rajafacesbothways

School's Out

Off to final class on "Intimacy in American Film", a class where I wrote no papers, watched a variety of films, did few readings and partook in some stimulating class discussions with students of my grand kids generation.

Tomorrow I'm going to be at Churchill Downs for The Oaks, the race for three-year-old fillies; the following day is the Kentucky Derby. I'll be working a booth for Hockensmith Photos; Steve is the official photographer for the Derby.  I did it last year too.

 Maybe this year I'll get to see a horse.

Medical Realities

Spent the day at campus, moving from UK hospital to class and back to the hospital, to be with an artist friend who was in the Georgetown College Bricolage show with me two years ago. I was there to hear the diagnoses of her rare form of breast cancer which has not behaved well in any way, shape or form. The prognosis really sucks but medical science does incredible things now and the UKY Hospital Markey Cancer Center is one of the best.
 I am always impressed with people who choose, for the right reasons, to be in health care.
My reaction to anything medical is to call 911 and head for Montana without a backward glance.
Fortunately I'm not that shallow, but feel helpless confronting all the challenges for survival that patients must address in hospitals. I'm okay with keeping their spirits lifted but cannot imagine dealing with the medical care needed. I definitely identify with those old movie scenes of the man sent to boil water while  his wife's is giving birth.

The New Look

Big Time Improvement Achieved

The awning is in place. What a thrilling addition to my back porch--worthy coverage (almost) for Metropolitan Home. Well maybe not quite, but wait until the morning glories add to the screening and the pots are filled with plants.

Here are before and after photos.The awning is in place. What a thrilling addition to my back porch--worthy coverage (almost) for Metropolitan Home. Well maybe not quite, but wait until the morning glories add to the screening and the pots are filled with plants.

Here is the way it looked originally.

A Tragic Leap

I happened to be standing where a horse missed the jump, throwing both it and the rider down to the ground in a crushing fall. The rider was down for a bit, shaken and rubbing his shoulder. The horse apparently had broken a leg. A horse ambulance was called, the scene was curtained off and the horse lifted into the ambulance. It may have been put down immediately once it was hidden from view. After that I didn't feel the urge to take any more photos. Fortunately the rider was going to be all right.

Typical of Kentucky --it wasn't mentioned on the sports news. They were busy talking about the new signee for UKY basketball.

Rolex Cross Country

Transporting people in a stretched golf cart around the Horse Park at the Rolex was fun--perfect weather (often it's cold and/or rainy) and I met an interesting variety of "horse people" from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England and all sections of the U.S. And of course there are horses from all these areas too, to compete in the three categories. Some of the most beautiful horses and accomplished riders in the world come to this event every year.

Yesterday I used my free pass for volunteering to watch the cross country jumping--a very difficult course requiring extremely difficult jumps for the horses and riders. Here's a sample of one of the easier jumps:

Three Day Events

The annual Rolex Three Day Equestrian Event is this weekend; world wide competition in dressage, cross country and stadium jumping takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park. And today I am transporting VIP's and handicapped people around in a golf cart; an opportunity to meet horse owners and fans from all over the world--and see the incredible beautiful horses. This one afternoon choice volunteer job includes admission to observe the action all weekend if I wish. I find the cross country jumping the most incredible event to watch.

The other exciting and more lasting 3 day event is the installation of an awning on my deck. Progress has begun. And the good news:  the awning will not have to be stitched together. Some "stronger than Moses" glue should seal the fabric hems. Moses may have parted the Red Sea but this could have been a bigger challenge.
 ( Hmm--don't  bother to Google "Stronger than Moses" glue--I made that title up)

Crashing the Learning Curve

Registered for fall semester at UKY--auditing North American Anthropology. I attempted to get into a class ln Japanese culture prior to 1860, but it was filled. Actually had considered dropping out of college but the free exposure to new ideas is just too good to pass up. Am still trying to find a clue for what to do when I grow up.

Although I unfortunately retain almost nothing, this at least gives me something interesting to forget, unlike not remembering where I put my keys.

Taking On Spring

After a spat of cold rainy days, 80 degree weather is about to appear and we can now count on spring. Bought some locally grown radishes and red kale. Had never even noticed red kale before; delicious steamed and mixed with garlic, tomatoes, grated cheese and pasta.

And about to tackle hand sewing an awning for my porch.  If Betsy Ross can make a flag, I should be able to make an awning.

Paper and Rock Installation

An artist friend did an indoor installation at the festival--composed of paper and rock, creating a sense of flow from the inside to the out of doors.