Tuesday, March 26, 2013

THE PASSOVER BUNNIES



 Our two new rescue animals at the Farmlette.

   Another new species to hang out with the ducks, geese, goats, donkeys, and cats. Lots to learn, and do to get ready for their arrival. They needed proper housing, their own special food, and patience 






     As they arrived closer to Passover than Easter, I decided to give them Hebrew names. Introducing our two little girl bunnies. (At least I sure hope they are both girls) Tova and Shula. As far as I can determine, based on my research Tova means Goodness and Shula means Peaceful. Two things to make the wold a better place. 

                Happy Passover, Happy Easter,
                            Happy Ostera.
 
 



www.ginirifkin.com
http://ginirifkin.blogspot.com


Monday, March 18, 2013

MORE HATS




         A few weeks ago, I went to the Horse Expo
                              in Denver.


 I promised myself I wouldn't buy anything,  just walk around with my friends and enjoy their company and a day of fun. 




            We saw beautiful, very large, horses,



                         Learned about horse rescue,


                         and Farrier organizations,



Then we came to the place selling those adorable collectable Breyer horses. My friends Norma and Carol each bought one which started a buying frenzy, and Evy bought me lunch to keep up my strength (ha ha).



    The excitement quickly spread, and before I knew it, I was in front of the hat store, with chapeau-fever spreading through my body, my promise not to buy only a faint memory as my will power slipped away.


              Yes, I bought not one, but two hats.



    When I got home, and recovered, I chastised myself for being weak and feeding my addiction. But a girl's got to have some fun.

      I also bought a little miraculous hair accouterment called the EZ Bun. I love it. I have never been able to put my long hair up with any sucess. This works like a charm. I was all thumbs at first, like a monkey with a new toy, but now I'm getting pretty good at it.

         Only trouble is, when my hair is up,
                I can't get my HAT on.

www.ginirifkin.com
http://ginirifkin@blogspot.com

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

CAUGHT BETWEEN WINTER AND SPRING



    It is nearly the end of February. I feel trapped between Winter and Spring. We got a foot of snow this weekend so I guess Winter is winning the tug-of-war.  
 
   It is a good time of year for reading seed catalogs, planning the garden, embroidering, and doing research.
 
Here is a website I recently visited that would be a boon to medieval authors. It has quick bites of all things Medieval and can inspire ideas, urge further research, and gives a great overview of different time periods.  http://www.drakensang.com/medieval-times
 

Hope you enjoy what this site has to offer.
 
P.S I think there may be bunnies in my future!
 

Monday, January 28, 2013

National Western Stock Show 2013



FUN, FOOD, AND FRIENDS

Every year, my friends Norma and Carol, take me to the Stock Show. We pack our lunch, brave the cold, and try not to spend all our hard earned cash, which isn't easy because Cowgirls know how to do BLING.

The stock show has it all Jewelry, boots, saddles, sparkly outfits, purses.....,
j 
lotions, potions, books, music, 
bed sheets, sculptures, paintings, hot tubs, tractors, barns, horses,  carriages,..... 


feed, seed, and FOOD





There are also booths with educational material generally featuring information about HORSES.






The folks from HawkQuest were there with several gorgeous rescued predator birds. For more information on their wonderful organization go to www.hawkquest.org





I don't support the rodeo portion of the Stock Show as I find both calf roping and mutton bustin' to be cruel and un-evolved types of amusement. Animals have it pretty darn tough in this world without we humans adding to the misery. 



And as I am a vegetarian, I'm saddened to know many of the animals are bred for food. But I am also mesmerized by the beauty of the horses, especially the draft breeds, to stand beside them is breathtaking. So each year I go, perhaps a hypocrite, drawn to the opportunity of seeing marvelous creatures that otherwise would not cross my path. 

www.ginirifkin.com
http://ginirifkin.blogspot.com     



Saturday, January 12, 2013

Special Delivery & Still Moments Magazine

  


        SPECIAL DELIVERY                    
 a PUBLISHER'S PICK for 2012 

 Thank you,
STILL MOMENTS MAGAZINE

 

    And thank you, Krista Ames, from Fall Into Reading Reviews for reviewing and loving my story. She says:

I love cowboy stories no matter what time period they are set in.  There’s just something about a cowboy…sexiness, handsome good looks or even his natural, go with the flow attitude maybe?  Well whatever it is, Virgil Kincaid, the cowboy in Special Delivery was one of those. 

In this story set in Colorado in 1888, we meet the hero Virgil Kincaid who after a few too many years brushing with the law and paying his dues, is now the town Marshall of Clover City Colorado.  A quiet place where hardly anything ever happens unless it’s a brawl at the saloon over a game of cards.

Over an apparent murder on the outskirts of town, the Marshall is thrown into an investigation in which the heroine is right in the dead middle of.  (No pun intended)

Here is where our heroine Miss Mariah McAllister enters.  She is the daughter of Doc McAllister, the only doctor in town and she unnerves the Marshall at every turn. 

She’s extremely independent, self-sufficient and don’t forget head strong.   She’s very focused on her soon-to-be expecting patient but just can’t stay out of the murder investigation for the British man she found outside of town.

The chemistry between these two excellent characters is riveting and has the perfect makings for a romance.  Trust me I could go on and on but what fun would that be for you?  Believe me when I say you won’t want to miss finding out what happens to these two in this once sleepy little 1888 Colorado town.  I’m sure glad I did !!
This book won my 5 leaves !!
 


With a special shout-out to THE WILD ROSE PRESS, for publishing my story, and to Amanda Barnett for making it the best it could be.

Extremely happy, and proud,
Gini Rifkin


Tuesday, January 1, 2013

FREE READ AT AMAZON.COM

During January 2, 3, 4, & 5
get a free copy
of my up coming March release. 



Free, without Amazon Prime,
        At  www.amazon.com key in Victorian Dream by Gini Rifkin  

     
A murder, a kidnapping,
and a marriage of convience,
sure can ruin the best laid plands.

1851 England & America.

     Trelayne St.Christopher, a cosseted young English woman, dreams of falling madly in love, just like the daring women in her purloined novels. Now faced with adult responsibilities for the first time in her life, she leaps at the opportunity to manage her father's shipping business. But when Trelayne ignores her prophetic nightmares in favor of passionate daydreams, her best laid plans go dangerously awry.

     Emotionally scarred after the death of his wife, Yankee sea captain Walker Garrison bans romance from his personal manifest, shipbuilding is his only passion. The transatlantic partnership between Walker and Trelayne's father seems a grand idea until her parents are critically injured and one of Walker's crew turns up dead. On the trail of the man responsible, Walker sets sail for England. But, after meeting his new partner's daughter, protecting Trelayne and not falling in love with her may prove impossible.

Will he find the murderer,
     but lose his heart?

Excerpt:
   “Have I missed the first waltz?” Walker asked, escorting Trelayne to the center of the room.

         “No. I’ve allowed none to be played, and my poor guests are near to the point of exhaustion from quickstepping about the room.”

     He gave a chuckle, taking a step backward, his gaze gliding over her from head to toe. “You appear to have held up beautifully.”

    As they stood before one another, a hush blanketed the room. It was one tiny moment, filled with a lifetime of anticipation. Coming to her senses, she caught Penelope’s attention and nodded toward the orchestra. Her friend rushed toward the musicians, nearly tripping on the hem of her dress. The lilting strains of Tchaikovsky soon swirled through the air like a welcoming breeze, and her guests issued playful hurrahs and hurried to find their partners.

    Captain Garrison, male elegance infused with animal-like grace and strength, swept her into his arms—and into a dream come true.

    When he solidly placed his hand at the small of her back, a tingling sensation shot straight up her spine to the roots of her hair. The resulting effect was more potent than wine. She was dizzy with desire, giddy with happiness. She must remember to breathe.

    They stood so close, only their clothing and the heat of their bodies between them—a glorious temptation, just beyond reach. Teasing and taunting, it was a fleeting taste of what she yearned to partake of fully.

   “I’ve thought a time or two about holding you in my arms,” he admitted, in a husky voice. “It feels even better than I imagined.”

    “What other thoughts have crossed your mind?” she dared to ask, finding the courage to stare up at him.

    His eyes crinkled at the corners, but his gaze held passion as well as mirth. “Things a man ought not discuss with a lady.”    




Monday, December 17, 2012

THE WINTER SOLSTICE 2012----------------------THE RETURN OF LIGHT




   Much speculation, some of it downright depressing, has been circulating regarding the Solstice of 2012. What will happen on 12/21/12? Supposedly it is the end of the Mayan calendar. Perhaps they intended to make another one, and just didn't get around to it.


    But if there is an end to our world, I hope it is simply the death of spiritual numbness. The death of one particular dimension, as another slips into place. A new dimension which helps us to see the wonders of earth with new eyes and new appreciation. A new dimension that is a guiding light.

    The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year. Yet even as darkness triumphs, it gives way, and changes into light. The breath of Nature is suspended, and the Dark King is transformed into the Infant Light. We watch for the coming of dawn, when the Great Mother again gives birth to the Divine Child Sun, who is the bringer of hope and the promise of summer.



We turn the Wheel to bring the light.
We call the sun from the womb of night.

   
                             It is also the rebirth of Oak King,
                      the Grean Man, the King of the Woodlands.


     Anne Stokes


                      Wishing you a Happy Winter Solstice


               May this Holiday Season bring you light and hope
                                         (and humor).