Have You Ever Heard of "Vaulting" in the Horse World?

Sorry I've been away so long, but nothing exciting is happening at my house lately.
I have been lazy.  No Sewing.  Not much walking.  The garden is seeing its last days before winter so no lovely flowers except some Dahlias that are still blooming.

My Red Sox have settled for a place in the playoffs now and still playing, but some of their games have been a shame.  The last 3 with the Yankees were pitiful.  We lost the first two but won the final third game last night which makes the fans feel very good indeed.  I worry that in the playoffs, facing all the best teams, we may have a problem winning the Series this year.
We have a great team and a great manager who believes in playing his men in more than one position and its been working fine.  Our pitching staff needs some improvement which will have to come with trades or free agent contracts.  I hope the Red Sox remain strong and win the World Series.

I have been watching something called "Vaulting" on the Equestrian shows.  I am a devout horse lover.  Even when I do not like the contest, I like seeing the horses and watching how well-trained and smart they are in their entries, from Cross Country, Jumping, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Cutting, and even Dressage, though I do not know enough about dressage to know what really constitutes a winner in that category.
Vaulting is like gymnastics with the pommel horse, only the humans are vaulting on the backs of real live horses that canter slowly around a ring with a lunger (person with a rope and a whip) keeping the horse in rhythm.  I have never seen this before.  I find the horses lovely, but the humans are a bit too affected for me, especially their prancing to and from the horse itself, like high-stepping horses.  The antics on the horses' backs are graceful and smooth though.   The costumes are colorful, but the guys wear such thin costumes their private packages are easy to see in their different positions.  Something from which I try to keep my eyes averted.

Here is a view of what I'm saying.  As yet it is not in the Olympics, but like synchronized swimming I'm sure it will make it eventually.  For now they have the World Equestrian Games and that brings out many countries doing this. Last night both Switzerland and Italy got golds in different categories.  The US did well but didn't win even a bronze yet.

Here's a short film of the Italy winners in their category.

My plans for the day are easy.  I will be making a big pot of chicken rice soup.  I always send home a couple of quarts with my son when he visits so he and my grandson can enjoy some at home.  I think I might also make some Italian wine cookies.  I bought more walnuts yesterday while grocery shopping.  I use a lot of nuts.  Thankfully no one I know is allergic to them and I love them.

I hope you all have a good day now that its cooling down with fall arriving soon.  Our days are in the 70s and 60s days and usually the low 50s and 40s nites lately.  I still keep my bedroom window open as its been since May.  I love fresh air.  But the last 2 nites I have not had to use the fan.  Love this kind of weather and looking forward to Maine's fall colors.

Enjoy. 

Black Ducks on the River Today

I tried to get some pictures, but they either swam close to the water's edge where they were hidden or behind the parking sign.  In any case, there were black ducks on the river.

Its very difficult to see, but notice the black image above the railing just left of center.  That's one of about a half dozen black ducks on the river today.  By the time I unpacked my camera, they were moving out of site.  But they were all black in color.  I did not notice any other color on them unless it was dark gray so very little difference in shading though their bills may have had some color other than black.  I think maybe reddish, so they may be Coots or Moorhens.  Distance made it hard to see many details.

Its a hot day today, high 80s and humid.  Not usual for early September in this part of southern Maine but if it means a little longer summer, its fine.  According to the Farmer's Almanac, our winter will be long and cold and snowy this season.  Lots of days to stay indoors and make sure the cupboards are filled in case of power outages.  I have several battery lanterns so I will not be without light and I always keep a container of spare batteries ready.  Tins of tuna, sardines, fruits and peanut butter will keep me from starving.  Like a Girl Scout, I am usually Prepared.

Have a good day.