Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Sunday 29 January 2012

Proof readers?

I have spent the last few days gathering and organizing my photos and poems for  my second book. It is finally ready I think! The hardest part seems to have been the organizing and the writing about myself ! Funny the poems came so easily !
After feeling for most of yesterday and the day before, like,I don't know enough about me to write  the "about me" portion of my new book, This is what I came up with late last evening . 

“If it is possible, I will do it .If it is impossible, it will take me a little longer Author unknown

I read this quote several years ago. And it spoke to me in its simplicity, and clear determination. This phrase defines the people in my life who were and are my heroes and the people I am proud to call family.
From my great grandfather William Horricks who settled on  the old homestead near Edmonton and proceeded to build a life with his family, to my Grandfather George Horricks , who with his brother Charlie built and established Horricks Dairy, a formidable entity in its own right  from 1927 to 1977.
Initially delivering milk to customers with horse and wagon, then in later years more modern modes.  George served on the board of directors and as president of the Alberta Dairy Pool. Charlie, a blacksmith, of note, as he had only one arm as a result of a motor vehicle accident, and George, who also due to injury, had lost his hand, were two of the most able and capable men I have ever known! Teaching me that nothing is impossible, it just takes some “figuring”.
The farm continued with the growing partnership of George and his sons. Bud (Milton) Bill and Ron. They worked not only in the dairy, but in a large commercial cattle operation as well as grain farming.
This is where I grew up, and found my enduring love of animals and the land. And where I learned a work ethic, about family, loyalty and love.
The first “real job “I held was at the age of 10 washing bottles and delivering milk on the farm. I was so proud of the checks I received from Grandpa!
The bottles I delivered were plain, but the original Horricks Dairy bottles looked like this.


The Label Read
Horricks Dairy
“Natural Milk, Naturally the best”
A phrase coined by my grandfather.

My love of literature, and knowledge came also from My Granddad Blaine; he was an avid reader and shared his love of literature with us all. Again not one to let adversity slow him down, he returned to High school at the age of 42 completed his Grade 12 Matriculation!
I have kept the lessons of these heroes close to my heart, all of my life. At the age of 18 I moved away from the family farm to start my life on the ranch near Onoway. Caring for the stock and attending college to study Animal Health Technology. My path changed, as they often do and I found a career in Health care, working first with adult survivors of Brain injury , then later as I expanded my knowledge in health care as a Home support aid and finally as a Mental Health aide , providing support to individuals in my community .
Through all of this I have maintained a breeding operation of the beautiful Appaloosas horses I adore ,as well raising beef cattle ,first with my dad, and now with my husband Martin , whose support and encouragement  for my writing has been outstanding .

My poetry is written, always from the heart, and about the life I live here at Fern Valley. About and for the wonderful people and animals who have been part of my life.


Any thoughts ?
Stay safe and warm 
edited to add
I did take photos of the bottles with milk in them for the book on your suggestions, and Yes I admit it, I am a "comma criminal"

19 comments:

Confessions of a Closet Hoarder but you can call me Judy said...

I think it sounds great! Might I make a suggestion? If you include a picture of the milk bottle in your book, (it is SO neat!), I think you should do a front and back view, but fill the bottle with milk, so it can easily be read. That would just be...cool. :)

Congratulations! I didn't realize you were writing a book, let alone your second book! I'm putting your books on my reading list!

nccatnip said...

Lovely words from a lovely lady!

Linda said...

I sounds great Sherry and I like the first comment......include a picture of the bottle!

kden said...

Beautifully written and comes from the heart. That's what people like, it makes you feel 'real' to them and not something that someone made up about you. I like the idea of putting milk in the bottle, it may cut down on the glare.

The only other suggestion I can offer is to watch punctuation and spacing. Whether it's just Blogger, sometimes your commas are off by themselves or spacing is off. Now obviously if this is put into Word, it would tell you of any formatting problems. And if that's the case; never mind ;-)

I edited my hubby's e-book so was always on the watch for that kind of thing and guess it's still with me.

The W.O.W. factor! said...

That is well stated! And happy that your 2nd book is ready to go!

Shirley said...

Well written and a good history that I;m sure will make people want to read what's in the book. I agree about the punctuation, and where it says My Grandfather Blaine take the capital off My. Otherwise- good job!

Reddunappy said...

Wonderful history!

Go for it!!!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Thanks all, after looking at it so long I can't see a thing anymore. I do know however that I am and have always been a comma criminal ! thank goodness for proof readers and Spell/grammar check!

Jeni said...

I love it Fern. =)

IanH said...

It reads real good to me.

aurora said...

I wouldn't change a thing, it's so you.

Yes, I would include the bottle but leave it empty and keep it real. Try to capture the photo of the bottle without flash, maybe it will work better outside in daylight? You told us the name & I didn't have a problem reading it. Just my two cents.

Congrats on your second book!

GoLightly said...

LOL, comma criminal!

I think it's perfect, 'cept for that minor thingie.

Fantastyk Voyager said...

You should definitely include the milk bottle with the quote. How about one bottle full of milk and an empty laying beside it showing the back side? That way both sides are shown.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Thanks all, I did run it through word and fixed the grammar issues , then had a friend proof it as well. I believe we are good to go! I sure appreciate all of you and your encouragement and support

Crystal said...

Sure sounds good to me, I like all the suggestions too, cant wait to see it

Cheyenne said...

This just warms my heart. I'm serious. It's not family and I feel proud...proud for you...it's good to know where you come from. It's good to keep history alive in your words. I've said it before, but you are so gifted...

Congratulations on these books, friend, I'm proud of YOU!

Cut-N-Jump said...

Sounds great and I can't wait to read the rest of it. Who knows? Maybe before you know it, you will be hitting the "Best Sellers" list. Can we all say we knew you when... ?

Sherry Sikstrom said...

absolutely! that is if you aren't too busy at the world driving competition!

Ami said...

A comma can save a life.

Let's eat, Grandpa!
or
Let's eat Grandpa!