writing a short story...can I do it?

I recently started a class at The Learning Experience. It is a creative writing-short story class. When I started the instructor was very clear that this class would push us and that his goal was only to make us better writers....not for us to like him. Emotion is key to writing. It has to be a part of who you are if it is to be good.

We have had several classes but not even a third of them yet. I wonder sometimes if I am going to be able to write well. I always thougth I was decent at it but there are days now when I am not sure. He continues to push us forward though assuring us that we can write we just have to open up and let the process work. Being as impatient as I am that is hard.

I have also found that it is alreayd taking a harder toll on me that I thought it would emotionally. I knew he would push but I have already had to deal with more than I thought I would at this point in the class...but I guess in the long run that is good. I have begun to question if I really can write and if a short story is even possible for me. I knew I would have to delve into my past for a good story but I had not anticipated not knowing if I could just write.

Virtual Education

Today I want to discuss virtual education and one of the many options available. I currently began working with THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE in an virtual environment called Second Life. We offer class free of charge within the school. What is unique about this school and the model is that we are being created completely in the virtual environment and will remain there even after we become and accredited school.

We recently added several schools to our large campus. Come check us out in Second Life or on Facebook.

Blanketing

So as the cold weather finally begins to reach Texas we find that we are beginning the seasonal blanketing of the horses. Although most horses adapt pretty well to cold weather, if they are not blanketed early in the season, we have some unique situations that we deal with here.

One of our horses is an Appaloosa. And as a breed they traditionally do not have a lot of hair. If you were to see our Jasper you would probably wonder what happened to him. His mane is only about 2 inches long and his tail maybe a foot. He has gotten his winter coat.....if you want to call it that.....but it is hardly sufficient to keep him warm when it gets particularly cold.

I love this time of year with horses though as they become all nice a fuzzy with their winter coats but it is important if you have special circumstances that you help them keep warm. We also blanket our old horses because it is sometimes harder for them to keep themselves warm.

Now about a blanket. There are many different kinds and colors. Which one to buy? First you have to measure your horse for the sizing. You measure from the middle of their chest to their tail.

Once you have figured out the size then you need to decide how heavy a blanket you need. This will depend on where you live and how cold it really gets. Here in Texas we do not have the bitter cold that I used to experience in Ohio. So the blanket we use is not the heaviest they make. You do not want to buy too warm of a blanket or the horse will sweat and that will defeat the purpose of the blanket.

ALSO....MAKE SURE IT IS WATERPROOF and not just weatherproof. They are not the same and you really need it to be waterproof.

When to blanket.......well here we start putting a blanket on our horses when it gets to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Sometimes we put it on a little warmer if it is going to be raining or really windy. Do not put it on if your horse is wet. Dry them in the barn before you put the blanket on them.

Daily scripture

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

~ Psalm 39:7, NLT

Daily scripture

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

~ Romans 15:13, NLT

Daily scripture

Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'

~ Matthew 22:37-38, NLT

EPM or Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis

Well today I come to you to discuss a possibly life threatening condition in horses. One of our horses with Blessings Ranch now has EPM so I thought I would share a little about it. It is carried by the Opossum.

EPM is an infection of the central nervous system of horses. The neurologic signs that it causes are most commonly asymmetric incoordination (ataxia), weakness and spasticity, although they may mimic almost any neurologic condition.

Clinical signs among horses with EPM include a wide array of symptoms that may result from primary or secondary problems. Some of the signs cannot be distinguished from other problems, such as

Airway abnormalities, such as laryngeal hemiplegia (paralyzed flaps), dorsal displacement of the soft palate (snoring), or airway noise of undetermined origin may result from protozoa infecting the nerves which innervate the throat. Apparent lameness, particularly atypical lameness or slight gait asymmetry of the rear limbs are commonly caused by EPM. Focal muscle atrophy, or even generalized muscle atrophy or loss of condition may result. Secondary signs also occur with neurologic disease. Upward fixation of the patella (locking up of the stifle) is among the most common findings among horses with neurologic disease. Another common side effect of EPM is back soreness, which can be severe. Even typical racing injuries may ultimately be caused by EPM, because horses which are uncoordinated are much more likely to "take a bad step" in racing or training. Therefore, any horse with these signs should be carefully evaluated for the presence of neurologic disease.

For further information go to this link