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"Baby, it's COLD outside!" Part II
One of the contrary things some horses do to protest cold weather is stop drinking. This, of course, puts the horse at a much greater risk of dehydration, and that in turn puts a horse at risk of developing an impaction-related colic, because their digestive systems aren't exactly a marvel of efficiency, anyway. They need that water to process their feed. If you're not already monitoring how much water she drinks every day, you should be. Do start paying close attention, and even measuring water intake, if it's at all practical to do so. Two or three liters (or quarts) isn't enough, even for a smallish horse. Your full-sized horse should be drinking well over fifteen liters a day. In fact, twenty would be better. (Drinking too much water is hardly ever a consideration. If she's sucking down more than forty or fifty liters a day on a regular basis, check with your vet, ASAP.)
If it's at all possible, offer your horse a bucket of tepid or even warm water, at least twice a day, in addition to her normal water supply (which she's currently turning her nose up at because it freezes on her whiskers.) If there's just no practical way to offer warmer water, then consider adding a scant fistful (a couple of tablespoons) of pickling salt to her feed.
And speaking of feed, a really good way to get a little extra water into your horse is to feed mashes. Remember reading those horse stories when we were kids, and some beloved horse is always getting fed a warm bran mash? You can use wheat bran, beet pulp, or rice bran, as a means of getting some extra salt, fat, calories, and water into your horse's diet, when the weather turns off cold and foul.
Beet pulp pellets are available at almost any feed store; beet pulp is nutritious, and horses typically like it. You can sometimes buy shredded beet pulp, but it's more expensive and harder to find. I always, always, always soak my beet pulp pellets. Some people don't, but the pellets are very dense, hard, difficult to chew, and will absorb twice their own volume in water—and we're trying to get extra water into your horse's guts, not suck it out. So for a quart of beet pulp pellets, you'll want to use at least a half gallon of water. If you use cold water, let them soak overnight. If you have hot water available, then a half-hour or so is usually long enough. You can make enough all at once for the entire day's mashes, because the soaked beet pulp keeps quite well in a bucket, in cool weather.
Making a mash is simple. You don't even have to be a good cook. Take your horse's feed pan, add two or three cups of beet pulp and/or plain wheat bran (available at almost any feed store), add the normal portion of sweet-feed and/or supplement, a fistful of salt, and enough (warm, if you have access) water to make the mixture into a sloppy gruel. If she won't eat it, you can add apples, carrots, or other favorite treats to entice a horse that's never eaten a mash to give it a try. You'll get better at figuring out just how your horse likes her cuisine served, as you practice, too. If you're wildly successful beyond your dreams, heck, try it out on your family for breakfast, too.
It takes a bit more time and care, but your horse is going to be safer, happier, and healthier for it. She's less likely to lose weight or colic during the cold-snap, and you'll sleep better.
Billy Bragg Opens the Door
Billy Bragg is generally known to be a stand up guy. And his program Jail Guitar Doors is just proof of that. Named after a song by the Clash, JGD is a charitable program that works to give instruments to individuals that have been incarcerated in England.
After the death of Joe Strummer in 2002, Bragg sought to pay homage to one of his heroes and perhaps one of the most important figures in injecting punk with vibrant political messages. Bragg was contacted by a prison worker, asked to help garner funds for music programs in jails and found this opportunity too great to pass up.
What’s even better is that Bragg took the time to spray paint various sayings or phrases a number of the instruments that were to be distributed. Some of the messages read: "Stay Free," "Clash City Rockers" and "This Machine Kills Time." The program has been successful enough to the point where there’s now a waiting list to receive one of Bragg’s guitars.
Going yet further, Bragg himself often goes to prisons to hand out guitars and teach inmates a few songs. Amusingly enough, he is very seldom recognized – neither is Joe Strummer, which is nothing less than shocking.
Beyond the aim of making time behind bars bearable, music therapy is apparently responsible for a drastic reduction of incarceration. More than half of the general population in UK jails will be, after release, returned to a prison in comparison to less than twenty percent of the individuals that have been participating in music related programs.
Musicians are often criticized for portraying themselves one way in song and living a completely separate way of life. The work of Bragg, in this instance, serves to reinforce every message that he’s every related in song, making him one of the few genuine characters on the international music stage.
Looking for Lady Friends!
I am looking forward to making friendship with some talkative ladies who, I would expect, would be aged between 35-60 years, college educated,refined in manners, lively, cheerful,articulate and knowledgeable (despite the college education!). I said talkative, 'cause, to be honest, I am not a good talker, but a very good listener. Should be willing to talk....very intimately (not to worry about physical intimacy 'cause I am situated half-a-world away from wherever you are).
About myself, suffice it to say, for the moment, that I am a 55-year old male, business exec.,having a professional qualification, and in good health. Rest, when we strike it great!
Prayer request
I need all the saints to pray that I can survive this world and endure to the end and make it in the rapture.
Brad Pitt Attempts to Bring Back the 'Stache
Say it isn’t so. Someone, say it isn’t so. But the depressing news is true.
Brad Pitt is attempting to bring moustaches back in style. He’s been growing this moustache for the 2009 movie, "Inglourious Basterds," an action-drama that takes place in France during World War II.
“I don’t think ‘staches are respected enough,” the 44-year old actor laments to Extra on a Monday screening of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
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It’s not an issue of respect, it’s an matter of looking good. And very few people look better with a moustache than without. And I’m sorry, Mr. Pitt, I believe you looked significantly better sans moustache. Just compare the before and after pics. And this is one with a little scruff. I’m not asking for the clean-shaven look. Just ditch the “’stache.”
Obamas Denied Presidential Guest House
Sunday, December 14th
7:45pm
Dear Diary,
This is unbelievable. I am so outraged, I can’t hardly believe this hasn’t been made more of an issue. Newly elected commanders-in-chief and their families are allowed to stay at the Blair House five days prior to inauguration. We had just asked if we could would be allowed to move in a few days earlier so that Sasha and Malia could start school in DC immediately after the holiday break. But since Bush is insisting that his pre-scheduled events and guests take precedence over us, we will not be allowed to move in early. Basically, we’re not allowed to stay in the guest house because Bush wants to throw parties for his friends, and they don’t want to do it with the First Family living in the house. I’m curious to find out which guests outranked the incoming President.
I am so upset over this. This would never have happened if John McCain had been elected, and he and Cindy were moving into the White House. In that case, the Bushes would have greeted the McCains with open arms, and a bottle of champagne, I’m sure.
Believe me, it is very difficult to find a house or apartment suitable for an incoming president in the DC area. It’s not like we’re asking for a mansion or penthouse apartment. We just want a comfortable home where we can live for a few weeks. But all landowners want someone who will live there for a long period of time, not a month.
And this is all because we want our daughters to start school on January 5th. If anything, these people should have sympathy for a family prioritizing the education of their children. But per usual, parties are more important to Bush than education.
Yours always,
Michelle
Originally posted in The Secret Diary of Michelle Obama
Stuck in the Quicksand
While watching Quicksand, it’s really difficult to be conscious of the fact that the lead is being played by a thirty year old Mickey Rooney. After all of the musicals and rather light hearted fare, Rooney landed the lead role of mechanic Danny Brady in this 1950 feature.
Within the first five minutes or so of the film the female lead, who is obviously going to drag Rooney down towards damnation, enters, makes a date with him and snidely responds to various questions. It’s pretty much all down hill from there.
What transpires during this film really is aimed at making the point that women can cause a great deal of trouble, leaving a man with nothing to show. And that’s all accurately played out.
Rooney’s character goes from stealing from the register at his job to larceny, car theft and murder in less than an hour and a half. That’s a pretty dramatic rise to crook-dom. Oddly, though, the plot still makes total sense, even while the actions of Rooney’s character don’t.
In his attempts to impress the female lead Vera (Jeanne Cagney), who looks like a second rate Lauren Bacall, Rooney eventually commits enough boneheaded acts as to have the police chase him for the attempted murder of his boss. The exchanges between Rooney and Cagney illustrate the laters lack of compassion, regardless of the situation.
Rooney manages escape after narrow escape only to meet up with an old flame and make a daring dash to flee by boat. It’s not too surprising that the nascent crook gets caught, but the ending is a surprise – or at least the fact that it doesn’t turn out as awfully as it could is surprising.
Acts of an Iron King: Moon & Moon
The beginnings of this project date back to 2006 or so. Since Moon & Moon is basically a conglomeration of numerous musical acts (An Albatross, Lewis & Clarke, Barkus Born, Stephonik, Devendra Banhart, Gibby Haynes, and Bat for Lashes), its lack of centralized power probably contributed o the extensive delays in recording. But finally La Société Expéditionnaire has released their disc VII Acts of an Iron King.
The seemingly steady interest in spaced out rock music continues here, but in a more fully orchestrated voicing. With such an array of talented and expressive musicians, the word embellished barely covers it. What makes VII Acts even more interesting is the frame given to the pieces. From the view point of a child, the inner struggles of a monarch are explained through music. While the concept is novel, it sounds eerily similar to Tarantula A.D.’s Book of Sand (see Priestbird).
Hearing the child’s voice amongst the various vocal and production flourishes is at best unsettling. But that’s probably the point. Although the brightly colored art work that VII Acts sounds out from belies the evil music within, it does provide an interesting visual representation of the proceedings. Accompanying the child narrator are roto-metric rhythms and a disjointed array of vocalists – Banhart included.
That being understood, VII Acts is vastly more rewarding during the instrumental passages. They are plentiful, only interrupted by sporadic vocals designed to hold the album together conceptually since they don’t add too much the musical enjoyment of the disc as a whole.
Tracklisting: Act I: Into The Dust Act II:Hands Of A Man Act III: We Are The Lights Act IV: Come Down Like A Man Act V: There Can Be Only One Act VI: This Is Our Celebration Act VII: Together Alone, We Jump We Rise
McCain Redeems Himself
Sunday, December 14th
1:00pm
Dear Diary,
After watching John McCain’s interview with George Stephanopoulos, I have a newfound respect for the man. He made some very insightful comments concerning Barack’s ties to Blagojevich and the role of the Republican Party. McCain not only reproached Republicans for putting such a huge focus on Barack’s relationship (however tenuous) to Blagojevich, he also brought up how unproductive it is for the Republicans to concentrate on this issue when there are a host of more important issues to confront. I have to applaud him for these comments, and for continuing to put his faith in Barack after losing the election to him. In McCain’s words:
“In all due respect to the Republican National Committee and anybody – right now, I think we should try to be working constructively together, not only on an issue such as this, but on the economy stimulus package, reforms that are necessary. And so, I don’t know all the details of the relationship between President-elect Obama’s campaign or his people and the governor of Illionois, but I have some confidence that all the information will come out. It always does, it seems to me.”Very admirable of McCain. Of course, it’s true. But for him to come out and defend Barack shows that he’s really taken the high road with this election. He could have just gone back to Arizona and wallowed in self-pity (though that’s really not McCain’s style). But instead, he comes out to say what needs to be said, and is honest and selfless in doing so. I have to admit, while McCain did vote with Bush 90% of the time, when he did come out against his party’s platform, I felt like he prioritized what’s right above partisan politics. And anyone in the Senate has to respect another Congressman who puts what’s right above party politics. And while I certainly don’t agree with McCain on most issues, I feel that he’s finally got it right. Perhaps all of that bad publicity and public criticism during his campaign season and reformed the man… Until next time, Joe the Veep
Sarah Brightman at the Everett Events Center
The weather outside may be frightful, but Sarah Brightman’s singing is delightful. And since you have no where else to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
And go see Sarah Brightman at the Everett Events Center at 7:30pm. This sparkling soprano has recently released her latest album, “A Winter Symphony,” a Christmas album from which she will be performing classics such as “Silent Night” and “Ave Maria.” Tickets are on sale for $49.50 - $250.
Sarah Brightman is one of the world’s leading sopranos. Born in Berkhamsted, a small town just outside of London, this young prodigy became a ballet star at the precocious age of four. In addition, she enrolled in performing arts at age 11, aspiring to act in every play. As a child, she began singing in a variety of genres, from pop and classical, to dance, Gregorian chants and Eastern refrains. But it was not until the age of 12 that people realized she would one day become a successful soprano. She has sung and danced in countless theater productions, from Cats to Phantom of the Opera. Sarah may have started in musical theater, but her fans loved her so much that she has become a smashing success as a solo artist. Sarah has won numerous awards for her glorious voice and artistry, from Ireland to Istanbul. She is continually recognized with accolades and awards, proving that she global appeal.
This Sarah’s her first-ever Christmas album, but it is an amazing album, and we are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to hear this legend sing.