Nicole's

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Stepping on Land Mines

March 10, 2014 confessions, History

Pay particular attention to the scene between 1:24 and 1:35: “I seem to have stepped on a land mine.” “Well why would you go and do something like that?” Isn’t that always the case? Certainly there are times people make choices when they know a minefield may be close. But generally, we don’t choose to step on land mines. Then the people who are not standing on top of an unexploded mine simply ask, “Well, why would you do that?” Sigh. This just seems to be the way it goes. Any yet, I imagine that those people who question stepping on the land mine eventually help poor Matt Damon get...

The Horse Screamer

February 21, 2014 confessions, Horses

Some people go by the “horse whispering” theory for horse training and behavior correction. Well, we tried whispering and my little Grunnion wouldn’t exactly listen. Grunnion has been adapting to life boarding at a barn after spending the rest of his life being the king of his own domain at my parent’s house. It’s been a big adjustment and his latest thing has been pushing his pasture mate and people around with his nose. Not violently, per se, but the horse is strong. Really strong. And he’s an Arabian, which means that neck is fairly long and stretchable. Not the safest or best scenario. My husband, who is genuinely amazing...

Why I’ve Been Scared to Blog About Getting Back into Riding

November 25, 2013 confessions, Horses

Life has drastically changed for this former rodeo queen in the past six weeks. I went from seeing my horse once every few weeks, to seeing him once every few days. We moved him to a local barn with a covered arena (COVERED ARENA!) and I’ve been loving it. I’ve journaled about it. Wrote a few blog post drafts…   But I haven’t got the guts to post them yet. And here’s why: I have so much on my plate, so many people waiting on things from me, that every moment with my horse, I feel guilty. I feel like I shouldn’t be allowed to do something that isn’t for...

Movie Review: Catching Fire

November 22, 2013 Book Reviews, confessions, Photography

I break from my blogging hibernation in order to bring you the news: Hunger Games fans, rejoice. Where avid book fans might have seen the first movie as rather … different from the book, the newest movie installment, Catching Fire, sings true to the original heart of the series. All of the witty banter, all the powerful statements and nearly all of the symbols that made these books more than just entertainment. Jennifer Lawrence digs deep into what Katniss Everdeen has become after the 74th Hunger Games. We see the scars of war — on her mind, on the society, on the family. Lawrence also masters the awkwardness and distrust...

Book Review: Into the Whirlwind

October 8, 2013 Book Reviews

Description: As owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, Mollie Knox’s future looks bright until the night the legendary Great Chicago Fire destroys her beloved city. With her world crumbling around her, Mollie will do whatever it takes to rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating fire. Zack Kazmarek, an influential attorney for one of Chicago’s finest department stores, is a force to be reckoned with among the city’s most powerful citizens. Bold and shrewd, he’s accustomed to getting exactly what he wants–until he meets Mollie Knox, the beguiling businesswoman just beyond his reach. In the tumult as the people of Chicago race to rebuild a bigger and better city,...