping heels for sneaks at the end of a long event, bonus points when they match. Holla!

sweethomestyle: nvjy best staircase ever?!

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:37 -0500

sweethomestyle:

nvjy

best staircase ever?!

(via sweethomestyle) Awesome colorful chaos. Yellow, red,...

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:54:00 -0500

(via sweethomestyle)

Awesome colorful chaos. Yellow, red, turquoise…same colors as my bedroom and so.hard.to find.together.