How to Avoid the Dreaded Writer’s Back by Rhonda Frankhouser

Stay off those bucking horses, y'all...

With every career, comes some chance of injury. Football players risk concussion, police officers risk death, and cowboys risk it all. Even being a writer has its risks. Oh sure, we don’t usually face anything quite so daunting as the other career paths mentioned, but the struggle is REAL.

Writers back starts innocently enough. At first, it's a tiredness that builds in the neck and then the muscles down the spine slowly begin to contract. Soon the unconscious wiggling begins. The elbow leaning. The stretching from side to side, the bend forward, then finally the cramp, but nothing seems to keep that tiny ache from drawing the writer's attention away from their persistent characters.

As smart as writers are, many turn a deaf ear to the body’s warning. It’s screaming to please stand up, go for a walk, breath some fresh air and STRETCH ME properly, OR ELSE. Sitting is the new plague of this generation, especially for those who earn their living at a keyboard. The contraction of the muscles as well as compaction of the spine is just the beginning of the end for those who sit. A sedentary life can also lead to problems with digestion, internal organ compaction and obesity, just to mention a few.

But there is hope. There are ways to answer the call of the character and take care of the body at the same time. These are just a few suggestions I received from my own orthopedic surgeon to give my back a long, strong life, and to keep the blood flowing to that all important creative brain: 

• DICTATION SOFTWARE
• DRINKING A GALLON OF WATER A DAY – MAKES YOU GET UP FREQUENTLY TO STRETCH AND AIDS IN DIGESTION
• ERGONOMIC DESKS/CHAIRS
• INVERSION TABLE
• PILATES/CORE TRAINING
• SIT/STAND DESKTOP
• STRETCH EVERY HOUR NO MATTER WHAT

Even if only one or two of these suggestions are incorporated, it will surely extend the writer’s career exponentially with the added bonus of a better quality of life for them and their families. It goes without saying, always check with your own doctor before trying any of these. If you've discovered other back saving tips, please share with the rest of us. We can use all the help we can get. Good luck and take care of that precious back.

Go out and make beautiful memories,

Rhonda Frankhouser
Author of Contemporary and Western Romance
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HELP!!!-Book 2 in Rhonda's award-winning Ruby's Ranch Series, Escape from Ruby's Ranch, is a finalist in the Uncaged Raven Awards contest. If you're so inclined, please pop over and cast your vote for a fellow Cowboy Kisses family member. Any and all support is appreciated. UNCAGED RAVEN AWARDS VOTING PAGE

Best Damn Banana Pudding Recipe by Rhonda Frankhouser

Happy June, everyone! I'm buried in 2nd round edits on Book 3 of my Ruby's Ranch Series, Legacy of Ruby's Ranch, sooooooo, I thought I'd leave you all with a quick and delicious family recipe for a fabulous summer treat. Banana Pudding!!! It's not fancy but it's a family favorite. 

I know it's naughty and we're all perpetually on a diet, but when I want to calm down, reminisce and bring a smile to my man's face, I make this. It works every time. There's always tomorrow for healthy eating.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 ripe but not rotting bananas
• 2 large packages of instant (yes, instant) Jello vanilla pudding
• Half and half (use in place of regular milk required on the box recipe)
• Whipped cream (lots)
• 1 box of Nilla wafers

1. Layer the bottom of a clear cake pan with wafers (Sometimes I make individual servings in Mason jars or use a beautiful trifle dish to look prettier).
2. Wedge slivers of two bananas to cover the wafers.
3. Mix one packet of pudding with Half n Half and cover wafers and bananas (Trust me on this-delish).
4. Layer with whipped cream.
5. Repeat the first 4 steps with another layer of each ingredient so you have one huge, gooey, delicious banana lasagna.
6. Crumble the top with crushed Nilla wafers and refrigerate until set. A couple hours.

Enjoy!!!

Wanna send my amazing father-in-law in Cali some Happy Father's Day love and blow a Happy Father's Day kiss to my sweet dad, who's playing guitars and riding broncs in heaven. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I push through these edits. Have I mentioned, it's not my favorite part of being a writer??? 

But isn't my new cover beeee-U-T-full???

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Bucket List Trip - NASHVILLE by Rhonda Frankhouser

 Since our move from California to Georgia almost a year ago, we've been in exploration mode. It was only natural for me, huge country music fan, to want to check Nashville, Tennessee off my bucket list as soon as possible. My thoughtful husband made that happen for me a few weeks ago, on my birthday weekend!!!

 

The damp air drizzled, and the cold wind blew, but it didn't stop the celebration bouncing along Honky Tonk Highway. I was romanced by the rhythm and energy of the downtown scene. Excited visitors bustled in and out of an endless line of restaurants and bars to listen to one amazing artist after the other cramped awkwardly on small stages. Every genre from blue grass, to classic country to hard rock had my booted feet tapping along, even as the boisterous crowds, often too inebriated to show due respect, cackled loudly over the music. I was in awe of the talented folks hoping to be discovered.

 

Naturally, as dutiful first time tourists, we visited the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was nice to see some of the great country artists honored and I appreciated how my own hometown, Bakersfield, California, was represented as the Nashville of the West, with country artists, Merle Haggard and Buck Owens high on the hierarchy of the country music dynasty.

We enjoyed going through the museum but the Songwriter Sessions show at the Hall of Fame was my favorite. We were lucky to have the undivided attention of the talented songwriter, Jim Collins, for an intimate, forty-five minute show. He was charismatic and funny as he shared his story from fledgling country artist, to superstar songwriter with award-winning songs like She Thinks my Tractor's Sexy and Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not, among many others. 


Songwriter, Jim Collins. Photo credit to owner.

A trip to Nashville would not be complete without visiting the Grand Ole Opry. All I could think as I sat through the kitschy show was how my father would have loved it. From Mike Snider's twanging banjo to the crooning cowboys of Riders in the Sky, I was transported back to a simpler time, when a goofy joke and a rhythmic hog call could bring a smile.

 

We were also treated to some beautiful music by Kentucky native, Carly Pearce and her darling fiancée, Michael Ray. One of my dads favorite groups, The Whites, shared a few good ole gospel songs. The Oscar nominated song, When a Cowboy Trades his Spurs for Wings, from the movie The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, was performed by writers, David Rawlings and Gillian Welsh. Country newcomer and favorite of ours, Mitchell Tenpenny, shared a few songs and sweet sentiments about his father. Then finally, the great, Steve Wariner, sang the night to a close. They packed all these artists and more into a two-hour, must see (at least once) show.



Nice visit with my cousin, Barb

On our last day in Nashville, we met up with some Tennessee based family members at the understandably famous, Loveless Café, for the best biscuits I've ever eaten, aside from Grandma's, of course. This is a must if you're in their neck of the woods.

As we drove home through the rolling Tennessee mountains, I counted my blessings. Great adventure, great man, great job, great family, great friends, great life. I had it all. Realizing it was the best birthday present of all.

If you have a chance to visit Nashville, Tennessee, you should. I'd strongly recommend an air BNB rather than the expensive downtown hotels, but it's definitely one of those places you should experience in person to understand the allure.

 

Thanks for listening....until next month, Rhonda. 

 

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What is it About a Cowboy? by Rhonda Frankhouser

💕💕💕💕💕💕

Here's my sexy cowboy!

So, what is it about a cowboy that makes us swoon? We've created a whole romance genre around the allure of these Stetson wearing easy riders, so what draws us? Since it's almost Valentines Day, I thought I'd talk about the allure of the cowboy.  
      A little background to start. The cowboy has become one of the most recognizable images of the American West, though, in truth, cowboys, the Vaqueros, originated in Spain, then migrated to Mexico. As the courageous pioneers made their way west across North America, many new settlers mimicked these skilled animal herders as a way to survive the harsh, new land.
    So what's so enticing about these dusty loners? Let's face it, they're job is not at all glamorous. They're on horseback for hours and days, weeks and even months, living off the land, sleeping on the cold ground and smelling to high heaven. They're most likely sore from riding, cranky from eating the same ole chow, and being exposed to the harsh winds and unrelenting sunshine. Not to mention predators looking for an easy target.
     Reality aside, somewhere along the way, American culture decided cowboys represented honesty, integrity and raw sexuality. Think John Wayne, Bonanza and Gunsmoke, to name just a few. What we wouldn't give to earn the love of these rugged cowboys. I remember my mom fanning herself over Clint Eastwood in the Outlaw Josie Wales. There was just something about his stoic, sad personality and wide-rimmed hat that sent a message. "I'll be loyal to mine, forever."
     Maybe its that simple? The steadfast character of the legendary cowboy is enticing because they seem so fearless. The idea that a man would fight for you until the end; love you fiercely and remain by your side, truly is a dream come true for many lonely lasses. Well, that's at least part of it. I know a good cowboy love story does it for me. That's probably why I love writing Western Romance.
     What about you? What do you find irresistible about a cowboy?
Thanks for listening, Rhonda

Check out some of my fantasy cowboys in the

Award-Winning Ruby's Ranch Series

 Book 3 - Legacy of  Ruby's Ranch due out August 2019

Book 4 - Revenge at Ruby's Ranch to follow!

 

Have a Fabulous Valentines Day!!!

 

Me and my cowboy!



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