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