Wabi Sabi

Sunday Morning Crow

2012-01-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

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

The Writing Life in California

2012-01-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

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

Box lunch included. Details and registration posted mid-January at www.scbwisocal.org

My Ghost Dancer

2012-01-13T23:35:00.002-07:00

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

GOOD New Year News from Palomino

2012-01-01T09:34:00.001-07:00

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!

a Friday poem

2011-12-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Waking on the Farm

by Robert Bly

I can remember the early mornings—how the stubble,
A little proud with frost, snapped as we walked.

How the John Deere tractor hood pulled heat
Away from our hands when we filled it with gas.

And the way the sun brought light right out of the
      ground.
It turned on a whole hill of stubble as easily as a single
      stone.

Breathing seemed frail and daring in the morning.
To pull in air was like reading a whole novel.

The angleworms, turned up by the plow, looked
Uneasy like shy people trying to avoid praise.

For a while we had goats. They were like turkeys
Only more reckless. One butted a red Chevrolet.

When we washed up at noon, we were more ordinary.
But the water kept something in it of the early
      morning.

I See That Cookie in Your Podium: Classroom Sanity Suggestions

2011-12-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

Classroom chaos during the last days before and first days after the holidays isn't something I've forgotten.
As a teacher, I tried to retain control and stay NICE. It took lots of cookies to make me think I was succeeding.

I just heard from two teachers who held off the crazies like this:
My December newsletter features Chapter 1 of a new book INTO THE WIND. They read it aloud (even high school kids like storytime), then had the kids take the survey at the end of the chapter. One teacher did this in the school's computer lab. The other used it to teacher his students consensus-building and he entered responses.
If you do this, I will eagerly read what students have to say and write back.
Here's the link: http://phantomstallion.com/dec11.shtml

Wild Horse Annie's Legacy

2011-12-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
Last night, people around the world honored Velma "Wild Horse Annie" Johnston for rounding up children and adults nationwide to get their members of Congress to pass legal protection for mustangs.

Last night we placed candles around a memorial stone and wished we could tell Annie that the mustangs were safe, but they would have been a lie.

Last night we studied the art on Annie's gravestone. A wild mare chased to a cliff's edge stares into the abyss. The young one behind her will follow her unless the stallion at the rear neighs a command. Is he staring back at the enemy, deciding to fight? Is he looking back for our help?

Whoever selected the art for Annie's grave knew the West's wild horses weren't out of danger.
We need to stand watch and stand up for the last of our wild horses.
During the holidays, let your friends and relatives know the wild horses are disappearing. Talk about the millions on millions of tax dollars wasted on cruelty and USE FACTS!
Put this link in your favorites http://wildhorsepreservation.org/ , read up on wild horse news and check back often.
You CAN do it !

A Mustang Looks Back for You

2011-12-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers, all around the world tonight, people will celebrate the anniversary of the Wild Horse and Burro act. As someone who met Wild Horse Annie, I can tell you she wouldn't be happy at how we've allowed the intent of the law to be trampled by BLM. Every day, U.S. taxes paying to end our horses freedom. Look at Annie's gravestone, above. See the very last desperate horse looking back /-- for you.

Click this link to discover where you can join others for a candlelight vigil

http://keeptheirlightshining.wordpress.com

“I SAT DOWN WITH WILD HORSE ANNIE TODAY”

I sat down with Wild Horse Annie today. We had quite the conversation. I complained of how convoluted her law had become, how it was now a life sentence for the very animals it was intended to protect. She listened quietly, never uttering a word. “ We really need your help.” I told her. She offered no reply.
The grass surrounding us was cool & refreshing, the day warm & clear. I closed my eyes and imagined a band of wild horses grazing peacefully nearby. How fitting it would have been. But alas ! Imaginings are nothing more than imaginings. There were no wild horses and Wild Horse Annie was not going to answer.
Beside me was a small and unassuming grave marker. In that, it was much like the woman buried there. Beneath the name Velma B. Johnston, Wild Horse Annie, and the dates March 5, 1912 – June 27, 1977 were three mustangs, running wild and free. As I ran my fingers across the relief and looked closer at the image, I realized there was something unexpectedly ominous portrayed there.
The running mustang trio had reached the edge of a dangerous precipice with no choice left but to jump. The last of the three is rearing and looking over his shoulder as if deciding whether to fight or flee. Tears started flowing when I put the scene in the context of the battle we’re waging today. I started sobbing like a crazy fool and blurted out, “ Help me! I don’t know what else to do.”
It was then that a voice came to me, a strong but gentle whisper in my ear.

“FIGHT” it said, “ FIGHT LIKE A WILD STALLION.”

Story and photo by Carrol Abel

Lilac Sunday (I love this poem)

2011-12-14T13:05:00.001-07:00

Lilac Sunday

by Diana Der-Hovanessian

Let us agree to meet
here some winter
when the park

gates are locked,
and the arches thinned
of their vaulting green

to climb the wall,
thaw the icicles
and watch the rain

like flowering
cherry and lilacs
that kissed your hair;

some winter
when the fog is heavy,—
to return to this light.

INTO THE WIND --

2011-12-12T17:08:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers, On the first day I saw Ghost Dancer in the BLM corrals, fresh off the Calico Mountain range, she gave me her story. I've been writing it ever since, and I'm sharing Chapter One of INTO THE WIND in my newsletter.
This December newsletter drops nto emailboxes around the world at midnight Pacific time. If you'd like to read it, there's still time to register, here: http://phantomstallion.com/newsletter.shtml
Interestingly, Dancer wasn't in a mare corral. I assumed -- as did Mark Terrell, the photographer who took this photo -- that the beautiful Medicine Hat horse was a young stallion. She was, after all, in a stallion pen, but she stood alone, a sacred symbol standing amid the dung, and the others kept their distances.
Some of you know I bought Dancer, a "sale authority" horse. She could have legally gone to slaughter. Instead, she roams 5,000 acres of the Wild Horse Sanctuary in Shingletown, California.

I hope you enjoy the first pages of her story, even if she does play them as a boy!
Best,
Terri

40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE WILD FREE ROAMING HORSES AND BURROS ACT

2011-12-08T13:51:00.005-07:00

An invitation to join us
in a candlelight vigil paying tribute to the

40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE WILD FREE ROAMING HORSES AND BURROS ACT

RENO, NEVADA will join 29 US cities from San Francisco to Central Park, Canada, Sweden, and England in an international candlelight vigil on Thursday, December 15, 2011 from 4 to 6:30 pm.

Join singer/songwriter, Lacy J Dalton, in honoring Wild Horse Annie and the horses and burros she fought so hard to protect. We will be lighting 148 candles, one for each horse that died due to the Calico Complex roundup of 2010 and to protest the newest Calico roundup taking place as we speak.

WHERE: We have the honor of holding our candlelight vigil at Velma Johnston's ( Wild Horse Annie's) grave site.
Mountain View Cemetery at 435 Stoker Ave. just north of 4th St. in Reno.
Be sure to use the main entrance. The road will take you to the main office,look south toward the giant white cross.
We should be the only group of people in the cemetery at that time (they are keeping the gates open just for us.)

WHEN: Thursday, December 15, 2011 - Meet and greet at
4:00 pm - Lighting of 148 candles at sundown.

NOTE: Hot chocolate will be provided. You might want to bring a lawn chair, a blanket, and some hand warmers. Though we will have 148 flameless tea lights, please bring your own candle to hold ( flameless is preferred , but not required).
Donations to cover the $120 cost of supplies and overtime wages to keep the
gates open are welcome.

Workshops with Parking Lot Guarantee

2011-11-11T22:28:00.007-07:00

What's a parking lot guarantee?
I promise you won't be able to wait til you get home to start trying writing tips from these workshops!

November 12
Teens - Creative Writing Series with author Terri Farley

Terri Farley is the author of the ALA honored fantasy Seven Tears into the Sea, the Phantom Stallion, the Wild Horse Island series, and many nonfiction magazine articles. Her books have sold over two million copies worldwide. Join us for this hands-on, 2-part creative writing series and you will have the opportunity to learn from a pro!
* Writing Your Wildest Dreams, Part I, November 12: In this fast-paced, energetic workshop, you'll discover how your own senses, memories and creativity can jump-start your imagination.
* Writing Your Wildest Dreams, Part II: November 19: Brainstorm adventures filled with places you want to go and beings you long to encounter (or not), then add enough conflict to leave even you breathless and you're on your way to living a story only you can write.
* Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
* Location: Downtown Library, 270 Forest Avenue
* You must register for each part separately - Part 1 and Part 2
* Free and open to teens in grades 6-12
* This program made possible by the Friends of the Palo Alto Library.

November 13
* Redwood Writers Meeting 2:30-5 PM at the Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa, 2777 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 • Phone: (707) 545-8530 Click here for map.
We ask for a small fee of $5 from members and $8 from non-members to cover costs.
*
Terri Farley
Our speaker for November will be Terri Farley, “Writing a Series isn’t Child’s Play”
Her talk will be about writing for teen and pre-teen audiences as well as how to structure writing a series.
Terri Farley, a cowgirl at heart, grew up in Los Angeles, and saved her allowance for rides at nearby stables.

After college, Farley taught remedial reading in an inner-city high school in Los Angeles, where she learned animal stories could touch even the most shielded hearts.

Terri’s PHANTOM STALLION series is set in today’s Nevada. WILD HORSE ISLAND takes place on a fictional Hawaiian island and SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA weaves the north coast of contemporary California with ancient Celtic legends of the selkie. It was nominated as an ALA best books for young adults.
Terri’s fact-based fiction is equal parts investigation and imagination and she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty. She’s ridden across the Nevada desert in a Pony Express reenactment, spent ten days in the saddle for a Nevada-California cattle drive, and job- shadowed paniolos on Hawaii. As an Earthwatch volunteer, she hiked the sand dunes and swales of an uninhabited island off the coast of North Carolina, studying wild horse behavior. As a Marine Mammal Institute volunteer, she coaxed an orphaned sea lion to take her first bottle.
Terri has studied wild horses on the Nevada range and acted as a humane observer during BLM helicopter round-ups. She makes frequent visits to determine the condition of corralled wild horses. In March 2010, she broke the story that captive mustang foals’ births and deaths were not recorded by BLM.
As plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior, she joined in asking Federal court to order the Bureau of Land Management to obey the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 and return 1,800 mustangs from the Calico Mountains (setting for her PHANTOM STALLION series) to their native lands.
A graduate of San José State University, Terri earned a B.A. and Secondary teaching credential in English, and a Master’s degree in Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her thesis “Cry Havoc!” explores press freedom inside American-Japanese internment camps. For more information visit her at terrifarley.com

See the world through this lens today

2011-11-03T08:27:00.002-06:00

Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.
Albert Einstein

Wanna Go Trick or Treating with Zito & Caesar?

2011-10-31T16:21:00.003-06:00

Palomino's Amigos

2011-10-19T02:04:00.013-06:00

HoneyBandit with Palomino's husband Matt

Palomino's love-stable keeps growing and HoneyBandit's world does, too! Besides the dogs and cats and mini horses, he's sharing his four-leggeds with some big horses.

The other two "large horses" want to smash the mini's, so it is awesome that Honey Bandit not only gets to hang out with a full size horse, he still gets to keep his brothers. It is so important that he learns, gently and in a manner that wont' hurt him, how to be a "horse". He still carries those scars inside though. Pete apparently did something that made him flashback, and Honey Bandit panicked and missed me by a hair as he bolted away. I am thinking though, that he missed me on purpose! But in all reality, I am much less scary than Pete. ha ha. so running over me would be merely survival to him.

We put up some temporary (?) perimeter fencing so the guys have more room. Although moving was definitely not the first choice, I think that it will be wonderful once we get everything set up for the rescue. The animals are all happy and I think they enjoy being farther away from the noise of the highway.

Seth, Manager at Home Depot, in Red Bluff, California, is one of our heroes. He started out our "WINTER, WARM AND DRY - DRIVE" off in a wonderful way. We have a list of items we are looking for and he was the first to donate. He donated 12 2x6's and some cement. This takes care of one of the "steps" we have to take for winter. We are extremely grateful for his help and the way his store supports the community. After all, Honey Bandit is a huge part of our community, as has been proven time and time again. If you are in the Red Bluff Area, stop by and say hi to Seth and thank him from you and Honey Bandit. Whoever said the "box stores" are not personable and community oriented have obviously not been to the Home Depot in Red Bluff. God bless you Seth, and your awesome crew. You guys rock!!

It looks like one of the two main foal "angels" in Nevada is finally going to retire. After many years and thousands of babies lives' saved, she and her hubby are calling it quits. She took in 21 (approx) orphan, critical foals this year and my friend Shirley had about 19. So it looks like we need to "git er done" and be ready to pick up the slack. That is the focal point of our rescue, although we have dogs, cats, etc. So it is even more urgent that we are prepared with the rolling foal hospital and some "hospital rooms/pens" etc.

God Bless and come and visit Honey Bandit in his new digs and meet the new guy. We truly enjoy all the visitors. We will be putting the "WINTER, WARM AND DRY - DRIVE" on the website (as soon as possible) and you will be able to see all the stores that are stepping up and helping to keep HONEY BANDIT, AMERICA'S POSTER BOY TO STOP THE ROUNDUPS! alive and well so he can continue the fight against the roundups and the inhumane treatment of our beloved wild horses. We hope to continue visiting schools and educating our youngsters about what is going on. They are the next leaders! Visit us at www.chillypepper.weebly.com, and if you'd like to buy raffle tickets for our fabulous 2 night stay at the BAILEY CREEK LODGE, send your checks to Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang, 34694 Sidebottom Rd., Shingletown, CA 96088 or call 530 474 5197 or 530 339 1458 to come and visit.

Palomino & the gang!

The Real Phantom Stallion

2011-10-03T16:09:00.004-06:00

Dear Readers,
I just ran across this photo, taken just before the Phantom was released into the Wild Horse Sanctuary.
Hope it makes you smile!
Happy trails,
Terri

Wild Horses or Crime Scenes? Remembering Nevada

2011-09-25T12:58:00.032-06:00

I love Nevada and picking it as my home state had nothing to do with sex and violence.
Sly campaigns promising "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," have been successful, but in the face of the IHOP shootings, Air Race deaths and brewing motorcycle gang war, it strikes the wrong attitude.
Potential vacationers reading Nevada tourism prompts like "take the survival challenge" and "escape to incredible Nevada" will feel an ironic chill as they recall September visitors scrambling to escape from the Silver State.
Nevada needs to confront safety and security issues, of course, but we must also revive love for Nevada's wide skies and open spaces, rural towns and wild life.
Visitors to the white horses of the Camargue and "Misty of Chincoteague" ponies contribute millions to the tourist economies of France and Virginia, while Nevada ignore the worldwide love affair with the West's wild mustangs.
Only the most dedicated travelers stumble upon wild horse adventures and other eco-tourism attempts.
"You'll always remember seeing your first wild horse," evokes feelings that overshadow ugliness, while building small business and letting the life long appeal of our state shine through.
The real Nevada, the classic West, is still here, waiting to be appreciated.

-----------------
Read a first-hand account of Nevada wild horse hikers

Nevada news: deadly tragedies in Reno

Honeybandit & friends wish you'd been there!

2011-08-29T19:52:00.012-06:00

Carrot cake, anyone?

Dear readers,
Most of you had to miss the wild horse birthday party in Shingletown, California. Thanks to Palomino, though, you can pretend.

Hi Ya'll,

We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who came and shared our day. It was absolutely fabulous, and although Honey Bandit wasn't too sure about his birthday cake, he posed for pictures like a pro as usual. Chilly Pepper, on the other hand, loved her cake, and scarfed it up as fast as she could. She didn't even wait for the pictures.
We were truly touched by the wonderful turnout of guests, and Honey Bandit & Chilly Pepper truly appreciated their birthday presents.
When I saw the tears in the eyes of the people looking at photos of Honeybandit's first rocky days, and then looking at him today, it reminds me again why we do this.

Take care and God Bless!

Palomino & the critters.

YOU Bought the Bullet

2011-08-20T11:00:00.014-06:00

From the Bureau of Land Mangement, here's the short story of a very short life:

Wednesday/Aug. 17
Summary: The BLM gathered 25 horses today. The BLM shipped 34 horses to Gunnison.
Animals gathered: 25 (5 studs, 13 mares, 7 foals)
Gather related animal deaths: 1
Cause: A stud and four-month old foal/filly broke away from a group going into the gather trap. The stud jumped an adjacent barrier fence and ran away. The foal tried repeatedly to jump the fence but could not, and received multiple severe lacerations and had to be euthanized. The foal's mother was captured with the group.

Do you live in the U.S.?
YOU paid the helicopter pilot who terrorized this May-born filly into the trap.
YOU paid for the the fence she couldn't jump, following her sire to freedom.
And, when BLM decreed she was too badly hurt to live,
YOU bought the bullet that ended her 16th week of life.

Deer Run photo by Karen Hopple

WILD HORSE BONNIE on CNN

2011-08-17T10:40:00.011-06:00

Dear Readers,
Cheers for my friend and Wild Horse Preservation League leader Bonnie Matton! Bonnie will be featured in CNN's upcoming "Jews in Nevada," based on the
John P. Marshall book of the same name.

Bonnie successfully works, thinks and "nice"s people from all viewpoints and she is totally amazing.
Happy trails,
Terri

DREAMING THROUGH MY FINGERS -- with help

2011-08-16T05:00:00.003-06:00

Dear Readers,
When I was honored by the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame for "mid-career excellence" the words brought me up short.
Six romances + 36 middle grade PHANTOMS + 1 YA novel + a stampede of non-fiction articles --!
I don't think I'll double that count, but I've been wrong before about my runaway muse.
I do want to take my career in several different directions and I'm fortunate that two women of rare taste and judgment :) will have my back!

Karen Solem ofSpencerhill Ltd. my longtime agent and world-class communicator, represents me with all things PHANTOM and she's encouraged me to consider writing a new West work of women's fiction. That's her specialty and I have this idea...
I met Abigail Saumon of Red Fox Literarya few years ago at a SCBWI weekend retreat at St. Mary's Art Center in Virginia City, Nevada.
Then, she was an editor. Now, she's the head of her own agency and we're exploring new adventures for YA and younger readers. I'm excited by her energetic personality and fresh approach to the crazy world of publishing.

I love storytelling and I wouldn't get to work and play at it without my readers.
Hugs to you all and THANKS!
Terri

WHAT IS A TRIGA?

2011-08-15T18:37:00.002-06:00

This photo is a hint to answer the title question and the title question is a hint to tomorrow's blog post :)

Use Your Lovely Hula Head!

2011-07-31T20:20:00.009-06:00

Dear Readers,
I'm working on my next newsletter & wanted to give you a heads-up on the August contest.
I'll be sharing Hawaiian research photos and asking you which fictional event they helped me to describe! Of course this will be a book from my WILD HORSE ISLAND series. You don't have to supply the book's title or number, because if you're correct about the event & character, I'll send you a free, autographed copy of the book.
Start thinking hula thoughts!
Aloha,
Terri

Which Wolf? a proverb

2011-07-24T12:13:00.018-06:00

An old Cherokee told his grandson, "There is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies & ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy & truth."
The boy thought about it, and asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?"
The old man quietly replied, "The one you feed."

Rayna, shown above, lives just outside Reno, Nevada, and welcomes humans to summer dusk howl-alongs at the
Animal Ark refuge

Thousand Year Old Horse Festival helps heal Fukushima

2011-07-23T09:35:00.004-06:00

Japan's quake region holds samurai festival

(AFP)

TOKYO — Japan's tsunami-hit Fukushima region has kicked off a thousand-year-old horse festival, with riders in samurai armour defying an ongoing nuclear crisis to take to the streets and vow recovery.

The "Soma Namaoi", or wild horse chase, featured some 80 horses with riders in full samurai armour, and was dedicated this year to praying for those killed in the March disasters and for the reconstruction of local communities.

Locals marched through city streets just outside the 20-kilometre (12-mile) exclusion zone where nuclear workers are still battling to cool overheated reactors at a stricken atomic plant.

Michitane Soma, a direct descendant of the Soma clan which once governed the area, addressed the riders, each of whom carried a black mourning badge.

"Believe in the strength of the tradition of Soma Nomaoi," the 36-year-old said tearfully.

"March on and pray for the swift reconstruction of eastern Japan."

The three-day festival originates from secret military exercises held by 10th-century samurai warriors under the Soma clan, using horses as mock enemy soldiers.

The festival organisers had considered cancelling this year's event after many local residents were killed in the March 11 tsunami and earthquake, which left about 22,000 people dead or missing in total.

Other residents were forced to evacuate their homes, while many horses were also killed in the twin disasters.

But organisers decided to go ahead with the festival on a reduced scale from previous years, when the horses numbered 500.

And it took a more sombre tone than usual. Horse races with armoured riders were cancelled, as were the usual competitions to catch flags shot into the air with fireworks.

Read ONLY if you appreciate sarcasm & cynicism

2011-07-22T15:45:00.001-06:00

We Who Are Your Closest Friends

by Phillip Lopate

we who are
your closest friends
feel the time
has come to tell you
that every Thursday
we have been meeting
as a group
to devise ways
to keep you
in perpetual uncertainty
frustration
discontent and
torture
by neither loving you
as much as you want
nor cutting you adrift

your analyst is
in on it
plus your boyfriend
and your ex-husband
and we have pledged
to disappoint you
as long as you need us

in announcing our
association
we realize we have
placed in your hands
a possible antidote
against uncertainty
indeed against ourselves
but since our Thursday nights
have brought us
to a community of purpose
rare in itself
with you as
the natural center
we feel hopeful you
will continue to make
unreasonable
demands for affection
if not as a consequence
of your
disastrous personality

then for the good of the collective

Wild Horse Annie speaks

2011-07-21T09:35:00.005-06:00

Velma "Wild Horse Annie" Johnson's gravestone

Dear Readers,
My friend Carrol Able is a tireless champion for the West's wild horses. She uses her heart and head to find solutions that will suit humans as well as horses. Always, the horses come first, but even a champion can grow weary. Here's how she was able to go on, just the other day. Terri

I sat down with Wild Horse Annie today. We had quite the conversation. I complained of how convoluted her law had become, how it was now a life sentence for the very animals it was intended to protect. She listened quietly, never uttering a word. “ We really need your help.” I told her. She offered no reply.

The grass surrounding us was cool & refreshing, the day warm & clear. I closed my eyes and imagined a band of wild horses grazing peacefully nearby. How fitting it would have been. But alas ! Imaginings are nothing more than imaginings. There were no wild horses and Wild Horse Annie was not going to answer.

Beside me was a small and unassuming grave marker. In that, it was much like the woman buried there. Beneath the name Velma B. Johnston, Wild Horse Annie and the dates March 5, 1912 - June 27, 1977 are three mustangs, running wild and free. As I ran my fingers across the relief and looked closer at the image, I realized there was something unexpectedly ominous portrayed there.

The running mustang trio has reached the edge of a dangerous precipice with no choice left but to jump. The last of the three is rearing and looking over his shoulder as if deciding whether to fight or flee. Tears started flowing when I put the scene in the context of the battle we’re waging today. I started sobbing like a crazy fool and blurted out, “ Help me! I don’t know what else to do.”

It was then that a voice came to me,
a gentle but strong whisper in my ear.

“FIGHT” it said, “ Fight like a wild stallion.”

YES, YOU CAN (tell yourself a story)

2011-07-19T13:33:00.018-06:00

Dear Readers,
Lots of your are writers as well as readers & you often write for advice.
Click here for Some of my best writing tips and then check out Writing Fix

You will love exploring!
Happy trails,
Terri

To be a kelpie

2011-07-17T07:58:00.018-06:00

photos by Kate McLachlan

Dear Readers,
Can you be homesick for an island you've only visited once? I am.
Shackleford Banks is a place of wild horses, wild bird, huge shells, swamps, swales and no human residents.
It was a long visit; for 10 days I worked with Earthwatch. Though my purpose was academic, every day I wondered how it would feel to BE one of those wild horses or a kelpie, a Celtic horse shape-shifter.
With that in mind, I'd like to share photos from one of my teammates, Kate McLachlan.

Enjoy!
Terri

Love Poem with Horses

2011-07-12T10:30:00.003-06:00

Love Poem

by Paul Zimmer

In southern France live two old horses,
High in the foothills, not even French,
But English, retired steeplechasers
Brought across to accept an old age
Of ambling together in the Pyrenees.
At times they whinny and kick
At one another with impatience,
But they have grown to love each other.

In time the gelding grows ill
And is taken away for treatment.
The mare pines, pokes at her food,
Dallies on her rides until the other
Comes home.

She is in her stall
When the trailer rumbles
Through the gate into the field,
And she sings with impatience
Until her door is opened.

Then full
Of sound and speed, in need of
Each other, they entwine their necks,
Rub muzzles, bumping flanks
To embrace in their own way.
Together they prance to
The choicest pasture,
Standing together and apart,
To be glad until
They can no longer be glad.

Needed: Blog Test (non)Dummies

2011-07-11T13:51:00.014-06:00

"Help, help, this is a serious cry for help!"
Kermit the Frog, the MUPPET MOVIE

Dear Readers,
I admit I'm
-- in over my head
-- lost and confused
-- technologically challenged
but I'm beginning to think there's more than that going on. My blog WABI SABI WEST tells me it only has two followers.
I would take this to heart (and take to my bed, sobbing...uh, no, too hot for that)
if I hadn't tried repeatedly to sign up for my own blog & failed.
If you have time to give it a try & share your diagnosis, here's a link to my TerriFarley.com home page . Just click on my blog & see if you're able to subscribe.
This is not a transparent attempt to snag subscribers. It is, a Kermit the frog said

Thanks!
Terri

Newsletter Crossword Puzzle Answers!

2011-07-08T04:54:00.001-06:00

If you've finished the crossword puzzle in my July newsletter, check to see how well you know the world of Terri's books.

Wild Horses: Admirers Can Kill with Kindness

2011-07-05T23:31:00.001-06:00

This rare photo (courtesy of Bonnie Matton) shows the real Phantom in a rural neighborhood. When captured, his herd had been decimated by dogs and cars and only one mare and one foal remained with him

Dear Readers,
If you love wild horses, don't treat them like pets.
Don't feed them treats. Don't touch them. Don't let them come up and touch you.

Your magical moment might cost a terrible price. Wild horses might pay with their freedom or their lives.

Not far from my Nevada home, one neighborhood not only has basketball hoops, mail boxes and lawn sprinklers, but mustangs. The horses have learned the dangers of cars and dogs, and usually take their spring foals to the cool mountains in summer.

But not this year. Maybe the new herd stallion grew up up near people and saw no reason to move on. Maybe he liked grazing on lawns or got a horse laugh from his domestic cousins breaking down their fences to see his pretty mares.

But maybe the stallion just felt no reason to head for the mares because his band was being lavished with apples, salt licks and soft touches.

So far, these neighbors have worked together to balance civilization and wildness.
So far, the Nevada Department of Agriculture has not rounded-up the mustangs and taken them to be auctioned off by the pound.

Please don't teach a wild horse to trust people, She may learn too late that some human hands carry guns, not carrots.

Best,
Terri

We are Family

2011-07-02T17:11:00.002-06:00

photo by Palomino Armstrong
Honeybandit, so long without a family band, is sandwiched between DaBubbles and Patches. Suri is just a stride away.
Anyone who questions the family bonds of mustangs needs to open his eyes and watch these four.
Happy Saturday,
Terri

Second Summer newsletter

2011-07-01T17:33:00.006-06:00

ALOHA!
My second summer newsletter should be out this weekend and I'll be taking you to Hawaii!
You'll learn about the beautiful Pa'u Riders, the Kona Nightingales and, if all goes well, the Phantom Stallion newsletter will premiere its first crossword puzzle!
Keep your eyes open for its arrival and, if you haven't signed up for your free subscription yet, click on this link
Phantom Stallion newsletter , then jet on over & fill in your email address. That's it!
Mahalo,
Terri

Honeybandit's Band

2011-06-30T14:51:00.005-06:00

Dear Readers,
Here's a note from Palomino.

Honey Bandit finally has his "BAND," his own little "family", made up of the two minis and Suri. It is wonderful to see the four of them playing together and watch the interaction as they each find their own place in the pecking order. It won't be long before Princess Suri rules, as she will definitely be the lead mare.

She is quite comical when she gets her milk. I have to distract DaBubbles, as he thinks that he should have it, and would take it away if he could. At the very end he gets to help "clean up" the bowl. The other night I went out to give her more milk and DaBubbles was on the floor, with his feet stretched straight out in front of him, the milk bowl firmly in between his hooves.

[Readers, I can just imagine this, can't you?]

When Suri gets tired of DaBubbles, she backs up, nearly sitting on him. Then she bottom-bumps him. That little girl has attitude and she's recovering energy. For a baby her age, she is as fast as lightning.

Honey Bandit is amazing. He is so beautiful and just continues to improve. His big strong neck is almost "studly". When he arches it and does his little prance, you can feel the power he has as he moves beside you. He has come so far from the pile of bones and carcass, and continues to grow bigger and stronger daily. He is going to be a very solid horse. Wouldn't it be great if, someday, we're able to ride him as he runs across the land.
For now, he is safe and happy and well, thanks to all of you.

We are still trying to raise funds for Suri's surgery, and I want to thank everyone who has helped our rescue and these beautiful babies.
God Bless you so much! P & the critters

Wild Ponies in the Hills of Snowdonia

2011-06-25T09:58:00.004-06:00

Cody Duncan photo

Dear Readers,
Wales tops the list of places I would love to visit. The land and language call out to me in ways I can't explain. I only know it feels like the cry of a bagpipe sounds.
Because you like my stories, you might share this feeling and enjoy this article.
I only feel a little sad that so many humans insist on stamping a $ value on things which with worth all their own.
Go visit Wild Mountain Ponies here, and if you see them on the moors, blow them a kiss from me.
Happy trails,
Terri

Suri & HoneyBandit: growing like weeds :)

2011-06-23T03:26:00.001-06:00

Here's the newest update from Palomino:

Suri is doing fabulous. She is getting more energy, growing like a weed and becoming fast friends with DaBubbles. Had a scare the other day when DaBubbles grabbed her hernia in his mouth. Not sure whether it is instinct that told him not to bite hard or just angels from above.
Suri has gotten stuck in the panels twice. She simply rolls over when she is getting her "sun bath". She was so good though. She had her top and bottom hind legs quite a ways under and through the panel, (she was on her side) but she just hung out quietly for a couple of minutes while she waited for us to get there. Shows what a smart little girl she is.
Her cough is getting much less noticeable and she is doing better and better letting us lift her feet with very little fuss. For those of you who are not too familiar with horses and why this is a big deal, the reason is this. When a horse doesn't "have it's feet" (all four on the ground) they cannot choose their option of flight. Horses have two options when their lives are threatened or they are scared. "Flight or Fight". If they can't leave, their instinct is to fight. It is not as much in the forefront of the domestic horse's mind, but the mustangs live by being smart and their survival skills, which means "keeping their feet" on the ground. The mustangs survival skills are obviously much more honed and quickly acted upon. This is one reason why people should not turn their domestic horses out to survive on their own when they cannot afford to feed them, as they are not equipped. Their survival skills are buried under years of coddling.

Another difference that I have been told about and have witnessed, is that while a domestic horse might give you a "little warning kick" if they are irritated or frightened, a mustang kicks for real the first time. This is why they survive. In the wild, it is the first kick that will save their life. (Just a tid bit of info that I find interesting and painfully true). (long time ago)

Honey Bandit is doing very well, although I think he misses all the time we spent together. (Or maybe that is just me hoping that he misses it as much as i do - ha ha). He is a very healthy guy, although his brain is still finishing up the rewiring process. He & Patches are hanging out together. As soon as he can kick a bit better and is a little more sure footed, he will get to start hanging out with Chilly Pepper and Dakota. After talking to the vet, we decided to let him get a little more surefooted and the ability to "let fly" before we put him in with the big guys.
That way he can boot scoot out of the way if he needs to.

June festivities

2011-06-22T17:09:00.011-06:00

Dear Readers,
With luck, I'm getting back to daily blogs.
I've had fun at the Horse Expo (little horse lover is fingerpainting friendly Arabian in photo) & watching the drill teams and barrel racers at the Reno Rodeo (here's a link to a teeny video tweeted by a University of Nevada student :Arena Autograph party but it's time to crawl back into my own little writing corner and do something for you & our wild horses and burros. They need us.

If you ever want a reading and riding visit with me when I'm not posting, feel free to skim through my newsletter archive stretching back to Dec. 2007. Here's the link:
Phantom Stallion newsletters

Happy trails,
Terri

Suri runs & plays

2011-06-06T21:31:00.006-06:00

Dear Readers,
Here are some quick updates from Palomino.
> It is amazing what prayers and love can do for a little orphan. Yesterday we took Suri out into the round pen. The weather has been horrible, rainy and cold, dreary and gray.So we grabbed the few minutes of "no rain" that we could and brought Suri out into the round pen. She was ready to go and bucked and ran and slam, slid right onto her side. She had her blanket on, so she slid several feet and got up and started again Twice more she went mud diving..then her little brain was churning and when she started to run you could see the difference in the way she placed her feet. After that, it was bucking and running and sliding to a stop right at the last minute. That little girl is smart.

>Today, we took her to the lower field and she had a blast. She ran and ran and ran. Her tail was up and that little girl can float without even touching her feet to the ground. She is poetry in motion, but we could tell that she was left repeatedly by her band, as she is in constant communication with us, never letting us out of her sight.

>Honey Bandit put on quite a show as he watched her. He demonstrated how beautiful and studly he can be. His head was up, neck arched as he floated around the pen. He can't wait to meet her

Also from Palomino: Suri still needs prayers, but is doing wonderfully compared to her start in life. We appreciate all your support as we have to get this little Princess ready to be adopted by some lucky person. I have to say that whomever is lucky enough to adopt her will need to spend some serious time with her here as she has been "left" by the bands over and over. She definitely is concerned about being left behind. But she is the biggest love you will ever meet. I can't wait till she and Honey Bandit can run and play.

If you would like to help save this little Princess and help her get through her hernia surgery (in the near future), please send your tax deductible donations to Chilly Pepper, Miracle Mustang, 30027 State Highway 44 East, Shingletown,CA 96088 or visit www.chillypepper.weebly.com. to help save this little miracle.

Bravest Dog Ever?

2011-06-04T13:17:00.011-06:00

Dear Readers,
I'm sharing this cool book review NOT just because of Balto's amazing story, not because you'll be touched by the neglect, abuse and eventual rescue that followed his heroism, but as a sort of an example.
If you're a student, you've probably been asked to write book reviews. If you find yourself saying "I liked reading the book, but I don't want to write about it!" save this review as example of how the "why" of your feelings about a book can make the review GREAT.
If you're not a student, I promise you'll appreciate the contemporary connections the reviewer makes.

Richie's Picks: THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF BALTO by Meghan McCarthy, Knopf,
August 2011, 40p., ISBN: 978-0-375-84460-7

THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF BALTO is the picture book true story of a sled dog
from Alaska who became amazingly famous; was soon thereafter forgotten and
neglected; and was later rediscovered and saved from further neglect and
mistreatment thanks to a public fundraising campaign.

Balto was the lead dog on a dogsled team that was instrumental in saving
lives in 1925, when a shipment of medicine was desperately needed in
blizzard-bound Nome, Alaska to combat a deadly epidemic of diphtheria. With no

alternative method of delivery available in those days, Balto led the team of
dogs and their owner for many miles through deep, blinding snow to
successfully deliver the medicine.

This made Balto famous. He modeled for a statue that still stands in New
York City's Central Park, and he was the four-legged star of a silent
movie. But then the dogs were sold, first to an owner who presented them in a
vaudeville show and, then, to another owner who ran a sideshow and didn't
treat them well. Things again turned around for Balto and his teammates when
a Cleveland businessman successfully spearheaded a public campaign to buy
the dogs and move them to where they would be provided better care.

The danger and daring nature of Balto's historic feat make this an
exciting story. Meghan McCarthy has a very recognizable and kid-friendly
illustration style that makes this story really fun. Together, these
qualities, by
themselves, make this a must-have book.

But this is just the beginning of why I choose to write about THE
INCREDIBLE LIFE OF BALTO.

It was Balto's feat and fame that inspired the present-day Iditarod
--promoted as "The Last Great Race on Earth" -- in which dogsled teams cover
1,150 miles of Alaskan trails over a couple of weeks. Part of the Iditarod
race covers the same trails that Balto followed. So this book provides a
connection to my beloved buddy Gary Paulsen, the award-winning author who has
run the Iditarod several times.

I've heard plenty of times over the course of my life that we live in a
throw-away society. Some try to make it sound as though things were better
in the "old days." But it takes just a little bit of studying history to
realize that this is not true. Just as we see Balto being "thrown away" once
his 15 minutes of fame has passed, we as a society seem to have always
thrown away people (and principles) just as easily as we throw away an
outgrown frock or toy.

Over the past 78 years, since Franklin Delano Roosevelt became President
the same year that Balto died, and -- at the insistence of Labor Secretary
Frances Perkins -- began setting up a societal safety net for the poor and
elderly and unemployed, there has been an ever-present tension between two
opposing forces in our country. On one side are those who support the use
of public monies for helping others who are old or poor or under-educated
and those who, to quote my hero Mario Cuomo, "believe that the wagon train
will not make it to the frontier unless some of the old, some of the young,
some of the weak are left behind by the side of the trail."

And so I am also a big fan of THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF BALTO because I
believe this true story about caring for others will help develop empathy in
impressionable young people who don't always get the best modeling in this
regard.

Finally, I love this book because I have always been fascinated by history
and by change. Ever since my eighth grade American history teacher shared
her first-hand experience about daily life in America during World War II
-- the shortages and the rationing coupons and the recycling and the
blackouts -- I have never gotten enough of looking at the similarities and
differences between Then and Now. And so, I figure that there are plenty of
kids
out there that will get a kick out of how things were different
eighty-five years ago. Just like I do.

Read more on BALTO & follow some good links: Wiki Balto
Read more reviews by Richie Partington: Richie's Picks

P.S. Do you know any TRUE STORIES of other brave dogs?

This orphan will make you smile!

2011-06-02T01:47:00.006-06:00

Dear Readers,
Sweet Suri, the wild filly rescued by Palomino Armstrong, just got the energy to kick up her heels! Clicke here to
watch Suri horse around!

This little mustang is surrounded by affection. Watch the dog celebrate with a wide "smile" and wagging tail & Matt watching and touching the foal. Best of all, listen to Palomino's voice.

Love heals!
Terri

Just a day late (I hope)

2011-06-01T23:06:00.004-06:00

Dear Readers,
I'd like to blame the snowy northern Nevada weather and say that I FORGOT it was almost time for my June newsletter, but that's not exactly true. I've been working on it all day!
The next newsletter should be out before the weekend and it will feature some cool stuff, including world famous authors in BANANA SLUG SUITS!
Happy trails,
Terri

Baby Suri update from Palomino

2011-05-29T09:30:00.000-06:00

Dear Readers,
Yesterday I introduced you to Suri, a filly born and orphaned on the Virginia Range. Here's my most recent note from Palomino:

Suri is hanging in there. She is still exhausted, and completely without energy, but she reminds me of HB because she LOVES TO EAT.
She still has temperature issues. Today she was out in the sun, warm as can be, and all of a sudden her temperature dropped to 96. So we took her back to the stall and she was in her blanky and enjoying the heat lamps.
Her little legs have been like ice cubes, which is very dangerous, so we put her in leg warmers. But, finally I used my brain and put a light strip of vet wrap at the top of her leg warmers, which helped to hold them on. She was very chic, matching leg warmers and pretty red vet wrap at the top.
Suri is still having trouble getting up and down, but we are pretty sure it is just from exhaustion and we're expecting her to eat her way to lots of energy.

She whinnies every time you go near her, and for a couple of seconds showed that she is a wild foal and can be quite feisty.
She is learning to lead a little bit. Normally I wouldn't start with a halter on their head, as pulling on it can remind them of a mountain lion that would pull down their head to kill them. But we had to improvise with her, and she is doing well. Like all the rest of the mustangs, she is extremely smart.

Readers, I'll keep you updated with photos & notes!
Best,
Terri

Baby Suri

2011-05-28T22:08:00.011-06:00

Dear Readers,
Is this mustang foal darling, or what?
Her name is Suri (short for Survivor), and she was found alone on Nevada's Virginia Range, once home to the real Phantom.
Her rescuers believe she without her mother for five days.
Now, Palomino Armstrong (wild horse angel to Chilly Pepper & Honey Bandit) has taken her in. Although Suri was severely dehydrated and her heart rate is abnormally low, Palomino and her family, especially her husband Matt, are fighting for this baby's life.
More tomorrow,
Terri

Pride's Big Brother

2011-05-27T04:39:00.001-06:00

I took this photo of the Phantom, Shy and their foal Raincloud on the day after they were captured.
Raincloud and Pride really do look like brothers, don't they?
Enjoy,
Terri

THE PHANTOM STALLION'S LEGACY

2011-05-26T14:49:00.023-06:00

Phantom's Pride, photo by Liz Juenke, May 2011

Dear Readers,
Does this beautiful mustang stallion look familiar?
He's Phantom's Pride, son of the real Phantom Stallion. Some of you remember him as this little black foal (photo by Palomino Armstrong, Feb. 2007). You may even have entered the contest to name him.

Phantom's Pride lives on 5,000 fenced acres at the Wild Horse Sanctuary in Shingletown, California. Expelled from his family band -- as most young stallions are -- he now has a small herd of his own and that's exciting for many reasons.
When the first Phantom Stallion book was published, some people laughed at the idea that such a young stallion could have a herd of his own. And some critics refused to believe a black foal could grow up to be a white stallion, even if he passed through a transitional color shift of silver gray, like the surface of the moon.
Look at Pride! He's proving fiction & fact aren't always that far apart.
If you'd like to read more about the real Phantom, his lead mare Shy and Pride's older brother Raincloud, click here The Real Phantom

Happy trails,
Terri

Understanding Your Brain

2011-05-07T09:36:00.005-06:00

Dear Readers,
Have fun taking this Brain Creativity Quiz
to get an idea of which side of your brain is dominant, then read the University of Vancouver's interpretation of your quiz.
It's pretty fun. I turned out to be 63% right brained, which means THE TEST says I'm pretty creative, but it's worth noticing that there's other stuff working in my head, too.
The nice thing about this quiz is that it gives you lots of interpretation information afterward.
Have fun!
Terri

What drives us to WRITE ON?

2011-05-02T06:04:00.000-06:00

One of the highlights of this month will be speaking at the first ever SCBWI Canada East NIAGARA FALLS WRITERS' RETREAT & CONFERENCE
at the Mount Carmel Spiritual Conference Centre, Ontario. May 13 - 15
I'm honored to be presenting the evening keynote address. The program description of is so cool, I have to share:

Writing drove Stephen King to drug addiction, Dr. Seuss to drink & Robert Munsch to face his demons. The Bronte sisters had to pretend they were the Bronte brothers. J.K. Rowling was asked to drop her first name. All this in the name of publishing, where the odds of seeing your name on a book cover are about 10,000 to 1. Despite these odds, TERRI FARLEY talks about what drives us all to "WRITE ON."

Happy Festival of Flora!

2011-05-01T10:08:00.007-06:00

Dear Readers,
May Day is the sharp-sweet scent of daisies and the sound of running feet, to me, because it was one of my mother's favorite holidays.
On May Day eve, my little brother and I would weave little baskets out of green paper strips. We got up early the next morning to fill our baskets with daisies and violets, sometimes a pink geranium or two, then we stampeded into 30 minutes of parent-sanctioned doorbell ditching.
After hanging our little baskets on doorknob, we'd ring the bell and run to the next house.
Enjoy your first day of May -- festival of the goddess Flora -- and sniff a flower for me!
Happy May Day,
Terri

I'm LATE, but you can still enter!

2011-04-30T05:31:00.000-06:00

Dear Readers,

Many of the teachers I talk with, nationwide, are hooked on Writing Fix, a website guaranteed to strike sparks in your imagination.

If you're a photographer, or writer, please check this out:

WRITING FIX

and let your mind grab onto the Annual Digital Photo Contest

Students & teachers are challenged to capture digital images (candid or posed) that would encourage another student to write a poem or story about the picture.
>Each May 1, winners are selected : one elementary winner, one middle school winner, one high school winner, and one teacher winner. Winning photos become part of WritingFix and winning student photographers each receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
The teacher winner receives a complete set of NNWP Print Guides for their classroom. :)

If you look at these photos, please tell me what you think about the one with the fallen birthday cake! Love it!

Sneak peek at May newsletter

2011-04-29T13:47:00.010-06:00

Dear Readers,
If you haven't already signed up for a FREE subscription to my newsletter,
click here because the May newsletter will be out in just a few days.

Sneak preview:

> Rescue of a real Dark Sunshine!

> Terri reveals spare brain in a Texas classroom!

> HoneyBandit kicks up his heels!

> YOU can spend ten minutes inside a real family of wild horses!

> Terri's packing up to leave the U.S.!

Plus:

Is Sam a horse thief? Find out as Sam's blog from last month continues

Love Letter to Libraries

2011-04-27T22:06:00.005-06:00

Dear Readers,
When I heard that this library was in danger of closing, I decided to write about it for the SAVE SCHABERG LIBRARY's blog.
I know lots of you love libraries as much as I do, so I thought I'd share.
Best,
Terri

Schaberg was my husband’s boyhood library, the first place Cory was allowed to walk alone. Cocky with independence, he’d go striding down Alameda to Vera, then cross the Roosevelt School playground to Euclid Avenue just because he could.
Sure, he came home with an armload of books, quickly read so that he could make that trip again, but this small library gave him more than the roots of learning, it gave him the hidden gift of independence.
We live in Nevada, now, but it’s no coincidence we bought a house across the street from a rural library.

I discovered how closely my children resembled their father the day a librarian brought our dogs home. Rookie and Rosie had escaped their kennel and ended their frolic at the Verdi library. I was surprised and pleased that they knew where to go for help. Then the librarian confided that all of the hours of exercise I thought my dogs and kids were getting -- well, those ended at the library, too.
After darting down our dirt road and across the street, my kids went in to read. Rookie and Rosie, collie and German Shepherd, provided the Verdi equivalent of the New York City Public Library lions.
My children’s love of books was no surprise, but they were both a bit shy and I was delighted that they’d talked adults into keeping their visits secret.
As a pudgy girl with glasses and disabling asthma, I rarely rode bikes and played street ball with friends. I was a poor athlete, the classic “last chosen” for school teams, but I was a star at the Paramount public library. Within days of crossing the library threshold, Nancy Drew mysteries and horse books literally had my name on them, because checking out a book meant signing a card that lived inside it.
One day a librarian told me, as she stamped and stacked my books, that my name should be Phillipa, because it meant lover of horses. I was stunned. She knew I loved horses? Names had meanings? Fifty years later, I still feel the elation and wonder.
Cory grew up to be a Best-of-Gannett newspaper columnist. I grew up to write books for young readers. My daughter will soon teach high school English and my son writes brilliantly on popular culture. Books gave us affection for stories and words, but small libraries like Schaberg gave us the hidden gifts of independence, communication and self-worth.
A seed that grows a thousand blooms is rare, but neighborhood libraries are just that, growing readers and thinking human beings by the bushel. We owe it to our world to keep them alive.

Pen & Cygnet

2011-04-25T04:48:00.000-06:00

Swans mate for life.
Female swans are called PENS.
Baby swans are called CYGNETS.
If you know any other intersting facts about swans (especially first hand), share, ok?

Terri

Wild & Free Tourism

2011-04-24T11:27:00.030-06:00

In early April, I walked the back roads of Nevada on a wild horse photo safari. Guided by photographer Mark Terrell, members of the Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) sketched, photographed and wondered at the beauty of wild Nevada.
During Part I of the SCBWI mentorship conference last year, two wild horses ventured near the Saint Mary's Art Center in Virginia, City and attendees' excitement led me to suggest a "horse hike" for Part 2 of the conference.
To say there was enthusiasm for the idea is an understatement.
The "horse hike" turned into a huge perk of the conference. One trek expanded to two, then three, so visitors could venture forth in small enough groups that they'd still see natural wild horse behavior.
Without exception, visitors were awed by the landscape and animals. Negative publicity had led them to expect ravaged rangelands and starving mustangs. Instead, they saw sleek wild horses, frisky foals and breathtaking basin-and-range scenery. They heard wild birdsong and smelled sagebrush they'd only read about and vowed to return with family and friends.

I want wild horses saved because I believe in their intrinsic value. Those who don't "get" the value of Nature, should be able to appreciate their money-making potential.
Multi-use of open lands must include low-impact tourism. Motels and restaurants, gas stations and gift shops -- especially in struggling rural areas -- can benefit from wild horse tourism, without up-front investment. The horses are already here and, left alone, will take care of themselves.
Wild horse tourism is a green money-maker, but virtually untapped. The SCBWI group searched Virginia City shops for wild horse memorabilia -- tshirts, mugs, books, even postcards -- and went home empty-handed.
When I snagged wild horse caps from the Wild Horse Preservation League, they became prized mementos.
Even brief glimpses of mustangs make people want to return to Nevada.
SCBWI's wild horse hike jump-started plans for an "Art of the Wild Horse" convention. Facebook, Twitter and blogpostings about the wild horse adventure have touched off wild horse fever nationwide, and in other countries.
Tourism groups in European and Scandinavia countries are at their wits ends that America thinks so little of the wild horses they can't wait to see.
Every day in Nevada, mustangs are trapped and trucked away from their ancestral lands to make way for mines, gas pipelines, tract homes and mini-storage facilities.
Such trade-offs don't benefit Nevada, but industry and the Department of the Interior have convinced law-makers to swap the rare treasure of wild horses for the mundane.
Visitors laugh in disbelief when they hear of legislation barring wild horses from drinking Nevada water, but it's no joke. AB329 has passed the Assembly and is headed for the state senate. And of course the only way to keep thirsty animals from drinking is to get rid of them.
If you agree Nevada SHOULD NOT throw away a no-cost stimulus package brought to us by Nevada's wild horses, please If you would like to E-Mail Governor Brian Sandoval by clicking here

Exciting HONEYBANDIT update!

2011-04-22T20:40:00.002-06:00

Dear Readers,
Enjoy!
Terri

It was about 12:30 a.m., and I heard Bear (the dobie) on the step between the stall and our bed. A little bit annoyed, as I was almost asleep, I told him to knock it off. He persisted with his whining, and then I saw the puddle. I couldn't believe he had an accident, so I Iooked a little closer and could not believe my eyes. There was water gushing into Honey Bandit and DaBubbles stall. It looked like someone had turned on a couple of bath tub faucets. There was water on the floor under the straw, and Bear didn't want to stand in it.

So I got up and with my slippers on, mumbling just a bit (ha ha) and started into the stall. Just then I heard the most fabulous, intense thunder that literally shook the building. I absolutely love the sound of thunder, and the lack thereof in California is one of the reasons that I had wished to stay in Pennsylvania. It's like God is reminding us that he is all powerful. Honey Bandit did not share my enthusiasm for this noise, as he thought it meant he should jump through the wall. So I quieted him down, all the while amazed at the pounding of the storm on the roof. It was a sound I could have really enjoyed had not Honey Bandit's stall been trying to float away. I trudged out into the down poor. It was like standing under a waterfall. I was soaked through my jacket in seconds. The mud and water was up to my ankles and cold rivers of water poured down my back. I have to say I was not in the best mood that I have ever been in. I might even have said a couple of words that were not so nice.

It took about half an hour to dig the trenches enough so that the water would run around the building and not into the stalls. We had been doing okay for the most part with our make shift hospital/nursery through the winter. However, there have been several times where if we did not realize ahead of time that we were going to get enormous amounts of rainfall, we had some serious issues. But last night took the cake. For the first time in a long time, HB's stall was soaked and once again uninhabitable. So I stayed out in the lovely evening downpour, sloshing through the mud and the muck as I tried to redirect the flood waters. I have to say that once again it has occurred to me that if I were ever to move to a more "nursery friendly" location, I would probably not miss being at the receiving end of all the Shingletown runoff.

I finally got the mess cleaned up as best I could. Then, when I was finished muttering about the inconvenience etc. etc.. I said a big fat prayer that HB wouldn't catch a chill. This morning we completely emptied the stalls so they could dry out. At this moment he has had a lovely day where he got to go outside and play in the sun for a while, and is contentedly munching away in his fresh, clean, and yes, reasonably dried out stall.

Honey Bandit is getting more and more bounce in his step. His confidence is growing, and often times his attitude reminds me of a teenage boy. When he has to do something he doesn't really want to, he will kind of toss his head and give you that look. It is comical, because it is so clear that he is giving me attitude. He is starting to push the mini's around. This is actually quite a big feat for him. I think that is also what is boosting his confidence so much. He thinks he is a big shot because he can push the mini's around. Wait until he meets Chilly Pepper.

His coat seems to be getting darker around his neck. His mane is actually starting to grow and his tail is also growing quite a bit. Except for his "starvation tummy" (it sags because the muscles were all eaten when he was starved and the vet said in a couple years it might be normal again), he looks pretty normal. (Funny how our tummies sag cuz we eat too much and his sags cuz he starved. hmmmm what's up with that?) He has more energy when he runs and plays, but of course has nowhere near the amount the mini's do. But he definitely has more than he did.

The three of them are enjoying the fact that they have a little more room to romp and play in, now that we have expanded their pen. There is still a very large mountain lion around the neighborhood. He is spotted in the surrounding area on a semi regular basis. He walks along the road and is supposed to be huge. So the "small, young kids" aren't going out to play unless we are watching them. Since the cat already had a bite of DaBubbles, I don't want him coming back for more. (Last Thanksgiving we were eating dinner when something crashed into the chain link fence, moving it 15 feet or so, allowing Patches to get out and run around). Thank goodness whatever it was "crashed into it" as opposed to making it over it. So since people keep letting me know that the cat is still around in broad daylight, I will keep being a paranoid mommy.

I hope ya'll enjoyed the sunshine today. I know we all did. Off to get some rest. Take Care and God Bless.

hugs
p

IMPORTANT Horse Trailer Loading advice from Palomino

2011-04-18T11:52:00.009-06:00

Dear Readers,
Palomino just sent an update & though HoneyBandit is doing well, one of his wild cousins isn't.

Please READ and LEARN about horse trailer psychology from Palomino:
We need some prayers for a very special horse that belongs to a friend of mine. Her horse was severely injured when a neighbor used a "butt rope to try and force her into a trailer".
There is a very good chance that her withers are broken. She was in severe pain after she flipped over backwards onto unforgiving ground. We are grateful that she wasn't killed, but this is so unnecessary and every one out there can learn from this.
It isn't worth it to try and force a scared horse into a trailer.
Many times they end up with broken necks. Take the time (or have someone who knows how) to train your horse to safely load.
There are many ways to let the horses find out that trailers are not that scary. But it can take time. If they put two front feet in, let them "settle and think about it".
So what if they back out a couple of times?
Most of the time if you give horses a few minutes to think about what they are afraid of, they will figure out the trailer isn't going to eat them.

* * *

It is kind of interesting that when we brought that wild mare back to California, we did not "force her" into a trailer. We simply showed her that there was less pressure if she went towards the trailer. Pressure in this case = a moved arm or hand -- NOT yelling or screaming or hitting, simply giving her an "out" in the direction we wanted her to go.
You can move a wild horse (or any horse for that matter) just by your body language and the tiniest movements of your hands. If we had tried to "force" her into the trailer, all heck would have broken loose and she would have been injured, and so, most likely, would we. There is not a horsey person in the world that has not made a mistake, me included, but let's all remember not to try and force any horse into a trailer.
So please, ya'll say a prayer for this beautiful mare. She needs all of them, and so does her "mommy". I actually think her "mommy" is suffering worse than the horse, because it is so hard to see our beloved animals in pain.
Good news:
Honey Bandit now has about twice the room to play off of his "nursery". He, Patches and DaBubbles had a blast. They love to play "ring around the tree", and now they have another one to play around. They're having galloping good times!

Bloomburg, Texas = warm & friendly

2011-04-17T13:29:00.005-06:00

I loved this school visit and I can't wait to post photos of my with staff & students, so here's what greeted me. Look around while you're "here" and see if the setting looks like what you think of when you imagine Texas!
Happy trails,
Terri

Silver Lining for a Golden Filly

2011-04-15T10:57:00.021-06:00

at left, March photo, Lisa Friday
below, April photo, BLM

Dear Readers,
Did you see the injured buckskin filly in Lisa Ann Friday's March 15 video of the Utah BLM corrals? The Cloud Foundation made the footage public last week and journalists worldwide recognized a story which had to be shared.
I was still in Texas when I posted my Saturday, April 9 blog about the mud and blood in Butterfield corrals. Watching from the clean warmth of my Dallas hotel room, I felt guilty until I flashed on the day before.
For 6+ hours I'd been "chauffeured" across Texas by Sherry, a smart, funny, kind-hearted school librarian and her tolerant husband Bill. On our way to Bloomburg school (250 K-12 students), we talked about everything, including Sherry's yearning for her own DARK SUNSHINE - a buckskin mustang. And there she was, in need of rescue.
Phone calls blazed and emails bounced between Nevada, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
TODAY I learned Sherry and Bill have been approved to adopt the filly. Bill is designing a ranch environment for her. Sherry is fielding student offers to visit and comfort the filly -- young hearts reaching out to a wild heart.
When she arrives next month, the mustang will be called Wild Cat in honor of the Bloomburg school mascot.
I believe Bloomburg students are natural storytellers. I believe Wild Cat will become part of local lore, and the story of her life will change the lives of her kind.
Happy trails,
Terri

Texas Hand Jive

2011-04-14T21:50:00.015-06:00

Lucky me to meet folks from
Rocky Top Equine Therapy, They
support literacy, kids, wounded warriors & horses in Keller, Texas

Dear Readers,
In college, when I was learning to be a teacher, I ran across the term "excessive gesticulation." My professor applied the term to students who use their hands
A LOT when speaking. It's a symptom of...well, tell you later.
In the meantime, you can read an article about my visit to Texas classrooms -- sponsored by the Texas Rangers baseball team, JC Penney and Storyopolis Entertainment. There's also a video of me talking with my hands to a bunch of great Arlington, Texas students here:

TEXAS RANGERS VIDEO

Happy trails,
Terri

HoneyBandit: Getting to be a Big Boy

2011-04-10T02:38:00.000-06:00

Dear Readers,
As I write this, Palomino Armstrong and her husband Matt are helping yet another wild horse. Photographer Cat Kindsfather rescued a beautiful wild mare (a Medicine Hat like my GhostDancer) she named Oshunnah and Palomino and Matt are helping Cat move her mustang to the Wild Horse Sanctuary in Shingletown,California, where she'll soon be roaming free with Ghost Dancer, Sage, the real Phantom and many other wild horses, on 5,000 fenced acres.
Last I heard, Oshunnah was none too happy about being back in a horse trailer, but her human helpers think she'll feel it was worth it when she's set free.
Here is a HONEYBANDIT update Palomino wrote earlier this week:

Tuesday was an absolutely fabulous day here. The sun was shining and warm and the horses were kicking up their heels. The mustangs in the upper field were running and bucking and chasing each other up and down. You could actually feel their joy and excitement as their feet pounded up and down the hill, their tails flying, their necks arched as they chased each other.

Honey Bandit thought he should do that to. He was striking out and prancing around his pen. He started chasing DaBubbles and they were flying and kicking and I got a little bit nervous that one of those feet might connect and send DaBubbles to China. So we put Honey Bandit, Dabubbles and Patches out in their "play area". All the way to the corral, Honey Bandit had his neck arched, and it was tight. He was ready to panic if he could only find something. He searched side to side, arching that neck like their was danger. But mean old mom kept making him stop and stand every time he was about to "explode". I took all his fun out of it. So he had to walk over there like a gentlemen, and if something scared him he had to stop and check it out until he calmed down. But he really really wanted an excuse to "freak out".

So the three of them ran their little butts off. They bucked and kicked and chased each other and skidded to a stop and had the absolute best time. After awhile, we had to go inside, and they didn't think we needed to end their time yet. So we got Patches and Dabubbles and walked over to the gate and started out. I knew HB wouldn't be able to stand being left behind, and sure enough about 30 seconds later he ran to the gate and skidded to a stop right in front of me, almost as if he was asking me to bring him back. I love it when they do that. But one of these days he will turn into a big shot like Chilly Pepper and won't be so dependent. Then it will be trickier.

Mud & Blood: Wild Horses' Hellish Spring at BLM's Butterfield

2011-04-09T09:46:00.012-06:00

Dear Readers,
I enjoy the cozy days and gentle rains of early spring, but after seeing what's happening in the government's wild horse corrals near Salt Lake City, I feel guilty and gloomy. BLM speaks of rescuing mustangs to create healthy horses and healthy rangelands. After seeing this, you'll find it hard to believe anything they say.

Eye-Witness video of wild horses at Butterfield

Please use the email link and phone number at the end of the film to state your opinion.

The horses can't speak for themselves, but their eyes appeal to you to save them.
Please use your head and heart to help,
Terri

p.s. here's what I wrote; feel free to borrow

I generally enjoy the showers of April. I love hiking the range in northern Nevada to see wildflowers and wild horse herds full of new foals.
Video shot at BLM's Butterfield Short Term holding corrals on March 15, 2011 shows a hellish spring for wild horses. These conditions are cruel and unhealthy for any species.
Please get some dry soil in there for the horses.
I've made loud public comments blaming independent contractors for most of the abuse of America's wild horses, but these animals are in the hands of BLM. Please step up and do what's right.
Sincerely,
Terri Farley

Believe Your Eyes about Wild Horses

2011-04-04T18:02:00.037-06:00

"The Warning--Stallion Style"
all photos by Cat Kindsfather

This mustang stallion is the first line of defense for his family, but he needs YOU to back him up!
I've prioritized the items below, so that you can use your time wisely.

SIX WAYS YOU CAN HELP WILD HORSES

1. If you only have a few minutes, LEARN about tax-payer funded round-ups of America's wild horses click this link and watch this with your own eyes. Then talk about it. Tell everyone, because they can't care, if they don't know.

NO TIME TO DO MORE? This is a reference document. Print out this page. Put it by your computer. Next time, before you waste an hour online, spend 3 minutes making your world someplace you still want to live when you're old.

2. Only want to visit one website about wild horses? I trust: American Wild Horse Preservation. It's known as the United Nations of Wild Horse Advocacy since most respected humane groups work here to screen information and work together. It includes statistics, photographs, eye-witness observations, and solutions.

Tell lawmakers you are watching

3. Nevada has more wild horses than any other state. Ask the governor to keep them running free and to allow them to drink Nevada water.
Want to see mustangs when you visit Nevada? Tell him. Tourism dollar$ are very important to this state.
Email Governor Sandoval of Nevada

4. Your legislators can't act for you if you don't tell them what you want. In just days, Congress may give BLM millions more dollars for disastrous round-ups. Would you rather have your tax money go to education? Health care? Jobs? Say so.
The process below, took me 3 minutes. I timed it.
a) CLICK HERE OR paste http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6931/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6220 in your browser
b) go down the page to the space for ZIP CODE and enter it
c) an automatic email comes up. You can just sign it with your information, but if you change the subject line and personalize the first paragraph (ex: Failure and cruelty wouldn't be rewarded with a raise in most jobs, so why should the taxpayers give the BLM millions more?) it may get more attention.

5. Write to Robert Abbey, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management and tell him what you think of wild horse round-ups. Tell him any GOOD the BLM does is hidden by the ugly cloud created by independent helicopter contractors hired with your tax dollars One sentence will do it!
BLM Director Bob Abbey

6. Keep up! Learn what's going on by joining a : mailing list
you can trust

My April Newsletter is out!

2011-04-01T23:23:00.007-06:00

Read about books & Boise, Idaho's Young Writers, Jake's way of working with horses as practiced by real life RED HORSE NATION and enter my trivia contest! Most of all -- have fun!

April News Letter

Happy trails,
Terri

WILD FOAL WATCH

2011-03-23T15:42:00.029-06:00

all photos by Karen Hopple

Dear Readers,
Visitors to the Bureau of Land Management's Palomino Valley hoped to see spring foals. They did, and here's how one described the wild horse corrals, "...filthy, with standing water from the storm that smelled like cesspools. The horses were a mess, covered with mud and feces...The strangles is spreading... heard coughs in every area of the center."
Disheartened by the condition of the captive horses, the visitors drove out of town to see how mustangs on their own had weathered the high desert storms.
The free-roaming horses were doing just fine. Foals nursed, studied the two-legged newcomers and hopped like bunnies over sage brush.
Back at Palomino Valley, the captive foals huddled low in the mud, trying to stay alive.

WHY?
Free-roaming mustangs sought natural shelter and higher ground away from rain run-off. The only shelter at Palomino Valley covers hay bales and a work area where stallions are castrated. In the corrals, there is no shelter and BLM failed to use on-site trucks and bulldozers to cover even the muddiest areas, so that newborns could nap on dry dirt.

I've been accused of cruelty because I favor mustangs running free -- searching out their own food, shelter and safety.
Take a look at these photos and judge for yourself which horses are happier.
Next, take action. Use this simple form to tell BLM this is not the way you want millions of tax dollars spent. It's easy, just : click here to say LET 'EM RUN!

all photos by Karen Hopple

Elizabeth Taylor's legacy

2011-03-23T08:25:00.010-06:00

Dear Readers,
Many of you probably don't know why the death of Elizabeth Taylor is news. If you know of her at all, it may be as a crusader against AIDS or a comic figure of an actress past her prime.
But Elizabeth Taylor will always be Velvet Brown to me.
Based on the book NATIONAL VELVET, the movie showed me for the first time -- it was already black-and-white-old when I saw it on TV -- a girl who gave her heart to a horse and dared to have adventures.
Because horse stories are never JUST horse stories, it was about a girl taking control of something larger than herself. Velvet lived within the confines of her time -- 1920's, I think -- but she broke free to prove females bloody well could compete in the Grand National steeplechase even if they had to hack off their hair and bind their chests to do it.
I already loved horses when I saw the film, but it didn't bother me that the Piebald appeared not to be. I remember the gallops along the shore, yes, but even more I can still see Velvet's mother offering her daughter the entry fee for the race. The coins she unwrapped were cherished gold sovereigns she'd won years before swimming the English Channel.
My heart soared at the idea that somewhere -- in England, apparently! -- generations of daring women worked together. With horses. And courage.
RIP Elizabeth Taylor. I hope for you the best sort of Heaven, cantering green fields with the wind in your hair and a warm supper waiting for you at home.

For the 2nd Day of Spring, a return to River Bend

2011-03-21T06:02:00.009-06:00

Lots of new readers have told me they missed my holiday newsletter and a return to a time at River Bend Ranch when Sam was a little girl and the Phantom hadn't yet been born.
I hope you'll enjoy it here, for the first time, or in the retelling. T.

REMEMBER THE COLT
by Terri Farley

"It's a good place for horses," Sam insisted, but no one answered her.
Samantha Anne Forster looked up and swung the hand her Gram was holding, but Gram didn't swing back.
Sam looked up, way up this time, at Daddy, but she didn't swing the hand he held.
No one wanted to play with her.
Gram and Dad and all their friends and neighbors stood in a strange green pasture holding tissues to their eyes and noses. as they listened to Pastor Chuck talk about Heaven.

Sam looked past the crowd to green grass that rolled over little hills . It was different from the range around River Bend Ranch.

This is a cemetery, she reminded herself, not a pasture.
No horses are allowed in a cemetery. That's what Daddy said.
It might have made sense if the cemetery had been an inside place, or if they hadn't brought Mama here.

"Next to my family, I love horses best!" Mama told Sweetheart every time she hugged the mare's pinto neck.

So why couldn't Sweetheart have come along? It wasn't like Sam had wanted to bring Sweetheart into the house and upstairs to her bedroom.

Tromp, clop. Tromp, tromp, clomp.
As she imagined Sweetheart's hooves climbing the stairs, Sam laughed a little.

Gram squeezed Sam's hand, but it was a sad squeeze and this time it was Sam who didn't look up. She didn't want to see Gram's hurt face. This was a different hurt from when Gram got burned taking a cookie sheet out of the oven. It had something to do with Mama going away.
Yesterday, when Trixie growled and wouldn't get off Mama's bed, Gram hadn't said "Scoot!" Instead, Gram had cried.
This morning, as Gram zipped the back of Sam's blue church dress, helped her pull on the yellow cowgirl boots Mama said were the color of "tiger butter," then started to decorate Sam's braids with daisies, Sam got squirmy. Then, she started wiggling and giggling and Gram had said, "Samantha Ann, you're almost five years old and today, oh please honey, try to act like a big girl."

Gram had cried then, too and when Sam asked her what hurt on her, Gram put her hand on her chest.

Now, even though the sun cooked through Sam's dress, Daddy's hand felt cold. All at once, he let go.
"Wait!" Sam reached after him, but Daddy was stepping away.
He bent to pick up a handful of dirt. He dropped it in a hole.

They were walking back to Daddy's truck when Sam spotted a big white duck, the kind that swam around Sleeping Beauty's castle in her best book. She chased after it and, at first no one noticed. Not even Gram, even though getting wet and dirty was usually something that got Gram's attention.

Daddy came after her, but he didn't scold. He stopped at the edge of the pond, not looking at her, really, or even at the -- swan! That was what Mama called the black-masked ducks.

No, Daddy just stood still, like he playing freeze tag, until Mr. Ely came up.

"I'm taking you all home in our car," Mr. Ely said. "Kit will drive your truck on back."

Mr. Ely scooped Sam up and settled her on his shoulders. He didn't care that her boots dripped on his white shirt.

*************

<> Sam felt crowded. Too many people were in her house, making it so hot, her feet went all steamy inside her wet boots. She didn't know all the people, but as she edged through the forest of knees, hands touched or stroked or patted the top of her head.

She didn't mind, until she noticed that if someone accidentally laughed, they'd clear their throat in a way that was sad. That was why, when Sam saw the Ely boys taking turns, slipping one by one out the screen door, without letting it slam, she followed them.

The biggest boy, Kit, hadn't done much but straighten his brothers' collars and shush them since he brought Daddy's truck home, but now Kit was right behind her.

"Why does she have to come?" Nate asked. He elbowed Jake.

"Yeah?" Jake asked, but he pushed hair that hung like a pony's forelock aside, and the brown eyes he aimed at Sam didn't look mean.

"You know why," Kit said and all the boys stared at her.

Sam knew how to make them stop looking so pitiful.

"Want to see something?" Sam asked

She ran ahead of them, crawled between the fence rails of Sweetheart's corral, then jumped up to grab the pinto's mane and bounce onto Sweetheart's back.

"How did she --?"
"Didn't know that mare was kid-gentle."
"Are you sure -- ?"
"Remember the monkeys that rode the greyhounds around the arena at the rodeo?"
"Yeah, but they were tied on."
"Careful now, Samantha."

Sam didn't know which Ely said which words, but it didn't matter. She lay on Sweetheart's neck. Warm and floppy as if she lay on her own bed, Sam felt the mare's thick mane on her forehead. For a minute, she thought she might fall asleep, but then Sam breathed the honey and leather smell that was part Mama's and held her breath, refusing to let it go, in case she could never smell it again.

Holding her mouth shut as she wouldn't lose that breath of Mama, Sam didn't breathe. Even when she saw bunches of black dots like swarming ants, she wouldn't let it go.
Then, one of her legs slipped left and the rest of her wanted to follow.
Boots hit the fence rails and Sam opened her eyes to see two Ely boys starting over the fence.

Then she took a really loud breath and said, "I like to ride Sweetheart." She held a hand out at them so that they wouldn't pull her off of Mama's horse. "Sweetheart can dance. Look!"

Sam sat up straight, fingers resting on the chocolate-brown spot covering Sweetheart's withers. Sam leaned back a little just like Mama was still sitting behind her.

She could hear Mama saying, Sweetheart can dance the rumba. All you have to do is ask.

"Sweetheart," Sam said in her most grown-up voice, "Rumba!"

Sam shoved her fingers through Sweetheart's mane and held on tight as the mare planted her white front legs and made her back hooves shift around, swinging her tail and back end to give Sam a ride so bumpy, she couldn't help but laugh .

"Can you do that?" she asked the big boys.
Mama didn't allow her to be show-offy, but Mama wasn't here.
"Can you? Huh?" Sam yelled so hard, she was afraid her shout would turn into crying. "I bet you can't!"

Sweetheart shied and Sam plopped onto the corral's dirt floor.
Jake wasn't much bigger than Sam, but he was over the fence, picking her up and setting her back on her feet before Sam could do it herself.
Once she was up, Sweetheart stepped close enough to nuzzle Sam.
"That's okay," Sam said, told the horse, "I know you're sorry." She hooked her fingers through the mare's halter, then told Jake thank-you.
Jake rubbed the back of his neck as his brothers made making kissing noises.

Shaking his head, Jake looked at them and said, "You gotta feel a little sorry for her."

For some reason, that made Sam want to sock him. So, she did.

"Hey," Jake said. His hands covered his tummy.

When Sam socked his hands, she barely kept her grip on Sweetheart's halter. As the pinto snorted, trying to back away, Sam's feet barely touched the ground. Only her tiptoes dragged in the dirt.

"Come away from that horse if you're gonna go all loco," Jake said.

"You are not the boss of me!" Sam yelled. She would not leave Mama's horse.

When Daddy and Gram came running, Sam was mad at everybody.

"No!" she screamed and this time Sweetheart half-reared, lifting Sam's boots clear of the dirt.

"Heaven have mercy!" Gram said.

Mr. Ely was there, too. He took one look at her, hanging from the horses' halter then said, "Get in the house," to his boys.

"I'm sorry!" Jake yelled, but Sweetheart's rearing made everything blurry and where her arm went into her shoulder was starting to hurt, so she didn't know if he left for the house or not.

"She's my horse! She's my --" Sam's teeth clacked together as Daddy jerked her away from Sweetheart.

He set her on her feet. At first he didn't let go and his hands shook.

"She's not your horse, Samantha Anne," he said finally. He took a step back from her. "You just go on! Get on outta this corral." Daddy pointed. "Do it now."

Daddy closed his eyes. For a minute, she thought he was trying to keep the tears from leaking out of his eyes, but it didn't work. He was crying and so was she, but Sam put her hands on her hips.
"Daddy," she started, but he didn't let her talk.
"When I open my eyes, I don't want to see you. I want you safe inside that house, hear?"

She'd made her daddy cry.
When I open my eyes, I don't want to see you.

*************

The year she was five. Sam cried a lot. She missed her Mama. Daddy wouldn't let her ride Sweetheart. She wasn't allowed to do anything Daddy thought was dangerous, and that was a whole lot of stuff.
He didn't let her climb the ladder to the hayloft or walk by the La Charla River, gathering black rocks to throw into the current as she and Mama used to do. He checked her seatbelt, even though she'd been fastening it herself forever. When she played tug with Trixie, he made sure the dog's teeth stayed covered by her lips or else he sent her out of the house.
"He's just making sure nothing happens to you, too," Gram told Sam.

The year she was six, Sam had fun at school, but she was quiet and careful at home. Dad wouldn't let her ride alone. He or Gram had sit behind her on Banjo or Amigo. Sam tried not to complain. She'd made her Daddy cry once, and she never wanted to do that again.

When she was seven, Sam finally got mad. In the back of her mind, she kept hearing Daddy say, When I open my eyes, I don't want to see you. She was packed and ready to run away, off to the range. She and Trixie and the new puppy, Blaze, could live with the coyotes.
When Gram told her Daddy hadn't meant he didn't want her around. He'd just wanted to keep her safe, Gram said, and it was like Sam had never heard the words before, so she asked Daddy if that was true.
He said yes, and though he still wouldn't let her ride Sweetheart, he let her ride anywhere inside the ranch gates on Fuzzy, a short-legged pony all of the Ely boys had outgrown.

The year she was eight, Daddy said he had something special for her.

He took her to see Kitty, a beautiful red Quarter Horse that had, she'd heard, cost a "pretty penny."

"Come here and feel this," Daddy said, skimming his hand over Kitty's big belly.

"Okay, I will. She's such a pretty girl," Sam said, but she wasn't talking to Daddy.

Kitty's skin moved as if she was shuddering off a fly, but Sam kept petting. Did she feel Kitty's heartbeat in her tummy?

The mare's head swung around as if she were surprised by this, too.
"The prettiest girl on the whole ranch," Sam went on, as the mare's brown eyes studied her.
And then she felt it.

Right in the center of hand, something bumped her. She'd started to pull away when it happened again and she saw the outline of a miniature hoof.

"Guess your horse already knows you," Daddy said, "When her baby's born, he'll belong to you."

Sam hugged Daddy's leg as he gave Kitty her special vitamins. She jumped up and down while he brushed her bright coat.

Then, Sam stared at her own hand, at the hollow between the base of her fingers and her thumb. Her horse. She looked at the lines crossing her palm and imagined they were roads they'd gallop together. The foal's hoof had not left a print on her skin, but somehow she still felt the tiny touch the next day.

Even though Daddy said her horse would be born "soon," it took forever. and the only thing that helped was talking to Jake Ely, at school.

Jake liked to pretend he was a horse expert, and maybe he was, because he told her amazing things about them.
Even though Sam was in Mr. Davis' class and Jake was in Mrs. Greenbaum's, their classes lined up beside each other while they waited to go back inside after lunch recess.

Jake said two things were very important if she wanted to make the new foal really and truly hers, forever.

"First, soon as he's born --"

"What if it's a filly?" Sam interrupted.

"Sam," he said, rolling his eyes. "It don't matter."

He was quiet for so long, that the classes had gone through their separate doorways before Sam knew he wasn't going to tell her. He stayed silent on the bus, after school, too.

"Okay, I'll be quiet," she told him the next day.
Jake gazed at her for so long, Sam had almost give up. But then Jake lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

"It'll help the horse," Jake said about something or other, and then he talked longer than she'd ever heard before.

He told her she had to breath her breath into the foal's nose, so that he knew she was part of his herd, even though she was human. And, she needed to whisper a secret name into the foal's ear, as soon as the mare would let her get close enough.
"It's gotta sound different than other words," he said. "Not 'boy,' 'cause that sounds like toy. Not fella, cause that sounds like -- "
" -- yella," Sam made the rhyme before she could stop herself. But she covered her mouth with both hands and made her eyes beg Jake to go on. .
"Right," he said slowly. "And if you do that, and never, ever tell anyone that name, it will be a magic bond between you, forever."

*************
The colt wasn't born gray like his sire, Smoke, or red like his mother Kitty.
When Sam first saw the little horse, he gleamed black as the wet river rocks she and Mama had gathered together.
Kitty licked her baby so hard, Daddy told Gram that the little horse had struggled to his feet in self defense, because Kitty kept making him roll over like a dog.

But Sam didn't blame Kitty. Sam was pretty sure they shared the same overwhelming urge to touch the little horse.

When the mare nudged him to nurse, the colt got up, then sneezed and fell. He managed to stand again, but his black face was spattered with milk.

"Got more on the outside of him than the inside," Daddy said, and he must have heard Sam's breath catch in worry, because he added, "He'll get better at it right quick."

"Can I touch him?" Sam asked Daddy, and she was surprised when he told her she could, just as soon as Kitty began eating.

Five minutes passed, then ten, but finally Kitty noticed the manger full of fresh hay.
When the gentle rhythmic sound of chewing had gone on long enough, Daddy let her approach her horse.

Sam's sigh shuddered as it came out, and the foal turned ears no longer than her index finger swiveled to catch the sound.

It's time, Sam thought. She'd meant to do this after she'd breathed her breath on him, but the colt's ears were listening to her. He was waiting to hear his secret name.

"Go ahead," Dad said, and Sam realized she still hadn't touched her colt. "I'll watch the mare for you, and you hightail it out of there if I say so."

"Uh huh," Sam said, but she kept her voice soft and dreamy as she shuffled three steps through the deep straw of the birthing stall, then bent to the little black ear.

With her eyes closed, she whispered, "Zanzibar."
Had he heard? The colt stood so still, she wasn't sure.
Then, a fine trembling ran over his little black body.

His head bumped hers so quickly, Sam just glimpsed the intelligence in his long-lashed brown eyes before the colt huffed his milky breath into her face.

He already knew her and he wasn't afraid.

"I am," she whispered, "I'm part of your herd."

The realization must have tired him out, because the colt's back legs bent. He sat, then cuddled into the straw.

Kitty looked back and gave a snort. Daddy didn't have to tell her it was time to leave the two horses alone.
Sam slipped out of the stall.
The red mare circled her son, then settled beside him.

"C'mon, honey," Daddy said. He touched her shoulder and he might have nodded toward the barn door, but Sam's gaze didn't leave her horse.

Once more, her lips formed the name, Zanzibar.

The foal's mini whinny startled the humans and the mare.

From his place beside his mother, the little black horse stretched his chin up, looking proud.

His head jerked in a triple nod before he closed his eyes, and fell asleep for his first nap on River Bend Ranch, his home.

All is Well on the Big Mountain

2011-03-19T09:13:00.012-06:00

Dahana Ranch, heaven for horses

Dear Readers,
My Hawaiian friends are all right. You asked & I'll tell you more in a minute.

Backstory: At the Vacaville library and in this blog, I talked about destructive tsunamis and earthquakes in Japan. I talked about learning lots about these natural forces as I researched SEA SHADOW and other WILD HORSE ISLAND stories.
I discovered I wasn't the only fascinated (and fearful) one. Six copies of SEA SHADOW went with me to the library & I came home with none.
So, here's what's up in the Islands...Kylie on Oahu, was inland at college and safe, but her family (with all of their pets) were evacuated from the coast and headed up to see her at the dorm...Linda, my friend & Maui librarian said they were fine, but I must check on Seabury, her school. My visit there is a wonderful memory...Kuuipo', at college in Wyoming, was worried about her family on the Big Island. Their Dahana Ranch is inland, but they've had so many earthquakes. I heard from her step-mom Kiyo, " that though the nearby cities of Kona and Hilo had some damage, "all is well over on the big mountain."

Thanks for caring,
Terri

Tsunamis & Wild Horses under the Supermoon

2011-03-17T08:52:00.018-06:00

Dear Readers,
Japan's terrible earthquake and tsunami have made kids and adults aware of how little we know about the WHY of natural forces.
For instance, there's lots of talk about March 19's Super Moon triggering earthquakes.
I grew up in California, and those of you who've read GIFT HORSE, probably figured out I'm no fan of earthquakes.
Hawaii has earthquakes and more. While researching my WILD HORSE ISLAND series I learned about the earthquake-tsunami-disease cycle. It's part of the islands' history and the reason, most believe, that wild horses live in Waipi'o Valley, model for my fictional Crimson Vale.
If you want to read a fictional account of what happens, take a look at SEA SHADOW. I did my best to show how a tsunami impacts the natural world of wild horses and the people who care about them. It's not pretty, but experts helped me make it pretty accurate.

For the before, you can read FIRE MAIDEN (book #5, exploring volcanic earthquake). It's a tough book to find, but your librarian should be able to help you!
To see one possible tsunami aftermath, read WATER LILY, book #8, which follows a domestic horse sickened by contamination of wild waters.

Wishing you loads of Aloha,
Terri

Update from Palomino & HoneyBandit

2011-03-14T20:10:00.001-06:00

Dear Readers --
Palomino is back from the Wild Horse and Burro advisory board meeting in Arizona. Here's here message for all who care about our wild horses. Terri

Hi ya’ll. Sorry it has taken so long to get out an update. We are actually in the air on the way home right now. It was a very intense couple of days. I would say it was a success in the fact that many different groups came together as one to try and save our wild horses.

People came with different messages and suggestions, but all with the same need in their heart, to save the horses and stop the roundups.

We had some good interaction with the BLM Advisory Board Members, and heard some really valuable recommendations. We don’t know if they will be followed, but hopefully it is a good start. Many of the items were things that we as advocates have been trying to get accomplished. A few of them were simple, common sense items, if you understand the way a horse thinks. When you hear people talk about a horse “spooking” they are usually talking about when the horse moves quickly away from something that frightens it. It may jump away, take off running, whirl around or stop, rear up and turn around or start bucking. One of the hazards for the mustangs has been the contractor’s coolers, sweatshirts etc. left near or on the fences where the horses are being run in. The horses are already panicked, they see this “predator” in front of them and naturally they freak out and turn around, often trampling or smashing smaller horses or babies. Correcting this problem was one of the recommendations BLM received. Steps like this may not seem important, but it would greatly reduce the stress and injuries that the horses receive and could even save lives.

Simple solutions to tiny steps in this huge problem are available and have been brought to not only the Advisory Board’s attention, but BLM as well. There was heartfelt testimony by the advocates and the ranchers told their side of the issue also. It is always difficult to measure the value of attending a meeting like this, but we definitely feel the financial stress incurred to attend this are worth what was accomplished.

Nearly all the Advisory Board Members and the personnel from the BLM were extremely familiar with Honey Bandit’s story. Because of this, members of the Advisory Board invited me to submit my proposal for improved orphan and critical foal care, as well as my comments. We submitted Honey Bandit’s written story, along with a detailed proposal outlining procedures and solutions that would save more foals. This proposal recommends more public access, a visitor’s observation card, which would allow the public to notify BLM personnel of any animal in distress. This will create a record that cannot be altered and will facilitate systematic follow through actions and feedback. There will be no more he said / she said, all concerns will be documented in triplicate with carbon copies. If a foal dropped, was orphaned or simply thought to be at risk, it would be immediately moved to an appropriate and qualified rescue.

Our purpose in attending this meeting was twofold. To join all advocates in sending the message to Stop The Roundups until appropriate scientific studies prove how many horses are actually left, and to establish a better system for the foal rescue. We accomplished this, at least the first steps, and now we need everyone to contact their Senators and ask them to stop the roundups with the exception of those in emergent situations.

It was hard to be away from Honey Bandit so long. I had a horrible nightmare one night and I called and woke up my poor hubby. I told him about my dream and he looked over and said not to worry, he was just fine. So all is well back in Shingletown. Each small step is a tiny victory in Honey Bandits journey to Stop The RoundUps! God bless you and thank you for your prayers and support.

Palomino & the Gang

p.s.
I was given the opportunity to share and submit a proposal to set up We presented a proposal for the foals to be immediately released to the proper care facilities upon discovery as opposed to waiting for their condition to worsen. No more Honey Bandits.

Update from Phoenix

2011-03-11T21:03:00.012-07:00

Elyse Gardner photo of Deniz Bolbol, speaking out for wild horses at an earlier meeting

On the spot observation from BLM advisory board meeting in Phoenix:

"They [BLM] are saying IF congress doesn't give their budget increase they will not roundup for the rest of this fiscal year (which ends sept 30). The senate appropriations committee last Friday put in the $12m increase requested.
"It appears BLM is using this 'no more roundups' threat with congress and it's an uphill battle to defeat this budget increase in the senate, Deniz Bobol, Wild Horse Preservation.

We must keep the legislature from handing over the blood money on BLM's wish list.
It might not be easy, but we're up to making our voices heard.

No $$$ for Mustang Round-Ups

2011-03-11T06:52:00.006-07:00

photo of Antelope Valley foals in BLM corrals by Karen Hopple

Dear Readers,
Yesterday BLM officials announced that they're out of money to round up wild horses. THAT'S GREAT NEWS! It's what we've been talking and arguing and scheming to accomplish.
Now we have to keep Congress from awarding BLM more money to fund more round-ups.
With your help, helicopters will be grounded. There will be no more HoneyBandits, no more traumatized foals ripped too early from their mothers and mustangs will live as God intended -- running free.
Keep up the good work,
Terri

Vacaville, California

2011-03-10T14:55:00.009-07:00

Terri Farley
Author of the Phantom Stallion Series
is coming to visit Town Square in Vacaville, California
for a talk & booksigning
Thursday, March 17
4:00

Death of the West

2011-03-07T12:03:00.013-07:00

Sacred Medicine Hat in squalor
photo by Mark Terrell

Dear Readers,
Petfolio magazine published this article and I hope you'll find it interesting.

DEATH OF THE WEST, by Terri Farley

Terri Farley Was a Horse

2011-03-01T08:20:00.004-07:00

Terri Farley used to be a horse. Today she writes books filled with the action and adventure of wild horses and Celtic shape-shifters. Coincidence?
Terri will be in Boise for the Young Writers Festival and she'd love to talk with you about horses, books and selkies at REDISCOVERED BOOKS in Boise, Idaho.
Thursday March 3, 6:30-8:30.
180 N. 8th Street
Boise, Idaho
(208) 376-4229

A Tough Little Life

2011-02-22T16:52:00.008-07:00

photo by Cat Kindsfather

Dear Readers,
Each week, America's mustangs are killed with our tax dollars. They're run to exhaustion by helicopters. They crash into metal fences and trucks. They contort their bodies into leaps they can'tmake, trying to reach their families and freedom.
Some of us can't stand to see the photo or hear the terrible true stories.
Some of us grit our teeth, take those photos to our legislators and tell them real-life horror stories that must stop.
Last week, Palomino Armstrong took Honeybandit's story to Washington, D.C.
Her testimony -- and that of other wild horse advocates -- helped spur a vote to take $2 million dollars from BLM's mustang round-up fund.
But we want to make sure BLM takes the hint. So, many mustang advocates will attend the March 10-11 BLM advisory board meeting in Phoenix, AZ and speak out for wild horses.

Palomino wants to attend and tell BLM to STOP THE ROUND-UPS until a scientific investigation is done. She wants to make sure there are no more HoneyBandits -- foals taken from their mothers and left to starve in BLM custody.

I've helped Palomino document HoneyBandit's tough little life so that BLM cannot deny their mistakes, can't dismiss her as the equine equivalent of a crazy cat lady .Palomino's photos and journal entries have shown us a foal's life of BLM-inflicted pain and confusion. Honeybandit was rescued, but most babies in his situation are shot.
Almost every day, people ask me how they can help the mustangs.
If you want to stand up for wild horses, but can't be in Phoenix next month, consider donating a dollar or two to Palomino's Miracle Mustang foundation so that she can afford to feed the horses at home, and travel to the meeting.
Donations are tax-deductible and you can check out the
Miracle Mustang Rescue
here.
Happy trails,
Terri

Do 1 thing for Wild Horses; watch this

2011-02-18T03:04:00.000-07:00

photo by Cat Kindsfather

This foal is watching you, hoping you'll watch this short movie sent to Help Horses in Congress .
Ginger Kathrens' film shows the cruelty being inflicted on our wild horses, with our tax dollars.
If you've ever thought, "there's nothing I can do to help the mustangs," this is your chance to ACT
1. Watch this: short film
then forward it on to someone else

or

go here to free Phantom Stallion postcards and send a postcard to someone with a heart and tell him or her what you learned.
You CAN education those around you!
Please help,
Terri

2011-02-16T22:06:00.003-07:00

Dear Readers,
Today the House of Representatives gave BLM a warning.
How? They voted to CUT two million dollars from the BLM's huge budget.

This is a good beginning to the end of a cruel fiasco.

Feel free to ride along to my dreamland, tonight, where horse-hating helicopter pilots are grounded and wild horses roam free.

Prayerfully,
Terri

Palomino Rocks the House -- of REPRESENTATIVES

2011-02-15T15:55:00.002-07:00

from Palomino:

Today we had meetings at the offices of Calvert, Young, Serrano, and Garamendi, in the House of Representatives. All the reps that we met with were very open to our ideas and the meetings were a great success. HONEY BANDIT ROCKED THE HOUSE! of representatives.

Honey Bandit's story had quite an impact, bringing tears to the eyes of more than one person. It is amazing how many people do not realize where their tax dollars are going. You can see Ginger Kathren's video on you tube; it also had a huge impact on the people who saw it. "Many Thanks to Ginger Kathren".

It is so hard to be away from the guys, but I am so glad that I have the privilege of sharing Honey Bandit's story. I sure miss hearing him whinny at me when I go to bed, and drifting off to sleep while he munches away. I know Matt is taking good care of him, and the rest of the gang, but I will be very glad to be back home again.

Tomorrow is another big day. Will keep you posted. Thanks for all the support and prayers. God bless!

Palomino goes to Washington

2011-02-13T22:14:00.003-07:00

Dear Readers,
Palomino Armstrong -- foster mom to HoneyBandit, Chilly Pepper, DaBubbles, Patches -- and human mom to two great boys, is, at this very moment in Washington D.C.
She will be telling our legislators the TRUTH as she's lived it day-to-day-to-day with horses abused by BLM.
Please send her and Jennifer, who has been beside Palomino and HoneyBandit from Day 1, all of your best wishes. It's possible, I KNOW IT IS, that they will help stop the round-ups and save the mustangs.
Want to peek over my shoulder and read what Palomino has to say tonight?
Read on...

Hi from Washington D.C., Wow is it different from Shingletown. It has been crazy busy, leaving Redding last night at midnight and getting to D.C. this afternoon. Met some wonderful people on the plane who are extremely interested in helping change things. (Of course we trapped them on the plane and made them watch HB's video haha) Just kidding of course. We did watch his video several times though; it is amazing how many people have no idea that their wild horses are being rounded up. OR that their tax dollars hard at work is what pays for these roundups.

It is a good group, and after having a bite to eat, we all met up again and finished getting the informational packets ready for tomorrow. I don't think anyone got much sleep last night, so people were pretty beat, but they cowboy'ed up anyway and we "got er done".

Sitting in our hotel room, (in a very very old building), we can hear someone playing (trumpet??? / clarinet????) outside. It is sort of a melancholy tune, and it really adds to the ambiance, especially after seeing the big cities on t.v.

Am struggling to keep my eyelids open. Talked to everyone at home, and they are all doing well. It is so weird not to hear HB munching away, and instead hear cars driving by. Man am I glad I get to hear him and not this every night. The music is nice, but everywhere there is cement and apartment buildings.

Tomorrow begins bright and early, and is going to be a big day. We will be presenting factual information regarding the reality of this type of "herd management", and discussing the results of their choices. Brogan, Cinnamon, Jennifer, Leslie, Carla, and John are all here helping and more are coming tomorrow.

Have a great night. Just wanted to let ya'll know what is happening. Will keep ya'll informed of what happens in our meetings.

Am missing Honey Bandit and the rest of the crew like crazy. I know Matt is taking perfect care of him, but it is still a very big deal to be this far away. But it is a small world Leslie (Peeples) is a friend of my little sister Tami's in Washington. :)

p

Bitterness Reeks

2011-02-09T18:33:00.010-07:00

Dear Readers,
Have you ever spent hours or even days, brooding & aching over a person who maintains power by spreading verbal poison? I have. I did a little too much of that today :)
But, hello? Who knows how many hours of life we have left?
WHAT A WASTE. It's our heart that aches, not their's.
And have you ever noticed how alone you are while all that bitterness and self pity is going on?

When I lived in Los Gatos, each time the dogs escaped, they'd tip over garbage cans behind a local fish market and roll in rotten fish guts. Zooey & Eve -- an English setter & a collie -- were sweet, affectionate dogs and boy did they get their feelings hurt when, later, I didn't want to cuddle.

When we humans roll around in our own bitterness, we REEK and others, even if they love us, would rather not get too close.

Don't let the bad guys win.
Hugs,
Terri

HONEYBANDIT update

2011-02-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hi ya'll

It's been a couple of days since the last update. Honey Bandit is starting to get more energy. Not all of the time, but definitely more than before. :) He runs and prances and makes it very clear that he is something special. With his head up high and his tail flowing behind him, dancing over that cute little butt, he is stepping out and making waves.

He still manages to get cast nearly every day/night. However, in spite of banking the walls and trying all sorts of different situations,the only thing we have found out for sure is this. PAYBACK CAN BE A REAL BUMMER....... DaBubbles has decided to send a message loud and clear. However, we are not sure which message he is sending. DaBubbles was trapped several times between HB and the wall. He was quite frightened, and rightfully so. His position was precarious to say the least. He is also the one that gets pushed around the most, being he is about a third of the other's size. So, the last time HB was cast, DaBubbles stepped right up to the plate. He very gently (ha ha) leaned over and bit Honey Bandit over and over in various places. Was he encouraging HB to get up, trying to "help him", OR Was he getting his payback. I have to say that at one point it was very clear that HB was physically unable to get up. That would be about the time that DaBubbles took a rather large mouthful of HB's skin right around his groin area. I have no doubt that HB would have jumped up in a flash if he could. It was cute though, because DaBubbles really didn't bite very hard. That is what makes you wonder, which is it really, payback or "assistance" to help him get up.

Once again the horses can teach us a lesson. No matter what the inspiration for all the "bites', there was really no real malice involved. Too bad we all couldn't play so nicely together, even when we are "getting back at someone".

HB is growing like crazy. Not too long ago, we had measured him for a new blanket. He was 51 inches from the middle of his chest back to his tail. Only a little over a month has passed and his measurements are more like 55/56. He outgrew his beautiful blanket. (I am sure that we will have another foal soon to wear it though, so it wo'n' ever "go to waste".) He is taller and gaining pounds quickly. He definitely has some more attitude. I forget he isn't like Chilly Pepper. She was only 3 days old when we rescued her, but Honey Bandit (according to BLM's best guess) was 6 weeks old. So he had 6 weeks of living in the wild, learning to be a wild horse. Sometimes it is surprising to me when that behavior sneaks out. But that is awesome, because that means more and more of his brain/memory is coming back.

We are looking into "anti-cast rollers". Please contact me if you have any experience with these. I talked to the vet today and he said he has heard of them but is not sure if he would be comfortable with them or not, as he has never used them. So I would appreciate any info you might have. For those of you (like me) who don't know what an "anti-cast roller" is, it is a device that you strap around the horse's girth, and it has a big ring on the top which prevents the horses from rolling all the way over.

I finally got my email addresses re-entered, and am hoping that I have all of Honey Bandit's friends back in his group. If you know anyone who is "missing" their email updates, please have them contact me at Palomino.honeybandit @gmail.

God bless and thank you for all your help. Palomino & the Gang

100 Paiute Mustangs Mend Broken Hearts

2011-02-05T16:22:00.045-07:00

Running for the fun of it -photos by Cat Kindsfather
A herd of wild horses galloping, eyes bright, manes and tails streaming, may not know they swept away human hopelessness on Friday morning, but I want to thank them anyway!
Before BLM rounded up the Calico Mountain mustangs that inspired my fictional PHANTOM STALLION herds, my time with mustangs was spent on the range. Since last January, I've seen rarely seen wild ones free. Instead, they were harassed by helicopters, falling down mountainsides, slamming into metal trailers, crying or standing with heads in small corrals.
Friday, wild horses ran for the joy of it. Kind voices urged them down a wooden chute --"Take it easy, darlin'," "Baby, do you think you're a mountain goat?","Come on down, I need a volunteer." Yellow or green paint was daubed on tail tops, numbers were painted on their furry rumps and then they were loosed to gallop through Gate 1 or Gate #2.

For a couple hours, I opened the gates, based on a yell from Mike Holmes (sound familiar? he helped save the real Phantom Stallion!).

Foreman Mike Holmes

PURE JOY is the closest description of what I felt helping wild and happy horses.

I LOVED sprinting to a gate& flinging it wide for a galloping young horse. I LOVED reading equine ears and expressions and body language (sometimes even accurately!) to determine how or if I should move to show them the way out.

Come out, baby!: a few colts tried shortcuts behind the gate instead of in front

How did this happen?
A local tribe thinning its herds agreed to give these horses to Jill Starr's LifeSavers Horse Rescue instead of sending them to slaughter. Volunteers and donors did the rest. And I hope blessings are showered on them with the same selflessness.

Hearts for Horses: Rod Rondeaux, Cat Kindsfather, Jill Starr, and Suzy

Hugs to all,
Terri

Sixteen Foals

2011-02-03T10:13:00.022-07:00

photos by Karen Hopple

Palomino Valley BLM Wild Horse Facility
The Sun J truck, carrying mustangs trapped on the Antelope range, arrived at 2:20 pm, 2/2/11.
The driver wore pink boots and pink knit gloves. She wouldn't give her name but verified she's a Sun J employee, then ducked under the truck to escape questions before helping facility manager John Neill unload* the wild foals.

The first horse tumbled out backward, but kept her balance. Most horses were sorrels,but there were also bays, duns and paler horses,including a palomino.

Bodies huddled together as close as possible, the foals stared at the truck which still held their mothers. Others scanned their surroundings. The red chestnut foal with blaze, pictured at blog-top, was clearly traumatized. Panic kept that expression frozen on her face. She and a few others sought the comfort of nursing from other foals.
This method of self-soothing proves these babies are too young to be separated from their mothers, even though they may meet BLM's "weanling" guidelines.

Despite that, the mares were funneled into another pen. Mares and foals crowded against the fence between them.Since some horses wore paint markings, perhaps they'll be allowed to pair up today.
All horses looked lean and healthy. Two older mares were thin, but moved well.
According to John Neill, many horses have been trapped and shipped to PV this week:
Sunday
52 horses 32 mares and 20 foals
Monday
35 horses 34 mares and 1 foal
Wednesday
42 horses 25 mares and 16 foals
More than anything, I'm concerned about the Monday numbers -- too few foals. Where are they?

Please share this information with your friends at work, at church, at social functions. People will care, if they know.
The cost to our country is huge.
Sincerely,

Terri

* done by poking whip/bag spook-sticks through the pierced steel sides of the truck

HoneyBandit: school boy

2011-01-20T17:57:00.007-07:00

HoneyBandit & Auntie Terri/photo by P. Armstrong

Dear Readers,
Most of us have never thought about teaching manners to a rescue foal who's been treated (out of necessity!) more like a baby bird than a baby horse. That's what Palomino is working on right now and she's going to tell you about it Enjoy! Terri

Softly, almost shyly, Honey Bandit walks up and lays his head against my chest. He is such a love bug. All he knows right now (once I stopped poking him all the time and sticking things into him, is that I love him and I am his "safe" place. He is slowly learning that he can no longer lean on me, and that he cannot play "rough horse play" with his human family. It can be a very hard lesson for them.
One of the hard or dangerous things about raising a baby that starts out so critically ill or traumatized, is that although staying close, loving on them, cuddling them, being "one" with them is necessary to help them survive, it can cause nightmares later. When your two day old, (or in Honey Bandit's case I think he was 3 months old before he could voluntarily "come to me") comes running up to see you and crashes into you it is just "way cute". But picture 1000 or more pounds of that same loving horse flying up to see you and bumping into you. That can be deadly. But in critical cases, it is not an option whether you share your space with them when they're small; it can be the difference between losing your baby or "pulling them back to life".
When Honey Bandit was lying on the blue mat at the veterinary hospital, he was in a coma so deep that the Dr. thought we would lose him before she could get the iv in. I kept reaching in his mouth and messing with his tongue. I simply wanted to reach through that fog and let him know someone was there.
But now it's time to teach Honey Bandit about the "space" issue. He doesn't get to come into my space unless he is invited. Chilly Pepper DID NOT like her "Lessons in appropriate space etiquette 101". But she did survive.
HoneyBandit is simply "growing up" and needs to become a well behaved "toddler". He does very well, but he has a tendency to forget that I am not Patches or DaBubbles and that he has to "play" with mommy in a more respectful manner. I have a feeling he is going to be huge someday and I need him to have exemplary manners. With my leg it doesn't take much to knock me down, and America's Poster Boy to Stop the Round Ups need to represent our beloved mustangs in a manner befitting of their level of intelligence!

Honey Bandit sends his love to all. X o

Why Are We Paying to Kill Our Wild Horses?

2011-01-18T16:52:00.007-07:00

photo by Cat Kindsfather

Dear Readers,
Here's a list of 18 wild horses that BLM admits have died at the Indian Lakes wild horse corrals in Fallon, Nevada in just two weeks. Press and public are locked out of Indian Lakes, which is located on a private ranch.

• 9 month old colt was euthanized for a broken leg
• 10 yr died due to spinal/neck injury
• 2 yr died due to spinal/neck injury
• died due to spinal/neck injury
• 10 month old colt was euthanized (down and unable to stand on its own)
• 10 month old colt was euthanized (down and unable to stand on its own)
• 15 yr died reason unknown
• 20 yr died due to spinal/neck injury
• 25 yr was euthanized (down on truck upon arrival body condition 2)
• 2 yr old died due to colic
• Unbranded foal born at facility was euthanized due to club foot
• 2886 1 yr old euthanized due to club foot
• 2876 1 yr old euthanized due to club foot
• 2849 1 yr old euthanized due to club foot
• 2 yr old found dead death cause unknown
• 2 yr old euthanized due to double cryptorchid
• weaned foal died due to upper respiratory infection
• 2457 weaned foal died due to upper respiratory infection

Euthanized is the term used here, but most horses are shot.
To met, these look like round-up and transportation injuries and the odds of 3 mustangs surviving for one year in the wild with "club feet" so debilitating that BLM destroyed them, is hard to believe.

We are paying for this.

Best, Terri

Honeybandit Update

2011-01-14T22:24:00.011-07:00

Look at those eyelashes!

Dear Readers,
Here's an update from Palomino & the Shingletown Miracle crew :)
Enjoy,
Terri
It's Thursday night, and I am sitting here thinking about how far Honey Bandit has come. From that tiny little guy who could not stand up or lift his head for the first three weeks, to the amazing eating machine that he is today. We have been through so much, and sometimes it seemed hard to see anything better in the future. It is amazing how you can just put your mind in limbo when the outcome is too scary. I know probably most everyone out there knows what I am talking about. When the future looks too scary to acknowledge, you just focus on the now, the right now, and nothing else.

When I look back at the pictures, and especially those wonderful videos that Sue made, I am truly amazed at the amount of heart this little guy has. I guess I have been especially lucky to have such fighters in my barn. Starting with Chilly Pepper, then Honey Bandit and then DaBubbles. I guess God sent them to me to remind me not to give up the fight, and to remind me that you should never give up, no matter how much pain you are in. (If I was a good horse, I would have been put out down a long time ago)
slumber party

As most of you know, Honey Bandit still has some neurological issues. Tonight I came home from town, and the boys were inside getting dinner ready. Matt had been outside about 45 minutes earlier and everything was fine. I came into our "barn", (carport) and said hi to the cat. As soon as he heard my voice, Honey Bandit let out a cry for help. He kept calling me in a manner I have never heard from him. He was so stuck. He was actually in a position where it was physically impossible for him to flip over or get up. It is weird though, because I am here night after night when he gets cast, and he always stays quiet. It was so weird for him to be calling me like that. I went into his stall and he lifted his head and looked at me, kind of like, "mom - get me out of here". I called Matt and the boys came out to help. He was in a weird position, and I was afraid that when we flipped him he would be stuck again on the back door. But all is well. We got him "unstuck", helped him over and when he got up, had a good shake, and walked over and started to eat. On a good note though, we have been giving him lots of time to "figure things out on his own". Two out of the last 7 or 8 times, he has managed to "git ER done" and get himself out of his little pickle. So that in itself is a good thing. A little bit of progress at a time will eventually be a lot of progress, as he has show so well. We keep as much straw as we can around the edges of his stall, but can't put too much due to the size of the stall.

Hugs and God Bless P & the gang

TWIN PEAKS Roundup on Trial tomorrow

2011-01-10T15:51:00.003-07:00

from another of HoneyBandit's aunties --

Twin Peaks Roundup Lawsuit Hearing! January 11, 2011, San Francisco

I won't be late. Tuesday, 9:00 am., I will be there at the United States Courthouse,
95 Seventh Street (Corner of 7th and Mission) Courtroom No. 1.

When the gavel hammers down and the official announcement rings out, “Hear ye, Hear ye. This court hearing is now in session..., “ in my own heart I shall say, “I hear and I am here. I am here for a foal named Honey Bandit, the miracle survivor of those fateful Twin Peaks roundups. I am here for the additional 1,600+ wild horses and burros permanently swept away from their own land of freedom. I am a taxpayer, and I am here.” I am one person.

I am one person, a first-timer to visit a BLM facility, who decided to go see for myself. The invitation came from Palomino Armstrong of Shingletown, California, a knowledgeable horsewoman already successful in the rescue of a tiny foal named Chilly Pepper. September 2, 2010, I took my camera and we walked into the Litchfield office of BLM and learned of a foal deemed in such bad shape that he would not live another day. Thankfully, Palomino was permitted to take the foal into her equine rescue where he could receive intense 24/7 care.

Honey Bandit is the embodiment of the dysfunction of BLM roundups. He lives to tell that the system is broken and needs to be fixed.

The Twin Peaks litigation hearing set for Tuesday [tomorrow]can start fixing the problem of the broken system.

Consider the impact of a courtroom filled with 1600 people: each person representing one exiled or dead Twin Peaks horse or burro. One person can make a difference. I will be present for the hearing. Who will be seated next to me?

Jennifer Gillespie, Redding, California

ELKO, Nevada, here we come!

2011-01-04T03:07:00.002-07:00

Vintage poster -- Terri & Suzy weren't there!

Dear Readers,
Big excitement for city girls Suzanne Morgan William and Terri Farley!

We are headed out to the middle of Nevada to:
> Teach kids how to write cowboy poetry!
> Sign books!
> Do a writing workshop for adults who'd like to write kids' books (picture books-YA)!

Come visit us at THE BOOKSTORE 4-6 p.m this Friday, January 7th.You can find it at 1372 Idaho St or call (775) 738-5342 for directions. Good news: STORE STAFF ALSO MAKES GREAT COFFEE. I can taste that cappuccino right now :)

Happy Tuesday,
Terri

Taking the WILD out of the WEST

2011-01-03T16:15:00.011-07:00

Calico Mountain stallion captive at Indian Lakes, BLM : photo by CAT KINDSFATHER

Dear Readers,
This news footage CNN Wild Horses Round-upsTEXT was shot on the real Phantom's home range. The film of a BLM helicopter buzzing a burro, then knocking the little guy off his hooves will make you catch your breath and think of the worst bullies, ever.
Watch the video, then read the transcript to see what you missed.
Best,
Terri

Fate of Wild Horses

AZUZ: When you think about an old-fashioned round-up, you might picture a cowboy on a horse, trying to corral some group of animals. But a modern-day round-up out in the American west is causing some controversy because horses -- thousands of them -- are the ones being rounded up! John Zarrella rides into the middle of this debate between the U.S. government and animal activists.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF AND CORRESPONDENT: There is no Secretariat, no Seabiscuit, no Black Beauty. Here, they have no names, none needed. In their eyes, you see who they are, rugged, powerful, independent. They are the wild mustangs of the American West. Woven generations ago into the fabric of this land, they've become the focus of lawsuits, even protests as far away as New York.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Help save America's wild horses.

ZARRELLA: The horses are at the center of a tug-of-war between the U.S. government, chasing them down with helicopters, and animal rights groups who want it stopped.

RICHARD COUTO, ANIMAL RECOVERY MISSION: The roundups of the wild horses and burros of the United States is a true holocaust of the animal world.

ALAN SHEPARD, NEVADA BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT: We can't let one, say, the horse, impact everybody else by taking all the feed, all the water, all the, do damage to that habitat.

ZARRELLA: The disagreement is clear cut. The Bureau of Land Management, BLM, is charged with caring for and managing nearly 40,000 horses and burros roaming on 26 million acres of the West. While this federal land, your land, was set aside for the horses, they don't have free rein. The land is considered multi-use.

SHEPARD: Wildlife, livestock, recreationists, mining interests, whatever.

ZARRELLA: The BLM insists it must reduce herd sizes because the land can't support the numbers.

MARK STRUBLE, SPOKESPERSON BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT: This ain't Kentucky bluegrass.

ZARRELLA: So, it holds roundups. Last year, the goal: remove 12,000 horses. That's right, 12,000, and take them to holding pens.

BONNIE MATTON, WILD HORSE PRESERVATION LEAGUE: This is our land. We want the horses on here, most of us.

ZARRELLA: Armed with cameras and recorders, the activists document what they see as brutal roundups. Here, a helicopter chases one single burro, eventually knocking it over. It staggers off. Here, you're looking at steam rising from the backs of chased-down, exhausted horses. The BLM says less than 1 percent of the animals die in these round-ups. Activists say that's 1 percent too many.

MUSTANG MEAT IS NOT ON THE TABLE

2011-01-01T14:00:00.013-07:00

Palomino Armstrong and HoneyBandit, BLM survivor

Dear Readers,
It's time to GROW A BACKBONE and let the people who've declared war on horses -- wild and tame -- know that dollar $igns aren't a good enough reason to bring back American horse slaughter factories.
The Summit of the Horse will be held in Las Vegas, two days from now. It's sponsored by United Horseman, a pro-horse slaughter group.
"We are experienced horse people who have the best interest of the horse at heart and seek unification of our country's horsemen and horsewomen in promoting horse welfare,” said Dave Duquette, group president. “We're speaking with a unified voice for horses and horse people.”
The thing is ...no.
No, this isn't about horse welfare; it's about Greed, one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
No, you do not have the best interests of horses at heart. Betcha a lie detector test would show interest in your bank account, not horses, at heart.
(AT HEART? Seriously?)
And finally, no, you are not speaking for horses and horse people.
In fact, I'm issuing a Victorian "how dare you?" and I bet I have some company in asking HOW DARE YOU say you are speaking for me?
Most horse people would do back-flips to avoid a union with you. The ick factor there is nearly as nauseating as UH vice-president Sue Wallis's suggestion.
Wallis, a state senator under investigation for fraud & ethics violations, wants U.S. horse flesh (so full of drugs that horse-eating nations won't accept it)fed to school children and the poor.
I know thousands of students who'd have something to say about that. If UH wants to kill the school lunch program nationwide, let them fire up a press release celebrating the info that Wyoming kids are being served filet of Flicka.
More chilling than UH's boasts is this: BLM DIRECTOR BOB ABBEY is a featured speaker at the pro-slaughter convention. Director Abbey told me face-to-face that slaughter is not a viable option for healthy horses.
Does that mean the option is on the table for mistreated foals like HoneyBandit (shown above?) or that Director Abbey's had a change of heart?
You pay Director Abbey's salary.

Please express you opinion here:

Director: Bob Abbey
E-mail: Director@BLM.gov (cut & paste or type this into your email form)

Chief of Staff: Janet Lin
E-mail: janet_lin@blm.gov (cut & paste or type this into your email form)

Or use:
Director Bob Abbey
BLM Washington Office
1849 C Street NW, Rm. 5665
Washington DC 20240

Start the year off as you mean to go on!
Terri

End of the Year HONEY Update

2010-12-30T21:54:00.004-07:00

Dear Readers,
Here's a new update from Palomino and I think you'll enjoy the image of all of these Shingletowners cuddled up together. Palomino mentions HoneyBandit's Christmas photo and I got a copy in my Christmas card, but I'll have to locate it online so that I can share it with you!
Have a wonderful New Year's Eve!
Terri

I'm sitting on the bed, looking out into Honey Bandit's stall. We just switched DaBubbles over to hang out with Patches. The other stall was too small for Honey Bandit and Patches, and it is easier to watch Honey Bandit with him right next to me. DaBubbles had been next to me prior to this. Since the three of them have been playing together, we thought that Patches and DaBubbles would be okay together.

Honey Bandit needs special feed, and Patches has been gaining too much weight, so this will be easier. However, I feel bad because DaBubbles wants to be back closer to us. Honey Bandit is stoked though. He is thinking that he is the bomb and is really liking being inches away from us again.

I have to brag a teeny tiny bit about our guy. When you pour his feed into his bucket, if you tell him to "wait", he will. He bobs his head up and down until you tell him "it is okay, good boy". He hates it, but is pretty good about waiting.

Well, I have now spent the last half hour getting Patches settled in his little stall, away from DaBubbles. He was not playing nice, so he is on "time out" and sleeping where he cannot thrash on the little guy. Tomorrow he will be able to come back and play, but for now he has to learn better manners.

On the way he got a little "pedicure" and got his feet trimmed. My son thought I was a little bit nuts to be trimming feet after 9 PM, but hey, you gotta "git ER done" when you get a chance.

When you look at this picture, remember that we brought Honey Bandit home on September 2. As of January 2, we will have had him 4 months. I forget how tiny he was, but this picture shows what all of us have worked together to achieve. He went from about 120# to about 300#. We cannot ever thank everyone who is part of this miracle enough. Your generosity, donations, time and love make this possible.

I will be posting some more photos. I have to say that Honey Bandit is ecstatic to be back next to us. He is laying down as close as he can possibly get to us. More photos should be on Chilly Pepper's website or on Facebook in the next few days.

Sorry it took so long to "get back". Ha ha. Am still trying to get every thing set up on the computer. I do have to set the record straight, once again. I cannot take credit for Honey Bandit's Christmas photo. One of his wonderful Aunties, took the photos and printed them all for us to put in the remaining Christmas cards. Without all of the wonderful "aunties" that Honey Bandit has, we would not be getting much done except taking care of him. So I have to send out another thank you to his aunties that made the all the Christmas cheer happen.

God Bless! Love Honey Bandit & the Gang!

A Girl, two horses and a dream come true

2010-12-28T19:44:00.008-07:00

Dear Readers,
Photographer Pam Nickoles shares her beautiful wild horse images with the world,and she couldn't have guessed that a teenage girl named would fall in love with a beautiful mustang stallion and end up saving his daughter.
You can read part of the story here:

Dream Horse

and the rest on Tess' blog, here: Tess and her mustang foal
Enjoy this happy story!
Terri

Before Christmas Dawn, with HoneyBandit

2010-12-25T14:52:00.003-07:00

Dear Readers,
Here's a fun update from Palomino! Enjoy.
And thanks to ALLLLLL of you for Christmas greetings from all over the world.
You warm my heart!
Hugs,
Terri

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thump, thump, thump,...... I hear a noise, and roll over. Honey Bandit is standing facing Patches in the middle of the stall. I look at the clock. You guessed it, it's about 3:00 a.m.

I have been quite worried about the fact the guys haven't been able to spend much time outside in the fresh air during the last 2 - 3 weeks, due to the weather and the whole cat thing. Honey Bandit, of course, has been quite content to stay in his "stall" and munch away. They have gotten outside occasionally, but not as often as is ideal. So of course when Honey Bandit does decide to get energy "to play", it is in the middle of the night. I guess I should be happy he is so predictable. Ha ha.

As I rolled over to see what was going on, wishing desperately that I was asleep, I saw Honey Bandit lift his front leg as high as he can, and then slam it down, trying to hit Patches. Patches had backed into Honey Bandit, taking a defensive stance where HB couldn't make contact with his hoof.

As I lay there watching, Honey kept up the thumping. Suddenly he looked at me. All at once he was this sweet angel Honey Bandit. Standing watch over his little brother. He looked me in the eye and nickered softly. Telling me what a good brother he was and how he was taking care of Patches.

I rolled over, with the silly idea that I might go to sleep, when I heard it again. I looked at HB again, and as soon as I rolled back over he stopped. The angel was back. I again rolled over to to go sleep, and then it happened. Just as Patches tried to sneak one in, baring his little teeth and going for HB's chest, I heard the hit. Thud, HB's hoof landed right on Patches' nose. He stopped for a minute, shook his head, licked his lips a couple times and changed tactics. He whirled around, extending into a full out extension of his little body. Standing at his full height, (which isn't very much), he charged HB. HB reared slightly, and the fight was on. The stall area is barely adequate for sleeping, and add two little horses bouncing around, you achieve chaos. They were play fighting, dancing around the stall, pushing and shoving and rearing and bouncing off the walls. As much as I want Honey Bandit to feel like playing, I wouldn't totally mind if they did it in daylight. :)

After awhile they settled down. Several hours later, I opened the door and all three horses went outside. HB was lagging behind as usual, again completely happy to saunter out,as opposed to Patches and DaBubbles who went tearing out at warp speed. Patches, who is the "king" of those three horses, started pushing DaBubbles around. Now DaBubbles is about a 100 pounds lighter than Patches, but has the heart of a fighter. This is what helped him fight to stay alive after being mauled by the mountain lion. Well, our little tough guy, let fly with both feet, planting his tiny little hooves firmly on Patches' chest. Then he took off at a full little gallop, running sideways, bucking and kicking all the way. He is the sweetest little guy, but the only horse I have ever seen that could run sideways full speed. I have a feeling that DaBubbles may end up being the boss quite soon.

So although HB continues to be "Mr. Mellow", he did get his little "buck on" for a couple minutes last night. That is a good sign, although his timing was questionable.

Since the fateful day that Honey Bandit joined "our world", he has more than doubled his weight. He has grown at least a foot, and is getting more beautiful each day. He sends his love and HB kisses to all, and would like to thank everyone for continuing to help him grow up to be a big, strong, healthy representative for the wild mustangs.

Merry Christmas to All! Have a Blessed Holiday, from Chilly Pepper Miracle Mustang and the Gang!

REMEMBER THE COLT gift

2010-12-24T17:45:00.007-07:00

Dear Readers,
Thanks so much for the wonderful comments on REMEMBER THE COLT, the short prequel to the PHANTOM STALLION series. If you're a subscriber to my newsletter, you should have received it last night.
Want to read comments from those who've already finished it? Go to the post from Friday Dec. 17 -- you'll recognize it by the sweet black colt -- then scroll down to the bottom & read the comments.
Have a wonderous Christmas Eve!
Best,
Terri

HoneyBandit and pals survive storm

2010-12-18T20:36:00.006-07:00

Dear Readers --
We haven't heard from Palomino for a while because the stomp from DaBubbles tiny hoof ruined her computer. She's got a new one though and just in time to tell us the news.
Enjoy,
Terri
----------------------------------------------------

Hi ya'll,

We are finally back in the world of today. It is amazing how important our computers are, when we are trying to stay in touch.

Honey Bandit says hi, and wow, what a storm. We had a tremendous storm in Shingletown last night. I am sure many other places were hit by this system also. Kind of sounded like a car wash, the way the rain pounded against the carport. The winds were howling, beating and pulling at the metal roof. Poor DaBubbles was standing in the middle of the stall, obviously stressed by the sounds outside. I think he thought his little stall was going to fly away. I lay there feeling powerless, wondering what was happening outside. The trees were almost wailing, scratching the sides of the carport in an eerie tune. I too, was waiting for the roof to fly away. But the rains pounded down. and the winds blew like crazy and all was still well, when morning came.

It is amazing how small we really are in the scheme of things. The unrelenting power that comes from our skies can change things at will. We were lucky, no real damage, unless you count the driveway. The first barrage flooded our yard again, digging huge gashes in our driveway. (Kind of reminds me of my scars on my leg when I see them.) But aside from the "scars", there was no real lasting damage.

We took Honey Bandit, Dabubbles and Patches out in the upper field on the one day that we had clear skies. Although Honey Bandit continues to not have much energy, he is a very happy boy. He loves to eat, eat and eat. (kind of like me Click Me!). He is such a beautiful boy. We have been fortunate enough to be contacted by several people who specialize in supplements that can help a horse in his condition. We are pretty sure that he still has neurological deficiencies, (which could account for his getting cast so often), and he could also have ulcers from everything he has been through. We are treating him for these symptoms and hoping that with time he will be 100% back to "normal".

As long as Honey Bandit is happy and feeling well, it won't matter if he does have special needs. We will always make sure that whatever he needs he gets. He has already made a huge difference in this world. We are so blessed to have him in our lives. The people we have met, because of HB, are amazing, and I will always feel blessed to have ya'll for friends.

We are trying to think of the perfect pictures that we could use for his "HONEY BANDIT, AMERICA'S POSTER HORSE TO STOP THE ROUNDUPS". One of his smart aunties asked me about that, and we really need to get an "official" poster. Since he is "all of ours", I thought we could use everyones input and choose the most popular pictures. So, anyone who has ideas, send them either to myself or Terri Farley and we can get our "official Honey Bandit" posters made.

Now is a crucial time in the fight to stop the round ups. If anyone is interested in travelling to Las Vegas during the Summit of the Horses, (the "slaughter meeting"), please let me know. We need to make a stand. There is a lady from back east, who is talking about using Honey Bandit's picture on a billboard in Las Vegas during that time. I really feel like we all need to pull together now. Anyone who is interested, please contact me.

www.chillypepper.weebly.com

Palomino Armstrong
30027 State Highway 44 East
Shingletown, CA 96088

p.s. I am still working on setting up the new computer, so please be patient.

REMEMBER THE COLT

2010-12-17T02:07:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,
Loads of you asked me to write a return to River Bend Ranch, so I'm doing it. My holiday gift to my newsletter subscribers is a short prequel to the series. It's called REMEMBER THE COLT and it stars a foal just like this one.
If you're not sure if you've subscribed to my newsletter, you can sign up here: here
Have a wonderful December day!
Terri

Galloping over Kindles and iPads

2010-12-14T14:33:00.010-07:00

Dear Readers,

Every book I've written
(including the elusive RENEGADE, above!) is available for Kindle and iPad, but I haven't seen one of my books on a Kindle or iPad screen.
If you have PHANTOM STALLION, WILD HORSE ISLAND or SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA in this format,and can manage to take a photo of it, will you please email a copy to me? I'll post it as soon as I get one, for the rest of you, too!

farleyterri@aol.com

Best,
Terri

Update from Palomino

2010-12-14T01:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
You are the absolute best! Not only are my emails full of love and concern for a mustang foal you've never met, but readers of all ages approached me at my last booksigning (two with tears in their eyes) to ask how HoneyBandit was doing.
Foals growing up without mothers' milk have a tough time developing like normal horses. Though HoneyBandit has human friends, people I've talked with who've raised motherless mustangs say that the ups and downs that HB is experiencing are to be expected.
It's still sad and worrisome, but I know Palomino. Believe me, she is giving these at-risk animals all her best.
Thanks for having open hearts!
Talk with you again tomorrow,
Terri
From Palomino:
Honey Bandit is still exhibiting a low energy level, but his bodily functions are pretty normal now. He is just a big bundle of sweetness. Unfortunately, he is still getting cast nearly every night. (For those of you who wanted to know what I mean by "cast", he simply lays down and is unable to get up due to being "stuck", usually against a wall.) He will end up with his legs folded and smashed against the sides of the stall etc. He seems to be on the same side about 99 % of the time, so we are still hoping it is a neurological issue that he will outgrow in time.

If not, well it looks like we will be sleeping together the rest of our lives. Hee hee. Although I use the words "sleeping together" extremely lightly. He gets to sleep, but I still hear every little noise they make. My hubby said "I am the worst sleeper ever". Part of that is due, of course, to the fact that I have chronic pain, and sleep very little anyway. Boy does that fact come in handy with these guys.

Patches decided to surprise me and jump up into the "raised" part of the carport. It is about a 22" jump, and he just hopped into our area. Of course he managed to wreak major havoc in the few minutes he was up here. What a mess. But he was very cute and thought that everything was here for his entertainment. There is never a dull moment here.

All three of the guys are hanging out together during the day now. (When they are outside.) We are staying busy taking care of the gang and trying to get ready for Christmas.

Curl Up with a notepad - link repaired!

2010-12-13T04:34:00.005-07:00

Dear Reader/Writers,
Many of you are at work on your own fiction and some of you will have more time for story projects around the holidays, so take a look at the contest below and, if you've never visited, take a trot around my Writer's Corner page. You might start with my Writing Tips
and then check out the Q & A. Enjoy!

HIGHLIGHTS 2011 FICTION CONTEST

CATEGORY:

Fiction involving an embarrassing moment

PRIZES:

Three prizes of $1,000 or tuition for the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua.

ENTRY DATES:

All entries must be postmarked between January 1 and January 31, 2011.

RULES:

No entry form or fee is required.

Entrants must be at least 16 years old at the time of submission.*

We welcome work from both published and unpublished authors. All submissions must be previously unpublished.

Stories may be any length up to 750 words. Stories for beginning readers should not exceed 475 words. Indicate the word count in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of your manuscript.

Include your name and the title of your story on your manuscript.

No crime, violence, or derogatory humor.

Entries not accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope will not be returned.

Manuscripts or envelopes should be clearly marked FICTION CONTEST. Those not marked in this way will be considered as regular submissions to Highlights.

SEND ENTRIES TO:

FICTION CONTEST
Highlights for Children
803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431

WINNERS:

The three winning entries will be announced on Highlights.com in June 2011. These stories will become the property of Highlights for Children and will be published by Highlights. All other submissions will be considered for purchase by Highlights.

* We're sorry that we cannot consider contest entries from children under the age of 16. Young writers are welcome to submit their work for consideration elsewhere in the magazine. Guidelines are available online

Fiction Writing Contest