The Dark Path

[SteveA]

(Apparently someone already did an 'executive summary' )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oDkd...eature=related

[labelwench]

The artificially induced sense of well-being induced by the Ibuprofen wore off slightly overnight as I needed a long rest to catch up on my sleep, and so got slightly off my schedule for taking the drug. Awoke with somewhat restricted range of motion, which is now returning as the medication settles back into play. I reckon the doctor knew what she was talking about when she said to stay on the full dose for a complete two weeks, lol.

While 'under the influence', I am now back to doing most of my usual chores and even got Caramel out for a short ride, my horse likewise on low dose of Bute for an injury she acquired by stepping into a low spot when moving at a fairly good clip a couple of weeks ago.

Two 'stoned ponies', lol, but we'll eventually get past this thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNeSxEWWaPA

[SteveA]

Well at least the two of you are still on your feet, though sorry to hear you're not feeling too great ... hmmm, let's see what to do?

Hey, maybe go the other way around! Try a little extra dosage and see if you can get world to look like this? (Caution: Don't watch this if you're on anything hallucinagenic!! =) Just kidding)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4pIx...eature=related

Ok, that's probably way too much ... how about this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBB_A...ext=1&index=12

Yes, that's a bit more enjoyable

Here's a *hug*. Take care of yourself and your family.

[labelwench]

Thank you for the tunes and the hug, Steve. I'm actually faring well, all things considered, just contending with the heat at the present. While 25-28C may not be excessive in some parts of the world, it is quite tropical for these parts. The horses and the garden require a lot of water to maintain a steady state, and while I can exercise the horses, one keeps the work slow and short when the temperature and humidity index combined exceeds 150, using Fahrenheit scale and percentage, e.g. 80F and 70%.

It shall only get warmer over the next several hours, so I shall soon be off to work with the horses for a time, as they do enjoy the attention in spite of the conditions.

[SteveA]

When I was a kid, a couple from Alaska visited our home for a few days. My mother kept the heater on most the time ... they slept on the back porch!!! (I must admit it was even a bit too warm for me the way she would run the heater) I assume they could have likely walked around in close to nothing at 3AM and found the temperature to be an enjoyably tropical in comparison

This summer has been rather cool, but today warmed up a bit - overall though I tend to like the cooler weather (I tried to move to Washington State once. I like a bit cooler and greener, less crowded environment - glass and concrete is ok, but not quite the ideal)

Don't work too hard! (Like that will really stop you ) ... ok, work however hard you want instead.

Enjoy,
Steve

[labelwench]

Work is a relative term when one is doing something that they enjoy, and for which there is a purpose, lol, though I am quite careful in my undertakings. I had considered riding Caramel around the 5 km trail as well, but am rethinking that plan as it is still 83F at 6:40 p.m. and I do not think that I should expose myself to more heat, having already been out in same for two hours.

My reason for riding Madelaine in the heat was to condition her mind to being attentive under such condition. Her body is well enough accustomed to the elements, as she resides out-of-doors with both natural and man-made shelter available. We traveled 9.3 km in 1 hr. 20 min. which was a gentle pace, yet was considerable effort for both of us, as I worked to maintain correct posture and motion with her every step, which is the difference between equitation and 'trail riding' where the person is not an active participant in the process.

Young horses need to develop the muscling to balance the weight of the rider and this takes a bit of time and exposure to a variety of terrain and footing. A person who is planning to go on a hike with a backpack must also go through a similar process before they are ready to make a safe journey. Much of this work has already been done with Madelaine who has also been on maternity leave. Giving birth is a huge demand on the female of most species, and it takes time for the body to fully recover.

The terrain we covered today included plenty of downslope, both moderate and gentle, winding trail over some downed logs, an equal amount of climbing (about 300 vertical feet) and some level road which I utilized in having Madelaine do lateral movement, known as 'leg yielding'. All of this teaches the horse to 'engage the hindquarters'.

Upon our return, I trimmed her front hooves to slightly adjust the angle, thereby also encouraging her to shift her weight ever so slightly more to the rear as her future training continues.

There is considerably more involved in the proper movement and training of the horse when one is working toward optimum performance than most people have any understanding of.

It's what I have done for many years and it is most enjoyable to experience the transition from a green horse to a proficient equine athlete.

[labelwench]

"However did you manage to do that?" asked the crew boss, as he surveyed the situation.

"Sleep deprivation and medically induced lack of co-ordination", I replied.

"Well, don't worry about it," he advised as he returned to his list of duties, while I went to get the required supplies.

The viscosity of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is highly under appreciated I decided. My two year record of non-breakage was now just shards of glass in a golden pool of oil. While facing stock, my watch band had caught on the 500 ml bottle and dislodged it from the top shelf. Newton's law of gravity in action, and from my stand on the milk crate, there was nothing I could do but watch, lol...

It could have been worse. At least it wasn't a jar of pickled beets!

[greenbug]

Are you ok? It didn't land on you did it?
While unloading trucks some times boxes will hide smaller boxes, of caned cat food, on top of them and if you tilt the box as your grabbing it the boxes will slide off right into your face! ouch.. With both hands on the box your trying to get its hard to avoid such a disaster unless you are aware such things happen frequently. Always stand to the side when grabbing boxes that are higher then you, you never know who might place something on top, trying to be conservative.

[labelwench]

Are you ok? It didn't land on you did it?
While unloading trucks some times boxes will hide smaller boxes, of caned cat food, on top of them and if you tilt the box as your grabbing it the boxes will slide off right into your face! ouch.. With both hands on the box your trying to get its hard to avoid such a disaster unless you are aware such things happen frequently. Always stand to the side when grabbing boxes that are higher then you, you never know who might place something on top, trying to be conservative.

Your knowledge and advice are well cautioned, Greenbug, and it is obvious that you have experience of working stock. Because our trucks come up a long and winding road, shifted pallets of product are a frequent challenge and we are all cognizant of the potential for injury.

My minor mishap of last night was just a case of working in a tight area and having a single bottle get snagged by my watch as I was facing shelves, bringing stock forward to give a pleasing impression of fullness and convenience for the customers. I am generally observant and careful, but I was awfully tired last night, having not gotten enough rest, as I had been working in the yard in the heat, and then found it hard to get settled for sleep. Eager to catch up on some of the yard maintenance that had accrued while I have been recovering from my fall from my horse, I did not exercise the best judgment in timing.

The olive oil was not at all offensive, and my main concern was to get the spill properly cleaned up, so that there was no potential of anyone slipping and falling on any residual. The greatest injury was likely to my pride, lol, as stock damage goes with the territory on occasion, and I was on a long stretch of good luck. For the amount of stock we handle, our night crew damages minimal product, and most such occurrence happens during transit and unloading of shifted pallets.

Thank you very much for your concern and the helpful suggestions.

[labelwench]

Stepping onto the deck, she glanced at her watch.

That could not possibly be the correct time.

Peering through the window, she noted that the battery-operated kitchen clock and the microwave both displayed identical times in confirmation.

My, my, my......What had she forgotten. A quick review determined all to be in preparation for the weekly skirmish with the labels, now moved up to Fridays, which left her going in unprepared on her first shift back, and usually sleep deprived.

With some time to spare, she gazed upward at the night sky, delighting in the moon still full and a blazing highway of aurora borealis stretching from the eastern to western horizon. That explained the time perception. A lunar threshold.... This could be the break she needed.

As her eyes drank in the undulating energy of the lights, she could feel her brain and body respond to the stimulation of the light, the Fundamental Substance of her person recognizing the Fundamental Substance of the universe, of which she was but a part, yet capable of mirror neuron response to the greater energy of the whole. Most people were unable to comprehend the manner in which one may draw both mental inspiration and physical endurance from the world around us save by the usual means of fueling the body or pushing it beyond normal endurance with substances, both natural or chemical.

The workplace was dark when she arrived, the repairs taking longer than estimated, and upon being let in, she went straight to the labels she had printed off in anticipation of this event, having stopped in on her own time to mount this counter-attack in the event of a delay. Past experience was ever the best teacher.

Sure enough, her co-worker (Old Tiger, as she thought of him) was in better humor than usual, as the clear skies gave him relief from his old injuries and arthritis.

The dynamic energy of the night buoyed them both, as they started into the stacks of labels, with 'Tiger' deferring to her leadership in the matter.

'Tiger' didn't play out as the night wore on, thought she knew he was getting somewhat fatigued when he began to grumble about the mysterious shorthand used for the products in the general merchandise aisle, which night crew did not stock the shelves for and hence were less familiar to him, they being mostly health and beauty aids.

She offered to finish up on her own, freeing him for other duties.The grumbling subsided and he stayed the course, which made her smile to herself.... She wasn't that hard to work with, lol......

Once again, they had beaten the odds, and as usual, she couldn't have explained how that should come to pass, her memory of the night already just a blur.....

(I write in third person about some of these experiences, as very often, they defy conventional logic, and when I induce 'working trance', my consciousness often seems to be outside myself. There are some who understand of which I speak, but one has to have had similar experiencing to make any sense of it.)