Summary:  It’s the heat of summer. Use “Liberty Valance”, “Sgt. Pepper” as your OC Inspiration.

Rating: G, Word Count: 1852

Summary: The Cartwrights are sitting around a big campfire … and one by one they decide to say a confession. What secrets will each Cartwright reveal? Funny, sad, shameless, silly … your choice. Write a few lines (no more than 200 words) in the voice of the Cartwright telling what the confession is.

Rating: G, Word Count: 2425

Summary: A call for help and a stagecoach ride into trouble, brings danger for the Cartwright brothers.

Rated: T WC 17,185

Summary: Rodeo Roundup – The theme this month revolves around a roundup, cattle drive, or rodeo. Use “Mustang Sally”, “Cotton-eyed Joe” for your OC inspiration.

Rating: G, Word Count: 2159

SUMMARY:  Ben has a frank discussion with his sons about their relationship and the future after some changes have taken place.  It seems an appropriate story to post in the week before Father’s Day.  This is an expanded version of a pinecone.

Rating = PG  Word count = 1167

SUMMARY:  On a trip to catch mustangs, Adam learns about breaking horses from an unlikely source.  Edited in a second Mustang Sally story based on a Pinecone challenge from Brand — McTeague.

Rating: PG  Word count = 2215

Summary: Springtime Escapades – “Sylvia’s Mother”, “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog”.
Rating: G, Word Count: 2300

Summary: The Cartwrights had pulled it off; successfully defended the Ponderosa without firing a single gunshot. Yet, the triumph was overshadowed by a persistent question; was anyone truly a winner or a loser when it came to a bittersweet memory from the past?

Rating: G (655 words)

Summary: The cross country race for the Virginia City fall festival brings some unexpected challenges for Little Joe and his new horse, Penny. Prequel. Written for May 2019 Chaps & Spurs.

Rating: K+ / Word Count: 3244

Summary:  What is it like, being a Cartwright daughter?  Only one person could tell you, and it might not be what you think. Chronologically, this story takes place shortly after Winter of Discontent and is an expansion of a recent Pine Cone Challenge bit posted in the forum, the prompt being “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake.” (Part of the Ties That Bind series, links to other stories included)

Rating: T    (2,093 words)

Summary: Ah, Springtime, where everything is new and fresh again, and a man’s fancy turns to…well, what do you think a man’s fancy might turn to? OC options – “Georgia on My Mind”, “Me and Bobby McGee”.

Rating: G, Word Count: 2291

SUMMARY:  This is my Chaps and Spurs entry for April.  The topic is temporary insanity which was introduced in that era and tried out as a defense at a fictional trial in Virginia City.  The jury is going to have to deal with a complex issue so the call goes out for better educated citizens, and guess who gets tapped for jury duty?

Rating:  PG  Word count = 1678

Summary: March is the month of St. Patrick’s Day. Use the from the songs “Oh, DANNY Boy” and “ELEANOR RIGBY” for your Original Characters who will interact with one or more Cartwrights. Don’t forget to throw in a bit o’ Irish Luck or Shenanigans as well.

Rating: G, Word Count: 3588

Summary: Prequel. Written for March 2019 Chaps & Spurs.

Rated: K+ WC 1700

Summary:  This is my March 2019 Chaps and Spurs entry.  The words to be used are massacre, reconstruction, sewing, citizen, and oversight.  A new hand at the Ponderosa stirs Joe’s suspicions but what he learns is not what he expected and is far more profound and life-changing too.

Rating:  PG  Word Count:  4934