horses | Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Yesterday I wrote an introduction to this post instead of adding it here to avoid what would be a longer post. It’s already long! Grab a beverage and enjoy. The post has been updated since the original.

The fourth Saturday in July is National Day of the Cowboy. Be sure to check out the events they plan for this day, and more at the Empire Ranch Foundation.

Back in 2005, to make sure it stays that way, the organization National Day of the Cowboy (NDOC) sponsored a bill in the Wyoming House and Senate to preserve and celebrate cowboy culture and history in that state, attaching an eponymous holiday to be observed on the fourth Saturday in July…
To read more, click the link:
https://nationaltoday.com/national-day-of-the-cowboy/
National Today

#NationalDayOfTheCowboy

Cowboy Lover that I Am

You know I’m jumping on this! Ha, too funny! I’m learned a few things since I began writing contemporary western romance. So for your reading pleasure, I present to you my take on the cowboy on their special day. Remember, I’m focusing mainly on MY take, which may not be the same as yours.

Mostly, I’m dealing with fiction today. However, a whole lot of facts here are true. Images are from Pixabay unless otherwise stated. Credit for the Featured Image at the top: Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com. In the shameless promotion of showing my book covers, all of my covers have been created by award winning cover designer Dawné Dominique, at DusktilDawn Designs.

Why I Create Cowboy Heroes:

What’s not to love? I reckon this post is for anyone who loves a cowboy. I couldn’t create this if I didn’t love them myself. It doesn’t matter if they’re single, married, head-over-heels in love, or dads. Scowling or smiling, fists balled to protect what they love, or gently holding a child’s hand, I think they’re the sexiest men alive. That’s my opinion. I know everyone doesn’t think so. Let me have fun on this day. I hope you read this with an open mind and know it’s all in fun.

We’ll start with the basics from the ground up:

Let’s put some boots on our guy’s feet. The cowboy boot fits nicely into the stirrup. They’re sturdy for whatever jobs he has to take care of during the day or night. He has more than one pair of boots. Sometimes you’ll find his boots to be dusty and worn—his favorites, but sometimes they’ll be shiny and new. Some ranchers are now wearing lace-up boots for working.

He’ll spill coffee on them, step in horse or cattle manure–depending on what he raises, or do a two-step on the dance floor. Hey, readers… Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. That’s why they make soap and hand sanitizer. He’s your guy. When he’s dog-tired after a long day of hard work, feel free to pull them off for him. He’ll thank ya for it. *Wink* Remember to thank him for it, when he does the same for you. He will on occasion.

Tight jeans. Loose-fittin’ jeans. Dirty, ripped, or dress jeans… Oh, come on. Need I say more? Add a pair of chaps and my eyes will bug out.

Speaking for myself

I like an oval belt buckle holding those jeans up on their waist. However, some cowboys don’t wear belts for fear of something catching on them while working. I’m torn here, for with no belt, the jeans ride lower on the waist. When he lifts a saddle on a horse, or bends over with a hoof pick, you might be lucky enough to get a peek at that abdomen and sexy back you can’t wait to run your nails over.

Oh, we can’t forget his t-shirt with the sleeves tight against bulging biceps. Cowboys with dad bods have bulging biceps too. Hard work, is hard work. Young or old, he’s dedicated to hard work. After giving a horse a bath, expect a little water on the shirt. Should I explain the wet t-shirt?

Flannel shirts with the sleeves turned up a couple rolls and open in the front isn’t so bad, either. But, wow, when your cowboy wears a dress shirt and clean jeans, hold him tight when you go out. Be prepared for a lot of ogling. Don’t be surprised if he casually looks back, but don’t worry, he’s true to you. However, he might deck another cowboy for getting a little too touchy-feely with you.

A hint of stubble on the face or clean-shaven works for me. How about you? Chances are, you’ll find a little more than a hint of scruff after a couple long, tired days. Concerning beards, here’s a brief conversation between my heroine and hero in a work in progress. They haven’t seen each other for three and a half years. Due to circumstances beyond their control, she is staying with him, only at the moment. Not with him per se, but on his ranch:

He draped his flannel shirt over the chair and took a bite of his donut. “Better eat the scrambled eggs while they’re still good, or I’ll take them out to the pigs.”
Pigs? She handed him the mug of coffee complete with milk. “You wear a beard now?”
He laughed and wiped powdered sugar from his mustache and donut crumbs from his beard. “Not normally. I haven’t shaved in four days. Do I look like hell?”
“More like a lumberjack, but that’s not a bad thing.” She chuckled.
Copyright 2022 Mary J. McCoy-Dressel/Mary J. Dressel

You might have to get used to a little whisker-burn now and then. Go without shaving whatever needs shaving for a couple days. He’ll get the picture. 😉

Oh, readers, when our cowboy sets his jaw in confidence or stubbornness, you know he means business. But so do we, so it evens out. His attitude or mood isn’t always going to be congenial. He has bad days too, and sometimes he can be downright miserable to be around.

This man’s smile? Mmm, how about quirked lips when he questions something you said? A side smile? I can tell you, my knees buckle when he shoots that dangerous grin my way. Ooohhhh, what about his to-die-for wanton smile? You know the one where it shows in his eyes, too? The one he gives when you wonder what he’s up to next? But, goodness, when his face lights up with that special look, it TELLS you what he’s up to next. When he smiles at you in this way, you know your feet won’t be on the floor much longer. Am I right? Sigh. Who moved my fan? (I’ll use one of my own cowboys for an example–Caulder “Hotness” McCutchen, my sexy alpha bull rider.)

The Bull Rider Series. This entire series features the same couple–Velia and Caulder.

It doesn’t matter if those sexy kissable lips are full, soft, chapped, or sunkissed sweet. When it comes to kissing them, you know they’re a perfect match for yours.

Hat Hair

Mmm, his hair. Hair and eyes are the first things I notice. He might wear his hair on the longer side. Who has time for a haircut? He’s too busy tending to a ranch, cutting hay on a prairie, riding horses and driving cattle across a wide divide. He might be fixing fences in a dusty desert or monsoon, or trying to stay on a bull or bronc for eight seconds. Depending on his mood, he’s comfortable wearing his hair neatly combed when the occasion arises, or wind-blown messy when he’s busy. Whichever way he chooses to wear it, it’ll end up looking like hat-hair by the end of the day.

Either neat and tidy or wild and free, if a shock of hair falls over his forehead, I can’t think of a more perfect excuse to get closer than to move in and brush it back. He’ll appreciate it if we leave our palm to rest on the side of his face, for a minute anyway. Whew!

Last but not least, let’s not forget the Stetson, or any brand of cowboy hat, in off-white or black, depending on the occasion. Straw works for those hot days. If you’re wearing a hat, make sure you get the right tilt to your head in order to kiss him. Enjoy.

mary j mccoy-dressel western romance — Graphic created by me at PicMonkey.com

Since it is our cowboy’s special day, we’ll continue. Let’s give him a dog and a horse or two, preferably more. After his dog and horses, we’re giving this cowboy a cowgirl, or whoever he chooses to love.

Romance

When evening comes, if he’s in by then, of course, he’ll be contented to settle in beside you, wearing a subtle fragrance whether it’s aftershave or your favorite cologne. Could be ranch life. My cowboys are sexy, hard working men, and they aren’t always going to be smelling like they walked out of a shower. Don’t let that deter you, but a little hint won’t hurt. An offer to accompany him in the shower isn’t a bad idea. ❤ ❤ ❤

More than likely, for dinner he’ll like his favorite carryout, spicy food to match his persona, or a meat and potato meal at the end of the day. Sometimes he’ll surprise us, and prepare a delicious meal. Maybe burgers on the grill or steak with candlelight. He’ll enjoy a shot of whiskey, brandy, tequila, or Scotch, and maybe sometimes a glass of wine or a longneck. Even milk.

At the end of the day with our cowboy, we know, besides his family, it’s us and the kids he holds in his heart…along with his dog and horses maybe not in a particular order. 🙂 Finally, when you get up Sunday morning, chances are after chores and breakfast, y’all will head to church. But think about it… At the end of the day, your cowboy is curling up next to you. The next move is yours.

Background Image is from Shutterstock. Created by me at PicMonkey. Rose graphic – PicMonkey.

REMEMBER, this is MY take on the cowboy, and this was written for fun. I hope you enjoyed reading.

Celebrate National Day of the Cowboy the 4th Saturday of July.

Remember what they say… Save a horse, ride a… *Smile*

Thanks so much for reading, and an extra special thanks if you’ve read this more than once!

It’s hard to believe it’s already Friday, but in the same breath I’ll say it’s been a long week. Regardless how fast or slow, it is time for another Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge post. We use the Hashtag #MFRWauthor.

Week 16: Family, friends, and pets I’ve written into my books.

Let’s begin.

Family:

In one of my books, a character is in martial arts. She’s a test away from getting her black belt in Tae Kwon Do. My son is a second-degree black belt. I brought his character into this book for a brief scene. As a black belt, he teaches classes, so he advised me on what would happen when a new student comes to observe a class to see if they might be the right fit.

Friends:

Many of my heroines have best friends. I base their relationship on my own relationship with my best friend though I’ve never brought her into the book as herself. Those of you who have been around a while, might remember my best friend passed away not long ago.

Another character is based on a friend’s mother though I haven’t used her name nor have I written in any of the things she had done to her daughter. It was only the idea for this particular fictitious mother’s attitude to be patterned after this mother. And, no, it isn’t Judy Carlson for readers who are familiar with my Double Dutch Ranch Series. Quite the opposite of Judy, in fact.

Fur Babies Large and Small:

By now, anyone who knows me, knows I wrote my dog Kasha into Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas because I knew her days were numbered, and I wanted to do it as a tribute to her. I’m so glad I did because now she’s gone, but she lives on in my books. She’s mentioned in Finding Kimber and Hooked by Sundown, too. I can see her in future books even if she’s doing nothing more than wandering around the barn or having a character reach down to pat her.

One of my senior and most gentle horses in the Double Dutch Ranch Series is based on an elderly horse from the stable where I used to spend time.

I don’t know if I responded to this topic correctly by saying some characters are based on real people. If not, then the only real family/fur baby members I wrote into a book is my son and the real animals are Kasha and the horse. How about you, authors? Do you use animals in your stories? Readers? Do you like reading books with fur babies in them? Do you think it brings something to the story?

Please join us on this Blog Hop by visiting other participating authors HERE.

Enjoy Your Weekend!