Survey Says...

Since I had not posted in nearly a month, I figured doing the survey that has been going around would be a good way to get back into blogging. Thanks to Sabine and Lucy and Keisha for starting this.

What is your name? Were you named after someone else? Do you like your name?
My name is Mackenzie Juliana Scarlatti. Juliana is after my father Julian. I like my nickname Mac, but I don't feel like a Mackenzie and if anyone calls me that I am most likely not going to respond.

Do you have any pets? If yes, what kinds, and what are their names? If not, why don’t you have any pets?
I have too many pets! One of the perks to living on a ranch. My own pets include: Nicki, Reed, and Fern (horses), and Rex (Golden Retriever). Everyone in my family has their own horse or two and we have a couple of working Collies and barn cats.

Do you like to cook? What’s your favorite food? Are you good at cooking?
I only cook for a special occasion. Like for birthdays or holidays my sibs and I will make dessert. Apparently we are pretty good, but none of us have a passion for it.

Where do you live? Have you ever lived in another country from where you do currently?
I live in Montana. Never been off the mainland. I've lived in NY and ND.

What do you do in your free time?
Ride my horse, of course!

Do you like sports? What are your favorite sport?
Not unless I can do it on my horse. I know I could never kick a ball straight and I'm sure I throw like a girl.

How old are you? Do you like being the age you are? 
I'm 13 and love it.

Do you have a religion? What is it?
I'm Catholic.

How many languages do you speak? What are they? 
I can only speak English. My daddy actually refuses to let us kids learn another language since he is very--I dunno--hard-headed? about the language in America being English and that is only thing we will speak.

Who do you live with?
My parents: Julian and Robin. My brothers: Chase, Cameron, and Blake. My sisters: Evangeline and Isabelle.

Are you a morning or night person?
Night. I love the dark and the sounds of wild animals in the distance.

Would you want to be famous? Why or why not? 
I'd like to be a famous barrel racer, but not, like, a celebrity or anything.

What are five things people don’t know about you?
1. I'd marry Skeet Ulrich if I could
2. I cannot stand the Twilight series 
3. Black Beauty is my favorite book 
4. I don't like having anything in my hair, I always wear it down
5. I can't wait to have my first kiss

Horseback Riding

School is too boring to talk about, so I'm going to post about horseback riding instead. I can't wait for the weather to cool down and I can ride more. Right now it's still warm except very early in the morning.

First thing I had to do was brush Nicki out. If she had some dirt on her back when I put the saddle pad and saddle on it could rub and give her a sore. Plus brushing her is a good bounding time. I talk to her and tell her where we are going to ride and how pretty she is.

 Next the saddle pad goes on. The saddle goes on top and is cinched around her middle, which is a little large I have to admit. I need to ride her more often.

 Now were are ready to go!

 We followed my favorite trail. It's up a gentle slope and has the most shade. Nicki loves to trot and getting her to trot up the hill is good exercise for her.

 We rode for about an hour. Then it was time to do everything I did before the ride in reverse. Off goes the saddle, then the pad. I brushed her out again to get some air to her skin since her hair was flattened with sweat. And it's relaxing for both of  us.

 After that it's treat time! I always carry some apple slices or carrots in my saddle bag. She drools and foams up when she eats an apple and it is quite disgusting. But apples are her favorite and a bit of foamy slime never hurt anyone.

-Mac