Still Snow Bound...

Whisper is still crunching though the snow on her way to pasture these days. Her nights have been spent in her barn with minus 20 nights. She's had all the hay she could eat to help with energy, keeping warm and condition. So far she has kept her weight on and not too many days left to winter. Soon Spring will add grass back to her diet.
I've been all too tired of shoveling snow, watching TV and needing to write when it's all I can do is think of something different for supper. Hope your winter is keeping you happy, too!

Snow Days

Life's been busy these last few weeks with all the snow and shoveling to do. I did have help from a neighbor once with his tractor to clear the driveway. My horse Whisper, has been getting out a few hours on nice days for exercise. She doesn't appreciate the stall stay days. I've been going through all my VHS tapes and watching oldies but goodies.

 Looking to Spring and nicer weather for walking...as for now, the exercise bike is all I have to look forward to.

                                               (post card of Yarmouth, NS~ 1907)

Under Water Roads

   ( Lake Breeze in mid-summer and the road to it.
A curiosity in my area are the Allen Lake and Lake Breeze road to their islands. At different times of the year, usually summer, they are visible. Other times, they are covered with water but still accessible by foot. No-ones who build these hidden roads but the natives would say they were there as long as they have been here. I wondered if anyone else has found this in their' neck of the woods"...?

(same island on Lake Breeze in early Spring with road under water)

Weather or Not

(Boulder set on ocean side rocks by Mother Nature at Sandford,NS)

I've always loved stones. As a child I spent much of my spare time wondering the fields looking at the stone walls and boulders left by those people before me who cleared the rough stony Nova Scotia soil to make it there home. Weathering of stones are fascinating also. With icy storms, wind swept beaches and fields and the rocks of Metamorphic Rocks/ Sedimentary Rocks its a natural art exhibition!

Erosion is the main physical agent responsible for stone weathering. Particular emphasis is placed on the effects of wind and water. Erosion occurs in windy regions with sandy terrain, but in urban areas it is extremely rare and is often confused with other forms of deterioration. The problem of condensation on surfaces and in pores is extensively discussed, in relation to pore shape and size. Physical effects dominate in the smallest pores, and solution effects in the largest ones.  Small veins in the stone rise, increase because of pressure , freezing-thawing cycles and micro meteorological conditions favorable for the soaking of monuments are discussed. A final section is devoted to the dissolution of stones and the formation of black crusts as a consequence of the way the stone is washed out or simply wet by water. The intensity of rainfall is important in activating or removing the dry pollutant deposits that form on monuments, especially during the dry periods characteristic of the Mediterranean climate. Condensation plays a minor role compared with rainwater. However, the porosity, geometrical shape and exposition of the stone are also important factors which can characterize different local balances and, consequently, the form of weathering.

(most of this info stolen from Physical weathering of stones)

Drilled Holes Stones- A Ancient Find?

                                            (Drilled hole in stone found in Overton area, Yarmouth County.)
Some thing I come across quite often on my 'looks arounds' are drilled holes in rocks and boulders. Often they are on the top of the stone, for what,I often wonder... A flag? Was these used for measuring distance with some ancient tool or for making territory for Native people.
Seems these have been found all over the globe. What do you think?

Link-

 Ancient drilled stone holes

Winter Horse Care- Out For the Good of It

For the last four years, I have had my horses living on my land in a run-in shed year round. This included winter weather. I am now down to one mare that is in good condition and spending her time out.

In winter, as the weather gets colder, I increase her feed, oats, to double,as keeping a good body weight is important to fuel body heat and she gets all the haylage she can eat.Link for feeding info Fresh water is supplied daily. She has a natural hair coat, which I do not clip to help her keep body heat. Her days are spent standing at the top of the field, looking over to the neighbors as they are building a new house. She goes into her shed to eat her hay and rest. She also has access to natural field with bushes, fir trees, a pond and four inches of un-eaten grass from summer. Wintering out helps to keep them healthier because they breathe fresh air and can adjust to the temperature changes on a regular basis. It also encourage lots of movement and exercise to keep warm; this is how horses keep warm in the wild.


Things to remember when wintering out-

1-If your horse is wintering outdoors in a temperate winter climate is careful of rain. Wet cold is far less tolerable than dry cold, and as well as ensuring that there is access to some form of shelter such as a shed, to allow the horse to get out of the elements.
2-Clean out your horse's hooves well. Add a layer of non-stick cooking spray or petroleum jelly to your horse's hooves; this will prevent balls of ice and snow from forming in the hooves.
3-Groom your horse. A dandy brush and short curry comb is best. This is not only good for warming the horse's muscles, but serves as an excellent warm-up workout for you too.
4- If your riding, take care about where you choose to ride. Pitfalls for riding during winter are varied depending on whether you're riding in snow or in more temperate muddy, cold temperatures. Things to watch out for include:
•Deep snow, especially where it conceals holes, tree wells, and crevices where your horse could slip down.
•Ice. Any ice is potentially dangerous as your horse has no grip or traction.
•Mud. While a little mud is fine, a lot of mud can cause the horse to become bogged, or to trip. Mud can also conceal objects that might harm your horse. Large areas of mud are best avoided.
•Wet slopes. Take care riding a horse down a wet slope, as it is easy to lose grip, especially when going fast, and moving over wet stony or rocky areas.
•Never canter or gallop your horse in snowy, muddy, icy, or slick terrain.

If your horse is kept inside all winter be aware of possible winter ills. Just like us, horses get sick during winter and it's important to know what to be on the lookout for, and how to manage the problems that human intervention can cause.
•Horses are susceptible to respiratory illnesses during winter. The ammonia build-up, mold, and dust inside barns and stables can bring on a variety of respiratory illnesses. Do your best to prevent this by ensuring adequate ventilation and giving your horse plenty of outdoor opportunities to breathe in fresh air. Clean out stalls regularly.
•Horses are also susceptible to skin conditions during winter, such as rain-rot, bed itch, ringworm, lice, and infected scratches. Keep the horse clean, groomed, and medicated appropriately. Be careful not to blanket a wet horse or to use blankets that do not breathe but cause moisture build-up. See your vet promptly for treatment of skin ailments.

Solomon's Seals` Fifth and Last Pentacle of Mercury-

The seals were developed as symbol of unity and family at the suggestion from one of Solomon's wives. Each symbol within the seal holds a special meaning. From research, I have learned this is the general meaning of each object. Some see these seals as one of the first magikal sigils in recorded history. I'm not so sure of that claim, but ok. Here's one to ponder...

The Fifth and Last Pentacle of Mercury. –

 This commandeth the

Spirits of Mercury, and serveth to open doors in whatever way they may be closed,

and nothing it may encounter can resist it.

Editor’s Note.– Within the Pentacle are the Names El Ab, and IHVH. The versicle

is from Psalm xxiv. 7:– "Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting

doors, and the King of Glory shall come in."

Works of this seal is to provides with knowledge and understanding of everything. It also helps to penetrates into others hidden thoughts.

Editor's Note.-- In the center is the name of God, El. The Hebrew letters inscribed about the dodecagram make the sentence, 'IHVH, fix thou the Volatile, and let there be unto the void restriction.' The versicle is:— 'Wisdom and virtue are in his house, and the Knowledge of all things remaineth with him for ever.' -SLM

In W, this is pentacle number 21, where the verse reads "Sapientia et virtus in domo eius, et scientia omnia rerum apud eum in saeculorum saeculi. In Aub24 this is the sixteenth pentacle, but the verse reads, "Et tunc cognovi esse in me scientia cunctarum creaturas, tam quae in coelo, quam quae sub coelo sunt." -JHP (link- http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/ksol.htm)

Solomon's Greater Seals/ Pentacles

Seal of Solomon

PRAYER.
When we enter herein with all humility, let God the Almighty One enter into this circle, by the entrance of an eternal happiness, of a divine prosperity, of a perfect joy, of an abundant charity, and of an eternal salutation. Let all the demons fly from this place, especially those who are opposed unto this work, and let the angels of peace assist and protect this circle, from which let discord and strife fly and depart. Magnify and extend upon us, O Lord, thy most holy name, and bless our conversation and our assembly. Sanctify, O Lord our God, our humble entry herein, thou the blessed and holy one of the eternal ages! Amen.