When they reached the mountain’s summit, even Clancy took a pull— It well might make the boldest hold their breath; The wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full Of wombat holes, and any slip was death. But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head, And he swung his stockwhip round and gave a cheer, And he he raced him down the mountain like a torrent in it's bed, While the others stood and watched in very fear. He sent the flint stones flying, but the pony kept his feet, He cleared the fallen timber in his stride, And the man from Snowy River never shifted in his seat--- It was grand to see that mountain horseman ride. Through the stringy barks and saplings, on the rough and broken ground, Down the hillside at a racing pace he went; And he never drew the bridle till he landed safe and sound At the bottom of that terrible descent. He was right among the horses as they climbed the farther hill, And the watchers on the mountain standing mute, Saw him ply the stockwhip fiercely; he was right among them still, As he raced across the clearing in pursuit. Then they lost him for a moment, where two mountain gullies met In the ranges--- but a final glimpse reveals On a dim and distant hillside the wild horses racing yet, With the man from Snowy River at their heels To get the whole poem best go borrowing at the library or buying if you can find it. The book is worth the time and money! Many thanks to Ronald John, his mom, used book stores and especially A.B. Paterson!

An Angel here, An Angel There An angel here, an angel there.... You're surrounded by angles everywhere. When you're in the middle of a terrible storm.. They come with their candles to keep you warm. An angel to comfort, an angel to guide, An angel to fill a dark hole deep inside. An angel to cry on, an angel who cares,, You are surrounded by angels everywhere. Angels who reach out when times are rough, Who'll listen to your heartaches and all kinds of stuff. Bright in the sunshine and in dark of the night, The angels surround you with comforting light. The good lord is busy, and can't always come down,, To give you that smile or take care of your frown. So he sent you his angels, to brighten your day And help you carry your burdens away. So remember while celebrating, or giving thanks for the day,, To be thankful for all your angels who helped you in many ways. In doing so, I'm sure once again you will be blessed.,, With many more angels to help you through all the rest. You may ask yourself, "Just how does she know?" Well, my dear friends, you were one of my angels, sent when I was low. For this, I am so grateful, so happy inside,,, Thanks to each of you for being by my side! With many thanks to those that have been there for me along some of my difficult paths,,, Hugs,, Tammylee

The Storm The willows were blowin’ as if some ole time merchant was sweepin’ off a porch… Roof tin from the barns were singin’ and that rooster on top pointed dead north… Storm clouds filled the skies thick as mud with lightning piercin’ thru as it pleased… The horses were turned out to fend for themselves, we’ll gather ‘em when it’s eased.. Thunder boomers yelled out loud enough to rattle the bones in yer ears… The rain was comin’ down like shot-shell and hail was peltin’ the steers… The kids knew the drill, not like this was there first rodeo… Once it got this bad and didn’t pass it was off to the cellar they’d go… Me and their Ma would grab the essentials and make all as it should be… I’d be the last one in after I shut the main power down and turn the livestock free… It was chaos to say the least and getting’ harder to stay upright against that wind… That’s when I heard it…the crack and shatter of a branch that could no longer bend… It landed flat with a crash, and sent chills to my very core… That hunka wood was between me and my family, layin on the cellar door… I ran best I could to the truck and grabbed the chain outta the bed… Drove over hooked it up as a roof flew off the shed… That ole girl hauled with a purpose as she drug it off the door… Tires spinnin’, motor peggin’ out, she did it, but I couldn’t have asked for more… I kicked the door three times so she’d unlock it from inside… Got half way in then I remembered…that damned dog, where’d he run and hide… I held up one finger and told her I’d be back, right out amongst it, sky no longer black… I tried to whistle and call out his name…with that wind it all went in vain… Seein’ the damage that was already done, I looked to the house, heard the train come… Seen that ole dog haulin’ tail my way…we’re in the cellar…here to stay… All huddled together, you can smell the power in the air… Too noisy to talk, but no matter, we were all in prayer… Prayin’ for the families that mighta been caught off guard… Knowin’ that recovery from all this will be harder than hard… But that’s why we’re here, to help those around us in need… And when this storm passes it’ll be one of those times indeed… It’s hard to tell how long we were down there but it passed right over us twice… Waitin’ for an all clear kinda signal…then we heard the birds singin’ peacefull and nice… Openin’ that cellar door our whole world changed…a day we’ll remember forever more… Lookin around the ranch…the only damage done was the long tree branch right there…by the cellar door.. We were blessed by the Good Lord with our safety, and being able to keep the work on the ranch… There was a powerline down, justa few feet from the steel cellar door, being held by a single branch… Phil J. Parks 4/17/09

A friend of mine was talking about something she believed titled "9 Myths of Horsekeeping" or something of the sort, but can't find it. Anyone heard of it?

LOL And as a result of some fun in Chat, here is one of the more negative commentaries from my collection [as promised JF :)] “Who Are You?” I just received an invitation to make an application, ‘Least that’s what I saw there in your eyes! But the man you sit beside, well he’s a friend of mine. If I acted to your cue, I’d be a lot like you, And the kind of man that all men should despise! Same look last fall and I’d have asked you to dance and a movie show Until entered the man who then was your beau. Did he believe you can love and then see cause to doubt you? Did you deny and then try my friend who’s not cured your blues? Well instead of blaming him girl, you’ve homework to do. That’s work, not make the same mistake with me or any friend of mine. No man that is a man would be that asinine. Yes you look good, play guitar and sing a country song, But he and I were friends before you came along. Believe me, we’ll be friends after you are gone! Hope some day you learn to look inside and heal what makes you blue. Because until you do your home work, you will never know love; That is true, so true! Never know the answer to the question, “Who are you?”

There are times in this life that bring wonder, of just why it is that we're here... What it is that brings folks together, friends, family and those ya hold dear... Whether it be a lifestyle, or a tradition of sorts... Sometimes it may be so joyous, and other times it'll wad up yer shorts... Family is a thing we're givin, handed down to us by those that came before... Friends are those that are made... that were perfect as strangers before... Then theres the ones we hold dear....right next to our very heart and soul... The ones that have our undevided attention, the ones that truly, truly know... So count your blessings daily, be grateful of what ya have... Show those that ya hold dear, just how dear every chance ya can... Spend time with those less fortunate that may not have family of their own... Pay attention to the older folks whose kids have up and grown... Smile at any given moment cuz ya don't know who might see... There's so much to frown about these days with times bein what they are....but on a brighter note folks....smiles do so many things, and each one of em is free... Phil J. Parks

Awesome,,,just plain awesome Heartman,,,,would love hearing more from where that came from,,,gosh,,,sooo much talent in this community of ours,,,,Thank you to all,,,for sharing your gift with us. Hugs, Tammylee

The way we hear "I love you" Each time I thought of the filly, I dreamed of all the rides that were ahead Dad was dreaming of tractor and how to get it without debt If he had asked me I’d have found it hard, but I’d have said “of course” Funny how a relationship can be defined within a snapshot of a horse Fifty odd years later, and I can still recall that day And now I know my daddy loved us, but back then, it didn’t seem that way Things in life that I’ve found hardest, what to do and what to say Beyond any possibility when a child feels so betrayed It took a lot of years for me to learn one of the best things I know now That my dad would have shown he loved us if he had just known how He sacrificed his health and time and worked so hard to give us a warm safe home But he never said or showed he loved us, I guess he thought that we would have known If there is some one that you need to hear “I love you” from, Perhaps you should stop and think it out till it is clear Find a way to change the way you react to what it is you think you do not hear, Because if they knew a better way I think they would have used it by now Maybe they need to hear “I love you” back and never have somehow Alex Reavie

New Britchin (maybe I should have called this "one of the many mistakes I made while being trained by horses!") I harnessed the mare, new britchin and all expected no trouble, drove her four times since fall she stood there real quiet while I pulled up the shafts hooked up tuggers and britchen and then- she went daft! when the new fangled britchin bumped up on her bum, she didn't have to act silly, she could have just run! No, not! she stood up on her end and when she came down the shafts were well bent she fell over sideways,not a thing I could do exept try to calm her so I just hollered "WHOA!" Everything was tangled, a he** of a mess, including my dignity I'll have to confess. Well she lay there real guiet while I caught my aplomb which I lost the next moment as my mind went numb cause she stood up! One shaft was above her, the other below, the cutter was sideways, and wouldn't you know? She was facing the fence! about 6 feet away! Scary how fast some plans go astray! When this dance began that's not how it was We had all kinds of room, no fear or cause. We were headed straight east, forty feet clear behind till the britchen hit her and the mare lost her mind. She leapt and she twisted, turned the sleigh half around, She danced sideways, rared up and crashed to the ground. So there she stood and she trembled while I unhitched the load, straightened the harness and called her a toad. Then I hooked her back up, minus britchin of course, and after some coaxin she behaved like a horse. The next time I drive her I'll give her some time, to get the feel of new britchin fixed in her mind I'll walk her around without any load. I'll call her sweet names. never mention the toad. and when she's hooked up I'll pray through my fear that if she gets frightened she just hits high gear. Alex Reavie

A TOUGH OLD COWBOY FROM SOUTH TEXAS COUNSELED HIS GRANDSON THAT IF HE WANTED TO LIVE A LONG LIFE, THE SECRET WAS TO SPRINKLE A PINCH OF GUN POWDER ON HIS OATMEAL EVERY MORNING. THE GRANDSON DID THIS RELIGIOUSLY TO THE AGE OF 103 WHEN HE DIED. HE LEFT BEHIND 14 CHILDREN, 30 GRANDCHILDREN, 45 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN, 25 GREAT-GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN, AND A 15-FOOT HOLE WHERE THE CREMATORIUM USED TO BE.