My Writing Partner

Writing is a solitary endeavor. It's just you and the blank page waiting to be filled with something enticing to draw in readers and keep them there. But I do have a writing partner and he's pictured here. Tarzan is a 6 year old cat that likes to hang out in my inbox after a busy day of making his rounds of our horse farm. He earned his name because as a kitten he'd race up 40' trees and leap from branch to branch, much like squirrels (or Tarzan).

So, with my partner on my desk, I work at my self-imposed word commitment for the day. I am fortunate that the settings for my mystery series are horse farms. When I need to do some research, I can justify getting out for a ride on my horse.

What do you do to get away from it all?

Season of Sleigh Rallies

Even though snow brings a multitude of problems, New Englanders have always found time to enjoy fun in the snow--after they finished shoveling. A good twist of turning lemons into lemonade!

One of these pastimes is Sleigh Rallies. Born in Connecticut, sleigh rallies are a low-keyed competition held in open snow-filled fields. No fancy, high-priced licensed judges, just some local official (or willing person) chooses the winners. A chorus of sleigh bells jingle joyfully through the day as single horses hooked to antique sleighs join farm horses pulling utility sleds. And usually pairs of huge draft horses join the fun. Often a spectator can hitch a ride in a sleigh.

Because sleighs don't turn as easily as wheeled carts, the class only goes one direction. (Does not reverse like typical horse show classes.) Officials running a sleigh rally looks around the field to see what kinds of horses and sleighs have shown up for the day, then taylor-makes the specs of the upcoming class to suit what he sees. Lots of outdoor fun. Does much to alieviate cabin fever.

Oh, I know, you have too much work piled on your desk to spend a few hours at a sleigh rally. Take a break. Get some fresh air and you'll come back to attack those deadlines with fresh vigor.

Murder Mystery Novels with Horses - Murder Mystery Books in the Horse World

Set in New England’s horse world, Fame & Deceit is a tangle of sex, murder and blue blooded horses.