Writer on a Horse
And a Dog

The world looks better from the back of a horse and the roads of life are easier with a good dog beside you.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Little History Lesson


This Saturday will be the 150 anniversary of the Pony Express. Did you know the Pony Express existed only 18 months and what finally brought about the inevitable demise of the Pony Express was technology in the form of the telegraph. A transcontinental telegraph line connected the East and West on October 24, 1861 making communications between these two regions almost instant. Just two days later the Pony Express ceased operations

Monday, March 29, 2010

Death and Taxes ... to me they are a synonyms


Okay everyone, two weeks from Thursday will be tax day. Show love to your accountant and get your information to them before April 14th at 5 pm. They can file your taxes and you mail a check in on the 15th. Now for anyone that has enough money to care... that is also the day you have to pay estimated taxes. So smile and remember Uncle Sam loves you.
Pat who just loves tax season and then quarterly taxes due two weeks later. Cheering and doing handstands!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Boo Whoooo sniff


My granddaugthers are laughing at me because I'm sobbing watching a movie. Wait let me blow my nose.... there that is better. If you've not seen Hachi...well I'll just warn you it's a box of tissue movie. I think the last time I cried like this was for the first Homeward Bound when Shadow fell in the pit. I'm going to make this short... got to go play with my dog.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

My Butt hurts


No I didn't get bucked off, wish I had been on the horse that might have bucked... I rode the BIG horse with the terrible gait and I carried youngest granddaughter behind my saddle in a buddy saddle (she did great but was walking funny this evening) four hours of bounce bounce trot trot. Good day but sore butt, lots of sunshine, good company, good food. An excellent day.
The picture is the horse I rode. Seventeen hands tall and strong. I told everyone today I was riding a hummer. The girl is my granddaughter that rode behind me. You think she's making a fashion statement with those pink boots?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Self Image


Quote By John Maxwell

How you see yourself has a tremendous impact on your attitude. Poor self-image and poor attitudes often walk hand-in-hand. It's hard to see the world as positive if you see yourself as negative.

Negative is a word I never think about or say. If you don't know me let me paint you a word picture. I treat others like I would like to be treated, I do kindness with an open heart, I love deep and true and as a friend my loyalty is sealed and not even death will break that seal.

Now... I'm not all sweetness and love. Hurt my friends or family and I can be an avenging angel not so much with violent actions but my husband says my tongue is deadly. I've had people say my tongue is sharper than a sword and to the point (they never have to guess at what I mean)

I demand respect from the world and everything in it... some see that as mean spirited. All I can say is that I hug much more than I strike out, but when I growl people listen.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Trail Ride on Saturday


All four grandbabies, my son, daughter-in-law and me are going on a organized charity trail ride Saturday. I was going to ride Tarkra who is 3/4 Clydesdale and 1/4 quarter horse. Big Horse! But now one of my granddaughters is nervous about riding her five year old mare in such a large group. Guess who's going to take the young horse and give big old gentle as a lamb to the baby... right me. Now I ride Sandy most of the time when I ride... that is the young mare and the one in the picture of me at the creek.
Since the weather has turned warm all the mares are coming into heat and are being B's
I'm going to be fine and if Sandy acts like she should ... she will be too. I told her tonight when we fed... "it has been raining little girl and there is lots of muddy places."
Y'all do know that is the best correction exercise you can do with a horse... it's really hard for them to canter in mud.. like us running in snow. If they have an attitude, canter them in mud for about fifteen minutes, that will take the edge off that problem.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Pounding the old keys


Can you even imagine what it must have been like to type on an old manual typewriter! (before you answer and say.. Pat,don't you remember? No,they had electric typewriters when I was in school and they even had correction type... so there!)
Can you imagine how strong writer's fingers had to be to pound on those keys. Just goes to show that change is good. I love my computer with it's wireless keyboard and mouse... with it's spell check and easy margin setting and fonts and cut & paste.. I'm gushing. I promise this isn't an ad for Microsoft but I love my Windows 7 and I know it isn't a Mac but I've never owned a Mac so I don't know what I'm missing.
Today has been a really strange day. Have you ever got a word or phrase in your head and not been able to get it out. Well I've been say "I love love ... whatever" Love twice !! how elevenish
I think I have spring fever.

My thought for today, don't be afraid of change. Without change we wouldn't have chicken finger, potato chips, printers or all those little things in our life that we love love... oh my gosh... Change is good.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Heheheehehee laughed all day



I did not realize that my picture showed the cow's behind in such wonderful detail. Yes that is a poop ring and that makes me think of something else you need to do... always face life because if you get behind it... you get pooped on. hahahahahehehe
LOVE IT! I know I'm a little warped.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

the important thing is to keep your seat




Life is like a good cutting horse, when trials and troubles pop up to change your life... a good cutting horse will turn with them. The important thing is to make sure you turn too. Look at the rider on this horse. The horse is running full speed and when the cow turns it does too. As the rider, you need to keep the horse's ears in the middle of your vision. Where the horse goes you go or you fall off. Think about it, you have to go with life but how you ride it is the important element.
I went horseback riding today. I took my friend Sheila. She has been taking riding lessons and today she was introduced to the joy of real riding, out of the arena and onto the trail. She did great.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Did you know..?





A little history lesson today... I'm working on my monthly Knowledge Power article and found this information. Wanted to share it with y'all.

The two-cent coin was produced in the United States from 1864–1873. The two-cent piece was made of 95% copper with tin and zinc making up the remainder. It was very slightly smaller than a modern U.S. quarter. The two-cent piece was designed by James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, and was the first coin of the United States to bear the motto "In God We Trust." In terms of purchasing power, the 1864 coin would be comparable to $0.28 in today's money.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Sometimes you turn your... rump to problems


How about that for a choice word... but the picture reminds me that how you look or don't look at problems makes a difference to how you solve them. In truth the one facing you is the one that will have the most trouble solving her problem. You can face a problem and still ignore it.

Okay I know what everyone is asking, what is Pat's problem... Well.. I'm having a problem finding time to write. Its not that I don't have enough time, it's like I don't because I don't want to review what I wrote yesterday and start from where I ended yesterday. I find myself thinking about new manuscripts and new Ideas!!!

April 1st is the day. I will not write any short stories or articles until I've written at least 100 words on Burning Bridges. I will not research or blog (good grief that hurt) until my 100 words are written.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Why do I write poetry ... I have something to say


The Barn

Smells assault the senses
Horses, manure, hay
A haven free of fences
Misunderstandings fade

Puppies run to greet me
Attack my laces, lick my face
Wanting their feed
My horse blows and stomps

A blanket in the loft
I read of perfect worlds
Stroking my cat, so soft
Dreams spin and whirl

Years past, I’m a Mom
Dropping by for a visit
My children go to the barn
Old dreams fade but new begin

Age, the barn must pay the cost
A bulldozer chews at rotten wood
As our haven is lost
My children and I sob

Metal beams and Metal sides
Foundation of concrete
New dreams begin inside
The barn

Monday, March 15, 2010

So if I write and nobody reads am I heard???


If I write my heart out and it's not read am I really writing. Well of course you are! Writing is a creative being that lives deep in your soul, with no words it moans and flings the writers mind to places like tropical islands, unknown planets, back in history, into the bedroom of the boy next door... oh wait TMI..I'll have you know there were no boys living next door to me... UGH there were lets backspace here the boys that lived down the road...now much better. I edited my creativity.
Now back to my question, sorry my RBIO is kicking in... what does RBIO stand for -- rambling because I'm old, hahahaha
Writer's write because they can! Not everyone has the guts, desire or imagination to form stories from the images in their head and then let other people read them. Any one can write but to be a writer you have to let others read your work.
If you write, a novel, in a journal, on small slips of paper that is stuffed somewhere out of sight... I guarantee you someone will read it someday.
Write you heart out and make a difference!! A journal is keeping the present for the future. Novels are keys to other worlds set in the future or past and those small slips of paper are treasures for your future family.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Princess Alert.... Spotted at Books-A-Million


Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt March 16 is the official release date for Lindsey's book but I saw it today... on the self at Books-A-Million...shhhhhh don't tell anyone but you can get one and read it before it's released. I ordered mine Friday so I won't get mine until Tuesday.

I can not wait to read this book. If it's just half as funny as Lindsey is in person OMG it will be great. Look for review when I'm finished with it.

Here is the blurb at Amazon:


When an immaculately dressed woman steps out of an iridescent bubble and asks you if you'd like to become a substitute princess, do you

a) run
b) faint
c) say Yes!

For Desi Bascomb, who's been longing for a bit of glamour in her Idaho life, the choice is a definite C--that is, once she can stop pinching herself. As her new agent Meredith explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula "Royal Rouge," she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?

Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don't know? Or when a princess's conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off--and you know she would want you to change his mind?

In this hilarious, winning debut, one girl's dream of glamour transforms into something bigger: the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Off to the Historical workshop in Nashville




Historical Fiction Workshop
Featuring authors Tracy Barrett, Irene Latham, Candie Moonshower and Kristin Tubb

Topics include:

Historical Research: Finding It, Organizing It, Using It

Writing What You Don’t Know: Choosing Your Destination; Incorporating Historical Events Into Your Story, Real vs. Invented Characters and More

Tell It True: Authenticity in Dialogue, Physical Details and Emotional Responses

Growing a Plot: Creating A Plot from a Single Line or Event, Using the Start and Finish of Historical Events to Bookend Your Plot and More

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Free book blogs check them out


www.elanajohnson.blogspot.com and www.suzettesaxton.blogspot.com

another great blog is www.literati-read.blogspot.com

The picture today is a friend that shows western pleasure... that is one of her horses but not sure which one.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Hex Hall my kind of school


Oh I can so see me at Hex Hall, would I be vampire, witch, shapeshifter... good question. I would not be a fairy, nope to much Type A personality.

Rachel, loved the book not just the story line which was great but the subplots were interesting -- very interesting. Don't worry, I'm not going to give the ending of the book away but people... you have to read this book.

Now that I've covered the plot, let me say the dialogue was so real and funny that I felt the characters talking around me... I was in the conversation.
Finally, oh how we love bad boys... Archer Cross (we need to talk... is his name connected with something in later books???) is a true blue bad boy ahhhhh sigh

I was crushed by the end of the book... nope not telling read the book.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Goodbye Sun, wish you could've stayed longer


Rain, Rain go away... come back another day

Today was a perfect day, low 70's, blue skies, no wind, too bad it was a Monday.
Tonight the rain is coming and will visit everyday until Friday and then there are chances through Saturday.

It felt so good to raise my face and the Sun to whisper "Don't worry, I'm back. No more cold days. Drink, drink in the vitamin D your body needs."

I finished The Lightning Thief... sounds like the Gods are unhappy... they're bring in the minor God of Storms and Zeus flings his lightning bolts making the morals tremble. Hummmm... maybe I should stick to main stream fiction.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Ah Spring,


Played with the dogs, sat on the porch and read, smiled all day... spring is the birth of a new year... I know the year starts in January but think about it.. everything is either dead looking or freezing so I've decided my new year is spring :) The buttercups are blooming. So many memories there... picking them at my Granny's house to hand out to all my aunts... Daddy had seven sisters, no brothers and yes he is rotten... a few for my Granny and a bunch for my mother. Now that wouldn't have been too bad except Granny had seven granddaughters and all of us had to pick flowers. I never saw Granny's flowers in full bloom until after she died. Sort of sad but ah the memories of picking them.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Good times for adults and kids... dogs enjoyed it too


We had an old fashion wiener roast over an open fire, smores, my famous chicken salad, sloppy joes and all the fixing. Most of the barn people... you know the people that the horses boarded at the stable claim as family... my writing buddies, Jana and her family, Sheila and Ken her husband, Irene and her son... everyone ate, and ate and ate... get the picture. All the boys, little and large (men) poked at the fire, that must be a male thing. All the woman complained about cold toes until we discovered electric heaters in the lounge and bathroom... we huddled around those two heaters and made a hen party. About 7 pm the kids saddle horses and rode in the arena. All the kids wanted to stay all night but the later it got the colder the Mama's got and you know the saying..."If Mama ain't happy nobody is happy!"
The fun part came when we got home... all four grandbabies and one friend that came to spend the night, Ronnie, Irene, her son, and myself had to get a shower. I was last and it was a cool one. Towels everywhere because of those five kiddos that belong with me, four were girls... one towel around hair, one towel to dry and one towel to stand on... explain that one to me???
We all decided that inner acting with friends is the most fun... better than a movie or going to the mall or playing video games. It was a night to remember. Wish y'all could have been there.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Communication... that's what I want to do


The only problem is I do this communicating with fictional characters in my head and then later on paper. If I write those fictional moments where someone else can see what I see in my head... that is a saleable novel...if I don't --- that is heartbreaking, needs revising ego deflating writing.

I love unique description and to use simile, here is part of a flash fiction piece I wrote.


Like a sailor on a ship, I stand with my feet apart and face my demons. I scan the white cap waves that resemble my life. They roll meekly, to their death, licking at the shore like a friendly dog but person shouldn't be deceived and step into the false security they paint. With one deadly surge, they’ll reveal their dark-side and pull the innocent into the endless purgatory below the surface.


I write a monthly article titled Knowledge Power for the Kidsville Paper ... a free paper that's delivered to all schools with students K-6th Here is one about the Civil War. How many can you get right... I'll post the answers tomorrow.

Brother against Brother

At 3:00 PM on Palm Sunday, April 9, 1865 General Lee surrender to General Grant at the courthouse in Appomattox, Virginia. This is considerate the officially end to the Civil War but there were small conflicts fought until the end of May, 1865.



1.
The first shot of the Civil War was fired on January 10, 1861. Who fired it?
A. Confederate soldiers
B. Union soldiers
C. none of the above

2
The North’s naval blockade was nicknamed “Scott’s Anaconda”…
A. because it struck like a snake
B. because like a snake the Northern Navy strangled the South by cutting off their supplies
C. because Anaconda was the name of the General over the Northern Navy

3.
What were “worm castles”?
A. the hardtack biscuits that the soldiers ate
B. the shallow graves on the battlefield
C. rich dirt near creeks and rivers

4
The 8th Wisconsin Regiment had a mascot named Old Abe, what was it?
A. a dog
B. an eagle
C. a horse

5.
General George Meade commanded the Union forces at Gettysburg and General Robert Lee commanded the Confederate forces, who lost the most men during this battle?
A. General Meade
B. General Lee

Monday, March 1, 2010

Anything is possible


Look at the picture then go to the website www.mouthart.com

Makes you realize that anything is possible.