Novel Inspo

If you followed my other blog (FiveSibes) and Facebook page, you probably know that my father was a cowboy in Butte, Montana many moons ago and instilled the love of horses in me. 

My dad moved us from the city to the country and purchased 10 acres of land he wanted to create a ranch on. Naturally, he added horses right away, including a retired Standardbred Pacer named "Tennessee."  He quite literally saved her off the truck hauling her to the "glue factory." 

Me competing in a Western class at our local fair riding"Tennessee," the Standard Pacer my father rescued from a truck heading to the "glue factory." 

Photo Credit: My Mom, Dorothy A. Wills

Tennessee (nicknamed Tenney) was a wonderful horse. The thought that she was on the brink of losing her life until my father rescued her still makes me shudder. One of her horsey quirks was an interesting one. Being a retired pacer (i.e. a trotter pulling a cart) she hugged the rails while racing out of habit, so when I was riding her, she did love to hug trees and mailboxes on my left wherever we were riding so I had to be quick enough to throw my leg over the saddle so it didn't get run into something! But, she was kind and wise, and enjoyed many more years of love with us. I was also lucky enough to have my father teach me how to ride Tennessee before he passed away suddenly from a heart attack when he was just 54. He was an amazing teacher, and so was Tenney, with all her years of experience. 

My dad, of course, added more horses to our herd and he taught me how to care for them, especially feeding them before we even ate. It was the cowboy way. 

The lessons about being a steward for animals has always run deep in my veins. I'm so fortunate that I now once again live near horses! I love stopping to see these beauties as it brings back fond memories of when I was a young cowgirl galloping across the fields on one of our horses, feeling the wind in my hair. Reminds me of when just the other day we saw a gal with a tatoo that read, Wild and Free, and that was how to describe my younger days as a cowgirl!

This past weekend, coincidentally on Father's Day, I pulled my saddle out and began saddle soaping her and polishing her up to (sigh) sell. At this point in my life, I'm holding onto it solely for nostalgia; the memories tied to it are immeasurable. This saddle I purchased when I decided to show my horses after my father passed. I sold my gold banana-seat bicycle (who needed a bike when I had horses?!) and my first saddle gifted to me by my parents, and purchased this beauty. She was my partner for many years and in many show rings, on so many trail rides and training sessions. It represents a whole way of life I once lived. The decision to sell it is no easy task for me, but to think that some young cowgirl or cowboy could fulfill their dreams riding in, like I did, as opposed to it sitting idle, is what drives me now to sell it. But, oh, those wonderful memories will stay with me forever.

 

 

Horses will forever hold a special place in my heart. So, is it any wonder I'd write about them? A little teaser: I finished the book draft last year, and am currently in the next phase of editing...and it centers around...you guessed it, horses!🐴

Who says you can't ever "go back?" 

 

Is there something you enjoyed in your past that still inspires you today?

 

Until next time...

Dorothy

 

 

Would you like to read more of my writing? While I have been writer for most of my life, this is my new blog, in its infancy stage. It's a place for me to share my love of writing and my published works (and it's in the works!) I also have another award-winning blog I have just celebrated my 14th anniversary writing ~  "FiveSibes,"  where I write all about my five Siberian Huskies, the Siberian Husky breed, Canine Epilepsy, fiction stories featuring Huskies, and all things K9! Come visit if you haven't already!