A HORSE , Of COURSE

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Introducing Christi & friend

by: Kat (Mary) Carlson)   _ author/publisher


I will be dedicating this blog/post to horses  & more  ......... around these parts,  you see them coming and going.    Each morning,  I make a point to stop by the stables down at the corner on Meyer Rd.    I walk by several of my favorites,  although,  now they all have become special to me.   ( Along with horses,  there are also pigs,  turkeys,  goats,  donkeys ........like this donkey here

Yesterday  I noticed this new comer to our stables ......so,  ta da ,  smile,  you're on "Candid Camera" ( guess he can't smile cause that head gear prevents you from seeing him/it.  ( Keeps the flies out of their eyes)

 

 Next you see me with some I like to say "good morning"  to,  check in on them,  kind of see how they are.   Always though when I go,  they are very much interested in eating their "HAY".  Crunch,  crunch,  crunch.   No monkey business,   no sir-ie,  eating time is for eating  and that's that !!  

See what I mean,  wish you could hear them,  just imagine it .........( Darth and Luke)

Today,  ( this picture )  I am greeting Darth ( Vadar),  all done with the eating thing

 

   


then here ........  Darth's "stable mate" is .......

Luke Skywalker and me ........:)

 

We have all become one big happy family.   Some horses come and go,  but usually  the longevity
remains.   For instance  Vicki and her "sweetheart",  Red. 

I like "love stories",  this is "A Love Story",  I call,  "The Dynamic Duo"

 

featuring Vicki and her Red.   A "happy couple"  for 10 years and counting.  This story,  coming up will warm your heart.   Now,  on with my day,   folks,  the stable first  and then ,  yep,   up-the-hill  for a healthy invigorating walk,  meeting other  healthy minded people  along the way.
hearing nature's sounds "waking up" ........... a new day begins ........................

Can you hear a "LARK",  in any other  part of town,  does enchantment pour out of every door,  no it's just on the street where you live " .......(  I simply get carried away,  with songs)   "Good day"

 

(_A Wink & a Smile_) .........................................................................................:)

ANY WHICH WAY ?

www.giveforward.com Relief Fund ( Managing Transportation) Mary Carlson
http://iblong2.anyone.com/

Not too shabby,  huh ?

by:Kat ( Mary) Carlson _ author/publisher



Sweet or sour ?    Hard or soft ?   Build or tear down ?   Laugh or cry ?    To be or not to be ?
Up or down ?    Stupid or smart ?     Love or hate ?     Over or under ?    Tender or harsh?   Increase or decrease ?    Serious or funny?     Righteous or self-righteous ?    Sad or happy?  
Stuck or unstuck ?    Tense or relaxed ?     Rest or unrest ?    Or nothing-at-all ? 


This list could probably go on and on and on and on..........................................:)  Or not !


Yeah,  just making a point.  One have just learned recently.  And really only recently learning to incorporate.  It "might / might not" be one you already know and practice.   If you do,  I say to you, "bravo".   Takes the edge off quite readily,  doesn't it?   I've been watching "funny" videos lately,  and enjoying them.   It reminds me of the "good old days" with programs like "Laugh-In",  "Candid Camera ",  "The Jeffersons",  " The Honeymooners",   and so many more.


So,  this  "gal"  is enjoying  "mixing-it-up".   


Yesterday I spent almost an entire day  ( inside while weather was 104 degrees outside),  watching both romantic,  and "way serious" movies  ( i.e,  "Gone Baby Gone" ) .   Enjoyed it.  So,  my "RX" for this particular  " Kat" is  _hey,   whatever works !   


Smile or frown,   lose or find,    tidy or messy,   broke or rich,   lonely or ?,   dumb or smart,
retreat or approach,  inside or outside,   full or empty,   crazy or sane,  ( an oxymoron anyway),
open or shut,   exceed or come up short, .........................


Anyway,  you get the idea,  right ?

A little chuckle at "nature" .............:) an "Emu" ( not an ostrich)

               
 

I know,  he's really quite adorable !  Sometimes when I pass by,  ( regularly),  he's so still it looks like he's a statue.

Here is Mr.  "LINCOLN"  as in "Lincoln log"

A "chill pill" is what is recommended by  Dr. Kat Carlson this September morning,  and of course,   it's up to you,   to have whatever kind of day you want !!   Or not !

"Over & out "

( _ A Wink & a Smile_)......................................................................................:)

PREGNANT PAUSE

www.giveforward.com Relief Fund ( Managing Transportation) Mary Carlson
http://iblong2Me.blogspot.com/

Folks,  for several months,  I have started a campaign for  my very own "Golf Cart"

 

by: Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _ author/publisher


The seasons change sometimes severely.  So in looking forward to winter here in these parts,
I decided to start a Campaign for getting a golf cart to help with shopping and various appointments during these difficult days.  www. giveforward.com (above) link under the heading of Relief Fund (Managing Transportation) Donation (Mary Carlson).  Give Forward is a "Crowdfunding"  type of an organization which facilitates various types of paying forward to
those who want/need funds in situations that require assistance.  My brother Ron,  gave me this
information and I said, why not ?  Go for it !


So,  just for "FUN",  mind you,  I created this off-the-wall idea (above),  and came up with a
gimmick .........and the "father-to-be"  IS .........................

All I did was take "HIS" picture and ...don't you know,  now,  I'm pregnant with the promise of a
"little"

     

Golf Cart from the family with the same name..............................................:)


You can donate too _

Much obliged, .........

 

 

 

 

Remember that's www.giveforward.com  ...Relief Fund  ( Managing Transportation) Mary Carlson (donations)  "Keep this lady safe in the winter ?"




(_ A Wink & a Smile_)_)..................................................................:)

CLEAN SWEEP

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Ah,  autumn,  "the falling leaves".....sigh !

 

by: Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _ author/publisher


Remember this  ? ...............

When, oh when,  will it end ?

Being in top shape is a prerequisite for living in these parts.  I gotta say,  it is part of the charm
of country living.  Nature spills lots of "attitude" ,  and when you want,  there's so "much" to do.
Moments ago,  while I was outside sitting first,  them raking some,  I could certainly feel "fall"in
the air,  coming up the "festivities",  like "Halloween" & "Thanksgiving".  I am not a celebrator
of all the "holidays",  but  still  the season feels "warm" and "festive".


One more picture of yours truly  "ta da",  working..........................:)

Didn't know it took this much concentration .........

 

    

before these activities,  I walked to the nearest watering center and filled a 5 gallon jar of water.
I walked up 1 1/2 miles to the center, and then walked halfway back.  A very special friend picked me up and brought me home. 

I took this picture when I was halfway up my infamous hill on Rice Rd.,

 

Turned around and took a shot behind me.  I had walked already this far up the hill.

 

As you can see by these pictures I get a "great" work out. ..........


I haven't always stayed in shape.  This cardio workout came recently,  about two years ago.  I just keep on doing it !!!   How else would I get such wonderful pictures of so many awesome people around town ?
 

Vicki & Harry

Yours truly

 

We all somehow "get-into-the act",  and pose for this "humble little blog"....."One Step Closer" 



(_ A Wink & a Smile_)................................................................:) 

2 CARRY ON

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It's a "beautiful" morning

by: Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _ author/publisher


With a Song in My Heart............I behold your adorable face,   that's right,  another song !  I never tire of the oldies but goodies.  This really is a lovely song,  I believe !


It IS a beautiful morning.  We here in California have experienced a little rain.  Enough to slightly water the vegetation around these parts.  Hopefully the ground will become prepared enough to withstand more.   But the smell of rain really is a treat. Then of course the air is fresher and sweeter.  Still we are hoping for much more rain.  That of course is our wish.  Our lakes are down more than they have ever been.  WATER,  our most VITAL of ALL commodities.
May you & I see & experience the replenishing of our wells & waterways!!  Let the RAINS begin,
let them "carry on" and nourish these parts.



A little sideline now,   gladly I had a chance to walk yesterday.  I happened upon these two lovelies  
  

Taking a "little" walk early in the morning,

AGAIN .......this shot

Enough of that,  time to go back in ...........................:)  

  
So o o o o o o o o o  CUTE,

Notice the wet pavement.  Actually,  I took my umbrella  !  I have been taking it with me and using it for "three" mornings now.


The first morning,  I went to our do-nut shop.  The "fellas",  (it's always fellas, how come? )
yeah,  there were lots of "guys" stopping by for a "cup of coffee" on their way to work.  I put my hand in my pocket to grab my camera, ooooooops,  no "camera",  darn it,  I  forgot to bring it.
So, ..... finishing my coffee and cake do nut with chocolate frosting,   .... the rain had stopped,  and  I decided to head back toward my "Casa de Kat"  ( 1 1/2 miles) down this hill

Once again,  down,  down  this path to "hibernate" ( notice the stables on the left).....my house

  

is lots further continuing about another 1/2 mile ahead.    I am " situated " in about the middle of this picture among-st the trees.

I made it back folks,  ready for a new day,

 

How about you ?  ............... 



(_A Wink & a Smile_)...............................................................................:) 

CARRY ON

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Say "Good Morning" to my friend,  Luke Skywalker .....

 

 

by: Kat ( Mary )  Carlson    _  author/publisher


Hey there,  you with the stars in your eyes .......................................Can this be ?   Ah,  yes,  I think it just might be exactly that ......... " real" !   But,  but,  my flesh (old nature) is saying ,  it can't be!  I'm not supposed to feel this good.   It was the coffee,  oh no,  it was that,  and so on and so on.  And I tell myself,  "just go with it",   you can't figure out everything in Life.  Enjoy the moment,  & "FEEL GOOD" !   "FANTASTIC"   and I am doing exactly that !   ....................:)


I opened my computer and all of a sudden new operations,  new vistas, new LIFE appeared to my brain and eyes.  I had new choices to make.  The kid in me gets excited !  


And at this moment,  I am hoping the same thing happens to you.   Eyes opening,  heart opening at the same time,  I love it.   What do you have planned for today ?   Are you going to work ?  Who will you see at work ?   What will you wear ?   Do you stop at Starbucks for coffee or maybe the donut shop.  I want to know !  Do you have children,  how many ?   Are they grown,  or little tykes?  Are you going to buy groceries today?  What's for dinner?  I want to know everything !
..................................................................................................:) 


This is from a little girl inside me that has literally been locked up for upteen years !  You can imagine what an adjustment this is,  but,  glory be,  bring it on !  New Life,   bursting forth from under the masks and superficiality of existence as "ghosts- from- the- past" have covered and kept hidden .......when you block the "bad things",   the good things also get hidden as well !
Then we become robbed!


So,  as this new day moves in "me"  I carry on.   I open up for more of the glorious same ! 
Adventure,  surprises,  all kinds,  of all variety.   That meaning disappointments as well as
times of  "joy".    But it definitely won't be business-as-usual ! 


My last blog ( yesterday)  was all about getting to know myself,  " COOL ",  " I AM" !!


If you do go to the "do-nut" shop,  buy me a "buttermilk"  do-nut ? ?  ( this time)

Thanks !!  ( for the do-nut ) !

 

 

  

 Just for fun,  I changed the desktop background  scene ..... I love the new one !  See ya !


 
(_ A Wink & a Smile_) ...................................................................................................:) 

WHO' S THE BOSS ?

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"

" GOOD MORNING "

by: Kat ( Mary ) Carlson   _ author/publisher


I'll bet I get lots of readers based on this topic ? ................:)   But,  just as quickly,  they are likely to buff-aw it and move on.  No matter !  The news I have discovered first-hand will not be readily received.  


Are you listening to your body ?  Is it telling you "what-to-do" ?  It probably is !  In fact it has to tell someone.  Do you know why?   BECAUSE,  it doesn't know EITHER.   And when you hurt, obviously,   you & I seek "HELP"!    And then of course,   you are compelled to seek someone ( ?????) who does know,  right ?   If you are "extremely lucky",   you'll find that "someone" after what (?),  numerous tries and " humungus  tests, & lab work,  x-rays,  MRI's , and so on and so on.  Prescriptions will be issued,  "try this" for a month,  etc,  etc,  etc,  etc,  etc.   By now,  you should be well !  What,  don't tell me you're not !!


If you are not tired of this,  then that will basically continue for your entire LIFE.  Probably will anyway, because you have not found out,  that "YOU" are "NOT" your body.   If our own bodies did have authority,  then in all these jillions of years,  we wouldn't be sick.  The very first complaint would be accurate ,  wouldn't it?   If not the first then the next and so on.  The system we have now does not work !


Obesity for instance,  would not be prevalent and is even on the rise until,  it can't even stop itself.
During the recent months,  years,  I have had the good insight to blow their cover into these demands placed on me,  and hear them "speak" out loud in a horribly demanding voice.  Hearing yourself,  can FREE you !   I realize most folks DON'T hear the command ( yes,  it's a command -unheard message) and we can't decipher the code.  With obesity and all other ills,  there is a code ( like a micro -chip),  & it "will be obeyed" !!  "It's not your fault " !!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm not touting a new method,  religion or anything of that nature.   It's has become my awareness and my own determination to take charge of my own needs.   I " CHOSE " to do that ! You can "toss" around this information,   I am just passing it on ! 


 It may just behoove you to "give this some thought" !  ? ? 

The "malady" I surrendered wasn't obesity !

 

 

Nevertheless,  it gives it's messages through our very own flesh.   Do whatever you have to do,
to get to know "YOU" !!



(_A Wink & a Smile_)...................................................................:) 

RHYTHM OF THE " RAIN "

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Rain .....spreading a little  "JOY"

by: Kat ( Mary ) Carlson   _  author/publisher



A picture is worth a thousand words.  Here in southern California,  "LIFE"  everywhere is rejoicing in the fact that raindrops are falling from above.  This gorgeous rose exemplifies 
what excellence in proper nourishment can produce.  She's a beauty alright !


I guess we all take for granted the "normal"  things that always seem to just -be- there and available  ..... until ......it's no longer there.    Some things we have no control over !  Well,  that's an understatement,  really. 


As I sit and type this a.m.,   I  am "listening to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain",  it's a "sound"
I can get used to.  Anyway for a while around these parts it would relieve stress on our minds.
Sometimes though,  it can over produce and become reckless.  So some of us in this valley are hearing reports of very heavy bouts of rain that may or may not cause "flooding".  We here in the lower parts of the valley ( river bottom) remember the last downpour of that "nature" (dimension) and gear up in whatever way we can for readiness.


The road where I "usually" walk " & " where these stables are located can become a "river".

This is my beaten path each morning around 7:00 a.m. ( The end of Rice Rd., & corner of Meyer St. )

It's a bit scary and there's lots of talk.  At the yard sale I conducted Saturday 9/12/15,  along with the "great" camaraderie,  ( oh,  that was a "pip".........:),  an awesome reason for my Yard Sales to begin with _ I discovered the topic of possible "flooding" on more than a few hearts and minds.  Especially, concern for our animal friends.  My neighbors next to me are the proud owners of alpacas and emus.

Alpacas

   

Emu ( I think his emu is Peppy,  the other one is Pepper )

It's gotta be tough for their providers.  Everyday  they bring "love & devotion " to them to see that they have what they require.  I am keeping them in my heart & mind at this juncture.  That's " Life",   we cherish the very good times,  right ?


So,  the awesome sound of sweet rain descending on my patio at this moment brings "Life" and soothing.  "I'll take advantage of what is ",  join me folks.   Even as we do think of these overlooked things,  our minds can take in a lot more that is "ours" for the "precious" MOMENT !  Seize the opportunity !! 

Make it an "awesome" day !!!  Even moment by moment !  It's a "trip" !!

 

(_A Wink & a Smile_)......................................................................................:)

NEVERTHELESS

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Start the morning off "right"

by: Kat M. Carlson  _ author/publisher




"Maybe  I'm right and maybe I'm wrong,  and maybe I'm weak and maybe I'm strong,   but
"NEVERTHELESS"   I'm in LOVE  with you  !!



Ah,  romance,  can't live with it and can't live without it.   I gotta say,  I'm all for it!   The most significant and important thing I have discovered currently,   is,   it is possible to be in
"LOVE"  with ourselves.   Only strong,  vital,  "head together" type of personalities,  can pull this off.    When our hearts are rooted in real  "honest LOVE",  can you or I be in a position to become  one who,  absolutely,  deeply ,  considers him or her self,   capable of receiving that "emancipation".   What a "glorious" experience !!!  ......:)


It is my opinion that if and when "marriage" does take place ,  one's own "emancipation",  will keep this kind of " marriage",  going  "STRONG".   As is always the case,  when you don't really 
need something,  it's then you can truly have it,  and appreciate it's value.   But until or even if "marriage" does not come about,  one is "happy"  within and ,  in LOVE with LIFE !


Ah,  "real "LIFE".  well,  when you find it,  bravo for you !!   A "superb"  "extraordinary " relationship !   It transcends all matter,   and makes you "free-to-be". 


Well,  I'm on a roll here,  but  "hey",  why not !   It is "terrific" news,  isn't it?  " Being  in love with Life itself?"  

                                                          Just flat out ,  "BEING" ?


GO    FOR   IT    !!!!!

  

 (_A Wink & a Smile_) ..........................................................................................................:)
   

RECAP # 2 ( YARD SALE )

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"SMASHING SUCCESS "

by: Kat ( Mary) Carlson  _ author/publisher


All in all,  our three family "yard sale" turned out well.  The turn out was as well as could be expected and probably a great mix of young and old.  Just a really "cool" representation of  Ojaians.  Some attendees were familiar,  and I made new acquaintances today. 



That's first and foremost and real benefit to me.  Since I am retired , and alone ( not complaining about "that"),   it's a "treat" to connect with many who share tall tales, and just very general interest about our community.  A particular subject today had to do with "floods",  since many of us live down here in the river bottom.  It hasn't rained in a very long time.  We are, however, getting news about this years projected weather.  And the main projection is lots of rain.


 I woke up early this morning,  4:30.  I brewed some coffee,  put on some music,  and just relaxed before getting into the task of pulling my sale together.  The tables were set up yesterday,  and practically all my "junk" ,  I took by loading up my wheelbarrow.  Having a wheelbarrow here
on the "ranch" is super important.  By 6:30 am,  I headed down to the gate area,  and put the finishing touches on what may become a tradition for me.

This friendly couple were the first lookers & buyers .....

 

  
At some point in my picture taking,  I accidentally,  clicked the "wrong" button,  so these next pictures turned out black & white

Included in this picture is Joel ( back),  my neighbor,  who owns the emus and alpacas I've shown before on this blog 

 

Also, in the middle of the picture is Karen,  my courageous landlord.  She owns and runs these two properties by herself.  That's the equivalent of 8 acres !  Five of those acres are mostly avocado groves.  You may have seen a picture of me with her swimming pool in the background.

I asked this young man to pose for me in front of my sign ( the shirt he is wearing is one he purchased from me)

 

  

This is another attendee of Rice RD.'S THREE FAMILY yard sale

 

Ojians came out in droves and everyone looked like they were "having fun". All that was left and not purchased is put away,  and the tables will be put back in their place tomorrow morning.  This is the end of successful day in the LIFE of Kat Carlson.  

I'm game for another one in October,   it's  "too" much fun !

(_ A Wink & a Smile_)..................................................................................:)