The Borax Twenty Mule Team was truly remarkable, but railroads and new borax fields made their job obsolete after five years of service. They continued to do exhibitions into the turn of the twentieth century including the World’s Fair in 1904 and in various parades.
Mules have been around at least 3000 years, serving mankind in transportation, pleasure riding and workmates.
There are several good reasons to self-publish your book. This articles describes five of them.
The biggest difference from 5000 and 500 Rummy is the deal. It can be played with two decks if there are more than 3 or 4 playing. Use the Jokers, too.
The Chicago Manual of Style has eighteen pages on comma usage
Franklin County Arts Council builds a Quilt Trail in Central and Eastern NC
Studies show daydreaming is good for you. It improves memory and helps with coping skills.
North Carolina is home to a wide variety of wildflowers. These are some of my favorites.
For the art lover, garden lover, history lover and nature lover Brookgreen will be like a piece of heaven.
The gray squirrel is the most common species of squirrels in America. The bushy tailed rodent is an easily observed wild animal, considered charming by some and a nuisance by others, but seldom a real threat to human health.
In the small NC town of Kenly there is a museum dedicated to tobacco farm live of old. A visit there really gives a view of all farm/rural life of the south during the early part of the 20th century.
Equine Herpes Viruses can cause respiratory disease in horses as well as abortion in mares and/or neurologic disease in horses.
Tips on buying the right horse to fit the riders needs and ability
The cost of owning a horse goes far beyond the purchase price of the horse. Learn what these costs entail.
Your horses are at high risk anytime a natural disaster hits. Be prepared before it happens to you.
Preddy Fest By Donna Campbell Smith They start coming a week ahead, Set up their family compounds With tents, campers, canopies and outdoor kitchens. It’s a festival of Bluegrass music. It’s a gathering, It’s a happening, A...
The loss of the stories is a loss of family history and culture that can never be regained once our grandparents and other elder family members pass on. The art of story telling is becoming lost. Families gather around the TV or computer for a different sort of story telling now.
The 1995 Ford Taurus station wagon I’d been driving for ten years served me well, but with 250,000 miles on it, I was spending more and more on repairs. Finally, the transmission gave up its ghost. I thought it would be better to buy another good...
how the economy and new technology are affecting publishing
Fire ants are spreading further north since they were introduced from South America in 1929. We probably will never get rid of them, but they can be controlled.
Cross a male horse, a stallion, with a female donkey, a jennet, and you get a hinny.
My mother served in the Women's Army Corp during World War II. Daddy was also a WWII vet. They met in the Army, fell in love and were married. Not long before Mama died, and after I’d moved from our hometown she gave me a packet of letters. They...
Travel back in time to the 16th century when you visit Festival Park in Manteo, NC. View the Island of Roanoke through the eyes of the early English Explorers.
How to plan a mini writers retreat to focus on writing in a new environment with a few like-minded scribes.
A new park on Roanoke Island in historic Manteo. Island Farm is a living history site taking us back to the mid 1800s to learn about life down on the farm.
Writing your author bio seems like a simple chore, but for many writers those few paragraphs can be a struggle. We don’t want to give too much personal information or seem like we’re tooting out own horn. So, what do we say? And why do you need...
Free range heritage turkeys are a healthier choice over the super market turkeys that may have additives such as hormones, animal by-products and preservatives.
On June 2, 2010 it became official. The Colonial Spanish Mustang, aka the Banker Pony, is North Carolina's State Horse. Over 1000 children in Currituck and Dare County school led the campaign to make this dream a reality. Last December I visited...
There are several reasons why horses eat poop from boredom to nutritional deficiencies. Eating poop is especially common in young foals. Some researchers believe it is the mother’s odor that attracts the babies to poop, but it can also be...
I recently bought my first digital SLR camera. Along with the camera I needed the rechargeable battery and a memory card. Then I needed backup of both those items. Along with that came the question of where to store those very small accessories so...
Teaching school children about the history and culture of American Indians is often restricted to National American Indian Heritage Month. Even then, resources may be hard to find.
Sam & Omie’s Restaurant has been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to natives and tourists on the Outer Banks for over seventy years. This casual beach restaurant has a long history. The full restaurant as we see it today was established in...
When I was a little girl I wanted a horse more than anything. But we lived in town and horses were not allowed. I loved horses so much I pretended I had one and I galloped all over my grandfather’s huge front yard on my imaginary horse. I wonder...
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Competition Combines marksmanship with horsemanship for an exciting crowd pleasing Contest.
The color of the horse’s hoof is determined above the hoof at the coronet band.
Days Inn Oceanside at Kill Devil Hills, one of the older hotels, at milepost 9.5 on North Carolina’s Outer Banks is my favorite place to stay when I go to the beach.
When I visit the Outer Banks I always treat myself at least one night by going out for a nice seafood dinner. On my most recent visit I ate at Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern. They are located at 2316 S. Croatan Hwy, Milepost 10.5, Nags...
The year I became a Jimmy Johnson fan was the first year Jimmy won the Sprint Cup Series Championship
What folks do with their down time at the horse show depends on which roll they play in the scheme of things. Grooms and trainers have little time to spare at a horse show. It is usually the peripheral support people who between classes are...
In 2008 Science Daily, "Sweets Make Young Horses Harder to Train", published an article based on equine nutrition research done at Montana State University. The researchers studied twelve young (the article did not give the ages) Quarter Horses,...
The whitetail, aka the Virginia, deer is an ungulate, or hoofed mammal with a cloven, or two-toed hoof.
Bluegrass music has a dedicated following. Sourwood Mountain Bluegrass Band is fast becoming a popular band, winning awards and finding their place in the Bluegrass Festival lineups.
I first spotted Gene Glasscock’s frumpy hat gliding pass my pasture fence and then up my driveway. Moments later, I could see the man attached to the hat coming over the crest of the small hill that led to my stable riding a liver chestnut...
Have you ever wondered what you could do with those promotional CDs you get in the mail? For some reason I have trouble throwing them away, but all they do is collect in the bottom of my desk drawer. I was visiting with my daughter on...
Growing up in North Carolina, there are some things you just know.
Captain Marvin Howard retired from the military and settled on Ocracoke Island. He believed the young boys living on the island would benefit from joining the Boy Scouts of America. In 1956 he organized Troop 290. Besides young boys the island was...
Technically speaking the Miniature Horse is a small, very small, pony. But breeders today try to produce minis that truly look very much like their bigger counterparts – the horse.
Crocs are made of PCCR proprietary closed-cell resin, trade named Croslite. PCCR is plastic foam made up of tiny cells that are waterproof, moldable, and odor resistant. As far as I am concerned these shoes are a miracle. In fact I am so addicted I...
Who will want to buy a copy of The Book of Mules: Selecting, Breeding and Caring for Equine Hybrids? It seems to be a book that would have a limited appeal, but after giving it some thought I realize there are many people who will enjoy reading...
Mercy is a very special horse. She is small and not so perfect - she toes out and her teeth are slightly misaligned, both traits frowned upon in the Miniature Horse halter horse. She looks more like a Morgan, and Miniature Show Horses are supposed...
An explanation of copyright as it relates to photography.
How many times have you set out on an all day trail ride, stopped for your lunch break and when you reach into the saddlebag for your P&J sandwich it is smashed into a very non-sandwich looking glob? Or you open your can of soda, and it explodes and...
Knowing what to expect during your mare's pregnancy and the foal's birth can be life-saving to both the dam and the foal.
there can be hidden costs at many horse facilities that can add up to as much as double the basic boarding fee.
From time to time I go to Amazon.com and check the sales rank of my books. The last time I did that I noticed that The Book of Mules is now available for Kindle. What is Kindle? Well, I knew the answer to that because two were sold through my Amazon...
Kentucky Horse Park, a tribute to our equine helpmate, and a center for some of the world’s most prestigious horse events is located near Lexington, Kentucky. Tucked away in the bluegrass country, the ideal horse environment, it covers over 1000...
The first thing visitors will notice about your barn is its odor.
The Dare County Tourism Board makes it easy to plan your vacation with a free copy of The Outer Banks Official Travel Guide. Along with the book you will also receive the 2012 Getaway Card.
Horses are not totally colorblind, but they do not see the range of colors we see.
Hay stretchers are not to be confused with hay pellets. Stretchers or extenders often do not contain any hay at all, but other types of fiber such as grain hulls and peanut shells
Collards are served with most Southern holiday meals, but it is required to have them on New Years day along with the black-eyed peas and pork meat.
Beat the holiday rush with an old-time tradition: celebrate Old Christmas.
Time is the most precious gift you can give a friend or family member, or even someone you do not know. It is that sacrifice of your self that is most meaningful.
Leading is your main building block on which all other training depends. These first lessons establish your role with your horse as the alpha in your herd of two – you and the horse. When this is done right the rest of the training goes smoother...
Both purebreds and draft crossbreds, such as the sport horse, are susceptible to certain health issues not so common in light horse breeds. These problems can affect their hooves, hindquarters, mouth area, urine, and more, and some diseases can be agonizing. Find out what steps you can take to help.
Here are some tips for horseback riding on the beach, including how to prepare your horse and what to pack.
Rocks in the Wild by Anne Rassios, PhD and the students of the Aliakmon Valley Legacy Project is written so anyone, dedicated rock hound, or causal observer can understand.
I am overwhelmed with emotion. Over come with the enormity of what this day, November 5, 2008, means. I watch TV and cry. I am so full of hope and gratitude to God for living in this country. We have proved our way of government works, that we the...
You have a horse enthusiast on your shopping list and you know very little about horses. Let me see if I can help you
The history of the side saddle goes back as far as 500 BC.
Five points to consider when choosing a horse trainer from horse expert Donna Campbell Smith
Whether you own one horse or fifty the most indispensable tool in your barn is the muck rake. You might think you can go into the farm supply and pick up any ole muck rake, but I beg to differ with you. Stop and think how many hours you and that...
Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum in Plymouth, North Carolina. Located on 206 West Water Street on the banks of the Roanoke River the River lighthouse is a replica of the 1866 Light Station.
Having written three non-fiction books and two historical fiction novels for young readers I have replied heavily on the Internet for my research. The Book of Miniature Horses, The Book of Draft Horses, and The Book if Mules required extensive...
Picking a meaningful gift for a young lady and staying within a budget is not hard if you take the time to learn her interests, hobbies and style. Listen to her conversation, observe how she dresses, and ask questions. When I was young my aunt who...
Barge-tugging-tugboats traveled across Albemarle Sound before making their way into the mouth of the Roanoke and on to the paper mill.
Coaching a horse quiz bowl team or just for fun around the barn, these are some horse questions you never thought to ask.
Dress up yourself and your assigned horse for FUN! The horse's costume party can be a lot of fun. Just keep in mind the safety of horses and handlers.
The small town of Jamesville, NC celebrated spring with a Herring Festival on Easter Monday. The center of the celebration was a small eatery on the river bank.
Members of Corolla Wild Horse Fund have fought a valiant fight to keep their herd of wild horses safe.
Visit Savannah, Georgia, city of Southern Charm, history, and mystery. Places to see, eat, and play.
Skin ailments can cause your horse much misery and even secondary infections if not attended to promptly.
Three women who stand with the legendary in their adventurous life styles are Anne Bailey, Betsy Dowdy, and Martha Jane Canary.
I have registered as "unaffiliated" for many years. Not since my zealous first year as a voter, when I registered as a Republican and worked at the polls as a volunteer, and Nixon was elected President, have I not had a cynical attitude about...
Advertising is the most important part of your business budget, but advertising can expensive, and if not well planned it can also be ineffective. Careful planning, along with a little creative thinking can go a long way to stretching your...
There is much talk these days about the fallen market in horses. People all over the United States are having a hard time selling horses. Heck some of us can't even given them away. This is simple economics - we have flooded the market with horses....
Writing The Book of Miniature Horses: Buying, Breeding, Training, Showing, and Enjoying came about through divine intervention, or some might say - networking! One day I was minding my own business down here in a small North Carolina town,...
Interview your book's characters and ask them some questions about their childhood, events or people who made an impact on their lives and their present circumstances.
Probably the most recognized of draft horse breeds in American, thanks to beer and football, is the Clydesdale.
What is colic? What is the cause and what can you do to prevent your horse from colicing?
Some of these products have been around for as long as I have had horses (30+ years) and some came on the marker more recently. Having worked in a tack shop for about eight years I had the opportunity to try out a lot of health and grooming aids,...
While clover slobbers is not life-threatening, severe problems can arise if the horse is exposed to the infected clover for a long period of time, including colic and founder.
Penelope Barker, NC's first woman political activist, demonstrated remarkable strength throughout her life, but the Edenton Tea Party was arguably her finest moment.
Rag sorting companies buy the textiles from charity organizations and counties or cities that provide centers for people to drop of their old clothes.
A little horse with a big heart and gaits as smooth as silk, the Paso Fino is gaining widespread popularity throughout the United States. Suited to many purposes, their small size and pleasant disposition make them seem like a logical choice for a...
Horses are favorites in any parade.
The low-down on wheel barrows
While most people think of big when they think of draft horses, it is more a matter of what the horse does than its size.
Learn to identify and remove toxic weeds from horse pastures.
Draft horse pulling contests take place all over the county at fairs and farm shows.
We southerners love our deep fried food.
Road trips are made for picnics. Stopping along a roadside picnic table or a park provides a rest from the stress of driving and gives the children time to run off the pent up energy.
North Carolina's Outer Banks has it all - pristine beaches, great fishing, history, museums, wonderful food and lodging, and entertainment.
Games teach riding skills and horse knowledge while breaking the monotony.
With a little organization and a list, it is possible to arrive at the horse show, unpack and find you have everything you need.
The writer must exercise her/his writing "muscles" daily to improve as a writer the same way an athlete must exercise to improve in the sport. Most of us are familiar with free writing, but to break the monotony I am sharing a few more ways to...
Review of The Black Pelican Ocean Front Cafe in Kitty Hawk, NC good food and a legend.
Is the child on your gift-giving list is a collector?
Riding a balanced seat is basic to staying on the horse.
Commonly called swamp fever, EIA is a disease caused by a blood born virus transmitted to horses by biting insects, use of contaminated needles or surgical instruments, and even farrier tools.
There is one field in which I do not take after my mama. I do not like to grocery shop. But, my mama was a fanatic grocery shopper, and she knew how to make her dollars stretch. It started with her paying a quarter for the local weekly newspaper. ...
He had long, smooth muscles that screamed power and speed, his dark eyes were kind but held a king-like majesty in their expression. His copper-red coat glistened in the August 1986 sunlight. I walked up to him and turned and asked the attendant,...
A rescued miniature horse becomes a winning show horse. Rambo was trained to pull a cart as well as do tricks.
It takes more than tying a rain slicker to the back of your saddle to protect yourself and your horse from the whims of Mother Nature.
"But, you can't use gaited horses for lessons, they don't trot," a lady admonished me when she learned I have three Tennessee Walking Horses in my lesson string. I thought my students were learning to ride just fine on my non-trotting horses,...
"Eyes up, heels down!" The riding instructor's mantra rings out across horsemanship camps all over the country during the summer months. Young horse lovers, whether beginners or seasoned riders, can find these camps one of their most rewarding and...
Often labeled crazy, flighty or hard to handle the Arabian horse is anything but deserving of those adjectives.
Pegasus, the winged horse, was the symbol of good triumphing over evil.
A saddle sore is an inflammation of the hair follicles of the horse at pressure points where tack comes in contact with the skin.
We hear a lot about writing being a solitary life. I suppose it can be but I have found in the writing life a sense of comradeship among other writers, booksellers, teachers, children, and people I have met while researching and interviewing. Maybe...
Trail riding can be one of the most rewarding ways of enjoying your horse. It can also be full of risks, but following basic safety guidelines can minimize those risks. These guidelines are for the welfare of both riders and horses. You might want...
While writing The Book of Mules: Selecting, Breeding, and Caring for Equine Hybrids and The Book of Draft Horses: Gentle Giants that Built the World I have met some very nice folks and made some good friends. Probably the most colorful characters...
Some of us can't get the picture of Eight Belles out of our minds as she crumbed to the ground just as she came in second at the Kentucky Derby. This high profile story comes only two years after Barbaro broke a leg in the 2006 Preakness Stakes. He...
today's draft horse owners hold events called plow days so they can preserve and pass on the skills of working with horses to future generations.
In the case of a non-fiction book, the book is sold before it is written. To sell your idea you must write a book proposal to present to prospective agents or publishers.
When deciding how to treat your horse's wound you must first identify the wound and evaluate its seriousness.
A few breeds stand out when we think of horses and dogs.
Paula Deen's The Lady and Sons offer fried green tomatoes, but are they good as Mama's?
Those horse show ribbons can pile up after just a few events. Here are some creative ways to display your horse show ribbons.
Blood sucking insects such as flies, mosquitoes and gnats cause irritation to the horse's skin, weight lose, and disease.
Knowing what to do in case your horse is bitten by a poisonous snake can mean the difference in a serious or not so serious situation.
Equine vision is quite different from human vision.
Atalaya, a national historic landmark, is tucked behind the sand dunes of Huntington Beach State Park, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in South Carolina.
Get up close and personal with a shark. Smile at an alligator. Pet a sting ray. Roanoke Island is one of three NC aquariums. It was first opened in 1976. In 1998 it closed for expansion and renovations, re-opened in 2000. It has thousands of...
Round bales are often less expensive since they require less labor to produce. If you have the equipment for moving them they can be a good alternative to square bales.
The USDA reports that donkeys make up 12.2 percent of the equid types used in the country's equine operations.
North Carolina's Outer Banks is home to about 100 free-ranging wild horses.
Next to your horse, the saddle and bridle are your most expensive investments when getting into horses. A saddle can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Assuming you have a quality product, it can be a one-time investment if...
A simple and relatively inexpensive piece of riding equipment that can save your life is a safety helmet.