Lone "Blackranger"

This is my second attempt. Blogger seems determined not to have me talk about new people I meet via the ether. It's happened before . . spooky . . anyway . . . What I wanted to say is that I've come to know many of my commenters quite well. Of course some are personal friends or friends of the kids, but most of you are spread far and wide.

Many of us email each other, scope each other on Facebook, Skype each other on Skype or just have a 'feel' for each other via the comments and reciprocal blog visits. I particularly love the slice of life blogs and those where there are photos of you posted so I can imagine who I'm talking to! I want to say also to those of you who maintain contact and share a little of your lives, or send emails outside the blog, I really appreciate it.

However, yesterday, I received an email from Blackranger out of the blue. He's never commented and he doesn't blog, yet he emailed. A lurker? A stalker? A man of mystery?!

"hi saw your blog..just thought I'd show you my cremello stallion..meet WICKED ONE
Gary"

Now that's gotta be the pickup line of the century! Nobody's ever 'shown me their stallion' before. However it was followed a very nice picture of a completely starkers, although well-groomed, bollocky naked, well muscled . . and very fine looking, Cremello stallion . . no not Gary . . his horse!

The Wicked One . . almost white with blue eyes

Seriously. Took me aback a bit because the post was some time ago. Now I've never been bothered by spam or shitty commenters, in fact I've only ever deleted that Jedi idiot who pops up now and then but . . interesting emailer and his white stallion . . c'mon girls . . . are we feeling a little odd about this? Adam thinks I'm crazy but curiosity got the better of me and lets face it anonymity isn't my strong point so I replied:

"Aww he's lovely. Quarter Horse? Are you American? Many people commented that cremellos looked 'spooky' but I loved my little mare, she was very sweet. All you need is a bunch of chestnut mares and you can make a fortune out of Palominos!"

For the uninitiated that's horse talk. Palominos are those lovely golden coloured horses with white manes and tails. Put a 'ginger' chestnut and a Cremello together and the odds of 'throwing ' a pally is high. I know it doesn't mean much to anyone who doesn't know the lovely beasties.

Palomino - it's a colour not a breed

He replied, yet again. Congenially and pleasantly noting that he'd 'dropped out' was living in a remote country area and loving it and breeding horses, making his own electricity and plenty of water in an otherwise drought stricken part of the state near Canberra. So what does a girl (read old boiler) do . .what does the Google Queen do to be more precise? . . Googled him and asked him questions of course . . I'm not nosey, I'm interested, there's a difference . . isn't there?

I found him on a forum and a couple of editorial comments on The Age newspaper, posting as his nom de plume. He has an interest in the 1st Australian Light Horse which was a mounted infantry division in the first world war and they took their wiry and tough Aussie Stock horses with them - the horses have now been re-Christened 'Walers' due to their origins in the early colony of NSW. Noted for their bravery, stamina and agility, in zones such as Africa and Turkey. I rode a stock horse once and it was definitely a case of sit down, shut up and hang on. She knew what she was doing even if I didn't. Old Maggie could bring a poddy calf from the rut at the side of the road back into the mob whilst I was still finding my stirrups!

The barracks are now in Parramatta, where I worked years ago and it was quite incongruous walking to the Station and smelling 'horses' amongst diesel and right next to the Commercial Hotel. We horsey types have a nose for manure and that lovely stable smell. Turns out, Gary made a doco about them.

1st Light Horse Infantry on their not so attractive Stock Horses, now dubbed 'Walers'

Back to the story . . .

So I emailed back . . he's a community TV and Radio presenter, actor, director and producer who has opted for the quiet country life. Not a weirdo, not a stalker . . just a friendly bloke who thought he'd share a picture of his prize. I was quite chuffed! . . but you knew that . . cos only decent people like this blog and you know me and I know you and we all get along just fine. So Gaz if you're connected, drop by now and then.

He also mentioned that he had directed and produced a little known indie film but I couldn't find it in the video shop . . he very kindly sent me a copy (Relax Clare . .I gave him my work address). So tonight's viewing is sorted (after Spicks and Specks and half an hour on that speed monster on the verandah!). That's it. I'll probably never hear from him again but what a nice thought! See, there are some pretty decent people out there, you're not all bag snatching stalkers and predators after all. Then I knew that already.

Thanks Blackranger, that was very sweet of you. As for the rest of you, you're all champs and some of you have become very special indeed. Just had to be said thats' all.

PS: If anyone sees my daughter somewhere on the Dalmatian Coast, please tell her to call her mother - it's been a week and a half. Oh and Quarantine pinched the straw Christmas decorations. I have to pay $50 to get them fumigated if I want them . .do I? . . . Of course I do!