C'MON EVERYBODY !

JOIN WENDY FOR A COWBOY POETRY WORKSHOP
IN MARIPOSA ON THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd!

Wendy will be giving a Cowboy Poetry Workshop at the Mariposa County Library in Mariposa, CA, on Thursday, April 23rd from 3:30-4:30 PM in celebration of Cowboy Poetry Week! Click here for more info on Poetry Month at the Library: http://www.mariposalibrary.org/calendar-librarynews.php

Everyone is encouraged to submit their own poetry (or artwork, photography, songs or stories) to the Library this month to be displayed.

Click here for directions to the Mariposa Branch: http://www.mariposalibrary.org/hours-mainbranch.php

CELEBRATING
8TH ANNUAL COWBOY POETRY WEEK
APRIL 19-25, 2009

Cowboy Poetry Week was initiated by Cowboy Poetry.com. In its second year, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution with unanimous approval recognizing Cowboy Poetry Week.

There are now twenty states participating in the celebration of cowboy poetry.
Cowboy Poetry.com is also sponsoring a Rural Library Project to further promote cowboy poetry. To find out more, go to their web site and check out the Bar-D Round Up.

“Cowboy Poetry records the heartbeat of the Working West. This tradition- stories of cowboys, ranchers, and Western writers- spans three centuries. Today’s poets represent voices from this vital, yet endangered, rural culture.”

“Cowboys, ranchers, and western writers tell their stories in poetry... tales as lively today as ever... in a great American tradition that has endured for over 125 years.

Cowboy Poetry: The Voice of the Working West.

WE'RE BACK FROM THE 25th NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING
IN ELKO, NEVADA!

Battle Mountain

         We arrived in Elko on Jan 28th after a smooth drive over the Sierras. We were concerned about the lack of snow up there this year. I’m sure it’s improved with the arrival of recent storms as we’ve had several inches of snow here on the Round Tuit Ranch. We met up with some friends, the Mellos, from our neighborhood, and then were joined by two of their friends from Merced who came over on the train. We all saw some great shows, and got together for some delicious food.

Wendy with Yvonne Hollenbeck's quilt

Wendy & Jess Howard

        All of us got to see most of our favorite poets, including Pat Richardson, Baxter Black, and Jesse Smith. Pat’s brother Jess Howard was there this year, and we enjoyed visiting with him and hearing him recite. There is always a wonderful exhibit at the Western Folklife Center. This year it featured a handmade quilt of all the poet’s brands made by another one of my favorite cowboy poets, Yvonne Hollenbeck. There were also beautiful hand made bridles and saddles created in the old vaquero style. I added some new Will James books, and some more cowboy poetry to my collection.

        Our party finished up our last night at the Stockman’s Casino for Michael Martin Murphy’s concert. I can highly recommend his latest CD “Buckaroo Blue Grass.” It was a great way to end up the Gathering.

HIGH COUNTRY 2008

    Our trip to the high country was the longest and best ever. We had nine days with the dogs and horses. We base-camped at Granite Creek again, and spent seven days up above 9,000 ft. in the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

    We had the Minarets Pack Station pack us in again this year. These folks really know what they’re doing! They got all our gear, including, but not limited to: ice chests, a camp kitchen, and a hot shower, there without a hitch. We invested in a few more creature comforts this time, and really enjoyed them. One of my best memories is looking up through the skylight of my hot shower stall, and seeing the rain coming down, then slipping into my warm sleeping bag for a nap. How beautiful everything looked after the rain.

   The first couple of days we spent at Sadler Lake. We wanted to visit Joe Crane Lake again after falling in love with it last year. So, we had the packers come back in and we moved camp. We probably wouldn’t do that again, as it made for a very long day. But, it was all about exploration, and we’re glad that we did it. Have a look at our latest pictures...-Wendy

WENDY PERFORMS WITH MADISON SEAMANS
AT CATHEY-WESTFALL FAMILY REUNION

     On October 4th we entertained at the McKay Hall for the Big Four Family Reunion. The hall was nicely decorated for the festivities. There were lots of picture boards displaying the old homesteads and ancestors who settled the area. The Cathey, Deaver, Wills, and Westfall families were all there to reconnect and celebrate their family history. Many were wearing commemorative t-shirts made for the occasion. The logo on the back read, “A family without the knowledge of their past history and origin are like trees without roots.”

    It was a good turn out, and we were happy to be part of it. My friend Madison Seamans joined me with his guitar and cowboy poetry. Madison is a Dr. of Equine Veterinary Medicine, and is also a talented western artist. My husband Kevin was in charge of the new P.A. system that we purchased for the occasion. I thank both my pards for a job well done!

Madison Seamans, Wendy & Kevin at the Reunion

   Thank you also to Ginny and Dave Harris, and everyone on the committee who helped organize the event. You did a fantastic job, and we enjoyed meeting your family, and making new friends. Till next time, HAPPY TRAILS!

For details and current updates, please go to the official Cathey-Westfall Reunion website at: www.dcwfamily.com

Hi! My name is Wendy Brown-Barry...and I am a Cowboy Poet. Are you interested in keeping the Spirit of the West alive in your community? I provide quality Western entertainment for people of all ages. My works have been published in newspapers and magazines, and I have helped organize the Cannonball Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Mariposa, CA since 1999.

I believe that the spirit of the Wild West lives in each of us and that the "Code of the West" that so many have lived by is still pertinent today. Cowboy poetry will make you laugh...and make you cry. It touches a common thread that runs through each of us, no matter what our walk of life.

I especially enjoy working with young folks in schools, and I have discovered some exceptional talent in classrooms!

It has been my privilege to perform with well-known cowboy poets such as Mick Vernon, Pat Richardson, and Waddie Mitchell. Also, I have entertained at the Carnegie Center for the Arts, The Stevenson Ranch, the Fresno Flats Historical Society, the Mariposa County Wagon Train, and the Coarsegold Historical Society, and I have been named a Benefactor of the Mariposa County Arts Council.

I am also available to compose customized poems just for you and your loved ones, as well as for special occasions, events, etc. Click on “Special Poetry” to view some of my “best of” examples!

***If you would like to contact Wendy with inquiries regarding performances, poetry workshops, event organizing, etc., please e-mail Wendy by clicking here: Email WENDY BROWN-BARRY or call Wendy at: (209) 966-3095 (message phone line)

Mick Vernon Cowboy Poet, Musician, Executive Director of the Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival "She's pretty, she's feisty, and she wrangles a good rhyme. What more could a feller ask for?"	Pat Richardson Cowboy Poet of the Year 2003 "Wendy performed with Waddie Mitchell and myself in Mariposa and she stole the show!"

 LIFE IS A TRAIL

BY WENDY BROWN-BARRY

It's in the getting there not the being there that's important

The destination ignites the spark that fuels the fire of adventure

It's the journey, the trail, the quest

The quest for something more

It's the trail that leads to ourselves

wendybrown-barry.com

copyright 2008 

So come on down and gather 'round

Build us a campfire and sit on the ground

Let's preserve the Code of the West

Cowboy Poetry does it best!

- Wendy Brown-Barry

Click on the links below to visit these other great sites!

Bar-D Ranch Cowboy Poetry.com

Mariposa County Arts Council

Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival

Mariposa County Pioneer Wagon Train and Cannonball Poetry Gathering

Mariposa Mountain Riders.com

Mariposa County- Home of Yosemite

Yosemite National Park

Artwork of John Bruce - BruceArt.net

Photography of Linda Gast - Hummingbird Press.com