Connecting Life with my Stories

Wallowa Whitman Forest

The other day, I thought of a great rant to put on my blog and today, when I need a blog post, I can't think what it was....

I'm currently working away to get the next Tumbling Creek Ranch book done to go in another box set. I like writing these novellas for the sets. It gives me a chance to spend time at a dude ranch.

Many years ago, one weekend, one summer, I worked as a prep cook at a secluded ranch in the Wallowa Mountains. They had people stay there, ride in on horses, hikers used it as a base camp, and as a base camp for hunting trips. There were only two ways to get there: by horseback or to fly. The plane was a tiny single prop  that held two people. The pilot and the cook. I had to sit in the back with the supplies. Which considering how precarious the landing was, finding a strip of dirt between towering pine trees and the side of the mountain, I was glad I couldn't see where we were going.

Wallowa Mountains

The ranch was private land in the middle of BLM land.

That weekend, I helped prepare meals, learned how to knead bread dough, and washed dishes. I didn't care for the plane ride. I hate the smell of airplane fuel and this small plane reeked. The scenery to and while at the ranch was amazing. But I worked from sun up to sun down and didn't get a whole lot of time to really enjoy the seclusion and explore.  I think that's why I enjoy making up my own ranch. 

But that experience stuck with me and I use it in the Tumbling Creek Ranch books, and I'm trying to figure out how to make it work for my next mystery series.

Have you ever been to a Dude Ranch? Do you want to go to one?

Photos: Taken by Paty Jager

Friday Five- Restaurant Observations

Last night my dh and I went out to dinner as soon as he got off work. I had a meeting to go to and this way he got fed before 9pm when I returned home. There were several things I observed while at the restaurant. And you let me know if these are only writer traits or if non-writers do this as well.

1) Out of the five waitresses and two waiters I studied (yes not just watched) I found one female heroine quality and no real hero quality in the waiters. What do I mean? The waitress I saw as heroine quality smiled and visited with everyone whether they were her table or not. She wasn't beautiful, but she had a sparkle in her eye that make people smile back and respond. Even an old man that only glared at everyone else.

2) There was an interesting couple in another booth. He was built and looked (short cropped hair, square facial features) like a football player. She was taller than the guy, and outweighed him by 50 pounds. The whole time she looked uncomfortable and sad. He appeared to be trying to lift her spirits. Were they a couple? Friends? Siblings? Their dynamic had me what iffing.

3) A couple in their late 50's perhaps early 60's came in, their arms wrapped around each others waist. He was a couple inches shorter than her. They were thin and dressed like they spent a lot of time outdoors. My mind raced as they held hands while following the hostess to their table. Newlyweds? Rekindled love? besotted with one another? Just dating?

4) The manager was waaaay too young. He moved from table to table asking how the meal was. He was dress in dark slacks, blue buttoned-down collar shirt and tie. He had an immaculate hair cut and looked like a life sized Ken doll- only younger. How did he get a job as manager at such a young age? Was it his fastidiousness? His IQ? His people skills? His connections?

5) And I did what I believe every writer does in restaurants- I spent more time listening to the conversations in the booths around me than to my dh. ~shrug~ I can't help it. I love hearing the way people talk and the topics of conversations.

How do you spend your time in a restaurant? Visiting with the person or persons you came with or scoping out everyone esle?