Monday, November 30, 2009
Let 'em Run Letters
Dear Readers,
Your letters are beginning to get to me, but if you haven't already sent me a letter to take to BLM's Dec. 7th meeting, please do!
The meeting will be streaming live and you can watch me read your name, age and location aloud.
In fact, I'm thinking that if you want to email me a letter, I can print it out and put it in its own enveloped with your NAME, AGE, LOCATION on the outside, and just submit them into evidence after that. K?
Hugs to you,
Terri
p.s. Paula in Mo. just sent me a card saying nice things, including that she hopes I can be the wild horses' Secret Santa :)
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Sunday, November 29, 2009
Dogs like Pie. They do. Really.
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Terri Farley @ 8:29 PM
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Wild Horse Poetry
Dear Readers,
Lots of you have asked me for the lyrics to the song I have on PHANTOMSTALLION.COM, so here they are.
Let 'em Run Lacy J. Dalton/ from CD WILD HORSE CROSSING
Up in Storey County where the wild ponies run
And the gold was mined that fueled the civil war
There's a fierce but friendly people
And if you ask 'em to a one, they'll tell you
There's still a lotta things worth fighting for
Up in Storey County the Mustangs still run free
The eagle soars above the Pinion pines
And these horses stand for something
That is precious and more rare
Than all the silver and the gold from them ol' mines
CHORUS:
So let 'em run
Let them wild ponies run
Don't you brand 'em, don’t you break 'em
Don't you let the killers
Take a single one – Let 'em runBRIDGE:
In a world where fences
Scar the earth
From sun to risin' sun
There's still a few proud places left
Where they let the wild things run
Let 'em run
Up in Storey County in the high Nevada hills
Freedom rides the wayward western wind
And the Mustang is a symbol
With its wild and fiery will
Of the way the west will never be again
CHORUS:
So let 'em run
Let them wild ponies run
Don't you brand 'em, don't you break 'em
Don't you let the killers
Take a single one – Let 'em runLet them wild ponies run
Don't you brand 'em, don't you break 'em
Don't you let the killers
Take a single one – Let 'em run
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Saturday, November 28, 2009
What did you think of Sam's blog?
Just curious,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 3:16 PM
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Role model: Saskatchewan
Small Canadian pony herd gets legal protection
November 28, 2009
A small herd of ponies dating back more than a century has been granted formal protection by the government of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
The new law, passed unanimously, affords protection to the few remaining ponies in Bronson Forest, in the province's northwest.
The animals are believed to be descended from the workshorses used by pioneers and First Nations people.
The herd size has dwindled in recent years to 40, mainly due to the animals being shot.
The Bronson Forest population is believed to be the only wild horse herd in Saskatchewan.
The only other wild horses in Canada known to have legal protection are the Sable Island horses in Nova Scotia.
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Terri Farley @ 9:54 AM
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Friday, November 27, 2009
Please share your thoughts
What do wild horses mean to you?
Reporters have asked me why people who live far away from mustangs care about them.
Can you please help me explain?
Best,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 9:47 AM
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Thursday, November 26, 2009
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy & Confusing Thanksgiving News
Dear Readers,
First the GOOD NEWS:
The Calico Mountain round-up has been delayed a few weeks due to a lawsuit filed by members of the Animal Law Coalition to protect wild horses from "capture, ...harassment and death" in the Black Rock Ranges, the Calico Mountains, the Granite Range and Warm Springs Canyon.
Lots of you have ridden this trail with me before so you know the horses need your letters and artwork. Here's an example why: While we've been worrying about horses on the Calico range, the BLM trapped 1200 wild ones in Wyoming!
Confusing news: BLM recently approved more livestock grazing on some of the above ranges because of the
improved condition of the range.
And the reason the horses were supposed to be removed -- wait for it -- because of
deteriorating range conditions!
Anyone see a contradiction?
Have a happy Thanksgiving and watch for my newsletter, early!
Terri
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A note to you
Viggo Mortensen says: “Thanks to all who have contacted their government representatives on behalf of mustangs, those unique animals that are living symbols of the nation's heritage and character."
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Terri Farley @ 3:18 PM
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Monday, November 23, 2009
Sing LOUD
Dear Readers,
I got permission from
LacyjDalton to put her LET 'EM RUN on as opening music on
PhantomStallion.com It should be required listening for anyone who doesn't "get" wild horses.
Turn it loud and sing along!
Read & Rock on,
Terri
Lacy & her horse ----->
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Terri Farley @ 6:05 PM
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Fiesta de la Brain
Dear Reader/Writers,
A writer's brain is always trying to spin stories. When I give writng workshops, I sometimes mention the glory of MIS-hearing things and letting my brain make creaive sense of it.
That happened again this morning. I'm not sure what was said on the radio, but what I heard wouldn't have fit the context.
I heard "flotsam adolescents".
What a perfect term for teens left flailing after a family disaster. I'm using it!
Let your brain run free and, oh yeah, KEEP SWIMMING!
Terri
P.S. If you're not sure of the difference between flotsam & jetsam (not the LITTLE MERMAID eels!) here's the Wikki def--
jetsam has been voluntarily cast into the sea
flotsam describes goods that are floating on the water without having been thrown in deliberately, often after a shipwreck
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Sunday, November 22, 2009
Heart too full to know what to say?
Dear Readers,
That's me, delivering hand written and horse decorated letters from my readers who have a HEART FOR HORSES to Senator Harry Reid, a few years ago.
But the horses are still in trouble, and we need to do it again, this time directly to the BLM.
HOWEVER ----- I'm hearing from lots of you who want to stand up for the horses, but doing know what to say.
Here's a sample letter you may modify to fit your thoughts and feelings. Please feel free to share it with your friends, parents and teachers.
Dear Secretary Salazar:
The Bureau of Land Management has rounded-up thousands of America's wild horses. Now, it may kill them. Over and over again Americans have said their horses must run free, but that hasn't stopped BLM from saying that killing wild horses is a “magic bullet for budget problems."
Instead if spending millions of dollars on flashy helicopter round-ups, please halt all round-ups until independent observors can assess range conditions and take accurate counts of wild and domestic animals on the land.
Don't hope our wild horses can balance the budget with their lives.
I want them to still be roaming free when I finally get the chance to see them.
Sincerely,
Your name & your age Letters can be mailed to:
Terri Farley, 565 California Avenue, Reno, Nevada 89509 and I will deliver them for you.
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Terri Farley @ 10:45 AM
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Change for Wild Horses
Dear Readers,
A hand-written letter has more impact, but you can also send a note to President Obama about
change for wild horsesStand up and speak out,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 3:24 AM
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Real Phantom was lucky
Before his capture, this stallion, whispered about as the Phantom before my books were written, roamed the rangelands of Nevada.
Displaced by housing and traffic, harassed by packs of pet dogs, his herd dwindled to a single mare and foal. Then, they were captured.
The Phantom is safe at a 5,000 acre sanctuary, but his wild family is in danger.
I promise to hand carry your letters to BLM's wild horse advisory board on Dec. 7 if you get them to me in time.
Regret causes heartache. Ask for a moratorium on wild horse gathers and don't let the West's mustangs pass into extinction without taking a stand.
Letters can be mailed to:
Terri Farley, 565 California Avenue, Reno, Nevada 89509
Best,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 8:34 AM
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Thursday, November 19, 2009
LET 'EM RUN !
Dear Readers,
Stampeded by helicopters, slammed into metal pens, torn from families when their hearts and heads say safety is with the herd, our wild horses have been robbed of their homelands and forced to stand dull-eyed in pens, awaiting the slaughter that the Bureau of Land Management says will come.
It's going on today. Tomorrow. The next day.
And it's done in my name and yours as if it's the will of the American people, despite the cost, the lack of a clearly stated plan and our continued protests that this is NOT what we want.
That's why my name is on a letter to President Obama and Congress.
You can see the entire
list of horse advocates and agencies which have signed on.
Our most immediate request is that ALL ROUND-UPS MUST STOP until accurate numbers of horses and livestock are available and range conditions are evaluated by independent observers.
Want to help me help the horses?
Here's how:
1. Write a letter (feel free to use anything I've written to support your opinion).
Speak your mind; no one can do that for you. 2. Include your first name, age, and where you live (city, state, country)
3.Mail your letters to Terri Farley, 565 California Avenue, Reno, Nevada 89509
4.I will stand up at the BLM meeting on Dec. 7, make a quick statement, then start reading the names, ages, and city/state/countries of those speaking for mustang freedom.
5. I will be allowed 3-5 minutes speaking time & my goal is to read your names until they cut me off.
Let's give the horses something to be thankful for,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 7:46 AM
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Mothering a Stranger
Dear Readers,
If you'd like to read the story of a "fierce" farm dog adopting an abandoned piglet, click
here.
Grimmer news tomorrow, but you can help.
Grab your pens and sharpen your pencils, cowgirls.
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 6:20 AM
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Beautiful horse: 18 cents/lb.
Dear Readers,
This is very sad.
Click
here to see a photo of an auctioned Standardbred gelding sold for slaughter.
The photo was taken by race rider Alex Brown, a trustworthy source.
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 6:36 PM
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Sunday, November 15, 2009
Things are not always what they seem
Dear Readers,
What if you rescued a starving horse, and your neighbors thought YOU were to blame for the sad-looking animal?
Adopting a Malnourished Horse
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Terri Farley @ 8:19 AM
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Saturday, November 14, 2009
On the Road
Here's a fun & flattering write-up of my visit to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Workshop in Seattle
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Terri Farley @ 9:42 PM
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Friday, November 13, 2009
Hold Your Horses
Dear Readers,
I'm going to be kinda crazed doing a workshop today, so I thought you'd forgive me if I wrote just a bit & shared an oldie-but-goodie photo with you. Again.
Horses are for hugging,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 6:16 AM
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wild Horse Redemption
Dear Readers,
I just got a glimpse, but it looks as if WILD HORSE REDEMPTION will be on Animal Planet tonight at 8 p.m.
This is one special which proves documentaries don't have to be boring. Briefly,
it's a about a wild horse prison program. Convicted criminals have 90 days to gentle wild horses. Most of the inmates who volunteer for the program have never even ridden a horse and are not used to facing something as wild and dangerous as themselves.
Enjoy,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 10:07 AM
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Honoring Veterans and the Horses They Rode in On
Dear Readers,
Today is the last day to send your emails to Robert_Abbey@blm.gov stating your opinion of BLM's plan to round up 2,500 mustangs from the Calico Range, home of the fictional Phantom and the wild horses which inspired me to write about him.
Do you remember a description of a stallion the color of pale orange sherbet? The Calico Range is where I saw him and my first wild grulla.
Please write to BLM and tell them that you want YOUR horses to run free. Continued huge round-ups will make the wild horse extinct in my lifetime.
Please take a minute to tell BLM what you think.
Counting on you,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 7:00 PM
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One World, Everybody Eats
Dear Readers,
I'm in Salt Lake City for a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference and right after Sydney Salter (go
HERE to enter contests and read about her books) picked me up from the airport, we went to a really interesting place for lunch.
If you've read my blog for a while, you know that I don't write about restaurants, but
ONE WORLD, EVERYBODY EATS is different.
It is open seven days a week and you pay think the healthy, tasty food is worth.
If you don't have enough to pay for your meal, you can wash dishes or volunteer to work for what you eat.
The restaurant even has a motto: A hand up, not a hand out.
I like it,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 2:58 PM
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Sunday, November 08, 2009
Book Worms: please help!
I'm writing from drizzly Seattle, where scarlet leaves flap strong against wind & downpours.
In coffee shops, writers' workshop, booksignings & schools, people are talking about books written for young readers. No, it would be more accurate to say lots of us are trying to read the minds of readers under 21! I'll be giving two more writers' workshops for people writing books you might love or hate, so please help me pass on YOUR opinions by answering one or more of these questions!
1. What are the best and worst books you've read lately?
2. Are there any book trends you love or hate? 3. If you found your dream book on your bed, waiting to be read, what would it be about? How would it make you feel? Readers rock,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 11:16 PM
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Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Sharing Book Worlds
Dear Readers,
Lots of you have been asking when I'll put up an Amazon Author page, so I've finally got one up & running. I haven't updated it recently, but you can feel free to chime in there & answer questions from other readers if you see them!
Here it is:
Amazon Author Page C Ya there soon,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 4:00 AM
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Monday, November 02, 2009
Horses for Heroes
Dear Readers,
If you haven't heard about this wonderful campaign to help wounded veterans recover through equine therapy, please check it out:
Horses for HeroesNext week when I'm doing school visits in Washington, we'll be writing letters to some of the veterans using horses in this way.
I've also learned that there are MUSTANGS in the program and will be telling you more about them, soon.
Have a great Monday,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 7:16 AM
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Sunday, November 01, 2009
Tracking Down a Wild Stallion
Dear Readers,
I am running around like crazy trying to a) get my Nov. 1 newsletter out to you
b) get ready for my trips to Seattle and Salt Lake City and lots more,
H O W E V E R I know many of you are having trouble finding several books to complete your collections of PHANTOM STALLION books, especially THE RENEGADE, and one of my wonderful readers has tipped me off to a place where you might have good luck!
She said that that online store has THE RENEGADE, RAIN DANCE and others. Plus, the people are really nice!
So, please feel free to give this a try:
HORSE ON COURSEReading & READERS rock!
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 9:37 PM
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