An Interesting Day with the Horses

::collapses onto her bunk:: Whew I am exhausted after working with the horses. One ended up getting loose and I had to go catch her. If I had hung on I most likely would have ended up getting hurt in one way or another, she is a really strong horse. Finally got her caught and calmed down and back in a pen in the barn.

And before that I had a colt get spooked and start rearing and bucking. Unfortunately I could not risk letting the colt go because it would have gotten injured if it was left to run free (because it isn't as familiar with the farm as the older horses are). We finally got him calmed down and into a pen with the three other babies.

Beyond that, things were going quite well.

Busy Busy Busy...

Wow! I can't believe that today is already Thursday. Where has the week gone? So much left to do and not much time to do it.

Yesterday I did have quite a bit of fun out with the horses. It's amazing how much of the mother's personality is passed down into the babies. The one mare that is bipolar (she can be really sweet at times and at others she will try to kick you), her baby is a little spitfire that bosses around the other colt she is kept with. That other colt is Sammy, and he is as docile and sweet as can be, and his mother is just the same. She will work hard, not put up any fights and is a really nice horse. Her daughter has those same characteristics. And even though she is only two, she has been easy to train and is totally gentle with everyone. She is one of my favorites horses at the farm, but unfortunately she has been sold and will be leaving the farm in a month or two.

Summer Camp Activity #6

1. What potion contains powdered moonstone and syrup of hellbore?

Draught of Peace

2. What potion is used what someone gets petrified?

Mandrake Draught

3. What potion would you give someone if you wanted to hear nothing but nonsense coming from them?

Babbling Beverage

4. Fred and George suggested that Lee Jordan use WHAT potion after he had tested their Fever Fudge?

Murlap Essence

5. Mrs. Scower's Magical Mess Remover

6. Shrinking Solution

7. Wit Sharpening Potion

*Forgetfulness Potion (for s&g) lol

HP: LBOE

Care of Magical Creatures

1. What are two magical creatures that are kept as domestic pets in magical households?

Owls and cats

2. What creature resembles a ferret?

Jarvey

3. Are unicorn babies- a. Pink b. Green c. Blue d. Gold

d. gold

4. Name 4 breeds of dragons.

Chinese Fireball

Peruvian Vipertooth

Ukranian Ironbelly

Norbert - Norwegian Ridgeback

5. What are the magical properties of a phoenix?

Potent healing qualities from their tears, can carry great weight when flying, immune to a Basilisk's stare, disappear and reappear at will, song can inspire or bring fear to enemies

This little guy is Coal. He at one time used to be a adorned with lovely shaggy black/ blue fur. Unfortunately he got into some trouble when a witch (that shall remain nameless) hit him (accidentally) with an incendio spell. Luckily i put him out in time before more harm was done, but my poor little Coal only has remnants of some stray hair sprouting on his blackened body. He gets quite scared around anything lit, flashes, and flickers. He looks so scared in this picture because he knew there would be a flash, the poor little guy. Even though he has had a traumatic experience, he is just as lovable as ever.

HSKS8 Activity #5

My camera battery finally died and at the moment I can not locate the charger. Lovely muggle devices. If I do find it and get a chance to take all new pics before the game is up... I will :) However the source is listed, some were taken by me and others I found online.

1. Animagus

- I found this animagus strutting about in the Brookfield Zoo. They are loud and annoying but so pretty.
* Taken at the zoo in 2007
2. Daily Prophet

- They need your help!!!
* Found on photobucket
3. Bowtruckle

An elusive Bowtruckle hiding amongst the trees on Washington Island

* Taken in 2007
4. Extendable Ear

- A little dangling, spying ear

*Found on Potter wiki
5. Radish Earrings

- A pretty radish
* found through flikr

6. Forbidden Forest

- Washington Island, WI
* View from the ferry heading from the little island (Rock Island) to the big island (Washington Island) 2007

7. Golden Cherub

- Taken in Rockafeller Center
*I took this in 2000 when I lived in NYC

8. Thestral

- A picture of the Horntail, Aragog, and a Thestral at the Harry Potter Exhibit in Chicago
*from a newspaper

9. High Inquisitor

- A High Inquisitor - one of my former instructors. She knows how to put the fear in others.

*2007 Graduation

10. Educational Decree

- Me and a friend at graduation - Note the Diploma folder

*2007 Graduation

HP: LBOE Homework 7/21

Arithmancy:

Character Number: 6

Six represents harmony, friendship, and family life. Sixes are loyal, reliable, and loving. They adapt easily. They do well in teaching and the arts, but are often unsuccessful in business. They are sometimes prone to gossip and complacency.

Heart Number : 7

Perceptive, understanding, and bright, sevens enjoy hard work and challenges. They are often serious, scholarly, and interested in all things mysterious. Originality and imagination are more important than money and material possessions. Sevens can also be pessimistic, sarcastic, and insecure.

Social Number: 8

Eight indicates the possibility of great success in business, finance, and politics. Eights are practical, ambitious, committed, and hard working. They can also be jealous, greedy, domineering, and power-hungry. Eight is said to be the most unpredictable of numbers and can indicate the pinnacle of success or the depths of failure; the potential to go either way is present from the beginning.

This is a seven pointed star that represents my heart number. I would have done it in black, but the stitches would have been more difficult to see. My favorite trait of a seven is pessimistic (not everyone's favorite, I know). I represent this aspect quite well. I am not overly pessimistic, but always someone that points out the reality of a theory.

Astronomy:

The Moon (as in Earth's Moon)

First off why does Earth's only natural satellite have no other name than "the moon"? Other celestial bodies have proper names for their satellites such as Saturn's Titan, Jupiter's Io, or even Mars' Phobos; but Earth only has Moon. However the term "moon" is used to describe these natural satellites revolving around the other planets. Okay, off of my soap box and onto some information.

I chose the moon because I am a Cancer, astrology wise, and am "ruled" by the moon. The moon completes an orbit around the Earth every 27.3 days, and with the Earth orbiting around the sun at the same time, it takes around 29.5 days for the same phase of the moon to repeat itself for us to see on Earth. Confusing, I know. Although I was always told the moon completes a cycle in 28 days.

* The moon also holds the key to the oceans tides through it's gravitational force on the Earth.

* The phrase "once in a blue moon" comes from the unusual happening of having two full moons occur within a month. The second full moon is called a "blue moon". Later this year the blue moon will occur on December 31. The next blue moon will be on August 31, 2012.

The New Moon - For starting new ventures, looking for a new job, beginning new relationships

The Waxing Moon - For constructive spells: love, wealth, health, luck, and other things that need time to grow

The Full Moon - The best time to look to the future. Spells concerning divination and forecasting. This is also a time to put protection spells into effect. Also the best time to allow your tools to soak in the power of the full moon

The Waning Moon - Time for banishment as well as binding. A time to kick addictions, rid yourself of struggles and troubles.

My "triple goddess" kerchief for Pagan Pride coming up. The blue represents the waxing, full, and waning moons.

HSKS8 - Another Week

Oh my... it is only Tuesday and I am already ready for the week to be through with. I have been sleeping, unfortunately I have not been sleeping well so I feel constantly tired. I saw HBP on Saturday night and loved it! I am going to see it again tomorrow with a friend sporting my Slytherin gear again.

I was supposed to head out to the horse farm today, but my aunt wasn't feeling well so I picked her up. I will proabably head out to the horse farm on Thursday.

Oh and Monday was the beginining of my next class: Leadership and Ethics in Management. So for the next five weeks, I get to do that. I am so ready to be done with this degree. Online classes are much more difficult and not near as fun as on campus courses.

I have over half of my squares to finish sewing in ends on. They are coming along, just slowly... grr the clock is counting down to July 31. On a good note, I finished the baby blanket. I am still going to make a baby hat or something as well. Oooh and I found out I can still knit and purl, so now I just have to master working with DPN when my knitpicks shipment comes in.

I have stuff gathered and incoming for my spoilee, I also have a few things to finish. So many things to do, so little time to do it. I am working on making task lists, since I am the master of lists lol

Off to work on something else...

Events of the week

Well this week has certainly gone by in a flash. I have been working on finishing two afghans. One for myself which needs to be done at the end of this month and the other for my cousin's wife who is having a baby and the shower is at the beginning of August. Oh such fun.

And then...

Tuesday I met up with a friend and we went roaming around for awhile then headed out to the library and a bookstore. Odd places to find a Slytherin, I know. But what can I say, one of my best friends is a Ravenclaw. And oddly enough I know my way around the library and am able to search for things better than he is. lol

Wednesday I went and had fun with the horses. I rode Candle for awhile. It has been nearly ten years since I have been riding and was the third time I have ridden in my entire life. I have mostly dealt with the large draft horses that were for working in one way or another. Needless to say, my butt and thighs are kicking today.

After riding, we worked with the babies a bit to get them better accustomed to people. They are weaned and no longer with their mums. We have been trying to get them to not be as skittish. Yesterday it seems after working with them for hours that we accomplished that. Even as far as being able to walk them on a lead out of their pen, down the long driveway and onto the country road. During their walk we were teaching them simple commands like walk, stop, back, and just getting used to being led and touched. These are the two babies: Flicker and Sammy (the pics are from when they were much smaller)

Lucky me that this weekend is the Midwest Fiber and Folk Festival. Woo hoo fibery goodness as birthday presents :) lol This will be my very first fiber festival! I can't wait!!! I am going on Friday alone to browse and squish and possibly squee... oh who are we kidding, there most definitely will be squeeing, especially since animals will be there :D

There is going to be a spinning guild that is somewhat near me in attendance there so I am taking my new spindle, roving to practice with, and some pretty purple roving in hopes that I can start spinning myself some yarn.

And... in honor of some good old Slytherin Pride... I painted my nails our pretty house colors.

This Week...

I sent out three packages to fellow campers earlier this week and they should all be delivered this week. Is it just me, or are the camp owls really snails? lol Perhaps I should have just set the packages on their beds. Oh well I didn't want anyone other than the packages' intended owners to get a hold of them.

This camp just gets more and more amazing. I found an equestrian area with a ring, stables, and lots of horses. While they might be muggle and not magical, that doesn't make them any less fun. I spent a good amount of time with them on Monday and I am going back out there soon. And there is a yummy... what's the word... ranch hand... stable boy... anyways he works at the stables and his name is Dragoslav.

Speaking of yummyness. I saw our DADA counselor stalking about the grounds the other night. I didn't dare make myself known, instead I just watched in awe as he walked about.

Anyways... off to go check on others before I head out to visit the horses.

Activity 3

Boggart!!!

::cupboard opens::
Riddikulus!!!

Now look at the frightful dementor! lol :)

Happenings at Camp

Yesterday I took a fantastic hike around the camp at dusk. I ended up wandering around and found out there there is a group of about 20 hot guys camping across the lake from us. While I am pretty sure that they are muggles, they are still quite steamy. I plan on sneaking out visiting our camping neighbors. I want to make sure they feel "at home and welcome". ;)

In other news, I am working hard at finishing my house unity blanket. It is coming along nicely, just taking more yarn than I thought for the border color. I think I am going to have to send a letter to my parents to send an owl with more yarn. I am really looking forward to having this blanket adorn my bed here.

Athena and Zeus are having a blast here at camp. They love playing on my bed and in my yarn. No they aren't making a mess! I think they just like nuzzling against the soft yarn.

I am also working on compiling goodies for my inner-cabin spoilee Wisteria. ;) I also have an owl on its way here right now with prizes for my fellow campers. As soon as the owl arrives, the pretty goodness will be given to Piper and Violet.