"Coming Home" - Pt 1-

Howdy Folks,

This is the opening of a novel I had kicked around. Just am not sure how I feel about writing a Crime Drama. I do like Billie though ... I hope you enjoy, Billie's return.

Coming Home

Chapter One

Her life would never be the same, and she was okay with that. She pulled off the hard road but did not drive through the gate, even though it sat open. It always sat open. A mile down the lane she could see the house and barn, she could even see horses in the corral. Twisting her wrist to glance at her watch she mumbled, “seven-thirty, they’d be finished breakfast and Dad would be headed back out by now.”

A single note blurb from a siren made her glance at the rear-view mirror to see flashing blue lights atop the Sheriff’s car. The car stopped behind hers, but kept the lights flashing. She watched him walk toward her, so much for a quiet return.

He taped on the window, “Everything alright Miss?”

She pushed the button and lowered the window. “Right as rain, Roy.”

Roy stepped back and leaned to look inside the car. “Billie? Billie Weston, is it really you?” He yanked the door open and squatted down. “By God, Billie Weston. Step out here! Let a fella have a look at you.”

Billie took his hand stepped out and looked him square in the eye, “You’re running highway patrol early this morning aren’t you?”

“Not really, I was on my way to Pecos County to pick up a fella they arrested last night. By God Billie, you look great. You didn’t get married yet did you?”

She let her eyes travel up and down Roy’s frame. A few years had done him alright in the maturing category. Still had that bright red hair and his green eyes, but now he had some muscles on those long arms, and a rather attractive red moustache. She liked the muscles better though. “Not yet. Did you?”

He shook his head. “Nope, sure didn’t, the only girl I ever wanted went east. Broke my heart into a thousand pieces.”

She gave him an easy smile, then nodded toward the house. “Seen Mom and Dad lately?”

“Sure, when they come into town. You know to the feed store or once in a while they’ll hit the diner. They’ll sure be tickled to death to see you.”

“They know I’m coming. I’m just a day early.”

He shook her hand, tipped his hat, “I gotta get on, been great to see you again Billie.”

She cocked her head, “Oh you’ll be seeing me, Roy. I’m home to stay this time.”

“No kiddin’?”

“Yep. I heard Chief Lovell is looking for another Deputy. I’m interviewing as soon as I see Mom and Dad.”

Roy stumbled back a half step. “No kiddin’?”

“Sure am. Of course I’m not just another Deputy. I come with a pedigree.”

“And experience.”

“And experience.” Billie tossed a wink, then slid into the drivers seat of her fire-engine red, one month old Corvette.

Roy moved to her window, bent low and leaned on the door, "Be alright to have a Weston in the department again. We all miss your dad. Sheriff Lovell tried real hard to keep him from retiring last year."

Gently, Billie used the tips of her fingers to brush Roy's arm from her door and smiled. "New car. Well Roy, if the Sheriff will have me I'll do my best to live up to my father's reputation. Of course you'll remember, I do things a little different than Dad."

Backing away Roy nodded. "We do remember." He dropped to one knee. "You… ah, wanna go for dinner tonight? Wednesday night, all you can eat spaghetti at Martha's."

"Roy, I haven't even been home yet." She let him have her flirtiest head tilt and eye roll. "Of course, if you're still so easily compromised, I could meet you at Martha's for an early lunch. After I visit with the folks a bit."

"Compromised?"

"I've been gone awhile, and I'm sure there are a few things that might be helpful to have in my back pocket before I meet with Sheriff Lovell. After all, I am a Weston and my Dad always said, "Preparation is the key to success."

"Really? I never heard him say that."

"Well, he could have. Martha's? Eleven sharp?"

Looking at his watch Roy nodded. "Yea, eleven. I can do that, but I gotta run. Get to Salado County, grab that prisoner and hustle on back here to do all the paperwork. Yea I'll see you at Martha's… Been a while since I've been ... compromised."

Billie revved the Vette and winked, "Get used to it. I think I'm gonna be your partner.

She watched him in the side mirror as she drove away, nice and slow so as not to raise any dust that would want to settle on her car. She always liked Roy, but not quite the same way he'd always liked her. From tenth grade on, he'd had a crush on her. Good old Roy, he'll probably be on the radio before he's out of sight telling Sheriff Lovell that Billie Weston is back and he has a date with her. That's alright, she'd let him have his coup.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

You can read Pt 2  of "Coming Home" here - http://dutchhenry.blogspot.com/2013/04/coming-home-pt-2.html 

"Happy Monday! It's a Bluebird Day!"

Howdy Folks,

HAPPY MONDAY everybody! The Spring symphony of bird song floated on crisp air this morning as I sat with Kessy, Saturday and Miss Kitty enjoying our Coffee Clutch. Kessy's eyes sparkled as she gazed out into the bright morning sun, hay dangling from her mouth. We had enjoyed a lovely, and lively, ride yesterday and I wondered if she was remembering it. I was. Our good friend Chris and her mule Molly had gone with us, and the two girls seemed pretty full of themselves. Ah Spring.

This morning's operatic performance was surely the best so far this Spring. Phoebes called and flitted about, dashing to the dirt to retrieve nest building material for there new nest in Kessy's barn. Mr. Cardinal sat high in a tree and sang loud. Mr. Bluebird too, sang and sang. Mourning Doves joined in, their cooing wafting lightly as backup singers. Several Chipping Sparrows chattered as they scratched the chicken feed, and Mr. Chickadee added his high notes just in time for the chorus. A lone Robin trilled.

The Bluebirds have a complete nest in the front yard and we are keeping watch for the first egg. Ravishin' Robbie is cooking our first batch of Hummingbird nectar of the Spring. We'll be hanging the first feeder today ... They will be here any day now. We've missed our glistening flying jewels. To check when they will be in your area go to http://www.hummingbirds.net/ . And you can report your first sighting there too, just for fun.

On our rides Kessy and I have already seen plenty of Bluetts, Spring Beauties, Myrtle and even Bloodroot flowers … Can our road trip to Blue Ridge Parkway to look for wildflowers be far away? I'm ready!

Ravishin' Robbie, Kessy, the critters  and I send you wishes for a Happy Monday and God Bless!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Feature Friday- Katie Holme and Healing Horses"

Howdy Folks,

Eighteen years ago Katie Holme suffered a horrible incident that left her suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For years she endured the devastating life changing effects and trauma while pursuing conventional therapies and treatments. Relief and comfort remained out of reach. Katie even sought out untraditional therapies with little results.

Her struggle for peace continued when a horse named Chief came into her life. Katie had heard Chief had been abused and neglected, and something inside her demanded she rescue him. It was while healing Chief that Katie began to heal herself. Even though weak, tired and confused, Chief carried Katie to a place of peace and harmony with the world. She began to heal and find strength and then a focus. Chief helped her understand that he, and other horses like him, could help heal other people like herself. Traumatized, wounded, neglected horses could help heal traumatized, wounded, neglected humans. Through Chief, Katie knew that to be true. What could she do with that knowledge?

Katie and Chief

Katie set about finding a way to use the truths Chief had given her. With her heart full of hope, and Chief's encouragement, she founded "Healing Horses," a non-profit organization in Fort Mill, South Carolina with a mission to "rescue, rehabilitate and offer sanctuary to horses who are victims of trauma or abuse, and to leading people with troubled hearts and spirits to a pathway of healing through the Horse."

At Healing Horses the rescue and rehabilitation is done with the horse's perspective as the guiding light. Each horse is guided gently back to health, physically and mentally using the, “The Healing Wheel” – The 7-step program formulated by Katie. 1) Rescue. 2) Evaluation. 3) Plan of Care. 4) Intensive care. 5) Re-education and Training. 6) Reconnection with people. 7) A New Start!

Relaxing with Katie and other Healing Horse family members is important during the healing process.

"Humans Healing Horses and Horses Healing Humans" is the motto at Healing Horses. After they've gone through the healing process the rescued horses in turn offer their love, strength and guidance to healing those humans who have been hurt and need healing of their own. Their program "Healing Hearts With Healing Horses" is a specialized healing program using the horse as guide and teacher. Since each person is different and faces his/her own unique challenges, the program is tailored to meet each individuals needs.

A "New Start"

A "New Start" is given both the horse and the human at this little piece of heaven called "Healing Horses." Thank you Chief for giving Katie her New Start! And thank you Katie for passing it on!

Healing Horses also offer horses with love to give for adoption. Visit their website http://www.healinghorses.us/site/ to learn more about them, and how you might be able help them help.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"My Thoughts on Having One Horse"

Howdy Folks,

Last week Linda Tansek asked if I would share my thoughts of having just a single horse. My reason for wanting to keep only one horse is both health and financially driven. If I could I would have 3 – 5 as we used to. Coffee Clutch followers and Facebook friends know that I do have only one horse, my mare, Kessy. You may not know that before Kessy I had other single horses, my Competitive/Endurance horse, River and the fabulous rescue horse, Honey. All did fine being the only horse here.

Allow me to describe, "here" because I do believe their home environment plays a big part. A barn that allows Kessy to come and go as she pleases, about an acre to roam in among trees. No grass to speak of, but free choice hay in a slow feed hay bag 24/7. No grain, but some fruit and fresh vegetables. She also has her free roaming chickens, 2 cats and 3 dogs. Her barn is 30 feet from the house and her yard is our back yard, she can and will come right up to the back door. Sometimes she'll nicker softly to get my attention.

Kessy's barn allows her to come and go as she pleases. Our chickens do too!

Kessy has been an "only horse" for 34 months, she moved in with us in May 2011. Kessy had never been off the farm where she was born. She was 7 when she moved in with us. They had lots of horses. I believe she made the adjustment to being an only horse right away. So did River and Honey, but as I said, I suppose their "home" here had something to do with it, the free style roaming and pets and chickens, and our back porch. And don't forget I start each day with our Coffee Clutch. And sometimes I write in the barn, but only when it's warm. Now everyone who would like to keep only one horse may not be able to do everything we do here, but I share our set up as "food for thought." Perhaps it might help you to make your own plans.

Kessy is free to roam her wooded acre lot. The dogs cats and chickens roam with her.

Also I do a fair amount with Kessy, the release and relax exercises, we ride 2 or 3 days a week, groom her almost daily and other little things. But there are plenty of days that all I do is feed her, too.

Kessy, Saturday and Dutch working on a story together.

I've been told because of the herd thing horses need other horses to be happy, "they are herd animals" they say. Plenty of folks with one horse have ponies or minis as pasture buddies, or other companion horses. I think that is wonderful, if you want it. I was told a few years back, after River left and I was looking to adopt a horse, I could not adopt with only one horse, I needed at least a companion horse. I did not adopt there ... did that horse I wanted to give a home to find one? I don't know.

I know this is a touchy subject with strong opinions on both sides, but it's my opinion a horse can and will thrive and enjoy life if they are the only horse. Just as is the case with any horse be it your only horse, or part of a herd, how we care for, play with and learn from them are the most important things to that horse.

One final note, Kessy is just fine when we go riding with others, too. No excitement, no separation anxiety, no crowding on the trail. She is confident in herself, trusts me and enjoys herself. I think everyone needs to make this decision for themselves, but I think a single horse well cared for is perfectly wonderful. I also have several friends who have only one horse and are doing splendidly. I do think diet, exercise and no confinement to a stall is very important, but then I think that is very important for all horses.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Bird Watching at Peaks of Otter"

Howdy Folks,

On Saturday Connie and her puppy Judy, Ravishin' Robbie, and I went on a trip to Peaks of Otter winery. They were having a wine tasting event, and folks who know Connie Bloss know that's more than she can resist. I was invited along as the group's designated driver, being the only teetotaler in the bunch. Well myself and Connie's brand new little puppy, Judy.

Judy & Dutch relaxing as the wine tasting commenced.

The winery is a positively beautiful place nestled in the foothills of the Peaks of Otter Mountain just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. First we enjoyed a leisurely stroll down winding path through Peach and Apple trees and rows of grapevines to visit the goats, turkeys, pigs, lamas and chickens. Everything in the "farm" is arranged neat, clean, safe and easy for children and families to enjoy.

View of Peaks of Otter from yard in front of gift shop

Then back up the hill to the gift shop for the ladies to guzzle, I mean, taste wine. Judy and I had a seat in the lounge area to watch the festivities. When we found out they would be sampling over 20 wines, Judy and I decided we would retire to the outside and do some bird watching.

Ravishin' Robbie & Dutch strolling back to the gift shop.

The view from the lawn out front of the gift shop is simply perfect, down over an apple orchard and in the distance the Peak of Otter Mountain. Judy and settled in the sun warmed grass and took in the view. The bird watching was positively wonderful. From our perch on the bank we saw a Pilliated Woodpecker, Red Winged Blackbirds, Cardinals, Crows, lots of Robins and the treat of the day were the Bluebirds. 

The entire time we watched over the orchard several pair of Bluebirds flitted from tree to ground gathering nest building material.

Judy and I managed to sneak in a nap in the sun, too.

Judy & Dutch snoozing in the sun.

The results of the wine tasting? They told me to tell you, they had kissed the Devil, whatever that means.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry