Wednesday, July 31, 2019

bucket list

My summer 2019 bucket list:

1. Decorate buckets.
fun to decorate (I have a new toy, a vinyl cutter!)

2. Get Major's approval.
Quality Control Officer is testing bucket contents for palatability (I think it passed!)

well, if it survives that mess!

It is important to get your bucket list items accomplished…

I'm helping with clean-up…

Thursday, July 25, 2019

blah

follow the yellow (flower) road

water enough for playing

So the endurance ride was June 15. Major got a bit of a break…and it just keeps going. I've fit in a ride or two each week, and we've mostly meandered about. We've explored lake and river, canyon and mountain, rocks and sand, but quietly, without a lot of speed or determination. It's been nice.

river wander

pond pondering

twisty turning

bareback through blackberries

thwarted

I'm not motivated to plan for another endurance ride this summer/fall. I really did not have "fun" at the endurance ride. Yes, after the fact I was happy we made it through and proud of Major and proud we did it. But I was anxious the whole day before and the first 25 miles were miserable tug-o-war. I love the training rides and other adventures, but if competition is not very fun, why am I doing it? Another thought to ponder.

love the "feels like." Yeah, that's just about right…

thistle is hot too

And this week it finally got really hot (as did everyone else this year, sorry!). But right now a hammock and book are calling me more than the trail. Or a cool kayak adventure! Major does not seem to mind taking a back seat to other adventures this summer.

Yuba river at Lion Head rock

kayak on lake Clementine

garlic fries at the state fair

blackberry season!

But there are a few plans in the works. Tevis is in three weeks. I am sweep riding a section again, and need to coordinate with the other riders to do a pre-ride (a new section for me this year, swinging bridge!). I need to go camping and do more kayaking. And I need to find where I put my iced tea and see if the cat has crawled into the hammock again…

Jack says: I'm not in your chair, YOU were in MY chair…

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Happy anniversary

10 years ago, July 2009, Major's ad on DreamHorse read:

Majestik Mirage

Breed: Arabian
Color: Bay
Age: 6 years old
Height: 15.3 hh

Gender: Gelding
Temperament: 4 (1=calm, 10=spirited)


Six year old, 15.3H gorgeous bay gelding with black and white socks, great temperament, easy going, great on trails.


He is great in hand and saddle. Goes through water and is great on trail. Level headed and slow to react to spookies but is spunky and loves to go. Soft in the mouth! A lot of heart and will do what you ask. 


Am going to college and don’t have the time needed to make him into the great horse he will be. 




He was younger, taller and goofier looking than I had imagined. But he didn't bat an eye at the dog running between his legs. On the trail he went through water, led and followed. And my trainer at the time said "If you don't buy him, I will."

We've had days of frustration and success, but I wouldn't change a thing. Happy anniversary Major!

Monday, July 8, 2019

monday moment: strange

From the sublime to the bizarre…

found feather matches Major

tiny mantis climbs carrot mountain

moldy saddle…umm, ok, not strange, I'm just a terrible tack cleaner (it's better now I promise!)
horror movie beginning: shot of a baby doll minus head alongside rock and poison oak…

I'm not sure if I want to know what I'll find during the rest of July…

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

d.i.y.: pocket tights

I love my pocket riding tights. But the only two pairs I have are mid-season weight, and if it is hotter than 80 they're miserable to wear. I have one new pair of icefil tights, but I'm not really a fan (I really need to do a gear review…)

I have LOTS of other tights. I'd say 6-7 pairs. All fit great, but with no pockets. I do use my d.i.y. phone holder (far too complicated for a pattern), but the pocket in the tights is just so convenient! Phone, lipbalm, kleenex, carrots…I decided to experiment on a pair of tights I thoroughly ripped awhile back (yes, they've been sitting in the sewing basket since last November 2017).

first I had to fix these!
my old dino phone holder, still in use!

Like all my projects you need lots of complicated tools, machines and instructions…hah! No sewing machine even required for this, as long as you can hand sew a bit you'll be fine. (I do have an ancient sewing machine, but it would take me longer to figure out how to thread the needle than to finish this project.)

too hot pocket tights on left, no pocket tights on right!
First I fixed the old pants. The pattern hides the Frankenstein stitches! I used the tights I like to make a pattern: the finished pocket is about 4x7 with a sloped top edge (if you have a bigger phone size accordingly, but remember that the fabric stretches a lot!). For fabric I cut up a worn-out pair of black tights, you could buy a tiny bit of fabric if needed. You do need to choose what side you want your pocket on (or make two!). I like left, so the top slopes accordingly.

pattern

Along the top edge of the pocket I folded over and made a little pocket sleeve (ok, I've used "pocket" too many times!). That holds the elastic that is cut just a bit smaller than the final width and tacked in place (so the pocket will be tight on the top edge).

sleeve for elastic at top

I folded the edge over a bit and pinned the whole pocket onto the tights, using the mid-leg seam as a guide. The other side just goes down the side wherever it ends up. The seam is stronger, but the pocket would have been too wide if it went the whole length. (maybe if you have a giant phone?).

pocket is pinned on

I can't show the black thread on black pocket very well, but I just stitched using an overcast stitch. (Now, I just had to look this up because I had no idea it was called that, but it seems sturdy!) I did the stitching from the outside because I didn't want it to be scratchy on the inside. I reinforced the corners and used standard black thread. I read about some cool, stretchy thread (not thick like elastic, but thread) but wasn't going to buy any for one project. Might for the future though!

sewing room (deck) view

original and copy

It's a bit Frankenstein, but I've used it three times now and it is holding up great! I use my phone as GPS when I ride, and take a few photos, so it is in and out of the pocket 5-10 times per ride I'd guess. I am thinking I'll be adding pockets to my other tights at some point, though with how slow I am at getting to sewing projects it might be later than sooner.

If you'd like a phone pocket in your tights, try it!

pocket in use (with empty phone case so I could take a photo!)