philcarroll

bears, deer, trails

2008-04-27T18:43:27Z

Peppergram

Bears, Deer and Trails

Saturday I climbed in to my trailer for a ride about 10 miles east and north of my pasture to Brookside Lane near the Shadow Valley Golf Course. Turns out if was some Southern Comfort Horses with some new ones too. Our former riding partner Judy Hutt was trail boss on a horse I didn’t know along with a horse named Traveler. Midas, Rudy, Bebe, Acey, came along with my old buddy, Domino. (He doesn’t like me to pass him on trail rides and I couldn’t wait to punch his buttons but mean old Phil wouldn’t let me. He’s a spoil sport!) Judy told us we were riding to a spot for lunch and as I really like lunch I started right up the trail.

When we got to lunch there were three humans, ATV’s, a dozen coon hounds, two other dogs, and a dead bear just 10 miles from my pasture. Now as a prey animal, I think the deader the bear the better especially 10 miles from my home and even closer to the humans’ (about 5 miles). Judy took us on down the creek where there was some luscious grass.

On the way back to the trailers we saw four deer.

by Timer

2008-04-23T17:09:30Z

Southern Comfort Gaited Horse Drill Team performed at the Idaho Horse Expo in Nampa Saturday, April 19. Horses in entrance order included Sweetie with our flag, Chocolate with Rudy, AC with Bebe, Fancy with me, Buck with Teton (he’s the big black horse) and the humans. I really liked it when the audience clapped when we did neat maneuvers.

We started practicing over a month ago. Over a week ago the human clipped my bridle path. This week preparations got intense with clipping my feet and ears. Yesterday morning, Phil backed the truck up to my horse trailer, saddled me and we were off to the horse expo. We found a great parking space so Mags wouldn’t have too long a walk to the expo center where we perform. It was also away from the scary trains.

First we warmed up in some of the outdoor pens. The pen by my trailer was busy so we headed out past other outside events and did some warm-ups. We horses were concerned that we were going to have to bail out the humans as the cues just weren’t coming right. When they ran out of time, it was back to the trailer to finish dressing the human and then into the expo building. We had to wait while the scary tractor smoothed and wet down the arena for us. I let Phil know what I thought of that idea.

Soon our music started and around we went.

Chef and Gourmet Horse Expo

2008-04-18T23:30:29Z

Tonight we commit gluttony for the philharmonic. This is the big fund raiser of the year. Tomorrow Timer and I perform at the horse expo. I'll need to report on both with some help from him.

We spiffied up Timer yesterday given our schedule today. He'll need a bit of brush up tomorrow as he'll likely find some sand tonight. He's apprehensive I think. Something must be up. We've been drilling weekly for 5 weeks and now a bath. He also had his annual maintenance fromt vet: teeth, shots, and ahhh etc.

Day by Day

2008-04-10T01:56:52Z

The weather continues to be great until this morning when we woke up to a snow covering the grass but it was gone by noon. I swim 1800 to 1900 yards every Tu and Th and pump iron Mo and We.

I ride most days. I rode to today as th snow was gone by PM.

philcarroll @ 2008-03-28T09:08:00

2008-03-28T15:07:14Z

On Wisconsin!!

philcarroll @ 2008-03-28T09:07:00

2008-03-28T15:06:28Z

Peppergram

New Kitchen

Razi

It was the week before Easter, and all through the house chaos prevailed above all else. It may all be worth it because mom now has a brand new kitchen or mostly new at least. This process actually started before this week, when all of the old Formica counter tops were torn off by my friends, Bob and Brian. Then other friends replaced them with new granite countertops.

This was a bit disruptive, but then the humans started moving stuff out of the kitchen. Most of the food was on the dining room table along with everyday stuff like silverware. With help the laundry moved to the garage—without water hook ups. The refrigerator moved to the great room, the nook table to the dining room, chairs moved to the great room. Chaos! Next Bob and Brian tore off the floor—not just the old vinyl but the plywood underneath too. They put new backsplashes behind the counters, installed a brand new sink and faucet and then laid Travertine patterned floor. Finally they put everything back together. Pictures attached.

Drill

Drill, Drill

Timer

All we do for fun is drill. We must be getting ready for a new scare the horses party of some sort. Actually, we know that our scheduled performance will be the Idaho Horse Expo when the humans get to show off their stallions and stuff they have for horses. Sometimes I wish I was still a stallion and didn’t have to put up with all this drill.

But we have a couple of new buddies joining our group. Teton is a Tennessee Walking Horse from Montana named for the mountains near where he came from but he could have been named for size. (He’s bigger than Midas, or at least taller I think.) When I stand next to him I feel like a Peruvian. We have a new Peruvian with one of the same humans riding her. The humans have improved the drill so that Phil doesn’t make as many mistakes for me to cover up. I’ll include some practice pictures in future grams. I think Razi stole all the space this time.

Peppergram

2008-03-28T15:04:59Z

Peppergram

New Kitchen

Razi

Drill

Drill, Drill

Timer

Two Peppergrams

2008-03-13T15:06:54Z

Peppergram

Flowers

Razi

Winter flowers are peeping up all over. They must be winter because the equinox won’t be here for over a week. Sister Sue has crocus. Mom has her mums shooting little green leaves up. The grass gets greener in Timer’s pasture everyday. Phil is already cutting him back on hay. Timer gets fat real easily.

Everyday I help the humans clean Timer’s pasture. Phil pushes the wheelbarrow full of Timer apples and loads more in at each pile. I run from one corner to the next keeping the birds from getting in the way. When I sense one, I throw a point at it. Phil gets all thrilled when I do my classic with my front paw tucked up under my chest. Mom supervises after filling the water tank. When we finish the pasture, Mom and I walk the perimeter usually twice while Timer gives Phil a ride around a few times and then up and down the long way with turns, circles, diamonds and other shapes. I don’t know what that’s about. Then I give Timer a kiss!

Back to Work

Trail Ride and Drill

Timer

Well my well deserved winter holiday is over. The snow’s gone so I can eat the nice green grass shoots in my pasture along with my hay and vitamins but Phil puts me to work most days. Let me tell you what all those circles and diamonds Razi’s confused about are; drill! I’ve been suspicious for a couple of weeks now. After we do a clockwise lap and counter clockwise lap, suddenly were going back a forth with circles and turns pushed in on each pass. That can only mean Southern Comfort Drill and the horses provide the comfort to the humans. Mostly! A week ago today (Saturday), I got out of going because it was raining but the humans all went down to Chocolate’s new hay barn and learned this year’s work for horses.

Thursday Phil came out alone in his diminutive red Miata, making me suspicious. He called me in, groomed me and put on my saddle and we were off on our first trail ride. We met Rudy, Chamois, and Linda on the canal road, crossed the dry canal, and went over the ridge. It was nice and cool so I felt really good. Just before the short cut back to my pasture, I crow hopped a little and tried to cut off Rudy to make sure Phil was awake. He was. It was my little protest over being put back to work so early in the year. The ride was short by Rudy and my standards, but the first ride is out of the way.

I was really happy when it started raining this morning (Saturday) but no luck. When Phil shows up with Razi’s big red Chevy truck and backs it up to my trailer that means work for me so I took off for the other side of my pasture. Sure enough, the humans hooked up and Phil calls’ “Come here buddy. Now I have a dilemma for my walnut sized brain. Do I go down get loaded and go to work or make the human come and get me. I know I’m going to work either way and that he has my treat in my pocket so I amble down to him—but not too fast. Horses have to be careful about spoiling their humans.

We went to Little Feather Ranch in the rain. I got excited to see all my drill buddies and could wait to get into the indoor arena. There were nine equines warming up. I know most of the drill since it’s like last years and we’ll get the humans trained to give us the right cues in a couple of more weeks. After the first run through with stops and starts to teach the humans we went outside to rest. Our Idaho sun had chased the rain clouds away and we rested in the sun before two or three more drills. Then I got to go the two miles home.

Peppergram

Big Green Monsters

Timer

Returning from our most recent trail ride reported previously, a big green monster blocked the driveway to yard I need to go through to get to my paddock, hay, and grain. A similar monster hangs out in the yard and I go by it most days but I’m always very careful. A baby one lives in the shed next to my pasture and runs around the yard, my pasture, my dry lot every where dragging sinister devices behind it but I think I can out run the little brat if I give myself a good lead. But this one blocking the driveway had captured Bob, my neighbor up the street, and had its sights on Jim, my closest neighbor. Now Jim tames green monsters. He conquers both of the ones at my place, but I’m sure they attack horses.

Into this highly dangerous environment—three of them, Phil wants me to go right past back into the driveway. I stopped! Then he wants me to go right past the mouth. I did a 270 and started back. Phil turned it into a 360, jumped off, and led me past while Bob said something about his balance. Well, of course Phil has good balance. I’ve been teaching him to ride with good balance for six years, especially around demons. I followed along figuring I could escape if the creature got him and he jumped back on while Jim and Bob laughed at me. I know it was a vicious animal. It has the warning “John Deere” written right on the side!

Editor’s note: Timer doesn’t like machinery unless it’s attached to his trailer taking him on an adventure.

philcarroll @ 2008-03-03T09:11:00

2008-03-03T16:17:14Z

Phil's in the kitchen helping? so i'm trying this to see if it works. Wanted to put Sue's picture from NJ on a post to see if it works.

Marg

Diary

2008-03-02T16:56:12Z

We had our first drill practice sans horses yesterday. We have one gig scheduled and will likely do at least a couple more. Since it was Sans Horses Timer refuses to write an article. He and I have been getting ready by circumnavigating Harley as well as doing some circles and corners. He will report after next Monday I hope.

We are getting ready to start tearing apart the kitchen tommorrow.

I'm trying to load a copy of Sue doing archeology in New Jersey. In February. I guess you can see the cold from the white stuff on the ground and the way they dressed. I'll try and figure it out. If not, let me know and I'll email you a copy.

Phil

Diary - Kitchen

2008-02-29T23:59:49Z

We seem to have the kitchen almost ready for remodeling. The plan in new counter tops and floors. Perhaps Marg or I will post some photos when it is completed.

Timer and I are going to start drill practice tomorrow. He gave me the day off so I could rest and be ready. I also have some sore muscles from my new exercise program. I've been working out for a couple of years, but the Y has new equipment that will be better once my muscles catch on to it. I did ride a bit yesterday and worked on some of the kinds of turns that will be in the drill.

I understand that unless you are "members" you have trouble commenting on these entries. One of the reasons M and became members is so we could better read and I guess respond to Tim's entries. Membership at this level -- note the advertisement--is "FREE". were I willing to pay you would be subjected to ads but I'd have to spend money.

We are off to gymnastics at BSU this evening. Inexpensive entertainment and we 've been going to long we have favorite gymnasts to watch.

We are really enjoying the Big TEN network. Go Badger Basketball. It was great to see them beat up on Iso and the Spartans last night.

Spring

2008-02-28T00:13:33Z

Spring seems to have come to Idaho. Weather was mostly sunny in the 50's today. I rode Timer for several minutes and did some maneuvers getting him ready for drill Saturday morning. We plan to drill for the horse expo in April at the Idaho Center in Nampa. Crocus are blooming in Sue's front yard and the Marg's early Mums are getting green. Timer finds green grass in his pasture.

Yesterday the contractor competed the template for our new kitchen. The equipment is fantastic for doing at template.

Picked up Sue and one of her crew at the airport from her excavations in New Jersey. She says the weather back east is not as good as we have.

I had a good workout on the Strive equipment at the Y this morning. Check it out on the net. The philosophy interests me.

Diary

2008-02-27T02:36:49Z

Beautiful warm spring day. Swam 36 laps -3,600 feet at the Y today in less than an hour. Old standard! We had our kitchen template done for new counter tops.

Phil

Diary

2008-02-25T18:36:00Z

Had a great sushi dinner celebrating compli anno last night in Eagle with good friends. Cake at home was fun also. On Wisconsin! It's always great to beat the Buckeyes and other nuts.

I just got back from my work out on the strive machines (like nautilous). This is my second series and I think I now have most of the adjustments correct and the starting weights figured out. I'm keeping a paper record--too hard to take the laptop to the Y--which I 'll adjust in a month or so.

Idiocy?

2008-02-24T16:53:19Z

> Is there a web address where one can explain to Microsoft the idiocy of
> having an "msn" website where their own tech folks say the spell checker
> is incompatible with their newest and greatest operating system, Visa? Is
> idiocy to big a word for them? You know one that says just cause you're
> rich doesn't mean you're really smart.

For weeks since moving to msn, a minor irritation is that the msn editor doesn't spell check and when it does, it's inconsistent. Having had better luck with Quest tech support then microsoft's, I called them. They called MSoft who said it's an ongoing issue we don't know how to fix. Cretins? Imbeciles?

Great concert last night.i

philcarroll @ 2008-02-23T12:19:00

2008-02-23T19:24:38Z

I'm enjoying the new Strive Workout equipment at the "Y". Because I'm working the muscles differently as well as perhaps still learning my settings, my muscles are a bit stiff the next day or three but I'll get the trainers to help me. We can get 15 minute increments as part of our membership. An hour with the trainer costs too much more. My swimming seems to be improving.

A few months ago, I switched from just swimming an hour to counting laps. My pattern is 100 one lap ( two lengths or 100 feet) of breast stroke, one of backstroke, one of free, and one of modified backstroke. I repeat this pattern three times (12 laps of 120 feet. Then I slip on finas do 12 more laps to keep the cardiovascular moving. On 8 of the laps I use a kick-board and vary my leg motion. On the other four I service dive to the bottom of the pool 13 feet unless my four year old swimming buddy is going to the 1 or 3 meter board. Finally i shed the fins and kick board and do 3 more of the first pattern reversing the order--modified back...breast. I've been slipping in bonus laps. If at the end of any pattern I'm 2-3 minutes ahead of schedule I do one more lap. I completed 39 laps of 3,900 feet Thursday. I'll report to myself next week since I doubt anyone else cares.

A few weeks ago when I was swimming my laps in the 5 lanes or so that they leave for diving, a woman with a little boy asked if he could try the diving board. I moved my laps two the lane marker side. He is about 1 meter high, so he's diving at least his own size each time. One he dove three times his size. Once. He now does tricks when he jumps with the creativity one expects from a four year old. He waves at me as he goes by presumably to let me know to get out of his way.

Go Badgers! We are really enjoying the BIG TEN network. Mostly Badger Men's Basketball but we've watched some wrestling, gymnastics ....

Last night we watched BSU gymnasts beat Sacramental State.

Spring

2008-02-19T16:32:36Z

Spring seems to be in the Boise River and Snake River vallies. I took a longer ride yesterday and M took movies. We still have much to learn but we are making progress

Conundrum from the Wall Street Journal

2008-02-19T16:22:57Z

I find the the article below interesting. I started to just post the beginning but couldn't really decide where to stop.

A Modern Conundrum:
When Work's Invisible,
So Are Its Satisfactions

When David Fahl worked for an energy reseller, which bought and sold energy from generating companies, he noticed that getting things done right wasn't always as high a priority as making deadlines, meeting deliveries or being on budget.

"You can get all those things done without doing any good work," he says. It wore on him and didn't give him a sense of accomplishment. "Not even the marketing people could come up with a plausible explanation for why the company existed," he says.

In the information age, so much is worked on in a day at the office but so little gets done. In the past, people could see the fruits of their labor immediately: a chair made or a ball bearing produced. But it can be hard to find gratification from work that is largely invisible, or from delivering goods that are often metaphorical. You can't even leave your mark on a document in increasingly paperless offices. It can be even harder trying to measure it all. That may explain why to-do listers write down tasks they've already completed just to be able to cross them off.

"Not only is work harder to measure but it's also harder to define success," says Homa Bahrami, a senior lecturer in Organizational Behavior and Industrial Relations at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. "The work is intangible or invisible, and a lot of work gets done in teams so it's difficult to pinpoint individual productivity."

She says information-age employees measure their accomplishment in net worth, company reputation, networks of relationships, and the products and services they're associated with -- elements that are more perceived and subjective than that field of corn, which either is or isn't plowed.

Companies should create meaningful short-term goals. Instead, "managers create all sorts of surrogate measures that they can measure, like PowerPoint slide counts and progress charts," says consultant Tim Horan. "The person doing the landscaping has a better sense of accomplishment."

Jon Williams once worked in an auto-claims department where the number of new-claim calls, which could take a half hour, were tallied with the same weight as brief reminder calls to customers. Even so, his greatest sense of achievement was transforming an initially angry and frustrated customer into someone who was satisfied and even laughing. "That wasn't measured at all," he says.

The difficulty of putting your finger on what you've accomplished gives employees pangs. James Ault recently visited a municipal park where he worked in maintenance while in college. He saw the same signs he painted, the same electrical job he wired, and the same trees he planted 35 years ago. Now, he works on state energy policy where he spends countless hours debating policy issues.

"I've said to my wife on multiple occasions, 'It would be nice to be an electrician,' " he says. "You can take pride in what you've accomplished."

At closing time, work doesn't seem completed, just temporarily abandoned. As much as he loves his job, insurance broker Ryan Bowles envies Fred Flintstone's exit from work in the quarry at day's end. "He seems so happy sliding down that dinosaur's tail when the whistle-bird blows," he says.

Similarly, Jane Vawter, a management consultant, is jealous of ground-control engineers celebrating their spacecraft's first flight. "That must be a tremendous feeling," she says, "one I will never know."

She has learned how to garner a sense of accomplishment from the work she produces, instead of the response it receives. She loves to do needlework in her spare time just to control the process from start to finish.

The loss of such control over how and when a job is done is one reason the Industrial Revolution was resisted, says Gregory Clark, a professor of economics at University of California, Davis. "It seemed like the complete destruction of the value of work to people," he explains.

Consequently, many employers had to pay workers up to a 40% premium to live under the employer's control, he adds.

These days, we're one step further removed from the finished product. Employees have to wait for the gratification that comes with seeing a goal finally realized. "The average delay is much, much longer for the average worker today," says Robert Frank, a professor at Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management. And behavioral science notes we have difficulty with a reward delayed.

Maybe that's why Home Depot's aisles are packed with do-it-yourselfers and why a colleague is complaining of soreness from spreading mulch.

Mechanical engineer Robert Schneider at least gets to see the ball bearings he designed being produced in the manufacturing plant downstairs from his office. But he spends a lot of time researching things that don't directly translate into a finished product. "Much of the work I do goes unnoticed by anyone but me," he says. "I need to rely on myself to know I am doing worthwhile work."

Write to Jared Sandberg at jared.sandberg@wsj.com

Bon Giorno

2008-02-17T17:25:44Z

Good Morning.

Ride, Game, Sue, Kitchen

2008-02-16T23:55:14Z

This morning, Razi, Mags, and I went shopping for sinks and faucets for our kitchen. We are remodeling from floor to counter top so we might as well put in some new hardware too.

Back for the Wisconsin Game. They managed to squeak by the rodents from Minnesota but they certainly didn't eat them up or beat the spread. Idaho Badgers eat yellow gophers.

Sue came over to use Mag's software to do her income taxes.

I took my second ride in February today and find that the blasted snow has caused my riding muscles to get a little out of shape. I could feel a little sourness which will stretch out but I do wish I'd been on horseback more in December and January. I rode further today so I should stretch things well. M and Razi exercised too though it's hard to give the Raz enough. All told not a real busy day.

Timer

2008-02-16T04:27:47Z

I took my first horseback ride of February today (my second of the year). Idaho weather has not been good this year. I expect good weather for the week end.