Turns out they're for protecting the horse's back from the saddle and they make a lot of difference. They're also decorative and people buy them for the back of the sofa. And this presenter was terrific.
Here she is, spins and natural-dyes her yarns, from churro sheep fleece, classic Western yarn used by indigenous people for generations. She grows and forages her dye material from plants and insects, as in cochineal.
It ended up being one of the most interesting episodes to date.
In other news, I skipped the knitters group because Handsome Son was visiting. He gave the chocolate pancakes a so-so rating, agreeing they'd be better breakfast food because they're not sweet.
And the stair lift people came to measure.
Starting, as you see, at the wrong house, but I caught them before they left again and all was well. Mistake back at HQ, they called and got it corrected.
Then they measured everything including noting my height and weight! They think on account of my small size they can install the chair and preserve the banister and the grab bars on the opposite wall.
Evidently the size, maybe height, of the user governs the installation space needed. My stairway is a bit narrow for bars on both sides, but they're important for safety. They'll be back to install Friday, and we'll see then.
Before I get to Misfits, I have a question. I was involved recently in a discussion about living solo and getting out of the house.
The received wisdom is that unless you force yourself out and about, we're talking older people not going to a workplace, your world will shrink. And that's bad.
But nobody can tell me why it's bad to be home occupying yourself happily with whatever you like doing. So if you have any insight, please share. Why is it not good to have a small life? I wonder if this is another extrovert expectation, or FOMO, or what.
And on the subject of food the local food pantry is getting a windfall on account of the grifter in the White House trying to buy my vote, too late anyway, by depositing $90 in my bank account.
He must think my vote is cheap, when in fact it's priceless. Anyway I'll round it up and send it to the food pantry to use for people whose need is definitely greater than mine.
To underline my privilege, Ron arrived to deliver another box of great food, driving a pink van evidently in the middle of a repaint job.
The makings of three bean salad, now made, black beans, cannellini on my shelf, green beans, scallions.
I made my dressing of the garlic ginger soy mix I made a while back, malt vinegar, red wine vinegar, olive oil and sugar. Now resting in the fridge.
Yogurt, different, because my regular isn't available, but this is good. A spoonful of Meghan's raspberry spread with yogurt is a wonderful dessert.
Potatoes now parboiled and ready to roast, to serve with burgers of plant "beef" actually mushrooms and other plants.
Look at those beautiful eggs! I never get over how lovely they are. And they have sturdy shells which take a good thump on the counter to crack them.
Loads of spinach for future quiche and maybe soup with potatoes and veg stock on the shelf. Bananas for breakfast on toast. Apples for midmorning. Small chicken on the freezer for whenever I feel like eating chicken again.
Beautiful happy day, and I sat on the deck in the sunshine, drinking tea, watching butterflies and feeling very good with my life. I hope yours has days like this, many of them.
