And Now For Something Completely Different...
Today I got to ride side saddle for the first time ever! It was a wonderful, magic, scary freaky as hell experience! I will tell this tale...
First off, there are two kind of side saddles, English and Western. This one is a Western, tho Trainer Mel has all but promised me an English one. When I asked her the difference, she said "Same thing, only less of it." Oh. Good. Here's one view...
And the other. Ready to ride?
I slipped easily into the saddle, my spirited mount dancing, eager to be off, completely calm, and eager for this new adventure, I approached this new way of riding as only a sane women would.
You can see next the ease and grace in which I accomplished this. Nothing to it, settle yourself, bring your leg over, and make yourself comfortable.
And off we rode. Sort of. Trainer Mel did the leading, and we only walked. Enough, trust me. I think my first comment after the first couple of steps was "ACK OH NO HELP I AM FALLING!!!!!!!!!!!" But really, once you get the hang of the balance and how the horse moves, it's not a bad way to ride. Thank You Mel And Jeannie!!! To say I couldn't have done it without you is an understatement!!!!!
I didn't feel quiet as graceful and elegant as I had always dreamed I would, more "Hey Horsie hope you are liking this sack of potatoes on your back" but one starts at the beginning, doesn't one, and the grace and fitness and dance of it all will come in time.
For tonight it is enough to know that I did it.
And now I have a one of these again....
Love and Dreams,
Lorraine
posted by FabulousLorraine @ 3:47 PM
68 Comments
68 Comments:
Yay horse, yay dog. :)
yay goggie is homes! good on ya for ridin! good to know the saddle goes on the horsie; not the goggie though he looks big enough to ride! What a lovely face he has too!
Congrats on staying on! It does look like the part about finding your balance would be the trick - and no small one at that.
Do you realize you could start your own circus? You've got bengals and a dog, a horse to ride...
Speaking of Dog... he looks great! Did he ever let Hans drive?
That sidesaddle looks terrifying to me...good work, Lorraine!
And I'm glad Dog drove Hans home safely. He looks thin....Cabal, not Hans. Wouldn't have a clue what Hans looks like.
Hans looks like a combination of a Stalwart Knight and a Cuddly Teddy Bear. Oddly enough, it works.
Riding is interesting in that it's a great lesson in relaxing, and the more you relax , while using every muscle in your body, the better it goes.
It's a state of mind, and a good one. You definitely feel strong, very strong, doing it.
But it's still freaking scary!
I'm trying to figure out the side saddle. One leg goes in the upward hook, does the other wedge in the downward hook and stay in place with the stirrup? So there's only one stirrup? Not sure I'm being clear, I just woke up from a nap.
And yay doggy! He looks happy to be home, did you get lots of loving from him when he got there?
Very cool and very scary!
I bet Cabal was very happy to see you.
Cool riding boot legging things. The side saddle saddle is pretty.
Okay technical question...how did you balance? I mean, where was your center of gravity...It looks almost like you have to lean back more? I have to ask this because its what I've always wanted to know about riding side saddle, having never tried it in a proper saddle. Only mucking about (death wish).
Cabal looks almost wistful there.
BTW, I am having boot lust over your boots.
That's right Data, exactly it.
And your balance is kind of back and you hang on with your legs kind of squeezing together. I can see how it works.
Ah, like the boots do you? I left my proper boots at the other house, and those were all I had.
Custom made, water buffalo and deerskin, with Irish two-pence made into buttons. I have a knee high pair of black ones too.
http://www.catskill-moc.com
Pricy, but they make them for you, they make a duc tape mold of your feet. REALLY comfy.
oh wow! horse and dog in one post! squeee!!!
so when i was id i apparently had no fear and rode a fairly big horse. now, i think i'd be quite terrified.
so this watchmen movie looks pretty rad. i'm the odd one, i've never really read comics. when i do sit down with one, i enjoy it. i think as a kid i really wanted to read, and found the pictures distracting. i do appreciate the artwork and lettering, but usually as an afterthought as i go back and look through.
OMF
You know, I am not much of a shoe girl. Never wear heels. Do not understand the amount of money spent on trendy shoes.
But these... Oh man. I may have to start a savings account just to be able to buy some. Some of them are exactly what my dream shoe or boot would be!
*nods* they ARE expensive.
Shame, they would be lovely for my feet.
What?! No cape?! No bagpipes?! No sweeping across the windswept prairie at a majestic gallop on your first go?! ;) Hee hee. You looked to be having a great time. Glad it went well.
His Dogness is home! I'll bet he's happy to see you. How's the leg? He looks a bit more comfortable than he did a week ago.
I always wanted mocs. I want a new stove, worse. Think I'll wait.
Fablo pictures! Yay!! You are so brave. And Dogness does look better. Yay again!
I have been lusting after Catskill Mocs for years. someday...
um, while i do think those are very fine shoes...OMF they cost as much as my tv. must not covet...must not covet...most not covet...can't afford to covet...
Looking good, Q!
I am not even going to look at the boots. I have an... obsession. Clicking the link will only end in tears.
Oh, the Snuggie commercial is on. Anyone else seen this? It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen and I'll be laughing just thinking about it.
Good night dear fiends...Too busy weekend. Sigh. Monday. Mmm, warm covers...sleep well those heading for sleep and wake well on the other side of the world!
Jess, we will GET there, but the getting will take a little time. Riding is an art, and takes practice.
I bought the shoes when I had a bunch of $$ kicking around, and I love them, worth it to have them, tho someone needs to uh, spend some time cleaning them after today, they are a little, uh, horsed...
I am watching the SAG awards, kin dof in the backgound. It's very sad, no one is smiling, no one is happy, the only person who got really excited and cool was Meryl Streep (only person who has said anything worthwhile either)
So far I have only watched or even heard one one tv show, House, and I haven't seen, or wanted to see any of the movies.
Someone called last years movies who have been so far nominated "The Oatmeal Movies" maybee good for you, but pretty dreary. And "The five movies all your friends tell you you should see, but haven't seen themselves."
Odd award show. Really bleak.
wow, that looks like fun, and i agree, it does look like it would be hard to balance. i was chuckling as i was thinking of that ann hathaway movie - the princess diaries? or was it the sequel, where to appear as tho she were riding sidesaddle, she had a fake leg strapped on. i kept picturing you in the next photo, holding the leg up high.... doggie looks good and happy to be back. i think i am the only person in the world who has not seen a snuggie commercial - even time magazine had an article about them this week. and i want your boots too - closing now to click the link....
oh i'm not hating, i just ruin shoes when i wear them, so i stay away from really nice shoes. i have an uneven gait now because of my ankle and knee, so i go though shoes in months. i wear them out unevenly. ok i am hating because boots cause me pain, so i am jealous. they do look crazy comfy.
i so want to scritch doggies ears, they look so scritchable.
For a moment I tried to imagine riding a saddle. And I shivered. Good for you!
Did that comment make sense? It is late at night and two brothers have "Freaky Friday" playing next to me. I don't think I'm likely to make much sense right now. Good-night, Fiends ...
OMG
the week ahead for me
if you don't hear from me, I've melted
I'm glad you're liking side saddle, Ms. Fabulous. They've never made much sense to me, other than to keep a woman from riding off to escape. ::shrug::
I do not covet the boots. I have a pair of Catskill Mountain Moccasins. Mine are only five buttons high, and not bison leather; however, I did pay the extra for antler buttons. I also bought them before I had children, like 1998. They have sheepskin inserts and are warm in winter, cool in summer - even 100 degrees F.
Vampi, because they custom make the boots, you might find them more comfortable and not wear through them. Plus you can get a sole that any shoe repair can replace. You can tighten the boots to support your ankles. I only lusted after a pair for, oh, seventeen years.
Sally, Blogger really isn't liking you posting links; that one comes back to this page.
What does it say about me that the first thing I noticed were your Faire Mocs.... mine (somewhere in storage) are Water Buffalo as well, with horn buttons. Irish Tupennys sound pretty cool, though! And yes, they are something one buys when the money is there without hesitation, because who knows when one will be able to afford them again! But TOTALLY worth it....
You look far more comfortable and "centered" in the photos than your text implies--this sidesaddle business may suit you more than you know!
:) on my list of things to do this year is to go to an orthopedist and a podiatrist to see about how to fix me. generally i'm fine, but once the pain starts, it's dreadful. i can be fine for long stretches, when i "forget" about the pain. then once i'm sure i'm as fixed as can be, then i'll start collecting wonderful custom shoes.
oh, and big mistake going to the lovesac store. now i totally want one. couldn't convince boy to buy on on the spot, but i think i've piqued his interest.
oh jeez---the preview as good
http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbourne-faces-hottest-week-for-100-years-20090126-7ppi.html?page=-1
try this!
I want to say I bought mine in the mid-eighties from John Fong in SF, as he was the local equivalent to Bald Mountain when Faire wasn't running--plus he had a special rate for Morris dancers!
Sally--sending you sympathetic noises even WITHOUT seeing your upcoming week....you obviously need them ! :)
Actually, its worse for me than the newspaper said. Amended forecast for me is
38,40,41,41,30,30...all Celcius
in Fahrenheit
100.4,104,105.8,105.8,86,86
Sally--hit the beach, obviously!
Seriously, will you and yours be all right? That is a long run of temperatures that high....
Now I'm going to worry about you and your beasties....
It takes some getting-used-to, but this is DEFINITELY the way to approach. Yes, weird, I realize. But fun and full of tradition. Heh!
Its going to be a push Lys. It would be okay if the nights are cool so the house could cool down but it won't. You will hear the whimpering.
Lots of water and a shut up, darkened house.
That side-saddle business looks scary! Good for you for doing it.
Sally, good luck! I can't remember what it is like to be warm. But that is certainly too warm.
Now is the time for the teleporting machine. If we could just pop in between the very hot and the very cold we'd be okay!
Sally--okay, now for my war stories....er, well, weather war stories...
Just some thoughts for you: one of your FB Friends I *don't* know left a link on your wall to those neck coolers which are cloth tubes filled w/those crystals which absorb water. YES!! They are great! Soak for at least an hour in a lot of water (filled sink is usually good) --you can put them in the fridge but it isn't necessary. They cool by evaporation, and the crystals hold a LOT of water. Should you wish an even cooler effect, remove from neck or limb and spin (like waving a hankie!) then replace.
Wet strips tied to fans, rewetted frequently. If your area is seriously humid, this may be less effective :)
The main thing is to keep pressure points of the body cool (AND drink enough water!) because this helps keep core temperature from rising. Saw guys wearing the neck coolers tucked inside their shirts down around waist level.
Take care, you!
Oh, and if they don't sell the neck coolers in your area (because you need them NOW)--I think you can get the water absorption crystals at large florists or nurseries. Easy enough to sew your own tubes.
Lorraine--tried to watch the SAG awards as well.....they managed to mess up James Earl Jones' award (IMHO) so I just gave up....
I've got one. Tends to chill mu neck too much, so I use it one my wrists and ankles.
Now you've reminded me, I will plump it up and put in the fridge ready
mmm boots. still lusting. :)
oh wow, that heat spell sounds awful. many cool thoughts coming your way Sally.
Lys, you toys are in my computer bag and going to work with me so i can ship them. i suck at post offices.
Cute and melancholy dog. He seems to have something pink on his fur in that picture. Any idea what this is? Also: He looks like he could do with some chicken.
Good on you for trying side saddle. It does look like one might slip off way too easily. How's your back feeling? It looks like the position might put big stress on it. In particular if you are not relaxed.
The first picture is perfect.
Just seen your description of Hans and from the little I have seen of him I'd say you are spot on.
Just for all to know:
VAMPI TOTALLY ROCKS!! A TRUE FIEND TO A FIEND IN NEED!!!
Morning Nathilie, yes, being relaxed is the key to it. I am tired and a little sore, but the good kind of sore, and off to bed.
Cabel, he is going to the vet, I know he is in pain, but for some reason, he surgeon, when I had her call Boss, didn't refill his pain meds, and he is obviously not feeling so hot. And he is thin. Limping too. Not so good.
We will see tomorrow, for tonight, I sleep in the China room on the floor, and him beside me. He won't still a foot, poor guy...
'Night all..
G'night to you and Cabal.....much quiet healing sleep wishes for the furbdog.....
hugs....
Lys
Good night to both of you. Give him a cuddle for me the poor little fellow.
your photos are getting much better, little Q-ey.
although Dog looks a bit pink.
as for side saddle, geez...
yikes. horses---they want to bite me.
and maybe kick.
remember when we were going to have
an intervention on my horsaphobia?
tonight was simply stupendeous sushi down by the beach.
i mean, we saw our food alive before eating it (photos soon) and Boss was very brave tour guide.
but my tongue is itchy (ith-thy)
Maureen, love your mileage may vary comment. we'll see. i like the 140 character challenge. brief!
and S-law, your take is probably oh too true.
ooops Kylie just got knocked off the table by Batman.
remember in the movie<"How COULD you? I'm a woman!" (batman returns! come on!)
Huh. Never seen a Western sidesaddle before..only the English ones. (Mel is right there is MUCH less saddle to the English ones.)
I'm so glad you finally got to try it out Lorraine, you look so happy in that last picture!:)
I know I'm too scared to try it.;)
Poor pup, he does look like he needs some chicken. Too skinny. Fingers crossed that the doc will give him some more pain meds. Sleep well, both of you:)
Sushi on the beach? I am SO beyond jealous, Kitty.
The 140 character is a challenge. I find tankas are an almost perfect fit for this though.
Side saddle looks like all the things you described. Wow. Congrats for getting the hang of it!
Sending virtual scritches to the great white beast. Hoping his discomfort can be relieved.
Sue, you can see the snuggie commercial at the snuggie site
Also, I seem to recall Lisa Snellings had amusing things to say about the snuggie.
First thing I noticed was the Faire boots as well. ;) sidesaddle looks like quite the adventure; how women used to manage it in skirts eludes me. Though I can't help but think of the joke that if men were truly logical, they would ride sidesaddle. ;)
Go Q Go! Really impressed at the sidesaddle riding. And glad Cabal (And Ans) are afely home and that Vet can provide the right meds etc - is he having his stitches out today? (Cabal, not Hans)
Huzzah! Good on you for embracing new experiences.
Welcome home, Cabal!
Sally, best advice I have for that kind of heat....soak your head. Frequently...the evaporation at least keeps your brain cooler. Good luck! You probably won't melt, but your computer may.
Heh. I'm teasing you, Q. (I did mention, didn't I, that the one time I attempted to ride a horse it Wouldn't Go? So I'm a fine one to talk about horses and capes and windswept galloping.) You look quite poised on sidesaddle, actually. :)
That third picture would be the way I'd ride a horse. Totally.
Oh, poor His Dogness. Do let us know how he fares. I imagine he'll be sore and stiff for a while, though-- so that may be why the limp. I hope it's nothing more serious than that, anyway!
Morning, Fiends!
I gave up on the work thing this morning and called in sick once I noticed I was croaking at the cat when I tried to call her. Actually breaking down and not drinking coffee, but herbal medicinal tea. Shudder.
Sally, I'm having much the same reaction to your 104° as the cold-weather Fiends did to cold… I grew up in the desert just east of LA, and so am acclimated to it. 90° is my idea of perfect; 100° is when I think about putting on shorts, and my threshold for 'Sod this, let's go to the beach,' is 115°. Lys' advice to cool your pressure points is spot-on. I used to take a metal tankard full of ice water and put it against my femoral artery when working Faire (120° with 30 lbs of clothing -- good times, that). Also: keep hydrated and drink enough water.
Poor Cabal; hope he gets some pain meds today.
Now I must steel myself for the medicinal tea.
Poor Val! At least the medicinal tea will help you to recover quickly so you needn't drink any more!
I managed to avoid Nick's plague... hoping I stay healthy for a bit longer.
No coffee, Val?! How awful. :( I shall beam thoughts of caffeine in your direction. (And continued wellness to Phiala.)
*hummmmmm*
The medicinal tea is VILE. I don't think this has elderberries in it at all.
Phiala, I hope you stay healthy so that you don't have to drink any of this stuff. Jess, thanks. :)
If you haven't rad Boss's blog, go and do so!!!!!!!!
Such mornings don't come often!!!!
Hooray! \o/ And rightly so, might I add.
Yes, hurrah for Boss! Well-deserved. :)
FANTASTIC!!!
What a way to start a week!
And you got to wake him up for it.
Congrats to Boss - that's so cool!!!!!
Laughing with tears in my eyes from Boss's news! SO excited and beyond proud. And totally deserved!
(Proud of the committee for getting it right, too.)
And of you, Lorraine, for your most excellent support of Boss (and cats, and horsies, and large skinny white dogs, not to mention all the fiends!)
Wooo! Right on!
Gracious, a Newberry... that's like, a whole other class of honour right there... Yikes.... I'm tempted to start swearing myself.
New Post Up!!!!!!!!!
Let's go be happy there!!!!!!
Sorry to read that you are sick Val. Get well soon (and all the other fiends who are feeling poorly, I am losing count here).
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