Saturday, October 11
Oct. 11th, 2025 09:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gottawonderToday I am grateful for:
Good sleep.
Well, at least it LOOKED like it might rain, even if it didn't.
I really didn't do much today. I felt kind of isolated from everyone, given that everyone else is doing family things for Thanksgiving, and I am alone this weekend.
I did talk with D from pottery, which really helped. We talked a bit about the pottery studio, and how well our committee is doing, and whether or not I or my husband would do one of the weekend tutorials after Christmas.
I felt that we could do one on beginner wheel; ie. wedging the clay, getting the clay secure on the wheel, basic throwing, and HOW TO CLEAN UP. The other useful thing we could do is how to recycle clay, and wedging again.
Wedging is very important, and not easily learned from a video (this is how the "beginning instructor" teaches techniques for throwing, since she doesn't throw at all).
I didn't feel like it, because it was cold and crappy and windy outside, but I did go outside to work with Dandy, and I'm glad I did. I needed to do something physical.
Dandy did well. He was more patient with harnessing and getting hitched. I'm working on just lots of repetition, consistent work, where he is treated well, given lots of praise, and he isn't asked to do more than he's able to handle. I watch for signs of overwhelm, and give him time to process, and to go back to something easier if that's what's needed.
I line drove him first, then walked with him hitched, and then I got in. I drove him "for real" all the way around the big pasture, and it was so cool! He was calm and relaxed, and it was very fun.
It's been the culmination of several years' effort in getting his trust, getting him comfortable being touched all over his body, leading/halter training, then the liberty work that helped him regulate his emotions and helped build trust and communication, all the ground driving we did in other years, walking with poles attached to the surcingle, the work of finding the right cart and harness, getting R to come out and give us the last pieces to the puzzle, and finally putting it all together.
I hope we can go for lots of fun sled rides this winter.
I came in and ate, and read for a while.
I talked with my Sweetie, as they had their family gathering today. His parents have a condo that has a big room you can book for events, and that's where they got together.
He said there are a few new babies from the younger generation, and he said it was kind of sad to see how some of the older ones are having a lot of issues. I guess that's all normal, but it's hard to see.
He hopes to leave tomorrow morning to start driving back. I hope the weather holds until he gets home.
Good sleep.
Well, at least it LOOKED like it might rain, even if it didn't.
I really didn't do much today. I felt kind of isolated from everyone, given that everyone else is doing family things for Thanksgiving, and I am alone this weekend.
I did talk with D from pottery, which really helped. We talked a bit about the pottery studio, and how well our committee is doing, and whether or not I or my husband would do one of the weekend tutorials after Christmas.
I felt that we could do one on beginner wheel; ie. wedging the clay, getting the clay secure on the wheel, basic throwing, and HOW TO CLEAN UP. The other useful thing we could do is how to recycle clay, and wedging again.
Wedging is very important, and not easily learned from a video (this is how the "beginning instructor" teaches techniques for throwing, since she doesn't throw at all).
I didn't feel like it, because it was cold and crappy and windy outside, but I did go outside to work with Dandy, and I'm glad I did. I needed to do something physical.
Dandy did well. He was more patient with harnessing and getting hitched. I'm working on just lots of repetition, consistent work, where he is treated well, given lots of praise, and he isn't asked to do more than he's able to handle. I watch for signs of overwhelm, and give him time to process, and to go back to something easier if that's what's needed.
I line drove him first, then walked with him hitched, and then I got in. I drove him "for real" all the way around the big pasture, and it was so cool! He was calm and relaxed, and it was very fun.
It's been the culmination of several years' effort in getting his trust, getting him comfortable being touched all over his body, leading/halter training, then the liberty work that helped him regulate his emotions and helped build trust and communication, all the ground driving we did in other years, walking with poles attached to the surcingle, the work of finding the right cart and harness, getting R to come out and give us the last pieces to the puzzle, and finally putting it all together.
I hope we can go for lots of fun sled rides this winter.
I came in and ate, and read for a while.
I talked with my Sweetie, as they had their family gathering today. His parents have a condo that has a big room you can book for events, and that's where they got together.
He said there are a few new babies from the younger generation, and he said it was kind of sad to see how some of the older ones are having a lot of issues. I guess that's all normal, but it's hard to see.
He hopes to leave tomorrow morning to start driving back. I hope the weather holds until he gets home.
