When Childhood Dreams Come True

by Helen Lacey

Last week, I had a flash back to my eight year old self who had re-read My Friend Flicka for the countless time and then spent days begging her parents for a pony. Anyone who knows me, knows that horses are a huge part of my life. 

As a child I read Black Beauty over and over. And the Silver Brumby series. I watched Follyfoot on the TV and loved Mr. Ed. I had a shelf filled with picture books and would stay up late when I had the chance to watch the international showjumping.

I did actually get a horse when I was thirteen. He taught me patience and responsibility and we were together for twelve years. 

In the last ten years my husband and I have owned several more horses, but last week, a new pony arrived. Her name is Pepper and in some ways, she feels like the horse of my heart. Is there such a thing? I’m not sure. I guess it’s how some dogs seem to resonate more to our emotions than others. 

Pepper is thirteen and very sweet. She was. Little nervous for the first few days, no doubt because of her new environment and routine, but she has settled in so well.

I write about horses a lot and try to keep it as real as possible. I never have my hero’s astride black stallions etc (because in the real world, I don’t know anyone who rides a stallion outside of the competition ring and stallions are nothing but trouble, since all they think about are girl ponies). And I love being able to share this part of my life with my readers.

But yesterday morning I was at the paddock feeding the horses and I looked at Pepper and wished I could go back and tell that eight year old girl who loved My Friend Flicka, that one day I would be standing beside a pretty chestnut mare with a loving nature and who I know will be a friend for life.

Is there anything you would like to go back and tell your younger self?

Montana Mountain High

by Bronwyn Jameson

For as long as I can remember I’ve been mad about horses. Despite being a somewhat timid and bookish child, I managed to gather enough courage to pester my parents incessantly for a pony. It took many years of pestering – okay, so my temerity may have meant I didn’t nag hard enough in the early years – but eventually my persistence was rewarded.

That first pony was named Creamy and I loved her with complete devotion. The only thing better than setting off for a long ride on my pony, was stuffing a book into the waistband of my jeans (so my Dad wouldn’t notice; he did not approve of this multi-tasking.) I would stop somewhere along the way and read while Creamy grazed or napped. The happiest of happy days.

Through my teenage years I progressed to Sooty then Jimmy and finally Cerise. My last riding horse before university. My devotion didn’t wane, but it took a sabbatical and while we still own horses they are not saddle horses. I’ve ridden my sister’s horses, driven our horses, and taken an occasional trail ride while on holidays. And as the years passed, the idea of a holiday devoted to nothing but horse-riding rose to the top of my Bucket List.

In June I did just that, at a Montana dude-ranch. My assigned horse was a dude named Woodrow and we spent a wonderful week riding mountain trails and loping across high-country pastures. It was everything my horsemad-teenage-heart could have wished for. With rustic cabin accommodation. A cowgirl hat. And pie.

Day 1: Meeting Woodrow

Day 2: on the trail

Day 3: with Emigrant Peak as a backdrop

Day 4: hay-ride with these big Belgian beauties

Day 5: the high country

Boots off, my cabin home

Pie anyone?

Do you have a "bucket list"?  Is there one thing right at the top of your list, or one thing you've longed to do/try with a backstory dating back to your childhood?

Release Day.....The Cattleman's Proposal

Today is release day for the first book in my indie published The Men of Mulhany Crossing series.

The Cattleman's Proposal was a labour of love...because it's about cowboys and horses - two of my favourite things.

Here's the blurb -

Joley McBride had no interest in Nate Garrigan…even though he’d made it crystal clear that he wanted her. The rich and handsome rancher was the kind of man she'd sworn off years ago. But now, part of her beloved flying school was in his hands and Joley would do anything to get it back—including agree to his arrogant demand that she spend a month on his isolated cattle property. 

Still feeling the sting of a bitter divorce, Nate knew what he wanted—a wife, children and a life void of any romantic nonsense. And he wanted it with the spirited and beautiful Joley McBride. With the help of a little blackmail, he might just get it. Only, he hadn’t anticipated that Joley would challenge his logical approach to relationships and unexpectedly touch his toughened heart. 

The series revolves around four friends who've known one another since they were kids. Four very different men with different lives, but who have two things in common - their love for their small town and their enduring friendship.

The idea for the series started several years ago when I was discussing relationships with a friend of my husband. They've known one another for over thirty years and it interested me to see them together. They often don't see or speak to each other for a year or so, but when they do talk they have a quick catch up on the past and then get stuck straight into the now. In true male-friend style. There are no wasted words, no long winded explanations, no judgements...it's a very in-the-moment friendship and it quickly got me thinking that I wanted to explore that theme in my books. And the Men of Mulhany Crossing were born. 

I think friendships end or endure because they are about choice. You know that old saying....you get to choose your friends not your family. Perhaps that's why when we find a friend who is a true kindred spirit we work hard to keep them. 

Do you have a friendship that has spanned years or decades? Or perhaps someone new? Someone who you met and just 'clicked' with straight away? 

I have an eCopy of The Cattleman's Proposal to give away to one commenter.

Amazon

www.helenlacey.com 

 

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