St. Jude's Ranch Recycled Card Program

Update!

St. Jude’s

Recycled Card Program

If you’re like me, you receive a lot of correspondence, including lovely greeting cards – some handmade that I can never part with. Hoarding cards is not a good idea. Now, with boxes upon boxes of saved greeting cards and correspondence, I have to rethink my organization skills. Some of the cards I can remove the front and reuse as postcards. Since I am addicted to paper, throwing cards away is... difficult. When it comes to Christmas cards, I try to recycle/resend what I can, but I have boxes of those, too (sigh).

For many years, St. Jude’s Ranch supported a greeting card program where you could send in the tops of greeting cards for recycling. Over a year (or two) ago, they stopped the program. Now, St. Jude’s Ranch is updating their recycled card program to make it easier for you to support St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in their effort to provide teens with life and work skills. The NEW and improved program will be unveiled soon.  In the meantime:

Please SEND (front only) of your recycled cards (except for Hallmark, American Greetings or Disney) to: 

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children

100 St. Jude’s Street

Boulder City, Nevada 89005

If you want to be on my mailing list for updates, etc., send me a note…

Gina

Monday Creek Publishing

PO Box 399

Buchtel, Ohio 45716 USA

After reading your correspondence, I will send to St. Jude’s Ranch for recycling. In return, I will send you one of our new paperback Journals - coming in July 2018 from Monday Creek Publishing! Keep writing!

Found: Vivian Maier

Found: Vivian Maier

www.vivianmaier.com

Last Sunday night, I started to sneeze. Monday morning, I was a mess. Tuesday, I was at the doc, then to the hospital for a flu swab. Ugh. When I woke this morning, it was Friday; not sure how I lost several days, but there it is, and that’s what the flu does to a body. Now, I am thankful to be on the mend, but still wary of going outside (even though I miss my horses and cats and know they are trying to figure out where I am – thank goodness for a family member who loves my animals, too).

Today, not able to leave the house, but able to do something – I decided to watch Netflix. I love the documentaries: Dior, Vogue, Manolo, Mumbai Railway, etc. Then I came across Finding Vivian Maier by John Maloof. Wow. I was mesmerized by the life of Vivian, her humbleness, prolific photography, and life.

Vivian was born in New York, USA. She was a nanny and photographer. She was a spinster and loner; however, she liked people, landscapes, and the world in general. Her passion was photography and I wonder what she would have to say about her work being found. I’m sure she would smile at John Maloof and thank him for his diligence.

Thanks, John Maloof, for resurrecting a fascinating life. I loved seeing Vivian’s photos and hearing the tale of how her work came back to life. I hope to see the exhibit someday. Possibly, you would consider sharing the exhibit with Ohio University’s Kennedy Museum of Art.

Most of all, Finding Vivian Maier is affirmation to follow your passion, no matter what it is. As my neighbor always says, you can’t hide your light under a bushel. Maybe someday someone will find your boxes (or flash drive) of passion and exhibit it in a gallery for the world to see, and they will fall in love with your work, too. 

Promote What You Love!

Would you like to be featured in 2018?

Email your info to gmcknight11@gmail.com

Feature your book, art, photography, and more!

Guest post: share a story or poem!

·        Monday Creek Publishing
·        Author/Book Promotion and Reviews
·        Equestrians from Around the World
·        Poetry Promotion
·        Photography Promotion
·        Artist Promotion
·        Horse Books
·        Horse Business
·        Horse Rescues
·        Riding Vacations
·        Stallion Row
·        Guest Posts – Horses, Art, Poetry, Writing, and more!

Riding & Writing posts are shared to

 LinkedIn, Twitter, Fb, Amazon, GoodReads, and more!

gmcknight.com

Happy New Year 2017!

Riding & Writing

·        Monday Creek Publishing

·        Author/Book Promotion and Reviews

·        Equestrians from Around the World

·        Poetry Promotion

·        Photography Promotion

·        Artist Promotion

·        Horse Books

·        Horse Business

·        Horse Rescues

·        Riding Vacations

·        Stallion Row

·        Guest Posts – Horses, Art, Poetry, Writing, and more!

Would you like to be featured in 2017?

For promotion information send a msg gmcknight11@gmail.com

Merry Christmas 2016!

gmcknight.com

Rodney's Saga with Katherine Walcott

Rodney’s Ready for Christmas

Rodney. 17.1h, bay Thoroughbred gelding, b.1999. 

Katherine Walcott, Owner

Katherine Walcott is a freelance writer and blogger. She is currently playing in the Saddle Seat and Combined Driving sandboxes while trying to convince her two pasture puffs to become over-fences competition horses.

Katherine has two Thoroughbreds, Rodney and Milton, who live in the backyard. They are pasture ornaments at the moment. The goal is for both to become competition horses. Meanwhile, Katherine has been showing American Saddlebreds in the Academy division with Stepping Stone Farm.  

Follow Rodney's Saga with Katherine Walcott

rodneyssaga.com

Happy Thanksgiving 2016!

It’s the season to be thankful for our family, friends, and intangible gifts. It’s the season to give back and pay it forward, if you are able. There are plenty of people who need a dose of love; shelter, food, friendship.

Remember, too, your local animal rescue centers. A donation of hay to your local animal shelter will go a long way. Here are a few places you can donate…

wildmustangs.com

homesforhorses.org

halterfund.org

redrover.org

horsepasture.com

humanesociety.org

Blessings to you from Riding & Writing

Happy 4th of July from Riding & Writing

Happy 4^th of July!

From Riding & Writing

Gina, Zubedia, Bake and Possum

Bake, Possum, Zubie...work hard, play hard, nap time....

gmcknight.com

Happy 2016! From Riding & Writing

Best wishes for a healthy, happy 2016! 

 Gina, Cherokee and Zubedia

Riding & Writing

gmcknight.com

Merry Christmas!

 

 

Equus Education Blog Hop: Writer

At the Barn: Cherokee and Bake

Equus Education Blog Hop: Writer

Good morning! Sunday greetings…

Riding & Writing is taking part in an international blog hop hosted by Equus Education! Thanks Christine for the awesome opportunity!

What is your horse related career?

My horse related career is first connecting with wonderful equine-minded individuals who exemplify horsemanship; people who expound on the role between horse and rider. Then, I have the great opportunity to write about their horse career, or interview them about their life with horses. Authors, businessmen/women, trainers, riders, artists, poets, and much more. A favorite is my iVIEW column at trueCOWBOYmagazine.

Where in the world can we find you?

You can find me in the beautiful hills and valleys of Ohio, USA.

Is your horse career able to be carried out in part online?

The internet has made the world smaller. Because of the great opportunities through online media, I can carry out my horse career online! Blogging, equine freelance writing, interviewing horsemen/horsewomen, etc., all works well while writing in my office located in my barn; horses on the right, office on the left.

Do you need a qualification to do your job?

Besides a Bachelor’s degree in Literature, and a minor in Business Administration, being a horse fanatic helps. It isn’t a job, really, it’s a way of life. Who can live without the aroma, feel, and aesthetics of horses? My horses will tell you, the only qualification is to love horses.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is connecting with like-minded horse people; learning about new breeds, new books, new training techniques and products. You can learn a lot from other people if you open your heart and mind. I enjoy bringing my readers innovative and quality reading material.

What careers have you taken part of so far?

My writing career includes many equine freelance magazines (and others), releasing a collection of poetry earlier this year; To the Heart, blogging, editing, ghost-writing, guest writer, promotions, and much more. I am a children’s literature author, with my first release The Blackberry Patch in 2009. I’ve a new children’s literature release coming later this year Trail Ride to Snake Hollow (about horses!). Connect with me if you would like to interview about your horse career! Visit my blog Riding & Writing, website, and author’s page, to find out more.

Thanks, Christine @ Equus Education ! Blessings...

Gina

email: gmcknight11@gmail.com

Fashion at the Races 2015 Calendar

At my stables, tracking days.

Don't have a 2015 Calendar?

I highly recommend this beautiful full-color calendar from 
Fashion at the Races!

Briana M. Mott, CEO of Fashion at the Races presents a gorgeous calendar of famous horses, milliners, and more. Enjoy!

Your purchase supports Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.




Riding & Writing interviews Briana M. Mott 
CEO, Fashion at the Races... 
http://ginamc.blogspot.com/2013/04/fashion-at-races.html

Riding & Writing interviews James A. Hastie 
Executive Director, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance...
http://ginamc.blogspot.com/2014/06/james-hastie.html

2014 County Fair

A former Mare at my stables, who will always be my princess, Bonanzas Ivy Jewel aka Ivy in her element at the Athens County Fair today!

Ivy placed 2nd in the Mare/Foal Horse Show this morning with her colt Rocky.

Love you, Ivy! <3

http://www.athensohio.com/614/festivals/athens-county-fair



Ivy and Rocky

Farmgirl Sisterhood

Transformation

Cherokee is a Quarter Horse - Bashkir Curly cross. He is reliable, great on trails, a master in the show ring, and a very good friend. His Bashkir Curly heritage means he wears a very heavy winter coat.  

It's amazing how the same horse can look so different from winter to spring! 







With the arrival of spring Cherokee sheds his heavy winter coat, becoming sleek and shiny.

The transformation from fuzzy to smooth takes several weeks. Now his winter coat is completely shed and he is ready for summer!    

Easter Blessings...

Sunrise Service, search for the Easter Basket, the ever-enchanting Egg Hunt, and a decadent family dinner. 

So many blessings; so much to be thankful for. Today we remember why we journey toward the Mark, and why we live a Victorious Life. From the Cradle to the Cross, we continually thank God for His Salvation, Provision, and Promise.

It was a gorgeous day here in my neck-of-the-woods, hope it was just as gorgeous wherever you are!

May the year ahead be filled with God’s love, peace, prosperity, and victories.

Peace and Blessings,

Gina

Rain on the barn roof...

Love lives here. 

My muses Bake and Cherokee rest in the warmth of the barn while listening to the sound of rain on the barn roof. <3

Braids & Highlights

As spring teeters, winter reminisces, and summer just a thought, the need to reconfigure swayed; hair revitalization was the only answer. So, along with the advice of my expert hairdresser, I decided to have highlights in my hair. Blonde highlights.

From birth to kindergarten, I was a tow-head. My hair was completely white. A few months in kindergarten, my hair began to change to luminous brown, the color of my mother’s hair. There’s nothing wrong with brown hair; a new color sounded fun. All my friends were getting new hairstyles/colors… deep red, ombre, demi-shades, etc. But, I was the only one who went with blonde highlights. And, since I was a tow-head, the highlights that were suppose to be subtle blonde turned out really blonde! It doesn’t look terribly awful, just that I think I miss my natural color and, like summer, will be happy when it has arrived!

So, in the meantime, my locks grow and I’ve been trying different types of braids and hair configurations. Braiding longer hair is so much easier than fussing with shorter, unmanageable hair. I’ve invested in some really cool clips, scarves, barrettes, ties, etc. It’s really fun to try new accessories!

Here are a few of my favorite accessories. Note, my cowgirl hats are not included, they will be the subject of a future blog post...

Brown Bowler with Feather (Talbots)
Multi-Colored Circle Scarf (Thirty-One)
Lavender Evening Bag (White House Black Market)
Exquisite Gold and Black Weave Wrap (the best barter ever from my favorite person)
Rhinestone Sunglasses (a gift from my sis from Elusive Cowgirl)
Headbands, Clips, etc. (Sam Moon)
Red Bandana (from the recesses of my barn)
Equestrian, Red Velvet Pom-pom, and Purple Burn-Out Scarves (Zulily)
Brown and Yellow Scarf (Pendleton)

Peace & Blessings,

Gina

Through the Corral Gate

Cherokee is a Bashkir Curly/Quarter Horse cross. His disposition is sweet, gentle, but with a little spunk. He can be stubborn, but is always available for a hug, ride and conversation. With his Bashkir Curly heritage, he is a good fit for our Midwestern US cold winters and hot summers. In the wintertime his coat is fuzzy and warm; in the summertime his coat is sleek and cool.

Recently I was in the hospital and unable to go to the barn for several weeks. It was towards the end of my recuperation period that I learned the true meaning of determination and love.

The sun had just come up and it was very early morning.  A neighbor noticed that the 12 foot corral gate was down. Completely down. The red tubular metal could be seen lying in the patches of white snow. I was concerned how the heavy gate could have come down. Did someone leave the gate open? How did it come off the hinges? Where was Cherokee? My mind raced with a hundred different scenarios.

Immediately a trek to the barn to see what was up. What they found was astonishing and still a mystery. Cherokee was in the barn quietly munching hay, serenely content, and perhaps smiling a little. Around the barnyard were hoof prints leading to my house. At my house, the hoof prints continued to my bedroom window, stopped and returned back to the barn. Several manure piles were among the hoof prints, indicating that Cherokee had been out for several hours. He had somehow lifted the heavy eye bolt latch that secured the gate, thrust through the gate, knocking it off its hinges and onto the ground. The gate was bent, twisted, and battered. He was looking for me.

The gate was repositioned, tied with a rope, and the latch was secured. Cherokee was not hurt, just a small scratch on his nose, nothing serious. I suppose he used his nose to lift the eye bolt from the latch, and then trampled the gate.

This week was my first visit to the barn to see my animals. Cherokee whinnied when he saw me. We embraced and greeted as old friends. When I looked into his eyes, I am certain he wanted to tell me about his great escape and how he came to see me. One more affirmation that horses are...everything...