After 3 months of spring training, preparing, riding, Cash and I were prepared to herd cows up into the mountains. Or so I thought. This was his first time off our place and neighboring cows to herd one of our son’s and his father-in-law’s cows six miles into the mountains. I woke up at 6…
By now we all know things don’t always work as planned. I was about to step outside and work my gelding when my daughter-in-law texted me from her job at Head Start. Can you come down for Popping it with Pops at 11:30? Corey can’t make it. (Corey is my son.) I’d intended…
I planned on taking my five-year-old gelding to a clinic before signing him up for the Mountain Trail Competition. But as you know, things don’t always work out how we plan, want, or expect. As the saying goes: Want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans! I think he must be belly laughing by…
I just hit the send button for a national short fiction contest. Whew. Re-writers are complete. I decided to take the last two chapters of an unpublished novel and see if I could rework it for this short fiction contest. With changes, it worked. Here is what I had to cut and edit to make this piece…
The last thing I remember before going under is saying to the nurse, “Please, save my baby!” Tears rolled down both of our faces. When I woke up, I had no idea if my baby was alive or dead. I had no idea if the baby was a boy or girl, in those days we…
Here is a sneak peek of a free gift offered to anyone to visits my website and blog. A Horse Lover’s Manifesto: How to Ride and Stay in the Saddle I will lead with soft hands. I will adjust to fit the situation. I will feel my horse and release at the right time,…
I apologize for a late post. Huge snow storms are wreaking havoc with my satellite internet. Yes, I am so remote we have satellite internet. Recently, I read a wonderful juvenile fiction story called Backyard Horses by Dandi Daley Mackall. Ellie James is a horse-loving girl who dreams of owning a black stallion show…
Going to the National Final Rodeo (NFR) sponsored by Wrangler was on our bucket list for years. My husband and I wanted to go but it always seemed out of reach. This year was different. During mid-summer and on a whim, we decided to go and began to plan. I searched for the best hotel…
Gathering knowledge is like gathering cattle. The cowgirl pays attention, not only to the herd, but the other riders, their equipment, and their horses. We have a need to allow newly learned information to soak into our minds as does our colts. Many hands, I learned, makes for a light load. Riding drag produces grit….
Book signing used to terrify me. After six years of shaking hands, having my picture taken with young readers, reciting my hook until my voice came out hoarse, speaking at libraries, schools and conferences, and week-long events, I have finally concluded three things: A book signing without a speaking gig is like ropin’ a…
I hosted the 2nd Annual Cowgirls for Hope Retreat at my house the end of June. For years I talked about hosting an event like this. Then several years ago I met Melody Biehl in Spokane raising money for her non-profit Because There is Hope. A friendship sparked right away as we both strive to…
June is my favorite month. Cool air, sunshine, rain, heat, wind, thunder and lightning, flowers, all mixed into one glorious streak of days. It can be busy with graduations and for our family, birthdays and anniversaries. But this year, with goals, jobs and chores that include riding down a colt, polishing a manuscript, creating three…
Have you ever thought your book, essay or short story was complete, just the way it should be? I have. Until an expert laid her eyes on it. My current young adult novel places my female character, a young Okanogan Native American jockey, on the ledge of the World Famous Suicide Race hill in Omak,…
After seven months of pain and illness and gallbladder surgery, I’m back, somewhat. I’m not back in the saddle, but I am back to the computer with limited time. I gain strength every day and am rearing to go (pun intended). I had surgery on a Wed, my granddaughter turned 4 that Thursday and my birthday…
What inspired you to write Capturing Christmas? A few years ago, I heard about a cowboy proposing to his sweetheart during a rodeo. Apparently, he had the announcer call her out to the middle of the arena between events. He gallantly dropped to his knee in the dirt and asked her to be his wife….
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