First, however, I’ll announce last week’s winners, each of whom will receive an autographed copy of THE MARRIAGE PACT. They are: Alice Johnson and Violette Ruffley. Congratuations, ladies! As for the rest of you, hang in there. The new round begins today, and all you have to do to enter is make a comment. Winners will receive emails from Super Jen asking for snail mail info.
As for my mystery guests–they were my dear friends, Buck and Goldie Taylor, to whom THE MARRIAGE PACT was dedicated. Buck, as many of you know already, is a character actor (he played Newly on GUNSMOKE and has appeared in many, many other movies and TV programs) and a celebrated Western artist to boot. He brought my GORGEOUS original watercolor painting of Michael Landon in the role of Little Joe Cartwright (be still my beating heart!), which is about to be hung in the place of honor over the fireplace. You’ll be able to see a photo of Buck standing in my living room with the painting on the Official Linda Lael Miller Facebook page. Goldie is a delight, a classically beautiful cowgirl (and accomplished barrel racer), adored by all who make her acquaintance.
Goldie took some pictures of Buck trying to teach lunkheaded me a little about watercolor, down in my overstocked art room, and I’ll share them online once I get copies. Talk about intimidating! Buck had gotten up early, wandered out to the barn/pasture area, and sketched a couple of my horses. He insisted that I add color to one of them, under his guidance, and I’m telling you, I just about broke out in a sweat! I mean, really? The man expected me to splash paint on a sketch that would bring who knows how much money at an auction???? Buck wouldn’t have it any other way, though, and the piece actually turned out pretty well–after all, it was still a Buck Taylor drawing.
We’d planned on driving up and surprising my mom (sorry, Mom), but in the end, I talked them out of it. They’d driven all the way from Seattle on Saturday (several hundred miles) and had to head back to Seattle mid-morning Sunday to give back their rental car and catch a plane home to Texas. I’ve invited them back for a longer stay, and since we all had such a great time, I’m pretty sure they’ll come. They both love the country setting and Buck loves the studio–:). Claims he’s been in art stores with less stuff.
Gibson Grady Drew continues to thrive, thank God. Gus, his mommy and daddy’s beagle, is taking his duties as resident guard-dog very seriously. (I’ve been getting a lot of requests for photos of the little guy and, to be honest, no can do. I have a strict policy against posting pictures of any of the little ones in our circle of family and friends.)
Our weather continues to be beautiful, and so far the fires are keeping their distance, at least from the Triple L. I’d like to second those of you who asked for prayers for the firefighters–it takes a LOT of courage to battle those incomprehensibly hot blazes– and, of course, for families who’ve lost their homes or are in danger in any way.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
