Dear Reader, Christmas seems like just a short while ago and an eternity ago. I put the last of the decorations in the church office away last week. (I like to leave out the manager scene until Three Kings Day.), but there are still wax stains on some of the pews as stubborn little reminders … Continue reading New Year, Slower You
When people think of Christmas for the rancher’s daughter, they often think of the many Christmas movies that revolve around the rancher’s family finding the Christmas spirit and keeping secrets on the ranch. There might be a pony kept hidden in the barn until Christmas morning, or an emergency with the animals on Christmas Eve. … Continue reading Christmas Memories
Dear Reader, I don’t know why everything has to have an assigned “aesthetic” these days. I guess the kids that grew up with “themed” birthday parties felt like everything needed a theme in adult. Most women love to show off their “farmhouse” kitchens, which I think are super cute, but it amuses me because it … Continue reading Aesthetics
Dear Reader, After my family and I got home from vacation last month, I have been in survival mode. Go to work, come home and do chores. Wake up and get ready for work. Catch up on things on the weekend, start over on Monday. No one likes to live like this; I understand that … Continue reading Ranching in the Moment
Have you ever seen those movies about how a group of men, often rough around the edges and with little parenting experience, but with good hearts, end up caring for a little girl? They may not care for her on a daily basis, but they do become her cheer squad and teach her important things … Continue reading Raised on the Cow Crew
Dear Reader, As a rancher’s daughter who grew up riding and training horses, I was hard to please when it came to stories that had horses in them. Of course, being an avid fantasy reader, I didn’t really mind if the horses talked or if they were even unicorns. However, I had a hard time … Continue reading Fantasy Horse Books Approved by the Rancher’s Daughter
Dear Reader, It’s funny how our relationships with our horses change over the years. When we are very young, they are in some ways our companions in our imaginary adventures, but in a lot of ways they feel like someone assigned to keep us safe and straight in the woods. There have been many times … Continue reading The Horses We Rode – Part 2
Dear Reader, If dogs are Man’s best friend, then Horses are Women’s best friend (dog girls don’t come for me). The bond between a girl and her horse is often over romanticized and made into a sappy sitcom. As a child I had seen too many crazy horses buck off good horseman to even consider … Continue reading The Horses We Rode – Part 1
Dear Reader, I have been waiting for fall since the last cool days of March. Sometimes in Florida we do have to pretend it is fall, although the other night was actually pleasant and had a scent of fall in the air. It wasn’t drowningly humid and it was below 90 degrees by 5:00 PM: … Continue reading Fall in Florida
Dear Reader, Fall is finally here, somewhat. It’s still pretty hot in Florida, but it’s not as hot as it was. I’ve always loved the feeling that comes with fall: the falling leaves, cooler nights, getting to wear my favorite sweater, school starting, and sometimes even pumpkin spice (I retry it every year and then … Continue reading Fall Feelings
From the Rancher's Daughter's Desk 