tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38508736324202140542024-03-13T20:38:17.156-07:00Discovering Ranch LifeA blog about; The Ranching Lifestyle, Motherhood, Horses, Horsemanship, Endurance Riding, Hiking, Dogs, Photography, Sustainability and Organic Farming = My life as a Swedish girl in California. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.comBlogger327125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-6904748142643127942013-03-12T00:44:00.003-07:002013-03-12T00:44:56.174-07:00You will find future blog posts here: http://discoveringranchlife.com!<br />
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Discovering Ranch Life is the second blog I've been writing on blogger. I've been using blogger mostly to make it easy for myself. I think blogger is very easy to work with. It's also free. I am aware of the question of ownership of the content. It does bug me. I even tried to recreate my blog on Wordpress a few months ago. I thought I’ll give it a try. I kind of like the design of my blog on Blogspot. I custom made it the way I wanted it to be. When I started to do the same thing on Wordpress I got a little frustrated, they wanted money for every little thing I choose to add. When it become around $150 and I still was in the starting process I gave up.</div>
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However, now when I'm getting more serious with my photography I don’t feel comfortable having so little control over my content, on Blogspot. Therefor I decided to give Wordpress another try. </div>
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<a href="http://discoveringranchlife.com/" style="font-family: Helvetica;">http://discoveringranchlife.com</a></div>
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While you're there you should visit my brand new "about page",</div>
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<a href="http://discoveringranchlife.com/about/">http://discoveringranchlife.com/about/</a>. </div>
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This is a working progress and the site is far from finished…I guess a blog is never finished..really. One different is that I don't have all the pictures in the sidebars anymore. Instead I'm making a separate gallery with my best pictures. The gallery is coming soon.</div>
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<span style="color: #1a1d1d; font-family: Verdana;">If you want to read more about Blogger v/s Wordpress this is a brilliant post </span><a href="http://www.aroyaldaughter.com/2013/01/04/blogger-vs-wordpress-content-ownership/">http://www.aroyaldaughter.com/2013/01/04/blogger-vs-wordpress-content-ownership/</a>. </div>
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Ps. You can read all my old posts on my new blog <a href="http://discoveringranchlife.com/">http://discoveringranchlife.com</a>. See you soon!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-33927415380559914272013-03-09T23:02:00.000-08:002013-03-09T23:02:17.532-08:00Inspiration For Writers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Trinity National Forest, a magical place. I'm dying to explore more of it from horseback.</b></td></tr>
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Two weeks ago I walked in to a <i>Barnes& Nobles</i> in Sacramento buying Anne Lamott's <i>Bird by Bird <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bird-by-bird-anne-lamott/1018999644" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bird-by-bird-anne-lamott/1018999644</a></i>. The cashier, a girl with a very serious look on her face, went through a complete transformation when she saw the book in my hand. Her face started to shine, she smiled and started to talk fast about how much she loved that book. In fact how much she loved all Ann Lamott's books. She told me that she took a writing class, and that one of her class mates suggested that she read<i> Bird by Bird</i>. She took the advice and find herself reading all Anne's books within a few weeks. It was now one of her favorite authors. </div>
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When my writing class <i>Writing in the digital age,</i> came towards the end, we decided to create a book club reading books that would help us in our writing. The first book we picked was <i>Bird by Bird</i>. We're going to read one chapter each week and discuss them on Fridays. It's only been two weeks yet. It certainly is very challenging to only read one chapter/week! The book is so good! Anne's writing is brilliant. She encourage me to work on the details. It's Saturday today and I thought that I should take a little sneak peak on next weeks chapter…of course I ended up reading the whole chapter. I'll have to start reading another book on the side to pace myself :)</div>
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Tomorrow I'll start reading Mark Rashid's newest book, <i>Nature in Horsemanship - Discovering Harmony Through Principles of Aikido <a href="http://www.markrashid.com/forsale_books.php" target="_blank">http://www.markrashid.com/forsale_books.php</a></i> . Or maybe I'll start tonight..</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-80714483877596331792013-03-08T22:50:00.000-08:002013-03-08T22:50:12.218-08:00Small children and their colds<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hayley has a cold</b></td></tr>
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Hayley have not been herself for a couple of days. She has a bad cold, coughing and sneezing all the time. Yesterday she had fever, but not today. She's tired most of the time, wants to nurse and be close. I'm a little surprised that she could catch such a bad cold when Phil and I aren't sick at all. The only reason I can think of is those times when I'm not fast enough and her admirer (read: everyone we meet) grabs her hands..(.and of course she puts them in her mouth.) I know that small children have plenty of colds, but my experience is that they usually not get them this bad until they start some kind of daycare/preschool.<br />
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A cold doesn't kill babies nowadays, I know. It's just not fun seeing them struggle, those precious little things. If she doesn't breath easier tomorrow I will take her to a doctor. Just to make sure.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-44055362296086185182013-03-07T12:27:00.002-08:002013-03-07T12:27:39.141-08:00A Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pictures from my last place in Sweden</b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3F-Z3WJfW2lQmHT7JpI-fnEgIu5Nuo-v8BXKHcNlCJoXu-08m32_WZzcr2GDpSSLKmyBLSmjz1v_hMb8rUSQjOjmatlZgCQLq8fWXSpoV8AiRtPdbyDop1TNQ2sWxRhJvnsDY_T-i_E/s1600/a+home+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3F-Z3WJfW2lQmHT7JpI-fnEgIu5Nuo-v8BXKHcNlCJoXu-08m32_WZzcr2GDpSSLKmyBLSmjz1v_hMb8rUSQjOjmatlZgCQLq8fWXSpoV8AiRtPdbyDop1TNQ2sWxRhJvnsDY_T-i_E/s200/a+home+6.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a>The most important ingredients in a home is the people living in it. There's no doubt about that. There's a few things that, if you ask me, that helps to make my home a happy place. Without harmony there is no home. I found harmony in simplicity. Having less things, but things that I have for a reason (may it be beauty or that I really need a certain item every day, if possible both!) That makes it easier to avoid clutter around the home. It makes my home easier to keep clean and I know where I have my things. More time to enjoy doing what I really want to spend my time doing - spend time with my family, friends, ride my horses and take pictures. Harmony and peace of mind doesn't come automatically, it's a decision. A decision to be made every day, just like eating healthy food and exercise. </div>
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For me staying organized frees up time. Time gives me freedom. Time also sparks my creativity. Being disorganized on the other hand have the opposite effect. It kills my creativity, takes my energy away and leaves the harmony outside the door. A happy home doesn't cost a lot of money, just the commitment to make one.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My grandfather made this beautiful wooden coach that I had in my kitchen.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>How much things do I really need? I want my home to be a warm welcoming place<br /> with beautiful things, BUT is it possible that I have things that I don't need? <br />Things that makes it time consuming to manage my house?<br /></b></td></tr>
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What brings you harmony? What's the key ingredient that makes your house a home?</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-79053436552499679202013-03-06T18:25:00.000-08:002013-03-06T18:25:07.558-08:00Macro<br />
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Today and yesterday, I've been playing with my iPhone 5, taking close up pictures on my dog. Just for fun. </div>
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I wanna get a really good macro lens for my Nikon D5100 (any suggestions?) and make a book with close up pictures of horses (mane, tail, ears, hooves, muzzles...) and dogs (eyes, teeth, face..) That would be so much fun! I really enjoy taking that kind of pictures. I enjoy it because, for them to turn out good, you have to have some kind of communication and understanding with the animal. It's challenging, fun and you get to be creative!</div>
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I have a lot to learn about macro photography. I haven't done a lot of it, but I am wiling to work hard to become good! It helps that I have so many willing models to work with :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-84163060577657479072013-03-05T12:30:00.001-08:002013-03-05T12:30:46.528-08:00Guest Blogger Franklin Levinson: ‘Amazing Grace’ The Joy of Compassionate, Successful Horsemanship <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Franklin Levinson</span></td></tr>
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“Was blind, but now I see.” These words from the last line of the wonderful hymn</div>
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Amazing Grace, usually find me misty eyed and full of emotion. Sometimes I am totally moved to a very cathartic release and a flood of tears upon hearing and singing the hymn. Of course, I used to cry when watching Bambi’s mother got killed. I suppose that is just how I am and I am now at ease with my sentimental self. As a man, I like the fact that I can cry easily from happiness and feelings of love and gratitude. I treasure and savor each and every joyful moment that moves me to tears. Actually, there are not that many. But each one is like a pearl on the string of pearls that encircles the happiest moments of my life. The thought of moving from the darkness of feeling isolation, separation and fragmentation, which produce fear and anxiety, into feelings of connectedness, wholeness, safety and love, always produce wonderful feelings of safety and peace. It is these feelings that I wish to foster and I know I am not alone in this quest. I think a big part of why I occasionally have these sorts of emotional responses as an adult, is a void of expressed love and approval from my parents when I was a child in their care. I know others share a similar experience of their parent/child relationship.</div>
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So many times I have heard and read stories of how horses have affected people in the most positive and miraculous of ways. I have seen many such occurrences first hand. There are numerous accounts of how horses have helped heal people from physical, emotional and mental challenges. Books on this topic are many and easily available. Pet and equine assisted therapies are now an accepted method of positive support for the confined elderly, hospital patients, mentally ill and humans facing other difficult situations. Certain convicted criminals in our prison system are given the opportunity to train and/or rehabilitated horses. There is evidence that these prison based equine programs are the most effective rehabilitation programs available.</div>
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I believe that at the core of these positive responses to successful interaction with horses, and other animals as well, is the merging of perceived differences and separation, into feelings of oneness and wholeness with accompanying feelings of acceptance. I wrote <i>The</i> <i>Story of Pete </i>which was about my first horse in Colorado who had the reputation of an ‘outlaw’ horse and was due to be destroyed because of his dangerous behavior. My experience with Pete was one of these experiences of turning fear to trust. I have cried happily many times in response to the outcomes with Pete. He has become positively brilliant providing Equine Facilitated Learning for children and grown-ups with learning disabilities as well as “normal” people. I feel his love for me all the time and I send it right back to him. There is no separation between us, even when I travel away from where he is I still, somehow, feel his loving presence with me.</div>
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I have worked with thousands of horses over my 40 plus years as an equine professional and am very fortunate to have had this experience of turning fear to trust often. Each and every time I experience a horse move from anxiety to feeling safe, I am moved into what I would call a state of grace or feelings of grace. When I experience these feelings, I feel whole and complete, unworried, peaceful and connected to something I can only describe as being of a divinely loving nature. With horses, if we first focus on the elimination of fear and the development of trust, all else we desire to do with our horses cannot help but be successful when we add patient, skillful and compassionate leadership into the equation. Whether it is Grand Prix competition or simple trail riding, partnership with the horse that is based on mutual trust and excellent human leadership, cannot help but succeed.</div>
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As with all relationships, developing trust happens over time. There is no quick scenario, or magic pill that will instill trust in an individual. If someone saves your life you may think that is evidence you can trust that person. However, that is not necessarily true. That person has certainly earned your gratitude. But, actually may not have earned your trust. Between spouses, good friends, close companions, family members, etc. this trusting, compassion and love based relationship can and does produce feelings of grace within the individuals involved. Somehow feelings of grace provide a break and reprieve, even if momentary, from worry, anxiety, fear, tension and stress. Even small successes with horses, because it is prey/flight animal, which come about through turning a bit of fear to trust, can provide us with an experience of amazing grace.</div>
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I think meditation is a great method for centering ourselves, focusing, getting into the ‘now’ (the present moment), de-stressing as well as offering many other benefits to those who do it. I sometimes expressly teach successful horsemanship as a form of meditation. Depending on who I am teaching, I may or may not use the term ‘meditation’ as there are those who will have a negative attitude towards it because of a lack of knowledge and understanding of what that really means. As a teacher, ‘being politically’ correct has its place. However, learning can be impaired by rigid mindsets and prejudicial viewpoints. Semantically dancing around a person’s erroneous opinions and unfounded beliefs is not my favorite thing to do. But sometimes it is necessary to get certain basic points across. I believe states of grace can be found through meditation. I know this for a fact as I have experienced it during my own meditations. Similar experiences can be fostered when we focus on helping others as opposed to always seeking to get for ourselves. This goes for helping horses eliminate fearful feelings too.</div>
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There are many places that we can now go to learn about being with and training horses in gentle ways. Using internet searches to find trust based trainers, thoughtful and even spiritual paths with horses, can really provide many options for those seeking better relationships with horses. If one is open to spirituality, there is no better or more profound spiritual path than one accompanied by a horse. To me, the message within the Amazing Grace hymn means moving from darkness to light, from ignorance to wisdom, from separateness to wholeness and from hate to love. Freedom from fear is one of the great rewards and benefits of grace. Understanding the value in compassion, service, kindness, tolerance and embracing peace, immediately provides us with a state of grace. When we are with our horses and manage to quiet our minds and open our hearts, it is then that grace (wholeness and inner peace) becomes a part of our immediate and conscious experience. This is Amazing Grace, The Joy of Compassionate and Successful Horsemanship.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-14134153463081913732013-03-04T12:00:00.000-08:002013-03-04T12:00:26.512-08:00Solutions for hiking with a baby!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #323333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Tenzing TZ 720 Camouflage <br />Hunting Gear Travel Fanny Pack</span></td></tr>
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Lately I've been trying to find the best way to carry my camera and other gear when I'm hiking. If I would hike by myself I would wear a back pack, but nowadays I have Hayley in a baby carrier too. I've been trying different solutions; I made shorter hikes and skipped extra diapers, water, food etc. I also carried everything in my traditional camera case. I like to go for long hikes, so skipping to bring water and food doesn't work. To carry my gear in my traditional shoulder (camera) case doesn't work either, it's way to uncomfortable. With the weight moving around to much its' rough on my shoulders and dangerous on steep climbs. </div>
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I think I finally found a good solution! Most of the weight from the baby carrier is on my shoulders (even though I have the most high tech baby carrier their is on the market <a href="http://www.babybjorn.com/us/products/baby-carriers/baby-carrier-original/original/" target="_blank">http://www.babybjorn.com/us/products/baby-carriers/baby-carrier-original/original/</a>.) I've been looking for ways to spread the rest of the weight as even, and as much as I can. I tried to stay open to different options. Even options that I would never consider to wear in public! When I'm hiking comfort is king. I ended up buying a "<span style="color: #323333; font-family: Verdana;">Tenzing TZ 720 Camouflage Hunting Gear Travel Fanny Pack" <a href="http://www.opticsplanet.com/tenzing-tz-720-camouflage-hunting-gear-travel-fanny-pack.html" target="_blank">http://www.opticsplanet.com/tenzing-tz-720-camouflage-hunting-gear-travel-fanny-pack.html</a>. I bought it on Sportsman's Warehouse <a href="http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/" target="_blank">http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com</a>.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #323333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Tenzing TZ 720 Camouflage <br />Hunting Gear Travel Fanny Pack</span></td></tr>
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I tried it out yesterday and I'm very pleased. There is room enough for food and water for a really long hike. It's comfortable and my camera is within easy reach and so is the rest of my stuff. It's lightweight and I almost didn't feel it. However this is not a camera bag, therefor it doesn't have the protection you need to have for a camera.<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica;"> </span>Since I always need to bring extra diapers I had padding for my camera! If I didn't carry the diapers I would of arrange some other protection for my camera. A smaller camera case would fit inside of the bag as well. I would NOT wear this equipment in town, but for the woods it's perfect. I'm pretty sure that I can use it behind my saddle when I'm </div>
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riding my horse as well. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #323333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Tenzing TZ 720 Camouflage <br />Hunting Gear Travel Fanny Pack.<br />View of the inside, with my camera,<br />diapers, tissues, water etc.<br />For Mom's that enjoys taking<br />taking their babies on adventures!</span></td></tr>
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One of my classmates from my writing class recently started a new blog that I follow with great interest. She have a very authentic writing style. I can relate to her experiences and I love her open mindedness. I feel very honored to be mentioned in today's post. Check it out here <a href="http://parrotandox.com/2013/03/04/merry-monday-a-new-approach/" target="_blank">http://parrotandox.com/2013/03/04/merry-monday-a-new-approach/</a>. She puts a smile on my face every time I read her blog :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-60481438937642813382013-03-03T09:15:00.000-08:002013-03-03T09:15:08.274-08:00Basic Needs, Play-time and Happiness<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Watching animals and children play, <br />makes me very happy</b></td></tr>
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7am Sunday morning. The house is quiet. I feel like I won the lottery at least! The first night of real sleep in like a month. The weather outside the window is grey and it might rain today. But nothing can take away the great feeling of a good nights sleep. Sleep is such a basic need, but without it, everything becomes so much harder. I get very homesick when I don't sleep. I miss everything about Sweden. Everything familiar and understandable. Without sleep the importance of a good nights sleep is crystal clear. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Whitey and Stella running on a beach in Humboldt County, CA.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sometimes the animals play can seem to be rather rough,<br />but mostly it's just play. Whitey and Stella never had one single<br /> fight. There play sometimes give them scratches and to an observer<br />might look a bit aggressive. They play all day long if opportunity given.<br />They love playing together and when they are too tired to play they <br />bundle up and sleep together.</b><br /></td></tr>
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On the other hand, a good nights sleep opt for a great day! Today, I'm ready for a great day! I'm not sure what today has to offer yet. I'm looking forward to find out. </div>
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Last week I took around 1000 pictures. Many of them, (strangely enough…) are of dogs playing. Last night when I went to bed I thought about why I enjoy taking pictures of animals so much. Especially animals playing. The answer is simple. Simply because seeing animals play fills me with such joy. I want to capture those moments and share them. </div>
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Happy Sunday!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-57611719640882988312013-03-01T15:41:00.004-08:002013-03-01T15:41:47.551-08:00The Lost Coast<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81SnVgVk9t-xFzanW7KgbejuoN4RyMHMYWcKGr2H-anc36beeT9BRn9gEstCr3MSmy1e6u0pyh6wAahz5q4PpehI-yhwJ9rPFWra08B9QsP6dQ-0Dw0O7JRbIo9pjNeMQN7_0xFiWGGs/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81SnVgVk9t-xFzanW7KgbejuoN4RyMHMYWcKGr2H-anc36beeT9BRn9gEstCr3MSmy1e6u0pyh6wAahz5q4PpehI-yhwJ9rPFWra08B9QsP6dQ-0Dw0O7JRbIo9pjNeMQN7_0xFiWGGs/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My family enjoying the last sun, on a beach outside Eureka</b></td></tr>
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The Lost Coast is a undeveloped part of Northern California that I've never been to. Many of the small towns along the coast is completely isolated from the rest of the world (sort of..) My husband new that I was eager to see that part of California. That he's been telling me so much about. Especially since California's coastline have a special place in his heart. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBqRk5UxivLv3E6ShhXuFkjIHYJD-2HqxmLezP5E0fE-QXSvByt3YfttGfXo8tyGeEsltkYauvT-QLA9oeKSbqo3QYvVGK9gLcqCjOnN0_2XB70ckovQlFh93D_Z50HVZRB08N4iscCA/s1600/1_Snapseed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBqRk5UxivLv3E6ShhXuFkjIHYJD-2HqxmLezP5E0fE-QXSvByt3YfttGfXo8tyGeEsltkYauvT-QLA9oeKSbqo3QYvVGK9gLcqCjOnN0_2XB70ckovQlFh93D_Z50HVZRB08N4iscCA/s400/1_Snapseed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Stella taking the opportunity to swim<br /> in a river on "a diaper change break".</b></td></tr>
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A few days ago Phil had to meet with a business acquaintance in Humboldt County. He was only making a day trip, and I knew that if I came along it would be a long day. I decided to go anyway. I don't regret it. Who am I to say no to an adventure?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The first sight of the ocean, from a vista point outside Eureka.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Soft, rolling hills on the side of the road,<br /> on our drive towards The Lost Coast.</b></td></tr>
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We left early in the morning and pretty much drove straight to the business meeting, without to many stops. When the work part of the day was finished we still had a couple of hours of daylight left. We took a backroad from Eureka and out to the ocean. It was a long winding drive through a wonderful landscape; rolling hills and views of the ocean. On some places there were free ranging cows eating grass, living the life. If they only knew what an expensive neighborhood they live in..</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pasture with a view</b></td></tr>
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There were many sign on the side of the road that said "now entering tsunami danger zone". I wouldn't like to live that close to the ocean. I have a lot of respect for water, but I really enjoyed visiting this area with it's magnificent nature. </div>
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We parked the truck close to a beach. We had to climb down some rocks to get down to the actual beach. We let the dogs play at the beach until the last traces of sun were completely gone. </div>
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I love the salty smell of the ocean. It's liberating. Hayley enjoyed it too, even though it was a little cold and windy. This part of California obviously have a colder climate during winter. When the sun was gone it became cold fast. We debated if we should take the same way back to town, and the highway, or if we should continue forward and eventually come out somewhere. Our phones and GPS didn't have any service. We continued forward. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A cave on the beach</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>I'm so grateful that Phil showed me this incredible piece of California.<br />Nature touches my soul in a way that all the fancy big cities never can do.</b></td></tr>
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The road took us through Redwood National Park. Even though it was dark, it was an AMAZING drive. The trucks head lights lighted up giant redwood trees. Hayley was asleep in her car seat. We stopped and stepped out to look at this beautiful heritage of Northern America. The dark sky, the bright stars and these enormous trees completely took our breath away. The trees were so tall that we couldn't see the top of them. They where so big that a person could live inside of one of them, and have a big house, if he carved out rooms and stairs! We talked about that for a little while. That would of been very cool! I wouldn't mind living in a tree house like that.</div>
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These giants covered big parts of this continent not very long ago. In my imagination I can see what it would be like to live in a place covered with thousand of years old trees. It really makes you feel small, but still part of nature. I'm glad we decided to take that road. I'm looking forward to bring my son and go back during day time, to fully see the beauty of this place. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Stella looking at the ocean</b></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-47856496141899426932013-02-26T08:59:00.000-08:002013-02-26T08:59:04.505-08:00Another Whitey adventure....<br />
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Yesterday afternoon my husband called me from work and asked me if I wanted the good or bad news first. That didn't sound good at all. I asked for the good news first..of course. "I found Whitey!" My first thought was WTF! </div>
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To make a long story short. I had a lot of errands to run yesterday. Many of them included visits to different stores. Whitey couldn't go with me. I thought that he would have more fun playing with Stella (Phil's dog) in the woods, than he would have waiting on me all day. Therefor I asked Phil if he could go with them. </div>
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Whitey went with Phil and Stella. He was secured in the back of Phil's truck. Stella and Whitey did have a lot of fun running around and playing while Phil worked. On the way home Whitey decided to jump out of the truck! He jumped out of his collar and took of. It was on a gravel road in the woods, but still. He did not come when Phil called his name. (He's not very good at listening at him. Stella isn't very good at listening at me either. It's so obvious that they choose to listen to "their" person.)</div>
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After searching for Whitey for a long time Phil saw a man sitting on his porch with a phone in his hand and Whitey next to him! He was about to call the number on the collar = my number. I don't know what I would of done if someone called me and said they had my dog! I would probably thought Phil had an accident or something..</div>
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Whitey was lucky and got away with some minor injuries from his adventure. ..</div>
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(When Whitey is with me he always rides in the car/truck. Anyways, I'm going to get him a harness today AND he's getting a chip!)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-30078805610247294782013-02-25T19:31:00.000-08:002013-02-25T19:31:10.639-08:00Looking for pasture in Northern California!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko8z94iGyn7o-WkzUztVTiP2W-Ff3ehyCoRcVX5NDsOhodXOVCbY3mWcDY6LuidStoxTNsh8vKQH7UVhkyuQzSpRXUqJh9PtnfW43NaC8aKE9VKEM565YWMPxBTQ0s4a_v9sL_DU2ydM/s1600/IMG_2637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko8z94iGyn7o-WkzUztVTiP2W-Ff3ehyCoRcVX5NDsOhodXOVCbY3mWcDY6LuidStoxTNsh8vKQH7UVhkyuQzSpRXUqJh9PtnfW43NaC8aKE9VKEM565YWMPxBTQ0s4a_v9sL_DU2ydM/s320/IMG_2637.JPG" width="320" /></a>Lately I've been very busy trying to organize pastures for our horses. It meant many hours on the roads driving between Napa, and Shasta County. During this winter we've had more horses than ever before, and the pastures haven't been enough for them all. We've been moving them around, trying to utilize the richest pastures for the horses that needs it the most, and supplemented with hay ~ a lot of hay! With these hay prices we buy hay for more than $500/week. Considering that most of our horses are on pastures that is a lot of money. We're looking to buy/rent/lease more irrigated pastures.The winter time is hard on many of the older rescue horses we have. They've had a very rough life and several are in their twenties. Most of these horses benefits from a combination of a free choice of high quality hay, and nibbling on the pasture grass that's available. </div>
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I'm looking forward to a more practical solution to the pasture issue. That would mean more time actually taking care of and riding the horses. Do you know of available pasture land (around 100acres or more would be preferable) in Northern California? Please send me an email mmarianorthcutt@gmail.com! Thank you!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-91345250323404066452013-02-22T04:30:00.000-08:002013-02-22T15:08:08.835-08:00Hayley and Whitey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>These two are the very best of friends there can be. <br />I love watching them together.<br />It doesn't matter what Hayley does, <br />Whitey is always extremely<br />gentle with her.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Because of how sweet and kind Whitey is, it really took me by surprise<br />when a grown man almost crapped his pants today, when we walked by..<br />I walked Whitey on a leash, he was literally right next to me.<br />Somehow his appearance really scared this man ~<br />A puppy, on a leash, walking foot next to his owner,<br />wagging his tail. We exchange a few words,<br />but I realized that the man just wanted us to<br />continue our walk. Poor man.</b></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-14812924444233371992013-02-21T12:25:00.000-08:002013-02-21T12:25:13.945-08:00Hiking in Trinity National Forest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_28MBI5mr_0nf4Up31u9meIm6drsQr31mcfmKNxj7pR1cBUqeESqR_MDea5W5lldJcxUJ1xPMt5d7DOAe6jb7HjG6O8bUpo0uO_LE9Cb3myqJFBm6ZmMAb2fjlcqAgT4WJrz9124-Vj0/s1600/trini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_28MBI5mr_0nf4Up31u9meIm6drsQr31mcfmKNxj7pR1cBUqeESqR_MDea5W5lldJcxUJ1xPMt5d7DOAe6jb7HjG6O8bUpo0uO_LE9Cb3myqJFBm6ZmMAb2fjlcqAgT4WJrz9124-Vj0/s320/trini.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We saw many interesting rocks in the creeks. Gold?</b></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">One of my "mini adventures" last week was a hike in Trinity National Forest (<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/stnf/" target="_blank">http://www.fs.usda.gov/stnf/</a>). We parked the truck on the top of a hill. The day of the hike was an unusual hot day for the season, around 75 degrees and no wind.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"> </span><br /><div style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Remote wilderness</b></td></tr>
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Shasta-Trinity National Forest is the largest National Forest in California. The terrain varies a lot, from open landscape and mountain peaks, to deeply forested wilderness. It's a total of 2.1 million acres! The fact that it's possible to spend a life time there and yet not see everything amazes me. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks, in every direction.</b></td></tr>
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After parking the truck I ate a light meal (a nut/granola power bar, a banana and some water with electrolytes.) A very excited Hayley sat in the Baby Björn <a href="http://www.babybjorn.com/us/products/baby-carriers/baby-carrier-original/original/" target="_blank">http://www.babybjorn.com/us/products/baby-carriers/baby-carrier-original/original/</a>, on my belly. She kept begging me to hurry up; with her wordless, beautiful baby songs. She loves the outdoors so much, and she can smell an adventure around the corner. The dogs were very excited too! They ran around all over the place. At the same time they kept an eye on us all the time as well. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OhXWpX6skNmviDogFT1mIXVed4Yhdm-hSVNSZbLJ1wXSGLtGhnU4J1JJxLGIRgt2VftVWqIrzAeMypsk2xq4fr-M0ihRWimF_OGgD6Fn1G3LjkzB0D1h6MWNBL3t4IYDhzyAK45yuNg/s1600/iPhoto+Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OhXWpX6skNmviDogFT1mIXVed4Yhdm-hSVNSZbLJ1wXSGLtGhnU4J1JJxLGIRgt2VftVWqIrzAeMypsk2xq4fr-M0ihRWimF_OGgD6Fn1G3LjkzB0D1h6MWNBL3t4IYDhzyAK45yuNg/s320/iPhoto+Library.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Whitey resting on one of the rare flat spaces we passed by.</b></td></tr>
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I packed a couple of bottled waters in my camera bag. I did my best to not bring one single thing that I wouldn't have use for. I was planning for a strenuous hike. This part of the National Forest is heavily forested. There's pine trees, oaks, manzanitas, hazel nut trees and a lot of black berries. I'm sure there are mountain lions and black bears in the area. They are everywhere, but I didn't see any this time. I often see bears, but I've only seen a mountain lion once. I did see deer and markings after wild pigs. I was carrying my Glock to be on the safe side. The good thing with bringing dogs is that they wouldn't let any animal (or human) sneak up on me. </div>
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We started to follow a trail that went deep down to the heart of the forest. Our goal was to find a river that we've seen on the GPS earlier. The trail disappeared after a while. I could hear the water clearly and choose to continue anyway. I knew exactly where I was compared to the truck above me and the highway below me. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuiPDRmDlRDsyqynRtRevzf089BrEpMZRa94SMCxYjw5FjPCnAoPZinqR9QrrsJIg3x9Lj_1kdUMkxjCWHOmEOW2CJI5Boxn53UFiQP3mac5byRg2zyVTq-LWpAaXyamPqcd67uIrwUQ/s1600/tri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuiPDRmDlRDsyqynRtRevzf089BrEpMZRa94SMCxYjw5FjPCnAoPZinqR9QrrsJIg3x9Lj_1kdUMkxjCWHOmEOW2CJI5Boxn53UFiQP3mac5byRg2zyVTq-LWpAaXyamPqcd67uIrwUQ/s400/tri.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The trail we followed the first ten minutes, <br />with beautiful Manzanitas on the sides.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Chicken of the woods. Have you tasted them? <br />Did you know that you can survive on these if you have too?</b></td></tr>
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At this point I had to carefully choose every step I took. I was very happy that "I travelled light". The day got hotter and hotter. It was a very step climb down. On some places it was all mud, on other places it was thick with blackberry bushes. I didn't take a lot of pictures here, I focused on getting us down safely. Hayley was having a great time! I had a good time too. I had to stay very focused. The sound of the water was getting louder and I knew I was close. I could hear a lot of frogs as well. Stella and Whitey found a good place to climb down to the water. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsx2Mgzynp6X02tTXTFhPLITy1P8U8pSW0MSiiEMume0Wj4-qUkW1mouLwrkoyhAoAfxzOllm-ylcNUWD7r5yPjc5s9UP_gySpxISKZo8tVllLllburHa03_W7t4cBhgQGgVazFpUyaQs/s1600/w80a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsx2Mgzynp6X02tTXTFhPLITy1P8U8pSW0MSiiEMume0Wj4-qUkW1mouLwrkoyhAoAfxzOllm-ylcNUWD7r5yPjc5s9UP_gySpxISKZo8tVllLllburHa03_W7t4cBhgQGgVazFpUyaQs/s400/w80a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Whitey drinking water from a creek. I poured water over Hayley and me <br />several times to keep our body temperature down. It was hot!</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We only followed a trail for the first ten minutes,<br /> after that we made our own way.</b></td></tr>
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When we found the creek, (it wasn't really a river) I scooped up water over me and Hayley. She liked that! Not once on the hike she complained about anything. She just loves being outdoors so much. She's looking around all the time, nothing passes by unnoticed to her eyes. </div>
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We heard a waterfall not to far away and followed the creek for about half a mile until we reached the waterfall. Stella jumped up on the rocks next to the waterfall. She stood at the top locking down at the rest of us, "Aren't you guys coming? It's fun up here!" Unfortunately she lost her footing as she jumped down and landed on a rock, on her shoulder. It looked like it would of been very painful. She screamed a little bit but didn't even limp. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikMohAs3YiEqeTaXNQ11TGUpGDsl55BMmnyWCdK88jM4Jg6VguV1ixg3s_y3ro3a1J42HPFON2f9kxjCSOP69v5fpMEayOeQmNv1_4p_s-UcH-CVtEcDFQMeVnKuf9E_bvZS61t7fEU0/s1600/t3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikMohAs3YiEqeTaXNQ11TGUpGDsl55BMmnyWCdK88jM4Jg6VguV1ixg3s_y3ro3a1J42HPFON2f9kxjCSOP69v5fpMEayOeQmNv1_4p_s-UcH-CVtEcDFQMeVnKuf9E_bvZS61t7fEU0/s400/t3.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We followed the sound of flowing water and frogs.<br />It took us to this water fall.</b></td></tr>
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We rested for a while next to the waterfall. I took some pictures, before we started to head back to the truck. The whole adventure of going down to the creek and finding the waterfall had taken about two hours. I decided to take a shortcut out to the gravel road I drove up on, and follow the road back to the truck. It took about one hour to walk up the road, same steep climb, but up this time. A lot easier to follow the road though!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We passed by some green, lush meadows too.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM9-HzNVPix5Ml6PaReL3OT6ZUkQNZF9X42i1qrjhnM3SFgEy2CQ56tUDPw3HO6QXnejImf-0AkP4g6zno617b5qz5XwWwaFxfChmIfJL8LlgIKef2ocRutoH4ev9IAYTf7_RbaCVm_k/s1600/t4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM9-HzNVPix5Ml6PaReL3OT6ZUkQNZF9X42i1qrjhnM3SFgEy2CQ56tUDPw3HO6QXnejImf-0AkP4g6zno617b5qz5XwWwaFxfChmIfJL8LlgIKef2ocRutoH4ev9IAYTf7_RbaCVm_k/s320/t4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hazel nut trees every where.</b></td></tr>
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It was a wonderful day, I can't wait to get back to "the great outdoors"! There is nowhere I feel as present in the moment as I do in the wilderness. I need to go out there every now and then. It's like fuel for my soul. I feel blessed that Hayley enjoys it as much as I do.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Stella and Whitey always have energy to play!</b></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com2Trinity National Forest, Hayfork, CA 96041, USA40.9030155 -123.156798139.360330000000005 -125.73858510000001 42.445701 -120.5750111tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-4974021303808848382013-02-20T13:36:00.000-08:002013-02-20T13:36:14.132-08:00Clover Creek Preserve<br />
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So this is the last week of the writing class I'm taking. Honestly, I haven't been writing as much as I would of liked. I've been on so many adventures these past weeks. I have lots of stuff to write about that's for sure! Not talking about the thousands of pictures I have to edit. No day have been the same as the day before :)</div>
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Hayley and I stayed at a hotel in Redding (Northern California), for almost a week. We've been on many mini adventures. At least one every day. We've found some new favorite places. Some in neatly organized park like settings, like Clover Creek Preserve. </div>
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Clover Creek Preserve is an easy accessible park, close to central Redding. In fact it was only a 10 minute drive from the hotel we stayed at. Hayley, Whitey and I walked a couple of miles there almost every day.</div>
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It's a small park, only 128 acres. The land is flat and it has many trails. There's a lake in the middle of the park, some hills and oak trees. Every time we've been there it's been rather windy. It's definitely worth a visit despite the wind. The views are truly amazing. You are surrounded by mountain peaks in all directions; Mt Lassen, Mt Shasta and Trinity Alps. The best views are of Trinity Alps.</div>
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Dogs has to be on leash at all times. Good training for Whitey. I don't use a leash very often.</div>
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Two days ago just before we reached the parking lot after our walk, we met a girl with two giant pit bulls. She had one in each hand. We heard her long before we could see her: "BAD", "You're so bad", "Bad boys"…etc..When we did see her she was torne between the two dogs that wanted to walk in different directions. (They obviously walked her and not the other way around.) We hurried in to our car before she had to let one of them go. We didn't stay to watch the disaster. The park was crowded, the weather was nice and many families choose to spend the afternoon there. </div>
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I hope that she got her dogs back under control shortly after we left. Neither of them seem to be aggressive, only playful. But they were huge dogs and could easily ran over someone.</div>
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I'll be back tomorrow with a story about another more adventurous adventure! A strenuous hike in Trinity Alps. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-1281721782541017532013-02-18T21:47:00.001-08:002013-02-18T21:47:51.257-08:00Did someone actually try to steal my dog??<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCk3kp2lWHT4lmb4KzoDeTYTjCNOVJgOZiYS5AdEEkp8-Dt1jvC0nUSxqzgzNYE-CLkt33DbXui536LUJcu98fCJO3GMUJ4UNF6Buz7wNQbkvOLuOX0ToYG-B-h4Vz7bz0u5QOgBYH2E/s1600/wh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCk3kp2lWHT4lmb4KzoDeTYTjCNOVJgOZiYS5AdEEkp8-Dt1jvC0nUSxqzgzNYE-CLkt33DbXui536LUJcu98fCJO3GMUJ4UNF6Buz7wNQbkvOLuOX0ToYG-B-h4Vz7bz0u5QOgBYH2E/s320/wh.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cut behind Whiteys leg</td></tr>
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I've been out of town for some days. Today when I came home I started to unpack my car. Hayley was asleep so I brought her in to the house. Whitey was sitting on the driveway. I went back and forth to the car with all our stuff (read: dirty laundry..)</div>
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Through the screen doors in the living room I watch two Mexican men step out from a white Van they parked on the opposite side of the road. They walk over to our side, and on to our drive way. Whitey approach them with a wagging tale. He just LOVES every one. I walk towards the door to see what's up. I didn't recognize the men. For a few seconds, while walking from the living room to the door in the mud room, I don't see what's happening. </div>
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When I open the door, the men disappears and Whitey runs to me screaming. He has a wound behind his right, front leg. What happened?</div>
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At first I thought they kicked him for some reason, but after thinking about it for a little while it doesn't seem realistic. It looks like a cut. Like if someone put something (wire?) around him. Did someone actually try to steal my dog?</div>
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Everything happened so fast. I didn't get a good signature of the men and I didn't see the license plate of the car. All I saw was that they looked like Mexicans and drove a white Van.</div>
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I'm a little upset. It's kind of scary. Whitey loves to sit on the driveway or on the porch, just looking at stuff but after this I'm afraid to let him out of sight. </div>
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I'm very thankful that nothing worse happened.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-16776226198427871862013-02-17T23:40:00.001-08:002013-02-17T23:40:45.632-08:00Where There is Trust There is No Need for Force<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37RO_Opz0b08IGOU2jOI1o1-M0dFwjtRKDiUUB74v9ZZF4l2BtxX9aBERy2z5LXvPBCfDGNrP0u2aPLu1Je8GIQ-9JnGISM2gf0q12OG775imzo3zSHREkHpOx4zxUs8NHFf085FBEAQ/s1600/trig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37RO_Opz0b08IGOU2jOI1o1-M0dFwjtRKDiUUB74v9ZZF4l2BtxX9aBERy2z5LXvPBCfDGNrP0u2aPLu1Je8GIQ-9JnGISM2gf0q12OG775imzo3zSHREkHpOx4zxUs8NHFf085FBEAQ/s400/trig.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My rescue horse Trigger on our back porch.<br />During the two last months of my pregnancy<br />I didn't ride my horses but we spent a lot<br />of time together.</b></td></tr>
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Todays post is dedicated to one of my obsessions! One that definitely fuel my creative ideas and force me to think outside the box. I'm talking about the strong urge I feel to not use any kind of physical force when I handle horses. I want them to chose to be with me. Sometimes this is challenging. Especially since I often work with rescue horses. Horses that's been abused or neglected. These horses don't trust humans, for good reasons. It takes time and creativity to win their trust. I feel very passionate about doing that, winning their trust. I guess you could say that it's an obsession I have. </div>
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It would be fairly easy "to make these unruly" horses (they often have issues that could be seen as bad manners) to obey. That's not what I want to do. </div>
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I try to give them a good horse life, a life similar to how wild horses live. I want to give them as much freedom as I can. My horses live in herds on big pastures. I give all new horses a lot of time before I start riding them, even the horses that are trained for years. I prefer to have a foundation to work from. "Rules" that feels good for both me and the horse that I'm working with. These "rules" can be different depending on the horse's experience, age, breed, knowledge and personality. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Trigger likes to follow me around when<br />I work in the garden. In this<br />picture he hangs out with me<br />when I'm working in the garage.</b></td></tr>
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The choice to handle horses using my head rather than muscles, requires a lot of creativity. Its often challenging and that what's I thrive on. The sensation when you can interact with a big, powerful animal through feel is amazing. It's worth all the efforts to gain the trust of a skeptical animal. I'm not an extraordinary horse person in anyway. I'm just a regular girl that has loved horses all her life. I had the good fortune to be able to observe and interact with many horses (and wise horse people as well.) </div>
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Horses makes me humble. I noticed that I have to trust a horse before he can even consider trusting me. My closest horse friend, Trigger, didn't let me touch his head when I got him. After getting to know him I found out that his tongue had a deep cut, after a sharp bit someone used on him. He's mouth is completely healed now and he accept having a bit in his mouth, but his is happier without it. Trigger and I have a deal: I ride him without anything in his mouth and in return he trust me to make good decision. It's been a long time consuming road to come to this point in our relationship BUT definitely worth it! It feels very good to know that we've come to this point of mutual understanding completely without force. In the beginning Trigger questioned most things I suggested, now he is very eager to please. You can make a horse obey with force, but to truly make him your friend you can't use force. To make friends you sometimes have to be creative. For me this creativity is addictive and sort of an obsession. It's so rewarding! Why do it any other way? </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWpKSu45GAqHerfQDi-s3A6-338qRueWeGDbAIhXrw0PCms9xJ1b6-po7ym0cjlqiX0f70eMRk5XdsxlexRG6XUwZO-pfPApt_4LNsEqcyi97dnUPrsQ9RZLJwug_P5kb9QYGoW8OUEE/s1600/tr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWpKSu45GAqHerfQDi-s3A6-338qRueWeGDbAIhXrw0PCms9xJ1b6-po7ym0cjlqiX0f70eMRk5XdsxlexRG6XUwZO-pfPApt_4LNsEqcyi97dnUPrsQ9RZLJwug_P5kb9QYGoW8OUEE/s400/tr.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Trigger, (Hayley!) and I in Eldorado National Forest.</b></td></tr>
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Do you want to know more about Trigger? </div>
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<a href="http://discoveringranchlife.blogspot.com/2012/07/fun-things-to-do-with-your-horse-when.html">http://discoveringranchlife.blogspot.com/2012/07/fun-things-to-do-with-your-horse-when.html</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-11532902402717553232013-02-16T19:31:00.001-08:002013-02-16T20:56:46.184-08:00A new life<br />
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A year ago I met a very anxious dog. At night she was locked up in a tiny crate, in the dirtiest, smelliest house I ever seen. The dog was also very dirty. During daytime she was tied up most of the day. She was sad and unhappy. Sometimes her owner would take her of the line she was tied up to (they explained that she always was on the dog run because she ran away if she was loose. They lived on a 20acres ranch....) When the owners were out of state my husband and I watch the dog. When we came she was tied up on the dog run all tangled up. They did not leave any food for her, for the two weeks we were going to watch her. She didn't have water. </div>
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The times I saw her off leash with the owners they always nagged on her (screaming her name like 100 times/minute.) She was almost more uncomfortable off leash. I felt very sorry for her.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTjNRiPNxvEoYWWSXjdozKlmi2fFNf1XUOB7aYR9jftuzziOXwPgEwHZj0MoL0eqiA7jmqsM8hCuV5nrAm-TlQULxygfGf6JXDSx_2bGRkuwoH3G5jIQWSUfKNrQ1VYrfxyytnWAeOqo/s1600/csw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTjNRiPNxvEoYWWSXjdozKlmi2fFNf1XUOB7aYR9jftuzziOXwPgEwHZj0MoL0eqiA7jmqsM8hCuV5nrAm-TlQULxygfGf6JXDSx_2bGRkuwoH3G5jIQWSUfKNrQ1VYrfxyytnWAeOqo/s400/csw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stella, Whitey and Charity (the dog in the story) this week.</td></tr>
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Two days ago I had the pleasure to meet the same dog. I almost didn't recognize her. She had a new owner. A beautiful, happy, confident, clean, respectful dog came to meet me. Very happy to see me. There was something familiar with the dog, but I didn't recognize her immediately. I had to ask if it was the same dog. She gained some weight and her fur was sparkling, thick and shining. The biggest difference was her happy confidence. This dog was living the life! </div>
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It made me very happy to see what an excellent job her new owner done loving her, and giving her her life back. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-48201907763819498992013-02-14T20:02:00.000-08:002013-02-14T20:02:08.544-08:00Sustainable Living<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding Boots, City Boots and Dress Boots</td></tr>
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Making our lifestyle as sustainable as possible is very important to our family. There are many small, but important ingredients in a sustainable lifestyle. One of them have to do with the amount of things you buy, and what you do with them.</div>
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We're trying to think before we buy new things. Do we really need this? When we do need new things we prefer to buy quality that last a long time, rather than saving a few bucks and have to buy new things in a near future. I rarely go to sales. For me it's cheaper to buy just what I need, in good quality, at a full price. Rather than buying tons of low quality crap that will brake and need to be exchanged. </div>
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I do not own a lot of stuff, clothes, books or anything. What I do have I really like. If I don't like it I give it to charity or sell it. </div>
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I own four pair of boots. That's all the shoes I own. One pair for riding, one pair for every day life (like going to the grocery store), one pair that goes well to a nice evening dress and one pair for hiking. Later in the spring I will buy a pair of sandals, the last ones broke at the end of last season.</div>
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The hiking boots don't need any maintenance. The other three pairs need cleaning, some oil and water proofing. I really enjoy taking care of leather. It smells so good. I like the smooth feeling on my hands while working the oil into the leather. I love the result; shining, waterproof, good looking boots (or saddles, headstalls, reins, belts…)</div>
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It feels good to take care of my family's equipment. It feels good because I know that they appreciate it. It feels good because I know the equipment will last a long time, to the benefits of the environment and our family's economy. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-64903773990086534042013-02-13T18:13:00.000-08:002013-02-13T18:13:31.097-08:00Adding pieces to my new (life) puzzle<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pictures in todays post are from last weeks adventure<br /> in Siskiyou County, Northern California.</td></tr>
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I feel like I'm constantly on mini adventures. My life is an adventure. I guess it's partly who I am ~ a citizen of the world. I like action (but I like sitting down reading a good book too!!) The other reason why my life is an adventure have to do with the man I choose to marry. He is a little bit of an adventurer my dear husband. Things are always happening around him. He always have at least ten different projects going on. For the most I really like it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfdJPCXZJYfXPUCcHbydpxQbfQZlnceiMcFQN3motsDkOW5F_4j67OLdOMEAIHuwtjw1CLfZfUrAdPzb3WGqJGmYowIvPqk1c7cZnTy9KlJzXFimgyfA9LjtZz4hTpBKGktFZjWFfSAY/s1600/m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfdJPCXZJYfXPUCcHbydpxQbfQZlnceiMcFQN3motsDkOW5F_4j67OLdOMEAIHuwtjw1CLfZfUrAdPzb3WGqJGmYowIvPqk1c7cZnTy9KlJzXFimgyfA9LjtZz4hTpBKGktFZjWFfSAY/s400/m.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Ranch near Montague, CA. <br />I love how the clouds rests on the mountains.<br />It's a magical landscape. I would love to hear some<br /> local stories about old times in this part of CA.</td></tr>
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My challenge is to make sure that my own projects doesn't die in the process. Luckily one of my biggest passions is photography. I am bringing my camera with me every day. My camera is sort of a second journal. I am good at uploading my pictures to the computer, for the most I do it the same day, or at the latest the day after. When I edit my picture, the "adventure" that I captured comes back to me. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQbfN2rOeOM8-8uF_sLHAOYpCADqyWQHWniGFeRSHEpJqB0S6OcKghKwT8YUauOmIw10KseNjwZqoIktge9eKbBGaR2sU7bkE_lpTt4e3A9yKqAUET-T9dthFn6KIBAecGHRqBKAK4ok/s1600/y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQbfN2rOeOM8-8uF_sLHAOYpCADqyWQHWniGFeRSHEpJqB0S6OcKghKwT8YUauOmIw10KseNjwZqoIktge9eKbBGaR2sU7bkE_lpTt4e3A9yKqAUET-T9dthFn6KIBAecGHRqBKAK4ok/s400/y.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this picture on a ranch close to Yreka, CA.</td></tr>
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Sometimes it's "only every day magic", sometimes it's rather exciting stuff. I love taking pictures when I'm out riding my horses (or other peoples horses that I train.) I usually don't bring my big camera. I use my iPhone when I'm on horseback. It works pretty good. </div>
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I've taken some of the best pictures in wilderness areas that would of been pretty hard to get to without a horse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAHdUXLDi5edUih36hSpr80JXhOrRs9w3L5jCIjdOwYkhUSVFBvLJKtvsXQ62v6gsjzPGgpEFvNN800tnSXe9jegqDfVBtvUF7Bt2gsHbmfbAcZCvGH972BRYqguhqnotjaP8pL0KBrU/s1600/Yreka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAHdUXLDi5edUih36hSpr80JXhOrRs9w3L5jCIjdOwYkhUSVFBvLJKtvsXQ62v6gsjzPGgpEFvNN800tnSXe9jegqDfVBtvUF7Bt2gsHbmfbAcZCvGH972BRYqguhqnotjaP8pL0KBrU/s320/Yreka.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trinity Alpes</td></tr>
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Lately my daughter, my dog, my camera and I have been traveling around Northern California a lot, due to my husbands business. I love the landscape, the interesting people you meet and the food (that sometimes are as interesting as the people who serves it..) I learn a lot while I'm on the road. Since I'm not a native Californian I feel that I want to learn as much as possible about the local history, what people do for a living, what kind of crops the farmers grow on different places, what kind of trees I see, the names of the mountain peaks that surrounds me etc. I love adding more pieces to the puzzle. I always loved being able to see the whole picture. I want to know about my surroundings. Otherwise I can't feel at home. I'm slowly getting there, a little bit more every day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBaZjlFqobOzYxxNGncfHDUIy5dmKEjDcOegTi_zFmuB7eWXgsN7a5dNzvVvUP1phHXgB6dVq3IjhPb2poCfaeiVJC7KJqlgCFno_3wVyidlcjnvLuSbfzZ9nYj3oWEYlltYNxHRbMcE/s1600/Etna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBaZjlFqobOzYxxNGncfHDUIy5dmKEjDcOegTi_zFmuB7eWXgsN7a5dNzvVvUP1phHXgB6dVq3IjhPb2poCfaeiVJC7KJqlgCFno_3wVyidlcjnvLuSbfzZ9nYj3oWEYlltYNxHRbMcE/s400/Etna.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montague, CA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_k_YixNcalXiuxle3kYAbi48zQE4cTecUw34wqxitB5-VGIYmiZofSmpFvmAPeK6cyWUKpYRkPPuViAMxwAEgdR_qeJ2udtUhcQv4jYyHONjDklP3SIbFFgTj0YckHVbt_KFRr7KdU8/s1600/y3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_k_YixNcalXiuxle3kYAbi48zQE4cTecUw34wqxitB5-VGIYmiZofSmpFvmAPeK6cyWUKpYRkPPuViAMxwAEgdR_qeJ2udtUhcQv4jYyHONjDklP3SIbFFgTj0YckHVbt_KFRr7KdU8/s400/y3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this picture driving from Etna, CA.</td></tr>
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When my children ask questions about things they see, I want to know the answers. Maybe I won't tell them the answers every time. I like them to gather knowledge on their own. But I want to know the answers.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-67430925974559843452013-02-12T16:45:00.001-08:002013-02-12T16:45:38.080-08:00Everyday routines that makes me feel good<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMsNA63USIsZcNNGozHO8EOm5JMKej7WP7_7M3U4wH2R0Xreg3Xs6B1-kmXn4i56UrzfdpzzErXNqrqhm8cVsq0h_P2yvPuw1qYiys3jyi8jiOlDeaWMJ1HaPh_xFu-kKIpOkDJYgTmY/s1600/IMG_2109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMsNA63USIsZcNNGozHO8EOm5JMKej7WP7_7M3U4wH2R0Xreg3Xs6B1-kmXn4i56UrzfdpzzErXNqrqhm8cVsq0h_P2yvPuw1qYiys3jyi8jiOlDeaWMJ1HaPh_xFu-kKIpOkDJYgTmY/s200/IMG_2109.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took "my office" with me out to the<br />pasture today.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Today I decided to write about things in my daily routine that makes me feel good. These are things that I'm trying to get in one way or another every day. My days never look the same. I'm living a very active life. I have several places I call home. I travel a lot. I have children and animals, things happens that I can't foresee. </div>
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My "daily routine" is my foundation for well being. Therefor these things are very high on my priority list, no matter what's on the schedule, or where I am. </div>
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<b> It's a good day when:</b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">My husband and I get to spend at least part of the day together.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">I have time to play and laugh with my children.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">If I can make a positive difference in someones life. Add a little happiness in one way or another.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Smelling the warm, sweet scent of a horse up close, that always makes me feel good inside. Connected to nature.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">On a perfect day I have time to meditate and exercise outdoors (ride a horse, hike, take the dogs for a walk, run, play with my children etc.)</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Taking time to capture every day magic with my camera AND share it with others, makes me happy.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Eating healthy food makes me feel good and gives me energy to last the whole day.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">I really enjoy writing on my blog too. It makes me humble, grateful for what I have and it helps me to keep track of my days (especially those days that fly by at 100miles/hour.)</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Communicating with likeminded people - on the internet or in real life adds a lot of happiness and joy to my life.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Exploring new places adds flavor to my daily routine. It can be on foot, on horseback, going by car or plane. Even such a simple thing like walking the dogs in a new park adds something worth while to my day.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Learning new things is very exciting and keeps me alert and hungry of life.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;">Last but not least, baking is something I really enjoy. The creative process and the joy of serving things I baked to my family.</span></li>
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What do you have in your daily routine that are critical for your well being?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-13927737961755180612013-02-11T21:29:00.001-08:002013-02-11T21:32:16.230-08:00My First Business!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://bakethebestbread.blogspot.com</td></tr>
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I'm taking a writing class <a href="http://rowdykittens.com/digitalwriting/" target="_blank">http://rowdykittens.com/digitalwriting/</a>, a few days ago our teacher, Tammy Strobel, gave us a <i>writing prompt. </i>One inspirational word to spark our creativity. The word was <i>MEMORY</i>. </div>
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I've been on the road the whole week and I couldn't do this exercise until today. When I started to think about the word <i>memory</i> a raging river of memories; some angry, some sad, some fun and some unforgettable moments took place in my head. </div>
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The first, strong memories that came up in my mind were pretty dark (they all had to do with death and betrayal.) I rather focus my energy on more positive memories. I have many of these too!</div>
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I finally decided to write about my first business. To me this is a very positive story. I decided to write about my first business because I learned a lot from it. It taught me how strong I am. It taught me how to make my dreams my reality. </div>
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<b><i>A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE</i></b></div>
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I was 15 years old. I wanted some money of my own. I needed some money. I needed them for security. My step father often punished us in different ways, especially when he was drunk or stressed. One of his favorite ways was to make us eat strange food (like only onions for dinner), or let us go to bed without food. (Thank god for the free meals we ate at school every Mon-Fri!) </div>
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I really needed some money of my own.</div>
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It all started with an image in my head. I could see myself in another position than the one I currently had. When I was a teenager I was basically a slave in my step father's house. My step father lived with his mom and dad until he married my mother at the age of 30++. He was the laziest, greediest, completely uneducated, violent, drunk and evil person you can imagine. He was also a priest..After my mothers death (when I was 12 years old), my two younger sisters and I lived alone with this man.</div>
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Here is the beginning of my story towards reaching my dreams. The story that finally lead me to the life I enjoy today.</div>
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I manifested the new image of myself, an image of <i>me</i> ~ <i>me </i>eating food I enjoyed, <i>me </i>wearing<i> </i>clothes I liked, <i>me </i>doing things I enjoyed (like riding horses, traveling and snowboarding.)</div>
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I decided to start a business. What kind of business can you possibly succeed with as a 15 year old school girl?</div>
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We lived close to a retirement home for senior citizens. Next to the retirement home there were several apartment complexes, for the elderly gentlemen and women that still could manage to live by themselves. </div>
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I put my best clothes on. Walked over to the first apartment complex. It was a cold, windy day in September. I had a pen and paper in my hand. I knocked on every door. I asked everyone what kind of favorite bread they enjoyed the most. (Bread is a very important part of the traditional Swedish kitchen. We eat bread to everything.) I wrote down names and favorite kind of bread, in my notebook. </div>
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The following Saturday my alarm woke me up at 3am. (My step father was still past out from last nights drinking.) I baked (from scratch) all the different breads on the senior citizens favorite list. It was five different kinds.</div>
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I walked over to the apartment complex at 8am, with bread, still warm from the oven. </div>
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I gave everyone two bread rolls each, of their favorite bread. I gave them the bread for free. </div>
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Many of them were very touched and some even cried.</div>
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I talked to each and everyone for a couple of minutes. Before saying good bye I asked them if they would like to subscribe (for a small fee,) to fresh bread every Saturday and Sunday morning. I got 20 subscribers on that first day. Within a couple of weeks it doubled. After doubling the number of clients I couldn't except more subscribers. There weren't enough hours in the mornings for baking more bread before my step father woke up.</div>
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After paying for all the ingredients (I bought them myself and carried them home on my bicycle,) the profit was about $100/weekend. A lot of money for a 15year old (at least it was <b>a lot</b> of money for me). </div>
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I'm afraid I didn't knew how to pay taxes!</div>
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I still enjoy baking! ~ <a href="http://bakethebestbread.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://bakethebestbread.blogspot.com</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-70826225878491106432013-02-09T20:24:00.003-08:002013-02-09T20:24:47.574-08:00Northern California<div>
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I really love Northern California! The further north the better. I can really relate to the landscape. I feel free and at home. The landscape is very similar to the mountain region in northern Sweden, where I spent most of my life. <div>
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My husband had a lot of work in Northern California lately, and sometimes I come with him. This week we've been in Redding, Red Bluff, Mt. Shasta, Weed, Little Shasta, Yreka, Montague, Gazelle, Fort Jones, Etna and several other beautiful small towns. I've taken many photos. They are still on my camera though. The pictures in todays post are all taken with my iPhone. Just to give you a little taste of the beauty of Northern California.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-55295201410884643302013-02-07T12:14:00.000-08:002013-02-07T12:17:51.582-08:00Separation Anxiety<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hayley in the light of the early morning sun, <br />shining in through the bedroom window.</b></td></tr>
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There is nothing like being a mother. It's definitely true what everybody keeps telling you before you have kids, life will never be the same again. It will never be the same! It's much better! Never the same, totally different. You sleep less, work harder AND have more magic in your life. Seeing the world through the eyes of my son and my daughter when they discover new amazing things, there's nothing that possibly could compare to that. </div>
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Right now Hayley is having some serious separation anxiety attacks whenever she can't see me. She's OK with other people holding her and playing with her, as long as she can see me. She loves people, she always smiles and flirts with everyone she meets (just like her daddy.) I've always said yes when people wants to hold her, much more so than I did with my first born. I guess that I was a little protective with him. With Hayley I've tried hard to share her in every way I can. Still, I'm the one spending 22-24hours/day with her. She does sleep in her own room, but if she wakes up I'm there in 2sec. I believe that breastfeeding creates a very strong bond as well. I'm still breastfeeding her. Evolutionary it all makes sense. I am her comfort and the one providing food. </div>
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I'm not super stressed about it. In other cultures babies spend most of their first year/years with their Mom, barely separated at all. Yes, it would be easier if she could spend time with other people sometimes without being super upset. (She's getting more and more upset, two months ago anyone who picked her up got the biggest smile.) I've decided to just let the phase pass, slow down my life (as much as I possibly can……) and bring her along. I did that all the time until very recently. I think that she's telling me that she liked it better that way and therefor I should listen to that. I know that this will pass too. My battle method is basically to minimize the separation as much as possible until the phase passes naturally.<br />
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Any thoughts about separation anxiety and small children? I would love to hear them!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A little earlier </b></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-686904553102964672013-02-04T22:53:00.000-08:002013-02-04T22:56:01.459-08:00Perspective and Technology<br />
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I'm taking a writing class. It started today. The name of it is, "Writing in the digital age". I've always been an outdoor person and the fact that I started to use computers in1992 is a little contradictionary to my person. In high school it was only "the nerds" that were interested in computers. I was a snowboarder and did not fit well with "the nerd" stereotype. Therefore I believe it surprised some of my friends when I choose "Advanced Computer Science" and "How to Build a Webpage" as side classes. I actually had a "blog" in1995. I didn't know about the concept of blogging, of course. What I had was an online snowboard diary. I see no difference in what I did back then and modern blogging, except everything is a lot easier to do now. </div>
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Technology actually has a great impact on my every day life. I'm still an outdoor person. I need to be outdoors everyday, otherwise I feel sick. Still I also find myself using a lot of modern technology while practicing my outdoor activities. I always have a GPS, for safety. I sometimes use a GoPro (a little film camera you can attach on your head/helmet/board etc.) to film my adventures. I have a Nikon D5100 to capture my animals and the magical sceneries I encounter on my adventures. I have a MacBook Pro to edit/store pictures and for blogging.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My husband Philip</b></td></tr>
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I met my husband online, on a horse forum (discussing a cross country ride), before meeting him in real life. I also met other amazing people with similar interests online. Like Cindy Hartzell, one of my guest bloggers on <a href="http://discoveringranchlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://discoveringranchlife.blogspot.com</a>. I first "met her" on Facebook. We've been discussing horse related topics for over a year now. Last weekend Cindy and her husband, Bruce, came and stayed with us over the weekend. It was awesome to meet her in real life. I love the networking opportunities that the internet opens up for likeminded people. That's the major reason why I like blogging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwoqJPRdgZUNJgOOOeLyBqSdUsYmFtfwOKm2Nu3Sz0qaMS6k3K56c4IPRmPZLclLLImgRYXNhflY-5CPpVgkKnZDtyXA55E89lrX1rAK6cTqUN1gQYgM3ax0C8mqEkDNJrPGnH8EdGBM/s1600/cb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwoqJPRdgZUNJgOOOeLyBqSdUsYmFtfwOKm2Nu3Sz0qaMS6k3K56c4IPRmPZLclLLImgRYXNhflY-5CPpVgkKnZDtyXA55E89lrX1rAK6cTqUN1gQYgM3ax0C8mqEkDNJrPGnH8EdGBM/s400/cb.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cindy and Bruce Hartzell</b></td></tr>
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I'm very excited about this writing class I'm taking. Today's assignment was about events that affected our perspective.</div>
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There are several life changing events that changed my perspective, and made me reevaluate them over and over again. </div>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">I remember being12 years old and having my whole existence turned upside down. My mother died in cancer. </li>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">A few years later when I was 19 I ran away from home to escape the rage of my violent stepfather, and the captivating cult he belonged to. </li>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">The number one thing that changed my life forever is of course the birth of my two children. Life is never going to be the same after being blessed with the gift of motherhood.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bH4ec6h-x8Cno4DFFSPYf66N-Y04I7jUBYHklyXBdxswf5yXPtcdmQSnyi1-cL2d1kpb7IurTP3vuZgOCA_2D7VDPTXcBvBkF_RzCHB-lGBruyc19dI84FXwYWy7LjtaARjJ6rapzqM/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bH4ec6h-x8Cno4DFFSPYf66N-Y04I7jUBYHklyXBdxswf5yXPtcdmQSnyi1-cL2d1kpb7IurTP3vuZgOCA_2D7VDPTXcBvBkF_RzCHB-lGBruyc19dI84FXwYWy7LjtaARjJ6rapzqM/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">Moving to another continent, leaving family, friends, a good job, my culture, country and native language also opened up my mind to different points of view I never imagined. The most challenging thing for me is probably the language. Going from being a teacher to not being able to express myself the way I want to is extremely frustrating. </li>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px;">However my hope is that the realization that I can live my dreams despite my past, is the one thing that has the biggest impact on my life. That's what I want to capture with my camera and write about. </li>
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All these events are about finding freedom. In that process, nature is where I have found that freedom and peace of mind. My horses have enhanced my connection with nature.</div>
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I'm well aware of that all these themes affect who I am and what I write about. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Trigger and I, in Eldorado National Forest.</b></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16582234471404191800noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850873632420214054.post-6816066048213662382013-02-03T23:59:00.001-08:002013-02-03T23:59:12.636-08:00Dreams Do Come True<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Angela Carte (in the middle) was surrounded <br />by supporters the whole evening.</b></td></tr>
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Last night Napa Valley Horse Rescue had their first fundraiser. Founder Angela Carte has been rescuing horses for ten years. Last year she rescued 75 horses from slaughter. Her dream is to start a therapeutic riding program for terminally ill children. The fundraiser was to make that dream come true. She picked the perfect place for her first fundraiser; The Black Stallion Winery in Napa. I'd never been there before and was happily surprised by the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The rooms filled with horse art of different kinds; old saddles, equipment, paintings, pictures and statues. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>part of the dining area</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wine Barrels</b></td></tr>
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The event was well organized. Everything from the logistics, the live and silent auctions, the food, wine and music was well thought out. I believe that all guests finished the evening with a good, warm feeling in their heart and Napa Valley Horse Rescue got some funding for their therapeutic riding program. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b>After The Party</b></td></tr>
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I was the event photographer for this fund raiser. Please feel free to email me if you attended, and would like some pictures of this great event: mmarianorthcutt@gmail.com.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bartenders for the night.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB-DMirtULGkEuyoRMUKLRhDLxQZr4K9Nf_Fz9_ChyvD_fjrjgi0LuhSZAkc-wsmf8h86Wv9Xo5yNoc64B9CSn4J3a6FPDsFt5ZuAmYyB2lOepZZQiAcmZeWk053NHnAPaY9bzw_2aOM/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB-DMirtULGkEuyoRMUKLRhDLxQZr4K9Nf_Fz9_ChyvD_fjrjgi0LuhSZAkc-wsmf8h86Wv9Xo5yNoc64B9CSn4J3a6FPDsFt5ZuAmYyB2lOepZZQiAcmZeWk053NHnAPaY9bzw_2aOM/s400/DSC_0015.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Marshall Law Band kept the party going</b></td></tr>
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