Coffee Clutch with Dutch Henry: critters

Showing posts with label critters. Show all posts

Thursday, December 20, 2012

"The New Facebook Profile Pic Choice"

Howdy Folks,

The past few days chatting with our wonderful friends on Facebook about my new Profile Pic has been so much fun! I hope you all had fun too! Yesterday I'd selected the two finalist photos, posted them on Facebook and asked for opinions. So many friends pitched in to help decide it was like a party! It was suggested I ask Kessy which one she liked best. So this morning at Coffee Clutch that was just about all Kessy, Saturday and the gang and I talked about ... It's a tough decision to change for me. I've been using the cover of my novel ever since it's been published.

Ravishin' Robbie had done such a great job snapping photos it was hard to even narrow down to the first group. We'd started the photo shoot just fooling around.

Then we did a few ground work exercises.

When I took a break, Kessy came over to look at what was so interesting on the ground. She loves to do whatever I do ... Look closely at the picture to see how hard she is looking to find what I might be studying , when all I was doing was resting my back.

We fooled around a lot more, too.

I took another break. When I sit down like this, Kessy always stands over me, and I pull myself up by her mane.

We were still just lovin' on each other, and Robbie kept snapping away, and we got this one.

A Kessy Hug

And this one.

Kessy's Kiss

After much discussion this morning, Kessy said I should chose the one I like best ... she said she looks stunning in all of them!

Gitty Up

Dutch Henry & Kessy

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

"A two act play staring juncos, chickens, squirrels and Miss Kitty"

Howdy Folks,

He was darker than most, that proud junco. He sat on a twisted branch just a few feet above the hustle and bustle that is the morning gathering of chickens fussing about their scratch. I know that little junco was only waiting his turn but, from my perch in my very worn and tired chair beside Kessy as she munched hay, it sure looked like he was directing the circus beneath him. He moved only inches left to right as he searched for an opening among the chickens. The cracked corn and barley must be deliciously tempting, enticing him to risk all and dive right in amongst fowl ten times his size. But he decided to strategize a bit longer. Soon he seemed to bob and weave in time with the roosters beneath him!

With Tigger on my lap, Miss Kitty and Saturday at my feet, Kessy munching away, we took in the show. It's a normal routine each morning, and it always guarantees at least a chuckle, or three, as each morning someone will be the main character who stands out and steals the show. That little junco had the first act.

The second act we must give to Miss Kitty. As the scene opens most of the chickens have wandered away to begin their daily "search and devour" missions, leaving the spoils of cracked corn to Mr. Junco and his friends. Soon what had been a cast of domestic fowl was replaced with the sparkling choreography of juncos, cardinals, doves and chickadees.

Part of the second act was the squirrels, too. A few always show up and end too soon, the musical I've come to call "Twitter On The Litter." The squirrels really add nothing to the show, in fact they usually bring it to an end. And they did today.

Now apparently the actions of the interloping squirrels did not sit well with Miss Kitty. A few seconds after the squirrels took center stage, Miss Kitty stalked her way into the scene, stopping just on the far side of the waterer from a happy, corn chomping squirrel.

After a brief pause she charged, sending the terrified squirrel scampering up a tree … But Miss Kitty wasn't ready to give up the spotlight.

As Mr Squirrel leaped from branch to branch, tree to tree, Miss Kitty dashed trunk to trunk reaching as high as she could to claw on each trunk, ever driving the poor squirrel farther and farther away.

Eventually satisfied, Miss Kitty turned, took a bow and gracefully accepted my applause for a great show. Now Dancing With The Stars it wasn't, but our little 2 act play was just perfect for a birthday present today!

Tigger missed the whole show deep in sleep on my lap. Saturday did wander over to see what all the dancing was about. Kessy? She enjoyed her hay. … We all send you wishes for a great day!

Gitty Up

Dutch & the Coffee Clutch Gang

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch, a happy place to visit. I write uplifting stories about a wide variety of subjects from horses to birds and nature, to love and family and friends. Sometimes I'll post excerpts from stories I've written for Equine Publications. Sometimes I'll post about writing itself. Coffee Clutch got its name because I often write while enjoying my morning coffee in the barn with my mare Kessy, and all our critters. Join us here for fun conversation and stories I promise will make you feel good.

It's For The Horses

This is not a book about riding, or training horses. It is a book on my thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how folks might find the joy in doing things for the horse, with the horses’ point of view as the leading guide. My hope is to help as many people as possible learn to hear the horse, feel their spirit, and in that way help horses everywhere. Over the years I’ve met and worked with remarkable people and horses who taught me about their feelings, their joys, their sadness, and their spirit. As a horse advocate everything I do is from the horse’s perspective, including this little book. Every story, idea, suggestion and thought on these pages will be to suggest and share thoughts and ideas on how to maximize a relationship between horse and human—from the horse’s point of view.

Tom Named by Horse

The only man ever to offer Tom respect is Red Cloud. The only woman to give him love is Red Cloud’s granddaughter. Struggling with his own personal demons, Tom finds himself wedged between honoring that friendship and staying true to the depths of his conscience. Amid a backdrop of tumultuous social upheaval, he finds nothing prepared him, the woman he loves or Chief Red Cloud, for the changes about to thunder into their lives, sweeping them helplessly into the tides of human conflict and historical drama. Available on Amazon.

From The Banks OF Little Bear Creek

The Tom Named by Horse Saga continues. Three years after the death of Tall Dog, Tom Named By Horse and Soft Cloud have turned the little soddy, the lands granted them by Red Cloud, and the lean-to barn into a thriving horse ranch, fulfilling Tom’s dream. The Plains Indians Wars, or Red Cloud’s war, is mostly behind them, and the lands have had their transformation as Red Cloud’s vision had warned years earlier. Trailing horses from the ranch to Denver city has become an annual event for Tom, Buck and the rest, and this is the story of that trail. In the spirit of a good old John Wayne movie, vengeance, cattle and horse thieves, a dirty sheriff and corrupt mayor, and a wedding make this year’s drive a ride you’ll want to tag along on.