In the romance world there is crazy trends for cowboys. In my mind there are three types of cowboys.
Working Cowboy: This is a video from Zapata Texas – I like that a working cowboy will wear a pink shirt and pock-a-dot scarf.
Rodeo Cowboy (sometimes the same as the working sometimes, just rodeo)
Rodeo Cowboys at the Tejas Rodeoa bull riderSterling Furr
Wannabe Cowboy along the lines of the Urban Cowboy, but some of them live in small towns)
These are the ones we might see on that sexy paper back – I have to say I have never seen a cowboy hang around horses and cattle without a shirt. When I Google cowboy I get a lot of these type of pictures and I found them funny. There was one and I can’t find it again – The guy is of course shirtless, with a rope over his shoulder and an English saddle in his hand…yes an English saddle!
Help! I’ve lost my shirt and horse.Another poor cowboy not smart enough to keep his shirt or horseOh good he found his horse, now if he can only locate that shirt.
Even Nicholas Sparks has jumped on the cowboy bandwagon with his book The Longest Ride. Ugh. I have boycotted Mr. Sparks ever since the movie Message in a Bottle. Killing people off and torturing them without giving the a happy ending is not romantic. He does not write romances. Okay rant over…what was I talking about? Oh yeah how we love cowboys.
I have to say The Longest Ride might force me to cross the Sparks picket line I set up for myself. I mean it has Scott Eastwood (yes the son of Clint) as a bull rider.
I love writing about cowboys myself and even have a bull rider in my future line up. They represent down to earth honor and integrity along with hanging out with horses. What’s not to love? Both of my books have have cowboys on them..One to of them a Cowboy Preacher (Lone Star Holiday)
The love story of wild child Lorrie Ann Ortega and single father, Pastor John Levi
the other is the Texas Lawman (Lone Star Hero).
Second chance at love.
Here are some of my favorite cowboy pictures.
Kids and CowboysPhotograph of operations and personnel at 44 Farms, near Cameron, TXJesse Wright in Western Horseman MagKenny Johannes Matador Ranch West Texas photo Matt Brockman
Do you have a favorite cowboy? Do you love reading about cowboys?
Numb, Vickie hardly noticed the squeak of the green vinyl chairs in the hospital waiting room. She closed her eyes, tired of staring at the gray sterile walls. Her father’s big hand engulfed her smaller one.
The clicking of her mother’s heels on the laminated floor broke through the muted hospital sounds. Elizabeth stopped in front of her and pushed a tall cup of steaming coffee into Vickie’s hands. After a minute of silence, her mother sat beside her.
Vickie took an obligatory sip. The warm liquid—without any flavor—slid down her throat to a turbulent stomach. Pulling the steam in through her nose, she let the rich latte aroma wash out the antiseptic smell.
Sighing, she added thanks for her parents to her silent prayers for her son. There was a comfort in having them on each side of her as they waited for word on Seth. Her sisters, Annie and Di, sat across from them. She shook her head whenever she thought of her mother’s strong sense of self-importance. The names she chose for her daughters all had royal connections. It never even occurred to her mother that two of them had tragic endings. She dropped her head and covered her eyes with her hand. Please, God, keep Seth whole and healthy.
Right now she knew Seth was alive, but that was all anyone would tell her. With a head injury, his condition could change in a matter of minutes.
Her father had prayed with her, and now they sat in silence. Her mother played with her bracelet, a sure sign she was nervous. Vickie laid a hand on her mother’s arm.
“It’s going to be okay, Mamma. No news is good news right?”
Elizabeth patted Vickie’s arm and nodded. “Have you heard from Tommy?”
She bit back a groan. “Mother, he made it clear not to call him until two tomorrow. After two o’clock.” She glanced at her watch. It wasn’t there. Wrapping her fingers around the bare wrist, Vickie sighed. “Now it’s today. Anyway, he’s busy.”
“Busy? But his son needs him.” True confusion creased her mother’s forehead.
Vickie stopped short of an adolescent eye-roll. Her mother refused to see the real Tommy. “Mamma, Tommy has his own life and decided the kids and I are an inconvenience.” Her father patted her hand. Vickie managed to give him a weak but grateful smile.
Elizabeth crossed her arms and glared at her daughter. “Well, I called. Someone needed to let him know Seth’s in the hospital.”
A new knot formed in Vickie already upset stomach. “What did he say?”
Elizabeth pursed her lips and looked off to the side. “He didn’t answer, so I left a message.” She cut her glare back to Vicki, lifting one disapproving eyebrow. “But you should be prepared to greet him, in case he shows up. I’m sure he will. Did you really have to wear that out in public?” Her mother’s gaze dropped to the dirt-covered Crocs, up the Coke-a-Cola pajama bottoms, over the two sizes too big Baylor t-shirt and stopped at Vickie’s hair. The perfectly shaped brows seemed insulted to be in the same room as the mess that was Vickie. Elizabeth crossed her arms and glared at her daughter’s tangled mess of curls surrounding Vickie’s face.
“Sorry, Mother. I didn’t stop to think about how I looked.” Why couldn’t her mother ever be on her side? She turned her head and took a deep breath, pulling the scent of Jake from his coat. The room wasn’t cold, but she needed him close and his coat was all she had for now.
“Victoria, that’s not what I meant. You could have at least combed your hair.” Her blue eyes narrowed. “Why are you still wearing that trooper’s jacket?”
“You know his name, Mother.” She burrowed deeper into the jacket and leaned on her father’s shoulder.
The door opened and Pastor John walked in with Lorrie Ann Ortega and his daughter, Rachel. Vickie leaped to her feet and crushed Lorrie Ann in a death-grip hug. She didn’t care how unladylike the action looked.
“Thank you, oh, thank you.” Despite her mother’s best training about public outbursts, Vickie started to sob. This woman, who had every reason to hate her, saved her son’s life. “They said you saved him. If not for you, I would’ve lost him.”
Lorrie Ann kept her face turned to Pastor John while patting Vickie on the shoulder. “Uhm…It was…I’m glad I could help.”
Rachel’s father, Pastor John gently pulled Vickie’s attention to him with a hand on her shoulder. “How is Seth? We’ve been praying. Celeste wanted you to know she’s praying, too.”
Vickie sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Then she saw Rachel. Anxiety filled the girl’s young eyes. “Oh, Rachel.”
She cupped the girl’s face, cradling the soft cheeks in her hands before pulling Rachel into her arms. The fresh smell of apple shampoo tore at her heart. Rachel and Seth were so young and innocent.
“How is he?” Rachel’s timid voice could barely be heard.
“He’s alive.” Vickie smiled and tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind Rachel’s ear. “Thanks to you and Lorrie Ann, he made it here.” She pulled the girl back against her chest and looked at Pastor John. “They’re running tests on his brain and spine.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Pastor John asked.
“No.” Vickie shook her head. “Other than pray. We need all the prayers we can get.”
Her mother approached. “Vickie, the doctor needs to talk to you.”
With a quick scan of the room, she saw the doctor standing by the double doors next to her father. Her mother took her hand and together they rushed over. She prayed for good news.
“Seth is very fortunate. There does not appear to be any permanent brain injury, no swelling. He does have a concussion. We want to keep him twenty-four hours, but you should be able to take him home tomorrow. He will require a quiet environment, no stimulation. It might be hard, but he needs to stay away from video games, loud music or TV.
The blood left her knees. She could take Seth home. The urge to hug the doctor overwhelmed her. Instead she threw an arm around her father. Biting her bottom lip, she nodded as the doctor kept talking. At this point most of what he said buzzed right over her head. She just wanted to touch her baby.
“Can I see him?” She’d have tons of questions in the morning, but for right now, she just wanted to hold him and hear his voice.
“Of course, we want to keep his room quiet and lights low. The visit needs to stay brief.”
What if he was still mad at her? What if he didn’t want to see her?
He would want to see Rachel, make sure she was safe. She looked behind her and found Rachel leaning against Pastor John.
With fast steps, she had Rachel by the hand. As they headed to Seth’s room, she continued to thank God for granting her a second chance to make things right.
If you want to read Jake and Vickie’s story you can find Walmart next week or buy it online at Amazon, Barns & Noble or online Walmart. The ebook will be available for download August 1st.
The cool November breeze washed over Vickie as she stepped out the front door. Clenching the phone in her hand, shethought about calling her parents.
She hesitated.
Neither of her sisters had ever run away. A few times in high School she’d secretly dreamed of doing it, but never actually had the nerve to leave. Seth running away just laid one more failure at her door.
Her mother would blame her, and her father’s disappointment would tear her heart in two.
Relief surged. It had to be Jake, please let it be Jake. Coming to an abrupt stop, he stepped out of his patrol car. Broad shoulders silhouetted in the moon light.
“Vickie?”
Barefoot, she ran to him. “Jake, Seth snuck out and he took Rachel with him. He wants to go to Florida.” Without thought she hugged him.
“I know. John called. We have a group heading this way.” His fingers wrapped around the back of her arms. The warmth of his hands anchored her.
“Don’t worry. They aren’t even officially missing.” He patted her back, then stepped away from her.
“This is just great.” Staring into the cedar brake surrounding her little trailer, she focused on keeping her eyes dry. “My son has corrupted the Pastor’s daughter. What is everyone going to think?”
“They’ll think he’s a teenage kid with a lousy father and a mother doing the best she can.” An edge to his voice cut at the words, making them sharp and taut.
Behind Jake, more headlights came towards them. She couldn’t believe how fast people arrived. George and Adrian De La Cruz climbed out of their old work truck. The identical twins were local carpenters.
“Hey, Vickie.” Adrian gave her a quick hug, causing Jake to take a step farther back. “Don’t worry we’re going to find them.”
She pressed her lips together, afraid tears would start falling if she spoke. She managed a tight smile and nod instead.
She looked down at the phone gripped in her fingers. It was time to call her parents. Thinking of Ashley safely tucked in bed at her parents’ house gave her some relief.
Bringing the phone to her ear, she listened to the rings and watched Jake. People, from the church gathered around him as he unfolded a map on the hood of his car. George held a flashlight high so everyone could see where he pointed.
“Vickie? Vickie, what’s wrong?” Her dad’s sleepy voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Daddy, Seth ran away. He snuck out his window and went to Pastor John’s house. He took Rachel with him.”
“Oh, baby, do you want us there? What do you need me to do?”
“Jake’s already here along with some of the church volunteers. We’re going to start walking the property between the two ranches. I need you to keep Ashley and pray. He might come to your house.”
Vickie tensed as her mother’s voice came on the phone.
“We’ll call Ray and have him check the barns. Seth likes hiding up in the loft.” Rey Pepper had managed her father’s stables for the last ten years. Seth hung out with him any opportunity he got.
“Oh, that’s a good idea, thanks, Mom. Didn’t even think of the barns.” Vickie took a deep breath. Talking to her parents helped.
“You call Tommy. I know this’ll get him back here.” Hermother just had to go and ruin the good feeling.
Vickie rolled her eyes. “Really, mother? You want me to use this to get my ex-husband back in Texas?” That was classic Elizabeth. Before her mother could respond, her father spoke up.
“You can call him, sweetheart, but I wouldn’t count on him coming back. Let us know when you get any news.”
“I will, Daddy. Love you both.”
When she disconnected, a hand on her shoulder caused her to jump.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Jake dropped his arm and stepped back. “One group has started walking.”
Vickie looked over and noticed the spotlights going through the trees. More people stood around the cars, talking. A lump formed in her throat. They were all here to help, not because of the good things she had done or because she deserved it, but because they cared.
Jake touched her arm. “You might want to get some shoes on so you can walk with me.”
Looking down, Vickie was surprised to see her bare feet poking out from her pajama bottoms. With nothing to say, she nodded and rushed to the house. Jake yelled after her.
“Call Tommy, then we’ll start down the west fence line towards the pecan farm.”
While she jammed her feet into some rubber slip-ons, her thumb hit Tommy’s number and she held her breath.
“This better be important.” His sleep roughened words bit at her over the phone.
“Seth’s missing, he ran away.”
“And what do you expect me to do from Miami?”
Her throat burned, he didn’t get it. “I don’t know. He’s your son, I thought you….”
“No, you never think. You just want someone to fix the problem. Well, he’s your problem tonight.”
She rubbed her forehead. “Tommy, he wants you. I think he plans to run to Florida.” How could she make him understand his son was hurt and angry? He needed his parents to act like grown-ups.
“Listen, I can’t deal with this right now. I’m juggling several projects and if I drop one, the whole plan will collapse. I’ve got a meeting in the morning that I can’t miss. Call me after two if you’re still having problems with him.”
With that, he hung up on her. She swallowed and bit her lip. Jake was right. She couldn’t change Tommy. She didn’t have time to feel sorry for herself. She needed to focus on her son. Please God, just keep them safe.
“Vickie?” Jake stood in the doorframe, leaning in with his hands braced on each side. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” The one word was all she could manage. She wiped her face with the long sleeve of her old t-shirt. “Tommy’s…” Breathe, just breathe. “Busy.”
With a growl, Jake crossed the living room in a couple of long strides and without asking, pulled her into his arms. Her arms pressed between them, she let the phone drop, and clung to the front of his shirt. The strong, steady beat of his heart calmed her.
“You’re not alone, Vickie. We will find him and get him safely tucked into bed, okay?” He pulled back and looked her in the eye. “You ready to walk with me, or do you want to stay here?”
“I can’t stay here.” Shaking her head, she followed Jake out of her trailer and into the moonlight. “He has to be close, right?” As they walked, Vickie could hear people calling out to Seth and Rachel. She continued to pray. She wrapped her arms tight and rubbed her hands up and down, trying to ward off the chill. The trees loomed over them. The land and hills were vast. All the dangers of the Hill Country marched across Vickie’s imagination.
“It’s cold. Here, you forgot a coat.” Jake quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders before moving forward again. He stopped every few minutes to call out to the kids.
His phone whistled. “Torres.” His gaze cut back to her.
Her heart leaped up to her throat. It had to do with Seth. She watched him nod.
“Thanks, we’re on our way.”
“They found them? Where is he?”
He grabbed her hand. “Lorrie Ann found them at the swimming hole behind the old Childress’ place.”
Relief flooded her whole system. Newfound energy and adrenalin propelled her to Jake’s SUV. Jogging through the trees, she got to the patrol car first. Without waiting, she opened the door with the state emblem and sat down. She watched him as she strapped on her seatbelt. Why was Jake moving so slow?
Ugh, he was on the phone. She pounded her fist against her thigh. “Come on, let’s go!”
He stood with his door ajar. “I need to let Adrian know we found them.” He yelled back, still on the phone. As he slipped into the Ford Explore, the radio dispatcher called out a string of words and numbers.
Vickie froze. “What was that? Did they just call for air life to the swimming hole? Jake, what’s going on?” She stared at his profile.
Jake gripped the steering wheel. “We won’t know until we get there.”
“But air life’s not good, is it?” She wrapped her arms around her middle. Even as a chill caused her to tremble, cold sweat coated her skin. “Is it for Rachel or Seth?”
His eyes stayed on the road ahead. “We won’t know until we get there.” He repeated slowly, like she hadn’t heard him the first time. “Victoria, I have a verse I use frequently to help me. The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.”
The pit of her stomach bottomed out. “Jake, I don’t want God to be good in times of trouble. I want my son and Rachel to be free of trouble.”
Jake didn’t look at her. “I know. All we can do right now is pray.” His gaze stayed fixed on the road ahead. His hands held the SUV steady as they cut across the back roads through the pecan farm to get to the old Childress house.
She knew he drove to get her to her son as soon as possible, but time had become twisted. A detached feeling blanketed her in numbness. Maybe if she spoke her prayer aloud God would hear it faster.
She intertwined her fingers and bowed her head. “Dear God, please wrap Seth and Rachel tightly in your arms and keep them safe. Allow me another chance to be a good, faithful mother.” The vehicle came to a stop, and Vickie’s head went up. Flashes of red and white blinded her for a moment.
Jake was already out of the car and opening her door. Holding his hand, her heart froze at the sight of her eleven-year-old son on a stretcher. She stood, fingers gripping the top of the frame. For a moment, all feeling rushed out of her knees. She needed to get to her son.
“Seth! No!” The scream echoed in her own head. Something held her back as she tried to reach her son. She pounded her fist against the steel band around her middle, stopping her from getting to her baby.
“Shh.” Jake’s calm voice whispered against her ear. “You’re not doing him any favors acting hysterical.”
Somewhere in her mind, she knew he was right, but he didn’t understand. The lanky boy on the gurney was her little boy. Breathing was hard. She leaned into Jake’s chest and let her hands fall.
Someone else talked to her. Turning her head, she blinked and tried to focus on the words Brenda said. The EMT’s mouth moved, but Vickie couldn’t get her brain to work.
Breathing, she heard the word breathing. She blinked a few more times to clear her thoughts. Vickie concentrated on Brenda’s words, words that started to penetrate the fog in her brain.
“…we don’t know how long he was in the water, but the CPR has given him a chance. We’re driving him to the landing pad. The helicopter will be taking him to Children’s Methodist in San Antonio. You can ride in the ambulance if you stay calm, but you won’t be allowed to fly with him. Can someone meet you in town?”
“I’ll call her parents.” Jake’s strong voice lifted her.
She could stay composed. She had to for Seth. She nodded. “Thank you, Brenda.”
Jake’s arms dropped, and he moved his warmth away from her. Standing alone now, she shivered.
“I’ll call your Dad to meet you,” Jake said, “and let him know what’s going on. Call me if you need anything. Okay?”
She mourned the loss of his support, but her son needed her. Jogging, she followed Brenda. Climbing up one high step,she entered the small space next to Seth. Vickie clung to the cold hand of her little man.
The high energy and easy smile she loved had vanished under his colorless skin and still form. Trying to stay out of the way, she fell to her knees. “Seth, stay with me, baby, please stay with me. We’re getting you help.” She pressed her forehead to the back of his hand. “Please, please, God, I beg you to return Seth to me whole and healthy.”
Brenda patted her arm. “Lorrie Ann arrived soon after he went in the water and performed CPR. She gave him a fighting chance.”
Vickie thought about all the hurtful words she had carelessly thrown around, things she had done out of jealousy. She had blamed her mother, Tommy, Lorrie Ann, even God, but she had made the choices. She had brought her family to this point.
God, I turn everything over to you, my life, my children and my anger. May I follow your will. Please show me your desire.
She opened her eyes and looked at her baby, lying so still. Wrapping her fingers around his limp hand, she continued to pray.
The final scene will be posted Wednesday July 9th
Lone Star Holiday is available online – Lone Star Hero will be in stores July 16 and available online Aug 1st
“Well, you reap what you sow.” Her mother disconnected the call.
After trying to talk to Seth one more time, Vickie headed to the refrigerator and pulled out the Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.
Before she could settle in, the phone rang again. Moaning, she threw back her head. Really, couldn’t she have just one hour of uninterrupted misery? She decided the answering machine was her friend. Maybe even her only friend.
“Hello, Vickie? Are you there?”
John Levi’s voice had her reaching for the phone. All the reasons the pastor might be calling so late darted through her head. “Hello, Pastor John. What can I do for you?”
“Hey Vickie, I’m looking for Rachel.” He paused. “We think she might be with Seth.”
Vickie’s stomached tightened. Why would he think his daughter would be with Seth? “No, he’s in his room. I just spoke with him. Why is Rachel out so late? I thought Lorrie Ann was babysitting the girls for you.” Vickie shook her head. Lorrie Ann had been Vickie’s nemesis in high school, but now she was getting all friendly with Jake and Pastor John. How could they not see through her?
“Vickie, would you please check and see if he knows where she is?” His usually calm, soothing voice sounded strained.
“Sure.” She walked to his door and knocked once before forcing it open, pushing past piles of clothes. “Seth?”
She froze as she scanned the room again. Clothes and notebooks covered his floor and bed. He had to be here. “Seth, where are you?” Dread made her limbs heavy as she noticed the open window.
She tripped over something on the floor, trying to reach the small opening. “Oh, no. He’s gone! I can’t believe he left. We had a fight.” She leaned out the window. “Seth! Seth! They’re going to get lost or hurt.”
“Vickie, calm down. Do you know where he might have gone?”
“His father called, and we fought.” Her fingers clenched the windowsill. “Seth heard us and got mad at me. I said something I shouldn’t. He hates me. He hates me so much right now.” She heard herself babbling but couldn’t stop.
“Maggie’s already started the phone chain. People from the church are meeting here at my place to walk the area.”
Vickie closed her eyes and nodded. She needed to focus and stay calm. Kids sneak out all the time. Overreacting would not help. “What do you need me to do?”
“I’ll call Jake and have him take a group to your place. We’ll start walking. They should be somewhere between our houses.”
Her son’s angry threat popped into her mind. “He wants to go to Miami.” She headed to the front door, not knowing where she was going, but the need to do something—anything— overwhelmed her.
“Florida? Why would he try to–?”
She didn’t let him finish. “His dad, Tommy’s in Florida. Would Seth take Rachel to Florida with him?”
“Vickie, don’t worry.” His voice became stronger. “Rachel wouldn’t run away to Florida, but she would probably try to stop him from going. They’ve been gone from here less than . . . twenty minutes. We’ll find them. Call your parents. I’ll touch base with you in a little bit.”
A few months back I deemed the day after Monday – Hughsday. You know for Hugh Jackman. Why not, right? He seems to be a truly beautiful man, husband, father and all around talent.
My heroFred in New Orleans
There is another amazing man in my life, Fred Navarro. (I pretend Hugh is actually in my life – I’m good at fiction) I know first hand that Fred is an outstanding man, husband father. Well, I gave him his own day also….because I can. He gets my favorite day, Freday.
Today the universe is aligning my obsessions hobbies on this special Hughsday, March 25, Fred turns 49. SO the two days have collided into one perfect day for me. Happy Birthday Fred Navarro.
In the sky I see my smallness and my greatness. The knowledge that the world spins, seasons come and go and each day will have a new beginning and an end comforts me in it routine. Great things will happen and I will celebrate; bad things will happen and I will survive. The mysteries of life are in God’s hands and I’m just to do the best I can.
My father loved and savored the daily events of a sunrise and sunset. I’ve been known to make my family stop so I can take a picture and for a moment think of the permanent change that is our life. Add your favorite sky picture you have taken.
Here are a few of my pictures along with a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
THE HOUSE OF CLOUDS. 1841
I would build a cloudy house
For my thoughts to live in,
Castroville Texas, the reflection of the sunset over the football game.
When for earth too fancy-loose,
And too low for heaven.
Sunset in Texas Hill Country
I sleep, and talk my dream aloud,
I build it fair to see—
Boerne Texas Sunset – by Wade Beard
I build it on the moonlit cloud,
To which I looked with thee.
Sunset over New Orleans off the Mississippi River
Cloud-walls of the morning’s grey,
Faced with amber column,
Sunset over Texas Hill Country on the road to Leakey Texas from Bandrea Texas
Crowned with crimson cupola
From a sunset solemn—
Sunset on the road to Leakey Texas
For casements, from the valley fetch
May-mists glimmering,—
Early morning back road in Boerne Texas taken by Brandi Quinn
With a sunbeam hid in each,
And a smell of spring.
Sunset from my driveway in Texas Hill Country
Build the entrance high and proud,
Darkening and eke brightening,
Sun rise in Galveston Texas.
Of a riven thunder-cloud
Veinëd with the lightning.
Sun rise ans storms in Galveston
Use one with an iris-stain
For the door within,
Turning to a sound like rain
As we enter in.
Sunset over Hondo Texas
For the fair hall reached thereby
Walled with cloudy whiteness, Take the blue place in the sky,
Wind-worked into brightness—
Sunset Port Aransas
Whence corridores and long degrees
Of cloud-stairs wind away—
Sunset over Castroville during at a high school football game.
Till children wish upon their knees,
They walkëd where they pray.
Early evening over Boerne Texas Main Street. during Dickens On Main
Be my chamber tapestried
With the showers of summer,
From my driveway as I arrive home – Texas Hill Country
Close and silent, glorified
When the sunbeams come there—
Sudden harpers, harping on
Every drop as such,—
Early evening over Boerne Texas Main Street. during Dickens On Main
Drawing colours like a tune,
Measured to the touch.
Bring a shadow green and still
From the chesnut forest—
On the Mississippi heading into New Orleans
Bring a purple from the hill
When the heat is sorest,—
Texas Hill Country Sunset from my driveway
Spread them out from wall to wall,
Carpet-wove around; And thereupon the foot shall fall
In light instead of sound.
Sun rise, from my balcony in Galveston Texas –
Bring a grey cloud from the east
Where the lark was singing—
Clouds and storms trying to block the sun as it climbs into the sky over Galveston, Texas
Something of the song at least
Lost not in the bringing,—
Slow rise over Galveston, Texas
And that shall be a morning chair
For poet-dreams,—when with them
No verse constraint—the floating air
Their only, lovely rhythm.
Te sun rising as I leave for work – leaving the Texas Hill Country and heading to San Antonio
Bring the red cloud from the sun—
While he sinketh, catch it,—
Bring it for a couch, with one
Side-long star to watch it—
Fit for a poet’s finest thought,
At curfew time, to lean;
Peaceful morning on my balcony in Galveston Texas
When things invisible are brought
More near him than the seen. Poet’s thought, not poet’s sigh!—
Alas! they come together!
Cloudy walls divide and fly
As if in April weather.
Castroville Texas, the reflection of the sunset over the football game.
Hall, corridore, and column proud—
My chamber fair to see—
All pass—except that moonlit cloud
To which I looked with thee.
Night on the porch as the moon slips across the sky
Let them!– Wipe such visionings
From the fancy’s cartel;
Love secures some frailest things,
Dowered with his immortal.
Suns, moons may darken—heaven be bowed,—
But here unchanged shall be,
Walking into Jackson Square late at night.
Here in my soul—that moonlit cloud,
To which I looked with thee.
It’s official Lone Star Holiday will be followed up by Lone Star Hero in August.
Jake Torres, State Trooper and Vickie Lawson, former homecoming queen, were childhood sweethearts, but life took them in different directions. Now they’re back in the small Hill Country town of Clear Water, Texas. Jake has a tragic past he wants to forget and Vickie is a single mother trying to stand on her own.
Here is a snippet from Lone Star Hero:
With a heavy sigh, Jake stood. He had spent years ignored by Vickie. He should be used to it by now. Nevertheless, seeing her so battered by life hurt him in a way he suspected he’d never get over.
I’m at SARA Café today being interviewed about my writing. Would love for you to stop by and leave a comment. Insecure author feeling all alone over here.
I’m so excited to share with you the beautiful cover of my first book, Lone Star Holiday. Cowboy/Pastor John Levi and his daughter Celeste are real! Haha. You can even pre-order on Amazon and get to know them better on September 17. The official release date is October 1. I can’t believe this is really happening – I’m such a dork.
Jolene Navarro 