Today I received advance copies of The Mutt & the Mustang, my children's picture book. When I opened the box I burst into tears - didn't realize how emotional this would be for me. I love the book!
I showed it to Paula who owns the local book store - she too loves it and can't wait until copies are here for her to have in the store - that won't be until the end of June.
This evening I hosted a small celebration gathering that included the book's illustrator, Pat, her husband, Paul,
Lynda who brought us together and my neighbors who if it weren't for them I could not live on 3 acres with fences and barns falling apart --- We indeed celebrated - Paul brought a bottle of wine he had made - complete with a beautiful label showing him mountain climbing. Everyone made over the stars of the book - Kody, my poodle mix who rides a horse every day and Cheyenne, my German shepherd who has a special relationship with my paint horse Rio - we stayed busy coming up with ways to promote and market The Mutt & the Mustang --
Now to the art show --- sales are now approaching $185,000 - the following artists have sold out:
Nikolo Balkaski
Perry Brown
Kim English
Sushe Felix
Kit Hevron Mahoney
Stacey Peterson
Sallie K. Smith
Through the five weeks the show is on display at the Loveland Museum nearly 4,000 people will view it -
we will continue to have sales - check back to see if your favorite artist is on sell out list.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Will spring ever arrive?
It is supposed to be spring time yet I woke up to six inches of snow and it continues to snow with another 3 to 6 inches expected. TV weather guy said this is the wettest spring since 1876 - snowpack in Rocky Mountain National Park is 270% above normal and is even higher on the western side of the Divide.
Our city and county officials are concerned about flooding - if it ever warms up - Relieved I no longer live on the Big Thompson River.
While it was snowing like crazy the buck with the injured front foot came for a visit with two of his buddies - haven't seen him in a couple of weeks so relieved to know he is still doing ok.
A lot of people think deer are loners but that's not true - they have been forced to become loners to survive hunting seasons. In places like Estes Park where there no hunting deer prefer to stay with family units, which ususally consist of one or two does, last year's fawns, and a yearling or two. Older bucks like to travel together. I know this not only because of living in Estes Park but years ago when owning 150 acres in Oregon and 300 acres in northern Minnesota where no hunting was allowed, the deer also lived in family units.
Colorado Governor's Art Show sales continue to be strong - currently more than $180,000 with 5 artists selling out (which means they each sold 4 paintings they had in the show). Those lucky artists are:
Nikolo Balkanski
Perry Brown
Kit Hevron Machoney
Stacey Peterson
Sallie K. Smith
Several other artists sold 3 out of works - unfortunately, 17 artists did not sell any paintings or sculptures.
Back at the ranch - I nearly fell over when I opened the hay shed to a pack rat staring me in the face...
it quickly ran behind a bale of hay where it probably has a nest. I shall have to live trap and move it before it has babies -
Java, the horse that I've been boarding for the last week is doing well with Mustang and Rio, my two geldings being nicer to him. If the weather would only warm up, Lori and I could ride together.
Damn snow killed my pansies, hollyhocks and miniature rose bushes which I had kept inside all winter.
I will not plant another thing this year - hope my lilacs survive - if they don't I will truly give up gardening.
Our city and county officials are concerned about flooding - if it ever warms up - Relieved I no longer live on the Big Thompson River.
While it was snowing like crazy the buck with the injured front foot came for a visit with two of his buddies - haven't seen him in a couple of weeks so relieved to know he is still doing ok.
A lot of people think deer are loners but that's not true - they have been forced to become loners to survive hunting seasons. In places like Estes Park where there no hunting deer prefer to stay with family units, which ususally consist of one or two does, last year's fawns, and a yearling or two. Older bucks like to travel together. I know this not only because of living in Estes Park but years ago when owning 150 acres in Oregon and 300 acres in northern Minnesota where no hunting was allowed, the deer also lived in family units.
Colorado Governor's Art Show sales continue to be strong - currently more than $180,000 with 5 artists selling out (which means they each sold 4 paintings they had in the show). Those lucky artists are:
Nikolo Balkanski
Perry Brown
Kit Hevron Machoney
Stacey Peterson
Sallie K. Smith
Several other artists sold 3 out of works - unfortunately, 17 artists did not sell any paintings or sculptures.
Back at the ranch - I nearly fell over when I opened the hay shed to a pack rat staring me in the face...
it quickly ran behind a bale of hay where it probably has a nest. I shall have to live trap and move it before it has babies -
Java, the horse that I've been boarding for the last week is doing well with Mustang and Rio, my two geldings being nicer to him. If the weather would only warm up, Lori and I could ride together.
Damn snow killed my pansies, hollyhocks and miniature rose bushes which I had kept inside all winter.
I will not plant another thing this year - hope my lilacs survive - if they don't I will truly give up gardening.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Hot Java moves to the ranch
Last night my friend Lori brought her beautiful four year old black gaited horse named Java to board here for the summer, pissing Mustang off.
Kept in adjoining but separate corrals whenever the two horses sniff noses across the fence Mustang tries to bite the intruder - then Java swings around kicking both hind legs at my horse. Whenever Rio, my paint horse who is kept in the same corral as Mustang tries to sniff Java's nose, Mustang runs him off. Mustang makes it quite clear that Rio belongs in his herd.
A little more work to keep Java separated from my horses yet give them all hours in larger pastures. Hopefully, they will eventually learn to get along.
When I first got Rio, who had been starved - I thought Mustang who had alone would welcome another horse. However, Mustang chased Rio around the arena, cornered him then bit his butt until it bled...which I don't want to happen to Lori's horse.
Eventually, Rio and Mustang became buddies but it took several weeks. I think Rio who is low in the pecking order would get along with Java so when the weather warms up Lori and I plan to work the two horses together.
I took Kody up to meet Java, my horse loving dog immediately licked his nose. Java shook his head then stepped back.
A coyote has been coming through my acreage on a daily basis -- which means I have to watch Cheyenne and Kody when they are playing in the arena. Yesterday, while I was paying more attention to Lori than my dogs the coyote ran by and my dogs took after it! Good thing Cheyenne has a bad hip because that was the only thing that stopped her from chasing the coyote. I love coyotes - and need them to keep the ground squirrel population in check but I shall have to be more vigilant watching my dogs.
Kept in adjoining but separate corrals whenever the two horses sniff noses across the fence Mustang tries to bite the intruder - then Java swings around kicking both hind legs at my horse. Whenever Rio, my paint horse who is kept in the same corral as Mustang tries to sniff Java's nose, Mustang runs him off. Mustang makes it quite clear that Rio belongs in his herd.
A little more work to keep Java separated from my horses yet give them all hours in larger pastures. Hopefully, they will eventually learn to get along.
When I first got Rio, who had been starved - I thought Mustang who had alone would welcome another horse. However, Mustang chased Rio around the arena, cornered him then bit his butt until it bled...which I don't want to happen to Lori's horse.
Eventually, Rio and Mustang became buddies but it took several weeks. I think Rio who is low in the pecking order would get along with Java so when the weather warms up Lori and I plan to work the two horses together.
I took Kody up to meet Java, my horse loving dog immediately licked his nose. Java shook his head then stepped back.
A coyote has been coming through my acreage on a daily basis -- which means I have to watch Cheyenne and Kody when they are playing in the arena. Yesterday, while I was paying more attention to Lori than my dogs the coyote ran by and my dogs took after it! Good thing Cheyenne has a bad hip because that was the only thing that stopped her from chasing the coyote. I love coyotes - and need them to keep the ground squirrel population in check but I shall have to be more vigilant watching my dogs.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
snow, sore joints and cats
This spring time in the Rockies is frustrating - here it is May 11 and Estes Park gets dumped on with 5 inches of wet snow - my third plantings of pansies are now on their way out. We have had more snow this spring than we had all winter.
This morning, my shepherd Cheyenne who loves the snow ran Kody around the arena several times - which is unusual because one of her hind legs has been bothering her so she hasn't felt like walking, never mind running - but then this evening she started limping. I've sent for some special herbs that are supposed to "fix" dog joints within ten days - we'll see if that works or not. As she already has a six inch metal plate in one back leg I'm not ready to go that route again.....not only the several thousand dollar cost of the surgery but it was a horrible experience for Cheyenne to go through. If the herbs don't work I shall ask the vet for pain medication. She is only 5 years old but her hind quarters have never been sturdy -
Skye, my Siamese mix with blue eyes is finally getting more loving toward me- Since I adopted Skye as an adult, I don't know her history only that she enjoys playing with Cloud, my one-eyed white cat and loves both Kody and Cheyenne but is terrified of every person except me. It has taken two years for Skye to come sit in my lap of her own accord - tho she likes me enough to sit next to my computer while I'm working.
Cloud, my one-eyed white cat who I also adopted as an adult plays with Skye, loves Cheyenne and lets Kody hump her but was also afraid of me - Finally, Cloud lets me hold her but she is nervous about it.
Damn the people who made these two wonderous beautiful cats so fearful of humans!
Last year when Skye was outside in the fenced yard she would constantly escape - I could not keep her inside the yard no matter how high the fence - this year Skye has been content to stay in the yard. In fact, I am now so confidant of her staying that I have taken down the extreme fencing which didn't keep her in anyway.
Maybe Skye finally accepts this place as home. Cloud never tried to escape - she knew a good home right from the beginning.
This morning, my shepherd Cheyenne who loves the snow ran Kody around the arena several times - which is unusual because one of her hind legs has been bothering her so she hasn't felt like walking, never mind running - but then this evening she started limping. I've sent for some special herbs that are supposed to "fix" dog joints within ten days - we'll see if that works or not. As she already has a six inch metal plate in one back leg I'm not ready to go that route again.....not only the several thousand dollar cost of the surgery but it was a horrible experience for Cheyenne to go through. If the herbs don't work I shall ask the vet for pain medication. She is only 5 years old but her hind quarters have never been sturdy -
Skye, my Siamese mix with blue eyes is finally getting more loving toward me- Since I adopted Skye as an adult, I don't know her history only that she enjoys playing with Cloud, my one-eyed white cat and loves both Kody and Cheyenne but is terrified of every person except me. It has taken two years for Skye to come sit in my lap of her own accord - tho she likes me enough to sit next to my computer while I'm working.
Cloud, my one-eyed white cat who I also adopted as an adult plays with Skye, loves Cheyenne and lets Kody hump her but was also afraid of me - Finally, Cloud lets me hold her but she is nervous about it.
Damn the people who made these two wonderous beautiful cats so fearful of humans!
Last year when Skye was outside in the fenced yard she would constantly escape - I could not keep her inside the yard no matter how high the fence - this year Skye has been content to stay in the yard. In fact, I am now so confidant of her staying that I have taken down the extreme fencing which didn't keep her in anyway.
Maybe Skye finally accepts this place as home. Cloud never tried to escape - she knew a good home right from the beginning.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Art Show & this and that
I have been too busy coordinating the annual Colorado Governor's Invitational Art Show to write this blog - plus a week before the opening night gala a tooth broke which required a temporary crown -- then the temp crown fell out two days before the show opening. Then my six year old computer froze on me the very night I needed it to create the show's price booklet.
It never fails that something major seems to happen close to opening night. Oh well, I got through it and opening night, April 23 was a huge success!
Nearly five-hundred people filled the two floors of the Loveland Museum to view 260 pieces of original paintings and sculpture by well known artists including, Kim English, Gerald Balciar, Sallie K. Smith, Ron Hicks, George Lundeen and Mark Thompson. So many artists and collectors attended that I got lost in the crowd - though Cowboy Artist of America, Herb Mignery and his wife were there, I never saw them. Good thing I was wearing my pink cowboy hat so volunteers could find me in the crowd.
An optimistic energy flowed throughout the gala evening - maybe the economy is turning around as our 2011 opening night art sales were $36,000 higher than 2010 opening night sales! And the show will continue to sell through its last day, June 5, 2011. Within a week of the show's opening we had sold an additional $25,000 worth of art.
Since my position as director/curator is judged on art sales - which have been great this year, I have job security for another year - and I can start thinking about marketing my children's picture book, The Mutt & the Mustang which will be out next month.
My first Mutt & the Mustang "literary" event will be Thursday, June 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm when I will be part of the Loveland Museum's Horse exhibit. Can't wait!
Beginning mid May I will be boarding a friend's 5 year old gelding - hope he will get along with my old horses. I had hoped to board a mare for my mustang who two years ago fell in love with a mare I was boarding. When the mare was trailered away, he ran along the fence line whinnying for her - then whinnied his sadness all night long - I know this because my neighbor whose house is closer to the corral than mine was awakened by Mustang's cries and was so concerned he got up in the middle of the night to check on my horse.
Eventually Mustang got over his sadness but the old horse and I have a lot in common - too many losses in both our lives.
It is May and snowing again!!!! I've killed more pansies because of jumping the weather gun and planting them too soon- currently, two dozen of the little velvet flowers are in my kitchen waiting for warmer weather...as are a grape plant and a blueberry plant. I am optimistic to even think those will grow in this rocky dry soil.
My spring resolve is to keep this blog more current --
It never fails that something major seems to happen close to opening night. Oh well, I got through it and opening night, April 23 was a huge success!
Nearly five-hundred people filled the two floors of the Loveland Museum to view 260 pieces of original paintings and sculpture by well known artists including, Kim English, Gerald Balciar, Sallie K. Smith, Ron Hicks, George Lundeen and Mark Thompson. So many artists and collectors attended that I got lost in the crowd - though Cowboy Artist of America, Herb Mignery and his wife were there, I never saw them. Good thing I was wearing my pink cowboy hat so volunteers could find me in the crowd.
An optimistic energy flowed throughout the gala evening - maybe the economy is turning around as our 2011 opening night art sales were $36,000 higher than 2010 opening night sales! And the show will continue to sell through its last day, June 5, 2011. Within a week of the show's opening we had sold an additional $25,000 worth of art.
Since my position as director/curator is judged on art sales - which have been great this year, I have job security for another year - and I can start thinking about marketing my children's picture book, The Mutt & the Mustang which will be out next month.
My first Mutt & the Mustang "literary" event will be Thursday, June 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm when I will be part of the Loveland Museum's Horse exhibit. Can't wait!
Beginning mid May I will be boarding a friend's 5 year old gelding - hope he will get along with my old horses. I had hoped to board a mare for my mustang who two years ago fell in love with a mare I was boarding. When the mare was trailered away, he ran along the fence line whinnying for her - then whinnied his sadness all night long - I know this because my neighbor whose house is closer to the corral than mine was awakened by Mustang's cries and was so concerned he got up in the middle of the night to check on my horse.
Eventually Mustang got over his sadness but the old horse and I have a lot in common - too many losses in both our lives.
It is May and snowing again!!!! I've killed more pansies because of jumping the weather gun and planting them too soon- currently, two dozen of the little velvet flowers are in my kitchen waiting for warmer weather...as are a grape plant and a blueberry plant. I am optimistic to even think those will grow in this rocky dry soil.
My spring resolve is to keep this blog more current --
Thursday, April 7, 2011
My picture Book, the Mutt & the Mustang springing to life
I've been really busy working on my children's picture book, The Mutt & the Mustang which is going to press overseas next week (April 10). The book should be stores in June. So far several bookstores and horse rescues have signed up to carry it. I was so impressed with a wild horse sanctuary in northern California which has 200 plus wild horses on 2,000 acres that after they ordered a few books for their gift shop I not only donated a book for their raffle but also donated a limited edition miniature bronze horse sculpture valued at $350. This is why I will never get rich -- I always give away more than I take in.
But one of the main reasons I wrote the Mutt & the Mustang is to help raise money for dog and horse rescues. So far none of the dog and cat rescues or humane societies have responded to my post card mailing to carry the book in their gift shops or on their webpages - tho I am offering them the same discount as book stores so they can use The Mutt & the Mustang to raise funds. Maybe they are waiting until the book comes out to carry it.
I know I need to have The Mutt & the Mustang on Amazon but as they charge 15% more than bookstores to sell it --that cuts into my profits so much that I'm wondering if it would be worth it - and there wouldn't be enough profit to donate to animal rescues.
I thought spring was in the air but then we had sustained 40 mph winds with gusts at 90 mph which took out 20 feet of my arena fencing. Not to worry, my neighbor Dan is going to help me put it back up today.
When the sun came out and the wind died down I got spring fever and planted pansies in my deck planters - unfortunately, thanks to an inch of icy snow the pansies didn't last a week. Every year I plant them too early but I can't help it - After months of winter I need to see their velvet smily faces.
The buck that has had the injured front foot since last January seems to be doing ok. All the bucks except one shed their antlers during February and March - wonder why a yearling still has his?
Elk antlers are starting to grow. Just watched three bull elk visiting my paint horse Rio over the fence. Rio sniffed the neck of one of them. One of the bucks jumped into the pasture with the horses and is cleaning up scraps of hay from morning feeding. My horses are so spoiled that they only eat the greenest leaves and stems so I don't mind the elk cleaning up their mess. The barn is closed so the elk can't get to the good stuff.
The annual Colorado Governor's Art show opens with a gala reception at the Loveland Museum within two weeks - As director/curator of this show I still have a lot to do before it opens from taking in art to PR to local newspapers - all the while keeping my fingers crossed that even though the economy is weak art sales will be strong. By the time the show ends on June 5 The Mutt & the Mustang should be here so I can spend a lot of the summer reading it to children at libraries and bookstores - which will be a fun way to spend the summer.
But one of the main reasons I wrote the Mutt & the Mustang is to help raise money for dog and horse rescues. So far none of the dog and cat rescues or humane societies have responded to my post card mailing to carry the book in their gift shops or on their webpages - tho I am offering them the same discount as book stores so they can use The Mutt & the Mustang to raise funds. Maybe they are waiting until the book comes out to carry it.
I know I need to have The Mutt & the Mustang on Amazon but as they charge 15% more than bookstores to sell it --that cuts into my profits so much that I'm wondering if it would be worth it - and there wouldn't be enough profit to donate to animal rescues.
I thought spring was in the air but then we had sustained 40 mph winds with gusts at 90 mph which took out 20 feet of my arena fencing. Not to worry, my neighbor Dan is going to help me put it back up today.
When the sun came out and the wind died down I got spring fever and planted pansies in my deck planters - unfortunately, thanks to an inch of icy snow the pansies didn't last a week. Every year I plant them too early but I can't help it - After months of winter I need to see their velvet smily faces.
The buck that has had the injured front foot since last January seems to be doing ok. All the bucks except one shed their antlers during February and March - wonder why a yearling still has his?
Elk antlers are starting to grow. Just watched three bull elk visiting my paint horse Rio over the fence. Rio sniffed the neck of one of them. One of the bucks jumped into the pasture with the horses and is cleaning up scraps of hay from morning feeding. My horses are so spoiled that they only eat the greenest leaves and stems so I don't mind the elk cleaning up their mess. The barn is closed so the elk can't get to the good stuff.
The annual Colorado Governor's Art show opens with a gala reception at the Loveland Museum within two weeks - As director/curator of this show I still have a lot to do before it opens from taking in art to PR to local newspapers - all the while keeping my fingers crossed that even though the economy is weak art sales will be strong. By the time the show ends on June 5 The Mutt & the Mustang should be here so I can spend a lot of the summer reading it to children at libraries and bookstores - which will be a fun way to spend the summer.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Two 1,000 pound bull elk want my horse's hay
I spent the morning in Ft. Collins running errands and working with my graphic designer on The Mutt & the Mustang children's picture book - Pat's illustrations are beautiful - I'm so excited because the book is coming together so great!
Weather is in the forties but my driveway is still drifted closed so had to carry groceries, cartons of posters and raffle tickets for the governor's art show farther than I like - opened the kitchen door to discover water leaking from the ceiling probably all afternoon.
I called my neighbor, Dan, who came over to help access the damage - ceiling doesn't look so good but the roof is fine - the leak coming in around an air vent in the roof which Dan will be caulked tomorrow after it warms up. When Dan was on the roof cleaning the rest of the snow off, a dozen deer friends ran off like they were being chased by a cougar.
Took Cheyenne and Kody up to the arena so Kody could get in his daily ride on Raven and was pleasantly surprised to see two bull elk with enormous antlers sleeping just above the arena. Kody rode Raven but I couldn't let Cheyenne run around the arena excercising Kody because of the elk.
A few minutes later, I looked out the window to see one elk about to enter the barn - the other elk was already inside the barn scarfing up left over hay from the horses. I ran up to the barn and hit it with my walking stick - both elk came out but would not leave. I knew they were just waiting for me to leave so they could get back inside - both horses were galloping around the arena spooked.
I closed the barn up except there is a door missing which I knew they would immediately enter - so I nailed a quilt across it but realized that wasn't going to stop a 1000 pound animal from breaking into my barn.
Called my neighbor, Dan again --Blowing a whistle and shaking plastic bags at the elk, Dan chased them off my property --then he carried the heavy door that used to be on the barn from the garage up to the barn and set in place (to be hinged tomorrow) - so the barn should be safe overnight.
A couple of years ago when snow was 3 feet deep and the elk were starving, a bull elk attacked a horse in a corral trying to steal its hay. I don't want that to happen to Rio or Raven -- So fed them in the loafing shed right after Dan chased the bulls away.
An hour after Dan chased the elk away, they are back!!! - laying down above the arena with their eyes glued to the barn. The horses are finished eating so they should be safe overnight -
In the morning I may have to fight off elk with my bull whip so my horses can eat. Had to do that a few years ago in deep snow - NOT FUN!
Because of high winds the snow has drifted I am no longer feeling pleasant about having bull elk visitors.
I hope I don't have to start baby sitting my horses while they eat morning, noon and night - I have enough to do without adding another chore.
Time to forget about elk and relax.
Weather is in the forties but my driveway is still drifted closed so had to carry groceries, cartons of posters and raffle tickets for the governor's art show farther than I like - opened the kitchen door to discover water leaking from the ceiling probably all afternoon.
I called my neighbor, Dan, who came over to help access the damage - ceiling doesn't look so good but the roof is fine - the leak coming in around an air vent in the roof which Dan will be caulked tomorrow after it warms up. When Dan was on the roof cleaning the rest of the snow off, a dozen deer friends ran off like they were being chased by a cougar.
Took Cheyenne and Kody up to the arena so Kody could get in his daily ride on Raven and was pleasantly surprised to see two bull elk with enormous antlers sleeping just above the arena. Kody rode Raven but I couldn't let Cheyenne run around the arena excercising Kody because of the elk.
A few minutes later, I looked out the window to see one elk about to enter the barn - the other elk was already inside the barn scarfing up left over hay from the horses. I ran up to the barn and hit it with my walking stick - both elk came out but would not leave. I knew they were just waiting for me to leave so they could get back inside - both horses were galloping around the arena spooked.
I closed the barn up except there is a door missing which I knew they would immediately enter - so I nailed a quilt across it but realized that wasn't going to stop a 1000 pound animal from breaking into my barn.
Called my neighbor, Dan again --Blowing a whistle and shaking plastic bags at the elk, Dan chased them off my property --then he carried the heavy door that used to be on the barn from the garage up to the barn and set in place (to be hinged tomorrow) - so the barn should be safe overnight.
A couple of years ago when snow was 3 feet deep and the elk were starving, a bull elk attacked a horse in a corral trying to steal its hay. I don't want that to happen to Rio or Raven -- So fed them in the loafing shed right after Dan chased the bulls away.
An hour after Dan chased the elk away, they are back!!! - laying down above the arena with their eyes glued to the barn. The horses are finished eating so they should be safe overnight -
In the morning I may have to fight off elk with my bull whip so my horses can eat. Had to do that a few years ago in deep snow - NOT FUN!
Because of high winds the snow has drifted I am no longer feeling pleasant about having bull elk visitors.
I hope I don't have to start baby sitting my horses while they eat morning, noon and night - I have enough to do without adding another chore.
Time to forget about elk and relax.
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