Horse Tales!

Today's Critter Tale is about Miss Passion...

Yes, the Passion that has broken into the house, I have photos of this one. The Passion that ran through her fence and skidded to a halt in the barn, making it stink like burned metal, all because she thought she was missing something... *sigh* Yes, the Passion that has left hoof marks on the hood of Lee's car, because she wanted a ride (not moving of course and she was just a baby)...

There are many words I have heard used to describe this young lady, but my favorite ones are clever, mischievious, funny, naughty and tease! Oh, can she work the barn! lol I think, no, I know her favorite past time is to tease the other horses. She is still very young, five years old, I believe, and nothing gives her more pleasure than to antagonize the geldings. Now, she loves them, but is the bratty little sister and here is where my story takes off.

We have a newer Fox Trotter named Buddy. He's been with us for nearly a year now, so he knows Passion pretty well, as they are stall neighbors. Passion has proven to Buddy that she is a tease and when I was there, I didn't realize I was being played until my friend pointed it out to me.

Everyone in the barn gets a little grain, be it a handful or a scoopful, just to keep the peace. Buddy gets more than Passion does, because we are getting him a little heftier and Passion gets less for the very opposite reason, eh-hem.

My friend, Lee was in Buddy's stall hugging, kissing and loving on Buddy and I was doing the same with Passion. Her attention seemed divided between loving on me and her grain bucket, so I picked it up and held it one handed while scratching her. Even though it was completely empty and clean, she was still licking it, and going through the motions of chewing with her eyes closed and rubbing her head on me.

When Lee had left the stall, Buddy came over, put his ears back and watched her. Passion lifted her head and put her ears back and put her nose through the fence. Of course they nipped at each other a little and then Passion went back to licking her bucket and rubbing on me and chewing like she had a mouth full of something, of course she had nothing. I  thought it was her just playing games and was scratching her forhead and forelock and ears. She was diggin this... a lot. When Buddy did it again, she turned her head to the side and put her ears back again, with me telling both of them to knock it off.

Lee just laughed and asked me if I knew what they were doing. I told her that I thought Passion was teasing Buddy as usual. Lee said yes, she is, BUT, she has you and the bucket and she is pretending to chew grain so that Buddy will get upset, thinking she has more than he does.

Well, of course that makes me just laugh, how naughty can you be? I took the bucket away and smoothed things over with both of them. Passion can be such a stinker, but you know what? She is the gentlest little mare and loves affection. She has only known Lee as an owner and so she is spoiled rotten and her gentle nature shows she has been loved to the core! This is a photo my daughter took of the two of us. It even brings tears to Lee's eyes to see it. Because she is a lover by nature, even if she is naughty. :)

Here are a couple of photos of my project. She is a little mare named Jasmine. She stands 14 hands, yes, I'm short! and she is a very gentle and quiet natured arabian, which I find unusual! I just love the shape of her head and her pointy ears. My daughter says she is a unicorn, totally. I can see an Elf or Pixie riding her. She is very feminine and dainty and we get along well! I'm just hoping to gain her trust and friendship too. :)

Have a great Saturday!!

C~

Miss Curly Sue

I was up at the barn and thought it would be fun to take some photos of our little curly pony. Her name is Curly Sue! I love her because she is my size. My friend, her owner, says I needed a pony because of my petite size and she magically appeared! hehe We never look a gift horse in the mouth, even if it is a pony. :) By the way, the white horse in back ground is actually a horse and not a pony. She is just a few inches taller, and over 14 hands, funny, huh?

C~

Daycon

In loving memory of Daycon.

Many of you have heard me talk about Dacon. He has been the inspiration of many funny experiences and has taught me so much about how horses are and more, about how Arabian horses are. Well, he passed to the Summerland last Friday, the 22nd. Not only has it been devistating to the people who knew and loved him, but the other horses as well.
He is buried beneath the old cherry tree that he loved to stand under and scratch himself on. None of the horses go there now and Lad, the stallion, who's paddock run over looks his grave, even he stops and looks in respect every time he passes. It has been an emotional, devistating week and I am glad to see it gone.

I will never be sorry for knowing him. He is a true inspiration and we have loved sharing funny stories about him. The day before he left us, I groomed him and told him about our story being out (Eden at Twilight, Nystav is his character), and he nodded and nuzzled me.

So, that is why I haven't posted all week. I just haven't had the heart to do anything, really.

I am back now though. Time stands still for no one and we must keep moving along.

C~

Horse Tales

Have you ever had an animal touch your heart so deeply, that they can communicate with you? I'm not talking about them standing in front of you with the look of, 'Hey Toots, get over here and scratch the itch I can't reach', I mean something a little more involved, as in psychic abilities. I believe it with all my heart and I will tell you why.

I haven't been up to the barn in a couple of months. We have all been ill with this never-ending bug and it seems as soon as one is finished, the next pounces on your weak immune system. I figured since the horses technically aren't mine, we would be fine to just wait. But I have come to see that perhaps they aren't ours, but we belong to them and the realization of belonging is irrelevant.

The horse in the above picture is named Scooter, he is a Quarter Horse. Since I first saw him he claimed me as his own. I have adored this big guy for so many reasons, his beauty alone wins my heart. But he is so much more. He is a survivor. My friend rescued him and he was only half the size he is now. He was starving to death and someone brought him to her and she healed him, nourished him and loved him. In return, he has learned to trust again, well, all except those who hurt him to begin with.

Last week, I had a dream about him. I figured it was one of those dreams induced by illness and missing going up to the barn. I put it aside and moved on. Well, yesterday, my girlfriend called me and asked if I could come up, she was getting a new horse and she wanted me there to share the excitement. After all was said and done, we went out to the south pasture to see the boys (three geldings). Scooter is one of them. When he saw my daughter and I, he stretched out his neck and started chortling deep in his throat. He singled me out and made sure the other two didn't get close to him or me and started pointing to where he needed attention. Indeed, places he couldn't scratch. He shivered and shuddered with such pleasure I thought he was having a siezure and was going to turn inside out. And you have to watch it because he will forget you aren't another horse and chomp your hiney. Luckily, Daycon was right there and he nibbled on him for awhile. When we finally had to go, he was really bummed out. He wanted us to stay.

I asked my friend about the dream and the connection. She just shook her head because she knows how much I 'dig' her guy. She said of course she believes very strongly in that. Dacon did it to her three times. She sold him a couple of times and he would send her dreams that he was 'done' and ready to come home. She bought him three times. lol But each time after the dreams, she would see him shortly thereafter and he would run and load into her trailer, no worries. Which is very funny, because I can see him doing that. He is a funny Arabian and I couldn't help putting him in my book Eden At Twilight, due out next month through The Wild Rose Press.

But I would like to know, do you have an animal, or have you had an animal that has not been in front of you and communicated with you?

C~

New Beginnings

I just needed to post some inspiration this morning. This story is about as traditional, high fantasy as you can get. So, I will be posting lots of knights, horses and beautiful poetic pictures that pull the romantic strings of my heart. If you do not care for such things, now might be the time to check out, because it's going to get deep in here. :) Promise...




As this year is drawing to it's end, there is a definate feeling of change. Yesterday seemed to be a pivoting point, literally. It started in the morning with a call from a very close friend. It has been a very rough year on her and she was rewarded in a huge way. I am hoping it all follows through and comes full circle for her, but she found one of her stallions daughters. It was a very blissfully emotional day for her. Everyone of his offspring was like one of her own, so when she was able to see one of her students buy her from another, she was in tears.

I believe Blood's Price has found a home and I couldn't be happier with it. It has brought a nice sense of finality, accomplishment and just plain joy to my heart. This was a story that came from the heart and I'm glad it has a home, where I'm sure many more stories will go to as well.

So, off I go to befriend the dragons and charm the Wee Folk.

C~

Making Friends at the Fair!

We went to the Evergreen State Fair on Wednesday. It is a yearly tradition that we all look forward too and we go rain or shine! The kids ride the rides until we cant stand it anymore and then we go look at all of the beautiful animals. I love looking at the chickens and would love to show my Nutsy, but he hates being handled and his spurrs are about three inches long now, so, I just dont think so...



Anyway... I made a new friend. He is a giant Percheron. I watched him for awhile and everyone else was kind of afraid of the big guy and would barely touch him, because of his sheer size, which was very similar to this (No, this isn't him.):



When everyone else had left the area, he looked at me and I asked him how he was doing. I could see the whites around his eyes, marking him unsure. I held my hand out to him and told him it was ok. He sniffed and snuffed at me for a minute while I pet his nose, before closing his eyes. When he opened them again, he had pure friendly trust there. He is a gentle giant. He lowered his head and I scratched his forehead with both hands. He nodded his head up and down and then he began to turn. He rubbed his neck and body along the stall door and that was when I noticed it was open a tiny crack. EEKS! Then he turned his rump to me and I stood on my tip-toes and scratched and scratched for him while he swayed his hips back and forth, further opening the stall door. When it began to open further, I patted his butt and told him to stop. He did and I pulled the door closed. I loved him for a moment longer before we had to go. I found a gentleman who had the horses next door and told him about the stall door. He showed me that the guy had undone the lock and he thanked me and said he would tell the owners. It was funny when he locked the stall again, because my new friend didn't want him relocking the stall and tried to wrestle it out of the man's hands with his lips. I don't know if you know how strong a horses lips are, but you can see my story on Unicorns listed below. They are like elephant trunks. So, the man had to swat his mouth away. We gotta keep the big guy safe!

So, what the heck does this have to do with writing? Everything! It is pure inspiration for a fantasy writer who is married to her knight in shining armor. :)

That was the highlight of my day. That was just pure magick for me. :)
I told my trainer friend about it and she though the same. She said that I had indeed made a new friend. :)

Hope your Saturday brings equal Magick!

C~

Keeping Perspective

I am not the worlds most patient person when it comes to my writing. I want it all done right now. I have found through watching others that I am not alone in this ailment. When I have finished the rough draft and put the period at the end of that last sentence, my brain tells me I am done. Finito, kaput, finished. Well, in reality, that is so far from the truth that it is a slap in the face to all of the other voices crying to get out!
I have two other ms that are about 1/3 written and one of them is the first of a trilogy (my girl pirates and a Merman) that has all of the notes done on it. I have a complete ms of 80k and there is so much story left untold in it, that it is crying out to be a series. Which would be 7-8 books. I have an erotic comedy that has wanted out for nearly a year, I cannot believe it has been that long! And another erotic that has sprouted up because of Eden at Twilight, but is in no way connected.
Blood's Price is nearly finished, I need to go through it again after I am finished this time through, for a final polish.

So, how am I keeping all of this sorted out? I have no idea. My brain has become this quagmire of voices and the only thing that seems to save me from myself is my kids hollering at me too. LOL!! They come first and all of the hubbub quiets down when they need me.

Yesterday, I had to get away and get it all into perspective, I had to just get away from the keyboard and do something else. That also means get out of the house, where I am away from the computer all together. So, I went and did what Colleen does best. I cleaned my trainers barn. She was so surprised and tickled. hehe Horses put out about a hundred pounds of manure a day, she has five of the loveliest beasts on this planet. So, I scooped and then scratched and loved them until they were literally standing asleep. Well, all except one. Her mare, Passion. She wanted me to scratch her endlessly, so I loved on her rather then clean. She is the most gorgeous little five year old. So sleek and shiny and spoiled and loved. She is awesome because my trainer also owned her mom and helped her deliver Passion. Passion was treated as a lap dog and she will still try to sit her 1000 pound butt on your lap. She comes and gives you kisses and then turns for you to scratch her butt. If you aren't paying attention, she will back into you and knock you down! lol She doesn't just limit it to people she knows either. lol

So, now, I have things in perspective and off I go...

Happy Tuesday!

C~

Poetry in motion

A picture truly is worth a thousand words!

C~

SExing today!

I'm looking at the humorous side of living with horses! Come see my post on The Trouble with Unicorns!
http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/blog/

This is Daycon. He is the Unicorn I am discussing.

Happy Hump Day!

C~

Magic Monday

Wow, here we are again! It's another Magic Monday.
It feels a little more magic today. Things are getting back to normal. Mr. C is going back to work after a nice vacation. The heat has died down to a nice tollerable 65 - 70 and raining, and I don't have to go anywhere today.

Went out for a ride last night. It was wonderful! Well, except, it was a little impromptu and I was unprepared. I had on a mini skirt! But can I turn down a chance to ride? Oh, hell no. My theory is, if you don't like it, dont look at it. hehe My skirt still covered my bum and that is good enough.
Riding bareback is such a cool experience. To feel the shift in the body and muscles when they go up and down the hills, to also keep your balance and energy in that circular round is just something short of pure magic for me. Of course it was Tanner, which means we had to work for him before the ride too. He isnt an easy catch, but once he knows his fate is sealed and a lead is around him, he is good and takes on a whole new manner. He is a Tennesee Walker with the smoothest gait, but a fast walker. I can hardly wait to ride him again.
I really miss riding my Scooter, but he just cannot be ridden. His hoof is getting better, but he is still out.
So, I think I will start a story that includes him in it. : ) I love that guy.

This is the kind of thing that keeps me moving and airs out my brain! It's the perfect break from all of the editing I've been working on!

Hope your Monday is just as Magickal! : )

C~

Ok, all done...

For the last two weeks, I have been quietly grieving the death of Robert Jordan. No, I didnt personally know him. But from reading his books and being a huge fan of his work, I felt like I did! It was just a huge shock that sucked the wind right from my sails. Ive been trying to put it all in perspective and it took some very good friends of mine to pull me from my funk, telling me they dont think he would want to see one of his fans, that he unknowingly had such a heavy influence on, to stop writing. So now, here I am. Ive picked myself up, dusted myself off and Im picking up again. Ive been picking at my "girl pirate" trilogy and now its full speed ahead, Im ready to move on.

Another thing that has been a tremendous help is working with the horses. I have come to understand why people have bonded to them and dogs so very closely. Just being around them seems to cure my ills. The other day, I had a terrible headache, went out to the barn and was grooming Lad, the stallion. He is such a love and so warm and affectionate. He kept nuzzeling and asking for scratches, pointing with his nose while I was grooming him. Before I knew it, the headache was gone and he took off at a gallop through the pasture to show how handsome he is. hehe Then theres Daycon, pure white and a true gentleman who asks for kisses, which I readily give. Even when he has green drippy lips from his moistened alfalfa pellets. hehe Then theres Tanner, another true gentleman and shy love who obeys voice commands! He is so soft and fuzzy right now. Its hard to leave his softy hair alone. : ) Scooter is my speed demon whom I loooove riding through the tree farm. Him and Lad (who my friend and trainer rides only) are best buddys and Scooter hates HATES to be behind him. He just HAS to try and pass. Its so funny because these trails are very narrow and lined thickly with trees, so he sees a wide spot and the ears go back and he trys to nose ahead. LOL... I reign him back, but its still funny to see him try it. And last, is my little girly, Passion. She loooves to be groomed like any girl would. I just hold up the brush and say "Its beauty shop time!" She buts her way in and nips poor Scooter out of the way to have her turn over and over again! Im pretty short, so if Im real quiet and Scooter is still, I get a few swipes of the brush on him before she finds me. And then its usually the feel of hot breath on my back, or she lays her chin on his back like "ah ha! I caught you!" lol Then Scooter gets a nip and it starts all over again. lol

So yes, Ive found my way to deal with loosing a favorite author and inspiration. I scoop alot of poop. It helps when your too tired to think on such matters.

Thank you Robert Jordan for the inspiration to start my own writing career.
May you shelter in the palm of the Creator’s hand, and may the last embrace of the mother welcome you home.