We popped in to The Valley on Saturday.  The racing at this time of the year isn't the type I need to cover for my clients, as they typically need stakes races.  It is good to go along still to see everyone and to keep my reflexes sharp.  There was also a tall, slender black mare at The Valley early on that I wanted to see.  As is my want, I find myself becoming fond of the mare we now call "CJ".  Yes, it was Commanding Jewel.  My lovely little Jessica is getting a lovely collection of images of herself with good race horses. Our weekend has been very nice.  I feel like life is pretty good right now.  Tomorrow I will pop Freelance on the lunge and organise a few photoshoots for this week and next.  On Wednesday I have a shoot on that I'm looking forward to.  I'm also in the process of organising Freelance a permit so that she can be worked on the beach.  It is so close to our paddock and it promises to be a lot of fun.  Th...

Yes.  I am back to that 'on the road' stage of the Spring.  On Thursday I drive out for Scone.  I have been watching the weather forecast/outlook all week.  Is it tempting fate to put it up here?  I'm not sure, but currently, this is what it looks like, and I have to say, that this looks more than ok.  Scone has also had some welcome rain, just like Canberra, over the past couple of days, and so I would hope this would bring out some greenness too. Scone Forecast updated at 9:49 am EST on Tuesday 17 September 2013. Detailed Scone Forecast Tue. 17 Sep Wed. 18 Sep Thu. 19 Sep Fri. 20 Sep Sat. 21 Sep Sun. 22 Sep Mon. 23 Sep Summary   A few showers.  Chance storm.   Mostly sunny.   Sunny.   Mostly sunny.   Sunny.   Partly cloudy.   Mostly sunny. Max. Temperature 21 °C 24 °C 23 °C 23 °C 25 °C 26 °C 27 °C Min. Temperature 8 °C 7 °C 5 °C 5 °C 6 °C 7 °C Without seeing Tuesday yet, which will ...

I'm doing bookwork at the moment.  Yesterday I sat out on my balcony with Maxie tackling it.  It's got to be done, but it makes my head hurt as much as usual.  I'm trying to stay focused and push through those things that normally go into my 'making my head hurt and it's very hard tray' .  I hate that tray.  In fact I just forced myself to take another thing out of my 'too hard tray' and into my 'it's almost done tray' , by finally booking a flight for the Feehan Stakes meeting next Saturday.   Actually, it's had to go into my 'it's almost done tray' (instead of into the 'hurrah for me it's done tray' ) because I still have to pay for my flight in BPAY.  That will unfortunately involve me looking at my bank account.  There are times I want to look at my bank account through closed eyes and my fingers.  Opening my eyes and looking briefly can give me a sudden 'oh joy' experience, or make me hang my h...

I began writing this post while I was waiting for my plane to begin boarding on Sunday morning at Tullamarine Airport.  It was another early start to the day, which is par for the course when I'm traveling.  I was dreading the attempt to put my camera bag in the overhead locker when I got on.  Normally this is ok.  Except on Saturday morning I put my neck out in dramatic fashion.  Not because of some exciting activity either, sadly....  I did it in my sleep, at Lyn's house, shortly before my alarm went off, by having one of my frightening dreams which made me startle. I moved suddenly, and the crack woke me up.  My first thought was 'oh no, but Lyn and I are riding' .  It was a pretty bad pinch, and Lyn said I was as white as a sheet. As a result I spent the weekend dosed up to the eyeballs on anti inflammatory drugs to get it to settle down. Of course the weather was gorgeous that morning, and in true stubborn fashion, despite the fact that my...