The Animals Got Flooded Without An Ark

My heart is breaking watching all of the livestock that are being flooded out and I was trying to figure out how to help.  I don't have any property, so I can't take any in.  But I do have a book for sale, and I can donate the proceeds from that book to the people who can help the livestock who are displaced.  So, all proceeds from book sales running through the end of the month will be donated to Denkai Animal Sanctuary.  This is a great way to kill two birds with one stone: you can start buying stocking stuffers AND help animals who need it.

Click the book in the sidebar to order.

So, please spread the word far and wide.  Let's help the critters we all love.

Who Knew?

That when Bill clicked the picture of me and Estes trotting through the meadow a few years ago that it would make him a twice-published photographer?

The picture on the left, that's Beel's work

Twice-published, you ask?  Yes, twice!  His debut picture was "Contemplating a Murder", the picture gracing the cover of Momma Fargo's book, THE BOOGIE MAN IS MY FRIEND: THE ROOKIES.

He's pretty excited to have his photos become as well known as his stick figures fine art.

In fact, if you go to Amazon and search "TALES FROM THE TRAIL Bill Martin", the book pops right up.  If, however, you go to Amazon and search "TALES FROM THE TRAIL CS Wilson", the book does not show up.  Even Amazon shows preference to Bill's photography over my mad writing skills.  (Or it might have something to do with the fact that I forgot to tag myself as the author.  Shhh, don't tell Beel, let's let him enjoy the moment.)

If you are too lazy, like I am, to go to Amazon and search for a book, but you still want to read it, just click here and it will take you directly to the book without having to type anything unnecessary into the search bar.  Just don't sprain a thumb by clicking too hard on the mouse or touch pad in your rush to go buy the book.  Beel would feel terrible, just terrible, about that.

Give-away :)

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a trail guide in our neck of the woods?

I know the Bionic Cowgirl and Beel have shared some great stories, but the fact is, we don't do much wranglin' any more.  We just fill in here and there as needed at the livery.  I started writing down some of my more memorable stories of trail rides several years ago and am publishing a book based on those stories.

Want a chance to win one of five advance copies of the book?  Just enter below:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visitors

We haven't meant to be absent so long ... but you all know how things suddenly just get sort of busy; not the kind of mind boggling busy that you can plan, but busy enough ...

We've had lots of fun with visitors - friends and guests.  Momma Fargo and NFL Man came for a visit; what a blast.  She has found herself a pretty good guy, but we are really prejudiced.  We happen to think HE has found a pretty good gal - so does that make them a good pair?  We think so.  Congratulations you two - and don't make yourselves scarce; we expect to see you often.

At the same time we had a guest named Catherine, from Ireland, that I got to go riding with.  See how much things have greened up since we had a tad bit of rain/snow a couple weeks ago.  It looks almost normal.

Also, some of the grandkids came up for their first rides of the season, so it was a busy horse week.

Next we had a couple more Australians come for horse therapy, and ... you guessed it, yours truly got some more major riding in.  Hard to beat this kind of job.

Bill's brother, SIL and niece came next for four days; checking out colleges in the area for graduate work.  How did that happen?  Niece being old enough to be a junior in college, with enough scholarships to pay her way through grad school?  Yep, got her on a horse, too.  I'm on a roll here.  Nobody should come near me who doesn't want thrown on a horse.

Oops, forgot about bringing Queen Estes (GunDiva's horse) back to the mountains.  That led to a day of excitement, as some of you know from Ranger's post.  Estes is more than a bit of a hussy, and came back while in her first heat of the season.  Of course, she wanted nothing to do with Washoe and flirted non-stop with Ranger - until he complied and she bit the tar out of him.  They both are showing many nasty bite marks, but seem to have come to agreements on various issues. I managed to get all the burrs and dreadlocks out of her mane today; it's been a three day process but it's done.  Her feet need some care next; not terrible but not like we want to see them.  Other than that, she looks GREAT!.  Sending her to fat pasture was the right decision.

Time to feed; I can just FEEL their eyes on me even though I can't see them.
Bionic Cowgirl

Join me at TALES FROM THE TRAIL

I'm over at TALES FROM THE TRAIL today guest blogging about my experiences with my first Mustang, Shadow.  Click on the link to see just how trainable I am.

Juanita

Our Daughter Begs For Your Help!

No, it's not life or death.  It's just help choosing a writing contest entry.  I've decided to enter one of my pieces in Creative Nonfiction's writing contest.  For a couple of months now, I've been blogging on my years as a Wrangler and would like to choose one of those pieces to enter.  My readership isn't nearly as broad as Mom and Bill's so I'll be honest - I'm riding their coattails for help.  If you are one of their horse loving readers, please hop on over to Tales from the Trail and cast your vote.

Thanks in advance,
"The Daughter"