Riding & Writing...

Monday, August 16, 2021

Milliron Monday: Scouts

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.

June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017), including his wife Jody (1938-2021).

Stashed away in a dusty corner of Pete and Jody's house were boxes of childhood memorabilia. Jody's corner was more complete than Pete's; she saved everything, including Girl Scout memories.

Jody

Jody's mother, Virginia (Mrs. Haley), was a Girl Scout Leader. Jody's brother was an Eagle Scout. She traveled far and near to be around the legendary campfire. In the Girl Scouts, she learned the joy of the outdoors; canoeing, camping, horseback riding, and more. She was a member of Mounted Troop #150, where she spent many hours on horseback.

If Jody had not been in the Girl Scouts, she may not have met Pete. It was a Girl Scout trip from her Ohio home to Colorado that made Jody fall in love with the West. She knew that after high school she would enroll in Colorado State University (then Colorado A&M). She met Pete in an English Lit class. He had been dating Jody's sorority sister, but Jody was more his type. The rest is history.

Jody. 2nd row, far right (with glasses).

Within the boxes of papers are Girl Scout calendars, campfire songbooks, ideas for cooking, canoeing maps, nutrition tips, and how to be a good citizen.

Come be a little girl scout

and roam the woods with me.

We'll pick the little wild flowers

and see what we can see.

We'll cook on buddy burners

and sleep in little bags.

Look like little Girl Scouts

instead of darned old hags.

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Hard Way to Go: The Horse of a Lifetime Book Review by Becky Mushko

Hard Way to Go: The Horse of a Lifetime

by NC Matheny

www.ncmatheny.com

Read Becky Mushko’s Book Review HERE!

Peevish Pen: Author Becky Mushko

"If you know someone who dreams about owning a horse but knows little about about how hard it can be to care for a horse, you might give them this book. It is certainly an eye-opener about some of the problems a horse might encounter—and the time, effort, and expense a horse owner will need to deal with those problems."

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Saturday, August 14, 2021

This Week @ Monday Creek: Ducks!

Summer is in full swing. The temperatures have been sultry, calling for fans and extra water. Beyond the everyday farm work and chores, we celebrate summer and fun things to do!

Since my last post, we have released several new books including Wait Until I Grow Up children's literature written and illustrated by Celeste Parsons, No One Cheers for Goliath: My Leadership Story a memoir by Timothy J. Brown, Ph.D., Hard Way to Go: The Horse of a Lifetime a memoir by NC Matheny. There are several more books in the works for 2021 which we are excited about. Stay connected for release dates/events. Find out more on our website www.mondaycreekpublishing.com.

Many writing opportunities have arisen and, like everyone else, juggling everything can be difficult sometimes, but I have turned work away so I can create a greater focus on larger projects rather than take on many tiny projects. The pandemic has changed the dynamics of writing and marketing - and just about everything else. Seems we are managing well with the changes in the writing world and find new doors opening every day. Deciding which door to open, if to open it at all, is more time-consuming than the work itself. I would rather take the quirky, road-less-traveled work than the easy run-of-the-mill work. Bring it on!

We had a heavy thunderstorm today. Since we couldn't work outside and I needed a break from writing/marketing, we ran errands. On our way home, we decided to stop at the Logan Antique Mall. I collect and reuse vintage postcards, so I like to stop at the mall twice a year to see what's new. They have vintage everything, including books and items that can inspire any writer. If you're visiting the Hocking Hills region, I am sure you will find a hidden treasure at the mall. Make sure you look in every nook.

After we came home, we checked on our new ducks - Gigantor, Snickers, Ani, and Sly! They came last week from a local family who needed to downsize their flock. All of our new ducks are drakes. They are acclimating well and seem to like their new home. Tinker, our cat, is infatuated by them and likes to watch them waddle and swim. They are fun to watch.

Enjoy Saturday!

Monday, August 9, 2021

Milliron Monday: Letters to the Editor

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.

June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

My office is quiet today, except for the noise of Zubie's fan. Zubie has a limp and I've been soaking her foot in Epsom Salts, then packing it with an Epsom Salt poultice and/or ichthammol. She is standing still in front of the fan, her mane moving up and down from the sway of air. Her stall is across the isle-way from my office. In between, winter hay rests in a linear stack. Surrounded by the sweetness of the new hay, Zubie watches me as I watch her. She's a good mare and I remember Jody telling me that I need a gelding, not a mare. And I think about Jody. We had profound discussions where I am sitting. She loved the barn, the horses, cats, etc. And I wish I could talk to her today. But, instead, I am reading her notebook of Letters to the Editor.

Jody was passionate about many things and she was quick to tell you her opinion. She was well-informed, with stacks of books; current events, history, poetry, classic literature, etc. She was an avid reader of the daily newspapers and responded to important topics when necessary, like the need for people to keep their dogs on a leash when not on their property (it's the law).

We all should keep a notebook of the things we have written to the newspaper. It is good insight to the type of people we are, our beliefs and values. Jody's Letters to the Editor are placed neatly in her notebook, each in clear page protectors, ready for reference or referral. You can find Jody's letters on facebook here.

Zubie's vet, Dr. Abfall, came today to look at Zubie's hoof. He is retiring the end of December and I will miss his expert care. It could be a pouting Letter to the Editor, as I don't know of a good replacement vet. And it wasn't Zubie's hoof at all, but her shoulder. I am sure Zubie enjoyed that I became overzealous with my own diagnosis, soaking her hoof in warm water (for no reason). She rolled her eyes at me several times at the last soak. I should have known then it wasn't her foot. Mares know everything.

Have a great week ahead.

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com