Rebecca's Romance
Derby 2017...out of gate.
by Rebecca Mance on 07/23/16
I am out of the gate.... Thank you so much all of you for reaching out to me. I still can’t believe such a stupid girl as
me has fans…all over the world. I have
done nothing to deserve it. God is so
good to me. How to live up to such an
honor? For my book fans, I’ve not worked
hard in that venue…so I am very ashamed….yes, I am very sorry. But, to live up to you short of finishing
next book…I’ll try. I am working on it.
Now, I could talk about Derby Day. I was at a nice track in California. I could not get home to Kentucky. The people who came were in the spirit….they
were totally into Derby….so I was with friends…the track was stunning…. They came in big hats even in California at
Gold Gate Fields on Derby day. I was not
at Churchill, but I was with others in California that believed in Derby
day.
I wore a Derby Oaks dress.
It rained very hard, which is odd for California but a blessing from
God. I am a girl who dances in the rain…so
no problem for me. Yes, the girls around
me were a bit running from the rain….why?
If you are from Kentucky rain is a way of life winter or summer. Thus, the green grass. However, thank God for rain….just kick off
your shoes and dance!
A very nice bus drove me from BART station to the race
track. I had a lovely couple I met on BART who also rode the bus…they were two men in very beautiful hats who were going to the same destination...they were a couple with dapper hats…one hat was filled with red roses.
I was trying to help them with bow ties. I failed.
You would think a Derby fan could tie a bow tie! We had so much fun talking and getting
excited about Derby! I’d have loved to have
enjoyed the day with them…but I had special tickets in a different area of the
track…which got me cigars and stuff. I
don’t smoke….but on Derby Day….the smell of cigar smoke would be perfect.
So I parted ways with my new friends. I make friends everywhere. People are so beautiful.
I didn’t bet. They
only had odd “betting” screens. Sort of
reminded me of Las Vegas. It is not like
Keeneland or Churchill. I think, if you
are to bet on a fine gentleman or on fine fillies….he or she who has given his or heart and soul to the game…it seems….he or
she should have a real live person taking the bet.
Not to measure out California….for the experience and all
that they have to pay for here (can you imagine what it takes to maintain a
race track in Cali?) Also, the general
population is not that up with horse racing.
At any rate, Golden Gate is a respectable track.
I met friends there that ran down to the paddock with me to
see the horses, which I loved. To see
them up close is the most fun! The
paddock there is very nice too. It is
covered so that part was interesting. I
love to see them up close before a race.
As I have said before, the main road that runs through
Lexington is called Man O’War. Man’O was
a Kentucky bred horse. So that road runs
you from downtown Lexington to the airport …where you can, in fact, get Pierce
Lyons most fabulous beer (at the airport, I mean) Kentucky Bourbon Barrel…just waiting
for it to finally get to California.
Point is….you look at a like Man O’ such a beautiful horse….that
is God’s gift to us. Now Man O’War….he
was so big and different. He was an
arrogant lad. He said….”Nothing can
touch me.” That is what AP said too.
I don’t know much
about American Pharaoh other than he has Man-o’s spirit and it is rumored he is
in or around where my farm is….I think he just thought “Just get me out of the gate and I will do
it.” There is such beauty in that. What an honor to have picked him out of a
hat.
So, I bet on no horses this year. The screens and trying to figure that out
just didn’t seem that fun and I preferred spending my time watching the races
below me and checking out the paddock and horses close up.
Now, there is a reason it is called a Triple Crown. Because only the very finest can ever carry
it off. Some say to me…other horses come
in to the two races after Derby and they are fresh. “It is not fair”
I say….Triple Crown is for the “Bestist horse I ever
saw.”
What an honor in my lifetime to see a horse just….simply
pull away like it was a day at circus..well…if Triple Crown was easy and any
horse could win, then we’d have Triple Crown winners always. How fun would that be? Despite the odds and running against fresh
horses, there is a horse who will do it.
Man O’War, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and American Pharaoh….also many
others.
All of their names are at Churchill Downs. I have seen them. Well, I have not seen the Pharaoh’s
name. I am going to do my best to get
there on Derby day. For the man I picked
out of a hat, I plan to return to Churchill to see his name under the spires….If
God is good to me.
That is if I get let out of a gate to go home on Derby
Day. 2017.
Not only have I not been writing blog…and yes…my blog has been
dormant...I have not been working on my latest book like I need to be. I will make up a little for
lost time now. I will give my heart.
Let me try by first giving you the gift of the story of
Finnegan’s Run. Finnegan’s Run is my
family’s farm in Kentucky. I might live
a life as mild-mannered paralegal in San Francisco….where my heart is too….but
I also left my heart also in Paris, Kentucky.
Paris is where I wrote all of my books except the current
one. The Wine Prince was started in
Kentucky and completed in California.
Finnegan’s Run is named after a dog that was a collie dog
born in the desert of California. My
son, got him for me just before my family moved to Kentucky. Finn traveled across the US all the way to a
farm in Kentucky. He was only six months
old then. He had never seen snow or so
many acres. He was barely a year old
when he died. He had a genetic disorder
we didn’t know about. It was epilepsy
for dogs. We didn’t know or a simple monthly
pill would have saved him. We named our
farm after him after he died. His ashes
are there and the sign outside our farm has his picture on it along with the
name of our farm. He had run with me
every day down the long quarter acre driveway. (I was working on running with a bad leg...another story...with an amazing happy ending).
It was a long way from California, with a lot of space and green
grass. So, that is why my farm is called
Finnegan’s Run. It was about a
California Collie who lived his best days there.
At Finnegan’s Run there is also the “quail story” which I
will save because it is a fun story all by itself. I am the single person who can get into
trouble in the middle of nowhere in the country. So, I will share that story…maybe next week
or next month.
Anyway, while I lived on the farm I let about an acre of
land go back to “forest.” When I was
back in the later part of May for personal reasons I observed the forest
(Finnegan’s Run Forest) is doing very well.
I also let the tree lines thicken so it was so lovely. Thick tree lines are a way for farmers to help
in conservation of wildlife. They have
signs up in farming areas about “the tree line.” I think it is a great idea and a lovely
compromise. Wildlife live and travel
in the thicker “tree lines.”
I guess I sound like a real “tree-hugger” from
California. I am very much a tree
hugger. Most people in Kentucky are very
concerned and love the land. Californians
do not have a monopoly on conservation and taking care of the land. I am extremely concerned about such things, I
am just not rabid with the thought that there is only “one way” to act
correctly in this instance…. and without an open mind about it. Also, I act on it, not talk about it. (Besides the quail story which will come
later) I planted so many trees on my land and took care of them! My husband and son still take care of them now
and even planted many more!
I live my beliefs. I
even have trees growing on my small apartment patio in the bay area. How many Californians grow oak trees on their
patio? Now, what I am going to do with
them when they get a certain size is another matter. I will address this when they get that
big! Giggles.
Now, for my writing fans….like my editor Liz….Liz just keeps
after me about writing, I will talk about why my latest book has gone so slow. Liz isn’t just an amazing editor, she is such
a steadfast friend and believes in my books and writing. I wonder what I ever did to have such an
honor and such friends. I meet with her
and our mutual friend Cindi who tries to look after me in other ways. I worked with both of them at a lovely firm
in the city before I was run over by a car (yes, that is an amazing story and
yet another blog topic!) That will bring
me to the topic of when I tried to save the beer. I get myself into more predicaments than
anyone else I know! Giggles.
However, life is fun.
I am an author. How can we (authors)
write unless we live interesting lives….I think I write because of my life and
how amazing life has been….and every day is a new adventure. So, why am I not writing? One excuse….well, at my firm (day job) we
went to trial and won. I worked two 24
hour days…literally. It sounds daunting,
but it was actually very fun. Well,
okay, not at 2:00 a.m. when I was very tired and one of two copy machines went
down…yikes and the other one was making terrible lines…the night before trial
started. Double yikes.
What best-selling author is sitting at a law firm at 2:00
a.m. contemplating taking boxes and boxes of documents to a 24 hour Kinkos? Well, this author lives that life and….yes, I
think that story should make its way to one of my books and likely will! However, we prevailed. Winning is everything. I pour my heart I into everything I do…which
is exactly what one would want from a romance and sometimes erotic-romance
writer. It is also why I often find
myself in predicaments that are difficult….I don’t believe there is such a
thing as being too passionate. However,
that passion does land one in many interesting places and quandaries.
I take on overwhelming undertakings that others are too
afraid to even try. My Granny used to
say, “It is not enough to be pretty and it is not enough to be smart, it is to
be tried in the fires of life that gives you character and strength.”
The second reason I am not writing as much as I should is
that is BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) has become like a sardine can (more so
than ever). BART is the commuting train
I take to and from work. I have a
fantastic little computer with a privacy screen…. but one cannot get a seat no
matter what time of day you get on. Not
only that you are packed in like a sardine so by the time you get home the only
thing you are running for is a glass of wine and planning the next day. Being a paralegal is a very stressful
job. Nearly every day you can run into a
near disaster. Digging one’s head into
characters is pretty hard after all of that.
(I sound like I need pathetic violins playing right now right?)
I get moments of inspiration on city hikes and we as a firm
went on my boss’ sailing yacht which was fun and inspiring. However, one can unlikely drag out a computer
and start working when mingling with co-workers on the sailing yacht.
Okay, no more excuses.
This latest book is so amazing and fun.
It is just so close to being finished in first draft. My books have done very well in new platforms
and now Iron Horse King has surpassed
The Chosen One in IBook sales. Pretty incredible. I get a great feeling every time I walk by
Crocker Bank in downtown SF (Charles Crocker is the inspiration for Iron Horse
King) and I send up thanks when I look inside.
What an amazing story and there really was a man like that!
It is a very lovely feeling to work all day very hard but
know that somewhere, all over the world, someone is buying a book. That is pretty amazing and stunning. I am always so humbled.
So, I owe those of you who, like my editor Liz keep after
me. Thank you.
No, I am not giving up anything on next book. But it is coming along and I have been
working for the last few weeks. Okay…next
blog will be about the Finnegan’s Run Quail and….then Ferguson Fox….perhaps
then “saving the beer” story. In the
meantime to all of my fans..... Remember to
live life like an author. Feel
everything, give your heart into everything that matters, don’t be ashamed even
when your soul is left to bare because you gave all. Holding your heart close and staying
emotionally safe are just missed opportunities of life to live….truly live and
to feel life, even when it hurts.
Sometimes people say to me about horses….what if they hurt
themselves? What if this and that? What if they don’t want to etc. What I do know about race horses is that they
have spirit and unbelievable hearts. When
they run that race and win or lose.they are truly living….living a dream of a
horse. You see it in their eyes when
they run past….they are truly living in those moments…. No horse gets to
Churchill except the very finest. They
may not win, but they were in the race.
We don’t always win every battle in our lives, sometimes we
are left out to dry and live with the consequences of our noble hearts, just
like them…the race horses. However, to
truly live, you must put yourself out there, you must try. You have to get into the gate and when the
gun fires you have to run with all of your heart….win or lose, you give it your
all. That is what matters. You must feel the passion, the joy, the
heartache, the loss, the laughter of enemies when you fall….but then the triumph on another day. No matter what happens the next day dawns
with another chance to ride the winds of fate....it is another chance to be bold, strong, good, noble, to live with beauty and life....live to fight another day.
What will fate bring? To see another triple crown winner, to write a best selling novel, to
win a case, to help someone who really needs it, to make a forest, to save the
beer? To give $20 you can't afford to an Afghan soldier struggling to get back home who sits with his dog on the corner of Montgomery. To teach someone something new to help them through life? To use a gift to help a wizard or minor god? Or it is just to feel the weight and glory of what we did
and tried to do with all of the good of our hearts? If we do this, put our passion and love into everything...then who knows where tomorrow takes us if we give
our entire hearts? We don't know what we can do, except to get into that gate and when the gun fires, to run with all the have to that finish line. Win or lose, it is about the race. Believe.
Derby Oaks
by Rebecca Mance on 05/06/16
Move aside boys...it is all about the girls today at Derby Oaks and fillies' race...supporting breast cancer. I wish my mother had lived to see a race. Cheers to you mom and a cure that will come in time for someone's mother, sister, wife....daughter.
I can't be at Oaks, but will be wearing my Derby Oaks dress and hat, (worn there a few years ago to the Oaks races) to Golden Gate Fields in SF for the Derby. Today, I hope to catch Oaks on t.v. at work....if I am lucky, wine could be involved depending on timing of race. No mint julips to be found. However, tomorrow on Derby Day, since I couldn't be there again.....I found a spot to celebrate at Gold Gate Fields where Four Roses is sponsoring a big Derby Party. Mint Julips, undoubtedly, will be involved. Don't worry, I think 2017 is a great year for me to finally get back to the Derby. I have been four times, how lucky is that. Well, shooting for 2017. Meanwhile, cheers to the girls and tomorrow I will celebrate the Derby in San Francisco....who knew it was possible?
Wearing Derby Oaks shirt today.... to bring a little Kentucky to San Francisco. Hopefully I won't get mugged on BART. Giggles. Here is one for the girls...safe race...lots of fun and cheers to Churchill Downs from San Francisco. Have a mint julip for me.....
Magic and the Light
by Rebecca Mance on 12/13/15
Thank you again for visiting my blog. I humbly appreciate it. I’ve so many followers…and I am often reclusive…and
more than a bit eccentric and odd in my own way……so to follow me…..I appreciate
it…but why would anyone follow me? I am
sure I am not worthy. However, thank you
so much…thank you with all that I am. I
will try to live up to it. I guess that
is why I only blog when the moment hits me. …So much pressure…I am not
glamorous, pretty or even interesting….but I blog when I feel it….when not busy
with day job. When I can put my heart
and soul into it. When I feel it from
the inside out. Because that is what you
my fans deserve. Thank you so much.
Now to get this blog out…finally after two weeks of working
on it…you get it unedited….I have a day job that I need to prep for after a
weekend in Carmel….for my birthday. I
will end with that experience…if you hang in that long for my long winded blog.
Yes…I was waiting for the right evening to write about
Keeneland. I have thought of it a
thousand times in my mind’s eye. Those
who know…KNOW what is Keeneland.
Nobody in my current world even knows anything about
Keeneland. Even if they are very lovely
and wonderful people. You have to be in
Kentucky to know Keeneland. Of course,
in my world most of them will never see the green rolling hills of Kentucky (what
a loss) and those green pastures…. Those green rolling lanes that lead to the
most amazing things..…blue grass…Kentucky calls me every day like it must call
the horses…. Like the Princess of Jordan said…..[Who was, by the way, one of
the most beautiful women I have ever seen]
She said, “When I was growing up
and I read stories like Black Beauty I thought, ‘Kentucky must be heaven for
horses.’ Then I came here and I am
sure…Kentucky is Heaven for horses.”
American Pharaoh has special meaning for me…besides that I
picked him out quite by accident…out of a hat….I didn’t know that there were
two people at the party in Napa with horses in the race…if you knew you knew
me…you’d know just how random it was….how such odd things like that happen to
me.
I had to go get out of my purse in the car (Ironically
she…my car…from 2002 is named Black Beauty…)…but in Napa, I had a kind friend
to take me to a Derby Party…In Napa…she is an amazing friend [as well as a
stunning wine maker] and I love her so much….so she took me….they were taking
bets….they even had the numbers in jockey hats…I pulled American Pharaoh out of
a hat. With my last cash of ten bucks
hoping I didn’t have tolls home…giggles.
In God’s world…which includes all of us….All. God… Jesus and
Allah…Buddha.. We just occupy sacred
space differently….that is all….None of us are wrong or right…and that comes
from a girl who was certain she was going to grow up to be a nun….nuns are so
amazing…that was how I was going to occupy Sacred Space…I learned about this
from, ironically a Priest at St. Mary’s College in a class.
Anyway…. when AP won….in Keeneland..….well…even before that,
when I held the ticket with his name…and didn’t know him before….I had been
away from Kentucky living my legal life here.
I had been to four Kentucky Derbies…I followed the horses closer
then. I had and won big money on “I’ll
Have Another…” ($130 on a $20 bet!). That is another story….that is the time I
obtained Calvin’s autograph.
I was so excited about his name…American Pharaoh….how
amazing was that? Not just because of my
book The Chosen One…or our son’s time in Afghanistan….and the “hour of the
lamps” which is a story in Once Upon a Misty Bluegrass Hill…and by the way my
son told me the story almost just like that…that was the inspiration for that
line in the book.
Freedom’s front door for my brothers and sisters in the
middle east who happen to occupy sacred space in a different way...I am
thinking….as I held AP’s name in my hand… so appropriate for me because of my
book The Chosen One. I am thinking….”like
we could win in the middle east on his name alone.” The combined name as I sat there looking at
the screen and saw him the first time! I
was like…”dang Rebecca…he is a beautiful black too!” [My favorite color in horses and cars since my
2004 Jag is named Black Beauty]. I am
looking at him on the screen and thinking….”I’ve seen those lovelies
before….they look beautiful…and he is so beautiful…prancing…Don’t be fooled by
a prancing horse Rebecca! He can’t
possibly win….you pulled him out of a hat after all…he is a favorite and you
love him already….”
He was a favorite….I was doomed….Everyone knows the favorite
is unlikely to win….But I didn’t care…I loved his name and the looks of
him. Sitting in Napa…to be at a Derby
Party? I was surrounded by beautiful
green grape vines so the day was already magic.
They don’t even know….I mean….most people in California have no idea
about beautiful horses and racing. Only,
not only did they know….they knew more than me….two of them had horses in the
race.
However, I was lucky to have been invited at all…I have
missed going to the Derby….[determined to be there in 2016 if I can manage the
ticket and time off]….I got lucky that my friend invited me to a Derby party….but
I got to live the moment right then…Old American Pharoah on large screen.
In all the races I ever saw at Derby or at Keeneland…or even
at Del Mar as I saw those races as a very young girl…. I never saw horse pull
away like that. Just sort of pull away
at the end…like it was nothing. It was
absolutely stunning. I was too excited I
didn’t know what to do. By this time I
knew others had a horse, literally in the race.
It wasn’t my fault. I think they
all do deserve to win. When you make it
to the Derby….that is everything….that horse is the finest in the world. So what if he is the sixth finest? I mean seriously? It was how he felt that day most times…the
horse I mean…
In this case….we all saw a true King. How could he repeat it? Three times?
Last race….he just pulled away like it was nothing.
And…he harkens my most favorite horse of all time….Man-O-War. Like Man-O-War AP lost only one race in his
entire career. I don’t know the details,
but I do know that it was something like Man-O-War…problem at the gate. Admittedly I didn’t like AP being pushed
past the Triple Crown. I was worried
for him after all he had done….But like Man-O-War they knew him. His owners must have known he had leg left to
give and as a King that is what he wanted to do.
Now I can only hope his races will be towards beautiful
fillies on a farm near my farm in Kentucky so I might get the chance to meet
such a fine King. So, what is Keeneland….? Keeneland is all that is elegant horse racing….
This Pharoah took his last turn on the track at a place
close to my heart….Keeneland Track in Lexington, Kentucky…where there is indeed
a road named after Man-O-War…it leads you to the airport…and to Keeneland….it
is the main road in town. How amazing is
that? A town with roads named after
horses….The Princess of Jordan was right…Kentucky is Heaven for Horses because
even the roads are named after them.
Admittedly….as mentioned previously….I have local friends
that argue Secretariat was a finer horse than Man-O-War.
We cannot know for certain.
What I do know is this…Man-O-War and Secretariat both inspire me…yet…there
is something utterly breathtaking about Man-O-War and the Road that leads to
the most elegant race track I know of is called Man-O-War…and he was a Kentucky
horse….Secretariat is a side street…but then he was apparently a Virginia
horse…who was allegedly stabled also near my home in Kentucky. Still….I could not do anything but give honor
to Secretariat as is his due. However AP
reminds me of Man-O-War….
Now before I write the scene at Keeneland which is American
Phaoah’s last ride….
I wish to talk of other things….to set the scene of
Keeneland….and how meaningful all that happened is to me. How I get inspired about things….about being
a writer. I also want to give background
on the book that has become my best seller in Ibooks. Thank you so much for that.
For the intimate who follow my blog with equal intimacy….I
want to give tidbits of the inspiration of that book….because it is pulling
ahead…or should I say “steaming ahead?”
Bad joke from a nerd author.
I could tell you how in my book Iron Horse King started as
“The Train”….I was stuck in it…I knew the book wasn’t what I wanted…I kept
trying to find inspiration….and as I drove past the green rolling hills and
picket fences on the main road from Lexington to Paris…that book completely
changed.
Prior….I could not get the feeling I wanted with that
book…the feeling that I knew was….something I had not touched yet…so I played
the edges of the book.
However, as I drove past those green hills I suddenly pictured
Charles Crocker walking out in a top hat and tail coats…and climbing up on top
of the train as he rode into town...after shifting inside the last rail
car….insecure about being a boy who had sold newspapers and had somehow
miraculously accomplished one of the most amazing feats in history……confronted
with what he had done….he had put on that perfect suit, with the top hat...
But with is flamboyance and bold personality…at the last
moment he must have…..he must have been impulsive…so he went out…climbed up
that ladder….and pulled off his top hat….I felt it.….I saw it…as I drove past
those green rolling hills on that road from Lexington to Paris…
…And I just thought in that instant….“Iron Horse King.” The book completely changed then.
But in my book that is Jacob Ramsey. Iron Horse King is a romantic interpretation
of one of the most important moments in American history.
Those that know me well know that I often go to Mountain
View Cemetery….my husband takes me….the best view…almost…in SF and of SF to be
seen at his gravesite….the real Iron Horse King. He who built the transcontinental
railroad…nearly singularly in my mind.
I love him because he was so ordinary…and very …much like
me....seemingly bafoonish at times to some who could not keep up…but absolutely
brilliant. He was a genius. I have flashes of smart but never like
that. Born so poor and sold newspapers
at 12 years old in the streets of New York…with limited education. Of course too much schooling and he’d never
have even attempted to do what he did.
He was like me…in that way…. That is why I love him so much and wrote
that book.
He said, “I learned as I went.” Wow.
I’d said that a thousand times as I tackled new things…That was
him. He was me. Uneducated man, but highly gifted. Just solved problems on the rail line like
they were nearly nothing. He changed the
world. I met him when I was 24….Read
about him then…..I mean.
From that moment on….I knew then that anything was possible
for me….anything. I was suddenly…like a
man who changed not just the United States…but the entire world….because arguably
without the transcontinental railroad in the US was not just the end to slavery
because of the results….but it changed everything….You see….President Lincoln
was a Republican and they fought the Democrats (who were the slave owners…in
those days…the Dems were the slave owners).
So…President Lincoln wanted a railroad to transport weapons and men to
win the civil war for Freedom…to bring Freedom’s front door to all.
Charles Crocker and his side-kicks….giggles….I giggle
because as a writer I know…they were going to hang him to dry if he failed….
They sent old Charlie out….with a very little bit of money. If he failed…they were going to take his
store…blame it all on him etc. Dumb old
Charlie was going to try…and put his heart into it. But Old Charlie was not so dumb.
Charlie outsmarted them not once but twice. The first time…he did the unthinkable
task….they [his side kicks] probably were going to probably collect one way or
another….but…he knew what he had to do and he used his brilliance and ingenuity
to do it. Absolutely a brilliant man. On
levels ordinary people would never understand.
So they sent him out…I am pretty sure they thought he could not do it
and had measured out that very specific possibility in their favor… If he
failed they could take his money and store and blame him.
In the end….not only did he do it…built the railroad
alone….with them holding money….in case he failed….he left later on when it was
all done only to save them again financially….He was a stunning man.
But he sat out there on the rail line….probably not unlike
me in many moments…He was probably sitting on the rail line knowing…”Charlie…you
have been screwed….but you can see the vision…the light…keep on going.” That is what it is about…seeing the light in
the darkest moments.
He saw the vision. He
saw the opportunity. He saw
capitalism. He saw…what was
possible. In the book I read about him,
someone asked him how he could have accomplished such a thing and in this book…it
was not a flattering book…. He said, “I learned as I went.” Yes, I have certainly speculated on some of the underlying story about the other three of the Big Four...maybe they were a little more supportive than that...and perhaps I was speculating a little on him getting on top of the train car ... even if I did see it perfectly in my mind's eye... but I am an author and I can't help but have a creative mind.
I had said "I learned as I went" many times. A man who died in 1888…inspired a simple and
very poor girl. He was even “more poor”
than me at any age…. At 12 he sold
newspapers in NY….Which is the opening scene of Iron Horse King….I saw him
completely….
As a writer you can see the moment. For me….Iron Horse King….well….I think it is
amazing that a girl can be inspired by a man who died in 1888…. He was just like me.
Women’s role models don’t need to be skinny models….or women
…. militant bra burning women…. with square glasses…teaching us who we
are…taught to us in school what it is to be liberated?….we are not permitted admire a man who wore a top hat….and took
risks that people said he was crazy for taking…..he was a capitalist and
amazing….However, if us girls are to ever get anywhere, we need to see amazing
and pattern ourselves in same no matter who he or she is… not just necessarily out of women’s studies programs…but
to see the world with possibility and be inspired by anyone and everyone… yes,
even men in top hats that died in 1888.
He is the singular inspiration of my life besides my husband and son and
other very best friends. Whenever I get
down I think….well…look at what he had to do…he was as poor as you….he had to
even come further from behind….
Yes, and I know my book Chosen One has been cut off from
many venues sisters. I have heard from a
few of you…the few and bold and brave….
No worries. We must let things
be. They come in their own time. Just know we are waiting here...come to the
light….to Freedom’s Front Door….but don’t be rash sisters…one must….after all
survive to fight another day right?
Right…. Let things come in their
time.
So back to Keeneland….authors see things in their
heads. Tell me a story and I see
it. Perfectly.
That day in Keeneland….which was American Pharaoh’s last
ride. I could not be there….but I
imagine it with perfect clarity….
In Kentucky a mist rises in early morning….in fall and
spring….
The
last time she rode him was that day when she lay in the grass with Patrick and
loved him with all her heart.
Storm
was woven into her heart and life carrying both of their bittersweet memories.
He
broke through the mist and galloped to the fence tossing his head and neighing
in quiet greeting. She laughed softly
and petted his nose. He snorted his
happy low hum. She giggled and took his
head down to hug his big gray nose.
"Oh how I have missed you."
She
pulled the apple from her coat pocket and served it up to him. He gave her another appreciative snort.”
This is from the pre-derby scene:
They
were taking a couple of trailers with everything in them, including her Derby
uniform. It was red, gold and white and
it bore the coat of arms of the Earl of Meath.
Patrick said the title was created in 1627. It was embroidered on the back of her jockey
shirt. Patrick had it special made and
Jolene was certain she had never worn anything so fine. The coat of arms was red scrolls with a
night's helmet on top and three birds across a flag.
At
the top of the coat of arms it read Vota Vita Mea. Patrick told her that it meant.
Prayers
are my life.
The
rain stopped while they were driving but Jolene fretted about Big Storm
continuing to prance in his trailer even in the small space he was in.
Jolene
had never been so scared in her life.
Her fingers shook when she adjusted the radio and her heart pounded the
entire trip.
Patrick
didn't seem much better though he tried to hide his emotions. He was quiet and serious in a way Jolene had
never witnessed.
Bernie
and Herbert attempted to lighten things by making jokes in the big Ford
SUV. They even resorted to playing some
of Patrick's favorite Irish ballads on cd.
Entering
Louisville, even this early in the morning with the sun barely coming up beyond
the tall white spires, people were already waiving their signs.
"Park
here for $20."
Children
ran around in their front yards in bare feet excited about Derby day even if
they had only ever viewed Churchill Downs from the outside. Its white towers that could be seen for miles
like a double church steeple, shadowed the surrounding neighborhoods. Churchill Downs was their lifeblood and the
Derby brought in the pretty people in suits, dresses and hats parking and
walking by. Those pretty people who came
to the Derby were part of another kind of life that was different and
spectacular.
Barbeques
were smoking and homemade signs were hung with balloons that read "Stop
here for barbeque and beer."
Nearly
all of the little wooden houses were decorated for the big day. Since Churchill Downs sat in the middle of an
older city of residential homes, its tenants were an intricate part of the
Derby. Every house had people preparing
for the races.
They
were poor houses.
But
not on Derby day.
Everybody
put on their best shine and made their money on Derby Day.
Even
this early in the morning the women who sat on the porches or manned the
barbeques wore tank tops and shorts, the wardrobe staple of the south. Men wore white tee shirts and jeans sporting
their exotic tattoos. Sometimes their
arms and shoulders were completely covered in ink with symbols, signs and
pictures intermingled in a complex raw beauty to tell a story that only they
completely understood.
They
watched the scenes of the Derby in individual vicarious positions where they
could also dance within the moment with those pretty people who parked and
walked past them to the front gate, or rode in hired golf carts, waving and
friendly when on other days they might be afraid.
Jolene
was always one of them. The one running in bare feet seeing the world
vicariously and not truly understanding what it was to live their lives.
Until
Patrick.
Until
this moment.
She
wasn't just at the Derby.
She
was going to be in it.
Riding
Big Storm.
Just
like her father had dreamed about the day Storm was born.
Jolene
turned her face away from the window shaking her mental voyage. She would not take any journey right now
except the one to the finish line at Churchill Downs. One thing her father always told her about
being a jockey was, "You have to focus and put everything out of your head
but the horse. Feel him. Know him.
Become him."
If
you are distracted Jolene, he will be distracted too. Forget the tank tops and the poor children
with short fuzzy red hair running with no shoes. Don't worry about who is going to park on the
lawn or whether they will sell barbeque.
God takes care of all things big and small.
They
had pinned Jolene's wild hair tightly and her head was already smarting from
the countless barrettes and pins Mata had nervously poked all over her
scalp. She came dressed already in her
jockey outfit, not wanting a scene with the other jockeys just in case they
shared a locker room.
Besides,
she didn't want to talk to any of them anyway unless it was necessary.
It
was another distraction she didn't need.
They
unloaded Big Storm and sent Jolene off with the other jockeys to the waiting
room. In the waiting room no one
communicated with her other than eye contact and a nod. But she couldn't blame them after all. They all knew each other. Raced together. It was a club and she was not one of them.
A
few smiled and wished her well.
She
smiled back and returned the kindness.
She
soon took to pacing around the room in her little white pants, thankful she was
slender and not very tall for a woman because she was certain she was the
biggest one in this room.
Good
thing Big Storm was big.”
American
Pharaoh’s last official race….after which….he gets to…..now…retire…hopefully to
a farm near Finnegan’s Run….racing towards fillies…
Finnegan’s Run is my farm.
My family farm….where my perfect son Joseph and my more perfect husband
Joe lives….when he is not visiting me or helping with important engineering
things in Cincinnati. Very important engineering things.
Someday…. Someday I will make my way back to that country
road…..to Finnegan’s Run. I have work to
do yet here in California but when my work here is done….I am going to take a
long leisurely ride down a country road…..yes, past the “crack” house which is
featured in Once Upon a Misty Blue Grass Hill.
Back to my farm….
To know the story of Finnegan’s Run is to know me and have
wine with me at home. At Finnegan’s
run.
Oh…I get lost in the moment…so back to Keeneland….It is the
most elegant horse race track on earth.
Yes, it beats Churchill Downs…in many ways…and Keeneland is where you
find all the pre-derby horses….. Not as
noble with the spires…and believe me…I love Churchill Downs…I do….I am hoping
and praying that May is going to bring me ten things…that is one of the ten
things…..you can only be left to guess the rest of the 9…giggles.
American Pharoah is the stuff of true legends. To pull away like that. And he trumped it then in Keeneland…arguably where
it starts for race horses in many ways…and well that it should how elegant that
track is.
So…here is the scene…I have been there a number of
times….never in a moment like that….
But if I wrote the scene….from being there….
You’d arrive on a crisp morning. The girls from the college would be dressed
like pre-derby in hats and dresses…somewhat approaching derby…teetering on
their high heels because they didn’t learn to wear them, elegantly….if you are
any kind of woman, you can run in heels even when you are old. Flats are flat and lazy….
County girls can run in heels…and wear boots…with equal
beauty. But in modern days they are
learning to wear heels the first time as they go to Keeneland with the dapper
young men who do wear something close to a flamboyant…..cotton suit…I would see
them in front of me…the amazing thing coming from California…was that young
people actually wanted to take time to look beautiful.’
And one should look beautiful…when coming to a horse race…as
to see the Monsieur….they have come
with all of their elegance and skill…hard work….it only seems natural to dress
in honor….I think that is why there is the true tradition of hats at Derby and
before Derby at Keeneland…because if ever…if ever you saw any true race horse
run by you…A stallion…..which I have……win or lose…they are gifts of God…..their
power and majesty just touches you. It
will make you cry and always did make me cry.
They deserved you to dress up in your best Sunday clothing and give them
honor.
They did and I could have gotten Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale
at the race track….I’d have worn red. Blood
red….or…maybe all blue with red high heels….I’d not be teetering like the young
girls…I’d show them how to walk in red high heels…and run if necessary.
There are no mint juleps that I know of sold in Keeneland….though
mint julips are amazing at Derby…they are not Keeneland…..Keeneland is
different….Keeneland must be like the proverbial smoke filled room only in
racetracks…”he did well in Keenelande.” Etc.
Keeneland is utter elegance.
I once saw a horse cut loose and run the course backwards at
Keeneland….my Granny saw it too…in her 90s….when we brought her back to find
her home in a place called Greenup….which did turn out to be nothing more than
one sign and two farm houses….but that was my Granny. [Her stories are found in Moonshine and
Mountains].
Anyway….Keeneland serves Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale….and
the finest of everything is in Keeneland…..
It is the most elegant race track.
Kentucky hides so many elegant secrets. I presume to keep out the riff-raff.
It is very inspirational and so touching to me that the
Triple Crown Winner ran his last race there at Keeneland….I think there is a
back story….
They took him the proverbial last mile to Keeneland…where it
all starts….and he just elegantly moved away from the other Kings….. Again.
I can see it in my writer’s mind’s eye. My husband said that soldiers followed him
from the field in Keeneland….
Arguably the finest horse of all time….because his field was
even more difficult than Man’O’War’s….or Secretariat’s….
Apparently…many soldiers followed American Pharaoh from the
field…that big beautiful black horse….
I bet American Pharoah was an arrogant man just then, yet
humble….as a horse I have heard he was very humble…but on that day he must have
tossed his head back...looking at soldiers following him and not quite
knowing…but sensing….and saying…well…. “I may be a horse…but….I have the honor
of a King. It must be true because I
have all of these human stiffs following me….in fine uniform.”
Because I am a King.
He must have tossed his elegant head back and seen
them…soldiers following him and all eyes upon him…and in that moment, he occupied sacred
space. He was a King….and I am very
certain…he knew it.
Now…he has a home I have heard…someplace near my farm in
Kentucky. If I am lucky…I might someday
meet a King.
An American Pharaoh.
That
final victory concluded Man o'War's race career. He had achieved 20 wins in 21
starts and set a new record of $249,465 in earnings. His owner Riddle decided to retire him at
this young age rather than face the crushing weights the handicappers had
promised to impose on the red horse to make it fair for his opposition. Man
o'War retired to Hinata Farm, north of Lexington, Kentucky which Riddle leased
while shopping for a farm of his own. The horse and his retinue of mares and
youngstock was relocated to Faraway Farm a couple of years later where Man
o'War remained one of the biggest tourist attractions in the state until his
death.
I have Kings in my own back yard if home in Kentucky. A farm behind me raises stock from Seattle
Slew…
He is a fine man.
Loves horses more than him….So who knows what the next Derby brings? Something beautiful born in the blue grass of
Kentucky.…or more flamboyantly……perhaps…what does Keeneland bring besides
Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale on tap….and green rolling hills where horses are
Kings?
I lived and will live again among Kings. Keeneland brought the last elegant ride of a
fine King….
If you had been at Keeneland that day…you’d be sitting in
history.
“He was the bestist horse ever I did see.”
Remember to support horse retirement organizations like Old
Friends and others because the Kings minor and major deserve our honor … always.
*****
Now….this is not a perfect blog because I am not going to
edit it much if at all…..I am just back from a rainy day in Carmel. I stayed there this weekend in my most
favorite place …. My birthday is this week…so… to celebrate I went to my most
favorite place on earth…..
I did some writing….visited art studios for
inspiration. I visited one in particular
that you have to go down a winding and beautiful path to get to…under trees and
lights….it is amazing….I did it…and it is where I came away with a signature
version of the Golden Gate [a signature version of my most favorite painting of
all time…besides the renaissance paintings] and a painting of a World War II
Veteran coming home called….”Homecoming”….oh and a lovely cottage painting. It reminded me to always live in the
light. It reminded me of how magic the
world is. It reminded me that we all
have a special purpose.
Yes, yes….I am working on next book. I am nearly done with first draft…but needs a
whole lot of work. So…. Goal was to
finish by Christmas and arguably…I am going to finish the first draft if all
goes well….. We will see after that. I
have many missions just now. Very
important missions. All things come in
their time.
In Carmel I saw the most beautiful things. I met with old friends…and new friends…had at
bottle of my most favorite French Champaign and …. Celebrated life.
I hope all of you are celebrating life and your own sacred
space. That you have connection to
something beyond this…and that you will walk toward the light. Blessings for the season.
Triple Crown - Misty Bluegrass...
by Rebecca Mance on 09/13/15
Thank you once again to my fans worldwide. As a simple country girl I am particularly honored to be internationally recognized in my blog by people in places in the furthest reaches of the world. When I see this, I become very emotional. I cannot believe it. I am certain I do not deserve such an honor, but I appreciate more than feeble words can express. Why anyone would follow a socially awkward, little known author with banshee hair….perhaps shows you the magic of life.
Of course, any arrogance I might achieve is quickly narrowed by my humble and necessary work life as an ordinary person. However, in truth it is sort of fun to be ordinary in day life…but have a secret following of some worldwide notability outside of an ordinary job. It makes me feel a little like Batman or something. Or Wonder Woman perhaps…..the only thing missing is my square glasses during the day. However, too many women in SF do that, so I think I am better off without the square glasses. Far too many “wonder women” in SF. I will stick to being the eccentric author with too wild of banshee hair and forget the square glasses..... It is more me. Besides, I don't think I shall ever look smart in any venue and I don't care. Looking smart is not being smart.
Be you.
However, as a romance writer trying to fit into a day job and not get myself into loads of trouble is not easy. I have not always been successful. However, I enjoy my current work very much and seem to have found a place where I can excel despite my social work deficiencies and oddities and somewhat magical view of the world….at least until I am a best-selling author anyway.
No, I have not kept my promise to blog once a month. My niece even got onto me when I was home to Kentucky. I told her that I would not be half so mysterious if I blogged all the time…giggles. I blog on Sundays when I have time to reflect and something has happened that seems bloggable.
Yes, yes….it is amazing….and a magic story….the horse I pulled out of a hat at the Derby Party in Napa….did turn out to be a Triple Crown Winner. Though I suspect didn’t make me very popular with people there that had horses and I felt bad about that. However, it wasn’t my fault I picked the winning horse out of a hat. I want everyone to win. I didn’t know anyone there had a horse in the race. Yikes. I love people so much and especially anyone who owns and takes care of horses. They are all amazing. It was an honor to stand with anyone who could actually own something so magnificent.
I actually cried that day that the Triple Crown was won. Though I was merely in my apartment alone at the big screen pacing and killing off my anxiety that nobody gets hurt with Charlie and Pam’s (Crocker Starr wine) It has been so long since a Triple Crown winner.
I kept praying that he would be okay. I’ve seen a few horse races. I “ain’t never seen nothing like that.” It was as if….he just decided in a moment… “well, I shall just blow away from them” and his feet took on wings. If you have ever run in a race, which I have, to find that much strength at the end of a race. Plus you have two kinds of runners….short distance sprinters and long distance. Few can do both….
And for him to just pull away pretty far on outside if I recall…I immediately was to call to mind not just Secretariat, who is well known. I have a favorite horse. Though who could not love Secretariat? In Paris, KY where my farm is located (I have no horses) they have “Secretariat Day” where they honor that horse.
My favorite horse, however, is Man O’War. Which is why I featured him in Once Upon Misty Blue Grass Hill. I have local friends that argue that Secretariat had better stats. I am not sure the truth, one cannot make a comparison. However, Man O’War was Kentucky’s horse. There is a main road that runs through Lexington….Man O’War. Secretariat is a side street. Not to take anything from him. However, Man O’War is my favorite. Now I have another favorite. And I believe American Pharoah is a Kentucky horse.....I am pretty sure...my son says he is stabled near our house...can you imagine if magic is on my side, I might actually see him in person someday.
When I saw American Pharaoh in that last race my mind ran to that big red horse and I quote from my book:
“His groom called him "de mostest hoss that ever was". That about sums it up for Man o'War in the eyes of most American racing fans. Man o'War was not just a great racehorse -- he became the standard by which all runners have been compared then and ever since. Everything he did was bigger than life, his accomplishments on the track, his dominance as a stallion, and his tremendous charisma that drew visitors from around the world to see him in life and in death.”
In this day and time with all of the horses now, compared to then, the science, the breeding, the training. It is much harder than in Secretariat’s day and especially in Man O’War’s day. To have a horse pull away like that in the third race of the Triple Crown is simply the stuff of legends.
How lucky was I? Very lucky. Nobody at the party knew I had bet my last ten dollars (having not gone to the bank and worried about having tolls on the way home). Giggles. No tolls but it would not have mattered….that horse had paid my way not just home but lunches after and at least one set of drinks with friends. I am not just an author of minor success, I am a girl that works hard for a living and not ashamed of that.
I love to go to the track in Lexington. Of course now that I can only go home sometimes that doesn’t happen often now. However, arguably it is the finest race track in the country. It is called Keenland. Many Derby horses are seen there before Derby. I have seen many there for very little money but it is a large and elegant experience for just a few dollars (Plus one can get Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale there). It is not a shabby track. It is a place of elegance and many of the college students from UK get dressed up and go there on a weekday as an outing. It is lovely to see.
Whether at Keenland or Churchill Downs I, when I can get to the paddock and close to the track always do this. If you have never seen a horse like that run, I can tell you it is an experience like none other. It makes you realize why so many through the ages honor the horse. In those moments, whether they win or lose, they are magical creatures….elegant, powerful and simply gifts of God to men.
I picked “I’ll Have Another” by seeing him in the paddock. Or perhaps it was because I had many “anothers” while there (Mint Julips at Derby are Amazing). But seriously, I always run back and forth from the paddock to the racetrack (Undoubtedly fueled by the Mint Julips…though I have energy abound anyway) so I can see the horses before the race. I am often overcome with emotion just to see them.
Before I left Kentucky I finished “Once Upon a Misty Bluegrass Hill” and while I could not know what it is like to own a horse like that, or ride it….in this book I did feel it in the moment. It was written in the days when I went to Keenland, to the Derby and walked the endless green of 12 acres…yes, with a Ball Mason jar filled with Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale or Charlie Crocker’s wine, my dogs tagging along.
Perhaps the story I wrote was whispers of all those horses that surround me…all and any could be that horse…I could see them in my back yard, in my side yard….or perhaps it was the green grass of Kentucky where those fine horses have come from. Or it is like the Princess of Jordan once said, “When I was growing up and read Black Beauty, I thought Kentucky must be heaven for horses. I grew up and came to Kentucky….and Kentucky is heaven for horses.”
That book could only be written in Kentucky. As a writer, I am not supposed to give the end of a story. However, in this case, perhaps this part of the story might let anyone who reads it catch the dream of the people who bring legends to life. Also, blogs of authors are to promote books…though typically we give the beginning so people read the book. In this moment, I give the honor of the end of my book to a legend in my time. To all of my fans who follow me. This might have been what some people felt like on that day…on all three of those days. That is the gift of an author. It is not in the writing, it is in the feeling…to see the scene in your head and heart. So that is my gift to you….not just my fans, but for those that make legends for me to write about then see with my own eyes…and pick out of a hat…on some lucky day…on a beautiful winery...in Napa watching the Derby....for a working girl....now how lucky am I to be born as I was...running barefoot all summer....poor...but not spiritless, but to somehow find myself not just with fans all over the world because of my humble gift of writing...but to be in arguably one of the most elegant places on earth...watching my favorite race among such amazing people.... Thank you. God and life have been so good to me and I am so thankful. So, in honor of the winning horse I pulled from a hat and those that I stood with on that day, in honor of the magic of life that gives authors like me the material to write about...thank all of you so much. I am so humbled and grateful....so I give you the ending of my book.
***
She followed the other horses her heart pounding in her ears and her limbs tingling. Fortunately, she could ride a horse in her sleep. They left the paddock and went toward the tunnel lined with people.
We got here Daddy. Just like you always talked about.
Storm swung his head side to side as they went down the alley that was bricked off from the crowd.
Beautiful ladies in elegant hats were waving from behind the chain link fence.
Men in suits that she only saw in books stood next to them, looking earnestly at the horses, in a final-scene moment to predict which one it would be.
What were Storm's odds? She didn't even know. Did Patrick even tell her?
Did it matter?
She had always known his odds.
They made the walk and Patrick joined them as the owner, holding Storm's reigns. He and Bernie stood on either side of Storm and walked with him to the gate…around the ring, past the crowds.
There were so many people and they were so loud.
Daddy, I don't know if I can.
You can my little girl. He is Dancer's Dream and our dream.
They arrived at the gate.
Big Storm reared up. He pranced and he danced high on his hooves while they pushed the other horses in. She took him on another small circle with Patrick looking on like the world was soon to end. Bernie walked with her and talked in low tones to Big Storm.
Each time they tried to put him in the gate he shied and pranced.
"Don't force him Bernie, let's not force him." It was her voice, but she sounded far away even to her own ears.
The sprinkles came light.
Time was running out.
"Go in Big Storm, go in. We practiced…this is no different."
Several jockey heads turned toward her voice.
When was the last time a girl raced, if ever?
Storm neighed softly and stepped cautiously into the gate on dancing legs. "Now there is my boy."
The gun sounded within seconds of them getting in. The gates opened with a uniform clap.
She wasn't ready.
Something stuck and she felt herself slide to the side of the saddle.
She heard the tear of fabric. Big Storm busted from the gate and Jolene barely missed hitting her head on the pole. She clung to his side.
He looked back with his big round black eyes.
His eyes said…."like get on and ride!"
But she couldn't pull herself up. And they were in the back…really very far in the back.
It was a struggle to climb on his back and get herself back into position. But when she did he lunged forward in a deep jump.
Jolene leaned forward, feeling his burst of power. She closed her eyes for an instant.
It had rained hard that day. Behind her lids, she saw that terrible day in a flash clear picture.
She felt the pain that near cut her in half…and this time she let it hurt. It was time to let it hurt and ride it out as fast as she could.
Jolene didn't take him to the center. He didn't need it. She gave him space to use his full leg span.
First turn.
They moved to the middle of the pack. She didn't look anywhere but forward…seeing the horses in front of her…the dirt…the hooves.
Hang on tight!
Were they almost all in front of her? Every single one dammit?
Don't cuss Jolene.
Pray hard.
Holy Mary, Mother of God…I can't remember the rest…even though I said it a million times.
Stop thinking, press forward.
Long stretch.
Big Storm puffed in perfect rhythm like a big steam engine. She followed him in movement caressing his spirit with her own.
She leaned close to his head and whispered to him softly, "It is time."
The lightening cracked and the thunder rolled.
Storm leapt forward and it was all Jolene could do to hold on and keep her seat. That is all one could do with Storm once he decided on something important. The rain deepened.
Rain from Heaven.
Tears of sadness and tears of joy.
Last turn.
Jolene leaned forward and put her head down clinging to Storm with all of her strength. He had lost his head and wouldn't do anything she wanted.
Don't fall.
Jolene leaned down as far as she could go…he was passing the other horses now…lots of them…she felt his strides lengthen even more. It was close but he was on the outside and had plenty of space.
"Go," Jolene whispered. He completely took back his head, only letting it go at the same time.
His stride lengthened even more and he gained speed.
The mud was hitting her and Storm. And her new uniform. But what did it matter?
But of course they had run in the rain so many times.
Running away from a memory…but chasing a dream.
There was only one horse in front, the predicted winner. Crazy Sal.
Go Dancer's Dream.
It was all a blur then. They rode right by Crazy Sal as if he was standing still. Jolene saw the finish line just a second before they passed it.
And it was over.
They had done it.
***
I give when I can to a farm in Kentucky that takes care of retired race horses it is called Old Friends. I urge anyone that loves racing to give to this fine non-profit organization and perhaps go meet some old champions. Thank you.
Derby Day in Napa Valley!
by Rebecca Mance on 05/03/15
Since I had a number of really lovely people ask me about my books in Napa yesterday, it reminded me of it being way past time to blog. I spent a most amazing day at my husband and my friend Charlie's winery (Charlie and Pam's winery) Crocker and Starr. It is the best winery in the Valley. One could arguably call it the Iron Horse King's winery...yes a book and yes a connection. Charlie is the great grandson of the Iron Horse King. I was so honored to read about his great grandfather and it simply had to be a book....though romantic interpretation was involved, the history was on target. One of the greatest honors of my life was to know Charlie and have a chance write that book about an utterly amazing man. I find it a particular honor that a girl who spent most of the year without wearing shoes could have such amazing friends. Humble, charming and such a beautiful person with such a rich family history. How lucky am I and my husband? Great honor....anyway......he didn't even get mad about the romantic scenes about his GGF....Iron Horse King wrote itself.....the story was there....one of the most amazing stories in history...how hard could it be to add romantic edges? If I could just convince him to put an old refurbished train engine at the winery...However a train does go by the winery....so that is pretty amazing in of itself....okay...so I got lost in one of my books....
Anyway, back on story...Then Pam took me to a friend's winery for a real Derby Party! As all of you who follow my books know, I have a "coming of age girl jockey story" called Once Upon a Misty Blue Grass Hill.
Those that know me well from long ago days will recognize that this character most resembles me as a child or I believe so anyway the grown up Jolene is most like me too. I really went raw with that book.
I have been to four Kentucky Derbies and believe it should be on every bucket list. As the Princess of Jordan once said in a speech in Kentucky after the World Equestrian Games "When I was a child I used to read the stories about Black Beauty and I thought, Kentucky must be heaven for horses. Then I came here, and Kentucky really is heaven for horses."
I involve myself with so many things and one of them was my husband and I volunteering for the World Equestrian Games and there we saw green technology compliments of Pierce Lyons who does make the best beer in the world Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, of which I cannot get in California. I have written him a number of letters to no avail.
Anyway...yesterday was so much fun. Crocker and Starr had the Spring "pick up" party which was perfect for Derby Day...the view was lovely....the wine, food, staff and everything was simply stunning ...having their wine makes you realize why they call it the Nectar of the Gods. Anyone who has read The Wine Prince - Glass of Obsession and knows me...knows that the opening scene of that book actually was the image in my head of the Carnivus parties that Charlie and Pam have at the winery every year...the canopies and everything. I went there one year and just the amazing scene struck me...I came home and wrote it all out...that was the opening of that book. I have Carnivus to look forward to in a few months.
So, then after that fun we went to a Derby party. Pam was so nice as I could not find a Derby party anywhere in California....of course, I don't have connections. She happened to have friends that had a Derby party! It was truly lovely. The host and hostess the entire group of people which did include...I am pretty sure some horse owners....or at least some people from Louisville were so welcoming I almost felt like I was in Kentucky.
I have not felt that close to Kentucky since I had to move back to SF Bay Area. Don't worry....someday I am going to get to take that country road back home, when the time is right...or at least be able to spend more time there than I can now. I tell my husband I covet the big RVs (because I could transport my puppies back and forth, Oliver and Merlin...though it is doubtful we could get them out of the vehicle....they have only known a hundred acre sheep farm and a 12 acre farm called Finnegan's run....what would they do if they saw a BART wizzing by?). However.....I do sometimes covet those RVs and imagining seeing the country and writing every day....being with my pups and husband on adventures. I could really take writing to the next level if I could travel back and forth....but...alas....one has to keep a day job.
At the party I pulled the winning horse out of a hat! Number 18 was mine, quite by accident. American Pharaoh! What a fantastic name for a horse! I was feeling lucky when I was matching the number I pulled with that beautiful horse! If any know much about Kentucky and horse racing they will know that our middle eastern friends love horses as much as Kentuckians and live there...so...the name really hit a chord with me.
I, however, admit I was doubtful of my number 18 that I pulled by luck because I never pick a favored horse...perhaps I should rethink that strategy! My heart had been won over already (having picked in my heart Calvin's horse that got scratched....because when in doubt or out of the know...pick Calvin's horse). Side story...I met him (Calvin) once at the paddock and wanted his autograph...I thought he was Irish but decided on a whim to say "Please Sir" in French and he stopped on a dime...he signed the only thing I had in my hand...a summons for jury duty! (Let me tell you, jury duty in Paris, Kentucky Bourbon County is a very interesting experience...they pull hundreds into a beautiful old building and it is like a town reunion. Really amazing....Paris Kentucky should be on every bucket list....and stop by Clays and see my son bartending while going to school to be a patent lawyer). Back to Calvin, I still have his autograph on my jury summons. Who knew Calvin was French? Not me...how lucky was that?
Even luckier than pulling the number 18 out of a hat yesterday and winning $130 on a $10 bet! Besides that....if I had been a little earlier to the party I could have had grits in California which is a very rare instance. How cool was that? Very. They totally were in the know of Kentucky. So, after winning I did what my Kentucky/West Virginia Granny would have done (since my purse was locked in my car)....I tucked my winnings away...yes...in my bra. Now my Granny would have pinned it in a handkerchief. I just didn't happen to have one along with a safety pin as she would have. She always told me "Don't go anywhere far without a $100 bill tucked right here."
It was a lovely day and almost Kentucky on Derby Day...almost...because nothing matches Churchill Downs on Derby Day. I admit though different than being at Churchill Downs...there is nothing like looking across vines on a lovely spring day with gracious hosts and watching the Kentucky Derby with such a view, after a fabulous spring party at Charlie and Pam's winery. I am so blessed.
As for writing....I know I have not kept my commitment to blogging each month. Truth be told I got myself into a bit of a pickle at work...how hard would that be to predict....? A Romance Writer in a large law firm? That has the makings of trouble from the start. The kinds of trouble someone like me can find herself getting into is simply endless....and utterly creative. I always find new ways.....and I never really mean to!! Yikes. I should add here for fun....that there is nothing romantic about the trouble I get into.
So....I had to start fresh and I have been busy with trial preps and figuring out my new life. I am enjoying my new life and new adventures.
My editor and friend Liz keeps scolding me for not writing. I write a few words here and there on the next book....but my head is into litigation and it is hard to get back into the book. Trial prep is serious business so I work some on weekends when needed...so...book 7 keeps getting pushed back.....I need to set a goal. I will soon.
No, I reveal nothing about next book. I love the book. It is just slow moving. Maybe it will be like fine wine and it will get better over time.
In the meantime, thank you to all of you who buy my books and enjoy the first six anyway. Maybe lucky number 7 will mean I don't need a day job! Fantasy. If only I could get it written!
I, however, as always am enjoying the adventures of life wherever they take me (even getting into trouble shows us the sharpness of life) and each day is a stitch or a quilt piece for another book someday and at some time if not......I plan a life well lived and feel so grateful for my first six books being done and appreciated by so many all over the world.
I was very astonished at how many people at the party knew I was a writer and clearly were interested in my books. I was a little embarrassed and shy about it. I was honored that people at a party would seek me out to talk about it....I felt humbled and really sort of...unworthy in truth.
How dumb is that? Of course, I am often a bit awkward at parties. I suppose sometimes I do fit the bill of the reclusive eccentric author.
Lucky I am surrounded by such good friends and beautiful people inside and out....especially friends that have such amazing wine....and are generous enough to share wine and the most amazing setting with a simple girl like me.
It was a beautiful day and I hope that to my family, friends and fans that this lovely spring day, the day after the Derby, brings you joy, health, love and so much happiness.
