This past Thursday, cousin/trail boss Mary Ann and I headed for Northport, WA, where we both grew up, to bunk in with Mary Ann’s mom and my beloved aunt, Marian Bleecker. Auntie M is 94 years old, and Halloween makes her nervous, so we wanted to help out with the trick-or-treaters, visit, and veg for a while. We were, I’m happy to report, successful on all counts. 
The visit was a total surprise; you should have seen that woman’s beaming face. Just while we were bringing in our bags and stuff from the truck, she called at least four people to tell them the big news–Mary Ann and Linda are here! Of course, everybody already knew we were coming–except for Auntie, of course. Our time in Northport was restful indeed–we did make a quick run to Canada for a few things. Mary Ann lived in Canada for 30 years, and there are some products she can’t find in the grocery stores down here. We got to spend a couple of hours with Aunt Billie–also 94, still driving and riding horses. I have a new picture of her on horseback, as Grand Marshal of the Labor Day parade, tall in the saddle, grinning and waving one arm.
I told her she was my inspiration for staying in Weight Watchers and getting the job done–I may not make it to the age of 94, but I want to ride horses as long as I can. I taped the photo to my refrigerator to remind me of my goal, and I plan to reward myself with a trip to a dude ranch sometime next year.
I misspoke regarding the Rapid Eye Movement Therapy; what I’m doing is EMDR–Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. I had my consultation last week, and my first real session is tomorrow. I’ll tell you more about it when I know what I’m talking about. I’m a big believer in alternative therapies–acupuncture has been a real eye-opener.
We had snow yesterday afternoon–just a brief skiff, but it stuck to the ground overnight. Time to start putting the horses into their stalls at night again. It’s good to know my old Buckaroo is in heaven, where he won’t have to cope with a northwest winter–the cold was hard on his aged bones. He always wore his green coat in the winter–it kept out some of the chill, anyway. Like Sadie-beagle, he lives on in my mind and my heart; he was true gift from God and a very good teacher.
There’s a new contest starting today. Just comment, that’s all you have to do. Two winners will receive signed books and a set of lovely jewelry compliments of my sister, Pam, who is polymerpamela on Etsy.
I’m eager to get to my story–too much time away, or under the weather. I’m glad to report that I’m feeling great now and definitely back in the game.
It seems impossible that the holidays are almost upon us–why do they always catch me by surprise? After all, Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November, and Christmas is always December 25. I have a few gifts stashed away, but there’s lots more to do, as usual.
I’ll be going to this year’s National Finals Rodeo after all, to attend the Justin Crisis Luncheon (this event is sponsored by Justin boots and raises money for sick or injured cowboys, cowgirls, and their families) and see some friends. I’ll check out Cowboy Christmas, as always, and I’m planning to attend the Western Art Show auction at South Pointe, Dec. 13 at one pm. Maybe I’ll see you there.
That’s it for now, partners. See you tomorrow.
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Glad you got to spend a few days away with family!
Can’t believe some areas are already getting snow! We usually get more ice than snow, so I’m dreading the upcoming months, weather-wise anyway. I am looking forward to the holidays.
Have a wonderful week!
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I love all of your blogs!! I live through your books and your blogs. I thank you for keep them so fresh and new. The Rainbow Bridge is a poem that I keep in mind for all of my precious babies that have passed on to heaven. I know that they are waiting for me up there and all I have to do is cross over the bridge. So Linda you take care and will look forward to your next blog.
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Lucky you getting to do the NFR again this year…and for a good cause.
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I am glad you have a good trip and did all you set out to do. Also glad you got home safely.
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I am glad you got away just for the sake of going away. A lot of your trips seem to have to do with your writing.
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Dude Ranch…Great Idea, can we come?
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Glad you had a nice visit with your Aunt.
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Wow 94 I hope I live that long. Sounds like you had a nice visit. Have a great week.
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One day I will make it to NFR, I may be only 28 but it is already on my bucket list, Linda you are so lucky to get to go to it.
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Glad you had a great time with your family,94 wow you guys are truly blessed to have them still here.I’ve always wanted to ride a horse, maybe you can recommend a Dude Ranch next year for my birthday
, have a good day
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I know what you mean talking about your beloved Beagle & Horse that passed. I think about my Dog Charlie Brown (Beagle mix) whose last year was blind & diabetic. Miss him all of the time & looking forward to seeing him again some day!
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Linda, I grew up in Newport, WA so I know what beautiful country it is. I’m happy for your time to unwind and enjoy family. I’ll be praying for your recovery and look forward to reading more of your wonderful novels. I hope you have a wonderful and stress free holiday
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I know what it is like to lose a best friend. My daughter had horses and one of them lived to be 26 years old. She was a rodeo champion who had 600 points during her rein. She was nicked name 600. We miss looking out in the pasture and not seeing our old girl out there. Enjoy the rodeo. One of these days I’ll get there!
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Wish you would see me @ that Western show, but too far away for me & too much going on around the holidays! I hope to be riding until I pass on, as well, but 94 – WOW!! Glad to hear you plan to be back in the saddle next year!! Oh my, a dude ranch would be heaven for me
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reminds me of the all Dogs go to Heaven movie – I always say I see you when I get there – so far many dogs, cats and 3 of my horses are awaiting me!
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Getting away is wonderful even if only for a few days. My youngest son asked me to go with him to a flint knappers workshop in S. Louisiana. over the weekend. The park where it was held was only 12 miles from one of my brothers so we stayed with him. Nothing like visiting with family when you don’t get to see them very often. Learning about making arrow heads and stone knives among a few things was priceless. The good Cajun food was too. Bubbling over so just had to share!
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Linda, I so enjoyed your blog today. I am glad that you had a nice visit with your aunts. I am sure both of them was glad to see you. I don’t have a Dude ranch, but do live on a large farm.
Have a great week!!
Ruby
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Linda, you are such an inspiration to me. Really enjoy you blogs, as well as your books!!! Keep on writing, Girl!
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Love your posts and your books. I also believe in alternative medicine. I have been using chiropractic therapy for 10 years. Alas, I have a bulging disc now and will need a second surgery, but if I can fix anything with my chiropractor, I go there first.
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Mother Nature is putting on a spectacular showing of fall colors in the Kansas City area this year. The bright leaves won’t last much longer but it’s been a sight to behold as of late. I enjoy reading your blog!
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94!!! How amazing!!! So glad you had a nice visit. I love reading your blog and always enjoy hearing about alternative medicine. It so important to take care of us. Just read a sign that said “you will out live that expensive hand bag so invest a little time in yourself” I couldn’t agree more.
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I love reading about your adventures!
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When I growup (I’m 62 & a 1/2 now
), I want to be like your Auntie Billie! God Bless Her!
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Jealous you has snow!! Can’t wait for it here in ohio! Have a great week!
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Can’t wait for your new series!!
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I am waiting anxiously for Big Sky Secrets in December. As with all your books I loved this series.
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Thank you!
Love your books!
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Oops, I just lost my 1st try to ask for more information on The Justin Lunchon,a close friend, a State of Wyoming Champion Barrel Racer, Her stroke was 8 years ago & I think this group may not only help,, but could cheer he up. Thank you. She was just on her first horse, a year ago, her smile couldn’t have been bigger. & the riding has improved her strenght, balance & general outlook on life, however, one
ride cots $60.00 an hour, not exactly doable on her Disability & Medicare income.
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Glad you had a wonderful trip and that your Aunt’s are doing well. Have a wonderful week!
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Wow 94 and still riding?! That’s amazing! I hope to be that active when I get older! Have a great week!
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That was so sweet of you two to help on Halloween. It’s hard to get up and down so many times with all the trick or treaters. Glad you got some relaxing, refreshing time also! CJ
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Hi Linda,
Always enjoy reading your blog. You lead an exciting life.
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So sweet of you and your cousin to go north to visit! My 94 year old father-in-law moved up from Florida to live with us here in Northern Idaho two years ago. He still gets outside and rakes and walks on his treadmill daily. Pretty amazing!
Was wondering where you were the past few days that you were not blogging. You’ve got us spoiled. Keep them coming, love hearing what you are up to!
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I agree that all of our furry and hooved friends in heaven will be waiting for us. Such generous spirits.
Be Well~ Deborah
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Love reading your blog! So glad you got to spend some time with family. .. Those are precious moments! I am eating my nummy Weight Watchers 0 point soup now.. have a blessed day… Also commenting for the contest. .
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Hubby and I finally made it to the PBR Finals this year. Awesome time. I’d love to go to the NFR.
Do you have any historicals up your sleeve?
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Glad you had a fun Halloween with family! What a wonderful surprise for your Aunt. Live your blogs!
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So glad your back Linda, love your post today. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. your so very lucky to have two aunts that are 94. What a treat it must have been to visit with them. Unfortunately the only family I have left is two sisters one older and one younger. My only living aunt passed away several years ago at the age of 100, about a week or two after her 100th Birthday. She always told everyone she wasn’t going to die until she celebrated her 100th birthday and darned if she didn’t do it.. Good to have you back.
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Thank you for all the enjoyment that you bring to both myself and others. I wait with bated breath for a new book.
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Glad you got away. Sounds like you had a great time.
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Love your blog. But love your books better!
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Nothing is more beautiful than the Northport area in the fall! Halloween is a big occasion and every house is visited. One lady made us sign our name so she could be sure we didn’t visit twice. Those were the days
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I too have an Aunt that will be 93 this month. She still drives volunteers at church and lives alone doing her own cleaning cooking and yard work. She is good farm stock from NJ and is my idle. I hope to be just like her. She is hard to keep up with but that’s ok she is very active
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Love your books and enjoy the pretty snow.
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I am so glad that I signed up to receive your blog, as I love reading them. It’s also great that your Aunt is 94 and still riding horses. My mom was 90 when she passed away 9 years ago, and she was still driving her own car and belonged to a card club that met once a month. She also volunteered at the nursing home because she said that there were a lot of old people that didn’t have any one to help them. My mom never thought of herself as old, and would never admit her age. I’m glad that you had a nice visit. Take care and have a great week.
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Sounds like a productive trip. 94 and still riding? She’s my inspiration, too! TY for sharing your adventures and of course, wonderful stories! xo
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I’m glad you had fun and got to see your aunts. I always say I’d like to live to be at least a hundred, if…I could be Blessed with good health and a better mind.
Speaking of minds, did I miss last week’s winners, or was it announced? I do pray I get a better mind the longer I live. If things improve with age, I ought to get better.
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Keep writing. I can hardly wait for your new book!!
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You inspire me. I’m not yet 94 Lol close yo seventy yikes but
I’m going to find a quiet horse to borrow or rent occasionally
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Glad you had such a nice visit. Your trips always sound like so much fun!
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So glad you had such a lovely trip with Mary Ann and got to visit both Aunties. Thats important. Looking forward to hearing about your treatment and glad your back at it getting all us fans a new book!!! Blessings.
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Hi! So glad you both had fun visiting your 2 aunties! Its sounds like you all had a lot of fun! Most of my relatives lived to their nineties so if all goes well I”ll live until then, keep up the good work on W.W. its a one day at a time thing…I love that I can eat everything I like just so I watch my points. Have a good week!
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I find it interesting that Mary Ann likes to head to Canada to find things in the grocery store, as that is always one place I make sure to visit before I come back to Canada from visiting family in Montana! I grew up in Montana and now live in Canada but there are plenty of things I can’t find in the grocery store here that I need to make family favorite recipies, so I always stock up when I go “home”.
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Good luck with your therapy and have fun when you hit the rodeo. I’m looking forward to your new book when it comes out. I’m slowly collecting all your older books.
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Glad Halloween was fun for everyone. We went as a group for the first time, with friends…had a blast!
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Will you be comming out with any more Deadly books? I miss mojo and Tucker. The last book was a cliff hanger. Waiting patiently Lol!!!
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Sounds like you have lots of longevity in your family, so don’t be surprised if you are still riding horses at 94 like your Aunt. My own Mom made it to 7 weeks shy of her 100th birthday and she was going all the time despite macular degeration. You go girl.
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So glad you got to spend some time with your Aunts and help with the Halloween celebration (!). Not my favorite time of year either, but I do enjoy seeing the littlest trick-or-treaters. Keep well and keep us up to date with your happenings. Love to see your post in my in-box. Have a great writing week!
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My favorite books of yours are from the Mckettricks Series. Hope you had a Great Halloween! Enjoy the Snow. Lord willing we will get Some this year. Thanks soo much for such a Fantastic series im about to start on the Stone creek series.
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Linda, time spent with our loved ones is precious time. My mother is 87, last year she asked to ride my horse. She had not been on a horse since she 19 years old. My sister and I gladly obliged her and she was all smiles. Then I had to put her picture on Facebook so she could brag to everyone.
Glad you had a great visit with your aunts.
Thanks for sharing,
Sherina
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My grandmother is 91, she still drives, takes care of most all her own stuff, very proud of her. So glad you could visit family and have a good time.
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My mom and I just love your books! The first romance novel I ever read was “Lily and the Major”. Thanks for all your beautiful stories! God Bless!
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Texas will take your snow, your rain, your runoff. anything that will help end this drought. I live a Possum Kingdom Lake and it is half the size it was 5 years ago. Please send us your rain.
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Your Aunts are inspiring! I hope they “show up” in one of your books.
Kathi
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So glad you had a wonderful time with your family. Nothing beats that!
Also glad you are home safe and sound! This is important too!
Looking forward to the new book.
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I am glad you had a good time with your family. Just think you have two aunts that are in their 90’s. Be sure you get as much family history from them as you can. It will come in handy later in years.
Glad you are back home & writing. Can’t wait for you new book to come out. Take care & stay warm.
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When are you coming back to Denver? I have a ton more books for you to sign….LOL
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I’m so looking forward to the new series! Can’t wait!
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Hi Linda, Is it possible to be a jewelry junkie. I absolutely love jewelry. I have quite a collection of various necklaces, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. I guess I get it from my Mom. Before she passed away, she had four dresser drawers, 6 jewelry boxes and a little tie rack that she hung her favorites. I adore natural stones. I know you are familiar with Montana Silversmiths and I have a few pieces of that. I used to hang my favorites on one of those old mug holders that stretched out like an acvordion. It took up too much room so now I have a tie rack thats plastic coated and has rubber tips on offset prongs so my necklaces ate much more organized . My other addiction is your books. Thank You for all you do. Sincerely, Bonnie Pruett