Bout Week, and Bengals!

Posted this to FB yesterday. The winner of the caption contest, (not that there was one, but if there HAD been, he was the winner) has to be from a Ref, Rick Harder, who said "No knee pads and non-compliant wrist guards. I'm sorry, but you can't bout with this horse."

Still laughing.

My Little Pony Alex was lame, so I opted for Rommy, sans saddle. (Not to self: Next time you ride bareback in the spring on a pony, wear some underwear, gods, it, well, never mind, TMI) We had thought it would just be fun, but wound up with an epiphany about riding, feeling the horse, and just how subtle the movements they respond to ARE. It's a lot like trying to describe how it feels to play music, can't be done, but you don't THINK anymore, it comes from the soul.

Speaking of contests, we have THIS ONE going on from the folks at The Night Garden Project, which is a group of artists who donate their time and work to raise money for the Great Lakes Bengal Rescue Group, a cause near and dear to my heart.

They also run a Shop over there, with all proceeds going to GLBR. My favorite has to be the Magic Mug, a coffee mug featuring our very own (wandering pudding) F1 Bengal Magic. So if you have missed this contest, or aren't artistically inclined and want to help still, buy yourself something fun.

As ever, I am grateful to each of you who have helped save so many Bengals. And we HAVE been saved, as a rescue group, because of you. Special love to Jess, who has spearheaded the Night Garden Project. I love you Stalker-Wife!



(wish I had a photo credit here, will edit if I find one, promise!)

Saturday Night is Bout Night! Last home Bout of the season for the Chippewa Valley Roller Girls! Which yes, would be MY league! (as in the one I am a part of) This isn't exactly a Derby blog, and I'm not sure I can adequately explain anyway how much skating with them means to me, but one can try. I love them, and I love the sport. More than anything. There. Tried.

I am not on the roster for Saturday Night. Non-Derby folks, it takes a LOT more than a month to achieve the skills needed to Bout, trust me. Months of work harder than you can imagine, it's a serious sport and an art. Besides the actual skating, you need to learn the GAME, the strategy, and the WHY of the game. It's not a free for all. Every move is for a purpose. I got to seriously watch a scrimmage the other night, and it was all I could do to not say "Whoa, stop, explain that to me, Gods, that was beautiful.." These are the things I will learn in the next few months. From them.

That being said, I AM skating! And am just as excited and a proud as if I was Bouting! Pre-Bout, we'll do a sort of Derby 101, explaining the game, and the moves, and I have landed in that group. Which makes me so happy. Could not have happened a month ago, and when I think back to six months ago...

Every sore muscle is so very beyond worth it.

See you on the track!

Love and Pretty much everything this week,
Lorraine