Wabi Sabi

I have the chops?

2009-01-26T03:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
Lots of you have asked for more blogging about SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA and so I thought I'd show you a review which ran recently on BOOKISH. I really like it a lot. This is a perceptive reader & I'd love to contact her, but I haven't had any luck.
The title for this entry comes from the end of the review, where the writer says : This definitely isn't Farley's "Phantom Stallion" series, and it shows that she has the chops to carry off something better.
I don't know about better, but different! Those of you who've read both the Phantom series & 7t, what do you think?
I didn't notice any spoilers, but read on at your own risk.....

Seven Tears into the Sea by Terri Farley

I actually read this book a couple years ago, but it happens to be one of my favorites--so, here I am, reviewing it!

Book Description: Gwen, 17, has returned to a small beach community seven years after the scandal that forced her family to flee. Now she's spending the summer working at her grandmother's inn and hoping to put the past behind her. The very first morning she's there, however, she meets Jesse, a boy who claims he already knows her, and knows what happened all those years ago. Overcome by her attraction to him, Gwen spends more and more time with him and realizes that he has secrets he isn't telling her. Her grandmother's tales of selkies foreshadow what is to come, and readers will probably guess the outcome long before Gwen does. If they can get past the sentimental title that belies the real story, the romance and mystery will keep them reading until the very end. Expect this to be popular where retold myths and fairy tales are in demand. (Amazon.com)

One of the reasons I stumbled upon this book is because I was in search of a good story about selkies. Selkies are one of the lesser-known mythological creatures out there, but definitely more fascinating than many. Seal-to-human shapeshifters, they actually shed their sealskins to go from one form to another. They're also, as Gwen points out to a couple of tourists, pathologically beautiful and seductive. (But without the whole dead thing vampires have going on.)

Jesse, the hero of Seven Tears, definitely has these traits going for him. But at the same time, Terri Farley gives him a strangely naive, childlike personality--as if he hopes that everything will work out, but is wise enough to know otherwise. He's definitely not the arrogant bad boy you see in most romantic fantasy stories today, though he's no weakling, either. Jesse is different, and I love that Farley marked him as one of a kind in her book. This is why Gwen is originally drawn to him. He doesn't care--or even know, really--about our society's way of life.

Gwen's an endearing heroine, being pretty practical and independent for a girl who is falling for a selkie. Although I think that the "incident" of seven years before--which, though not really that terrible, sounds like it is--could have resonated more with her, she's definitely not an idiot. She's a girl falling in love with the impossible, but not stupidly.

Seven Tears is written for a teenage audience, and it, like Stephenie Meyer's books, is pretty chaste, considering the YA books we see today. There's kissing, and plenty of passion, but it doesn't go in-depth--and it definitely doesn't make you feel like you're reading a cheesey romance novel. The side characters of Gwen's grandmother and Zach are interesting as well, though I think that Zach's ending in the story could have been more specific. The book is well-written, and has a bittersweet, but believable, ending. My mother read this book, and loved it just as much as I did, so don't let the teenage label stop you from trying it out. This definitely isn't Farley's "Phantom Stallion" series, and it shows that she has the chops to carry off something better.

Recommended buy for fantasy and romance lovers.

Rating: Four and a half out of five stars.

Mythical Beast

2009-01-25T04:32:00.000-07:00

HI,
This isn't MY image of the creature, but what do you think it is?
Best,
Terri

Wild Horses of Nevada

2009-01-24T11:00:00.002-07:00

Want to spend a day watching wild horses?
I met this week with a group of people who'd like to help you. One of them is Mark Terrell. He shot the cover above, and you can visit his website for a soothing, passing gallery of wild horses, here: WILD HORSES OF NEVADA

While you're on his website, you might check Mark's schedule & see if he'll be at an event near you & talk to him, since he's frequently in wild horse territory and has lots of stories!
Adios,
Terri

Phantom on YouTube

2009-01-23T07:43:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,
If you haven't seen the real Phantom in action (or if it's been too long), feel free to sigh over these news clips:

Real Phantom Captured!

Real Phantom Freed!

Isn't he amazing?

Terri

Happy Howl!

2009-01-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS...In one his first acts as president, Barack Obama has halted a last-minute Bush attempt to strip federal protections from northern gray WOLVES.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

2009-01-22T08:26:00.004-07:00

Dear Readers,

I never thought of how creepy the above expression must sound to people beyond the West. All it means is to stay watchful, alert, with your eyelids up! Really.

Charles W. Stenholm is a former Congressman and lobbyist I'm watching. A Democrat from Texas, Charlie Stenholm is lobbying to reopen horse slaughter plants in the U.S., claiming the process is as humane as a lethal injection. Some people wanted him as Secretary of the Interior or Agriculture, but that hasn't happened.

He's a political player to watch, and the more of us, the better.

Staying awake,
Terri

The best PHANTOM photo ever!

2009-01-21T03:44:00.002-07:00

Dear Readers,
MELISSA FARLOW, an incredible National Geographic photographer has taken one of the best photos EVER of the real Phantom. The February issue will show photos of many wild horses, but if you'd like a preview, try going here:

Nat'l Geo's Wild Horse Story

I don't have to give you a hint. You'll spot the Phantom instantly!

Reading rocks,
Terri
P.S. Lots of you want to see more photos of the real Phantom, and you can do that several places. If you go to PhantomStallion.com and click on the Phantom Fun page, then go ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the way down to the bottom, you can see some shots taken soon after he, Shy and Rain Cloud were brought in off the range. You can send postcards of him from my website, too.

Morning

2009-01-20T07:59:00.002-07:00

Watching dawn color the mountaintops has a whole new meaning today.
CELEBRATE and get ready to roll up your sleeves!
Best wishes to ALL,
Terri

p.s. I'm off to watch the horses dance for their celebratory apples. After all, some of their own will be marching down Pennsylvania Avenue :)

Mustangs on Parade!

2009-01-19T20:44:00.004-07:00

Here are two stories about mustangs (and their riders) that will be in the Inaugural parade!

BLM's site

By a close friend of Justice the mustang

Enjoy the celebration!!!
Terri

25 Random Things About Me

2009-01-19T05:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
A writer friend challenged me to do this list on Facebook & MySpace. It was really fun, so I thought I'd share and encourage you to do it, too.
Can you find it either of those places?

Terri

A Book Worth Reading

2009-01-18T03:46:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,
MUSTANG by Deanne Stillman is an excellent non-fiction book about the history of wild horses in America.
I'm honored to be a source for it and so glad Deanne is receiving nationwide praise for using her journalistic skills to speak for the horses.
Melissa Holbrook Pierson, a reviewer for Orion magazine wrote a truly perceptive review of MUSTANG. Here's a peek at it:

"THE STORY of the American wild horse, for two hundred years or more, has in fact been two tales, a simultaneous duplicity: vaunted icon of freedom; scapegoat, victim, villain...
"The mustang is unaware of its most important service: “being wild and free for the rest of us.'

Couldn't be more true.
Best,
Terri

Free Winter FUN

2009-01-17T03:28:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,
A lot of you have a three day weekend coming up, and many of you are shivering inside instead of enjoying horseplay outside. I know those of you reading in Australia are soaking up the sunshine, but much of the U.S. is below zero. We're talking icicles!
So, here are some fun things to do!!!

Find a bookstore near you Indie Store Finder

BACK TALK!

Want to talk about Seven Tears into the Sea? Here are three places to visit:

Yahoochat

simonsays

amazon reviews

Want to talk about WILD HORSE ISLAND or PHANTOM STALLION books?

Phantom fansite

Want to talk about FARAWAY FILLY?

see what people say about FF

Want a free WIDGET for every single one of my books? Start here, with FARAWAY FILLY, and move on! Want a cover shot of Star Shower, the lovely little paint from RED FEATHER FILLY? You can get that too...
free horse covers

Be HEARD for the HERD

2009-01-16T10:13:00.007-07:00

Dear Readers,
Some members of Congress are really working hard to save American horses from slaughter. Congress has only been back in session for a few days, and a bill has already been introduced to help.
And here's a totally simple -- it will take you about two minutes -- way to let your voice be heard for the herd!
Click on the link below, enter your zip code & follow the directions. The site even has a place to click to insert different pre-written messages. Of course you can write one of your own.

BE HEARD

Here's mine:

Dear Congressman Heller:
Please use your vote to fight slaughter of American horses.
Ending the illegal trade of Nevada's wild horses, leaving them as a tourist attraction, makes more sense.
I recently worked with the Wild Horse Preservation League and was APPROVED for a grant toward that end.
Why not let the horses pay their own way?

Best,
Terri Farley

Round-up on fictional Phantom's REAL range

2009-01-14T17:57:00.004-07:00

Dear Readers,
Today another wild horse round-up starts on the range near the alico Mountains:

"...460 horses are targeted* for removal from the Buffalo Hills Herd Management Area 80 miles north of Reno..the BLM said Wednesday...Immediate removal of excess animals is necessary because water and forage is extremely limited.

About 190 animals will be left on the range, they said.

Gathered horses will be taken to corrals in Litchfield, Calif., where they will be prepared for adoption or sent to long-term holding facilities.

I don't know if this is necessary or if it has to do with cattle grazing and antelope hunting, or if it's needed. I do know this adds to the horses in long-term holding. BLM has squandered the money meant to feed them.
There are horses in the Fallon, NV. auction yards which the trucker delivering them indicated were mustangs. I'm doing more research on this.
My heart hurts.
Terri

Jonah of WILD HORSE ISLAND

2009-01-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
If you've read any of the WHI books, you'll know Jonah Kealoha, Darby's grandfather.
I selected his first name very carefully. Do any of you know its significance?
Best,
Terri

News Flash

2009-01-13T11:49:00.003-07:00

Dear Readers,
Remember when I told you I was working with the Wild Horse Preservation League (they did most of the work; I talked a little) to get a grant from the Nevada Department of Tourism to put together visitor maps to where the wild things (horses!) are?
Well, we got approved.
More info later.
Yippee,
Terri

Americans Against Horse Slaughter

2009-01-12T04:18:00.001-07:00

Dear Readers,
Here's a great way to learn more about campaigns against horse slaughter, nationally and in your state. Check out: Americans Against Horse Slaughter .
The home page will tell you about legislation against shipping horses in double-decker trucks, and a link to the film done by the Animal Angels.
On the left side of the page, you'll see a link to state-by-state blogs. I'm especially excited by those, because many of them ask if you'd like to subscribe to the blog (if you're under 18, please check with your parents) and if you'd like to help. This is a super opportunity for you to find WHO in your state is helping horses.
Thanks for helping,
Terri

Conga, pt. 2

2009-01-11T04:07:00.000-07:00

HI -- Sadly we didn't get to play Conga Horse. The blessing in that may have been hinted at by VaqueroGirl's post-- at least there was no one, two, three KICK from the horses! If you'd like to see a photo of the Conga Horse exercise -- one way to do it is to form a conga line with three people and the person in the middle is the RIDER and must do what he wants the horse to do, while the other two respond accordingly -- see this page on an Australian site here
We did learn some other Pat Parelli games that we'll be teaching the students we'll be working with...probably in the spring. And, most importantly, I met a bunch of people who like to have fun with kids and horses AND Otis and Dudley, two of HFS' great horses.
Next time I'll take a camera, k?
Best,
Terri

A...Conga...Horse?

2009-01-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
Today I'm being trained as a volunteer for HORSES FOR THE SPIRIT
and one of the things we're going to do is work with a conga horse! Now, I know I could look that up, but no way. I want to be surprised!
I'll tell you more, later!
Cowgirl up!
Terri

Unwanted Horses

2009-01-09T10:45:00.003-07:00

Dear Readers,
For most of us, the title of this blog is an oxymoron -- a seeming contradiction. How could anyone NOT want a horse?
But it happens and the results are often ugly, even though the horses aren't.
Before I did the benefit for the Nevada Humane Society, I poked around on their website and found dozens of horses up for adoption -- Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Mustangs, Appaloosas, Paints -- and for many, the adoption fee had been zeroed out. They just wanted good homes for these horses.
To find horse rescue organizations near you, you many want to check out:
You may want to check out this website:
UNWANTEDHORSECOALITION.ORG
One very important element on this website is a place to enter your zip code and find out where unwanted horses are being cared for. If you know anyone who is neglecting or abusing a horse, this may come in handy. It's usually better to offer a solution, than just yell (or cry) at someone.
Best,
Terri

Mustangs on Patrol

2009-01-08T07:26:00.005-07:00

HI!
Those of you who read comments on blog entries will be glad to know that Anna's right! One of the Border Patrol's mustang units is marching in the parade. To see a story & photo (totally worth hitting the ENLARGE button; see his freeze brand?) click here .
Also, BLM is constantly on the watch for outstanding palomino mustangs to capture for the Army's parade unit.
These horses give a lot.
Terri

for just a few of you

2009-01-07T11:50:00.002-07:00

Dear Readers,
I rarely post something that applies to just a few of my readers, but then I thought that if I was daydreaming about winning this, even if I'm not in high school in Washington, D.C., either, maybe you'd get some imagination fun out of it, too! I've heard there are other essay contests out there, too, some of which include invitations to inaugral balls!
How cool would it be if one of you (I know some of you are AMAZING writers) won & were able to talk with President Obama or First Lady Michelle about the needs of wild horses?
Dreams can come true,
Terri
--------------------------

On January 20th, Washington, DC, will play host to the Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. This will be the 53rd time that the District of Columbia has hosted a presidential inauguration, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee would like to invite Washington parents and students to be a part of this historic occasion by watching the Inaugural Parade from bleachers near the White House. We are asking parents to have their middle school or high school student answer the essay question below and then the parent or guardian can submit the answer. Selected entrants will receive three free tickets to the Inaugural Parade.

President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden believe that changing our country begins in your own back yard, which is why they have committed to making Monday, January 19th a national day of service as part of their inaugural celebration. They have invited Americans across the country to join in local service projects to benefit their communities.

So we want to know what service means to the young people of Washington, DC. Have your student answer the following question: "How can I contribute to my neighborhood through community service?"

Parents and guardians submitting essays must reside in the District of Columbia and their student must attend middle school or high school in DC. Each selected entrant will receive three tickets to the Inaugural Parade on January 20th, one for themselves and two guests. These tickets will allow them access to a special bleacher near the Presidential Reviewing Stand in front of the White House for the entire parade.

All submissions are due by 11:59pm on January 11. Essays should be no more than 500 words long.

Whole Lotta Hay

2009-01-06T07:06:00.004-07:00

Dear Readers,
At the same time the Department of the Interior's BLM protested that they didn't have the funds to keep captive wild horses alive, the Secretary of the Interior...oh yeah, the outgoing Secretary of the Interior...was having his Washington, D.C. office bathroom remodeled.

According to CNN: "Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne spent about $235,000...to renovate his office bathroom at the Department of Interior. He installed a new shower, a refrigerator and a freezer hidden behind ...lavish wood paneling -- and apparently got monogrammed towels."

Add this to the cocaine partying on yachts just doesn't make BLM's poor-mouthing too pitiful. Sheesh! MONOGRAMMED towels, you guys! And he's out of that office, and, I assume, that bathroom, in two week!

That's our money and it sure would buy a lot of hay.

Huffing,
Terri

Keep Your Fingers Crossed

2009-01-05T04:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
Good news:Mrs. Madeleine Pickens, the wealthy animal lover who has offered to buy and care for the captive wild horses BLM threatened to kill, has met with Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader of the Senate, Senator for NEVADA (home to most of the West's wild horses) and the one YOU sent over a thousand letters to during the Hearts for Horses campaign!
That's got to be a great step in the right direction!
If you missed the Hearts for Horses campaign, go to this page of my blog and smile!

Reading Rocks,
Terri

Greg Call still rocks!

2009-01-04T03:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
You may want to block out a little online time before you visit SHANNONASSOCIATES website! If you're anything like me, it will set you daydreaming.
What is it?
You probably know that movie stars and writers have agents. Many artists do, too.
When you enter this site, you'll be able to click on a drop-down menu which lists artists.
GREG CALL painted all the covers for the original PHANTOM STALLION books, and he has some wonderful work on display. I'm especially awe-struck by the mermaid painting.
Have fun,
Terri