Fiction Preview Part 2

Second half of chapter 1

Bo looked into Dana’s eyes. Man, she was beautiful. Her blond hair flowed down her back and over her shoulders. He loved that blond hair. He loved to run his fingers through it and hold a handful of it. He loved those full, pink, soft lips. He loved kissing them. Oh, and that red tank top. He definitely loved that. He dared not focus on it, though. She had this thing. Before each ride, when things were getting geared up, they looked at each other across the arena. She never had trouble finding him, and her thin, beautiful body, gorgeous face were hard to miss. Especially since she always sat in the same section with his mama, who’d been sitting in the same place since she came to the rodeos to watch his dad ride.
He wondered again how in the world he landed her. She was gorgeous. Way out of his league. He thought about the day they met as she held his gaze across the arena.
One the last day of school last year, she’d parked her cute little red car next to his beat up blue pickup. He’d known who she was since the day she’d first stepped into his school five months before. Everyone knew Brooke Ackerman, the new girl from Virginia.
He’d seen her standing beside her car talking to one of the other cheerleaders as he walked across the parking lot. His mouth went dry, which he knew had nothing to do with the blazing sun and eighty percent humidity. No way would he ever have the courage to talk to her. He could ride a bull. But he couldn’t find two words to say to this goddess.
The other girl left as he approached and he held his breath as he waited for her to slip into her car and drive away. But, she stood by her driver’s side door smiling and staring him down with her piercing green eyes.
He couldn’t see those green eyes now, but he knew them by heart. He’d looked into them that day, all sparkling and chipper as she introduced herself, and he’d looked into them every chance he got since then.
He shifted in his saddle, but held her gaze. He didn’t mind. As long as she didn’t expect him to blow a kiss or do some silly sign to tell her he loved her. That stuff made him want to gag.
As he shifted, another blond caught his eye. His teeth clinched involuntarily. She wouldn’t. His eyes narrowed as this blond, with short, wavy hair, came into focus. It was her. How could she show up here? That –
The announcer called up the first rider. Bo had drawn the fifth spot, which meant he had to get ready. He forced his thoughts back to the huge wild animal he would spend eight seconds taming. At seventeen he had already built himself a good reputation in the local riding circuit, and he wasn’t going to jeopardize that for anything.
Bo sat on the huge animal, encased in a box that didn’t allow him to move much. At least the bull he’d drawn wasn’t known for being wild. Not that any bull made it easy to stay in position for the time needed to earn a score, but he knew he wouldn’t face his most difficult challenge today. He double and triple checked everything. Everything that was supposed to be tied, was. Everything that was supposed to be loose, was. He gripped the rope at the bull’s neck. He held on to the side of the shoot to steady himself with his other hand. In a few seconds, the gate would open and every muscle in his body would be concentrating on not getting thrown to the ground.
He listened for the familiar sounds leading up to the release and watched with a keen eye. The slightest disturbance of his concentration could mean injury or disaster. He’d been doing this too long to make a stupid mistake.
A buzzer sounded. The gate swung open. The bull darted out. Bo’s one hand held on as his body rocked up and down and side to side. There was no format or rhythm to it, but he matched each move the bull made with his own. It tried to fling him off this way and that, but he would not be beat. Five more seconds.
His body jerked side to side, frontwards, and back. He controlled every muscle. Every movement. Every action. He reacted to each movement the bull made and held on. Two more seconds.
He allowed only the slightest bit of his attention to leave from his task at hand. He would ride this bull, but he also needed to hear that buzzer. Eight seconds were as long as he needed to stay on, and not a bit longer.
There it was. The sound every bull rider lived for. Eight seconds. A successful ride. Bo loosened his grip and skillfully leapt off and away from the erratic animal. Two clowns worked their magic to entice the bull away from Bo and towards the exit gate. He pumped his fist in the air, knowing his score would be good. Only now did he feel and hear his heart racing. Adrenaline coursed through his veins. What a ride. What a rush.
He returned to behind the walls of safety to wait on his score and watch the rest of the riders. Some of them slapped him on the back. They were all competing, but they were also family. Most people didn’t understand bull-riding. Those who did were bound together by the love of the sport and everything that came with it.
Bo accepted every handshake and congratulations when they announced his score, landing him in first place. His heart thudded in his chest. Five riders down. But, with twelve riders to go, he hadn’t won anything yet.
His brother Jeremy was one of those twelve and would give Bo a run for his money. Jeremy had been the one who’d taught Bo most of what he knew about bull-riding. He almost always outscored Bo. He used to, anyway. Before this stuff with Stacy.
He could spit nails at the thought of that girl and what she’d done to his brother. He hoped Jeremy hadn’t seen her. He glanced at Jeremy and knew. He had. Bo recognized the tight jaw and lowered hat.
Bo watched Jeremy as he began to get ready for his own ride. He had to say something. But what? Don’t worry about her, man. There are plenty more chicks out there. No. That wouldn’t do any good. Nothing would change what had happened.
He walked over and said the only thing he could. “Hang on tight, man.”
Jeremy looked at him and nodded, then turned back to the bull he sat atop of. The wild animal snorted and knocked against the box. Jeremy probably shouldn’t be on that bull, but if someone tried to tell his brother not to ride, he’d let ‘em have it for sure. Jeremy had lost enough. He wouldn’t know what to do without riding.
The buzzer sounded and the gate opened. The bull lurched out of the gate sideways. Immediately Bo knew something was wrong. Jeremy leaned to the side. He tried to unwrap his hand, but he couldn’t get it loose. The bull flung Jeremy’s body left and right.
Bile rose in Bo’s throat as he watched his older brother and best friend being tossed about like a piece of meat.

Fiction Preview

Chapter 1
Dana stepped out of her car, closed her eyes, and inhaled. She inhaled the smells of hay, manure, hot dogs, popcorn, flowery perfumes and brut colognes. She heard intermingling sounds of country music blaring on the loud speakers, old rodeo veterans swapping the same old stories, kids running around playing, and animal brays and snorts. Each smell and sound was distinct, but they also melded together to make up the essence of the rodeo. Her heart sped up.
She looped her fingers through the belt straps on her Wranglers. A year ago, she didn’t know what Wranglers were. And she never would have been caught dead in a pair of boots. Well, not these kind of boots. Not Justin. Not ones bought at the same store that sold bright, multi-colored cowboy shirts and horse riding accessories. Not ones that shouted, “I’m country and proud of it!” No. The thought had not crossed her mind at that time.
She bit her lower lip. So much had changed in the last year. She hadn’t lived in Texas then. And she hadn’t been dating a bull rider.
A door closed. Her eyes popped open and she glanced over the car’s roof. Her best friend Brooke’s dark eyes met her gaze.
“You gonna stand there all day, or what?”
Dana returned Brooke’s smile, flinging her long, blond hair back over her shoulder. Her friend’s accent was pure Texas twang. “No, no. I’m going.”
Dana walked to the front of the car, matching Brooke’s gait as they headed towards the arena entrance. They ignored the usual whistles and “hey, baby”s as they traipsed across the field .
Once inside the gate, Dana set about finding her boyfriend Bo’s parents. She scanned the crowd on the bleachers. His mother’s heavy set frame topped with puffy bleached-blond hair and lively cackle stood out like a polar bear in the Amazon.
Dana spotted her on the right side about halfway up the bleachers. I should have known. Does she ever sit anywhere else?
She didn’t. She’d once told Dana she wanted to make sure her boys knew exactly where to find her when they looked up from the pens.
Mrs. Singer turned, her bleached-blond hair bobbing as she talked, arms flailing, to the lady behind her. Probably another wild on-the-road story.
Bo’s mom worked as a short distance truck driver, which amazed Dana, and always came home with some story about some truck driver who was having an affair in Oklahoma, or got caught with something illegal, or fell in love with and married a waitress at a truck stop. The tales were endless and only partially believable. Mrs. Singer didn’t lie, but she elaborated a lot for effect.
Dana waved to Mr. Singer, who sat quietly beside his boisterous wife. He worked in a factory where noise prevented much talking and was used to being quiet at work and at home. He waved back and motioned to the seats they’d saved. Dana tipped her hand to let him know that they were going to get drinks first. He smiled and she turned to look down the arena.
Before she took a step, she spotted the stalls where they lined up the bulls drawn for the next run. The tingling started in her stomach and radiated down to her toes and up and out to her fingertips. He’d be there. Somewhere among all the other bull-riders. There he talked, laughed, and prepared. Her eyes scanned the area around the stalls, but she didn’t see him. Her face fell.
After they’d gone to concession, Dana’s held a cold soda as she and Brooke climbed the bleachers and joined Bo’s parents. Mrs. Singer lifted a hand to Dana, but never stopped talking. Mr. Singer had become engrossed in a conversation with a man seated below him.
Brooke tugged on Dana’s arm and whispered, “Did you see Stacy Athens?”
“No.” Dana’s eyes darted around. “Is she really here?”
“She is. She walked by earlier, when you were looking for Bo’s parents.” “And?” Dana lifted her right eyebrow.
“And nothing. She was with Stu Wells. And she looks the same as ever. Well, except that she hung onto Stu’s arm and every word he said instead of Jeremy’s.”
Dana shook her head. What was up with that girl? She had dated Bo’s older brother Jeremy for two years. They had been inseparable. Everyone thought they’d get married right after graduation. But then something happened. Dana knew more than most people, having been around the Singer’s house, and that meant Brooke did, too.
Three months ago an obscure aunt at a family dinner had let it slip that the Singer’s were going to be grandparents. It was the first time Dana had ever seen Mrs. Singer speechless. Bo’s mom pursed her lips, narrowed her eyes and glared at the big-mouthed aunt. Nothing else had been said about it. Since Dana knew it wasn’t her, she assumed that Stacy had gotten pregnant.
Two weeks after the dinner slipup, Jeremy and Stacy broke up. Rumors flew around school. Dana never said anything and Stacy never gained any weight. She had her suspicions about what happened, but couldn’t let herself think about it. Now Stacy had shown up at the rodeo where Jeremy would be riding on the arm of another guy. Knowing Jeremy, that would burn him up. She sure hoped he didn’t see her before he rode.
The announcer’s voice boomed over the loudspeakers, announcing the transition from horse-riding to bull-riding. Dana clapped her hands together and scanned the area where the bull-riders were once again, this time having the vantage point of being up higher. She knew she’d find him because he’d be waiting for her. Searching for her. He always did. This was their time. Their moment.
She found him and they locked eyes. His tall frame stood at just over six feet. His dark, sandy blond hair had mad highlights that most girls would kill for. That beautiful hair now sat mostly hidden under his black cowboy hat. He wore a green and blue shirt and, she knew, a pair of dark Wranglers and black boots with spurs and steel toes. She knew, even of what she couldn’t see, he was all muscle and beautiful everywhere.
She stood there looking into his green eyes and the rest of the world disappeared. She didn’t move. He didn’t move. For that moment, nothing else mattered and nothing needed to be said. They were completely each others. And that’s all she needed to know. Then his eyes shifted off to the right and his jaw tightened.

Baking Adventures

So, my baking and healthy food adventures continue. The banana bread turned out fantastic! All the kids like it but my pickiest. I'm having a hard time staying away from it, and so will be delivering the leftovers to my in-laws today.


The pizza turned out good, too.

The dough was a little dense for my liking, but the kids ate it up! I'll try letting the dough rise longer than the recommended 30 minutes, and possibly look at other recipes for fluffier dough.

Then (the cooking adventures continue), I fixed eggplant parmesan for the first time (Betty Crocker cookbook again.) The kids tried it under protest, but I was told "it wasn't horrible." Not a bad first response to kids who don't like to try new things. Hubby asked for a second helping, which was definitely a good sign. He's always very honest about how my new recipes turn out - and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Not sure we'll be doing any baking today, but it's hubby's birthday and since we're going out to eat tonight, I might try rolls tomorrow.

Home Made Food Adventures

Today's home-made food adventures include:

Banana bread (using Betty Crocker Cookbook recipe) It took 5 minutes to put together and is cooking as I work on other things.

And... Home-made pizza crust! I have some leftover spaghetti sauce (also made from scratch - 1 lb hamburger, 3 cans tomato sauce, 1 can tomato paste, Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Parsley, Marjoram, and garlic to taste, with a few tablespoons of sugar). My kids love homemade pizza the days following spaghetti. We usually use whatever bread we have around the house, but as I continue to try to make better and better food choices, we're making our own pizza crust today!

Here's the link to the recipe. Will let you know how it all goes!

Top 10 Benefits of Homeschooling

Homeschooling comes with its own challenges and is not for every family or every child. We absolutely LOVE homeschooling and it is a good fit for our family. We work through the challenges and reap the benefits of innumerable rewards. I recently came up with a list of the top 10 (that I could think of), in no particular order, benefits of homeschooling. If I've left something off (which I know I have) comment and add it to the list!

~ Parent/Teacher conferences are always convenient and generally go well

~ You get to pick the who, where, and when of field trips

~ Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility

~ Your children become closer to each other, building frienships that will last a lifetime

~ You get to learn along with them, making up for all those things you've forgotten

~ You can tailor the classroom and instruction to fit each child's learning style

~ Days off when Daddy's home

~ Unlimited amounts of quality time

~ You're in charge of what they learn: curriculum, life skills, character, etc.

~ Taking vacations during the "off" season!

You Can Bake!

I didn't grow up with a mom who baked. She did lots of other things: chauffered us to events and activities, taught us to cross stitch, read with us, helped us to learn to be responsible around the house. But, she didn't bake.

My mother-in-law did. Constantly. She baked a pound cake every week and rolls, cobblers, and pies in between. I think one of the hardest adjustments my husband has had in marrying me has been that I didn't bake.

Notice, I said didn't. Now, I do. Or, better, am learning.

Several years ago I began doing research on being healthier. Many of the things I learned brought me to seek out eliminating certain things in my family's diet that have no positive benefit (high fructose corn syrup/corn sugar, partially hydrogenated oils, msg, artificial splenda, etc.) While I will be the first to admit that these items have not been eliminated completely, we've made lots of changes.

One of the biggest is me making things from scratch. As I began to read ingredient labels, I was shocked at how many items had one or more of the above ingredients.

At first I started small, making waffles and pancakes using great recipes from www.foodnetwork.com. When I saw how simple it was (instead of using something like Bisquick, all I had to do was add flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together before adding my liquid ingredients) I was sold. So simple! And, without all the added, unnecessary ingredients.

I'm still working on the transition, lately baking cakes and cupcakes from scratch. How helpful the internet is in my quest for yummy and easy homemade alternatives!

Just this morning, I fixed cinnamon muffins from a recipe found here. My kids loved it! And, it didn't take me more than 5 minutes to mix it up.

So, even if you're super limited on time (what mom isn't?), don't sell yourself or your family's health short. You, too, can bake!!!

P.S. My next new recipe I'll try is here.

Abundant Life Conference for Women

Registration is open!!

The brochure is inserted below as images, but the quality isn't what I'd prefer. Want a clean copy? Email me.

And register soon! Space is limited.