Writing - How My Journey Began

Second Post of the Day

After I wrote my first book, Mermaid Isle, in sixth grade (a poorly disguised Cinderella under the sea story), I thought that one day I might grow up and be an author. I envisioned myself writing fiction that was centered around horses and maybe with some romance thrown in.

As an adult, I even got several chapters written about a single gal on a ranch but, like Mermaid Isle, soon realized that my story was not very original.

It was during my teaching career that I actually began writing. Really writing. I worked with three different professors in the Education Department of the University of Illinois and published four papers in education journals. 

Those required a LOT more work than a blog post - meetings, winnowing down the topic, deciding who would address what, meeting again, writing, writing, writing, revising, revising, revising, and then finally submitting the paper for publication. 

One of those papers (the one above, I think) had over 25 drafts before it was sent off for publication.

Those professors gave me an opportunity to have a real voice in Education beyond my local community and I will always be grateful for that. I also discovered that I loved writing nonfiction.

In contrast to my professional writing, most blog posts take me one to three hours to write. That includes gathering pictures, collating them, making several drafts, proofing, and finally publishing. (The teacher in me is always chagrined when, after all that, I read the published post later and find a spelling, grammatical, or punctuation error. Hah!)

It was through blogging that I realized that I had become an author, albeit not the kind of author I thought I'd be. Between my professional papers and my blogs (I have 13 of them, but Horsiemama and Teachinmama are the two I write in most) I am a writer of non fiction. 

Well, Dogs of Our Lives is fictionalized...Anything to find a sun puddle! Looks like there's a halo around Tammo's head. (This picture may be used for the next Dogs of Our Lives.)

Since I love to write and I love model horses, I was excited to begin research on the new series I am planning about the BreyerFests I've attended over the years.

Yesterday I made a huge mess in my office as I began going through boxes and papers.

This tub proved to be a gold mine of BreyerFest memories.

By the end of the day, I had a good stack of memorabilia and ephemera to look through and photograph for the series. (And Pepper and Tammo were glad to have their covered bed back.)

That will be today's project and the beginning of the actual writing of the BreyerFests series.

June Give Away

The June Give Away is related to Fonso and the 1880 Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, what I wanted to show you is still in transit so here's a photo:

A commemorative Kentucky Derby pin! (That's the seller's photo and I don't think the colors are true.)

Comment on any blog post published beginning today (and including the previous one about Emily's birthday) through Saturday, June 14 at 11:59 PM EDT to enter. I'll spin-to-win on Monday or Tuesday.

 

Guest Author Nash

Hey, all. Nash here. 

After an especially energetic round of play with Tammo, Lynn asked if I would like to share some thoughts on my little buddy. I know I look manly and athletic, but there's a sensitive, introspective, literary guy in my muscular body, too. 

Stick to the topic, Nash. Tammo, not you.

Oh, okay. Tammo. The tall slender guy who steals toys teases me constantly runs me ragged copies everything I do lives with Pepper.

Yeah, this goofy guy that Craig calls the 6th grade boy. That's surely a compliment because he calls me the 8th grade boy. We all know how mature and manly 8th grade boys are! Thanks, Craig!

Tammo is awfully wet behind the ears. And I don't mean because Pepper and Molly kiss him there a lot. He's just very inexperienced in the world and the unknown can frighten and confuse him.

Like being asked to sit in the front seat of the car instead of the back. He plopped his butt rear (Nash.... careful now) okay, BACKSIDE on the arm of the door, put his feet together, and rode like this across town.

Speaking of bu...

NASH!

Okay, okay! Speaking of using his backside, he does like the very same trees I do. Every. single. one.

He follows along behind me and copies every squirt I do. Makes me a little mad - those trees may be in his yard, but they are my trees and I am responsible for their welfare.

In fact, I am responsible for the entire family's welfare!

At meal times, I volunteer to take one for the team and taste the food being served to be sure it is safe and has been cooked well. So far, no problems. (Well, except that I am usually told that no test taster is needed and then asked why I only offer when it's steak and not something like oatmeal?)

Watchdog Central is in Craig's office. He set up a bed for me that's conveniently located by the window. I can snooze between telling the neighbors to GET OUT OF MY OUR CRAIG AND LYNN'S YARD.

We feel so safe with you around, Nashie, but you know what? We like those people. And their dogs. So maybe don't worry so much about us, okay? 

The overlook is a favorite patrol spot at Watchdog Central. I can see out the window over the front door and tell those dust mops fluffy fools whippersnappers to GET OUT OF MY OUR ...

NASH!

... to move along and don't let the gate hit you on the bu...

NASH!!

All right, then. Is "move along little doggies" permitted, Lynn??

Much better. Thanks, bud.

Also on the overlook I can watch the doin's on the main floor of the house for trouble, too.

Well, no bathrooms but I check those later. I am thorough, you know! Even if I wish sometimes I could skip them because, well, how do I say it...

Ahem!

Not only am I protective, but I am cute and playful. My sweet Pepper loves it when I clown a bit for her.

Clown is right, Nashie. And are we ever going to get back on topic?

Topic?? What do you mean? I'm...

I'm gonna take that pen away, bud.

Oh, yeah! I remember - Tammo!

Well, Tammo is my annoying a bit of a pest always in the way little shadow. If I do it, he does it. I always laugh when I am barking an alert that there is danger outside on the sidewalk, and Tammo joins me, except the silly goof pup is facing me while he barks. He has no idea why I am we are barking, he just barks. So much for keeping the family safe, Tammo!

I used to get the whole couch to myself, too. Not any more.

And why does that squirt that pest that 6th grade boy have to use me for a pillow?!

Those puppy eyes will not don't can't always work on me. Sigh.

He's oblivious to my best eye rolls and just makes himself comfortable. On ME.

Ah, well, I guess there are worse things than a hero worshipping pup, right? And he is kinda cute.

Right, Nash. And while you are grumbling a bit, I'm editing this so that everyone knows that you really are a good brother to Tammo, and to Mama and Pepper, too. And we do appreciate you protecting our home and know that, despite those ferocious barks, you have a heart of gold and wouldn't hurt anybody.

Thanks for sharing, buddy. I appreciated sleeping in a little this morning.

xoxox

Lynn

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Don't forget the Second April Give Away! Just whose nose is this poking through the banisters? (The dogs it might be are listed in the previous blog post.)

Comment to win and you may comment (and change your answer) on any blog entry from Monday through Wednesday, 4/16, at 11:59 PM EDT!

The prize? This Hamilton-sized Traditional haversack in the Racing Corgis fabric!

I'd planned to go through my sales boxes and pull out a Breyer Boxer or Jolly Cholly but remembered that I am still under lifting, carrying, and twisting restrictions. (Craig would help if I asked, but he has already done so much to help me since my surgery in February, I'm not going to ask him.)

Good luck!

November Collectors Club Newsletter

Breyer's November Collectors Club Newsletter was delayed by several days, but it is out now and it includes an article that I wrote about Simone Smiljanic's passing. Here is a screen shot from Breyer's announcement announcing the publication of the newsletter:

A link to the article would not work for everyone (only Collectors Club members have access to the newsletter), but I am not under any constraints from Breyer about posting it here. Here 'tis!

Simone  Smiljanic, a “Founding Mother” of the Model Horse Hobby

by Lynn Isenbarger

In October, 2021 the model horse hobby lost one of its “founding mothers.” That woman was Simone Smiljanic. Along with Ellen Hitchins, Marney Walerius, and Linda Walter, Simone (or “Simmie” and even “Smee” to her friends) was instrumental in the late 1960s in gathering hobbyists together and organizing us into the giant, multi-faceted hobby that exists today. 

All photos by Nancy Kelly and in the collection of Liz Cory.

Simone was from Indianapolis, Indiana and received her first Breyer, a palomino Fury, when she was three. That was only the beginning. Soon she and her friends were playing with their model horses together and then, as Simone grew up, she began writing penpal letters to her horsey friends who did not live close. Those letters morphed into a club, IMHA (International Model Horse Association) and then a newsletter, the Pony Express, which she printed from 1966 to 1973.

Due to long distances, these friends initially began showing their model horses via photo shows. But like today’s hobbyists, early collectors wanted to meet. Simone teamed up with Ellen Hitchins, one of her subscribers, and together they began hosting live shows held in homes and backyards. But these two weren’t done yet - they formed a new club, IMPHSA (International Model Photo Horse Showing Association), with Ellen as president and Simone as vice president. National recognition of all these hobby activities in Horse and Rider and Western Horseman magazines brought attention to Simone’s and Ellen’s clubs, which in turn led to an influx of even more collectors. The hobby has been thriving ever since.

Longtime hobbyist (and former JAH editor) Liz Isham Cory was a friend of Simone’s and remembers, 

I first met Simone at one of Marney Walerius’ first live model horse shows. We were all crowded around a table in Marney’s backyard to watch her judge. The whole process was so new to me, and I admired the way Simone deftly looked at each horse before assigning ribbons. I wanted to be like her some day.

I knew she was one of Marney’s good friends, and I noticed how kind she was. I looked up to her and I thought I wanted to be like her some day. She knew horses, models, and she was fun and kind, too. She left us way too soon. We will miss her.

Author Nancy Kelly, another long time hobbyist, also shared some of her memories of Simone.

She was one of the “four pillars” of the model horse hobby, active since the later 1960s. She helped lay the foundation for the hobby we know today. Her enthusiasm, energy, and wry sense of humor made her special. She shared her knowledge with so many people and helped many friends build their collections.

Her health has not been good for several years, but over the last few months it really took a turn for the worse. RIP dear one.

Simone’s kindness and helpfulness were legendary. Knowing my love of circus horses, she kept an eye out on eBay and other sales sites for me, sending me links when she found something she thought I'd like. I never asked her to do that - she simply did it because that's who she was - someone who loved the hobby and was willing to act as a friend or mentor to us all.

Thank you, Simone. Your friendship in the 1970s helped countless hobbyists get their feet under them in the new and burgeoning model horse hobby. Many of us are still here, enjoying what you helped start way back in the 1960s. You were a dear friend to so many and we will miss you. 

Rest in peace, sweet lady.

Two Christmas Cards of the Day

Yesterday's blog entry was about Friday's terrible tornado and I just did not feel right posting a Christmas card. So, today you get two!

These lovely drafters are from Nancy Falzone.

Michelle Oviatt created this card of Clydesdales and sent it to me.

50th Anniversary: My Niche

In retrospect, my "hobby niche" was really a no brainer and you may have already guessed it. It was right in front of me; I just needed to focus the topic lens a bit. My niche? Writing.

Writing was something that I had been doing for the past twenty years or so. I'd published research papers in education journals  and written curriculum for Indiana elementary students through Purdue University's Pollinator Protection program.  

I was also a blogger - Horsiemama and Teachinmama are the biggies, but I have other blogs on sewing, pets that we have loved, and more. 

Many of the things I have written have been Science related and that led to an invitation from the Indiana Department of Education to help write Indiana's state-mandated test, the ISTEP, for 4th grade Science. 

Although I was NOT a fan of the ISTEP, this was an opportunity to have input into making changes to a test that I'd long felt was unfair to students and needed major tweaking so I accepted their invitation to come write the test. 

As I looked back on all the writing I had done and how much I loved to put the proverbial pen to paper (or, fingers to the keyboard), I had an "aha" moment and realized that my niche was staring me in the face - I could use my writing skills to give back to the hobby that I loved. 

I got started right away. I was aware that Great Lakes Congress had their 35th anniversary coming up so I approached Liz Cory and Jamie Rott and offered to research and write the history of the club for them. It took me the good part of a year, but it was so much fun to delve into the club's history, and interview those who'd started it and those who'd helped to keep it running and viable for so many years. 

Jamie and Liz at a GLC show.

I had copies printed of the finished GLC history, but at Liz's suggestion, I also put it online in (what else?!) blog form.

My other idea had been to write the history of the model horse hobby, but I knew that Nancy Kelly had written about that in her book, Exploring the Model Horse Hobby. 

However, the focus of her book was  different from mine. My idea was to write about the people like Ellen Hitchins, Simone Smiljanic, Linda Walter, and others who were early hobby leaders and organizers.

That project is currently underway and let me tell you, it is a huge undertaking, far bigger than I anticipated. But I am doing research, and have been helped by others who have been willing to send me ephemera (thank you, Nancy Kelly!), put me in touch with folks (Liz Cory, that's you!) or give me an international perspective (Beth Peart, you opened up a huge rabbit hole!)

Mares and Tales group shot, September, 2019.

 A side project that got blended into my original one came via Nancy Falzone. She asked me to write her personal hobby history, and that of her long time hobby friend, Marlene Kosanke. When she discovered that I was working on my own project, she offered to gather a group of long time hobbyists at her house where I could interview them and we could share early hobby stories. (Thank you, Nancy!)

Now dubbed Mares' Tales as a working title, I am heavy into researching. Nancy's get together provided a lot of valuable information, but it was also just the tip of the iceberg when it came to hobby history. It's slow going, but I am determined to record our hobby history before it is lost.

Shortly before my mom died, she was offered a contract to write seven more books. I still remember her telling me about it and then laughing, "Lynn, I hope I live long enough to get them all written."

My mom and Local Son Curt at one of her book signings in 2009.

As I look at the scope of the project I have undertaken, I have wondered the same thing - is this a project I can complete? I'm celebrating fifty years of personal hobby history, but the model horse hobby's beginnings actually go back another five to ten years earlier than that, and there is a lot to write about, even with the narrower focus on people. Can I finish this?

I guess time will tell. But in the meantime, I an happy to have found my niche and feel as though I am contributing something valuable to the model horse hobby.