Pippi's 2009 Posts:

December 20, 2009

I'm a pretty important horse, you know, being head mare and all. But then I see something like this and I realize just how small and insignificant each of us really is. You should check out the video. It is incredible!

December 13, 2009

I have had enough of the snow. I don't like that it covers up the grass and we have to paw it out of the way to eat. Takes a lot of energy. I prefer not to work so hard.

Speaking of too much energy — these horses are just crazy to be running around so much. They must like the snow more than I. Check out the video. I do like the Clydesdale, though; he's handsome!

December 6, 2009

Hello, Humans, would you please put the warm back on? It's cold out and my hoofs get kind of nippy when I'm out in the pasture. I have to say that I don't miss the flies, but I also don't like it when I can see my breath. Gets me all concerned about breathing and oxygen, and those are things that horses just should not be thinking about.

I have been thinking about ways to stay warm and I'm wondering if a kitten wouldn't be a nice thing to snuggle up to in my stall. There are a couple that live here and one likes to jump up on anyone that will hold it, so I'm trying to get it to jump up on my back and go to sleep. Austin and Ebby keep encouraging me, but then I hear them nickering to each other about claws so I'm not sure they have my best interests in mind.

November 29, 2009

Sophie and I have been filling Kenzie in about drill team. She's never been in one before and when Sophie and I got reminiscing about all the fun we had performing this past summer, Kenzie had a ton of questions.

We told her about all the practice and having to trot for 15 minutes straight. How you can't bite when another horse gets to close to you. And how sometimes you get paired up with a horse you can't stand, but you just have to suck it up and keep going. You know why? Because we're professionals, that's why! The show must go on.

And we tried to explain to Kenzie the feeling of standing in line outside the arena when the music starts. It's so exciting to start trotting to the beat while performing all our manuvers. Kenzie had a hard time imagining, so we've been showing her some videos. You should check out this video – they're good, but it's nice to see they have problems with their straight lines, too!

November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving! It's the day you humans eat too much, watch football, and sleep in front of the TV. That sounds like a pretty good holiday to us, that's for sure!

I went around the farm and asked all the horses what they were thankful for. The majority of us are glad our humans are spending the day with their families so we can just hang out in the pastures.

We'd like to caution you, though, on your food consumption. We all can understand the joy of a fresh hay bale or the first sweet grass of spring, but we're the ones that have to carry you around. So we're the first to know if you overinduldged on mashed potatoes and gravy and pumpkin pie. And yes, we horses do talk.

November 19, 2009

I know, I know — it's been awhile, hasn't it? I just haven't been the same horse since Story moved away. Nope, I'm now the Head Mare so I'm definitely not the same horse! It's such a big responsibility, though. I have to protect the herd from danger so I need to stay sharp - keep an eye out for anything that looks hungry for horse. I also have to let all the other mares know I'm in charge so I make them move around whenever I feel like it. It's so cool! I heard my human say I'm drunk with power but I don't think that's the case. And I may just bite her for saying that.

But I do miss Story. I miss Sundae, too, but I just got an e-mail from her, although it sounded like she sent it this past summer. That's kind of weird that it didn't get delivered until now. Anyway, she was saying that she turned 20 this year and still gots it going on: "I turned 20 in March and I’m proud to tell my age.  Especially since all these thoroughbreds are half my age and I still run circles around them!  My chiropractor says I have excellent muscle tone, my dentist says my teeth are great, and my vet says she can’t believe I’m really 20.  It’s all in the attitude, and, cousin, I have plenty of attitude."

I'm glad she's feeling so good. I also overhead the humans talking about Sundae's family coming up for a visit this weekend. Everyone's looking forward to that. I wish they'd bring Sundae up to visit, too.

October 15, 2009

I’ve been kind of sad and lonely lately since Story moved away. I miss seeing her white blaze on that chestnut face looking at me from the stall across from mine. It’s just not the same with that moody little Arabian, Stormy, living in there.

But then it happened….I was munching on my hay one night and looked over to glare at Stormy and it was STORY back in her stall. OMG!!! So I started telling her everything that’s been happening, but I got a very blank look - not that wise expression that Story has. And I realized that she was NOT Story. But she looked like STORY. But she was NOT Story.

It’s also not fair. Story’s human got another horse and found one that looks like Story, only shorter. So I guess she’s Short Story. I tried to call her that, but she told me her name is Ms. Boston Scotch. She goes by Kenzie.

She’s much younger than I am so I’m afraid we won’t have much in common. And she’s much thinner. I heard her human talking about having to get a 28-inch girth for her. I didn’t know they made them that small.

Kenzie's quiet and seems to know her place, so I guess she’s OK. As long as she knows that I’m head mare so I get to choose which hay pile I eat from, then we’ll get along fine. But if she starts getting any ideas about Bravo, she’s going to be in big trouble.

October 11, 2009

I heard from Story again. I'm glad she's doing really well, but I've been fretting ever since. She was down in Springfield at the Youth Charity Horse Show and you know who else was there — Bravo. I've been imagining all sorts of things. I'll be glad when he gets back home. Anyway, here's Story's e-mail:

"Hi Pippi!

Sorry I haven't written but Allie keeps me so busy! We've been trailriding and practicing for drill team. We go to Springfield on Saturday. I am soooo excited! I get to see my old friends. I sure hope Bravo is there! Then Sunday we're camping at Big River State Forest. I hope Allie doesn't forget my blanket – Brrrrr!

I heard you have a new neighbor – Allie says she looks just like me. I'm glad Deanna found a new friend like I did. Please tell her to take good care of Deanna for me.

Love,
Story"                     

October 5, 2009

We've got a few cats at the farm. They tend to stick to themselves and I've always thought they were rather snobby. I had no idea they could be so funny, though. Check out this video – then the next time you talk to your cat you'll know what he's saying: What cats are really saying.

October 4, 2009

I heard from Sundae again. It's so important to stay in touch with your pasture buddies even though they may not be in your pasture any longer. I wish she'd move back here. With Story gone, there are no mares of a certain age. I like all the younger ones here, but there's no one that understands the issues that we older gals have. Anyway, here's what Sundae had to say:

"Man, Thoroughbreds are wimps!  It has been cool here in the evenings—in the mid forties and they are all saying BRRRR. They would have never made it where you all live.  I am getting my winter coat.  Liz says she is going to start weight taping me.  I got too skinny last winter.  She doesn’t want that to happen again. 

I get to go on a trail ride later this month.  I bet the Thoroughbreds complain the whole time.  “I’m tired, my feet hurt, it’s cold.”    Oh well, this old gal is ready to go.  I haven’t been away from the barn in a year. 

Tell everyone hello and both my human and I miss you.  Paint Horses Rule!

Your old pal,
Sundae"

I wonder what Sundae meant by "too skinny?" I've never heard those words before.

September 26, 2009

You won't believe what happened. Guess who's coming back to the farm on Monday nights for the youth drill-team practice? Story. But she hasn't stopped by the pasture to say hi to me. Nope. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess. But not for every horse. Sophie told me that the last time Story was here, she was nickering to Bravo. How dare that mare! She's got a new home with a new gelding, Tucker, to nicker at. She needs to leave Bravo alone.

September 17, 2009

Guess what! Guess what, guess what, guess what!!!  Story remembers me. She misses me, yes she does!!! I got an e-mail from her. I'm so happy I'm almost trotting in place. It sounds like she's settling into her new home. Here's what she wrote:

"Hi Pippi!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I miss you soooo much, too, but I love my new home. I have three new friends — their names are Tucker, Lacey and Huggie. Tucker is a handsome devil. I have a great big pasture with woods and yummy grass. I have a very comfy stall.

Allie brushes me all the time and gives me apple treats :) She has taken me to Rockwood where you had your adventure where you got free. I really love my new home but I miss everybody at Belezaire, especially you, Bravo, Kay and Deanna (especially Deanna – Hi, Human!).  I like coming down on Mondays and seeing everyone at drill team. Tell everyone I said hi!

Love,
Story" 

She does sound happy. And I'm jealous about the grass. Sure, she eats my pasture down to the ground all summer long and then gets to go to a new home with fresh grass.

And doesn't it sound like she's got a boyfriend with her talking about what a handsome devil Tucker is. You know, when we went on the trail ride a couple weeks ago, we saw Tucker and Allie's mom. I thought Story was making eyes at him, but she told me I was imagining things. I don't think I was. You've got to get up pretty early in the morning to get anything past me, you know. Sharp as a horseshoe nail, I am.

September 10, 2009

I am sooooo sad. Bravo broke the news to me....Story has found another home. She moved to Morrison to go live with Allie. What am I going to do without her? It's just not right when I look out of my stall and see Stormy, that irritating little Arabian, instead of Story.

I'm sure she's got a great new home and is happy with her new kid, but I miss her. I wonder if she took my e-mail address with her? Maybe she'll still e-mail me occassionally. I'd love to hear how she likes her new place.

I'm trying to look on the bright side, though. With both Story and Mistie gone, there's less competition for Bravo's affection. Yep, I'm a glass-half-full kind of mare.

September 9, 2009

Story???? Stooooooory?  STOOOOOOORY? Story, where are you?

September 7, 2009

I had an adventure! I got to go trail riding with Story, Bok, Smoky, and their humans. It was so much fun, except we had to walk about 100 miles. But there was lots to see and lots to eat. Story's human said it must be like a buffet for us horses and it really is. All sorts of grasses, weeds, and leaves to try.

Anyway, I got to cross water, go up and down steep hills, and squish through some mud. At one point, there was this branch across the trail and no way to get around it. Bok stepped daintly right over it. I got up to it, gave it a gander, and decided that I could jump it. You know, before I came to Belezaire I was a jumper. Three foot fences were no problem for me, although I was carrying a kid then, not the chubby human I've got now. So I really hunkered down and UP AND OVER we went! It was awesome; I'm not sure I've ever heard my human shriek quite like that.

Story thought the branch was a snack bar. She kept eating instead of crossing over. She said the plants there were delicious — very sweet and tender.

The best part, though, was when I shook my head so hard my bridle came flying off. Yep, I was free. I tried to eat some plants, but human kept trying to get the bit back in my mouth. So I wandered down the trail by Bok and then decided to make a break for it. I ran up the hillside, jumped a big log, and was heading for.... well, that was kind of a problem because I wasn't sure where I was heading. And the woods suddenly looked scary. And I realized that I couldn't see Story. So I turned around and came back to the group. Human was really shaking but I held still long enough for her to get the bit in my mouth. I guess freedom's not all it's knocked up to be. I would have been all by myself instead of with my family.

Speaking of family, where's Story? I haven't seen her in awhile. Story? Stoooory?

September 1, 2009

A kind, sweet man was laid to rest today. Marshall Stutzman was very special and we miss him, especially in the morning when he would help take us out to the pasture.

We owe this beautiful home that we have here to Marshall. It was his vision that saw the potential in Belezaire so he bought it and moved his family here from Buda, IL. All of the horses on the farm are truly grateful for that.

We'd like to bow our heads and pray, while Bravo raises his in song:

"I raise my hands, bow my head.
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red.
They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see.
Oh, I believe."

Now it's time to honor Marshall's memory with a 10-stomp salute:

Horses, hoofs at attention. Ready! Aim! Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

Although we won't see Marshall again, he's still here at Belezaire. He's in every blade of grass, he's in the beautiful, tall oaks that line the driveway and pastures, he's near us as we ride in the arenas with our humans. We hope that he's not in the burrs that stick to our manes and tails so annoyingly, but even so, we will remember Marshall every day as we hear the frogs croaking in the ponds and we graze out in our pastures.

If you think horses can't cry, just take a look around the barn. We never know how long we have on this ride, so hug your kids. Hug your parents. And be sure to hug your horse.

Let's all join Bravo in song:

"I can't quote the book, the chapter or the verse.
You can't tell me it all ends in a slow ride in a hearse.
You know I'm more and more convinced, the longer that I live.
Yeah, this can't be.
No, this can't be.
No, this can't be all there is.

When I raise my hooves, bow my head.
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red.
They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see.
I believe.
Oh, I
I believe.
I believe.
We believe."

Miss you, Marshall. Love you. Always.

August 28, 2009

I've got some really sad news. The patriarch of our farm, Marshall Stutzman, has passed away. We're all so sad. Marshall is going to be missed by everyone – horses and humans. He was such a nice, decent man. Our hearts go out to Don, Connie, Bill, Mike, all of his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends.

It's sure not going to be the same around Belezaire without you, Marshall. May you rest in peace.

July 19, 2009

Someone has a little too much time on their hands. Check out this video of extreme shepherding. LED Sheep.

July 1, 2009

Sounds like Tucker got a little embarassed at the last horse show. Yeah, he lost his riders. Not good when that happens, even in a fun class. He says it's the announcers fault because he never should have asked the horses to lope while the kids were riding double and bareback. Story and I think that Tucker should have been looking out for Eric and Abby and did just a gentle little lope. But you know those Appy's – crazy. Luckily, the kids were fine.

June 27, 2009

Seems I might have upset Story a little bit. She sent me an e-mail:

"Hay, Pippi,

I've been chewing and chewing on my hay ever since I saw your recent blog and I've just got to say something — I may be 17, but I can still run circles around most of the horses at the farm! You could have just wished Khemo a nice birthday without mentioning my age. Snort!

I hope Bravo doesn't read your blog. Mares need to keep their ages to themselves. Nickering across the fence is so much fun.
 
Story" 

Here I thought she'd be glad to know that she wasn't the oldest horse at the farm. Anyway, that's what she gets for spending all of her time with Mistie. I used to be Story's BFF, but Mistie's pushed me out of the way.  They hang out together up by the stall doors, while I have to be by myself out in the pasture or dry lot. I try not to let Bravo see me crying. That's me, putting on a brave face for the world.

June 14, 2009

Well, I got an e-mail from one of my favorite kids, Jenelle.  She brings me into my stall from the pasture and she cleans my stall on Saturdays. She does a good job – I like how she puts out hay. Anyway, here's what she had to say:

"Hi Pippi!
 
Guess who's birthday it was on the 7th this month??? Khemo Kheleem's!!!!!!!!!! That old man is 18 years old now!!! He has been getting thinner because I've been riding and working him a lot more, too!!!
 
Khemo has done really good at his past shows lately!! Katie didn't think he wood place in halter and he DID!!! I was so proud of him!!! Khemo was probably making fun of Katie for all I know!!!
 
Also, Khemo is actually buddies with little Stormy!! They get along very well – like those Morgans at Drill Team all huddled up!!
 
Hope you're having a great summer!!!
 
Jenelle"

Hmmmm, Jenelle's given me an idea. Until Khemo loses a lot more weight, if I stand next to him maybe I'll look thinner. And Happy Birthday, Khemo – you're even older than Story!

June 1, 2009

Something very special happened. Erin has grown up and gotten married. Very bittersweet because all of us horses remember her from when she was in high school. And now she's starting her life with her best friend, Bryan, at her side. Best Wishes, Erin, from all the horses at Belezaire!

P.S. Finish school. Finish school. Finish school.

May 17, 2009

Woo hoo!!! Did you hear all of us gals yelling for Rachel Alexendra? What a filly! There was so much excitement at the barn for the race. And there was definitely a big divide in the support. All of the geldings were for Mine That Bird, but all of us mares were for Rachel. And she didn't let us down.

Story even sent me an e-mail:

"Yippee - Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness.
               Fillies rule & stallions drool !!!!
 
Story"

You're right about that, Story! Also, Happy Birthday –— my BFF turned 17 this past week.

May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. And I want to say a very special Happy Mom's Day to my momma, Ms Fancy Bonni Bar, who lives in Waterloo, IA. If you were here, I would let you have my hay. Well, no, that's not quite right. If you were here, I would share my hay with you. Hmmm. OK, if you were here, I would let you look at my hay and not lay my ears back. Yes, that I would do for you, Mom!

May 9, 2009

Guess what I have that you don't! Jewelry. It's so cute with blue stones and silver doo dads. It's called a Mane Dangler and it clips right into my mane. When I shake my head a little, I can see it hanging out of the corner of my eye. It goes with the pretty blue browband on my bridle. I feel so special and girly. Finally my human got something right. I love wearing jewelry. Now if Bravo would only put a ring on my hoof.

April 26, 2009

Puff, puff, puff — I'm still trying to catch my breath. I really had to work the last couple times I was ridden. It was not fun.

First my human had her lesson on a different night, which meant I didn't get to ride with Story. Wasn't happy about that. Then we actually had to ride with the kids and their horses and you know what – it's a whole different experience. It was HARD. I had to lope lots of little circles. To the right. My bad way. Do you think I got to stop after that? Nope, then I was expected to lope around the entire arena. Not once. Not twice. But three times! OMG, I was about ready to drop over when my human finally stopped me. The only good thing was Human was puffing almost as much as me.

The next night was drill team and we did the routine twice in a row, at a trot. With music. There was lots of human shrieking and laughing, so I guess they were having fun. At least someone was. I had a crazy Arabian come at me at one point that really startled me. At least Story was happy that the Morgans and other Arabians didn't show up. She does not like them. And since she's Head Mare, she's not quiet about expressing her displeasure.

I heard the humans saying we're making progress with the routine, but I'm not sure about that.  Kind of looked like chaos from my point of view.

April 19, 2009

What's more fun than running wild with my human on board? Running around wild with a kid. It was great!

I had two humans watching and Liz, who's actually family since her horse, Sundae and I are cousins, was riding me. Since I had an audience, I thought I should put on a show. So when Liz cued me to canter, I said, "how's this?" and took off. From walk to gallop took 1.2 seconds, which is a personal best for me. I even did a little crow hop just for effect.

The look on my human's face was hysterical. She should have known that Liz is a good rider and wasn't coming off me; we were just having some fun. It's hard to keep up that intensity, though, so I was ready to stop when Human finally thought to shout "Whoa!"

I hope Liz enjoyed the ride. It's not often I get to show off like that.

April 9, 2009

We've got a new song to sing at dinner. Check out this video.

April 5, 2009

Here's another video of my drill-team practice. Click here for Right Shoulders at Center Line.

March 30, 2009

"Hay Pippi,
Wouldn't it be fun playing 'keep away' from Bravo with one of those horse balls? Of course, we would let him have it once in awhile – wouldn't want to hurt the gelding ego.
 
Wow – drill team practice last Friday night was sure crowded. Practicing in the outdoor arena is much better. Has your human got the music ready? I'm ready to trot my stuff to tunes.  
Think spring and warm weather – where's my grass!
Story"

March 29, 2009

What is up with the snow? I thought it was spring. I even heard my human say she bought fly spray and ivermectin, two sure signs of warmer weather. Not happy about this. Rolling in snow is not near as good as rolling in mud. Snow doesn't stick to your hair and dry to a cement-like crust like mud does, which seems to irritate humans quite a bit.

March 27, 2009

Story and I want one!  Horse Ball

March 24, 2009

I'm a movie star!!! Finally the world has recognized my greatness and I'm on You Tube. Well, actually me and all the other drill-team horses. Watch us doing the Criss-Cross. We are awesome!

March 22, 2009

Seems like spring is finally here. I've been out to the outdoor arena with my human and I'd forgotten how big it is. At first all the freedom was exciting and I started trotting at a good clip, but then I realized my human wanted me to keep it up. For awhile. All the way around the arena. A few times. My God, human – don't you realize how far that is? And I'm not for sure, but maybe I'm not in quite as good of shape as I was last summer. I could be wrong, you know, but things happen. Hay gets eaten. So let's take it easy for awhile, OK?

February 21, 2009

Drat, I was right about the snow. Now all the grass is covered again.

Might as well take it easy today. Last night was our first drill-team practice and I had to work. Lots of walking, some trotting, and some small circles. Hate. Those. The. Most.

I got to walk next to Simon and while he's not Bravo, he does have some good qualities. He's definitely cute.

There were two new horses there last night and one of them was named Pip. That's almost my name. I wasn't quite sure how to feel about that, but the horse seemed nice so I'll let her use my almost name.
 
The other horse, Marco, was one of those Arabians and you know how they are. He started rearing as soon as he got in the arena and that made me very aware. At least he had a capable human on him and even though Marco acted up, I never felt too afraid. And every now and then I'd get to follow Story. Whenever I see her big rump ahead of me, I know I'm OK.

February 20, 2009

Where did all the mud go? It's back to being very cold and I'm not happy about it at all. No, I'm not.

Some of the horses are already shedding. Luckily, I've still got my nice winter coat but then, I don't get long hair like some horses do.  I'm not naming any names, but Chance looks like a Woolly Mammoth, if you get my drift.
 
Anyway, when we start losing our hair it means new grass is on its way. How can grass grow when it's all crisp? And it smells like snow. Where is spring? She was just here.

February 15, 2009

Spring is in the air and you know what that means — mud season. Now mud is something we do get tired of, but the first mud of the season is always the best. It's perfect for rolling; a horse can get ALL of those itchy spots taken care with just a couple of rolls. It just feels delicious!

So all of us had a spa day this week and got mud baths. Even Jake rolled, which was an event because the other geldings tend to gang up on him. Anyway, we were pretty crusty when our humans came out. They really had to use some elbow grease to remove all the mud. Story and I were snickering at each other while I our humans complained. 

February 12, 2009

Freddy, the barn cat, and I have become good friends so I let him use my laptop during the day when I'm out in the pasture. He found a video today and he's excited because he thinks the cat in it looks like him. I didn't want to hurt his feelings so I didn't say anything, but the cat in the video is MUCH thinner than our Freddy.

But it is a cute video. Check it out here.

February 8, 2009
Something exciting is going on — I overhead the humans talking and drill team practice is starting up again. Drill team is so much fun! A whole bunch of us get to ride together, which offers numerous opportunities to kick and bite the horses one doesn't like. Life is good!

January 25, 2009

Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday dear meeeee.
Happy birthday to me!

I'm 14 years old today. Wonder if Bravo got me a present? Maybe we'll just nuzzle over the fence this afternoon. That's as good a present as any. Well, I wouldn't turn down a Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie. You know, in case any of you humans are coming out to the farm today.

OK, everybody sing:
We're gonna party like it's my birfday. Sip apple cider like it's my birfday. We're gonna party like it's my birday and we don't care cuz it's my birfday!

January 24, 2009

Oh, no – Sundae's had a mishap! I got an e-mail from her about it:

"Well, my human had a birthday January 20 and I decide to sneak out of my stall and party in her honor.  No one told me if I played outside on the hard snow all night it would bruise my hooves.  Well, no more partying for me. The humans have confined me to my stall and are taping cushy stuff to my hooves and making me take this yucky medicine twice a day.
A word to you youngin's from a now-wiser old mare.  Stay where your humans put you.  They really do have your best interest at heart.  I can't wait until Spring!
 
Dun Sundae World"

I hope she's OK. Sounds like she needs a head mare as smart as Story to keep her safe. I know Story would never let anything bad happen to me. Need some water, Story? You're coughing quite a bit there.

Anyway, the cushy stuff on Sundae's hooves sounds kind of cool, but that medicine can't be much fun. Hope you feel better real soon, Sundae. And happy belated birthday to your human!

January 20, 2009

Have you seen this? How cool! I want a duck. He could ride around on my rump and quack at everyone – especially at Ebby and  Austin. If they started trash-talking at me, my duck would just quack away and I wouldn't hear them.  I would call him Toby.

January 13, 2009

Haiku
by Pippi

Violet twilight.
Shivering stars pierce my soul.
January night.

January 10, 2009

Cold and snow. Snow and cold. Yep, it's January in Illinois. Hate it! Boring! Nothing to do but tippy-hoof around and try to dig through the snow to find grass. We don't even get to play much because it's slippery outside. Got to protect those legs, you know.

Since we can't play in our pasture, we have to find other ways to have fun. I got lucky when human took me to the indoor arena and told me to run. I felt like a filly – running, bucking, and kicking. I recommend it highly.

I heard a rodeo is coming to town in a couple weeks. Wonder if I could get a job there?

January 2, 2009

I need to have a talk with Story and Bok. They've got to control their humans better. You see, Story and Bok's humans got my human a Christmas present and I'm not happy about it at all. You know what they got her? SPURS! It's hard to believe, isn't it?

How could they do that to me? Sure human's running around showing off her fancy tooled straps and laughing about how she clinks when she walks, but this gift affects me and in a way I don't much care for. Now I actually have to listen to my human. When she says, "Let's trot." I have to say, "Yes, ma'am, how fast?" Me polite? It's just not right.