Janet Chester Bly's Blog, page 8
October 24, 2012
3 Ways To Know How Your Stick Floats
by Stephen BlyA man from
Bellevue, Washington wrote to me that he could recall his grandfather always
saying, “Well, if that’s the way your stick floats.” He wondered where that
came from.
I wasn’t sure if
it was a western-ism, but dug around until I found the source.
It hails from
old mountain man days, circa 1820 to 1840. When they set a beaver trap all
loaded with bait and scent down in the water, they would cord a stick onto the
trap and drive it into the bank or bottom of the stream. This kept the beaver
from swimming off with the trap. But if the beaver did yank it free, the stick
would float, even if the beaver drowned. This helped the trapper locate the
beaver and his very valuable trap.
So the phrase came
to mean that you understood what direction a conversation was headed.
Sometimes it seems
those around Jesus didn’t know the point of his teaching. He wasn’t impressed
with their confusion: “Your eyes are to see with—why don’t you look? Why don’t
you open your ears and listen? Don’t you remember anything at all?” (Mark 8:18
TLB)
Jesus realized not
everyone in the crowds would understand him. But he did expect those closest to
him to comprehend. However, the disciples often seemed more interested in what
they were saying than in Jesus’ words.
Jesus spoke to
thousands of men, women and children with stories, parables and straight up
teaching. He followed up with miracles. He died, yet lives again. It doesn’t take theological experts to
know which way His stick floats.
Here's 3 ways to know which way your spiritual stick floats ...
a) You believe Jesus can save you
b) You begin each day asking, "What do You want me to do, Lord?"
c)
You're anxious to do His will
Copyright©1994,2011
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 22, 2012
A New Book For Kids: The Song of Pounce
The Song of Pounce
by Nita Berquist
Here's a new book for kids, written by a friend ...
Can a really different outsider ever belong?
Life for Pounce is upside down. He is thrown away, cruelly treated; a housecat
dishonored by people, chased by wild animals, and faced with strange
adventures.
Can he live up to his name and boldly pounce on life in spite of
his fears? Will wild animals, loud people, and large farm animals intimidate
him into cowering through life?
Pounce is a cat story––tragic, funny, simple, and profound.
Yet, he discovers that making tough decisions in the face of trouble can cement
true friendship, and he finds that innocence is not an impossible handicap to
overcome. Finally, Pounce’s love for learning keeps him singing, for he knows
that singing your way through life is a very good thing for a cat, or anyone,
to do.
The Song of Pounce is a fictional story based on a real
Pounce cat that had short black and white hair arranged in spots; long,
powerful hind legs; and a silly look on his mottled face. He was sickly,
unwanted by anyone and finally purchased for twenty dollars at an animal
shelter by the author.
The fictional character of Pounce is presented as a
discarded young housecat who discovers that being innocent is not a handicap
when you are willing to learn, and that danger and difficulties can cement true
friendship with others.
Young readers will enjoy The Song of Pounce and its animals
while it also makes an entertaining read aloud story for the entire family.
Sources at the end of the book are listed to aid young people to follow their
interests in animals from the story, in agriculture, or in related fields as
potential choices for their adult lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Order
through Amazon.com ...
October 19, 2012
Western Movies & Women's Wear
Movie: Shane
by Stephen Bly
The main drawback to some western movies is what I call "Shane's Disease." This is a cinematic illness that's non-fatal, but that weakens a tad an otherwise decent movie.
For instance, in a couple different scenes of Tom Selleck's Last Stand at Saber River, Lorraine Kidston (played well by Tracey Needham) wears pants. The movie is set in 1865, Arizona Territory. No lady of any standing would have dreamed of wearing pants.
The two chief weaknesses in my opinion to the classic western Shane are the whiney incessant cries by Joey Starrett (Brandon De Wilde), "Shane! Come back Shane!" and the fact that Marian Starrett (played by Jean Arthur) wears pants. Other than that, the film adaptation of Jack Schaefer's novel is classic.
General Store in 1917
Now, let me make one thing clear. I don't mind women wearing pants. I like the looks of a gal in jeans. When it comes to a novel or film though, I want them to make it historically correct. The only pre-1900 references to women wearing pants I can find is a couple of Arizona stagecoach robbers in the early 1890s. They dressed as men and held up a stage. And Calamity Jane (noted most as a petty thief and one who seldom took a bath) would on a drunken occasion wear men's clothing. That shocked the women of Deadwood. They figured even a soiled dove like CJ would have the decency to wear a dress.
The split skirt became popular among horse women in the late 1890s. And in the era of the 'cowboy girl' from 1905 to 1930, split skirts were preferred by most women who rode horses. The 'roaring twenties' gave women the freedom to break a few clothing habits. Still, even in the '30s, women seldom wore pants.
Check this out for yourself. Look at old family pics. I do recall a photo of my mother and dad in 1939 in the snow on a ski trip where she wore pants, boots and a heavy coat.
WWII changed women's habits the most. So many gals had to work in the defense industry, where pants constituted a safety requirement. After that, pants became more common for gals.
So, for me, "Shane's Disease" is about appropriate attire, but also applies to women's hair styles. Don't get me started on that. You can tell what decade a movie was made by looking at the hair.
Copyright 2008 by Stephen Bly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What do you pay attention to most when you're watching a movie?
~~~~~~~~~~~
October 4, 2012
TWICE A BRIDE novel by Mona Hodgson
Twice A Bride by Mona Hodgson
Love lost doesn't mean love lost forever.
Can unexpected romance deliver a second chance
for two deserving widows?
Full of resolve,
young widow Willow Peterson decides to pursue her dreams to be an artist as she
settles into a new life in the growing mountain town of Cripple Creek. When she
lands a job working as a portrait painter with handsome entrepreneur and
photographer Trenton Van Der Veer, the road before Willow seems to be taking a
better-than-anticipated turn.
With questions
tugging at several hearts in town, including the Sinclair Sisters' beloved Miss
Hattie, change is traveling down the tracks as several unexpected visitors make
their way out West. Will the new arrivals threaten the deep family bonds of the
Sinclair sisters and the roots of love that are just taking hold for Willow?
Filled with the
resonating questions that all women face, this romance awakens hope against
grief, love against loss, and dreams against life's unexpected turns.
Hear my cry, O God;
Attend unto my prayer,
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
when my heart is
overwhelmed:
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:1–2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Find Book Excerpt here ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mona Hodgson
Hindsight by Mona Hodgson
I am now a blogger! What
excites me most about the new title is that writing a blog gives me another
point of connection with you. Even better, Hindsight by Mona Hodgson offers the
opportunity to share more on a personal level than is possible on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, GoodReads, NovelCrossing, the
Book Club Network, LinkedIn, or even here in my quarterly e-Newsletter.
Hindsight features articles on history, story settings, faith, and
more. Giveaways, guests, and guest authors are also regular features. I'd love
it if you'd sign up to receive my blog in your email. http://monahodgson.wordpress.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Purchase Twice A Bride online at ...
ChristianBook or BarnesandNoble or click on Amazon below ...
October 2, 2012
AFTER TWO WEBSITE CRASHES ...
Until November 1st, 2012
After two Bly Books website crashes this last summer,
this site has finally been launched once again.
To celebrate, we're offering . . .
-- free downloads of short stories, book excerpts and a Code of the West by Stephen Bly (suitable for framing) ... find them at ...
http://www.blybooks.com/2012/10/website-re-launch-specials/
-- also, Free Shipping for any book orders $35 or more ...
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3 ...
1) Place your order at the Bly Books Bookstore ... http://www.BlyBooks.com
2) email me at janet@blybooks.com with "Re-Launch Special" in the subject line
3) we'll send a check with your order reimbursing you for your shipping costs.
ALL OFFERS VALID UNTIL NOVEMBER 1st, 2012.
For more details, go to
http://www.blybooks.com/2012/10/website-re-launch-specials/
Bly Books - website home of authors Stephen Bly and Janet Chester Bly
September 29, 2012
Stephen Bly's Western Movie Take on Shane
Stephen Bly (1944-2011)
by Stephen Bly
December 12, 2008
Janet went to the big city of Spokane for a few days to
Christmas shop, so I caught up on watching western movies. I pulled out Last
Stand at Saber River, a movie I watched once when it came out in 1997 on
Turner Cable Television. Turner and AMC have kept the classic western genre
alive over the years.
Last Stand at Saber River
Last Stand at Saber River is based on an Elmore
Leonard story. Lots of writers I know like to read Elmore Leonard novels. He
can spin a good story, although his vocabulary is not always the same as mine.
Paul Cable (Tom Selleck) is a disillusioned confederate
soldier who returns home just weeks before the end of the Civil War. With his
strong-willed pioneer wife and two children, he returns to his Arizona home to
resume a quiet life. Instead, he finds Union sympathizers have taken possession
of the ranch. He and his wife fight for the ranch ... and, at times, with each
other. Even when news that the war is over reaches him, he faces one more tough
battle.
Suzy Amis
Last Stand is a good western. They got most (but not
all) of the details right. That always pleases me. Selleck is best if he plays
roles like Tom Magnum or Matthew Quigley (Quigley Down Under). And this
is a Quigley type part.
Suzy Amis is excellent as his strong-willed wife. She
wears the correct dress for the era, has no makeup or jewelry. She'll do to
ride the river with.
Haley Joel Osment
And for you film buffs, there's a very young
(9-yrs-old) Haley Joel Osment as Selleck's son. Haley Joel splashed onto our
screens with his terrific performance in The Sixth Sense. But we first
met him when he played Tom Hanks' son, Little Forrest, in Forrest Gump. His
list of movie credits is impressive and will one day, no doubt, win an Academy
Award.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the last old western you saw? What did you like or dislike about it?
Stephen Bly's Western Movie Take: Part 1
Stephen Bly (1944-2011)
by Stephen Bly
December 12, 2008
Janet went to the big city of Spokane for a few days to
Christmas shop, so I caught up on watching western movies. I pulled out Last
Stand at Saber River, a movie I watched once when it came out in 1997 on
Turner Cable Television. Turner and AMC have kept the classic western genre
alive over the years.
Last Stand at Saber River
Last Stand at Saber River is based on an Elmore
Leonard story. Lots of writers I know like to read Elmore Leonard novels. He
can spin a good story, although his vocabulary is not always the same as mine.
Paul Cable (Tom Selleck) is a disillusioned confederate
soldier who returns home just weeks before the end of the Civil War. With his
strong-willed pioneer wife and two children, he returns to his Arizona home to
resume a quiet life. Instead, he finds Union sympathizers have taken possession
of the ranch. He and his wife fight for the ranch ... and, at times, with each
other. Even when news that the war is over reaches him, he faces one more tough
battle.
Suzy Amis
Last Stand is a good western. They got most (but not
all) of the details right. That always pleases me. Selleck is best if he plays
roles like Tom Magnum or Matthew Quigley (Quigley Down Under). And this
is a Quigley type part.
Suzy Amis is excellent as his strong-willed wife. She
wears the correct dress for the era, has no makeup or jewelry. She'll do to
ride the river with.
Haley Joel Osment
And for you film buffs, there's a very young
(9-yrs-old) Haley Joel Osment as Selleck's son. Haley Joel splashed onto our
screens with his terrific performance in The Sixth Sense. But we first
met him when he played Tom Hanks' son, Little Forrest, in Forrest Gump. His
list of movie credits is impressive and will one day, no doubt, win an Academy
Award.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the last old western you saw? What did you like or dislike about it?
September 21, 2012
Change of Heart, Heart of Courage - Novels by Carmen Peone
I had the pleasure of meeting Carmen Peone at a recent booksigning at And Books Too! in Clarkston, Washington. She's at the left of the picture, with author Paty Jeger in the center and myself to the right. We also presented our books later that same day at a Cowgirl Rendezvous at Hell's Gate State Park and toured the decorated trailers of the gals of the Sisters On The Fly traveling group. Dinner and cowboy western music followed. Lots of fun.
Here's some blurbs on Carmen Peone's books . . . .
Change of Heart
Change
of Heart:
After fighting with her sister,
thirteen-year-old Spupaleena bolted from their Arrow Lakes pit home into the
dead of winter. Spupaleena didn’t know where she was going but knew she
could no longer live at home. Haunted by the deaths of her mother and baby
brother, Spupaleena ran until she’d run too far.
Upon discovering Spupaleena’s
body, Phillip Gardner, a trapper, brings her home to his cabin. This wife,
Elizabeth, does her best to help heal Spupaleena, although with a broken heart
and a mangled body, she is not likely to survive. But when Phillip doesn’t
return from a trip into town, a pregnant Elizabeth and a weak Spupaleena are
forced to find strength not only in each other but in God as well. In this
story of hardship, grief, and eventual hope, Spupaleena learns all she needed
was a Change of Heart.
Heart of Courage
Heart
of Courage:
Spupaleena was not about to back
down. Knowing she encompassed the skills to race against young men,
Spupaleena would begin her intense training. However, Rainbow, her
trusted middle-aged mare, would only carry her so far. She would need to find a
new horse, but where? She was tired of her fellow racer’s cruel insults, one
boy’s in particular. She was determined to not only race him, but to
win. She drew her strength from God and exhibited a Heart of Courage.
But at times, wondered if that was enough. Spupaleena’s father was against her.
Would she have the spirit to compete and win? If so, would her father
ever learn to accept her dreams of training and racing horses?
Carmen Peone
Bio:
Carmen Peone has lived in Northeast
Washington, on the Colville Indian Reservation for twenty-three years.
She had worked with a Tribal Elder, Marguerite Ensminger, for three years
learning the Arrow Lakes Language and various cultural traditions. She has
owned and trained her horses for thirteen years and has competed in local
Extreme Challenge Competitions for three years. She and her husband Joe have
four grown sons and five grandchildren.
With a degree in psychology, the
thought of writing never entered her mind, until she moved to the reservation
after college and marriage. She came to love the people and their heritage and
wanted to create a legacy for her sons.
Books can be ordered off her web
site: carmenpeone.tateauthor.com
September 16, 2012
Historical Romance Author Paty Jager
Recently I had the delight of meeting a couple regional
writers, Carmen Peone (far left) and Paty Jager (center) at a booksigning for And Books Too! in
Clarkston, Washington, the weekend of the Lewiston, Idaho rodeo. Paty mentioned
in her blog about how we also made our own mini writer's conference
as the three of us discussed everything from promoting to how we came up with
our ideas.
"The bookstore wasn't our only stop," writes Paty.
"We were also invited to the Hells Gate Park for a dinner sponsored by the
"Sisters on the
Fly" a group of fun loving women who travel in packs with vintage
travel trailers. At the dinner we all gave our spiel about our books and sold
copies. After the meal, we were entertained by a husband and wife duo (Beargrass) who knew
just about every western and bluegrass song a person could name."
Later in the week I'll feature Carmen's debut novels.
Here's some blurbs about some of Paty Jeger's books ...
Secrets of a Mayan Moon
Secrets of a Mayan Moon ...An Isabella Mumphrey Action Adventure
Story
What happens when a brilliant
anthropologist is lured to the jungle to be used as a human sacrifice?
Child
prodigy and now Doctor of Anthropology, Isabella Mumphrey, is about to lose her
job at the university. In the world of publish or perish, her mentor’s request
for her assistance on a dig is just the opportunity she’s been seeking. If she
can decipher an ancient stone table—and she can—she’ll keep her department. She
heads to Guatemala, but drug trafficking bad guys, artifact thieves, and her
infatuation for her handsome guide wreak havoc on her scholarly intentions.
DEA
agent Tino Kosta, is out to avenge the deaths of his family. He’s deep
undercover as a jaguar tracker and sometimes jungle guide, but the appearance
of a beautiful, brainy anthropologist heats his Latin blood taking him on a
dangerous detour that could leave them both casualties of the jungle.
Secrets of a Mayan Moon is available on Kindle or Nook . . .
Spirit of the Mountain
Spirit of the Mountain
Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, has been
fated to save her people ever since her vision quest. When a warrior from the
enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes,
her world is torn apart.
Himiin is the spirit of the mountain, custodian to
all creatures including the Nimiipuu. As a white wolf he listens to Wren’s
secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s
beliefs, he cannot prevent her leaving the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.
When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin
must leave the mountain to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn
to smoke…
Paty Jager
About Paty Jager:
Growing up in the Northeast corner of Oregon, riding horses and
reading were her favorite pastimes. Many hours were spent roaming the Wallowa
Mountains on her horse Junebug and making up stories in her head. She read anything she could get her hands
on from the school and local library.
"Many of my school lunch hours I could be found reading the
thickest books I borrowed from the library. Usually Victoria Holt and Phyllis
Whitney."
Her love of books and positive feedback from instructors gave her
the incentive to try her hand at writing. She dabbled with children's books and
was told she wrote too adult. Then wrote murder mysteries when a personal
experience had her facing anger issues.
"I enjoyed the red herrings involved in writing
mysteries."
While honing her writing skills she and her husband raised four
children.
"We are now empty nesters and loving it! Instead of grumbling
kids, we now cater to two dogs, two horses, a mini horse, a donkey, and thirty
mother cows and currently ranch 350 acres."
Find out more about Paty and her books at her website:
http://www.patyjager.net/Home_Page.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Historical Romance Author Paty Jeger
Recently I had the delight of meeting a couple regional
writers, Carmen Peone (far left) and Paty Jeger (center) at a booksigning for And Books Too! in
Clarkston, Washington, the weekend of the Lewiston, Idaho rodeo. Paty mentioned
in her blog about how we also made our own mini writer's conference
as the three of us discussed everything from promoting to how we came up with
our ideas.
"The bookstore wasn't our only stop," writes Paty.
"We were also invited to the Hells Gate Park for a dinner sponsored by the
"Sisters on the
Fly" a group of fun loving women who travel in packs with vintage
travel trailers. At the dinner we all gave our spiel about our books and sold
copies. After the meal, we were entertained by a husband and wife duo (Beargrass) who knew
just about every western and bluegrass song a person could name."
Later in the week I'll feature Carmen's debut novels.
Here's some blurbs about some of Paty Jeger's books ...
Secrets of a Mayan Moon
Secrets of a Mayan Moon ...An Isabella Mumphrey Action Adventure
Story
What happens when a brilliant
anthropologist is lured to the jungle to be used as a human sacrifice?
Child
prodigy and now Doctor of Anthropology, Isabella Mumphrey, is about to lose her
job at the university. In the world of publish or perish, her mentor’s request
for her assistance on a dig is just the opportunity she’s been seeking. If she
can decipher an ancient stone table—and she can—she’ll keep her department. She
heads to Guatemala, but drug trafficking bad guys, artifact thieves, and her
infatuation for her handsome guide wreak havoc on her scholarly intentions.
DEA
agent Tino Kosta, is out to avenge the deaths of his family. He’s deep
undercover as a jaguar tracker and sometimes jungle guide, but the appearance
of a beautiful, brainy anthropologist heats his Latin blood taking him on a
dangerous detour that could leave them both casualties of the jungle.
Secrets of a Mayan Moon is available on Kindle or Nook . . .
Spirit of the Mountain
Spirit of the Mountain
Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, has been
fated to save her people ever since her vision quest. When a warrior from the
enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes,
her world is torn apart.
Himiin is the spirit of the mountain, custodian to
all creatures including the Nimiipuu. As a white wolf he listens to Wren’s
secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s
beliefs, he cannot prevent her leaving the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.
When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin
must leave the mountain to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn
to smoke…
Paty Jeger
About Paty Jeger:
Growing up in the Northeast corner of Oregon, riding horses and
reading were her favorite pastimes. Many hours were spent roaming the Wallowa
Mountains on her horse Junebug and making up stories in her head. She read anything she could get her hands
on from the school and local library.
"Many of my school lunch hours I could be found reading the
thickest books I borrowed from the library. Usually Victoria Holt and Phyllis
Whitney."
Her love of books and positive feedback from instructors gave her
the incentive to try her hand at writing. She dabbled with children's books and
was told she wrote too adult. Then wrote murder mysteries when a personal
experience had her facing anger issues.
"I enjoyed the red herrings involved in writing
mysteries."
While honing her writing skills she and her husband raised four
children.
"We are now empty nesters and loving it! Instead of grumbling
kids, we now cater to two dogs, two horses, a mini horse, a donkey, and thirty
mother cows and currently ranch 350 acres."
Find out more about Paty and her books at her website:
http://www.patyjager.net/Home_Page.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
