Woo-Hoo!

Three Fillies have made the Love Western Romances list for the 2009 Best Western Romance.

Cheryl St. John’s HER COLORADO MAN

Pam Crooks’s THE CATTLEMAN’S UNSUITABLE WIFE

Stacey Kayne’s MOUNTAIN WILD

Click on the LWR’s logo here and vote for your favorite. We’d appreciate it!

And you could win yourself a nice prize in the bargain if your name is drawn by the folks at Love Western Romances!

Other Accolades for two Fillies:

Two Fillies have been selected by Romantic Times for high honors in the LIH category for 2009.

Victoria Bylin for THE MAVERICK PREACHER

Winnie Griggs for THE HAND-ME-DOWN FAMILY

The recognition keeps piling up and with good reason. The Fillies have mighty fine noggins sittin’ on their shoulders! Give ‘em a big hand.

“A man’s got to have a code, a creed to live by, no matter his job.” ~John Wayne

The Code of the West is alive and well today!

When I began writing western historical romances, I had to do some serious research on the old west. It became quickly apparent that every account of the men and women who came out to the new frontier during the westward expansion of the United States were bound by a special caveat that ruled their conduct … not by written laws. Being a native Texan, I grew up with these unspoken policies being pounded in my head, but never thought about them being anything but doing what is right whether you can legally get by with it or not.  I never thought about “The Lone Ranger” being a perfect example of a hero living by homespun laws and a gentleman’s agreement.

Almost every article about the Code of the West attributes the famous western writer, Zane Grey, as the first chronicler of the unwritten laws in his 1934 novel aptly titled The Code of the West. The resilient, heroic trailblazers who forged west and learned to live in the rough and tough country were bound by these understood rules that centered on integrity, fair play, loyalty, hospitality, and respect for the land. For these pioneers, their survival depended largely upon their ability to coexist with their neighbors, their rivals, and their peers.

A cowman might break every written law on the books if deemed necessary, but took pride in upholding his own code of ethics. Failure to abide by the unwritten law of the land didn’t necessarily bring formal punishment, but the man who broke it basically became a social outcast. Losing a man’s honor was considered a fate worse than being hanged.

I read a very technical, yet interesting, article where historians and social theorists explained the evolution of the Code of the West. How it was a result of centuries-old English common law. The paper explained the code’s elements which includes “no duty to retreat”, “the imperative of personal self-redress”, “homestead ethics”, and “ethic of individual enterprise.”

Although informative and logical, it sounded a little stiff, so here’s my explanation of the code as it applies today as it did in the Old West.

1. Mind your own business;
2. Keep your hands to yourself; if it isn’t yours, don’t touch it;
3. Be loyal, modest, courageous, friendly, and respectful; and
4. Live by the Golden Rule.

There are many practical, and some quite humorous, interpretations, I’ve come across.

Remove your guns before sitting at the dining table.

Always drink your whiskey with your gun hand, to show your friendly intentions.

Never try on another man’s hat.

Tend to your horse’s needs before your own, regardless of how weary and hungry you might be from a long day in the saddle.

Be loyal to your “brand,” your friends, and those you ride with.

Cuss all you want, but only around men, horses, and cows.

Defend yourself whenever necessary and look out for your own; but never shoot an unarmed or unwarned enemy. Known as “the rattlesnake code”, always warn before you strike.

And, never shoot a woman, no matter what.

Don’t inquire into a person’s past.

Take the measure of a man for what he is today.

Be pleasant even when out of sorts. Complaining is for quitters, and a cowboy hates quitters.

When approaching someone from behind, give a loud greeting (call to camp) before you get within shooting range.

After you pass someone on the trail, don’t look back…it implies you don’t trust him.

Be modest. A braggart who is “all gurgle and no guts” is intolerable.

Honest is absolute–your word is your bond, a handshake is more binding than a contract.

There are hundreds of “do’s and don’t” that the pioneers and cowboys honored because of the informal code they lived by. What are some of your favorites?

I’m giving away an autographed copy of your choice (either GIVE ME A TEXAN or GIVE ME A COWBOY) to one lucky commenter today. If you already have both, they make nice Christmas gifts for someone. Hint, hint!

Watch for our next anthology, GIVE ME A TEXAS RANGER, that releases July 2010! It features stories once again by Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, DeWanna Pace, and myself.

There are many ways to Celebrate the Christmas season.  One of the most meaningful, known as Las Posadas ( the inns), takes place in Mexico and some parts of the Southwestern U.S.  Beginning December 16, it celebrates the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

In a community, families will arrange to host each night of the Posada.  Often the streets will be lined with “luminarias,” small candles placed in paper bags for a beautiful effect.  After dark a procession begins led by two children.  They carry a small pine platform with replicas of Joseph and Mary riding a donkey.  Other members of the company follow, carrying long slender candles and singing . 

As they approach the door of the first house they chant a traditional song and awaken the master of the house to ask lodging for Mary.  Those within the house threaten them with beatings unless they move on.  Again the company pleads for admittance.  When the owner of the house finally learns who his guests are, he welcomes them in.  They kneel around a manger scene, where they offer songs and a prayer.

After that they celebrate with refreshments, dancing and a piñata—a decorated pot filled with candies, which the children try to break with a stick.

On Christmas Eve, small children dressed as shepherds stand on either side of the nativity scene while members of the company kneel and sing a cradle song.  At midnight the birth of Christ is announced with fireworks, ringing bells and blowing whistles.  Worshippers attend a special mass, then return home to a tremendous dinner of traditional Mexican foods.

Here is a translated and shortened version of the song that is sung on the nights of “La Posadas”.  It’s even more beautiful in Spanish.

La Fiesta de la Posada, when we light luminaries, and we swing at la piñata.  La Fiesta de la Posada.  Come follow me. Come follow me.

(Solo) Do you have any room at this inn?  (All) No, no, so sorry, no.  (Solo) Just a room you will let us sleep in?  (All) No, No, so sorry, no.  Now you must go.

(Solo) Do you have space to let us lie down? (All) No, no, so sorry, no.  (Solo) Do you know of a place in this town?  (All) No, No, so sorry, no.  Now you must go.

(Solo) Do you have any place we can stay?  (All) Well, yes, the stable next.  (Solo) Do you mean we can rest in the hay?  (All) Well, yes.  It’s not the best, but be my guest.

Does your family have a special way of celebrating the holidays?  Whatever your plans , I wish you peace and joy at this special time.

Hello you little darlings,

Miss Phyliss Miranda will join us on Tuesday to entertain us with the whys and wherefores of the Code of the West.

That is, if her durn mule cooperates! Ah swear to my time, between her ornery mule and mine it’s a wonder we haven’t yanked ourselves bald-headed. My Jasper will surely be the death of me. He’s almost made me lose my religion a time or three and that’s no joke.

And if you haven’t read Miss Phyliss’s story in the GIVE ME A COWBOY anthology, you don’t know what you’re missing. Sure would make someone a nice Christmas present too.

So don’t lollygag around or you’re likely to miss out.

We’ll save you a seat!

Hello, Darlings! 

What could be more fun than Christmas mistletoe? A big Filly thank-you goes to Janet Tronstad for blogging with us about a subject near and dear to our hearts!

The winner of a copy of

Mistletoe Courtship

is

Connie Lorenz

Congratulations, Connie!  If you email Miss Janet through her website,

www.JanetTronstad.com

She’ll pop that book in the mail for you.

A Big THANK YOU to EVERYONE for stopping by Petticoats & Pistols and sharing your delightful stories!

This is Janet Tronstad and I’m very pleased to visit with you here in P & P. Before I mention my latest Christmas book, I just have to ask though.  Have any of you ever been kissed under one of those big kissing balls? The ones the Victorians used to make of mistletoe and hang up for their parties?

My latest novella is in a book entitled ‘Mistletoe Courtship’ and I realize I don’t even know anyone who has seen one of those kissing balls. I’m hoping that some of you have though. The mistletoe I usually see at Christmas is one of those small pressed-looking twigs that you buy in the plastic wrapper. I’m sure the Victorians would be appalled.  

From what I’ve read, they took their mistletoe seriously.  I didn’t realize that if you went un-kissed when you were standing under a kissing ball (male or female) it was supposed to mean you would never get married. Talk about pressure. I’m sure that was reason enough to line up.

In our culture, it seems to me that we save The Big Kiss for New Year’s Eve.  What’s your take on it?  Do you think mistletoe is still popular? Do any of you have any hanging in your house as we speak?  Do you plan to put some up this year?  And – for the big question – have you ever been trapped under some mistletoe with someone who wanted to kiss you and you’d rather not kiss them back? What’d you do?

I’ll be happy to send a copy of ‘Mistletoe Courtship’ to one of the people who post today so leave a comment if you can.

I just returned from visiting my writing friends in Dallas. The trip was planned around our annual dinner and ornament exchange, and, regardless of how busy life is right now, I was not missing out this year. After all, this is the season for family and friends, for making memories, and sharing the precious gift of time – our time.

It is so easy to “busy” ourselves right through Christmas and into the new year, never really taking the time to enjoy all that is special about the season. It’s a shame, really. I’ve missed out on lots of memories over the years because I was “too busy.”

I wonder if being too busy getting ready for Christmas to truly enjoy it was a problem for moms and grandmas in the Old West, too. All that extra baking and gift-making and visits from friends and… Yeah, I somehow think this isn’t a new thing.

This year, I promised myself I would make time to participate, make time to remember Christmas instead of rushing through the days only to collapse, exhausted, on January first.

So, as you go about your “busy-ness” this month, please remember to take time for friends and family, for others, and for yourself. You’ll make memories to last a lifetime.

Merry Christmas!

Hello Darlings,

Do you need a break from the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas? If so, mark your calendars for Saturday.

Miss Janet Tronstad is heading to the Junction. She has a new story out in a Christmas anthology called MISTLETOE COURTSHIP. Sure looks like a humdinger or my name’s not Felicia Filly.

Miss Janet has become a favorite visitor of ours. She’s been here more times than I can count and never disappoints. The dear lady always has something interesting to talk about.

So, hitch up your buggies and follow the trail to the Junction. We always like to see your smilin’ faces!

There’s something wonderfully personal about opening the mailbox and seeing a stack of Christmas cards.  The ones I get are generally from people I’ve known for years, some with new addresses, all with news and good wishes. The cards take me back to different times in my life.  It’s magic to see pictures of kids who grew up with my kids. When did they all get so big?  When did they start having kids of their own? 

Having just moved into a new house, we went for two weeks without a mailbox. It was installed this past weekend, but I spent few days wondering if this year’s batch of cards would find me. I also started thinking about the tradition of sending holiday greetings. How did it get started?  What were the first cards like?

The earliest commercial Christmas card was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843. You’ve got to give the man credit for being a good businessman. He helped introduce the penny post. Christmas cards gave people something to mail. The first year he offered Christmas cards for sale, he sold more than 2,000 at a shilling a piece.

Early Christmas cards didn’t look like the cards we know today.  Rather than pictures of Santa and reindeer, artists created images evocative of Spring. Flowers, birds and fairies were among the most popular designs. Aside from Cole’s venture, Christmas cards were typically elaborate and handmade. They were cut into shapes like bells, birds and candles, and decorated with satin, silk and fringe. Some of the most elaborate ones fit together like puzzles.

Handmade greeting cards were small works of art (kind of like scrapbooking today, I think), but changes in printing and mechanization brought a drastic change to Christmas cards. Cards changed from being personal and handmade to being something people purchased. With the advances in technology, just about anyone could afford to send a holiday greeting.

Cards showed up in America in 1845. They were imported from Europe and expensive.  That changed thanks to Louis Prang. In 1856 he formed a lithograph company with a partner. They produced copies of famous paintings, then ventured into ”album cards” depicting landscapes and patriotic scenes. These cards were intended to be collected. In 1874 Prang began selling Christmas cards. The trend caught on. By 1881, Prang’s company was producing 5 million cards a year and the designs changed to include fir trees, children and toys.

Prang’s work stood out because he used the latest multicolor printing methods. His cards, designed by such famous artists as Frederick S. Church and Winslow Homer, had as many as 20 colors on a single card. Neither did Prang skimp on content. The verses in his Christmas cards were penned by such poetic giants as Tennyson, Longfellow and William Cullen Bryant. He also knew how to market his product. He regularly held design contests to find new talent and gave prizes for essays extolling the virtues of Christmas cards.

Prang’s cards ranged in price from 50 cents to $15.  Fifteen dollars was a small fortune then. (It’s still a lot to pay for a card!)  Today Prang’s cards, identified by “L Prang and Co” on the lower margin, are highly collectible.  He had another trademark, one that struck me as romantic. His wife’s name was rose. To honor her, he hid a rose somewhere on his cards.

It’s no wonder William Prang is sometimes known as the father of the American Christmas card.  His cards dominated the market until 1890s when an influx of cheaper cards arrived from Germany. Rather than cut costs and quality to compete, Prang left the business.

Christmas cards are a long and enjoyable tradition. I admit to sending fewer than I used to (postage has gotten expensive!), but I still enjoy them. What about you?  Do you like serious cards or funny cards? Traditional or modern?  Santa on a sleigh or driving a Ferrari? After thinking about it, I’ve decided I like them all!

Merry Christmas a bit early!

I want to talk a little bit about air travel. Completely wrong for a western romance sight, I know, but I want to share a bit of my wisdom with you after years of air travel. Not a LOT of years, but definitely more than one. Plural. Years.

I’m not very good at air travel. I’m getting better, but my first plane flight was around five years ago. Yes, that’s right, I was the last one on the planet to finally go up.

But here’s the thing, I don’t really believe in air travel.

I mean, sure, the planes take off and land all the time, I get that, it exists. I’m accepting of that because I have eyes and have seen it, but it doesn’t really make sense.

I mean just LOOK at that plane. It’s iron. It can’t go up there? It certainly can’t STAY up there. It makes no sense.

Before I wrote this, I went and read a little bit about acceleration and thrust and wind currents and wing flaps and yes, sure there’s science behind it, but to me, it just seems far fetched.

So, I spend my air flights gripping the arm rests and doing my best to help LIFT the plane into the air. I also spend a lot of time in prayer. I mean seriously, if airplanes can’t really exist as I suspect, then all air travel boils down to a miracle. So if I LIFT and PRAY, then I feel like I’ve done all I can do. I’ve done my part.

So air travel is a miracle. God knows we really need to get around faster so He just gave us this. So I spend time in prayer for the miracle to continue (after all, when the Red Sea parted, it didn’t stay apart FOREVER now did it?) And I also spend some time making sure my soul is right with the Lord. . .should He become fed up with the human race. . .it’s bound to happen soon. . .I mean did you ever WATCH HBO after 10 p.m?

So if he gets tired of putting up with us. . .I suppose air travel will be one of the first things to go.

I might add here that it’s not just air travel that is a miracle. Do you ever eat canned tuna? Have you really THOUGHT about canned tuna. Does it make ANY SENSE to you that tuna keeps in a can for years? I mean I know about sterilization and vacuum packing, I GET IT.

But still, it seems really outlandish to me that, just because it’s inside a sealed tin can, it would keep. Try letting it sit in on a cupboard shelf for a while with the can open and just see what happens.

So, God gave us that too, probably because He knew we needed fish in our diet and we couldn’t ALL live beside the ocean or a lake or river.

The Husband Tree

I’ve got a book coming in January called The Husband Tree and there is no air travel, nor canned fish eating in my book. Sure, there’s a cattle drive across the Rocky Mountains with a woman, her four daughter, including a breast feeding infant, and one hapless man, but no air travel for goodness sake.

I like my books to be a little more realistic than that.

The point of this is, (are you surprised to find out I have a point?) in the spirit of the holiday season, as my gift to you, the loyal readers of Petticoats & Pistols, I want to share with you this one thought before you begin your holiday travels.

If you ever hear of all the planes suddenly plunging out of the sky, and ……………

…………….you’re not on one of them at the time……….. (if you are on one of them, just forget this whole blog)…………….

…………don’t plan………..

…………any time soon…………………………….

…………..on eating any tuna sandwiches.

 You’re Welcome            

             MERRY CHRISTMAS

 MERRY CHRISTMAS

             MERRY CHRISTMAS

http://www.maryconnealy.com/