In my office I have a poster which reads: "Warning: This Person May Talk About Horses At Any Given Moment"!
The pictogram figure has a 'talk bubble' with a prancing horse in it. So, friends, family and lurkers of the internet, be Warned!
Winston Churchill loved horses, and riding. He famously said 'There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man' (today I hope he would have said 'or woman' hmmm). And, 'No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle'. And I am the poster girl for this. Another favourite quote (and oh, there are so many, from Shakespeare to Seuss!)
Four things greater than all things are, -
Women and Horses and Power and War.~Rudyard Kipling, "The Ballad of the King's Jest"
Ergo, a woman on a horse must be ESPECIALLY great, ha!
I do find it a challenge to explain or convey the deep mystery of this truth, how connection with an equine (or several) has wrought a profound change in me over the past three years. It has been almost exactly that long since I took the leap of faith to buy a 'baby' draft horse while still very overweight myself, with only a foggy concept of how he could change my life. Fast forward three years. I won't bore you with the details, but I do want to list the miracles that have happened as a result of this partnership:
1. It takes courage and trust (and learning from a great coach!) to be 'with' horses. They are big powerful animals hardwired as 'prey' and so need to be treated with respect and understanding as to their need for leadership, consistency and care. I have gained much confidence and courage in handling Jacob and the Red Phoenix Farm horses - each with their own personalities.
2. Age doesn't matter. I turned 55 last year. I used to lament (once I turned 45 or so) that I was now 'past it' in regards to horses, or at best I could have a mini horse as a 'pet'. I now feel MUCH younger than I ever have, with only occasional musculoskeletal twinges reminding me that I am not really 21 after all...
3. Horses reflect my emotions. If I am feeling 'off' or 'low', I share it with Jacob (or now Lucera) and they just gaze at me with their wise eye close to mine. I place my hand on their neck (they may be munching hay or just standing there) and absorb the pure 'in the moment-ness' which characterizes their lives, joy at having sweet good hay, companionable silence and just 'being'. All the negative vibes collected from the day or physical frailty melt away as I absorb the energy of their groundedness.
4. Yes, I can! Who would have thought I could have the bravery to ride a hot blooded Andalusian mare? Again, the journey has brought me a courage that I did not know I possessed, both in my equine related life and in all of life's spheres, to grab life and inhale deeply, to live, to thrive, to experience the joy! I know I stumble constantly, but my eyes are open to new possibilities.
5. I want to share this with others. I invite friends to spend some time with me and my equine companions, to experience the connection and explore the possibility of riding. C'mon, you know you want to! Especially women approaching 'that certain age'... discover (or rediscover) the passion of being a horse 'person'. No regrets.
You were warned.... thanks for making it through my list! PS This morning I was treated to the vision of a sunrise over RP Farm, causing Jacob's still fuzzy winter coat to be backlit pure gold as he munched his pile of hay. As I returned to my car after completing the breakfast chores, on the other side of the barn, Lucera lifted her head as I called out my 'goodbye' for the morning. What a wonderful start to the day.
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Monday, 11 March 2013
Spirals
I have always been fascinated by spirals. I feel strangely drawn to them as a shape and often choose a spiral motif, even unconsciously, in clothing, earrings, decorating accents, artwork, and even when doodling absentmindedly. On the desktop of my computer I have a folder called 'Spirals'... filled with (you guessed it) images gleaned from the internet - of spirals found in nature on both the macro level (spiral galaxies) and micro level (fractals). Plants, animals, seashells, architecture, minerals, all displaying the pleasing, compelling movement inherent in the shape of a spiral. Somehow, they speak to me in a very profound way. Remember the beginning of the Yellow Brick Road? From the centre, to the adventure.
Beginnings, endings, the tumbling forward of time and eternity, all reflected within a spiral's turning. Tonight I needed to pause and be reminded of the profound, undeserved blessings in my life and who holds the centre together for all time. Perhaps that is the metaphor of spirals for me: a recognition of the centre of all things and a continuous daily ebb and flow, a journey towards that centre and then back out again into the adventures of life. Deo gratias.
Beginnings, endings, the tumbling forward of time and eternity, all reflected within a spiral's turning. Tonight I needed to pause and be reminded of the profound, undeserved blessings in my life and who holds the centre together for all time. Perhaps that is the metaphor of spirals for me: a recognition of the centre of all things and a continuous daily ebb and flow, a journey towards that centre and then back out again into the adventures of life. Deo gratias.
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Whadda Weekend, Take 2!
I will stretch the definition of 'weekend' to include Friday evening, because that was the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I was beseeched not to show up at Red Phoenix Farm (aka 'the barn' or, 'the stable') until 7pm. I had a very hard time waiting until then, because Friday, March 1, 2013 was the day the lovely Lucera was to make the transition fully into my life.
When I arrived, the doors to the arena were closed. They are never usually shut unless a horse is 'at liberty' (aka running around loose) with a human handler... what was afoot? I was told to open the doors when ready... and there was Karen riding Lucera, my beautiful Andalusian dappled grey mare adorned with purple ribbons and flowers in her mane and tail - executing perfect 10 metre circles at in a beautifully balanced canter... a breathtaking sight. Lucera knew full well it was a special night, and as Rick and Jim started to flash their cameras in her direction, you could see her arch her neck and 'play' to the paparazzi, ever the diva! Karen dismounted and passed the reins to me, and my joy was complete - but wait! I was told to check out the locker room, only to find a 'riding' flamenco dress, with ruffles and sequins which was part of the Lucera 'package'! Karen had made the dress for Spanish Fiesta demonstrations, and was giving it to me! Gredi helped me to step into it, and the cameras flashed frenetically as I was assisted into the saddle (hey, mounting a horse with a flamenco dress on is tricky!). I had a brief, inagural ride as Lucera's new owner, then the fine vintage 1995 champagne flowed as we enjoyed a tack room party complete with smoked salmon, tapenade, crackers, cheese, and other delectables, courtesy of Jim! (Paperwork and cheques also exchanged hands, as is necessary with these transitions.) What a memorable evening to be ever etched in my heart. Lucera and I will become 'dance partners' as I learn her ways and she learns mine. It is truly the beginning of a journey!
Saturday was filled with a great riding lesson in the morning, baking, reading and a great 'Spring into Spring' Bluegrass concert with the Spinney Brothers and Bluegrass Tradition, in Windsor. I love the virtuosity of the instrument players as they emulated Earl Scruggs 'Rocky Mountain Breakdown'! How can one person's fingers pick a banjo so FAST? There is no sound like bluegrass music played with fully engaged heart and soul!
Sunday (today) was back to the barn, a terrific ride on Jacob, enjoying the 'fellowship of the horse' with my fellow horsewomen, back home for the afternoon reorganizing my office (with Rick's creative help) to accomodate my 'sewing station' and finally another ride this evening, on Lucera. It was another first, a ride alone in the arena with just the two of us connecting and listening to each other, trusting and bonding. I give myself permission to feel physically tired tonight, although my mind and soul are filled with such joy as not to be contained. Whadda weekend, indeed!
When I arrived, the doors to the arena were closed. They are never usually shut unless a horse is 'at liberty' (aka running around loose) with a human handler... what was afoot? I was told to open the doors when ready... and there was Karen riding Lucera, my beautiful Andalusian dappled grey mare adorned with purple ribbons and flowers in her mane and tail - executing perfect 10 metre circles at in a beautifully balanced canter... a breathtaking sight. Lucera knew full well it was a special night, and as Rick and Jim started to flash their cameras in her direction, you could see her arch her neck and 'play' to the paparazzi, ever the diva! Karen dismounted and passed the reins to me, and my joy was complete - but wait! I was told to check out the locker room, only to find a 'riding' flamenco dress, with ruffles and sequins which was part of the Lucera 'package'! Karen had made the dress for Spanish Fiesta demonstrations, and was giving it to me! Gredi helped me to step into it, and the cameras flashed frenetically as I was assisted into the saddle (hey, mounting a horse with a flamenco dress on is tricky!). I had a brief, inagural ride as Lucera's new owner, then the fine vintage 1995 champagne flowed as we enjoyed a tack room party complete with smoked salmon, tapenade, crackers, cheese, and other delectables, courtesy of Jim! (Paperwork and cheques also exchanged hands, as is necessary with these transitions.) What a memorable evening to be ever etched in my heart. Lucera and I will become 'dance partners' as I learn her ways and she learns mine. It is truly the beginning of a journey!
Saturday was filled with a great riding lesson in the morning, baking, reading and a great 'Spring into Spring' Bluegrass concert with the Spinney Brothers and Bluegrass Tradition, in Windsor. I love the virtuosity of the instrument players as they emulated Earl Scruggs 'Rocky Mountain Breakdown'! How can one person's fingers pick a banjo so FAST? There is no sound like bluegrass music played with fully engaged heart and soul!
Sunday (today) was back to the barn, a terrific ride on Jacob, enjoying the 'fellowship of the horse' with my fellow horsewomen, back home for the afternoon reorganizing my office (with Rick's creative help) to accomodate my 'sewing station' and finally another ride this evening, on Lucera. It was another first, a ride alone in the arena with just the two of us connecting and listening to each other, trusting and bonding. I give myself permission to feel physically tired tonight, although my mind and soul are filled with such joy as not to be contained. Whadda weekend, indeed!
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
The Gift of Sight
When I was about six years old, I was fitted with my first pair of glasses. My grade 1 teacher Miss Metivier alerted my parents, having suspected I needed them because I squinted at the board and had a challenge telling time on the big clock at the front of the classroom. She knew my challenge wasn't lack of intelligence, because otherwise I kept her pretty busy with my questions and volunteering in class and 'leading' the other children through challenging reading concepts. Those of you who know me well will recognize this 'directive' nature. I digress...
Imagine my utter delight when I first put on my new 'cats eye' glasses (it was 1963, after all, and I was always needing to be in the height of fashion)... there was the face of the clock in the doctor's office, as clear as anything! Blades of grass were separate, not blurred masses of green! And the most wonderous thing of all, the flame of a candle next to the altar at Mass was a slender light, not a glowing ball. It was weeks before I stopped pointing in wonder at things I had not seen clearly before.
Fast forward many years in a love/hate relationship with vision correction. I cannot count the number of 'new' prescriptions I have needed in my lifetime, as my inherited nearsightedness progressed (and continues to deteriorate), with old glasses dutifully sent to the missions in Africa who can reuse them. I am not eligible for surgical correction because my eyes are 'too bad' and success unlikely (my prescription is >-11 !) and I have had to forgo the use of contact lenses (used for a while in the early 2000s) due to the limitations of technology and the curse of aging (presbyopia, we call it). My best correction so far has been progressive trifocals, and yet the reading part is still a challenge, having to remove my glasses to see tiny print.
Until now! Glory Be! Yay! BIFOCAL contacts which also work with double, shifting astigmatisms... a MIRACLE! When the technician gave them to me yesterday, I wanted to yell, 'Free at last, free at last, praise God Almighty, I'm free at last!" Well, that is a bit melodramatic, but that is what I felt like. They work! Now I can:
1. Read without dragging my glasses down on my nose
2. Horseback ride without worrying about losing my glasses or having them steam up
3. Not go into a desperate panic if I knock my glasses onto the floor from my night table, having groped for them to check the time on the beside clock radio (panic... because if I can't find 'em, I am BLIND!)
And, best of all
4. Wear COOL sunglasses!
The shocker, though, is having to reconcile myself to the fact that aging + weight loss + no glasses = (even more evident) WRINKLES. Sigh. Oh well, they are honest wrinkles and I vow to hydrate them at least or camoflage them at best. Oh yes, did I mention Rick's delight when I began noticing the dust/cobwebs that adorn our old farmhouse (heretofore 'missed' due to imperfect vision) - maybe there are some downsides to seeing optimally. Lest those who live nearby worry, I could always see perfectly well to drive, ha! Seriously though. Take a moment to appreciate the astonishing gift that sight is. I can never take it for granted.
Imagine my utter delight when I first put on my new 'cats eye' glasses (it was 1963, after all, and I was always needing to be in the height of fashion)... there was the face of the clock in the doctor's office, as clear as anything! Blades of grass were separate, not blurred masses of green! And the most wonderous thing of all, the flame of a candle next to the altar at Mass was a slender light, not a glowing ball. It was weeks before I stopped pointing in wonder at things I had not seen clearly before.
Fast forward many years in a love/hate relationship with vision correction. I cannot count the number of 'new' prescriptions I have needed in my lifetime, as my inherited nearsightedness progressed (and continues to deteriorate), with old glasses dutifully sent to the missions in Africa who can reuse them. I am not eligible for surgical correction because my eyes are 'too bad' and success unlikely (my prescription is >-11 !) and I have had to forgo the use of contact lenses (used for a while in the early 2000s) due to the limitations of technology and the curse of aging (presbyopia, we call it). My best correction so far has been progressive trifocals, and yet the reading part is still a challenge, having to remove my glasses to see tiny print.
Until now! Glory Be! Yay! BIFOCAL contacts which also work with double, shifting astigmatisms... a MIRACLE! When the technician gave them to me yesterday, I wanted to yell, 'Free at last, free at last, praise God Almighty, I'm free at last!" Well, that is a bit melodramatic, but that is what I felt like. They work! Now I can:
1. Read without dragging my glasses down on my nose
2. Horseback ride without worrying about losing my glasses or having them steam up
3. Not go into a desperate panic if I knock my glasses onto the floor from my night table, having groped for them to check the time on the beside clock radio (panic... because if I can't find 'em, I am BLIND!)
And, best of all
4. Wear COOL sunglasses!
The shocker, though, is having to reconcile myself to the fact that aging + weight loss + no glasses = (even more evident) WRINKLES. Sigh. Oh well, they are honest wrinkles and I vow to hydrate them at least or camoflage them at best. Oh yes, did I mention Rick's delight when I began noticing the dust/cobwebs that adorn our old farmhouse (heretofore 'missed' due to imperfect vision) - maybe there are some downsides to seeing optimally. Lest those who live nearby worry, I could always see perfectly well to drive, ha! Seriously though. Take a moment to appreciate the astonishing gift that sight is. I can never take it for granted.
Monday, 25 February 2013
Fiery Sunset, Golden Moon
The barn doors at Red Phoenix Farm face due west, and at this time of the year, the sunset on a clear evening pours its fiery splendor over the shifting surface of the Avon River, as it flows into the Minas Basin in the Bay of Fundy. Tonight I puttered very happily at the barn chores, mixing feed, filling buckets and troughs, toting haybales, and watching the dear expectant faces of seven beautiful horses as they alerted to the rattle of their ration pails. As I brought the jaunty but polite (we insist on equine politeness!) mares into their stalls, the slanting sunlight lit up the main corridor of the barn and backlit the world outside in a preternatural way, as though the glory of heaven itself were bursting through the sky. By the time I was ready to begin Jacob's tacking up to ride, the colour and light had ebbed away, leaving a suspended moment of early gloaming between sunset and moon rise.
And what a moon rise! One of those strange, inexplicable times when our lunar companion appears large enough to swallow us whole, and there it was, behind the trees and rising over the hill behind the arena. Even the prosaic activity of scrubbing a slimy water trough was almost elevated to the sacremental by the presence of that full moon. The rapidly dropping temperature sharpened the deep blue of the evening sky which is only present now and in late fall... a blue so deep it must be God's favourite colour, saved for evenings like this one.
My ride was made the sweeter by Rick's presence (he even had a bit of a ride, too!) and he took pictures and video of Jacob and I doing our 'schooling exercises' at the walk/trot. This fine evening was made complete with a wonderful 'lunge' session with Lucera attending to my voice requests and showing her beautifully cadenced trot and 'full moon' canter! Her movement takes my breath away, as I realize that in four days she will be my responsibility, and I hers. As I departed from the barn this evening, I stood in the bright darkeness for several moments, savouring the stillness. As I watched Lucera's dappled grey shape move along the fenceline, she stopped briefly to watch me, watching her. The line from Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' struck me full force: "Her beauty, and the moonlight, overthrew you'... Ah, life is made for such moments. Life in the peaceable kingdom.
And what a moon rise! One of those strange, inexplicable times when our lunar companion appears large enough to swallow us whole, and there it was, behind the trees and rising over the hill behind the arena. Even the prosaic activity of scrubbing a slimy water trough was almost elevated to the sacremental by the presence of that full moon. The rapidly dropping temperature sharpened the deep blue of the evening sky which is only present now and in late fall... a blue so deep it must be God's favourite colour, saved for evenings like this one.
My ride was made the sweeter by Rick's presence (he even had a bit of a ride, too!) and he took pictures and video of Jacob and I doing our 'schooling exercises' at the walk/trot. This fine evening was made complete with a wonderful 'lunge' session with Lucera attending to my voice requests and showing her beautifully cadenced trot and 'full moon' canter! Her movement takes my breath away, as I realize that in four days she will be my responsibility, and I hers. As I departed from the barn this evening, I stood in the bright darkeness for several moments, savouring the stillness. As I watched Lucera's dappled grey shape move along the fenceline, she stopped briefly to watch me, watching her. The line from Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' struck me full force: "Her beauty, and the moonlight, overthrew you'... Ah, life is made for such moments. Life in the peaceable kingdom.
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Whatta Weekend!
One is reminded of the Dowager Countess Grantham's question in Season 1 of Downton Abbey: "What is a 'week-end?'" Well, Aunt Violet, a weekend is the most marvellous of institutions for us working girls and boys fortunate enough to rub two days in a row together for pursuits of one's own choosing, for the most part. And this one in particular was whirlwind indeed!
Beginning with a great ride on my American Cream/ Clydesdale cross gelding Jacob, witnessing an amazing 'farewell ride' by my mentor Karen on Lucera, the arena at Red Phoenix Farm in Summerville NS was the stage for a large measure of my 'weekend' joy! Saturday also saw Rick and I join with two Summervillein friends to raise > $2000 for the Ark, a Halifax centre for homeless and street involved youth, as part of the 'Coldest Night of the Year' national fundraising event for similar shelters across Canada. It was perfect, clear, brisk early evening along Highway 215 on the Hants Shore, and the Hants Shore Ramblers, complete with yellow theme toques, reflective vests, and a boom box blaring out an eclectic playlist (Burton Cummings/ House of Doc/ Leonard Cohen) completed a 5 km 'there and back' walk. Amused motorists waved, and we received a spontaneous donation of $5 from a bystander after they learned the purpose of our outing. Canine accompanyment by Cleo and Gideon (Giddy) completed our crew.
This event was closely followed by wolfing down a veggie stew supper I had prepared in advance, because we were then off to Play What You Can, a kind of kitchen party where you make a pitch for a song well in advance, everyone rehearses the playlist at home, then the 'get together' sounds tolerable indeed! My favourite part - it is intergenerational, with teens, young children and us 'older folk' taking the mike and banging on bodhrans, strumming guitars or playing spoons at various times. Epic! Songs from Sting to Fun to Cat Stevens and all points in between. All aided by Blackberry tablet technology projected on the wall for chords and lyrics from preselected websites. Terra and Andrew's hospitality is nonparailed. Can't wait 'til the next PWYC!
Sunday was back to the barn for another ride with Jacob, and a visit in the paddock with Lucera. We are beginning the bonding process which is so important for equine/human communication and respect. She is an amazing Andalusian mare who will 'officially' be mine or rather I hers, as of this coming Friday, DV. And our son Mark came for a visit, sharing our prime rib roast dinner, and good ol' chat, to round out the joy of these two days. Bliss.
Beginning with a great ride on my American Cream/ Clydesdale cross gelding Jacob, witnessing an amazing 'farewell ride' by my mentor Karen on Lucera, the arena at Red Phoenix Farm in Summerville NS was the stage for a large measure of my 'weekend' joy! Saturday also saw Rick and I join with two Summervillein friends to raise > $2000 for the Ark, a Halifax centre for homeless and street involved youth, as part of the 'Coldest Night of the Year' national fundraising event for similar shelters across Canada. It was perfect, clear, brisk early evening along Highway 215 on the Hants Shore, and the Hants Shore Ramblers, complete with yellow theme toques, reflective vests, and a boom box blaring out an eclectic playlist (Burton Cummings/ House of Doc/ Leonard Cohen) completed a 5 km 'there and back' walk. Amused motorists waved, and we received a spontaneous donation of $5 from a bystander after they learned the purpose of our outing. Canine accompanyment by Cleo and Gideon (Giddy) completed our crew.
This event was closely followed by wolfing down a veggie stew supper I had prepared in advance, because we were then off to Play What You Can, a kind of kitchen party where you make a pitch for a song well in advance, everyone rehearses the playlist at home, then the 'get together' sounds tolerable indeed! My favourite part - it is intergenerational, with teens, young children and us 'older folk' taking the mike and banging on bodhrans, strumming guitars or playing spoons at various times. Epic! Songs from Sting to Fun to Cat Stevens and all points in between. All aided by Blackberry tablet technology projected on the wall for chords and lyrics from preselected websites. Terra and Andrew's hospitality is nonparailed. Can't wait 'til the next PWYC!
Sunday was back to the barn for another ride with Jacob, and a visit in the paddock with Lucera. We are beginning the bonding process which is so important for equine/human communication and respect. She is an amazing Andalusian mare who will 'officially' be mine or rather I hers, as of this coming Friday, DV. And our son Mark came for a visit, sharing our prime rib roast dinner, and good ol' chat, to round out the joy of these two days. Bliss.
Friday, 22 February 2013
What is Old is New Again
I sat down in front of my new sewing machine at the dealer's shop. The shop owner held me in her thrall for an hour and a half, as I negotiated the 'new world' of a sewing machine with a computer 'brain' and Swedish engineering (Husqvara Viking - who knew they made more than chainsaws?). It has been at least 15 years since I used a sewing machine, but mind you I was 'pretty good' at sewing way back when. I was ok, then, with the jargon like 'feed dog', 'presser foot' and 'bobbin winder'...
In the early 1990's, in an effort to contribute to the family economy while briefly flirting with the concept of being a 'stay at home mum', I established my own business: "The Last Remake", using repurposed (we call it 'upcycling' now) fabric, leather, fur and buttons to fashion 'one of a kind' hats, which I then sold at the Halifax Farmer's Market. The hats were very popular and helped me to contribute to our family's economy with at least the weekly grocery money for two years running. My dad started me out by generously paid for a brand new Kenmore sewing machine that I almost wore out, particularly since ripping apart velvet, wool coat material and brocade lofted much lint into the air, and the machine (and my lungs, another story!). In any case, my creative needs were well exercised and I had lots of fun being a vendor at the market... which could be the topic of a whole other batch of stories!
Back to my current adventure... I was BLOWN AWAY by what a mid-range machine can now do! There is a large screen with a computerized 'sewing advisor' which automatically sets stitch length, tension, advises on which foot, needle type, etc for optimum success. Look out world! My intent is to refashion old clothes, etc into funky aprons, bags, art and other projects, to sell for funds for charity. It is also selfish... I have a deep seated need to CREATE and this gives me a foolish measure of delight! I have a pile of 'stuff' from the second hand shops to upcycle, thank you Pinterest, and the internet and all the artists out there... I could be at this for many years! Oh yes, I sent away for, and received, pattern to make Jacob a 'medieval barding'... a.k.a the costume a knight's horse would wear. I can also use the pattern to design our very own heraldic crest to applique on the rump cover and breast plate. Very practical uses for my new machine, right? In the mean time, hmmm, I did promise Rick to hem his dress pants.... wheeeee, there is a 'blind hem' app! And I was shown how to use it. Ahhhh, technology. I LOVE IT!
In the early 1990's, in an effort to contribute to the family economy while briefly flirting with the concept of being a 'stay at home mum', I established my own business: "The Last Remake", using repurposed (we call it 'upcycling' now) fabric, leather, fur and buttons to fashion 'one of a kind' hats, which I then sold at the Halifax Farmer's Market. The hats were very popular and helped me to contribute to our family's economy with at least the weekly grocery money for two years running. My dad started me out by generously paid for a brand new Kenmore sewing machine that I almost wore out, particularly since ripping apart velvet, wool coat material and brocade lofted much lint into the air, and the machine (and my lungs, another story!). In any case, my creative needs were well exercised and I had lots of fun being a vendor at the market... which could be the topic of a whole other batch of stories!
Back to my current adventure... I was BLOWN AWAY by what a mid-range machine can now do! There is a large screen with a computerized 'sewing advisor' which automatically sets stitch length, tension, advises on which foot, needle type, etc for optimum success. Look out world! My intent is to refashion old clothes, etc into funky aprons, bags, art and other projects, to sell for funds for charity. It is also selfish... I have a deep seated need to CREATE and this gives me a foolish measure of delight! I have a pile of 'stuff' from the second hand shops to upcycle, thank you Pinterest, and the internet and all the artists out there... I could be at this for many years! Oh yes, I sent away for, and received, pattern to make Jacob a 'medieval barding'... a.k.a the costume a knight's horse would wear. I can also use the pattern to design our very own heraldic crest to applique on the rump cover and breast plate. Very practical uses for my new machine, right? In the mean time, hmmm, I did promise Rick to hem his dress pants.... wheeeee, there is a 'blind hem' app! And I was shown how to use it. Ahhhh, technology. I LOVE IT!
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