This hot, dry summer we're experiencing was made a bit better today when I was informed that my latest Ezra Riley novel, Looking for Lynne, is a finalist for the Will Rogers Medallion Award for western fiction. I guess this October the wife and I get to go to the Fort Worth Stockyards and eat steak at the banquet.
Congrats
Enjoy the steaks
Amazon sell your book?
Good for you, John.
Those steaks will be good. Free is always good.
I hope you win.
Bob
Thanks, everyone. And yes, Amazon sells the book. It's available on Kindle, too.
Congrats, John!
How've you been feeling?
Good to hear from you, ironbender. I am feeling pretty good, but terribly out of shape. The virus struck me in February this year and put me down for two months. I get terribly out of shape when that happens and it takes me a long time to fully recover. My shoulder is about 90% from the big horse wreck in the mountains 18 months ago and I'm amazed it's that good as bad as it was. I declined all surgery and I'm glad I did.
Hope you were well enough to wander around the bucking horse sale. I have enjoyed reading your books!
First of all, I wish I was in Alaska with a couple of you guys right now instead of this windblown, hot, dry....
Actually, this year I didn't go to any of the Sale. I had two brood mares defend their foals by stomping a porcupine. I spent the weekend pulling quills.
Hey, Dan. We went to Juneau Falls today. Came back the winter trail. Got pretty wet.
My wife and I are heading to a 3 day "despooking" clinic with Bill Richey. It's our first solo one with out kids.
I hope you survive! Did you pack a cup?
My wife and I had a blast at the mounted patrol despooking clinic (Bill Richey is the instructor). Bill is a non PC do what works sort... He gets the units ready for Mardi Gras. His bit of choice is the double twisted wire gag with 8" shanks - can you say liability (his saying).
The lectures were great and the way he presented the obstacles and used herd instinct as well as how a horse sees and processes stimulus worked well. From a simple sheet of plywood on the ground to an obstacle course involving bridges, tarp curtains, high noodles, low noodles, smoke curtains, fire (ya he likes to play with flammable liquids) flashing lights and sirens...just a lot of fun.
My wife went pretty nervous and came out wanting to be in a mounted unit. Her horse turned into a star leading the herd through most of the exercises. Proud as hell of the progress they both made. She is a good rider but is trying to get over the motherhood fear they seem to acquire with kids. Think she is over now. My mule on the other hand was not impressed with the whole goings on.
Well deserved, I hope you win. I discovered your writing via this site and am glad I did. More Ezra Riley please.
mike r
Thank you, Mike, that's great to hear.