HORSE-LOVING, READING, & WRITING

Before you jump to conclusions, this isn’t my granddaughter, but a horse-loving reader (like my granddaughters). Her teacher asked students to dress up as their favorite character from a book, and I’m honored to say that this student chose Ellie from my BACKYARD HORSES series. In case you don’t know what a “backyard horse” is, it’s what we called horses that weren’t fancy, would never be show horses, and didn’t belong in a stable. We kept our horses in a pasture, but we also had a small pen and barn in our yard.

A horse book, a pink cowgirl hat, boots, and a stuffed horse–what could be better than that? Answer: All the similarities between this cowgirl, Helen, and my oldest granddaughter, the “star” of the BACKYARD HORSES series. Although we call her “Ellie,” our granddaughter’s real name is “Helen,” named after her great-grandmother, Helen Daley (co-star of WITH LOVE, WHEREVER YOU ARE). Both gals love horses, reading, and writing. It’s amazing how many letters and emails I get from guys and gals who love these three things: horses, reading, and writing. As it happens, I’ve always loved horses, reading, and writing too!

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WITH LOVE, FRANK’S PHOTOS

My last post showed a picture Helen sent to Frank. On the back of that photo, Helen wrote: “Don’t miss the background–someone always close.” The background showed her pictures of Frank. I wish this photo were clearer, but it’s evident that Frank had the same idea. On the back of this photo, he wrote: “my writing table.” The last years of Mom’s life, first in Missouri, then in Ohio with us, on her dresser she had pictures of Frank. And on the window ledge beside her bed sat their wedding picture, the framed photo above, on the right, the couple in their Army uniforms on their wedding day. It was the last thing she saw every night. I’m looking at it now, as it’s on the wall just to the right of my computer screen.  What special pictures do you keep close?

WITH LOVE…WHATEVER YOUR BAGGAGE

I love the smile on Lt. Helen Eberhart’s face here. This photo doesn’t give her location, but I’m guessing someone snapped the picture early in her WW2 service as an Army nurse in England and France. Look at those un-Army shoes, which soldiers weren’t to wear, and this must have been one of the few times she wore her helmet (She hated all Army “hats.”). And yet . . . look at that smile.

WITH LOVE, WHEREVER YOU ARE continued

Guess what! I thought I’d have to rely on photos I posted last year, but I discovered some new ones–if you call pictures from 1944 new. They weren’t in the Army trunk, but in a very small photo album I discovered while searching for something in the attic. The photos are a bit faded and blurry; but if you’ve read the book, you’ll recognize Lt. Helen Eberhart Daley and Lt. (later, Capt.) Frank R. Daley, Army nurse and doctor in WW2, my parents.

MY FIRST HORSE

This is Sugar, my first horse. She was so trustworthy that I was riding by myself when I was 3. I remember brushing her, though I couldn’t reach much more than legs. Once I was riding her on a snowy-icy road. She slid, and I slid off, landing directly under her. She stopped, in the middle of the road, and didn’t budge as she kept me safely boxed by her four hooves. After a minute, a passerby gave me a boost back up, and I rode on my way. I just found this photo and decided I’d use it to remind any interested e-reader that the first book in WINNIE THE HORSE GENTLER series, #1 WILD THING, is on sale for 99 cents through January.

MERRY CHRISTMAS#3

Merry Christmas, once again! True, this is a pretty funny card, pasted together by my dad. But it makes me think about the way my multitude of Christmas memories bounce around in my mind. At the time, this was my family (minus Santa): Mom and Dad looking much as I picture them in their WW2 days, young and handsome; my sister, Maureen, urging me to be quiet; Sugar, our first and beloved horse; Susie, our Dalmatian dog (I think that’s Susie at Santa’s feet.); a hint of house and fireplace; and a book. I’m not sure how much I understood about the true meaning of Christ’s birth, but that would come. Merry Christmas!

I would love to hear about your favorite Christmas memories!

HELEN READING . . . Upside Down

Following my reading theme, I had to post a picture of Mom reading. She didn’t usually read upside-down, though. The picture was Dad’s idea. He loved to take weird pictures, as you’ll see when we reach Valentine’s Day and Christmas. I’m thankful for each photo that’s trickled down, especially those in the back of WITH LOVE, WHEREVER YOU ARE.

And in case you’re wondering, those are my feet and hands in the background.

FRANK READING…IN WINTER

This is my Dad, Frank R. Daley, M.D. from WITH LOVE, WHEREVER YOU ARE. I remember Dad coming home from his office in Hamilton, MO, greeting us kids, then heading for the backyard, evening edition of the Kansas City Star in hand. As you can see, what’s a little snow and ice to a reader? In the summer, we had a hammock next to the chair, and sometimes I’d silently read there. Not so much in winter. . .

Do you have a favorite place to read?