Hi All,
It’s been hot here. Well hot for us, in the low 90s. The grass is finally starting to turn a rich summer tan, but all of our springs are still running. The buffalo love these secret water sources hidden in treed drainages around the ranch.
We’re having fun working on PEOPLE OF THE CANYONS, about the Fremont culture–such a fascinating prehistoric people!
On these hot days, keep in mind that the cool temperatures of autumn are just around the corner.
Michael and Kathleen
Autumn in northern Wyoming is so peaceful. It’s a beautiful cool morning here, 46 degrees. Our chestnuts and aspens started to turn color a few days ago and are now shading red and gold. The buffalo love this time of year, as well. The biting flies begin to disappear, and the calves are big enough–300-400 pounds now–that they can pretty much take care of themselves against the mountain lions, wolves, and occasional bear that comes through. We love this time of year.
Thanks to everyone who wrote to say how much they like the new PEOPLE OF THE SONGTRAIL cover and style. We agree. We’re really delighted with the new look. And it was so much fun to write about early Vikings in North America.
SUN BORN, The second book in the PEOPLE OF THE MORNING STAR series, is due to be released in about a month. We really hope you enjoy it. Cahokia at it’s peak was truly an amazing city.
We wish you all a happy and serene Autumn.
Mike and Kathy
It’s always a sad day at Red Canyon Ranch when we lose an old, old friend. Our 26 year-old bison cow, Lange, died. Her best friend, Clover, and her daughter, Susie Q, did not leave her side through the entire quiet natural death. The mourning ritual for bison is fascinating and heartbreaking. The entire herd gathered around her and took turns licking her body. The herd did not leave her for ten hours, then finally they slowly moved away.
Other bison ranch’s slaughter older cows when they no long calve. We do not. Older animals play a vital role in the psychological health of the herd, and they pass on their knowledge to the younger animals in some amazing ways. We’ve watched old cows lead sick young animals to the medicinal plants that will ease their pain. Really. Perhaps more importantly, older animals pass on bison culture, in much the same way the humans and elephants do, by teaching.
Lange was a special and gentle old soul. We will miss her very much.
Lange at Red Canyon Ranch
Mike and Kathy
We hope you are having a joyous holiday season. It’s been unseasonably warm in northern Wyoming. For us, that means it’s a whopping 48 degrees this afternoon. The buffalo love this weather. There’s almost no snow cover, so it’s easy for them to get to the tall grasses on the mountain slopes.
Just FYI, our great publisher has placed several of our books on sale for $4.99 for the holidays. We’re delighted by this. If you don’t have these titles and wish to get them, now is the time!
People of the Fire
Betrayal
People of the Morning Star
People of the Weeping Eye
People of the Longhouse
Dawn Country
Morning River
Best Wishes for a wonderful December filled with the warmth of family and friends.
Michael and Kathleen
We have had the best time writing our first Young Adult novel, set 20,000 years ago, at the height of the Pleistocene Ice Age. What fun to writer about American lions, sabertooth cats, dire wolves, giant bison, mammoths and giant beavers. Had Mike on tenterhooks (your word for the day) when young Lynx fell into the crevasse. It’s great inspiration to be able to watch bison out the window while writing about their ancestors who roamed the continent twenty centuries ago.