Okay, I’ve heard a lot of dumb questions over the years, but the “when do they become elk” deserves a lifetime achievement award.
I tried to sell elk seeds on eBay for a while but didn’t get much interest, probably because people don’t know they are edible when they ripen, unlike the wild corn dogs that grow in the marsh. No matter how much ketchup or mustard you put on them, they never taste like the ones you get at truck stops.
LOL! Elk seeds and wild corn dogs. I can't imagine why that would sell in LA. That may be where that guy came from. Those people will anything if it's trendy. (Be the first on your block...)
Aside from being an excellent writer, Sue, I can always count on you to share world's that I have no experience of. Thanks! I loved these trail rides ( from the comfort of my Laz-E-Boy) and especially got a kick out of the relocation of the poop pile to the woman's backyard. Poetic!
When I was a ranger in Yosemite I would have people exited to tell me they saw 5 bison on the road coming in to the S entrance. I would tell them those were cows there often because the farmer didn't keep his fence in good shape. But. They insisted they were bison. I would then explain that bison did not live here. Same with seeing a coyote. They insisted they saw a wolf. The city folks just wanted to see what they wanted to see.
sigh! While I volunteered at the wildlife rescue, this guy brought in a big shaggy German shepherd to be taken in because he swore it was a wolf. The poor dog was old, fat, and obviously not happy. Neither was this guy who apparently just wanted to get rid of it. We didn't "rescue" domestics, just wildlife.
Great story, Sue! Your daughter is a lucky girl, getting to do what she loves rather than some daily office grind. I love horses, but was not raised around them. I was lucky, however, to volunteer for Wings of Hope in Texas for a season. I learned about horses, tack, grooming and how to work with disabled people who need this equine therapy. We could all use some of that in our lives!
So true, Kim. As Twain (?) said, there's nothing better for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse. That may sound sexist today, but there were no boys at the barn, only girls. I asked the ferrier why that was and he said, "because a boy would be put to work as soon as he stepped onto the property." One "barn rat" brought a male friend to the barn one day and I asked him if he liked horses. "I think they're sceery!" How sad. Maybe if there were more boys on horses, there'd be fewer school shootings.
This looks like a great film and I wish I had the $135 to buy the DVD. Apparently, my laptop won't support the Prime rental version. Well, fnooh! Thanks for suggesting this though.
Another story is that a friend up here suggested I send my novel, Paradise Ridge, to Robert Redford, thinking he would like it well enough to produce it. I didn't have the nerve. I followed a similar suggestion to a writer in Santa Cruz for a smaller piece and the guy called me and asked, "Why did you send this to me?"
Lesson learned. After seeing how Redford produced this story, though, maybe I shoulda. Oh well. I've been humiliated enough times based on friends' suggestions to really be gun shy about doing stuff like that. "Hey, Sue, take a flying leap off that cliff. You might be able to fly." It's one of those dilemmas.
Sorry! Rejection is painful. I should know - I could wallpaper a bathroom with rejection letters. I got over it. You can watch The Mustang on Youtube for $4 and on Netflix. Maybe one of those would support your laptop.
That's why substack is so miraculous for writers. After getting over that need for paying subscribers, we realize how much more we get in terms of creative freedom, experimentation, community, learning, and just getting our stuff out there for others to read and give feedback. The world is our writers' group. So, the rejections of the past recede into the realm of the irrelevant. The gatekeepers are dead.
Okay, I’ve heard a lot of dumb questions over the years, but the “when do they become elk” deserves a lifetime achievement award.
I tried to sell elk seeds on eBay for a while but didn’t get much interest, probably because people don’t know they are edible when they ripen, unlike the wild corn dogs that grow in the marsh. No matter how much ketchup or mustard you put on them, they never taste like the ones you get at truck stops.
LOL! Elk seeds and wild corn dogs. I can't imagine why that would sell in LA. That may be where that guy came from. Those people will anything if it's trendy. (Be the first on your block...)
Wow, awesome post - I learned so much, Sue! A beautifully-written account - and that last part - hah! That'll teach her! 🤣
Don't you love it when NIMBYs get their due?
Always! 😁
Aside from being an excellent writer, Sue, I can always count on you to share world's that I have no experience of. Thanks! I loved these trail rides ( from the comfort of my Laz-E-Boy) and especially got a kick out of the relocation of the poop pile to the woman's backyard. Poetic!
Glad you enjoyed the ride. And yes, it was poetic justice. We were all thrilled and never heard from her again.
When I was a ranger in Yosemite I would have people exited to tell me they saw 5 bison on the road coming in to the S entrance. I would tell them those were cows there often because the farmer didn't keep his fence in good shape. But. They insisted they were bison. I would then explain that bison did not live here. Same with seeing a coyote. They insisted they saw a wolf. The city folks just wanted to see what they wanted to see.
sigh! While I volunteered at the wildlife rescue, this guy brought in a big shaggy German shepherd to be taken in because he swore it was a wolf. The poor dog was old, fat, and obviously not happy. Neither was this guy who apparently just wanted to get rid of it. We didn't "rescue" domestics, just wildlife.
People. Whatcha gonna do?
Great story, Sue! Your daughter is a lucky girl, getting to do what she loves rather than some daily office grind. I love horses, but was not raised around them. I was lucky, however, to volunteer for Wings of Hope in Texas for a season. I learned about horses, tack, grooming and how to work with disabled people who need this equine therapy. We could all use some of that in our lives!
So true, Kim. As Twain (?) said, there's nothing better for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse. That may sound sexist today, but there were no boys at the barn, only girls. I asked the ferrier why that was and he said, "because a boy would be put to work as soon as he stepped onto the property." One "barn rat" brought a male friend to the barn one day and I asked him if he liked horses. "I think they're sceery!" How sad. Maybe if there were more boys on horses, there'd be fewer school shootings.
Let me refer you to the film The Mustang. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5952594/
I have not watched it, but it appears you are on to something here.
This looks like a great film and I wish I had the $135 to buy the DVD. Apparently, my laptop won't support the Prime rental version. Well, fnooh! Thanks for suggesting this though.
Another story is that a friend up here suggested I send my novel, Paradise Ridge, to Robert Redford, thinking he would like it well enough to produce it. I didn't have the nerve. I followed a similar suggestion to a writer in Santa Cruz for a smaller piece and the guy called me and asked, "Why did you send this to me?"
Lesson learned. After seeing how Redford produced this story, though, maybe I shoulda. Oh well. I've been humiliated enough times based on friends' suggestions to really be gun shy about doing stuff like that. "Hey, Sue, take a flying leap off that cliff. You might be able to fly." It's one of those dilemmas.
Sorry! Rejection is painful. I should know - I could wallpaper a bathroom with rejection letters. I got over it. You can watch The Mustang on Youtube for $4 and on Netflix. Maybe one of those would support your laptop.
That's why substack is so miraculous for writers. After getting over that need for paying subscribers, we realize how much more we get in terms of creative freedom, experimentation, community, learning, and just getting our stuff out there for others to read and give feedback. The world is our writers' group. So, the rejections of the past recede into the realm of the irrelevant. The gatekeepers are dead.
Down with gatekeepers! Off with their heads!