Homestead by Jane Kirkpatrick

Homestead by Jane Kirkpatrick

Another Bly Books recommended author: 

Historical fiction novelist Jane Kirkpatrick was interviewed for one of her nonfiction books on Book TV and programmed on the C-Span network April 5, 2014.

She talks about her first book Homestead that was reissued by Whitaker House. The story is of her and her husband's journey to make a new life on a remote ranch in the 1980s. They have lived there for 27 years. The presentation is part of a local content program C-Span does to introduce eastern viewers to smaller communities throughout the country. 

This one features the city of Bend, Oregon. 
Click here to see the Homestead interview: HOMESTEAD INTERVIEW

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN HORNSWOGGLED?

Stephen Bly  (1944-2011)

Copyright©1993,2010

The man who called me on the phone the other night sounded friendly…maybe too friendly. It was the old, “Hi, Stephen. How are you doin’? How’s everything in Idaho? How’s the weather treatin’ the ranchers? Well, I know you aren’t thinkin’ about the busy fall yet, but I ran across a deal and you came to mind. Have you got a minute to hear about a truly great bargain?”

I took a breath and jumped right in. “I am rather tied up. Let’s get right to it. What are you trying to sell me?”

“Oh, well,” he stammered, as though I threw him off script. “Can I call back at a more convenient time?”

“I’ll be busy then too,” I insisted.

Dino Power air compressor

He finally admitted he felt sure I’d want to purchase his air compressor. I asked about the price, the quality. Then, I discovered my long lost ‘friend’ worked for a telemarketing company. I explained that a) I had no use for an air compressor, and b) I never buy anything on the phone anyway. 

(As a side note: A week later, I noticed the same product at a warehouse store for $150 cheaper than the phone guy stated -- when you added up the installment payments he emphasized). He had the nerve to try to hornswoggle me. 

A HOPEFUL HEART by Kim Vogel Sawyer

We introduce Kim Vogel Sawyer and her new novel: 

A HOPEFUL HEART

SUMMARY:  Dowry-less and desperate, Tressa Neill applies to the inaugural class of Wyatt Herdsman School in Barnett, Kansas. The school's one-of-a-kind program teaches young women from the East the skills needed to become a rancher--or the wife of one. But will Tressa have what it takes to survive Hattie Wyatt's hands-on instruction in skills such as milking a cow, branding a calf, and cooking up a mess of grub for hungry ranch hands?

Abel Samms wants nothing to do with the passel of potential brides his neighbor brought to town. He was smitten with an eastern girl once--and he got his heart broken. But there's something about quiet Tressa and her bumbling ways that makes him take notice. When trouble strikes, will Abel risk his life--and his heart--to help this eastern girl?

DECOY BRANDS On The Trail

As long as cattle provided an income, rustlers existed. In the past, cattle could be stolen easier than today. The vast herds that freely roamed the open prairies proved hard to count and control. A few head here and a dozen there wouldn't be missed--at least, that's what some thought.

But if your corral contained cows with another man's brand on them, that's hard to explain. So most rustlers perfected the ability to brand-over steers with their own symbols. To combat this, the ranchers devised ways to secretly mark their cattle, such as with a decoy brand--a small mark placed on an animal's belly or other out-of-the-way place. They placed choice animals like this where they might be stolen, that displayed either large, easy-to-change brands or none at all. Such a cow found on other man's property could catch a thief. However, clever rustlers discovered the decoy brand and doctored it as well.

In a similar way, some religious folks think they can operate with a hidden brand. The offer a half-hearted commitment to Christ. For them, that proves ownership. When the roll is called up yonder, they'll expose their private mark and waltz into heaven, they believe. Meanwhile, they mix in the world, indulge its pleasures, and submerge attention to any heavenly allegiance. However, you can no more hide Jesus than you can conceal a buffalo in a bedroom. Just as the decoy cattle seldom fooled anyone, you'll leave yourself open to rustlers who'll want to change your brand.

Stephen Bly
Copyright@1993,2007