BAt is running on Wednesday at Penn National--provided Pennsylvania doesn't get another foot of snow. He's ready, we're ready, the picture frame is ready--it is time. Third and second felt really good after coming up empty for a year--and hitting the board always makes me happy and grateful. But we're ready for sheer joy! To get the full scoop, go to the website under the News Tab: http://www.equinebusiness.biz.
Because I've been shoveling snow--no, not as much as several of you--but 7 inches twice in one week--my upper arms are looking very toned. While I have a bad case of helmet hair, I've burned enough calories to justify having a glass of wine in the middle of the day. But I'd give all this up for 70 degrees and sunshine. Where is that global warming when you need it??
Monday, February 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Fun Facts To Know
I'm guessing that everyone who finds this blog gets here through my Horse Alerts or Face Book--and therefore knows all there is to know. In case that isn't true, as promised, here are the Fun Facts to Know:
Horses—we currently have three: BAt, Stay Alert and Cape Town Bay. BAt and Stay Alert are at Penn National with our PA trainer, Mike Salvaggio; Cape Town Bay should be back in training any day now. He’ll stay with Walter. Over the last 10 years, we’ve owned 18; we have 19 Winner’s Circle pictures; we have six picture frames available for such pictures. These frames have been collecting dust since October, 2008. I dusted them over the weekend. While we hope January was not a bellwether month for the stock market for 2010, we certainly do hope January was a bellwether month for the Heppermann stables.
Horse Owners—there are 10 of us who have some interest in these three horses. We had one brave soul join us last year; we had several more throw in the towel. Yes, it was a brutal year. However, with brutal years come tax deductions.
Horse Alert folks—there are 213 of you! You come from 24 states and 5 countries. Most of you live in Kentucky with the next largest contingent coming from Texas and then Missouri. Folks living in Italy (thanks to Eddie the priest), Dubai, South Africa, Switzerland and France have helped add an international flair to these missives. I don’t know our average age, height or weight, but based on anecdotal evidence, we’re all good looking, smart and young—or at least young at heart.
Folks with money in the Heppermann Bank: 5—with much healthier balances than just a week ago!
Websites: We have one: http://www.equinebusiness.biz. It was developed for us by Susan Weiss (one of you) and her crew at Net Tango. Under the various tabs, there are Winner Circle type pictures out there of Trick Lantern, Back Alley Tales, Nobodyknowsbut Ed and Shiloh—in that order. We average about 50 visitors a month—some of whom send us legitimate “Contact Submission” forms looking for equine-related services. There is another group that sends us “Contact Submission” forms requesting stuff in foreign languages. Amongst the stuff I can’t read, I usually can pick out words like Viagra, porn or sex. So far, I’ve not responded to those I can’t read.
Blogs: I have one: http://jheppermann.blogspot.com. I started this after I started writing my book, thinking someone might “discover” me and offer to someday publish my book. There are 14 of you who have signed up to be “followers.” I had hoped that “followers” would be notified whenever I put something out there (which corresponds exactly with when I send out Horse Alerts), but since I am one of those followers, I know that isn’t true. So, I don’t know what the purpose of being a “follower” is. I do know it makes me happy when new people sign up. Maybe that’s the purpose. I’m also guessing that one or more of you could tell me how I can find out how many people are actually looking at it. So far, no one has “discovered” me.
Face book Page: I have one—mainly to get grandbaby pictures, but I have also posted pictures of horses out there. No Winner’s Circle pictures, of course, since those six frames are still in their plastic wrappers, but, someday soon. Thirty-six of you are “Friends.” I have forty more “Face book Friends” of which maybe two or three appear interested in the horses. In the hope that all will eventually buy the book, I continue to put a notice out on Face book when I have a horse running—and link my Face book Page to my blog and website. If nothing else, this is a high-tech operation.
Twitter: Yes, I do that too. 7 folks follow my Twitters. One is my son—he is a courtesy follower since I signed up to follow his Twitters; the remaining six want to sell me something. I don’t know any of them. I deleted the guy who wanted to have sex with me. I didn’t know him either.
The Book: I’m on page 194. It is about the highs and lows of being a horse owner, with musings along the way. It has kept me entertained over the last few months. Perhaps some day it will entertain you as well!
Now you know what I know. It would help my psyche if none of you would suggest that I write a book, develop a webpage, start a blog or Twitter! That said, thanks for your interest—you make it more fun!
Jo Ann
Horses—we currently have three: BAt, Stay Alert and Cape Town Bay. BAt and Stay Alert are at Penn National with our PA trainer, Mike Salvaggio; Cape Town Bay should be back in training any day now. He’ll stay with Walter. Over the last 10 years, we’ve owned 18; we have 19 Winner’s Circle pictures; we have six picture frames available for such pictures. These frames have been collecting dust since October, 2008. I dusted them over the weekend. While we hope January was not a bellwether month for the stock market for 2010, we certainly do hope January was a bellwether month for the Heppermann stables.
Horse Owners—there are 10 of us who have some interest in these three horses. We had one brave soul join us last year; we had several more throw in the towel. Yes, it was a brutal year. However, with brutal years come tax deductions.
Horse Alert folks—there are 213 of you! You come from 24 states and 5 countries. Most of you live in Kentucky with the next largest contingent coming from Texas and then Missouri. Folks living in Italy (thanks to Eddie the priest), Dubai, South Africa, Switzerland and France have helped add an international flair to these missives. I don’t know our average age, height or weight, but based on anecdotal evidence, we’re all good looking, smart and young—or at least young at heart.
Folks with money in the Heppermann Bank: 5—with much healthier balances than just a week ago!
Websites: We have one: http://www.equinebusiness.biz. It was developed for us by Susan Weiss (one of you) and her crew at Net Tango. Under the various tabs, there are Winner Circle type pictures out there of Trick Lantern, Back Alley Tales, Nobodyknowsbut Ed and Shiloh—in that order. We average about 50 visitors a month—some of whom send us legitimate “Contact Submission” forms looking for equine-related services. There is another group that sends us “Contact Submission” forms requesting stuff in foreign languages. Amongst the stuff I can’t read, I usually can pick out words like Viagra, porn or sex. So far, I’ve not responded to those I can’t read.
Blogs: I have one: http://jheppermann.blogspot.com. I started this after I started writing my book, thinking someone might “discover” me and offer to someday publish my book. There are 14 of you who have signed up to be “followers.” I had hoped that “followers” would be notified whenever I put something out there (which corresponds exactly with when I send out Horse Alerts), but since I am one of those followers, I know that isn’t true. So, I don’t know what the purpose of being a “follower” is. I do know it makes me happy when new people sign up. Maybe that’s the purpose. I’m also guessing that one or more of you could tell me how I can find out how many people are actually looking at it. So far, no one has “discovered” me.
Face book Page: I have one—mainly to get grandbaby pictures, but I have also posted pictures of horses out there. No Winner’s Circle pictures, of course, since those six frames are still in their plastic wrappers, but, someday soon. Thirty-six of you are “Friends.” I have forty more “Face book Friends” of which maybe two or three appear interested in the horses. In the hope that all will eventually buy the book, I continue to put a notice out on Face book when I have a horse running—and link my Face book Page to my blog and website. If nothing else, this is a high-tech operation.
Twitter: Yes, I do that too. 7 folks follow my Twitters. One is my son—he is a courtesy follower since I signed up to follow his Twitters; the remaining six want to sell me something. I don’t know any of them. I deleted the guy who wanted to have sex with me. I didn’t know him either.
The Book: I’m on page 194. It is about the highs and lows of being a horse owner, with musings along the way. It has kept me entertained over the last few months. Perhaps some day it will entertain you as well!
Now you know what I know. It would help my psyche if none of you would suggest that I write a book, develop a webpage, start a blog or Twitter! That said, thanks for your interest—you make it more fun!
Jo Ann
Monday, February 1, 2010
Stay Alert--Almost
Second. Stay Alert was alert for 5 furlongs--in a 6 furlong race. Blessedly, this was good enough to get second but not good enough to hold onto the 4 length lead he had coming down the stretch. Ouch! Good enough to pay his expenses, but not exciting enough to end the book on a high note! So, we'll keep going--here, on Facebook, on Twitter, on the web, in the book.
I'm like most writers--in constant need of some kind of reassurance that somebody is reading me somewhere. Unfortunately, in the last week I've had folks suggest I write a book, start a blog, twitter, put information out on Facebook and get a webpage. Since I already do all of those things, I'm in a true tizzy. So--instead of giving up--I'm going to give you more information!! Coming soon--"Fun Facts to Know."
In the meantime, to read more of the highs and lows of Stay Alert's race, go to http://www.equinebusiness.biz. Yes, I'll know--and it will make me smile.
P.S. Do any of you know how I can tell how many folks are actually reading this blog?
I'm like most writers--in constant need of some kind of reassurance that somebody is reading me somewhere. Unfortunately, in the last week I've had folks suggest I write a book, start a blog, twitter, put information out on Facebook and get a webpage. Since I already do all of those things, I'm in a true tizzy. So--instead of giving up--I'm going to give you more information!! Coming soon--"Fun Facts to Know."
In the meantime, to read more of the highs and lows of Stay Alert's race, go to http://www.equinebusiness.biz. Yes, I'll know--and it will make me smile.
P.S. Do any of you know how I can tell how many folks are actually reading this blog?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Stay Alert--Please stay alert!
Stay Alert is running tomorrow, Friday, January 29. If he stays alert, he just may hit the board. If he decides he only wants to run 4 furlongs--and the jockey is unsuccessful in convincing him otherwise, darn. While no one has reported any applicable dreams and I've not received any pertinent "lucky" e-mails, I intend to do my part--wear matching earrings. If he hits the board, I'll update this blog by Monday noon. To read the facts, commentary about the race--and additional musings/whinings from me--go to the website, http://www.equinebusiness.biz under the news tab.
Since this blog is supposed to be about what it is like to be writing a book about owning horses, I should ask: Did you know I was writing a book? Apparently not everyone who reads my Horse Alerts (which you can find on the website) knows this, notwithstanding I mention it in almost every Alert e-mail. So, while it was nice to hear that someone enjoyed reading about my horses--right after that someone asked that I stop sending them Alerts, when that someone suggested I write a book, it called into question just how closely they had read anything I had written. Yes, I am obsessing over this. I'm thinking I would get over it if Stay Alert would stay alert!
Since this blog is supposed to be about what it is like to be writing a book about owning horses, I should ask: Did you know I was writing a book? Apparently not everyone who reads my Horse Alerts (which you can find on the website) knows this, notwithstanding I mention it in almost every Alert e-mail. So, while it was nice to hear that someone enjoyed reading about my horses--right after that someone asked that I stop sending them Alerts, when that someone suggested I write a book, it called into question just how closely they had read anything I had written. Yes, I am obsessing over this. I'm thinking I would get over it if Stay Alert would stay alert!
Monday, January 25, 2010
BAt gets a capital A!
BAt came in second Friday night--so I'll start capitalizing his letter A. And he almost got a capital t. He was way, way behind--and then, after going 8 wide at the top of the stretch--to get around all those horse in front of him--he missed first place by one-half length. Gut wrenching--and exhilarating all at the same time. This is far more fun than last or 5th or even 3rd. And the fact that he has now paid his expenses for a month doesn't hurt either! For full details, go to the web, http://www.equinebusiness.biz. If we keep this up, just maybe my book will have a happy ending after all!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
It's 2010--Go Bat!
Bat is running tomorrow at Penn National. None of the horses appear to be destined for greatness, but even at this level, someone has to win. Therefore, in keeping with my new-found optimism, I think he has an excellent chance of hitting the board, perhaps even winning. If he does, I'll go back to capitalizing all the letters in his name again. All of the omens seem to be in order, including wild dreams and money-bags e-mails. For full details, go to http://www.equinebusiness.biz/ and look under the New tab. If we hit the board, I'll let you know. If I haven't updated this post by noon Monday, don't ask!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Here's To a Better 2010
Stay Alert came in third on Saturday—not worthy of an exclamation point, but way better than a “boo, hiss.” To read more about Stay Alert and even Bat, go to our website, www.equinebusiness.biz, (yes, that's a plug) and look under the news tab. And while the news isn't good enough to end my book, I will happily start page 171. I'm thinking it will be fun to write about stuff other than food posioning and second-last place finishes. Now, if I only knew if anyone ever reads these!
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