Kelpies

Balmy Friday's and Booktopia Favourite Author Voting

Margareta-Admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 03:40:40 +0000

Balmy Friday's and Booktopia Favourite Author Voting

Margareta-Admin Fri, 13/01/2017 - 2:40 pm

Good morning on this balmy Friday! It feels like rain but the clouds are too high, a bad thing for my paddocks which are so dry the grass underfoot crackles as you walk; a good thing for the Mountain Cattlemans Get together that starts today at Buchan! And no, I’m not going. Boo Hoo! The things I sacrifice so you guys get to read a good book for Mother’s Day. That said I have just spent the last three days at the beach with the kids, so I really can’t whinge. Well, maybe I’ll allow myself a little whine, because I DO love Cattleman’s and we have three young friends riding in the Cattleman’s Cup. So here’s a big shout-out to Gemma and Amber Rendell and Thomas King! Ride like the wind you lot! Another friend, Darren Williams, is also competing in the pack horse race, so a big shout out to him as well. Today is also the anniversary of when I met my husband, Hugh, at the same said Cattleman’s back in 2002. The Cattleman’s Get together weekend is responsible for a LOT of weddings, I can tell you! I've lost count of the amount of friends who met their significant others there.

Thank you for all your kind comments on my previous post, "Hello 2017". I was overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity with regards to the sad loss of my wonderful great aunt. It appears many people lost precious family and friends over the past year, and to each and every one of you, I send my deepest sympathy and hugs.

And I'm also SO delighted (picture me dancing around my office) that you love, love, love the new cover of LAKE HILL as much as I do. Isn't it the bee's knees?! It's going to look so pretty sitting on the bookshelf next to all my other books!

Today, I thought I should share a few of the fabulous things that happened over the past couple of years, you know, just to balance out the last post.

I released ROSE RIVER. YAY! Enough said. :)

I got to spend quality and quantity time with my Great Aunt. The stories! Oh my Gosh. They will seep into a book in my future, I am sure.

Our incredible working trip into Western Australia’s remote Pilbara and the mustering season our family worked did on a half million-acre cattle station there. You can read all about it http://www.centralstation.net.au/our-extreme-sea-change-part-1 on the Central Station – stories from Australian Outback Stations blog.

Then I took delivery of my dog, Ange, who has to be the best Kelpie that ever lived and breathed. I know ... I’m biased. And to be truthful she is also the “blondest” kelpie that ever lived and breathed (what other Kelpie would jump, unbidden, up into the back of the LandCruiser and slam into the glass because the back wasn’t actually open?), but hey, I love her and she loves me, so that’s all that counts, right? (And she is clever sometimes ...)

My kids have done so well at their new school. The Farm Boy took away an Endeavour Award this year for his consistent efforts and the Princess finished her year as Vice-Captain of her House with a flourish, the House taking home the overall shield in a close battle for equal first. The big kid has also broadened his horizons working in the NT followed now by Canada. The photo’s I’m getting sent home are spectacular and we all know how much he loves his photography (a la the feature photo’s on this website are his!)

ROSE RIVER was released as an AUDIO BOOK! WHOO HOO. And LAKE HILL is next! It makes you feel a little special having someone actually read ALOUD the words, which you wrote. I can’t even imagine what it must feel to have your book made into a movie!

And TODAY (I know. Technically it’s not allowed as it’s in 2017, but hey …) I have been nominated as one of Australia’s Favourite Authors in 2017. I need your votes if I am to go any further, so if you have enjoyed my books would you mind taking a minute out of your busy day to go here and cast me a vote? There are so many wonderful authors on the list too, if you’d prefer them … and you can vote for as many as you like!

Here’s the link:

http://blog.booktopia.com.au/australias-favourite-author-vote/

So, now my wonderful daughter has delivered me a delicious salad lunch (check it out!) I’d best get back to working on LAKE HILL, and make good with my promise of delivering these edits by Monday! And here’s cheers to upstairs sending some rain, but, perhaps, just hold off 'till Monday ;)

Have a great weekend!

Love

Margareta x

Hello Crosby! & Mother's Day Book idea's

Margareta-Admin — Mon, 04 May 2015 00:31:48 +0000

Hello Crosby! & Mother's Day Book idea's

Margareta-Admin Mon, 04/05/2015 - 10:31 am

NEW ADDITION TO THE FARM

Say hello to "Crosby" our new 20 week old bundle of Kelpie trouble (I told you all to stay tuned. It's kinda like I knew something, hey?! )

What a big weekend it's been up here on the hill. It all started when H and I organised a Kelpie puppy to be purchased and transported from his owner Helen McDonald (http://www.neilmcdonald.com.au/) at Keith in South Australia to a friend's place in South Gippsland. Next, we told the 12 year old Farm Boy I was taking him and The Princess out of school on Friday lunchtime and down to Buffalo for some working dog training just to reinforce what he'd learnt a couple of weeks ago (you can read about what happened back then here Kelpies, Life and the East Gippsland Field Days). Come in spinner. Two kids soooo excited they were getting out of school early on a Friday, happy to be on a road trip with mum. No questions asked (thank heavens!)

Off we trundled to South Gippsland on a glorious autumn afternoon and there we met Crosby, this beautiful, intelligent, fun-loving puppy who is already starting to work. The Farm Boy was speechless for a few minutes as he dropped to the ground to pat his new best friend, then he looked up at me and said, 'I didn't expect that to happen, mum!' Such a wonderful surprise and of course I was shedding a few tears. Typical. Sigh. Sniff ...Sniff ..

The new arrival is settling in well and no doubt I'll have plenty of 'The Farmboy and his dog' stories to share.

VOTE FOR AUSTRALIA'S TOP 100 BOOKS ...

BETTER READING are looking for Australia's Top 100 books and so, if you've loved one of my books and think it might be worthy of this list, I'd love it if you could click through and cast a vote. SImilarly if there is another book you'd like to vote for, please do. http://www.betterreading.com.au/better-reading-top-100/

Better Reading says, "The book must be adult fiction. It can be an Australian or international title. It can be a new fiction book, a recent book you’ve loved reading, a book where the story has lingered or stayed with you, a book you can recommend or a book you read when you were at school."

THE COWBOY EBOOK

Is now available from ALL ebook sellers rather than just Amazon (Kindle). So excited!!!

More buy links are on the book page now: http://www.margaretaosborn.com.au/books/cowboy (Only available as an ebook)

ROSE RIVER NOW COMING IN LARGE PRINT AND BRAILLE

Just in - news that ROSE RIVER will soon be available from the commercial business, READ HOW YOU WANT in both large print and Braille formats. YAY!

MOTHER'S DAY

It's that time of year again when we get presented with those beautiful wonky clay pieces, the decadently drawn & smudged cards, the rolled up and tied with a bow scrolls of artistic endeavor. Love, love, love Mother's Day and I can't wait to see what creations the kids have in store for this year. The Farmboy is promising me something handmade with his Renovator whilst The Princess is secrecy itself 'I know exactly what I'm going to make you mum, and you'll NEVER guess!' The 21 year old just says, 'Don't ask for a book!' I cannot see why asking for a book for Mother's Day around this place is such a crime?! I LOVE books and can think of nothing better than getting a good one for Mother's Day. The kids, unfortunately, say that's B O R I N G so it's usually left up to H to purchase me my hearts desire with the wonderful recommendations of our local book store extraordinaire, Liz Watt.

So, in case YOUR family don't think it's B O R I N G to buy you a book this coming Sunday, my website guru, Karen (who loves to read and review crime novels http://www.austcrimefiction.org), and I have come up with a few books we've read recently which we really enjoyed.

For the sweet lover ...

The Chocolate Promise by Josephine Moon - a lovely romance set in Tasmania which incorporates all things sweet and chocolatey (Is there such a word?)

For the baker ...

The Color of Tea by Hannah Tunnicliffe - a surprise book which I read purely because I love tea. Don't be fooled. It's more about relationships, love and family. Set in Macau, you will also come away craving a macaroon.

For the lover of warm family saga's ...

Hello from the Gillespies by Monica McInerney - I know I recommended this one at Christmas time but I loved this book so much I think it deserves another run. A heartwarming, poignant family saga set in rural S.A. from one of Australia's (and my) favourite authors.

For the book club attendee ...

The Anchoress by Robyn Caldwaller - Rich, strange and thought provoking this book explores a need for connection which is as relevant today as it was in the twelfth century. I came away from this novel thankful I wasn't born back then.

For the historical buff - with a touch of fantasy thrown in for good measure ...

Wild Wood by Posie Graham Evans - From the much loved creator of the McLeod's Daughter's series, comes a riverting read which will have you immersed in the Scottish English borderlands in the times of the Troubles. In this contemporary historical parallel narrative storyline, the historical portions were an absolute winner for me. Brutal yet very real, with a touch of mystical folklore a key part of the tale, I couldn't put this book down (and that wasn't only because one of the lesser main characters shared my name!).

For the crime lover ... (take it away, Karen!)

A Time of Secrets by Deborah Burrows which is a good combination of crime, romance and history set in Melbourne in 1943. A very atmospheric book which paints a strong picture of both Melbourne at that time, and the sorts of skullduggery that was going on (it's based around a true story of overseas missions going wrong), and because I can (Margareta's not looking is she....) if you're a fan of psychological thrillers Swimming in the Dark by Paddy Richardson. This New Zealander is writing some wonderful thrillers and this story of 3 women has stayed with me long after reading it.

For the rural romance lover ...

Rose River by Margareta Osborn !!! Ha! Of course. Even if you already have my latest novel, you might want to buy one for mum? Random House Australia have a great promotion going until Mother's Day. If you purchase Rose River before Sunday you can get a special 'Say it with words' bookmark to go with your present. Just ask at your local book store and check here: http://www.randomhouse.com.au/blog/this-mothers-day-say-it-with-words-2… for more details. I'd just love it if you could spread the Rose River love.

If everyone already has their copy of Rose River, you might be interested in another rural romance book. There's a plethora of new releases out on the shelves at the minute which you can see by going to http://www.australianruralromance.com The latest titles for May are The Falls by Cathryn Hein, Heart of the the Country by Tricia Stinger, The Season of Shadow and Light by Jenn J McLeod and Northern Heat by Helene Young.

If I don't get back to you later in the week, I hope you all have a fabulous Mother's Day with the little (& big) people you love,

Margareta x

Kelpies, Life and the East Gippsland Field Days

Margareta-Admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 07:08:54 +0000

Kelpies, Life and the East Gippsland Field Days

Margareta-Admin Mon, 27/04/2015 - 5:08 pm

LIFE ON THE HILL

The Farmboy (12 yrs) has finally thrown away his crutches after spending a good three weeks hobbling around with his fractured leg. Being on school holidays and restricted to one leg nearly killed him (not to mention mum!). No ute driving, no motorbike riding, no bouncing on the trampoline. No making his usual plethora of creative items with his Renovator and other tools. No wandering over the paddocks to make cubby houses and tree houses and follow wombats and just generally suss out whatever's moving out there in the paddocks. I think his return to school was almost welcomed! At least there was something to do other than sit on the couch and read books, play Xbox games or watch DVDS. The novelty of being allowed to do the last two soon wore off after about day 3!

But he did get some relief from the monotony of crutches last week, when both he and I headed on a road trip down to South Gippsland for the most educational and life-changing weekend.

Ever since this lad was little he has loved Kelpie working dogs. His bedroom walls are plastered with Zoe Phillips Kelpie pictures from the Weekly Times. His wall calendar features Kelpies on each page. The second book he ever showed any interest in reading was stories about Kelpies. Man, was I excited about that! He was reading! Finally! (It should be noted though; this came after the ‘Encyclopaedia of John Deere Tractors’. I think you can see where his loves lie.)

Kelpie on downtime

I've always said to him he could only have a Kelpie when he knew a) how to train it, and b) could take on the responsibility of looking after the pup himself. And a while back I thought we were finally reaching that time. After making a few quiet enquires and thanks to a gorgeous friend of mine Miss Grey (Miss Grey Photography) we found out about Neil and Helen McDonald’s Advanced Livestock Management and Working Dog (http://www.neilmcdonald.com.au) training course. After waiting patiently for two years for Neil to come to Gippsland (his courses are primarily run in Northern Australia), and virtually on the precipice of saying, ‘Dash it, lets just pack the swags & go to Keith in South Australia from where Neil hails’, last weekend finally saw us on our way to hear from this renowned stock handler.

Miss Grey, me! and Bush Chooks

8am through to 5pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in a little place called Buffalo, and that 12 year old sat and soaked in every word our presenter Neil McDonald said. With the help of a few others also doing the course, the lad, even though he was on crutches, was able to pen sheep, work a dog with sheep and even hobble around a course of drums leading his sheep where he needed them to go. He and I learnt more about pressure and relief, how to start, stop and create a good steady flow of livestock, how the position of your feet, eyes, indeed your whole body, including demeanour and body language affects animals. We also learnt about the working dog itself – how to teach manners, social graces and the use of the natural instinct of the working dog to assist you in your stock work. There was whole swag of life wisdom to be gained as well because Neil’s way of teaching was in story form. To an author and her child it was the perfect way to learn. In fact, the lad could just about repeat verbatim a lot of what was said over the whole three days! (Not so me, I had to rely on my notes!)

Campfire

Can you tell how inordinately proud I was of my son? The only words to come from him for 8 hours of each day were, 'Mum did you write that bit down? Did you get that?!'

H and the Princess came to join us on Saturday night, and the property owners who kindly hosted us all had a HUGE bonfire. It was pretty spectacular and just added to whole camp atmosphere. The children pulled up their camp chairs and watched the whole thing avidly (our kids just LOVE bonfire nights), which caused me to say to H, 'Who needs television? Really?'

We met some really lovely, generous and knowledgeable people including finally meeting face-to-face my friend, Miss Grey, and her buddy Bush Chooks (Bush Chooks Photography) who came to stay with us for a night on the Hill. These girls are on their way around Australia with 20 kelpies on board. Two truly beautiful and talented people who were an inspiration to us all.

And the strength and breadth of information we learnt from everyone present over the weekend has the capacity to change the whole of our farming operation. I can’t wait to put what we now know into action. I can't wait to learn more!

And the Farmboy?

Well, he’s lining up for his first Kelpie. Stay tuned ...

Crutches put to one side, working the sheep

EAST GIPPSLAND FIELD DAYS

This Friday and Saturday (May 1 & 2, 2015) is the East Gippsland Field Days at the Bairnsdale Aerodrome. I’ll be there on SATURDAY May 1, at the Collin’s Booksellers Bairnsdale stand from 10 - 12 midday signing books. If you're in the area, it's a great opportunity to pick up a signed copy of ROSE RIVER for Mother’s Day! Or just come and say hello and pass the time of day ... Love to see you there!

Next week, I'll be giving you some book ideas (besides ROSE RIVER ) for Mother's Day!

Until then, hope you all have a great week,

Margareta xo

Kelpies

Balmy Friday's and Booktopia Favourite Author Voting

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Hello Crosby! & Mother's Day Book idea's

NEW ADDITION TO THE FARM

VOTE FOR AUSTRALIA'S TOP 100 BOOKS ...

THE COWBOY EBOOK

ROSE RIVER NOW COMING IN LARGE PRINT AND BRAILLE

MOTHER'S DAY

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Kelpies, Life and the East Gippsland Field Days

LIFE ON THE HILL

EAST GIPPSLAND FIELD DAYS

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