Black Feather Farm

All is calm... all is bright

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:16:00 +0000

At this moment the wind is howling and it is snowing. Looks like we will have a white Christmas this year, which is rare. I am tucked inside, all my shopping done, listening to Christmas music finishing the present wrapping. I wish you a holiday of peace and joy.

I checked my Christmas list.... you two weren't on it...

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:43:00 +0000

The other evening just before dark, just as I was finishing up feeding my furry loved ones, I saw headlights down at my gate. Now, no one should be there on this particular nite so I started walking up my road towards them. I live a bit off of the main road, so I have a little walk to get to my gate. I saw someone pass from the passenger side of the vehicle to get back in the driver's side. They backed away and took off before I could get close enough to see what they were doing. I walked on up to my gate to check things over, then saw two small shapes red, and black moving around. With a look that could kill, complete with mental daggers, I glanced in the direction of the escaping suv and muttered under my breath, they have dumped two dogs.
Sadly, that happens a lot, the reason I have a small herd of dogs. As I got closer, I realized these were not dogs, but a red rooster and a little black hen. Incredulous, I just kept saying to myself, who dumps chickens???? And the old standby " This could only happen to me." Well I had to round them up for their own safety, so after some crawling around under my cedars for the hen, I finally had them both secured.
They have since gone to a proper chicken friendly home, much to the disappointment of my dogs. As one of my co-workers stated, " Isn't it always the way, people giving you something you really don't want for Christmas."

Oh Christmas tree......

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:39:00 +0000

Did, or are you putting up a tree this year? Mine is this smaller tree set up in a shabby chic urn. My tree is decorated in silver, turquoise and white, with only white or silver horses, one black one to represents Indi. I mixed vintage and new, and love that look. I wish the photos would show it as pretty as it turned out. There will be an old pull toy horse under it soon, and if I would get some wrapping done, a few gifts too! Hope you are getting the holiday spirit!!!

Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow....

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:09:00 +0000

A few of my favorite past images of Indi in the snow.....

Quote of note

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:17:00 +0000

" I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one." -- Calamity Jane

*photo from my collection *

Giving Thanks

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:03:00 +0000

I have so many things to be thankful for {including my blog friends}, I hope you too, will take a moment to remember the blessings in your life. "Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!"

Before & after

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:24:00 +0000

Before, he was a "not so chic" child's riding toy, I found for $3.00. After, he sports a western paint job and now sits proudly beside my antique sidesaddle, under a beautiful equestrian print. Amazing what a little paint can do!

My head in the clouds...

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:29:00 +0000

I love thunderheads, and have not seen the stage set for them again like my shots of the clouds at sunset and the moon. Take a moment of your own to have "your head" in the clouds....

Happy Hauntings!!!

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:55:00 +0000

The headless horseman is still my favorite scary thing!!! ✫ ℋѦ♇⒫Ⓨ ℋѦℒℒ✪₩ℇℰ₦☾ everyone!!!
photo courtesy of the internet

An introduction

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:54:00 +0000

I want to introduce you to someone special, her name is Constance Funk. A most interesting as well as kind and engaging fellow artist and author. Her mosaics are fantastic, and she writes too! I was lucky enough to meet her through Kim McElroy,{well know amazing equine artist} and felt I had to share her and her wonderful work. The large mirror mosaic shown includes the phrase" It is never too late to have a happy childhood," and "Ponies Nicker." She has also written two soul touching books, "Beauty from Brokenness," and " Holy as Thou," bittersweet tales about remembering to love. Please visit her website Woodylane Farm to see more of Connie's work.

News....

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:12:00 +0000

Hello all ! First of all this photo has nothing to do with my news, just thought I would put up something fun to look at.
I have been commissioned by artist Kim McElroy, to create some pendants for her, and I am working with her to use her gorgeous artwork in some of my jewelry designs. Color me thrilled !!! She is a favorite artist of mine, and you could have knocked me over with a feather when she contacted me. Not only that, but through her I have met another wonderful, and interesting artist. I will be doing a blog post on her, so you can meet her too! I am awake aren't I ???

October.....

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:23:00 +0000

The month of pumpkins, black cats, ghosties, goblins and witches. Speaking of witches, apparently " ApPrenTicE WiTChEs" ride sidesaddle......

photo from my collection

Little acts of kindness

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:03:00 +0000

I was browsing on Etsy the other day, when I came across an interesting shop there belonging to Katherine Pauley . I found a cute card she had made, with the vintage image of a cowgirl and horse on a barrel. I inquired about the photo used, and offered to buy the original. Turns out it was a reproduction museum card. Katherine offered to just send me the card, and she did just that. I really appreciate this little act of kindness and want to repay it by letting everyone know about her shop and her unique items. Seems to me a little act of kindness is something we can all add to our day that makes a difference in someone elses!

Be STILL my heart

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Okay, with a post title like that you had to know there would be something about the object of my obsession...... uh, I mean affection. I wanted to share two new additions, movie stills, to my old photo collection. The first one is, well you know who, and the horse from the movie "Tumbleweed." If you haven't ever seen it, you will love it just from a horse lovers point of view. It is a great story with some humor, and I recommend this movie!
The second is a fabulous image from " The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing." Don't bother with that movie, I just love this image!

Belle Starr's Grave

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:48:00 +0000

" Well behaved women rarely make history."

*** Her grave as it is today ***

I made the trip to Eufaula Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago for a family get together. I was going to visit the grave site of Belle Starr on this trip, but read up on the burial location before going. The site is rather run down, on private property and on a dead end road. You have to rustle up the owners and tramp through an unkempt weedy trail. The original stone has been removed or is gone from what I understand, so I decided not to go.
I find this disheartening, that a well known historical figure, albeit outlaw, from the old west does not have a more revered grave site. I think the sad fact is, most of the famous people we know from that time have also been left in obscure places and have faded away, forgotten.

***Her grave as it was originally***

Belle Starr was "The Bandit Queen," associated with Jesse James and the Youngers.
She once made the comment to a newspaper reporter -" I am a friend to any brave and gallant outlaw." She was shot in the back one evening as she was riding home, which proved fatal. Some say it was her son, whom she did not get along with who killed her. She had beaten him with a riding quirt just two days before for taking her favorite horse without permission. He had said he would kill her for that. After her death, an Oklahoma farmer wrote the following:

"When night settles down over that canyon yonder you can hear the sounds of guns firing along the river, the clanking of chains of the prisoners marching to their cells. All through the night, Belle Starr's favorite mare can be heard pawing the ground near her grave, and if a gun is fired into the ground near Belle's grave the sod will flare up and pop like the pistols of bandits a-firin' from the hip."

On her gravestone was a carved stallion, and the words her daughter Pearl wrote:

" Shed not for her the bitter tear,
Nor give the heart to vain regret.
Tis' but the casket that lies here,
The gem that filled it sparkles yet."

Google Belle Starr to read more about her and her fascinating life.
All images courtesy of the internet.

Feather Creek Farm

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:15:00 +0000

A couple of miles from my house, is the farm equestrian olympian Mike Huber used to own. The next owner did not keep the place up, sold some of the land and left it in disrepair. Luckily a someone new is returning the farm to its former glory, with new cross country jumps,a stadium jumping set up, a dressage arena, and repaired and refurbished fencing. This weekend Feather Creek Farm held a recognized show, so I stopped by to capture a few images.

Loved this horse's earnest expression.

Waiting their turn to jump.

My favorite pair of the day.

Necklace giveaway winner!

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Whew, life is busy! Sorry for the slow posting as of late, will pick it up now!
The winner of the cowgirl necklace is Jen from Gypsy Mare Studios Congrats Jen!!!

Cloud's Herd in Peril

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:26:00 +0000

Hello all, today's post was supposed to be the winner of the cowgirl necklace, I will post that next. Now, I like to keep my blog light and fluffy, so that it is fun to visit. But once in awhile I pull out the old soapbox,{mine is decoupaged with horses} to let you know when foul play is afoot {yes I've been working on my murder mystery.}
The bureau of land management is planning a September 1st round-up of Cloud's herd in the Pryor mountains. Many fear the worst for the herd, and the horses removed. The data says the numbers are not high enough for any removal and that the range is in better shape than it has been in many years. The round-ups alone are dangerous and six horses died in the Challis herd round-up. Please visit The Cloud Foundation
If you would like to help by lending your voice. Click on" what you can do to help." Time is short, so please send emails today.

Life Quote

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:52:00 +0000

" Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure." --- Old proverb

Photo is from my collection. Notice not only the dog, but the pidgeon on the rump of the donkey. The back of the image notes that it is "Orlando" and his pets.

Changing horses in midstream....

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:50:00 +0000

When I first started this blog, I had planned to do more artwork promotion here, but instead I have balked at doing much of that {to spare you}. Since I need to expand my artwork and jewelry exposure, I have decided to create a new Wildhorsemoon art blog. That way, should you ever visit there, you will know what to expect, all art, all the time. Because of this new venture, I have also decided to end my Cowgirl Style blog, as there will just be no time for it.

Now something you might be more interested in...... I am re-doing the cowgirl necklace giveaway. I never could reach Paige, and tried several ways, plus gave ample time for her to check the post that she had won. So leave a comment here on this post if you want to enter, and make sure I can contact you. If you have a blog, I can find you. If you prefer to keep contact private, email me at wildhorsemoon@aol.com.

Random musings

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:27:00 +0000

When I walked outside this morning, I saw something beautiful.{ No not the yucca plants} Two vultures circling right over my neighbors house, it made me feel hopeful.....I took it as a good omen.

The above is a photo of my beautiful yucca plants that bloomed last year, then one promptly died. Nothing changed, they were a picture of health. I must have looked at the one too hard. Note to self: Ignore the yucca plants.

The following is based on an actual event. The names have not been changed to protect the innocent, as the innocent were not involved. Only because they can't get through the fence.

I hear the dogs are barking, I know what its about,
Tessa's in the pasture again,
She knows she supposed to stay out.

What is she doing now? A question I'm often asking,
Oh, I say as I see her,
It appears she multi-tasking......

The day I brought her home, my reason must have headed south,
There she is chasing my mare, with a turtle in her mouth.

The turtle is fine.

Midnight Flight

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Hello everyone! I just finished this fun diving horse and rider painting. I'm going to be doing more of these folk art type works, because they are so fun and lighthearted. Just thought I would share it with you, as I hope it will make you smile !

One good stick

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:00:00 +0000

As close as I will get to the rich and famous

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:32:00 +0000

This is as close as I will get to the "rich and famous." Country music singer Toby Keith has a huge home here, so I thought I would give you a drive by view. You can find a view of the house on google. Always very patriotic, and a big supporter of our troops, there is always a large american flag flying there.

Just a few things....

Blackfeatherfarm@gmx.com (Blackfeatherfarm) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:59:00 +0000

I've been getting some studio time in and here is my latest painting titled "Mesteño, " If the stars align just right, prints will be available soon. I've been working on jewelry for a big show I have coming up, so if you don't find what you are looking for on my website, feel free to ask to see some show pieces, otherwise you won't see them !

I also need to thank Trendy Bindi's for a "lovely" blog award. This is always appreciated. I am supposed to bestow this on other bloggers but I think I'll give them a rest this go'round. Please visit her charming blog, I think you will enjoy it!