The Right Stuff

I remember The Right Stuff being one of my all time favorite movies.  Sam Shepard played Chuck Yeager, Scott Glenn played Al Shepard, Ed Harris played John Glenn.  Three of my favorite actors. Years ago I asked my sister-in-law in her kitchen in Arkansas if she liked Ed Harris.  She said in her drawl, 'Oh honey.  I'd fry chicken in the nude for him.'  Yeppers.

But I digress.  This has nothing to do with any of that.  This is about the right stuff for agilitizing.  Today I was thinking about all the stuff I have accumulated since starting in this sport 9 years ago.  The sport I wasn't sure at all that I wanted to get into.  Hah!

Take dog collars.  Once upon a time, I had a rolled red leather collar for my sweet JessieJane.  One collar.  Done.  Things have changed.

After getting into agility, I discovered nylon snap collars.  They're safer in that they offer a quick release if needed. And they come in fun colors and designs.  They also hold my favorite tags really well - Boomerang Collartags.  (I am a distributor for these - happy to get one or more for you.)

And so now I have a bazillion dog collars.  Mostly for every season.  Just got a new one the other day.  I can't help it.

What can I say?

And then there's hats.  Actually, ball caps.  Summer, lightweight hats and Winter, suede or wool hats.  More fun colors and designs.  Absolutely indispensable when outside all day in the sun.  So are sunglasses, but they don't cut it alone.  Hat required.  They also keep my hair out of my eyes, as in ponytail.  My Coach brought one back from the Spanish Riding School in Europe (far right).  Nice one.

I need a teal hat.  I need more hats.

Indeed

Socks.  Some know me as the woman with all the socks.  I used to post pictures on Facebook of my wild sock/shoe combos.  On a few occasions, I've had someone ask if they can see what socks I'm wearing.  Excuse me?  Oh - that!

My friend Susan picked this pair up in England several years ago, during her visit to watch a world competition.  The most perfect pair of socks to wear whilst running the wildass Vixenator.








My sock collection has also multiplied.  It doesn't help at all to work three blocks from the most amazing sock shop ever.  I have aussie and agility socks, Team socks, shark and landshark socks, and even Huckle-Beary socks.  Some are gifts, which always tickle me.  Here is a sampling ...

I need more socks

Just a few more pair will do

Shoes.  A girl can never have enough, right?  Old red shoes for training.  Grey Gortex shoes for wet turf.  Just colorful shoes.  Salomon - damn them - comes out with new color combos every year.  They are my favorite agility shoes.  I have refrained this year, but will cave soon.  I like the New Balance Minimus, too.  Must be grippy.  Must be comfy.  Must run faster.

More foot wisdom

Shoe bling.  These cool shoe tags were a gift from Mona.  'Stay Calm and Run On' and 'Agility is a Journey'.  Sharon Johnson often has several variations of these tags available for sale in her booth at trials.  Among other very enticing Sparklies.








A full 3-day weekend has come to a close.  We spent the middle day in Turlock at a trial, and Friday and Sunday catching up on this 'n' that.  We were up and out by 4:30am on Saturday for the 2.5 hour drive to Turlock, home by 6:30.  We slept 11 hours last night to make up for that.

We need more treats.

We need equipment out there.

Good weekend with a little bit of everything.  Including RAIN.  Life is good.