Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Glenrock, WY - The Tuesday after Christmas

Well its the Tuesday after Christmas and Open Range Magazine and The Glenrock Bird are really picking up steam.  We've got a fresh new year ahead of us in the beautiful town of Glenrock, Wyoming and I can only thank God above for our supportive community and staff members.  We are Blessed to live in Glenrock, Wyoming and are happy to give the members of our community and beyond the News that Matters Most!  We are also happy to provide our community members and subscribers from around our great country with one of the finest Western Magazines, and the only Western Magazine in Wyoming... Open Range Magazine. As we grow closer to the end of 2009, I look back on the entire year and all its trials and tribulations and I think to myself... "its been hard, its been heart wrenching, but its been worth it."

Here's to another year of clearing obstacles!

Very sincerely, and God Bless,
Amanda Smith
Editor
The Glenrock Bird
Open Range Magazine
www.theglenrockbird.com
www.openrangemagazine.com
Glenrock, Wyoming

Friday, December 25, 2009

From The Glenrock Bird and Open Range Magazine (and Me)... MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas everyone!  On this day a child was born and His name is Jesus Christ.  What a beautiful and wondrous Christmas we've had here in Wyoming.  Lots of snow, howling winds, freezing temperatures, good food, great friends... and one runaway horse.  It just doesn't get any more Christmasy than this.
I hope each and every one of you had a beautiful and very Merry Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  It seems like everyone from the East coast to the West coast experienced some kind of wintery weather.  I for one thought it was perfect!

God Bless,
Amanda Smith
Editor
The Open Range Magazine
The Glenrock Bird

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve and the sun is up!

Well good morning!  Its Christmas Eve morning and the sun is up, the sky is a gorgeous western wyoming color of grays, blues and pinks... and its tremendously beautiful!  I'm off to feed the horses and scratch Miss Sally Scamps (my mare) back.  Wishing everyone a beautiful Wyoming Christmas Eve day and night!

God Bless,

Amanda Smith
Editor
Open Range Magazine
The Glenrock Bird

The Glenrock Bird and Open Range Magazine IDEA LIGHTBULB just popped on!

The Glenrock Bird and Open Range Magazine lightbulb just popped on in my head and I had to get up (at 3am) and start writing.  Have you checked out the digital version of the latest issue yet?  Its chock full of incredible articles and stories on the real western way of life in the west, and living the western way of life East Coast Style... :)  Its pretty awesome.  So if any of you on the East Coast would like to submit articles that depict the western way of life, east coast style... please send it on in!  We'd love to hear from you!
Be sure and read all of my blog entries... they are informative, thought provoking, sometimes emotional and sometimes hilarious... but always a good read, if I do say so myself.  :)

God Bless, and Merry Christmas Eve!

Amanda Smith
Editor
Open Range Magazine
The Glenrock Bird

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sundays

The Glenrock Bird

Its been a little while since I've blogged... We've been swamped working to keep The Glenrock Bird and Open Range Magazine afloat in this economy.  I would imagine all small business owners, especially publishers of small newspapers, are having a very tough time. Hopefully, those of you in that category like myself, have an incredible crew like the crew that keeps The Glenrock Bird and Open Range Magazine  above water.  Its Sunday night.. and I'm exhausted, but I wanted to stop by and tell everyone to keep their Faith, believe in what you are doing, and know that God is here to help us over any obstacle that becomes an object that is in our way.  Here's to 2010 everyone!  But before we get to the other side of this year, let me wish everyone a very Merry and very Blessed Christmas in beautiful and Historic Glenrock, Wyoming  and beyond!

God Bless,
Amanda Smith - The Glenrock Bird and Open Range Magazine
www.openrangemagazine.com
www.theglenrockbird.com

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

I ah... Did I mention...?

...that the newest issue is out for Open Range Magazine and if you do feel sooooo inclined, you can purchase the GORGEOUS digital version for just a dollar.   :)  See the link at right.   Makes a great stocking stuffer!  Like this:

 **Hey WOW honey!  THANK YOU!  I love Open Range Magazine and here is a link for the latest issue right here in my stocking!!!  And who's this as their featured artist (gift receiver sits down on floor)  gasp!!! FEATURED WESTERN ARTIST TIM COX???  (gift receiver squeals)**

;)

Have a Blessed night everyone in Glenrock, Wyoming and beyond.  And for all of you who have snow, get out there and make some snow Angels! For those of you who don't... be glad you aren't freezing like we are!

Amanda
P.S. --  of course, you can still purchase an annual digital subscription for $9.99 per year or the gorgeous hard copy annual subscription for $34.99.   Just go to www.openrangemagazine.com 

Monday, December 7, 2009

Cowboy Recipes, Bucking Bulls, Ranching, Western Art and Looking for John Wayne in All the Wrong Places!

Good evening to Glenrock, Wyoming and beyond (said like Count Dracula)...   its been a few days since I've posted anything to my blog and I suppose that's because I've been busy getting the digital version of Volume 2 Issue 3 of Open Range Magazine completed and distributed.  We've introduced a new part of the magazine, Its called the East Coast Side of Open Range Magazine... so what we've accomplished is a fabulous group of gorgeous photographs and fabulous articles from the East Coast to the West Coast.  Its pretty amazing if I do say so myself.  The Cowboy Cuisine Recipe  Section (proudly called Bunkhouse Recipes) is once again a huge hit for Open Range Magazine.  And we proudly boast one of the worlds most well known and sought after western artists, Mr. Tim Cox.  Cox's Western Art is amazing and I can assure you that if you don't already own a Western Art piece from Tim Cox, you will surely want to after this fabulous article written by Codi Vallerie.

There is everything from our East Coast writer Jackson Braun's view on finding Cowboys in New York , to Tena Bastian's flavorful article of Oklahoma's Clanahan Clan.  Dave P Fisher, Cowboy Poet and Writer extraordinaire joins us for another great story about the adventures of Jack and Cleve!

Working the Cow Herd by Nevada Cattleman Association's Second Vice President Jon Griggs gives a fine lesson in one of the necessary steps that cowboys must take in the fall/winter season of raising cattle.

There's just so much packed into this fabulous magazine!  I'm proud of every issue of Open Range in its last two and half years... but this one, with the introduction of Living the Western Way of Life East Coast Style really takes the cake.   I hope you all take the time to subscribe (go green and subscribe digitally!  Its Cheaper that way! ) and see just how incredible this magazine really is.  Thanks for everyone for their continued support in the endeavor of Open Range Magazine.

Well I'm off to blog a little bit about The Glenrock Bird now, and how one tiny little smalltown newspaper made a really big impact in the great big world of media.  Thanks for tuning in and have a beautiful Glenrock, Wyoming kind of night!

God Bless and have a very beautiful and safe night.

Amanda
P.S. - Don't forget to subscribe to this faaabulous morsel!  You subscribe for an annual hard copy subscription or go green and subscribe for an annual digital subscription!  Both are fabulous!  See you on the subscription page! www.openrangemagazine.com  - ooh and what a great idea for Christmas!  Especially for stocking stuffers!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Ow! WOWZA! What a day!

Its been a day in Glenrock, Wyoming ....

Well folks, I can hardly believe it myself ... but (pinches self) The Glenrock Bird received an anonymous tip about 2:00 this afternoon that what is believed to be a human skull was accidentally unearthed in Central Wyoming by a Glenrock Plumbing Contractor who was digging about 6 feet down to fix a water pipe.  He saw the skull and immediately stopped his backhoe and jumped down to locate the owner of the land, who then promptly called Police.  By the time The Glenrock Bird staff (myself and my reporter/photogapher) arrived .. we were just minutes behind the Coroner, two detectives and three sheriff.  It was a crazy scene to say the least and the Coroner did confirm with The Glenrock Bird that the skull "appears to be human, but of what age we cannot be sure."   An Anthropologist was called in to meet the Coroner and the detectives at the Coroners headquarters, where the skull was taken to.  Although the area is not yet determined to be a crime scene, Sheriff's Deputies did state that all digging in the area must be halted until further notice.  It was an exciting day for The Glenrock Bird , if this turns out to be a crime scene, then perhaps (and this is only an assumption) a missing person's family will finally get some closure,  if this is a Native Indian skull, well we will be experiencing a piece of Wyoming's History.  If this skull is from the remains of a Pioneer traveling the Oregon Trail, then we will also experience a piece of Wyoming's History.  Any which way this goes, it is unusual for a small town newspaper like The Glenrock Bird to receive such a huge story.  My reporter and I traveled about a half an hour out into the County's most rural ranching areas in blowing snow and freezing temperatures to chase this story down.  We walked through knee high sagebrush and tumbleweeds (I in my fabulous skirt and high heeled designer cowboy boots and a gorgeous leopard print coat, and Jess in her sneakers, and her stylish Suede and White Fur Collar coat, both of us gloveless)... clearly we were not dressed for the occasion but it didn't matter as we trudged through the snow, and scrub brush to grab this story.  We were exhilarated even though the temperatures were in the teens and those all too familiar Wyoming winds were picking up.  We were respectfully welcomed by the Authorities who answered questions for us once the skull was safely tucked away in the Coroners vehicle.  So, its been an exciting day....  neither one of us can feel our fingers (I'm typing with two pencils.. just kidding) but we are excited to follow up on this story and get it out to our faithful readers.  Its truly amazing, days like this when the heart gets pumping and the blood gets going and you feel that old adrenalin start to work on your motivation and before you know it, you don't feel the cold or the wind or the sagebrush tripping up our feet as we walked carefully near the site.  You only feel that moment in time where you realize like all the times before, that you are responsible, time and again, to deliver the news to the people.  We'll be breaking this story on our website this evening at www.theglenrockbird.com.  - While you are there, check out the Bird Public Radio where we feature Sunday morning broadcasts with Bird reporters Bill Keesee and Mark Dosa and where throughout the week we broadcast Garrison Keillor's "The News from Lake Wobegon."   Have a beautiful and very safe night folks.. its snowing in Glenrock this evening and the roads are slicker than snot.

God Bless,
Amanda

Monday, November 30, 2009

GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!!!!

Give the gift of the Real West!!!    A subscription to Open Range Magazine !  Subscribe in time for Christmas and we'll mail that special someone the latest issue packed with wonderful articles and gorgeous photos of what life is still like living the Western Way of Life.    Go to:  www.openrangemagazine.com  and subscribe today or call 30-436-5447 or email:  info@openrangemagazine.com .   Its a WONDERFUL way to give someone a gift that gives all year long with six issues and one bonus issue!

www.openrangemagazine.com - A Rocky Mountain Region, Cowboy States Publication.  - The West's Premiere Real Western Magazine.

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Pretty Good Stuff... :)
(hey listen, if I don't pat myself on the back, who will??? )

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Open Range Volume 2 Issue 3

Well, it looks as though we will be able to release the digital version of Volume 2 Issue 3..  going to be even more beautiful than #2 and all the ones before that.  I'm hitting the hay tonight folks... too tired to write much!

God Bless!

Amanda

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Eh hem

Okay, love this little ole Faithful laptop!  Heading home from this amazing barn now.  Hasta!

Temporary Rancher

Well folks, you won't believe where I am tonight (and have been the last three or so days in the mornings and evenings (and a teensy bit in the afternoons)... my friends barn where my horse Miss Sally Scamps resides.   My friend has been gone for Thanksgiving and asked me to take care of the horses.. which in Wyoming is called "taking care of the chores."  I have found that I am growing to love to do these chores when the need arises, and so have done so in the past.   But this time it seems so different.  I think its because its 32 degrees, an almost full moon high in the sky, and the most incredible peace I've felt in a very long time.  The lights for the stalls give off a beautiful yellow glow over the horses, and the cold night air feels very comforting to me for the first time in a very long time.  This place is an Open Range story in the making....

I just got done feeding and leaning my body up against Miss Sally for a bit, while she ate.   I find it amazing that this young mare of mine... is totally at ease with me leaning up against her while she entertains her appetite with a very nice portion of Alfalfa.   Amazingly and without my knowing it, she has found a place in my heart.  I didn't really know it until a few nights ago... the first time I leaned up against her like that.  Now over the last two nights, I have found myself eager to come and feel her strength hold me up as I completely relax against her, my head resting on her back... I even closed my eyes and found myself and my mind completely and utterly at ease, like the way you are supposed to feel when you lean up against the person who is most important in your life.  I am shocked that I once again, love the earthy smell of horses and their surroundings, even the asshole horse next to Sally has caused my heart beat to slow down a bit. :)

Back when I was young, a teenager going through college, I lived in a bunkhouse (heated with a kerosene heater during those oh so frigid Michigan winter nights) on a small ranch that was the home of 11 horses.  It was never a chore for me back then to muck stalls and feed and water and turn out and work those horses... well, Lunge them anyway....  ;)     But living in California changed me, and even though I had horses there, it always felt like a chore....who knows why.  The good news is these last few days have taught me to find my heart beat again.. not the one that always flips around and causes me panic and anxiety... (we all know that feeling) but the beat that I used to feel when I was young and no one was telling me what to do or how to do it, or more so.. that I was doing it wrong, or that it couldn't be done. The kind of heartbeat that you really don't even think about, because it wasn't bothersome or painful.

This Thanksgiving week while I've been responsible again for the lives of some horses, a barn and a few cats, I am taken back to those younger years ... and wouldn't you know it, I felt something in my chest tonight that really took me by surprise.  It was that old familiar heartbeat... I never knew I'd felt it before, but I must have because the moment I felt its calm and peaceful beat, free of stress and zaps and jolts, I recognized it....

ah yes, Temporary Rancher ... thats a good name for whatever it is we do that causes us to come back down to earth and recognize that old familar heartbeat.  :)  Have a beautiful night everyone.   And as always, God Bless.  
--  Amanda

Friday, November 27, 2009

The day after what I like to call: THE OPEN RANGE MAGAZINE Tryptophan KICK

I can't believe I even knew how to spell Tryptophan.. okay, I didn't know how to spell it, but Google did.  Before I start out my evening blog.. let me first say this:

Do not.... I repeat, do NOT watch that Andrew fellow who eats all over the world....  the day after Thanksgiving.  You will throw up.

Anyway, on to my commentary.  Today I realized what it really means to let go... to clean the slate and remove the demons, so to speak... that have been taunting me most of my adult life.  I decided that doing so must be somewhat like Cowboys in the old days used to do, when they realized they must move forward.... or in today's lingo.. move on down the line.   And in order to do so, one must rid oneself of the dead weight that continually holds some of us back.  Its hard to recognize... well, no its not hard to recognize, its hard to believe that anyone in ones life could be considered dead weight... so its hard to believe I guess.  But if you don't do more than just recognize, that dead weight can drag you down, much farther down than the ravines go in the old west...  and so it goes, my revelation of sorts.  Lets see if letting go of some of these demons can help Open Range move forward in a more timely manner as we approach the distribution of Volume 2 Issue 3.

We have an incredible crew at Open Range Magazine and The Glenrock Bird .  Some have been with me since the inception of both, and some have been with me a little over a year... and those who dared to come on board, and stay on board over the last few months, well, they've fit in so well that I do believe we've finally found the right amount of grease to keep these wheels moving.  And move they do...   we are finding that our motion, is unstoppable... no matter the obstacle.

I guess it really is like the Old West .  Sometimes you have to keep on riding through the wind storms that blow sand in your face and press forward through the tumbleweeds that trip up the horse that carries you, causing both of you to stumble.   Sometimes you have to ride through the wind and the rain, the snow and scorching sun, to reach your destination.  And, it is then, and only then that you look up and the sun is shining, the temperature is beautiful, the skies are clear and although there are still many obstacles to overcome, somehow you've made it to a mild location, and its worth it... its all worth it ... the blood, the sweat, the tears, the fight...  its all worth it to know that you rode through it all to chase your dreams and bring along a crew who followed their dreams too, and you realize it took all of you...  the whole lot... and God.

Here's to pushing forward, not because someone else picks us up and dusts us off, not because someone gave you a jump start... but because you've found the right amount of passion, and the right crew ... and Faith in God above... and you made it to the other side of yet another obstacle, and you can see the cattle on the horizon, and you can see the green green grass of home, and you can feel, once and for all..  the renewal of the spirit inside that drives you... and so it goes....

One more thing!

I also wanted to comment on The Glenrock Bird, Glenrock, Wyoming's Sunday Morning Newspaper.  We are in our third volume and in July we will begin our fourth volume of The Glenrock Bird.  I can't thank my staff enough for everything each of them have put into this incredible newspaper that just continues to grow in readership, every single week.  Thanks to God again, for our subscribers and advertisers, community members and the Town of Glenrock, as well as the Glenrock Chamber of Commerce and Douglas Chamber of Commerce for their continued Faith in Glenrock's Sunday morning newspaper.  We love it, and we are proud that you do too!

Amanda Smith

Open Range Magazine and The Glenrock Bird

Whew, well its been a while since I've blogged folks.  Turns out that a lot has happened.  We got caught up in an unfortunate situation with a woman who owns a rescue place for horses, travelled 11 hours just to get our copyrights infringed upon.  We learned a little too late how ruthless people can be when they want something for nothing, and how some people will stop at nothing to hurt other people.  Its been a hard lesson learned in regards to donating the time and energy and materials spent that Open Range Magazine and my staff donated for the aforementioned event.  But, we'll take our lumps and move on like the rest of us who work very hard to continue pursuing their dreams, do.

Having said all that, Open Range Magazine and The Glenrock Bird continue to flourish despite the ruthless behavior of this woman, and we continue to donate and provide services for many community functions in Wyoming and beyond.

Its amazing to me, as I write this, that Open Range Magazine is in its second year and second volume.  We had an interesting road getting the magazine off the ground, we were late at times, had a few obstacles we needed to get over (and did, praise God) and suffered some trials and tribulations along the way.  But, what company doesn't? In fact, what person doesn't when they are pursuing something that is in their heart?    So, here we are ... getting ready to print Volume 2 Issue 3 of Open Range Magazine and its going to be as gorgeous as the last issue and the ones before that one.  Thanking God above for the energy of my staff, and myself, my Mom and Dad, friends, advertisers and susbscribers who stuck by us and continue to stick by us as we continue to publish and distribute one of the finest real western magazines around.  Remember, you can always contact us at: info@openrangemagazine.com .   On this morning after Thanksgiving, I wish each of you a very Blessed Christmas Season.
God Bless!
Amanda Smith