Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sunday Morning Crow
Dear Readers,
I have a varied past with roosters.
One of my earliest memories is of my dog Bootsy grabbing the wing of a rooster who'd flown spurs ready for action, into my face. My mother called Bootsy off and the rooster wasn't injured, but he strutted alongside me, not at me after that.
My Verdi house came with a coop & a dozen Rhode Island Red hens named Gretchen. All of them.
But I rescued a fighting cock and we christened him Chicken George Wallace Beery. My son's first "word" , standing up and bouncing in his crib was er-er-er= ERRRR, not Mama or Dada.
So, I was inclined to like Jill Alexander's book, THE SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY. I'm also a fan of skillfully sketched setting and characters with backbone. This book has those , too. It's much more than a chicken tale :)
Read it. And if you know any young person having a tough time fitting into his or her own skin, leave it out where they'll find it. I haven't met Jill, but I'll be looking for her next book.
Reading rocks,
Terri
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Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Writing Life in California
Writer's Days “Books and Beyond: How to Make a Living (and a Life) as a Writer”
DATE: April 21, 2012 - April 22, 2012
CONTACT: Lee Wind
LOCATION/TIME: Clairbourn School, 8400 Huntington Drive, San Gabriel. 8:00am to 5:00pm
FEATURING
Stacey Barney, editor (Putnam/Penguin),
Michael Bourret, agent (Dystel & Goderich),
Terri Farley, author
And many more experts to be announced
Professional forum sessions on contracts and taxes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Annual Conference Scholarship Contest for Writers
Sue Alexander Service and Encouragement Award (SASE)
Writing contests
And more!
AND
A BRAND NEW second day of intensives (with limited registration)!
WORKSHOPS
Revision with Stacey Barney, editor (Putnam/Penguin),
Pitching with Michael Bourret, agent (Dystel & Goderich)
Novel Writing with Terri Farley, author of all 24 books in the Phantom Stallion middle grade series
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Friday, January 13, 2012
My Ghost Dancer
Dear Readers,
It's been a long time since I've seen this beautiful Medicine Hat mare from the Calico Mountains and since I was longing to see her, I thought you might be, too!
Tomorrow -- Sage!
Reading rocks,
Terri
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Terri Farley @ 11:35 PM
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Sunday, January 01, 2012
GOOD New Year News from Palomino
Watching Honey Bandit and the horses, I sometimes get
overwhelmed wondering how we can keep going. There are times when it
seems impossible and that we will never make it. I know there are so
many rescues out there, trying desperately to make a difference for the
wild ones, giving everything they have to make that tiny difference. So
many of them are out there running on fumes, (especially some of the
smaller ones), and fretting every day about where the next bale of hay,
bucket of grain, or supplies in general will come from. There are times
when I think that we will never make it, when it is hopeless, and I
want to sit and cry. Then out of the blue, something happens, and you know it will be all right!
Keeping the faith is so crucial when you are doing this, and I know
that there are many others who go through times feeling the same
helplessness and frustration. Honey Bandit is truly one of God's
miracles, and I know that I need to keep the faith, as HB's survival is
truly a "God" thing. The fact that He led me to HB and we were able to
get him out of there is simply a miracle. Honey Bandit today is
because of ya'll, and all the support you gave us. He wouldn't be here
today if not for that, and we thank you from the bottom our hearts!
I was given a
personal gift from a wonderful friend at Christmas. I was stoked, and
planned to use it to buy hay. My son and I were in Redding, and met a
man who was struggling much more than we. He had three kids and was out
of funds, even for the necessities like groceries. We shared some of
the gift my friend had given me, stopping only for a minute to think
about the hay. The joy on his face as he rushed away to buy groceries
was the best gift my son and I received this holiday season. (I really
hadn't done anything, it wasn't like I earned the money, I was just
blessed enough to be able to pass it on to someone who really needed it
more). It is amazing how a simple act of kindness can snowball to bring
joy to more and more people.
Then a few days later, we received a huge blessing. :) 
Yeehaw!!!! MATT, the manager at the LOWES in REDDING, California, made a donation of lumber for Honey Bandit's "Winter Warm and Dry" project. ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS SUCCESS! We can't thank him enough. Please make sure the next time you are in Redding to stop by LOWE'S, and TELL 'EM HONEY BANDIT SENT YOU!
I definitely cannot say enough about the way everyone in this area
steps up. This is such a great community and we are extremely grateful
that LOWES is such a strong supporter of our community and HONEY BANDIT.
The lumber he donated made it possible to put up posts to hang up
gates and for us to start on a hay shelter. Our wonderful neighbor
down the road also donated some
roofing a few months ago, so now we can actually start to build the hay
shelter. We have been so lucky with the weather. There have been many
days with extremely cold temps where all the water was frozen, but we
have yet to see any serious weather of any kind. PTL!
So thank you
again, Lowes, and Matt, (Manager "extraordinaire"), and all your
employees, for making it possible to continue working on the facilities
needed to make this winter "Warm and Dry" and safe for the rescued
animals that live here. We still have so much to accomplish, and each
step is not only a huge relief, but an extremely vital part of having a
safe and successful rescue for the critters.
Don't forget to
bring the kids and come visit Honey Bandit, Dabubbles and the rest of
the gang. If it's snowing we will just build a big bonfire to stay
warm and bring out the hot chocolate. God bless everyone for all their
help and for helping us to "keep the faith". Have a wonderful and safe
New Year! And remember, a random act of kindness may be the start of a
huge change in someone's life!
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