TravelingMel

This spring I took a horseback riding class at MSU (where I work). I was inspired to take the class by a story I was writing on MSU's equine science program.

You can take a look at that story here. Click on "More than belt buckles and saddles." There is also a YouTube link to the right of the story with a little video I made. Or you can watch it here, but read the story--it's much better than the video.

Here are some photos in a previous post of me and Kid.

Do you like beer? Of course you do; it's delicious. I'm an IPA gal, myself. Hold on while I run to the fridge....

...dang, no beer.

Oh well, I'm sure some will show up later this week.

Last fall I wrote a story for MSU's Mountains & Minds magazine about beer. Actually, it was about barley and the journey it takes from research field to ale.

I don't post most of the stories I write, but this one was really fun. Grab yourself some suds and stumble on over here.

Click the arrow pointing left (on the right side of the tool bar) until you get to page 44. Use the magnifying glass to make it bigger. Drink up.

I've mentioned in a couple posts that I am taking a horseback riding class. Beginning western equitation, to be precise. I found out about the class while working on a story about MSU's equine science program. Turns out, MSU has a herd of more than 30 horses and offers beginning and intermediate western and English equitation as well as colt breaking and how to be an instructor (I forget what that one is called).

Since I get a tuition waiver as an MSU employee I thought I'd take a class. It's nice to do something brand new and totally out of my comfort zone once in awhile. I am the only person in the class who has never been on a horse and am at least 15 years older than everyone else.

(H took all the photos including the ones on Flickr (see below))

Riding around the arena.

Putting on the halter.

My buddy, Kid.

I get to ride Kid for the first half of the semester and then we switch it up.

You can see more pictures of me and Kid on my new Flickr photostream.

We really thought we made the big time when we were on the Billings news. Two people contacted us to tell us they saw it.

But we didn't know what big time was until we found out that one of my articles I wrote for MSU ended up in Manure Manager magazine. I don't want to ruin anything for the folks who haven't received their most recent issue, yet, but you can check it out online.

Looking for something to do the first week in September? Why not plant winter canola? That's right, this oilseed has many uses and might be a great crop for Montana growers.

OK, not something that most of you care about, but it is the first story I've had on the web as MSU's Ag Writer. I've had several pieces in newspapers, but this one looks pretty and shiny.

Photo by Kelly Gorham

Surf on over and check it out. Then tell me you don't want to plant canola!