Halloween Notariety

Meet Jessie & me (standing) & Sherry, owner of the grey horse in front of us, Cavalier.

Meet Cavalier, a big grey Percheron.

Meet Rob Zombie, acclaimed heavy metal musician and film writer/director.

© Geffen Records // Photo credit: Marina Chavez

I know you're asking yourself, "Kat, where this is going??" . . . . read on . . .

Cavalier goes to a local school (wait -- is that a Richard Gere wannabe??) . . .

and meets/bonds with Rob Zombie for Cav's movie debut in Halloween II, appearing in an asylum dream scene. The movie was released in August and yes, I have been hanging onto this for a Halloween blog post . . .

Pre make-up. . .

Sherry assisting in staging her big boy . . . before the action shots.

We hope that the movie star joins us this weekend for our Halloween Hunt. If I'm lucky to separate myself from the event for a moment, I hope to experience this view for just a little while. . .

Good Boy, Cav!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Road Trip to the National Drive (Part 3 of a 3 Pt. Series)

Well, here we go again . . . another Fun Driving & Riding Society participant, Jill, and her beautiful black Percheron -- in the pouring rain. At this point, we threw in the towel and hit the road.

. . . where it rained, non-stop, almost all the way through Kentucky and Tennessee and North Carolina. In Corbin, Kentucky, we HAD to stop at Sanders Cafe, the home (and museum) of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

This is my incognito cousin saying, "you'd better not be posting pix of me" who was irritated that I had camera in hand going inside a restaurant in order to play the extreme tourist in anticipation of capturing the Colonel's Tricks of the Trade. . .

I mean, after all, they had brown historical signs on the interstate for this place for heaven's sake!

The Cafe was a part of the Col's motor lodge that now no longer exists . . .

Wait! Back up! One must wonder what a mouse/gerbil/hamster cage is doing on the Col's desk in his office, complete with play wheel . . .

A bright spot in our travel was spotting Tennesee fans who were celebrating in a rest stop on the interstate after their win against the University of Georgia Bulldogs in football. These folks down here take their college ball very, very, very seriously. The one on the right was a 1/2 Tennesee, 1/2 Bulldog fan.

We finally caught a break in the weather about an hour into North Carolina and, of course . . .

the next morning in Franklin, NC was absolutely perfect.

Perfect ending to an otherwise soaked, fun time. We hope to do it all over again in two years -- next time with a horse.

Collaborative Effort - Farm Equipment - Well Done!

Update: Well, after posting this amazing video, I learned through Snopes that the story and video are not what they appear . . . Unfortunately, the Smithsonian has researched, and has determined that this is computer generated through a program called Animusic.

I am bummed out, but will leave this post up (and the bogus story) because I still think it's still pretty cool. -kat

~<>~

This incredible machine was built as a collaborative effort between the Robert M. Trammell Music Conservatory and the Sharon Wick School of Engineering at the University of Iowa.

Amazingly, 97% of the machines components came from John Deere Industries and Irrigation Equipment of Bancroft, Iowa. Yes, farm equipment.

It took the team a combined 13,029 hours of set-up, alignment, calibration, and tuning before filming this video but as you can see, it was WELL worth the effort.

It is now on display in the Matthew Gerhard Alumni Hall at the University and is already slated to be donated to the Smithsonian.

It's the Machine You Won't Believe. . . .

Kentucky Horse Park - Parade of Breeds

American Quarter Horse

Percheron

Thoroughbred: This is Da Hoss. His showcased history: Born in Jan '92, purchased at Keeneland for $6,000, and a little while later was gelded due to temperament issues. He is remembered for winning the 1996 Breeders' Cup Mile, then after an extended layoff and one prep before his run, came back to win the 1998 edition. He also won the Best Turn, Jersey Derby, Del mar Derby, the Fourstardave, and the Pennsylvania Governors' Cup. His retirement account of 12 wins in 20 starts earned his owners $1,931,558, and landed Da Hoss a comfy job at the Horse Park back in 1999, where he lives in the Hall of Champions stable.

We note after thorough review of his pedigree, our own Pippy shares Da Hoss' sire's champion lines that she got from her momma, Part Princess. If only she had a retirement account. . .

Spanish Norman

Appaloosa

The Friesian.

and, of course. . . .

The Shire, "Albion". . .