Spending the Weekend with Carlos and Bill

True confession: 

I spent Memorial Day Weekend with Carlos and Bill. 

They are my new 'best friends'. 

I don't think Hubby was too upset, or jealous;

However he might have been a bit miffed when dinner was late because I was with Carlos and Bill. 

He might have been a bit impatient when I didn't get out to the car right away because I was hanging with Carlos and Bill. 

There's a chance that hubby was disgruntled when I didn't respond to a question now and then, because I was so absorbed in the conversation between Carlos and Bill. 

I will have to say that Hubby was rather generous when I brought Carlos and Bill along in the car with me. 

Hubby's like that! He's a good guy! Especially since Carlos and Bill are characters in a novel by Lisa Deon, AKA The Slave Driver. 

You may recall that when we visited Park City we took a jaunt into Salt Lake City and arranged to meet the Slave Driver. The Slave Driver also wrote a post about our meeting. We took a carriage ride around Temple Square with her. Lisa was excited to show me the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for her novel, The Carriage Trade. She explained that friends were reading the copies and doing the final edits before the novel is published in mid-June. I casually mentioned (nodding my head a lot, smiling, and maybe jumping up and down a bit) that I'm pretty good at editing and when it's time for her next novel to be edited, send it my way. 

A few days after our return home I received an email from Lisa asking if I'd care to edit The Carriage Trade if she sent it to me electronically. Wow! I'd LOVE to! The only hitch was that time was a bit tight.... like, it's now Friday and she'd need my edits by Tuesday. Sure - no problem! I mean, it's a holiday weekend. I'm working sheep at a herding dog trial each day. No sweat! 

So, I began reading and marking a few things hear and their (sic). You know how hard it can be to catch those silly errors that crop up.... and, as Lisa said, she's read it "a jillion times," and her brain is "perma-fried!"

I'm so glad that Lisa's a great writer and there were few errors. I find it difficult to edit work that is poorly written. The hard part was staying on task, and not getting lost in the story... that happened more than a few times! Lisa describes her novel in this way:

How do you get to a "Happily Ever After" when you can't remember where it began?

Carlin "Carlos" Farley's life is an open book. Unfortunately, she can't remember most of it. She's losing her barn manager, Bill, the guy who's been running her horse drawn carriage business while she's been in extended care recovering from an accident. Bill has always been there for her, in fact they've grown up together, but now he wants to pursue the career he put on hold and Carlin's resigned to the idea that he's leaving her.

Bill Fantazma is the kind of guy who always tries to do the right thing. But sometimes doing the right thing is not the right thing to do. He's been in charge of Carlin's care and the business he helped acquire for her, and has accepted the accident and her subsequent brain damage as a chance for a "do-over", since his previous actions to attract her affection were less than honorable.

Richard Cooper appears to be the answer to their business problems. Knowledgeable about horses, willing to step in and take over the barn manager position, helpful and solicitous to Carlin, he's not put off by her sometimes bizarre and quirky behavior.
But when Richard sees an opportunity to move in and draw Carlin's affection, Bill realizes just what she means to him and must make a decision; come clean about their past and risk her anger, or step away and allow Richard to have a romantic relationship with the woman Bill has loved all of his life.

It's a romance she can't remember and he can never forget.

The novel is now published. 

Congratulations to Lisa.

Her 'baby' has been born!

(After 5 years of hard labor.)

If you are interested in reading "The Carriage Trade", 

the trade paperback is now available for purchase through Createspace 

and the Kindle edition is available through Amazon.

Saturday Centus: Mired

I love Saturdays. Shortly after I awake I'm on the computer checking Jenny Matlock's blog to see what challenge she is going to put before us for the Saturday Centus. Jenny provides a picture or a prompt, and may suggest a style of writing. I let Jenny's challenge work its way through my mind. I turn it one way and another, trying to find an angle I like. Sometimes even I am surprised by the outcome!

This week's challenge is to incorporate the words, "has it really been a decade?" We are to add 100 words. A picture is optional.

source

Has it really been a decade since the “No Child Left Behind” legislation was put into law? The law stimulated sweeping changes in our education system, indeed. Teachers changed their practice to ‘cover’ the curriculum. Schools changed testing procedures utilizing hours of computerized exams several times a year. And school districts have specialists to crunch the numbers and deal with the data, reporting it and translating it for the public, to show progress made. The changes are cosmetic; a shining coat of paint on a crumbling system. Our system is ensnared in legislative cobwebs and our Nation is being left behind. We are mired in mediocrity.


To read more responses to Jenny's prompt, visit her blog by clicking on the image below.

Hobby Horse Blog Hop - Week 17: Trucking

Last week Pippin and Doc traveled 4 1/2 hours to the trainer without batting an eye, lifting a toe, or complaining in any way. They were great in the trailer. Of course, they did have plenty of hay for the trip, hanging right in front of their faces. When we stopped for gas, and while we waited at the trainer's to offload them, neither became restless - they continued eating from the hay nets.
I felt very comfortable leaving my sweet boys at the trainer's barn. I think he was quite pleased with how they looked. A phone call later in the week confirmed that they were settling in well.
The day after our trip I gave my trailer a thorough cleaning...inside and out. I feel so lucky to have a horse trailer - I want to take care of it so it lasts as long as possible. When I had horses previously I had to pay to have my horse trucked anywhere, or rely on (and maybe, inconvenience) my friends. I knew I wanted a trailer shortly after I bought my Haffies. I began looking on Craig's list. I couldn't find one that met my needs at a price I was willing to pay. Then, one day while volunteering at therapeutic riding, the instructor told me she was getting a new trailer. She indicated that she was trading her 'old' trailer in. The outcome was that she sold me her two-horse slant trailer for the same amount that the trailer dealer offered her for a trade-in. Such a sweet deal!

From the Post "Doc in the Box"

Let's chat! Link your blog to mine by clicking below. Or, if you prefer, respond to the questions in a comment.

Let's find out more about each other in the Blog Hop. 

I hope you can join in!

In case you are new... or as a reminder:

Each week I'll post two or three prompts. 

Write about one or respond to all.

Or, just link your blog to mine if you

care to share something else about yourself.

Most importantly,

complete your blog post (or comment) by asking a question of us.

I am really enjoying answering your questions,

and look forward to seeing other responses, too.

I think it's a great way to have a conversation of sorts!

Link your post to the Hobby Horse Blog Hop

by using the Linky Tool below.

Click where indicated, just after it says

"You are next...."

Or...

Leave a comment with the answer(s) to the

questions(s) on my blog, down below.

Visit other participating blogs on the list

and respond to their questions in your comments on their pages.

Hobby Horse Blog Hop Prompts - Week 17:

1. What is the ideal trailer for you.

2. Do you use shipping boots, a padded halter, a head bumper or other protective equipment for your horse when trailering?

3. What item(s) do you always carry in your trailer, or recommend that other's carry?

My answers:

1.  For me, the ideal trailer is a light-weight trailer with a tack/storage area. I want room for me by the horse's head so I can safely lead the horse into the trailer, so a side-by-side trailer with the tack storage under the horses' noses won't do. I really like the idea of a front door for a quick exit, if needed. If I were to get involved in carriage driving it would be nice to have a larger trailer (and truck) so I could have a winch to pull the carriage into the trailer, and then have a place for the horse(s). Of course, that trailer would require a ramp. In my earlier life I would have said that a ramp was necessary, however, my horses have been fine with the step-up.

2. When I bought blankets for the horses, shipping boots came with them. I used them only a few times, but they didn't really fit chunky, Haffie legs that well. However, on this last trip, since were were traveling for a longer distance and since we would have unknown bumps, stoplights and hills, I used the boots.  I always get tickled at watching the horses take there first few steps with the boots on, lifting their legs up so very high, and hesitating with each step! I don't use other protective equipment for the Haffies.

3. The tack area of my trailer always contains: a bucket, a muck bucket, a pitch fork, baling twine, a hoof pick, a jack and tire wrench, some horse treats, a cooler for the horse, an extra halter and an extra lead rope. I usually have the horses' tack, a slicker, a lunge line, a sweatshirt or extra jacket, a horse blanket, a multi-tool, a carrot stick (or a crop), grooming equipment, and my helmet. I should probably add a gallon of water and a first aid kit to my 'must have' list. In addition, I have emergency information taped on the tack room wall. This includes my contact information, my ICE (In Case of Emergency) information, and the vet's name and phone number. Hmmm....what else do you think should be in there?




Now it's your turn. Click below to join the hop, or respond in a comment. 

Catastrophe

I never thought that I would live through a 'catastrophe', but evidently last week's storm was categorized as such - at least as far as the insurance company is concerned.

In case you missed last week's post, here is a picture taken during the first wave of the three-hour storm: (That's hail on the cars, not snow!)

Today we took the cars to  the collision center for appraisal. My love, my 2005 Prius, is in bad shape. The catastrophe team appraiser kept "tsk-tsking" as she went over my car. She estimated between 101 and 150 nickel sized dings, and 9 that were larger, on the roof alone.

A view of the roof...

After she carefully examined the car and marked down all of the dings...finding that only the right front door had no damage, she sat down at her computer. After putting it all in the system, and checking with headquarters, she delivered the report to me. She told me she had been a bit worried. With the age of my car and the mileage, she thought they might have to total it. I am so thankful that they didn't have to do so. I love my car. I've loved every one of the 151,490 miles I've driven in it. I plan to drive it for at least another 50,000+ miles, or 5 years, whichever comes last. It would have killed me to take a check in exchange for my baby! So, at least in that respect, I can relax a bit, as this hasn't been a total catastrophe for me.

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch: Hit the ground running...

It's time for another chat on the farmhouse porch with Patrice and friends. I will have to admit that our weather has been perfect porch weather .... well at least between storms! Hubby and I have been enjoying lunch on our porch, and an occasional evening drink. The sun's position in the sky is perfect for a morning cup of coffee on the back porch. The sun slides in there and warms up my little corner so that it is just perfect for sipping and planning the day.


Patrice has asked us some questions. My responses are below. You can read other's answers on Patrice's blog by clicking on the image below.


So, what about you? How would you answer the questions?




1. What do you do when friends or family pull out a camera? Hide, pose, smile, pull out your own camera and take a photo of whatever they are photographing, or something else?
I really don't care to have my picture taken, but I put up with it. I smile. 

2. Did you take any type of music lesson in elementary school?
I took clarinet lessons in 3rd grade. I was kicked out of clarinet lessons half-way through the school year. This wasn't because of lack of talent... which did happen to be the case, rather, I hid the chalk from the teacher so he couldn't draw his little notes on the board for us to practice. He made me sit in the hall. I still remember sobbing, and telling some kid that passed by that I was crying because I hit my nose with the clarinet case when I was shutting it! I think the instructor may have called my mother. Perhaps because of my utter lack of musicality, I was no longer enrolled in the class. 

3. What is your favorite color of cat (even if you aren't a cat person)?
Oh, this is as tough as asking what my favorite color of horse is. Hmmm... one of my previous barn kitties was a gray and buff tiger striped sweetie. She was really cute. I like the cats that look like Ocelots, with a predominant spot pattern. Blue point siamese are beautiful, too. 

4. What did you have for dinner yesterday?
Mmmmm.... we had beef tenderloin steaks cooked on the grill, fruit salad and green beans.

5. Do your feet hit the floor running in the morning, or do you drag your self out of bed?
I am a 'bounce out of bed and get going' kind of gal. However, I must admit that 'bouncing' is a bit more of a challenge these days! It's more like a hobble for the first 5...10...45 steps!

Seven Days

Seven days without my Haffies make one weak!

I think I've put on 5 pounds from lack of exercise.

It is very strange to go down to the barn to open it up each morning,

and not be greeted by whinnies,

or cuteness like this:

I envision the horses working with the trainer.

I suspect most of his work will be in harness, 

but,  he may decide to see how they go under saddle.

If they could talk, 

I wonder what tales they would tell him?!

Wine Wobble

Our town has a monthly wine walk. 

I think they should rename it the "Wine Wobble!"

One Friday evening each month, from June to October, the Chamber of Commerce sells wrist bands and gives each guest a commemorative wine glass. Guests can go to ten participating merchants to receive a taste of wine.  There are almost 30 merchants to choose from. Each merchant has a selection of wines from which to choose. Most have at least a red and a white. Some have up to 6 different labels.

A plus for participating merchants is that wine can not isn't supposed to be consumed on the street, so people have an opportunity to browse in each shop and/or talk to the business owners. We had some interesting conversations about the wine, about the town, and about merchandise in the shops.

Some of the merchants carefully measure the suggested amount. 

I think it might be two ounces. 

Others just 'eyeball' the pour....

pouring anywhere from 4 to 6 ounces.

Some of the shops provide cheese and crackers or chips and dips.

Some shops have special sale merchandise.

Some shops give out coupons.

I still have 4 tickets left?!

After a few stops...

Things get a bit more casual.

I found that I wasn't really appreciating the taste of the wine.

It was just....wine!

I have 3 tickets left?!

Hubby and I keep running into his younger 'twin'.

After the third meeting, 

which came sometime between the 7th and 9th glass,

people began taking pictures of the 'twins'!

Things were getting a bit hazy by that point.

How many tickets do I have left?

Where's the car?

I think it is time to go home!

Shall we wobble on our way?