Diana Brickell
@dianabrickell.bsky.social
Childless Cat Lady. Equestrian. Rocky Mountain gardener. PhD in philosophy. Occasional raver. Queer. Wonder Woman & ski instructor at Breckenridge. Only moderately superhuman.
I’m finally going skiing. (It’s been a super warm and dry fall, so I’m getting started way late this year.) Conditions will suck, and I forgot my boot heaters, but it’s still skiing.
November 17, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I’m finally going skiing. (It’s been a super warm and dry fall, so I’m getting started way late this year.) Conditions will suck, and I forgot my boot heaters, but it’s still skiing.
I made a very patriotic patience pole at the barn for the horses (read: Teddy) to learn to stand quietly. It allows a horse to move around and fuss without endangering themselves.
Might I suggest that we hog tie pesophiles to such a device for public shaming and rotten tomato disposal?
Might I suggest that we hog tie pesophiles to such a device for public shaming and rotten tomato disposal?
November 13, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I made a very patriotic patience pole at the barn for the horses (read: Teddy) to learn to stand quietly. It allows a horse to move around and fuss without endangering themselves.
Might I suggest that we hog tie pesophiles to such a device for public shaming and rotten tomato disposal?
Might I suggest that we hog tie pesophiles to such a device for public shaming and rotten tomato disposal?
Bruce seems very tolerant of humans. She might even particularly like kids. She seems out and visible more often on Saturdays, when ski school has huge kids programs and we often stop by to visit and chat with her. 3/
November 6, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Bruce seems very tolerant of humans. She might even particularly like kids. She seems out and visible more often on Saturdays, when ski school has huge kids programs and we often stop by to visit and chat with her. 3/
Okay, here’s the promised video of Bruce, nomming on some tasty pine needles. ❤️❤️❤️ 2/
November 6, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Okay, here’s the promised video of Bruce, nomming on some tasty pine needles. ❤️❤️❤️ 2/
Bruce is porcupine who lives at the bottom of Spruce at Breckenridge Ski Resort. She has lived in the same tree island for some years, and she’s a real favorite in ski school. Video and a tiny story in the next skeet. 1/
November 6, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Bruce is porcupine who lives at the bottom of Spruce at Breckenridge Ski Resort. She has lived in the same tree island for some years, and she’s a real favorite in ski school. Video and a tiny story in the next skeet. 1/
The terrifying demon sits atop the beautiful idiot
November 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
The terrifying demon sits atop the beautiful idiot
I cuddled Teddy extra and rubbed his knee after that. Then this was his final jump 5/5. He raced into it due to some anxiety, but he slowed down a bit before takeoff. Then he cleared it better and was more careful to tuck up his front legs nicely. Smart boy!
October 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I cuddled Teddy extra and rubbed his knee after that. Then this was his final jump 5/5. He raced into it due to some anxiety, but he slowed down a bit before takeoff. Then he cleared it better and was more careful to tuck up his front legs nicely. Smart boy!
Then 4/5, which was not amazing for poor Teddy. He got in too deep, didn't tuck his front legs or rock back enough on his haunches. So he whacked his knee on the rail and took it down. Then he bucked a bunch because it HURT.
October 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Then 4/5, which was not amazing for poor Teddy. He got in too deep, didn't tuck his front legs or rock back enough on his haunches. So he whacked his knee on the rail and took it down. Then he bucked a bunch because it HURT.
Now 3/5. Now the other direction, which he doesn't like as much.
October 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Now 3/5. Now the other direction, which he doesn't like as much.
Here's 2/5. Trot to a nice forward canter. He was a bit sloppy with his front legs, and he touched the rail with a front hoof.
October 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Here's 2/5. Trot to a nice forward canter. He was a bit sloppy with his front legs, and he touched the rail with a front hoof.
Frisco's "No Kings" Protest in 11 seconds. Turnout was stellar for our small community, vibes were positive and patriotic, and I was happy to see a number of friends. #Colorado
October 19, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Frisco's "No Kings" Protest in 11 seconds. Turnout was stellar for our small community, vibes were positive and patriotic, and I was happy to see a number of friends. #Colorado
Tonight, I had to shovel out an upside down water trough somehow completely full of dirt that was shoved under a metal fence with an inch of clearance. It took over an hour to get it dug out. I’m tired.
October 18, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Tonight, I had to shovel out an upside down water trough somehow completely full of dirt that was shoved under a metal fence with an inch of clearance. It took over an hour to get it dug out. I’m tired.
My small ski town will be hosting a "No Kings" protest on Saturday. Just like I did in June, I'll be dressing up as Wonder Woman -- cape and all -- to protest for basic American values. ICE has been conducting operations in the county, and I might need to go with an "ABOLISH ICE" sign this time.
October 14, 2025 at 3:34 PM
My small ski town will be hosting a "No Kings" protest on Saturday. Just like I did in June, I'll be dressing up as Wonder Woman -- cape and all -- to protest for basic American values. ICE has been conducting operations in the county, and I might need to go with an "ABOLISH ICE" sign this time.
Lila shared some not-subtle feelings with Teddy yesterday, as he was walking about doing some visiting of the horses in their pens. She tolerates him okay, but she does think he's annoying and dumb, and she's not wrong.
September 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Lila shared some not-subtle feelings with Teddy yesterday, as he was walking about doing some visiting of the horses in their pens. She tolerates him okay, but she does think he's annoying and dumb, and she's not wrong.
I roundpenned Teddy with his saddle on today, and he thought he was auditioning for the rodeo. I put him on the lunge, and he behaved himself. He was also good under saddle. 🙄😂
So much work to do with him, so little time before the snow starts falling. #horse #colorado #breckenridge
So much work to do with him, so little time before the snow starts falling. #horse #colorado #breckenridge
September 14, 2025 at 3:09 AM
I roundpenned Teddy with his saddle on today, and he thought he was auditioning for the rodeo. I put him on the lunge, and he behaved himself. He was also good under saddle. 🙄😂
So much work to do with him, so little time before the snow starts falling. #horse #colorado #breckenridge
So much work to do with him, so little time before the snow starts falling. #horse #colorado #breckenridge
I am gently bringing along an athletic but often difficult and very green thoroughbred gelding with every bit of kindness and patience that I've cultivated in over a decade as a ski instructor. I've trained green horses since I was 13. He's the most challenging AND the most promising.
September 11, 2025 at 2:28 AM
I am gently bringing along an athletic but often difficult and very green thoroughbred gelding with every bit of kindness and patience that I've cultivated in over a decade as a ski instructor. I've trained green horses since I was 13. He's the most challenging AND the most promising.
A barn full of hay is (1) a heck of a lot of work and (2) a great feeling. We need more than this for the seven horses at the barn for the year, but this is gooooood.
August 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM
A barn full of hay is (1) a heck of a lot of work and (2) a great feeling. We need more than this for the seven horses at the barn for the year, but this is gooooood.
Teddy has been somewhat exasperating lately but at least we got some nice pics.
August 21, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Teddy has been somewhat exasperating lately but at least we got some nice pics.
Lila sometimes has some feelings about work. Maybe you can relate.
August 21, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Lila sometimes has some feelings about work. Maybe you can relate.
Lila and I got 10 minutes into our trail ride at the Frisco Adventure Park (the town’s lovely rec area for hikers and bikers) before we had to turn around due to lightening. We’re hiding out in the safety of the trailer waiting for it to pass.
July 31, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Lila and I got 10 minutes into our trail ride at the Frisco Adventure Park (the town’s lovely rec area for hikers and bikers) before we had to turn around due to lightening. We’re hiding out in the safety of the trailer waiting for it to pass.
Teddy went on his first real trail ride today! I prepared him very thoroughly, and so he was only a touch nervous. We kindly but firmly worked through two moments of “I don’t wanna.” He was such a good boy, and I’m starting to really believe that he’s going to turn out to be a darn nice horse.
July 27, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Teddy went on his first real trail ride today! I prepared him very thoroughly, and so he was only a touch nervous. We kindly but firmly worked through two moments of “I don’t wanna.” He was such a good boy, and I’m starting to really believe that he’s going to turn out to be a darn nice horse.
Teddy was separated from Lila for almost a full week, to help him learn how to be a big boy horse (read: calm and quiet) without her. He made notable improvements every day! Last night, I moved her back to her pen next to him. He was very delighted and sniffed her longingly. She was unimpressed.
July 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Teddy was separated from Lila for almost a full week, to help him learn how to be a big boy horse (read: calm and quiet) without her. He made notable improvements every day! Last night, I moved her back to her pen next to him. He was very delighted and sniffed her longingly. She was unimpressed.
Lila is on the other side of the barn, happily snacking and canoodling with her love, gray mare Charlie. 🌈 2/2
July 21, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Lila is on the other side of the barn, happily snacking and canoodling with her love, gray mare Charlie. 🌈 2/2
Teddy is upset that Lila — his preferred source of safety and security — is not in the pen next to him. 1/2
July 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Teddy is upset that Lila — his preferred source of safety and security — is not in the pen next to him. 1/2