Headstall

Thanks, Krista. I love storytelling, and I really do try to be subtle about details. We build worlds as writers, and writing a western gave me a great opportunity to explore those aspects of that way of life. I'm pretty sure cowboys named their horses. Maybe they wouldn't name every one in their string if they had one, but I can't imagine not naming their personal mounts. Some names were simple for sure, like Wes calling his horse 'Paint'. I can tell you Lee didn't have a proper name for his horse. He just called her 'Mare'. As a horseman, I know the bond between horse and rider is special. In the Old West, they had to rely on one another, and a horse might be your only company for weeks or even months. Mouse is a nondescript bay, typical of a lot of horses, but Coy loves her as much as Boone loves Daisy, who is a little flashier. Lol. You can break any rules you want. Speculation is welcomed. Being the kind of men they are, there really was no question what they would do. I didn't have to agonize over it at all. Coy is the anti-Will, and Boones knows that. You bring up Boone's biggest fear... will Coy be safe when he leaves him? He tries to convince himself he will be, but Will has done a lot of damage, so there is no guarantee more won't come looking for him, and find his brother instead. Thanks for the kind and wonderful comment, Krista. As I already said, this is fun. Cheers!

I'm the same. I'm generally a patient reader as long as I am pleased with the writing. I don't mind waiting to find out things, but I do tend to be vocal at times if I get into a story. You describe Boone well. He's all of those things, even if he sometimes overthinks. It's a tendency I have at times. We get to see just what a sidewinder Will really was in this chapter. He was destined to be a career criminal, not out of any necessity, but because he enjoyed being evil. So yeah, Boone was pessimistic where he was concerned. I think Boone learned early to be a good judge of people, having to exist in a whorehouse from the time he was born. I think where Dan is concerned, Boone feels guilty, playing 'what if' after Will killed him. If he had gone away with Dan, who he loved as a friend, the man would still be alive. But, he knows he never could have done what Dan wanted. Coy was just too important to him. Coy has never really had a chance to relax after Will returned to the family farm. Now we can see he is a little lost. Confession time... my mom's name was May, and I once named the cutest little runt goat Maysie after her. I thought it was time to use her name again. Thanks, Krista. I am enjoying this. Hope you are finding the story to your liking. Cheers! G.

Poor @wildone. Keep your head down, Steve.

Stop with the Drewth, Drew.

Crying is good.

COTT=Looney bin.

Hey, Krista! I'm honored you chose one of my stories to read. Westerns aren't for everyone, but it was something I wanted to give a shot ever since I wrote "Finding Refuge", a shorty for an anthology. I was raised on westerns, and I am a dedicated horsemen, so it was a perfect diversion during the pandemic. It's maybe kind of weird to name a story after a dead character, but if you continue you will see the impact he has, even after death. I agree about Will being a hero type name, and as a matter of fact, there is another character in the sequel of that same name. What can I say... I'm a rebel. Coy has watched his entire family die over the years, and the worst one was all he had left. You're right... he is Coy's connection to his mom and dad and brothers and uncle and all those better times, so he buries his head in the sand where Will was/is concerned. We meet Coy when he is at his very worst. He has a lot of growing up to do, something necessary for that time period, but he is a truly interesting character... it just takes some time to see it. Boone has dreams, and he's had them a long time. As much as he cares for Coy, he is seeing a change is badly needed. I hope you hang in there, Krista. These two books are ones I turn to all the time when I want to escape the world for a little while. Thanks for this... cheers... Gary....

Congrats, Val!

20C today. Hello, everyone.

I agree. I watched the first season and loved it.

Ain't that the Drewth.

COVID-19 is the third-leading cause of death in Canada, but it’s older people who are dying. That we accept this and carry on as if the pandemic is over reveals our ageism: We don’t value older people, says @machealthsci ’s Dawn Bowdish. | @McMasterIIDR brighterworld.mcmaster.ca Analysis: Ageism and the pandemic: How Canada continues to let older adults suffer and die from... COVID-19 is the third-leading cause of death in Canada, but it’s older people who are dying. That we accept this and carry on as if the pandemic is over reveals our

Happy Easter Monday, all! Beautiful day here.

Then stop acting like one.

Yeah, I picture him in pigtails too.

Sweet dreams...

Welcome, Justin, and nope, you're not the only one. Sometimes writing is easy, but mostly it takes a lot of effort and commitment. We all experience ups and downs on our writing journeys.

I'm a huge "Walking Dead" fan, so this was quite interesting to me. I hadn't noticed this story at all before, but I will now. Thank you!

She's up now. It took some monumental effort and a few tries, but all is good.

Just got back from a 4K walk, and mare is down. I'm trying to be patient and optimistic. Her body needs rest... but I hope she can get back up. Going back out to watch her.

I envy you spending time with your mum on Easter. Best wishes to you both. I'm heading out for my walk now.

Happy Easter, all!

Exactly... with just a hint of spicy seasoning.