Sally Gerard

Here is a peek at the cover of my novel coming out summer 2013…that is soon!

With the date of my novel release coming soon, I thought I’d give a little information about why I write what I do. I grew up watching all manner of Star Trek. I remember the TV being pulled toward the kitchen doorway so we could watch the original Star Trek when we were eating dinner. This was not allowed at any other time! Of course, my young mind was filled with those images and I traveled all through space with Captain Kirk and the crew. Later when Star Trek Next Generation came out, I loved that Captain Picard rode horses and I was convinced that every planet in space must have horses. So, when I began to conceive Windows in the Loft, there was no doubt that Isa would also travel in space and still have the horses she so loved. Her life could not be complete without horses, just as mine would be less if I didn’t live it with horses in some way.

Blizzard winds blew in over night accompanied by eight inches of snow. Early this morning, the horses were shivering and icicles hung from manes, tails, and the long hair under chins! Struggling through six-foot drifts, they were more than happy to come into the barn for some oats, alfalfa, and a break from the wind and snow. Of course, not too long after the shivering stopped, the quest for trouble to get into began. Photos will follow.
The bulls look like ice-sculptures up against the wind break.

What is second nature?

Is it like first nature, once-removed? I understand it to be those things that come naturally. There are certain things that are second nature to me:

Horses: brushing, saddling, mounting, riding-both of us feeling the wind and sun or rain and cold, warm breath from a soft muzzle on my arm, moments where I feel part horse, jeans and boots.

Loving: grey, rainy days, voices singing harmony, the touch of tight embrace, joy on another’s face, hitting the target-

falling in love with each new experience and throwing myself into it with little, sometimes no, restraint.

Writing: poems, stories, memories-

all the fleeting moments that whip through my head, some end up on paper and others continue their plots tucked into the notebook filed in my thoughts.

What is not second nature? Does that make it third or fourth nature? Nature you have to practice? Non-nature? Anti-nature? There are certain things that are not second nature to me:

Chopping onions or grilling, unless you enjoy meat cooked to the toughness of a piece of wood.

Playing games in relationships, I can never catch on to the rules.

Sounding intelligent on the spot, “uh, er, um, gee.”

Walking in high heels and a dress, see above “horses.”

Computers and staying up late, especially not together.

Ignoring someone’s pain and keeping emotions hidden;

Look before you leap and guarding my heart.

Riding a bike, did you know they can buck you off?

Holding back and lack of appreciation, or-ignoring beauty

Have you seen the jagged edge of Saw Tooth?

The world is full of characters. I notice them all around me: in my students, in folks I pass by while driving, in the bulls out grazing on their hay outside the window, in friends and strangers. I love to bring them to life in my words!