Baby Quarter Horse - 2 Weeks

Annie, the two week old American Quarter Horse, continues to grow at a rapid speed. Born three weeks early on February 13, Annie is a beautiful filly who seems to be maturing rapidly. She not only chews both hay and grain but actually swallows both -- an outstanding feat for such a young filly. She is alert and responds well to the human voice, jumping, running, kicking both front and back legs, and then screeching to a halt in front of the on-looker as if to say "look at what I can do now!" Wearing a Weatherbeeta Newborn Blanket since she was two days old, Annie is warm even when Chicago temperatures drop into the teens.

Lucy, Annie's mother, nurtures her baby with regular kisses, nudges and cuddles. When her elder son, the yearling colt named Curly sticks his head in the stall to view his mom and new sister, Lucy is less then cordial and quickly chases him away. One day Curly refused to leave and stood frozen watching his replacement snuggle with his mom. A quick back hoof to the stall wall startled Curly and the message was clear, you're a big boy now so move on. After all, there is a new kid on the block who needs her full attention, and Curly can take care of himself only too well. But that's another story for another day.

Note: The gift baskets were delivered to the neighbors who participated in the horse round-up and they were pleased with their Harry and David Towers of Treats. Sammy remains in the pasture but has acquired new stallion prowess and has begun to bite. Me. No wait -- that was Curly who bit me, Sammy bit the electrician. Such unacceptable actions will need to change soon or these boys will lose their manhood.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Pedicure Experience

Pedicures are an expensive and appreciated luxury, aiding relaxation in stressful times. At $30 per foot at most spas in Chicagoland, relaxing pedicures include softening Solar Oil, warm sloughing lotion, callous and cuticle remover, bubbles, massages and sixty minutes. Soaking one's tootsies in warm water is only the beginning of the relaxing spa experience. Previously thought to be expensive, all that changed today after a three hour pedicure experience at the local Cosmetology and Spa School proved the old adage, "you get what you pay for." For $12 you can imagine what I got.

When signing on for any salon service there is an assumption the provider will be skilled enough to complete the task within a reasonable amount of time and within a reasonable skill level. So to with students completing a $13,000.00 nine month long course in cosmetology (including hair cuts and color, perms and relaxers, facials, waxing, and nail treatments) who are advertised as "salon ready." Not necessarily. While expectations of service vary as much as the customers, leaving with softened soles and oiled and painted nails is considered the norm.

The scheduled 1:00 pedicure began at 1:40. The service provider appeared to be 11, maybe 14, and reported this was her third pedicure (out of the required 25). Arriving at the bubbling foot bath involved moving through a maze of four rooms of hair cutting, coloring, perming and what ever was going on in the fourth room. The large relaxing spa pedicure chairs were missing, replaced with small plastic rectangular containers filled with warm water. Left brain was saying run, while right brain said give it a try. These ten toes have been proud pedicure recipients every other week for far to many adult years to mention. Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salons offer a basic pedicure, which is fine, or an Olive Oil pedicure which is awesome but expensive. Not so with the school girl pedicure which included nothing -- no oil, no lotion, no understanding of what a pumice stone is, and no skill.

The lesson here is to look before you leap, run when directed to do so, appreciate the good things and be willing to pay for desired services, regardless of the cost. Since The Red Door Salon is on speed dial, the next relaxing luxuriant pedicure will be exactly as advertised and behind the big red door in a local Chicagoland spa in a few short days. Complete with Solar Oil. Photo attribution: morleyhairandbeauty.com

Horse Update: Sammy Stayed

If you've been following horse life in the burbs you know yesterday's adventure of a run away horse in The Grass Is Always Greener was not one of the best days in horse country. After a nervous night of horse watching, Sammy has decided to remain a few more weeks -- hopefully months -- before he again leaves to seek his fortune in Chicago or elsewhere.

Both Sammy and Curly are in the pasture calmly and quietly gorging themselves, as horses do, on hay and grain. Whew! Stay tuned as there is always another adventure just around the corner.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

The Grass is Always Greener.....

After a nerve-wracking two hour hunt and chase through deep snow, thick woods and down a two-lane road strewn with gawkers in cars, Sampson, the colt, is back home with his brother Curly. Sampson is on the right, with the white mark on his forehead, Curly is on the left. Earlier today Sampson thought he was old enough and wise enough to leave home in search of a better life, maybe in Chicago pulling carriages. He didn't elaborate.

Horses are easily scared by common things: a large snowflake, a limb falling, and in this case a deer running next to the fence this morning. Sampson, the yearling, thought it was either another horse he should meet, or it would be fun to run along to see what he could see. He chose the latter, which was fine until the pasture ended. Apparently horses are unaware that orange flags marking the end of one's property mean it is not appropriate to venture forth looking for greener pastures, or in this case whiter snow, on the other side. He also forgot what a fence is and why it is there.

A young horse, Sampson has not been totally trained yet so he is unfamiliar with horse apparel such as leads or harnesses, even bridles. After twelve adults, including four police officers, an equine specialist from the Animal Control Department, three passers-by who stopped their cars to help, two neighbor "horse" people, and my husband and I were unable to lure Sammy close enough to lasso him, we used Plan B. Having a backup plan is always a good idea and in this case Plan B meant stopping all traffic on the road, and carefully and ever so slowly "pushing" Sammy toward the house.

Horses have a good memory (but not good enough to run home once they escape) so we were sure once Sammy saw "the house" he would recognize it, click his hoofs together and run toward the barn, his home. Not exactly. He did recognize the house once he was persuaded to walk up the long driveway, woods on one side and high snow banks on the other. At the end of the driveway Sammy saw the barn and his brother Curly; that was all it took. In his attempt to click hooves, Sammy treaded through deep snow to get to the corral to rejoin the herd. All are now reunited and resting, sleeping in the sun after a rough but exciting morning. Hopefully this adventure is over and will not be played out again, tomorrow or any other day.

Note: the electric fence is currently being checked, and the corral with the broken fence board is closed off until new boards arrive. The issued ticket turned out to be just a warning, with no fine this time. Large fruit baskets have been ordered for all neighbors who participated in horsing around; they will be delivered on Thursday. As for me, I have stopped crying and am now drinking a large glass of bubbly. And so it goes.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

TECH cocktail Chicago 7 - Well Done Again

Over 500 guests showed up Thursday night for another meet and greet at John Barleycorn-Wrigleyville for TECH cocktail 7, the dream technology mixer of Frank Gruber and Eric Olson. While it was Chicago cold outside -- very cold -- the mood inside was upbeat and productive as several sponsors provided the liquid refreshments and the guests provided the fun. A new website was announced, http://www.techcocktail.com/ as well as a new May conference, TECHcocktailCONFERENCE at http://www.techcocktailconference.com/. The all day conference landed at Loyola University, Water Tower Campus in Chicago, May 29, with something for everyone, followed by TECHcocktail 8 at John Barleycorn-Wrigleyville that night from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

TECHcocktail is always a positive high energy event and this one was no different; there were new faces and familiar ones, new demo-ers and new sponsors, and the fine and friendly staff of John Barleycorn-Wrigleyville to meet everyone's needs. Congratulations to Frank, Eric and Barleycorn's -- well done. These events continue to get better each time.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

TECH cocktail 7 Lands In Chitown

Over six hundred party-goers will be on tap Thursday night at John Barleycorn-Wrigleyville, when TECH cocktail returns to Chicago for the seventh event in less then two years. The "go to" place for technology enthusiasts, geeks or geek-wanna-be's, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and girls who just want to have fun, TECH cocktail is the brainchild of Frank Gruber and Eric Olson. Born over a cup of coffee one fine day when Frank and Eric decided to start a series of mixer events where guests could interact in a friendly fun learning environment, TECH cocktail has spread to Washington DC, Boston and on March 7 heads west to Boulder. Each event is bigger and better then the previous.

TECH cocktail amplifies the technology signal in Chicago and the signal is getting stronger and louder with more and more sponsors. TC7 is being sponsored by Google, ChicagoMicro, Imprint Enterprises, Fiodan Corporation, Mullen Law Firm, Saper Law Offices, Fitzgerald + Hewes, hubbard one, Interactive Mediums, FTC Forbes Technical Consulting, Interactive Mediums, Frost, Ruttenberg & Rothblatt, P.C., Hinshaw & Culbertson, Matthew Kuehl Photography and bub.blicio.us. Anyone interested in sponsoring a future event can contact Frank and Eric at cofounders@techcocktail.com. Sure to be a great time, TC7, I'm here for you.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

One Week Old Annie

Babies are surprisingly the same, whether human or horse, quickly changing every day and totally dependent on their mothers for all their needs. Watch one week old quarter horse, Annie, do what other babies do: eat, jump, kick, eat again, wobble, suddenly jump (at 1 minute 35 seconds into the video), and then eat again. The short 3 minute film includes snorting, nickering, and of course eating, demonstrating Annie's new found skills. Human babies require nursing every two hours, and Annie seems to surpass that with her continuous attempts to gain nourishment. Still a baby, Annie sleeps several hours each day while wearing her newborn-sized Weathabeater Baby Blanket to keep warm in this somewhat chilly Chicagoland barn. Annie's mother nudges her ever so lovingly in the film, reminding us all mothers know best. Note: If you are unable to activate the video, push the spacebar and then "enter" -- it will start.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Melissa's Tulips

Few flowers herald the arrival of spring as well as tulips -- promising warmer days, butterflies and an array of colorful seasonal blooms. Tulips appear early and continue to bloom late, spreading joy with each new spurt. Long tulips gracefully hang over their container, dancing toward the table or counter on which they are displayed. Thanks to Melissa, a friend who shared a useful hint, my tulips now stand straight, as if saluting the ceiling. How did they go from droopy to dazzlingly straight? Melissa suggested adding one cup of vodka or gin to the water, then sitting back and watching the stems straighten up. Others at dinner wondered if such a simple addition could make such an enormous difference. One cup of gin was added to the water and the results are visible in the photo. Amazingly straight stemmed tulips now stand majestically in the dining room. Thank you Melissa and Brian for the beautiful tulips and thank you Melissa for that amazing tulip tip. Come back real soon.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Newborn Quarter Horse, Day Two

Watching newborn quarter horse Annie grow is exciting and something to share with anyone who loves animals, especially small ones. Here is Annie and her mom, Lucy (not her registered name) relaxing on her second day in Chicagoland. Still a little wobbly, and still moving slowly as she tests out her legs, she kicks, stretches and nickers.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Baby Steps

As the mother of three adult children I have witnessed several "firsts," first teeth, first steps, and first words -- all special moments when previously new and uncharted experiences became accessible and opened the door to even more discoveries.

Baby horses also hold exciting first moments, as seen in this video of five hour old Annie, an American Quarter horse filly nickering (talking) to her mother, standing, and ever so carefully wobbling towards lunch. A quiet baby sneeze can be heard. Weighing approximately 55 pounds, Annie mimics Mom as she pretends to "eat" hay, though she is only "mouthing" it. Annie also mimics Mom as she nickers in response to another horse. Though appearing thin and frail, Annie is exceptionally alert at five hours post delivery. Happy birth day, Annie.

Video attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Lucy Delivers!

After a lengthy eleven month long pregnancy, eight year old Lucy delivered a bouncing baby girl this afternoon, February 13, 2008. The baby appears to weigh between 55 to 65 pounds, and is healthy and nursing. With long eyelashes and a long curly tail, she is a bay now (dark brown with a black mane and tail) but she will turn grey. This is one newborn photo you don't often get to view.

Heatlamps are in place to warm the air in this Chicagoland barn, and both mother and un-named baby are eating hay and grain. For those wondering what happens next, here's the plan: mother and baby will remain in the barn until the weather changes and the outside temperature is at least 40 degrees. Mom and baby will venture outside for a short ten to twenty minute stint, away from the other horses who might be a tad too inquisitive, but within sight. Each day will be a new adventure for this little lady and now I can tell you, I really was hoping for a filly.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

The Upside of Upbeat

Up days, down days, good days or bad, attitude makes a difference in the workplace or on the home front. While happiness is contagious and creates smiles, laughs and giggles, sadness and anger create negativity and frustration. On sunny days we are more apt to be upbeat and positive, while on cloudy days the same folks can be quiet, concerned and even sad. Attitude also affects how fast one ages.

The University of Texas found people with an upbeat view of life were less likely than pessimists to show signs of age related frailty. An upbeat attitude helps to boost a person's health by making it more likely they will be successful in life, suggesting psychosocial factors play a role in how quickly we age.

A negative attitude can also make one sick. Realage suggests "attitude is a positive state of mind that shows in the way you think and act." A positive person, according to realage, "expects success, thinks in terms of what they can do, looks at things creatively, chooses happiness, is motivated to reach goals, does not give up on things that are important, sees failure and problems as something to learn from, believes in his or her abilities, and acts with confidence." Not so for the negative thinkers out there. Optimists and positive thinkers get more done and are more fun to be with. Those with a positive attitude have better relationships with others, lead a fuller and more satisfying life, and are usually optimistic and expect others to follow suit. Upbeat and positive thinkers are also better able to manage life's struggles.

Learn ways to change your less-then-positive attitude from Elizabeth Scott at Create Energy, Become More Productive & Relieve Stress With A Positive Attitude. Practice smiling. Smile right now, hold to the count of 10, release and smile again. It's not so hard and having a smile creates other smiles everywhere. Keep practicing and soon smiling will be as natural as, well, a smile.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

AT&T UVerse

Faster then a speeding bullet, more reliable than a rooster on a summer morning, and as clear as one could only previously hoped for, the new AT&T fiber optic Uverse internet and television package was installed last week and is up and running --- dashing --- jogging. Previously a satellite girl, this two dish household now gets more bandwidth at faster speeds then ever thought possible — up to 10 Mbps downstream and up to 1.5 Mbps upstream. Can I see a difference? Is the Pope Catholic?

In addition to speed and reliability, the price is $117 per month less than previous dual satellite coverage. Hughesnet Internet service was expensive for pro quality, at $120 monthly, and Direct TV wasn't cheap at $111 per month for a zillion stations. But help was on the way and for a much lower price of $114 per month, AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet Express U-verse U400 comes with wireless home networking, up to 320 TV channels including "the Movie Package (this package includes more than 30 channels of SHOWTIME®, The Movie Channel (TMC)TM, FLIX®, Starz®, and Encore®), HBO®/Cinemax® Package, featuring 18 channels" of TV I probably won't ever watch, and "HBO®/Cinemax® programming), and the Sports Package." But this is not just for one TV, this price includes up to three HD-ready TV receivers, one with a digital video recorder (DVR). Sound good?

This Chicagoland residence was the first home in the northern Illinois area to get Uverse service, which took over 8 hours to install. The first three installers who arrived at noon called for help and soon six installers were everywhere inside and out. Why so long? According to the installation team "this is a very large home," with very thick walls and a large exterior dimension that required the fiber optic installation. Previously a wireless domicile thanks to Blogger Boy, this built-in wireless home network is enabled by Gateway which offers wireless networking capabilities throughout the home eliminating a few wireless deadspots. Give AT&T Uverse a look and see if your service can be as fast as mine. Thanks AT&T.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Baby Horse: Coming Soon To A Barn Near You (Or Me)

Soon Lucy (not her real name) will again become a mother: her fourth baby is due tonight, or tomorrow, or Monday, or Tuesday, you get the idea. Like her human counterpart, Lucy doesn't know WHEN she will give birth, but like her human counterparts who are near delivery, no doubt she hopes it is soon. An extremely pregnant mare in her eleventh month of gestation, Lucy waddles when she walks. Birth can occur anywhere from 330 days to 350 days since the breeding date, yet Lucy has had her babies two weeks early, around 320 days. Watching Lucy’s enormous underbelly hang as she eats hay or grain causes one who has been in the same predicament on three separate occasions to breathe deeply and stop to reflect.

The foaling stall is in waiting, with Lucy as the new resident. Straw carefully layers the ground for the new 100-125 pound arrival. Heat lamps warm the air, encouraging the baby to arrive post haste. Other horses have been placed in adjacent stalls as observers or historians. Will they remind the birthing mother to "take deep cleansing breaths," or nicker in unison?

Horse babies tend to be born in the wee hours of the morning without human intervention. The most recent pre-natal vet visit indicated all is well and all is waiting until just the right moment. Tomorrow could be the day eight legs appear in the stall --- time will tell and then so will I.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Is Distance Learning for You?

A firm believer in life-long learning and an online instructor for years, distance education is a superior way to learn in the comfort of one's home, in one's pajamas, in one's favorite chair. Online classes are offered at most four year colleges and universities, as well as junior or community colleges. Associate degrees, Bachelor degrees, and even Master degrees can be completed successfully online from a variety of colleges and universities. The University of Nebraska even offers doctorate degrees online, along with several other noted schools. If the working world has gotten to you, 18 credits of teaching credentials can be earned at Nebraska and a new career option becomes available.

One school, Fresno Pacific University , offers three new Master of Science degrees online in the fall of '08 in Curriculum, with an emphasis on Teaching, School Library and Media Technology, or Kinesiology, with an emphasis on either Physical Education or Athletic Training. Many schools have gotten into the business of offering complete degrees online, allowing working adults the opportunity to complete graduate credits as they work their way toward their Master's Degree or Doctorate. Jacksonville Community College, a leader in distance learning, hosts a complete virtual campus, virtual degree, and virtual classes, under the guidance of a real person, Dr. Julie Guiliani. The Public Broadcasting System, PBS, offers excellent two graduate credit online opportunities in instructional strategies, technology, math, reading and science.

Anyone can enroll in online classes and several current students are fighting on the front lines in Iraq; since they can do it, so can you. If online courses sound intriguing, check them out and see if they might work for your career advancement and enhance your life as well. At least you would have something new to talk about at dinner, and that dear reader, is priceless.

Photo attribution: somewhat frank

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

"The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we've no place to go....." explains weather conditions in northern Illinois and Chicagoland today. The schools are closed. The courts are closed. The offices are closed. The roads are open, but continue to blow closed. There is no place to go, and no one to go with, especially when dressed in pajamas. Under a winter storm warning since yesterday, the local college closed last night prior to the beginning of night classes. Jubilance ensued. Joy was only increased at 5:30 a.m. today when the call came in. There will be one more snow day today.

A snow day is a gift that requires one to stay in and chill out. There is no rushing from place to place, unless it is in one's domicile. Television becomes entertaining for a short stint, and watching CNN and Fox News recant the election results from the previous day, Super Tuesday, is informative. What does one do on the extra day they have been granted?

Make chicken soup or chili -- either will taste great on such a cold day and provide needed nutrients. Clean out one's desk -- three bags of previously important documents were shredded. Create a web site for one's social organization – tedious but rewarding. Blog. Take snow photos. Change the sheets. Watch the horses make snow angels. Marinate boneless pork chops. Make a Greek salad. Sleep in.

Tomorrow will come soon enough and the return to work will include boots, stabilizers, four-wheel drive and lots of patience. In eight to ten weeks the snow will be gone, the sun will be shining, and today’s extra vacation day will have been forgotten. Enjoy your day.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Bottled Water for Horses

Frequent visits to the watering trough recently by mares Belle and Lucy (not their real names) where they would stop, take a quick drink and then stare at the water reminded me of the need for bottled water for horses. It would be so easy if big plastic bottles could be available on a "as needed" basis for horses. A bottled water carrier for horses could even be developed with a flip off top.

Lucy and Belle used to live on a 200 acre ranch with a river running through it. They could run, frolic in the snow, even make snow angels if they were so inclined. They drank from the river, and all water in their troughs was river water.

When Belle and Lucy arrived at this abode, they took one sip of the well water in their troughs and spit it out. If they could have proclaimed "Yuck!" they would have. They quickly turned and walked away, only to return a few minutes later and try another gulp. The previous owner watched and reminded us horses take a while to warm up to the taste of new water but eventually they would drink. A few more spits and their acquired thirst required them to drink at the trough.

Anyone used to drinking only bottled water will eventually drink city water, if thirsty enough. Water from various regions has a different taste, but did you know horses can also taste the difference? Belle and Lucy now drink heated well water that is kept from freezing during the cold Chicagoland winters due to water heaters installed in each trough.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Flaxseed Oil Promotes Health

Flaxseed oil should be on the top of your grocery list this week as a way of helping to prevent inflammation and heart disease. In addition to raising one's "good" cholesterol (HDL), it also plays a role in the prevention of cancer. Obtained from the seed of the flax plant, thought to have originated in Egypt, flaxseed grows throughout Canada and the northwestern United States. Once harvested, flaxseeds appear golden in color.

But why do you need it? Flaxseed oil contains 50% to 60% omega-3 fatty acids, double the amount contained in fish oil. Rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid that appears to be beneficial for heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and a variety of other health conditions, flaxseed oil is a healthy addition to anyone's diet. According to the Center for Disease Control, flaxseed is most commonly used as a laxative but is also used for hot flashes, breast pain and arthritis. Two 1000 milligram capsules pass these lips daily to control inflammation and blepharitis, a somewhat troublesome inflammation of the eyelids. Using flaxseed oil supplements (omega-3 fatty acid) stabilizes eyelid oil secretions associated with blepharitis.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "ALA, as well as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), belongs to a group of substances called omega-3 fatty acids" which have been found to promote cognitive and behavioral function and normal growth and development. "EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish while ALA is mostly found in flaxseed oil and other vegetable oils." By adding flaxseed oil capsules to your daily supplements you will notice a decrease in inflammation. Available locally or here for $19.99 for 1000 capsules, it costs only three cents per day to prevent serious health situations. Check it out.

Photo attribution: certified su