Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Kindle and Native Dancer



NATIVE DANCER: ONE OF THE GREATS IN HORSE RACING


Good morning from The Cottage of Blog. The coffee is hot, and the blueberry muffins are in the oven. It's that kind of day. Rainy and miserable.

Horse, Jackson, will probably remain inside today. I slept all morning (I hate that)_but this morning, it felt so good. I'm working this afternoon. I have an idea for a new story (after the next two are complete) and I've just started to read Primary Colors. I can't wait to get back to that book.

The Kindle seems to be a hot topic on some of the loops, so I thought I'd share. I just bought mine. It's easier than reading a print book. Much lighter and handier.
I wish they hadn't made such big "Previous Page" "Next" "Back" etc along the edges. It's too easy to push something that you didn't intend to push. What I love about it, is there are five fonts, combined with a bold to choose, depending on your eye sight. I'm still exploring, but I have bought quite a few books. I wish they had MORE choices. Although they have thousands of books listed, still, I look for some books I'd like to have and they're not on Kindle yet. Same with magazines and newspapers. Still--I'm sure they'll catch up.

It's nice to see I'm on Kindle (In the Arms of the Enemy) So, if any of you feel like adding to your Kindle collection--

The Derby: I think they run race horses at too early an age. That's my opinion, and I'm finding it's the opinion of many other horsemen too. I've also heard it's a physical defect going back to Native Dancer a foundation sire whose blood runs through a majority of thoroughbreds today. (I heard that. If it's not true, I'd love to know that, too) Native Dancer was a favorite of mine when I was a child. I'd hate to think his weak ankles are running through the legs of half the thoroughbred population. My heart aches for Eight Belles. My heart bursts for Big Brown. I so wanted him to win. Now, I'll pray as he leaves the starting gate in the Preakness.

Time to go and work. It's been fun. Any comments PLEASE please leave them. I'd love to hear from you.

Cheers

pg

26 comments:

AuthorIsland.com said...

Hi Pat,

My husband and I watched the Deby and it broke both our hearts. We were stunned. I seriously thought my hubby was going to cry. I can't imagine the joy of coming in second to seeing a part of your family in a heap on the track.

DeNita
AuthorIsland.com

littlequeenie29 said...

Well, my first comment has to be the Kindle. I have one too. I love it but my complaint is the same as yours, the page back and page forward on both sides. Makes it way too easy to push and then I get all messed up. Other than that, best invention I have seen in a long time. I LOVE it!! As for the Derby, I am really not into it. I am taking it a horse got hurt badly? I think that is so sad. Never been around horses alot but am a big dog and cat lover and hate when animals are treated badly. I can look in my dogs eyes and see her soul so I am sure it is the same for horses. Have a great day!!!

Karen B said...

I'm not a Derby watcher but am so sad about what happened. I was pleased to see that the owner bacled up the jockey.

Your book sounds terrific!

Anonymous said...

I was shocked and saddened by the death of Eight Belles. I can only hope that she will be remembered as a beautiful and gallant filly.

Susan said...

Hi Pat,

I went from joy at Big Brown winning to heartbreak and tears when I realized what had happened to Eight Belles. I hope there is another reason for her ankles giving out than heredity.

Anita Yancey said...

Hello from Author Island. As for the Derby I'm afraid I don't watch, and don't know much about it. I have only been to one horse race in my life, but I would have to say I really enjoyed it. I love watching those beautiful horses. You mentioned Kindle and I'd never really heard of it before. But I will definitely check it out now.

windycindy said...

Hello, I appreciate your views on the kindle. I have been researching a lot about them. Last year, Barbero was injured when I watched the Derby and this year a horse was euthanized. I don't think I am watching next years!
My brother was a veterinarian before he passed away. So many breeders were inter-breeding their dogs, that many defects were beginning to show up. That horse should not have been in that race. Greed, money, etc. Someone should write a book on it. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Hello for Author Island!

I live in KY but have never been to the Derby. I do watch sometimes. Also I think they do start racing the horses to young. They haven't develope there strength yet. I think that is why so many are getting injured.

Nancy Bristow said...

Hey Pat...I'm here from AuthorIsland. I hate any kind of cruelty to animals. It's so wrong. Even not knowing much about horses it made me sad about Eight Belles.

I'm not there for myself (at least yet) but was interested in your comments about the Kindle.

In the Arms of the Enemy sounds like a book I'd enjoy....Nancy

Sarah said...

Well, I don't watch the Derby but I like horses (they're so cute) and obviously, I don't like when animals get hurt, so what happened was pretty sad. As for the kindle, I think that it's nicely made excepted what you said about the back and forward buttons, but I still prefer real books, I guess I should try to change gradually since ebooks are better for the environment.

Estella said...

Hello from Author Island!

I don't watch the Derby. I also believe that they run these horses when they are too young. I don't like to see them hit with the whip either.

Ruth C. said...

Hi from a fan of Author Island.!!!!

My DH and I were discussing the age of the horses in the Derby - and that was the premise we came up with - they should probably have it for 4 yr. olds instead of 3 yr. olds.

I also remember Charismatic - so that is 3 horses in the last few years -- such a shame.

I have an ebookwise reader and I did love it, although I can not use it right now -- my 9 1/2 year old computer died and I now use the ones in the computer room of the high-rise we moved to and can not download to the ebookwise -- so, until I have the money to buy another puter I will have to just read mostly paperbacks.

The computers in the computer room will also only open up a pdf file when it wants to - so that is hit or miss.

I have heard that you can send pdf files to be converted to html - will have to check that out someday.

HOPING EVERYONE HAS A GREAT DAY.!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm also over from Authorisland.com. I do not think I want a Kindle. Ever since I was 2 the feel and aroma of books has been important to me. I love to be in the library, it smells like home to me, very comforting.
I was also saddened by what happened to EightBelles. I was pleased that they did not put her through a year of suffering as they did Barbaro. Maybe the time has come for the age limit to rise for the races.?

Jodi said...

I definitely agree that they start these race horses too early. I had a couple of Arabians and we were told to never put any amount of weight (not even a saddle) on their backs until they were at least 3. More weight than that and you should wait until they are 4! If you don't start any training until 3-4, then they wouldn't be able to race until they were a little older.
Think about it, would you do that to your kid - put that much pressure on them to be good at a sport even at age 5-6!

orelukjp0 said...

My husband and I watch the Derby every year. I am so upset over putting down Eight Bells. My husband tries to reason the necessity with me by referring to what happened with Barbaro but I still can't believe nothing could be done.
Yes, fillies can run with colts and two year olds are young but they can race. What happened here was tragic but not the fault of how old the horses were or their sex. It is scary that genetics may play a part in this and that there may be many more horse out there with weak ankles. I know of no way to test the bone strength of horses to see if they are strong enough to race.
We can only pray that incidents like this do not happen again and again.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your comments about the Derby which I watched and was joyfull for only a second and then very sad in the next. What beautiful animals horses are and my heart aches for it and the people associated with Eight Belles.
I learned of your blog from Author Island.
JOYE
JWIsley@aol.com

Unknown said...

Hello Pat, from another AuthorIsland fan. I think it is very sad about Eight Belles and I hope they take a long look at racing the young horses... guess it will take owners and trainers to seriously consider the risks. Those people into the friviolities of the Derby (not to mention the greed) may not care.
I don't have an e-book reader, like the Kindle, yet. But I love my MP3 player and my Audible subscription! I've been listening to books since Jan 2002 as well as reading!
I like the pics on your blog and hope you get past the writer's block and back to fun writing!

Debby said...

It was a very sad thing to see. You wish you could and change it from happening. What a loss!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat,
I'm also from AuthorIsland.

I don't think that I'm ready for a Kindle yet. I like the smell and feel of books. I like them around me. So I'm not there yet.

Unknown said...

These have been such great comments. Thank you. I haven't been blogging and for that I apologize that my response got to you so late. Life getsin the way sometimes and this summer it has been edits and re-edits and now waiting for the next release (on pins and needll les wondering how it will go over to the reading public)

I can't tell yhou how much I appreciate your commments.

I still love my kindle, but have 8 books by Anne Perry out of the library and my hous is popping out with the books I already have.

Take care and thank you.

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