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thehorsedispatch · 2 years ago

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New Post has been published on https://horsetoloan.com/heartland-tv-show/alisha-newton-heartland/

Alisha Newton Heartland

The Heartland tv show is a series that has been stretching on for many years and many seasons. And it doesn’t show signs of slowing down, either, not even after 16 seasons!

Due to its many years gracing our tv screens, Heartland has also gifted us with being able to watch many of the actors on the show grow up over these many years. A great example of one of these longtime cast members is Alisha Newton.

Below, we will go over some details about the actress Alisha Newton and the character she plays on Heartland, as well as address her absence on the screen in season 15— she was greatly missed!

What Is Heartland?

If you have heard of the show but have not had the joy of watching it yourself, you are certainly missing out! Heartland is, essentially, a sprawling family saga that is set against the backdrop of the Heartland ranch, which is owned by the Fleming family.

The show centers on the Fleming family and the people that work at their ranch or whom they meet and interact with along the way. It begins after the death of Marion Fleming, the mother of Amy Fleming, and follows the struggles and challenges that the family faces in dealing with this unexpected tragedy.

The show follows everyone over the years, letting us watch as they chase their dreams, fall in love, face tough challenges, and more. It is a show about all of the messy parts of life, as well as the happier and more blissful parts— the show does a wonderful job of showing the ups and downs that each character faces over the years.

Also Read – Where is Heartland Filmed?

Who Is Alisha Newton?

Alisha Newton is the actress who plays the character of Georgie Fleming in the Heartland television series. We have been able to see her grow up on the screen along with the character that she plays! Georgie is Alisha’s best-known and most easily recognizable acting credit. She is a Canadian-born actress who was born in Vancouver on July 22, 2001.

She started on Heartland in 2012, 5 years after the show aired in the year 2007. Alisha Newton started acting at just 4 years old when she began appearing in commercials. Then, 4 years later, when she was 8, she began acting in other roles, such as tv or movies.

Also read – Does Tim Die on Heartland?

Besides Heartland, Alisha Newton has had other acting credits to her name, too. For example, you may have seen her playing the role of young Annabeth Chase in the movie Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. This movie came out in 2013 and was released by Twentieth Century Fox.

She also had a minor role in The Tree That Saved Christmas, back in 2014, as the minor character of Sofia Dunlap. Other roles that you may have seen Alisha in are as a little girl in an episode of Supernatural, and as the main character of Helen in the 2022 film Devil In Ohio— among many other roles! Alisha is also a gifted equestrian who does a lot of her own riding scenes on the Heartland set.

Who Is Georgie?

Georgie is a character on the tv show Heartland who has found a home at the Heartland ranch— a lot like many of the other characters who felt they didn’t have any other place to call their own.

She first appears in season 6 as a trouble-making 11-year-old girl. She has just run away from her foster home, and it turns out that Georgie escapes every foster home she is placed in. Jack finds her hiding in the loft of the barn after she runs away from her foster home, and he agrees to foster her and take on this huge responsibility until a new foster family can be found for her.

Jack ends up wanting to keep Georgie, but his application is denied. Luckily, Lou and Peter step up to become her foster parents so she does not have to leave the ranch. Later on in the series, they become her official adoptive parents! Georgie builds a special connection with the horse Phoenix Rising, who also has a similar history to her of running away from his neglectful former home.

We get to watch Georgie come into her own and grow into a confident and successful young woman on the show, wildly different from how stubborn she had been in the beginning, when she was still in “survival mode” from bouncing around in the foster system.

Why Did Alisha Newton Leave Heartland?

Alisha Newton, or her character of Georgie, did not appear at all on season 15 of Heartland, and the girls were sorely missed! Georgie is a fan-favorite character, and her absence had viewers worried that she had been written off the show, or that Alisha had left the show for good. After all, the show has been on air for a long time, and this is a very long time for an actor to be tied to one project. In situations like this, many actors may decide to move onto greener pastures or pursue new artistic challenges and new projects. So, it would be perfectly reasonable for this to have been the case for Alisha Newton!

However, Alisha Newton did not leave Heartland, as there are clues that she and Georgie will be back for season 16! It is hard to know what goes on behind the scenes, but it could be that Alisha needed a break or some time off for season 15, but did not want to walk away from the show in its entirety. It could also be, simply, that the writers wanted to focus on the storyline of different characters in season 15, so Georgie was pushed to the background. This is pretty common in long-running shows such as Heartland.

Alisha has been posting pictures of the Heartland ranch and set, as well as with the other members of the cast, so it is very likely that these are hints that we will see her back on the screen in season 16! Fans of Georgie will surely be pleased to hear this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Alisha Newton return to Heartland season 16?

Alisha Newton is the actress who played the character of Georgie Fleming on the Heartland tv series. She was a staple on the show, especially in the later seasons, and viewers loved seeing her journey with the horses and seeing her come into her own over the years. Luckily, Alisha and Georgie will be returning to the silver screen for Heartland season 16. Alisha Newton has posted pictures of herself on set and on the Heartland ranch on social media, cluing us in to her role in season 16 of the show.

What happens to Georgie on Heartland?

Georgie grows up over the many seasons of the Heartland show, and there are msny storylines and plots that she is a part of over the years. We get to see her grow as an equestrian and nurture her own talent as a rider and the talent of the horses she is matched with. She even travels for training and for prestigious competitions as she grows older and grows into a star in the equestrian world.

In season 14 of the Heartland tv show, she and Quinn leave the ranch to train with a group of elite show jumpers down in the state of Florida. Georgie then does not appear in season 15, but it looks as if she will be making a reappearance in season 16!

Why was Georgie written out of Heartland?

Georgie Fleming was a very popular character on the Heartland tv series, so when she was not present in season 15, a lot of fans were dismayed and wanted to see more of her! She and Quinn had left the ranch in season 14 to train with elite show jumpers in Florida, so it can be assumed that this is where she is, still, in season 15.

Many thought that Alisha Newton, the actress who played Georgie, had left the show for good. Actually, though, it is believed that we will see more of Georgie in season 16 of Heartland! The actress has been posting pictures of the set on her social media platforms, so it seems Georgie will be making a return to our screens.

Does Alisha Newton ride in Heartland?

Alisha Newton plays Georgie Fleming, who is a character that does a lot of riding and spends a lot of time on horseback throughout the show! After all, some of her storylines involve her time in competitions and working with her equine partners in events like show jumping. She even left in season 14 to train with show jumpers in Florida!

Alisha Newton, the actress who plays Georgie, does actually ride the horses in her scenes. Some of the other actors have stunt doubles for their riding scenes, as they are not actually talented riders in real life. Alisha, though, is comfortable around horses and is a gifted equestrian!

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the-real-tc · 2 years ago

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Bad Business Ch. 9: Dark Horse Candidate

Author's Note: It's amazing how things change over time. When I first wrote this story, the name "Karen" did not have the negative connotation it has come to have in this post-COVID world of ours. I named a Dude Ranch guest "Karen", having no clue that years later it would be pejorative. In any case, I chose to keep the name, because it's a perfectly good name, and this "Karen" is one of the nice ones.

I'm afraid things still will not be much clearer, though danger is lurking closer. The end is also in sight, so hang on tight.

Chapter 9

Dark Horse Candidate

Lou came to the difficult but nevertheless necessary conclusion she would have to kick all the Dude Ranch guests out for the next couple weeks.

"Lisa's family is going to need a place to stay," she explained to Jen over the phone. "They can't all cram into the ranch house, and we're not going to force them to stay in a hotel in town. Let the guests know I'm refunding them in full, but they need to be out right away. Give them an hour to clear out, give or take."

"All right, Lou. I'll get on it right away," said Jen after receiving her boss' request. "And I'm so sorry about Lisa."

"Thanks, Jen," Lou said. "I appreciate it. Let me know when all the guests are gone."

"For sure. 'Bye for now."

Heartland Equestrian Connections

Jen reluctantly knocked on the door to the main cabin. A homeschooling family of four had arrived only three days earlier; Mitch had taken them for a trail ride he turned into an impromptu educational nature walk on the first afternoon they had all enjoyed. Now, they would have to find some other accommodation for their vacation.

The door opened to reveal a forty-something woman dressed casually in jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. "Yes?"

"Hi, I'm Jen, the Dude Ranch manager," Jen said, putting on the most professionally apologetic tone she could muster. "We met when you checked in. It's Karen, right?"

"Yes, that's right. What's going on?" asked Karen, a look of consternation creeping into her features. "Have the kids been too noisy?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that," Jen said easily, quelling the woman's worry. "I'm really, really sorry, but we have to close all the cabins right away."

"What? But we just got here the other day," Karen said in dismay, very evidently disappointed.

"I know—and you'll be reimbursed totally," Jen was quick to add. "But, um, there's unfortunately been a death in the owner's family, and she's made the decision to shut things down for the next little while."

"Oh! I'm sorry to hear that," Karen immediately uttered with sympathy. "How much time do we have to check out?"

"I don't mean to rush you," Jen replied. "An hour or so would be really great, though."

Before moving on to the next guest, Jen gave Karen all the necessary details for her compensation owing to the inconvenience.

***

"Hey, Mitch," Jen spoke into her cell phone. "Have you seen the guy from Cabin Two today? There's no sign of him here."

"Cabin Two? That's our 'Do Not Disturb' guest who just re-booked to the end of the month, right? No, I haven't," Mitch answered. "Last time I saw him was maybe two days ago when I offered to take him on a trail ride or a hike. He said he was okay and was keen to do some hiking on his own. I told him to watch out for predators since there have been some bear sightings again."

Jen nodded wryly. "Well, his truck is still here, so let's hope he hasn't met with some unfortunate accident. That's the last thing Lou needs right now."

"Yeah, no kidding," Mitch sighed. "What do you want to do?"

"Well, Lou wants the guests out of here as soon as possible. Can you take a ride around the usual trails and see if you find him?"

"Yeah, no problem."

"Thanks, Mitch. Let me know if you find anything."

"Absolutely."

"Excuse me," Karen said after Jen ended the call with Mitch. "I couldn't help but overhear—well, we couldn't help but overhear your talk about the guy in Cabin Two."

"What about him?" Jen asked, looking at Karen and the youngster by her side, a boy of about eleven years of age.

"My son just said he thinks he saw him last night," Karen said. "Go ahead and tell Jen what you saw, John-Paul."

The boy stepped forward. "I was kinda half-asleep," he started. "The sound of a motorbike or something in the distance got me up. Then I couldn't go back to sleep for a little while. Then I realised I had to use the bathroom. Well, the outhouse. When I came out from doing my—y'know—business, I saw someone out by the lake, well, on the deck by the firepit."

That grabbed Jen's attention. "Could you identify who it was?"

John-Paul shook his head. "Not really, but it was a guy, and he was bald, like the guy in Cabin Two."

"What time do you think this was?" Jen asked.

"Sorry, I don't know," John-Paul replied with a slight shrug. "It was dark, but the firepit was lit. The man's back was to me. It looked like he bunched something up and threw it into the fire. He was poking at it bit. Then I started feeling kinda guilty for spying on him, so I snuck back inside our cabin. I peeked out and saw him coming back towards the cabins. I'm pretty sure he went inside Cabin Two."

"Thank you for that, John-Paul, that's really helpful." Jen said, her mind turning over this new piece of information. So Mr. Cabin Two was here up to last night, if John-Paul is right. But if that's the case, where is he now?

"Is that all you need to know?" Karen asked.

"Yes, thanks," Jen replied. "Now we at least know the guy was probably here last night. He probably took off early this morning for a hike or something and still has not come back."

"Okay. I hope he shows up," Karen said. "And please tell your boss I'm sorry for her loss."

"I will," Jen said. "Thank you."

***

Heartland Equestrian Connections

After over an hour of aimless trekking along the trails normally reserved for rides and hikes, Mitch turned back for the cabins. There had been no sign of their missing guest.

"Nothing?" Jen asked when she saw him ride up.

"Not on any of the marked trails," Mitch replied as he dismounted from Maverick.

"That's just so weird," Jen said as she put her hands on her hips and frowned.

"I think it's time we ask Lou if we should open up his cabin," Mitch stated. "I don't care if he doesn't want his space disturbed. What if the guy had a heart attack and he's dead in there?"

Jen went pale in the face, mentally kicking herself for not considering that possibility beforehand. She swallowed. "You're right. I'll call Lou. I really think she should be here to open it up, just in case."

***

"Okay, so explain again to me why it was so urgent for me to be here," Lou said, wondering why her manager wasn't acting in a very managerial way.

"Because the guy in Cabin Two is still a no-show," Jen answered. "Mitch searched all the usual trails earlier, but he didn't find anything. It's suspicious."

"And he's booked right up to the end of the month, right?" asked Lou.

"Yes. And his truck is still here," Jen continued, pointing at the vehicle. "We've tried the cell number on file. It just keeps getting kicked to voice mail. Now, one of the kids staying here told me he thinks he saw our guy last night out by the fire pit, but he can't be sure. It was late, and it was dark, so, who knows? Lou, what if he's had a heart attack or something in there? I'd be way more comfortable if you're here for something like that."

"Right," Lou said with a pout. "I guess it's time we opened up that cabin."

Jen reached for the master key. "Let's go."

Cabin Two was in near pristine condition. Some of the occupant's clothes were folded on the bed; the latter had been neatly made up in almost military-like precision.

"He's not in here," Jen sighed, almost in relief, the earlier fear of finding him collapsed on the floor or dead of a coronary now vanishing from her thoughts.

Lou frowned. "But if he's not here, then where is he?"

Jen shrugged. "It is a mystery."

"I hope he isn't lost out there," Lou grumbled, glancing out one of the windows. "I might have to resort to getting in touch with his emergency contact on his forms. If he doesn't show up soon, I'll have to involve the police."

"All right, Lou," Jen said with a short sigh. "And once again, I'm really sorry about Lisa. This whole thing is so unbelievable."

"I know. But we'll make it through," Lou said, embracing the other woman briefly. "Thanks, Jen. You and Mitch are hereby excused from Dude Ranch duty for the next two weeks."

"Are you sure you don't want my help for when Lisa's family gets here?"

"I'm sure," Lou said. "We can handle it. Thanks."

After Jen drove away, Lou pulled out her cell phone and dialled her father's number. "Hi, Dad. We've managed to clear all the cabins except for Cabin Two. We can't find the guy who booked it anywhere, and neither Mitch nor Jen has seen him in a couple days. I'm not sure what to do about this. It's crazy. I'm worried."

"Don't be," Tim replied, uncharacteristically calm. "Honey, just call the cops, relax and let them handle it. Everything is going to be fine, okay?"

"Okay," Lou said doubtfully, willing herself to be calm while resisting the urge to ask about how Jack was doing. She wished he would just come home, but knew he needed the time and space away from everything for the present.

***

Rookie Hudson Police Constable Mike Becket frowned. The Missing Persons report he just tried to file for Samantha Louise Fleming was making no sense.

The name Dov Grosvenor, allegedly belonging to the man booked at Heartland Equestrian Connections, did not match any name in the Alberta Motor Association database. Worse, his truck's registration sticker was fake. Becket probed even deeper and brought his findings—or lack thereof—to his boss, despite knowing how busy he was with a murder investigation.

"Could be something, could be nothing, but we can't find a record of anyone with that name anywhere," Becket said to Chief Parker. "Not in the motor vehicle records, not in any employment records or taxes, no arrest records, zip. No one answers his cell, and his emergency contact number doesn't exist, either.

"He registered under a fake name and provided a false emergency contact number?"

"So it would appear, sir," Becket said. "Everything about him is fake."

"The lengths people will go to for privacy," Parker commented dryly.

"But the biggest red flag, sir? The registration sticker on his license plate is fraudulent," Becket said. "I think this has more to do than just wanting privacy. What should I do?" asked Becket.

"Well, you can't file a Missing Persons report for someone who doesn't exist," Parker said. "I admit it is very suspicious. But until this 'Dov Grosvenor' shows up, or until someone comes looking for him, there's very little we can do, legally. We have no real name and no details to go on. But if he does show up, you know we're going to have a lot of questions for him."

***

The dog would be a problem, of that much he was sure. No stranger could approach that ranch house during the night without her sounding the alarm. One bark from that animal, and the whole house would be on the alert. Already, there was too much coming and going; people stopping by to offer condolences; too much activity to be able to pin down when the vet would be alone in his barn office. He would have to find some way to get close enough to the mutt, maybe feed her a poisoned doggie treat or something. Whatever he did, it would have to be soon. There could be no witnesses left to what happened to the Stillman woman; no loose ends. Of course the risks were extremely high, but then the payoff would be, also.

***

Hudson Hawk: Your Eye on Hudson

A Blog.

May 5, 2019

Is it A Case of Mistaken Identity in the Deaths of Stanton and Stillman?

Your watchful Hawk has been tracking these two awful cases pretty closely. One thing to note is the fact Valerie Stanton and Lisa Stillman bear a superficial resemblance to one another. Both middle-aged. Both blonde with blue eyes. (See attached images for comparison.) Both well-known in the world-class equine community.

One fact this blogger learned from an anonymous source is Stanton was riding a horse belonging to Stillman at the time of her death. (Side note: That horse is very valuable; it is not outside the realm of possibility it could also be the target of greedy thieves, which brings to the table a potential motive for the murders of these women.)

But back to the original topic at hand: Is it possible Stillman was the original target, and Stanton was the unfortunate victim of mistaken identity?

Drop your comments or theories below.

I've got my eye on you, Hudson.

-Hudson Hawk

[Photos courtesy the Hudson Times]

Comment: OMG that is so creepy! I think your right about this town use to be so safe, now I dont know what to think anymore. I just hope the police catch whoever did this awful things. I use to see Lisa Stillman in Maggies Diner. She seemed pretty nice. You'd think someone like her would be too stuck up to have coffee in a place like Maggies but she seemed pretty down to earth to me. I know there were rumors that Valerie Stanton was mean and snooty, but no one deserves to get killed like that. I mean she was just out for a ride. I'm almost afraid to go for a ride myself now with a crazy gunman on the loose. Thanks for keeping us informed like this Hawk.

-PalominoPatty

Comment: Based on the pictures of the two women, I don't think there's any connection. They look nothing alike, really. It's more likely a coincidence. I heard Stillman was loaded, though. Maybe her husband did it. I heard rumours that Heartland ranch is barely scraping by. Weren't they the ones who were put under quarantine a few years back because of a Strangles epidemic and then again when there was an equine influenza scare, right? Business must have dried up because of that. Bet Stillman's widower stands to inherit a fortune with her out of the way. Easy fix to the financial problems they've been having. Sorry, just my opinion.

-AlbertaBoy

Reply: Don't be a dumb***, AlbertaBoy. That's such a load of bull****. I know this family. No, they're not "barely scraping by". Have you ever tried Heartland Beef sold at Garland grocery stores and served at Maggie's Diner? That's this family's beef cattle. There are no "financial problems" for them to fix. Next time keep your "opinion" to yourself.

- GreenRodeo

Reply: Touchy! Get a grip. I don't care if you know the family or not. You have to admit that it's fishy the police have not said anything about a motive, nor have they arrested anyone. And the last person to see Stillman alive was her husband. I'm just putting two and two together. Have a nice day!

- AlbertaBoy

Reply: And how is it you know Lisa Stillman's husband was the last one to see her alive? Go on, share your sources. If not, stop spreading dumb rumours. Hey, maybe you're the one who did it, if we're going to be throwing around baseless accusations!

-GreenRodeo

Reply: AlbertaBoy's source: "Trust me, bro." LOL.

-YYC_Stampeder

***

Amy opened the ranch house door after hearing a knock. Neighbours and friends in the community had been calling and dropping by in predictable fashion to express their sympathies, so this was not totally unexpected. What did surprise her was who was behind the door this time.

"Jesse? What are you doing here?" Somehow, the elder Stanton offspring was not on her list of likely visitors to Heartland. Memories of the way he had tried to ruin Ty surfaced at that moment, bringing with it long-forgotten anger she thought had been buried.

"Hi, Amy. I know I'm probably the last person you expected to see here, but of course heard about Lisa, and I..." Jessie said while shuffling his feet. "I, uh, wanted to give my condolences in person, and to thank you for your support after my mother... you know..."

She took in Jesse's earnest face and considered his stated reasons for being at Heartland. Val's death seemed to have changed him, and Amy had to acknowledge Jesse had steered clear of Ty ever since he dropped the assault charges. "Of course," she finally said. "Um, why don't you come on in?"

"Thanks," he said, sounding much relieved. He followed her inside where they sat down at the kitchen table.

"Can I get you anything to drink? Coffee? Tea?"

"A good stiff drink would be nice," he said with a sardonic twist of his mouth. "No, I'm kidding, Amy. I really don't plan to stay long. Thanks, anyway. How's Jack?"

Amy bit her lip while her heart took a dive. "He's... coping," she responded slowly. "He wanted some time away from everything, so he went to his fishing cabin for the next few days."

Jesse stared at her. "He went alone?"

"No. My dad went with him. Lou insisted on at least that. The last time Grandpa tried to grieve alone up there, he nearly drowned in the river."

"What about a funeral?"

Amy shook her head. "Not for a little while. Lisa's Aunt Evelyn is overseas right now and has begged for a little time to arrange her travel plans back to Canada. Grandpa didn't want to offend her by saying 'no'. Plus, Lisa had lots of friends in Europe who would want to come, too, so delaying a funeral makes sense right now. Her sister and Ben get in the day after tomorrow, though."

"Right, Ben. I remember when that guy was at Briar Ridge. I'm sorry, Amy," Jesse said. "I mean, I know Lisa wasn't related to you by blood, but I get that you loved and respected her as if she were. This has to be tough on you."

"On all of us," Amy sighed heavily.

Jesse looked at her carefully before speaking again, judging her mood. "Listen, I know things haven't always been easy between us; that my stupid jealousy ruined everything. But...If... if there's anything I can do..."

"I'll let you know," she said with a sad nod, filling in the unfinished sentence, taken aback by his admission of jealousy and his desire to be of some help.

"So, uh, how's Herring?" Jesse asked, awkwardly changing the subject.

"Yeah, he's doing really well, actually," Amy replied, somewhat surprised Jesse was concerned about the horse. "The bear's attack left more than physical injuries, but he's come a long way."

"Well, that's good news," Jesse said. "As you probably know, he was the last horse my mom got to ride. I keep thinking—as morbid as it sounds—Herring probably prevented that bear from dragging her body off..."

An involuntary tremor raced through Amy's frame. "Good Lord, Jesse," she murmured, trying to blot out the mental picture Jesse's words conjured up.

"Sorry," he said, averting his gaze before clearing his throat. "This whole thing has been brutal on all of us. I guess what I'm saying is I'm glad Herring is okay and that Ashley and I had Mom's body to bury. It wasn't the outcome we were hoping for when she went missing, but it could have been a lot worse."

"You're right," Amy agreed, desperate for another change in subject.

A hopeful expression replaced the anguished one on Jesse's face. "Can I—do you think I could see him?"

Amy gladly acquiesced. "Of course! Let's go to the barn."

They walked out into the yard, waving at Georgie as she vaulted over the jumps on Phoenix, Remi dutifully watching from the sidelines, as usual. Amy could not help but remember the time Val had briefly asked to train at Heartland.

"Did you know your mom once asked me to coach her?" she asked Jesse as they reached the stables.

"Really?" he said, a quick smile coming to his lips, as if thinking of happier times. "She never mentioned that. I guess this was when I was away at university in Toronto?"

"Yeah," Amy chuckled. "She told Grandpa it had something to do with her 'Happy List': a list of things she wanted to do that made her happy."

"Oh, was that after her first bout with cancer?"

"That's right," Amy replied. "Showjumping was one of those things."

"Why didn't she just get someone at Briar Ridge?"

"Do I really have to answer that?" Amy asked, a sly smile playing across her lips.

Jesse's face puckered into a puzzled frown for a moment, then understanding dawned. "Ohh, I get it. Coming to Heartland meant she could take time to visit with Jack, right?"

"Ah, that would be my guess," Amy replied.

"Heh. Ashley and I always suspected she was into him," Jesse said. "We thought it was gross, like most teens would."

Amy rolled her eyes. "Everyone knew your mom was 'into' my grandpa. Anyway, here he is," she said, coming to a halt at Herring's stall.

The wounds were healing nicely; Ty's ministrations and Amy's behavioural work—coupled with the intangible assistance from the Remi—seemed to be exactly what the horse needed to recover.

"Hey, boy," Jesse called softly. "How ya doing, huh?"

Herring's tail swayed once as if to acknowledge the greeting. He bent his long neck down to pull at some of the fresh hay lining the floor. Several mute moments passed while the pair watched this activity.

"Jack said some very kind things about my mom at the funeral," Jesse said at length, breaking the silence.

"Truthful things," Amy commented. "In the end, they were good friends."

"And she was grateful for that," Jesse uttered, growing serious again. "I know she was. I know Jack was there for her when she was sick. It should have been me—or Ashley, even, ferrying her to all those appointments, but I was away, and Jack really stepped up. Mom always said she didn't deserve to have such a loyal friend."

Amy reached out and gave Jesse's shoulder a comforting pat. Despite all the previous rancor between them, it seemed the right thing to do.

"Do you—do you mind if I just stay here for a little while longer?" asked Jesse, seemingly flustered by the effort of making the request. "My mother did have the idea she might buy him from Lisa. I don't know who legally owns him now—I guess that might be Jack—I, uh, I'm thinking maybe I might want to pick up where my mom left off."

"You'd want to buy Herring?" Amy asked, eyebrows quirked.

"Yeah, maybe," Jesse responded with a diffident shrug. "I don't know. Maybe I'm being stupidly sentimental, but like I said before, he is the last horse Mom ever rode, so I guess I feel some kind of weird connection."

"I get it," Amy said with a knowing smile, thinking back to how Spartan was the last horse she rescued with her own mother. That simple fact forged an unbreakable bond between them after Marion's sudden death. "Take as much time as you need, Jesse. I'll leave you two alone."

***

"You will never guess who came by today to express his condolences," Amy said when Ty returned from his shift at the clinic.

Ty raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Jesse Stanton."

"You're kidding," Ty scoffed. "He actually showed his face at Heartland."

"He did," Amy said with a nod. "And to say he might want to buy Herring."

"Seriously?"

"Yup," Amy confirmed. "I don't know, Ty. I think Val's death really shook him. He said he felt like there was a bond between him and Herring, since that was the last horse Val ever got to ride."

"I didn't think Jesse was interested in riding," Ty said.

"No, I don't think it's about riding, necessarily," Amy explained. "I think it's more about taking in and caring for the horse that probably protected Val's body from being dragged off by the bear."

"Well, Herring sure would be treated like royalty if he ever went to live at Briar Ridge. You and I both know it's pretty ritzy. After Hillhurst, Briar Ridge is the most high-end training facility in this part of the province," Ty added. "I guess that guy really has turned over a new leaf."

Amy gave a short nod. "And since Ashley has no interest in being involved with running Briar Ridge in any way, Jesse's got to pick up the pieces by himself. I almost feel sorry for him."

"'Almost'?" Ty echoed, hearing the authentic note of empathy in his wife's voice.

"Okay, I do feel sorry for him," she corrected herself. "Even after all the bad blood between us and Jesse, you and I know first-hand what it's like to lose a parent. It's never easy, especially the horrible way Jesse lost Val."

"Come here," Ty said, stretching open his arms. She went to him and allowed him to embrace her snugly. He then planted a kiss on her forehead and they stood together for a few moments of silence.

"Mmm. What was that for?" Amy eventually asked.

"For being such a caring person," responded Ty. "Even when it comes to people who don't have any particularly redeeming qualities."

***

Dinner and baby bath-time were over. Ty and Amy had together read Lyndy a bed-time story and put her down for the night. After the horrific events of the preceding days, this routine was a welcome taste of normalcy. The child seemed to be unaffected by the sad, somber mood of the adults around her, and she went down easily in her crib.

The relative calm was about to be broken in the form of another unexpected emergency.

"Ty?!"

Georgie's cry rang out from the barn below.

"Georgie?" Ty answered back, wondering why his niece was shouting.

"Come quick!" the girl was half-way up the steps now.

"What's the matter?" Ty went to the top of the stairs and peered down, wishing she would lower her volume lest she wake Lyndy.

"Something's wrong with Remi!"

There was no mistaking the desperation in the teen's voice; this was clearly something dire. Amy was now beside Ty, also on the alert. Amazingly, Lyndy was still in dreamland.

"I'll be right there, Georgie," Ty finally responded as quietly as possible so as to still be heard, but not loud enough to rouse Lyndy.

"Please, hurry." Now that she knew she had been heard, Georgie lowered her voice, though both Amy and Ty noticed a quaver in her voice that indicated she was far from pacified.

Ty shoved his feet inside his boots and shrugged into his leather jacket. "I'm ready; what's going on?" he asked, opening the baby gate.

Georgie turned on her heel and careened down the stairs, two at a time. "Come with me!" she called. "Hurry! I think Remi's having some kind of seizure."

"A seizure?" Ty repeated with a touch of panic, increasing the speed of his own descent at this piece of bad news. Once in the barn office, he snatched up his vet kit. He raced across the yard behind Georgie to where she beckoned inside the ranch house.

In the living room, Lou crouched worriedly over the twitching dog. Remi's legs were paddling restlessly while a foamy saliva dribbled from her mouth. Ty noticed the rug beneath the dog was visibly wet, a tell-tale sign that Remi had lost bladder control.

"How long has she been like this?" Ty asked briskly, all business-like while pulling on a pair of gloves.

"Uh-a—about, I don't know, four or five minutes now, maybe?" Georgie replied shakily. "I'd just finished washing the dishes with Mom. I called Remi to go upstairs, and she—she dropped and started shaking like that."

"What's wrong with her, Ty?" Lou asked, her own voice indicating her deep concern at seeing the dog in this condition.

"I don't know for sure yet," Ty answered as calmly as possible. He knelt down next to the animal with a needle and syringe of diazepam. "Lou; Georgie, help me hold Remi, but stay clear of her mouth because she might snap and bite in this state."

The two of them drew closer to assist, and Ty managed to inject the drug into a vein in the foreleg.

Georgie asked: "What are you giving her?"

"Something to relax her," Ty replied, keeping note of how the dog was reacting to the medication.

"Valium?" Lou guessed.

"Yes, that's the brand name for diazepam," Ty said.

Georgie's worry still had not abated. "Is she going to be okay?"

"We won't know until we get her to the clinic, Georgie," Ty replied hastily. "The both of you, I need your help again. We need to move her to the truck right away. Georgie, find me a blanket that I can use as a kind of temporary sling."

"Right," Georgie said, and scurried off.

Knowing Cassandra had the overnight shift, Ty said to Lou: "Call Cass at the clinic and tell her I'm bringing Remi in because she's had a seizure."

"You got it," Lou answered, and went to make the call.

Seconds ticked by. Ty could hear Lou speaking with Cass; heard Georgie rummaging in the linen closet. The dog's manic twitching continued. If the relaxant did not start to work soon, he feared the outcome would not be very favourable.

He heard Lou say, "Ty said he gave her Valium. He's coming with her now... Yes... He's got to get her into the truck... Okay... Thank you, Cass."

Yes, thank you, Cass, Ty thought. Knowing his very capable colleague, she was already starting to prep the clinic with all the necessary medical tools, equipment, and drugs they might need so that upon arrival they could administer immediate help to the stricken dog.

"Good girl, Remi," Ty cooed while stroking her coat, relieved to see her spasms were starting to subside in the couple minutes since the diazepam had entered her bloodstream.

"Here's a blanket, Ty," Georgie said upon returning. "Sorry I took so long. It's an old one, so it doesn't matter if she soils it."

"Good thinking," Ty said. "Thanks, Georgie. She's calmed enough now. Let's slide it under her. Please get the door for me while I carry her. Okay?"

"Okay," Georgie said, rushing ahead of him through the kitchen. She opened the door and pushed the screen out of the way so Ty, burdened with the animal, could make an easy exit towards the vehicle. Next was the truck door. Amy appeared right then with the truck keys dangling from her finger and his wallet in the other hand.

"You'll need these," she said.

Ty looked at her with affection at her forward thinking. "Thank you," he uttered gratefully. Amy unlocked the truck and Ty deposited Remi gently into the passenger side.

"I'll be at the clinic," Ty said as he sat behind the steering wheel.

"Right," Amy said, choosing to refrain from delaying him with useless questions or comments.

Seconds later, the truck roared out of the yard towards town.

***

Next Day

"I got the bloodwork back for Remi," Ty announced as his phone dinged the message from the lab. As soon as the words left his mouth, the family instantly froze, their faces locked in expressions of apprehension. He paused, realising he should have schooled his features a little better. Feeling like the constant harbinger of bad news, Ty intuited they were expecting the worst. "It was poison. Strychnine."

A gasp escaped Georgie.

"Strychnine?" Lou repeated, immediately unsettled.

"It's common to use it around these parts to control the gopher population," Ty said.

"I know, but we don't use that at Heartland. Grandpa hates that stuff," said Lou.

"Exactly," Amy said heatedly. "Someone must have left baited food somewhere around here and Remi got into it."

"No," Georgie spat, shaking her head vehemently. "No way. I've made sure she hasn't been wandering off lately because of the bear sightings. I'd know if she did."

"Are you sure?" Lou asked, fixing her gaze on the teen. "You can't watch her 24/7."

Glumly, Georgie plopped back down in the couch. Lou sighed, placing a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Then how else could she have been poisoned?"

"I don't know," replied a baffled Ty. "I don't think any of our neighbours uses anything toxic like this, either."

Georgie spoke up again. "Do we call the police? Shouldn't Chief Parker know?"

"And tell them what? It's not illegal to use strychnine as a gopher poison in this province, Georgie," Lou said, hating in this instance to be the voice of reason.

"Well, it should be!" she shot back sullenly.

"I agree," Amy put in.

"Symptoms of strychnine poisoning in canines can manifest in as little as fifteen minutes," Ty said reflectively. "But they can also take up to two hours. Georgie, you said Remi was with you the whole time yesterday, right?"

"Yes," Georgie said, sending a glare her mother's way. "She never went outside alone. The only time she was outside was when I was jumping Phoenix and when I walked out with her to do her business."

"Well, since we don't keep strychnine in the house, how did she ingest it?" Amy asked.

"That I don't know," Ty said. "In any case, I took samples of the water and food from her dishes to be tested to rule them out as the source."

"We have to do something," Georgie said, eyes ablaze. "What if it is contaminated dog food? What if happens again to other dogs in Hudson?"

"We're gonna try to make sure it doesn't," Ty said as calmly as he possibly could. "We're still having the contents of Remi's stomach analyzed, so we might get a better idea of precisely what it was she ate that was poisoned."

"That's good, right?" Amy asked tentatively.

"It will tell us what, but it might not necessarily tell us how or where Remi was poisoned," Ty answered.

"Why is this even happening?" Georgie lamented miserably. Her eyes brimmed. "First Val Stanton, then Lisa... now Remi..."

No, Lou thought grimly. First poor Lanny and Paige. A chill descended upon her and refused to lift, despite the warmth of the day. So much evil.

***

Chapter 10: There the Vultures Will Gather

#Heartland #heartland fanfiction #my fanfiction #bad business #A Heartland Murder Mystery #Chapter 9 #Dark Horse Candidate #Lisa Stillman #Jack Bartlett #Amy Fleming #Ty Borden #georgie fleming morris #lou fleming #Remi #chief parker #jesse stanton #mitch cutty #heartland equestrian connections #Jen

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askqueenmoon · 4 years ago

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Sorry for asking this again ^^" How do changelings work in this world?

Not sure if you mean this like, what are they up too, or how they function biologically...so why not answer both! It didn’t take the Queen long to recognize them as a threat, so it took an equally short time for her to find and crush one of their main hives. After a series of short battles, most of the changelings in Equestria were pushed up into the northern territory of Yakyakistan. Chrysalis and her children prepare for the day they can have their vengeance. Any changelings left in the Equestrian heartland are a completely decentralized mess with no leadership, so a shell of their former selves.

As for the more biological side of things...

Almost every life form on the planet (here it’s called Gaia) and it’s many dimensions/realms has a tether that connects them to their realm’s magic, and it is through that tether that creatures are able to harness and use magical energy, whether that be casting spells, walking on clouds, talking to plants, etc. One exception are the changelings. Changelings originate from the Feywild or Thelanis but have since been corrupted and cut off from their realm and it’s magic. Whether the corruption or banishment came first is unknown, but because of one or the other, they lost their connection to Gaia’s natural magic.

But the fey are strange and magic wells do not stay dry— Rather than being a conduit for magic like most creatures, the changelings became a ravenous void.

Changelings have developed the unique ability to syphon magical energy off of another creature and use that energy as a food source and to power their own magic. The afflicted individual will feel the effects of long term feeding. At first, the victim will have headaches and start feeling more tired than usual, followed by a decline in mood, difficulty performing magic of any sort, and if fed on for long enough, the victim will fall into a sort of depression- becoming numb to the world and completely dissociating from it.

That fact that affected individuals seem to get so unhappy has led to the myth that changelings feed off love and happiness and simply drain the emotion away. While that isn’t entirely true, it doesn’t help that changelings can actually taste emotion. Emotion does have an effect on magic’s strength and on a person’s aura, and for changelings, each emotion imparts a distinct flavour. Some changelings even have a preference as to which emotion they like to “feed” on, which leads them to try and coerce their target into certain emotions. Many choose to take on the guise of loved ones since love is a powerful emotion and amplifies power while also making the individual’s magic taste delicious! Of course, there are also changelings that prefer the heat anger lends or the bitter aftertaste of a person in mourning.

A well fed changeling is able to slowly draw the magic out of their prey without pain or notice, but the hungrier they are, the harder it will be for them to control themselves. A starved changeling's magic stores are completely depleted, but they can still steal magic by physically biting into a victim and using their sharp fangs to drain the poor sap of all they have. Victims of starved changelings may live with the aftereffects of these attacks for several years or even for life, with consequences ranging from memory lapses, to chronic depression, to a permanent decrease in magical ability. TLDR: Changelings are magic vampires and may give you depression.

#art #mlp #fim #notstoryrelated #gloomyspeaks #long post #au lore

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dixiecharmrpg · 4 years ago

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Let us introduce...

Twenty-seven year old Keaton Forrester. She was born and raised in Charming, Mississippi. She makes her living as a Horse Trainer at Heartland Ranch. People tell her that she is passionate, stubborn, courageous, impulsive, loyal and proud.

Let us see her favorite things...

LATEST TWEET: @sweetaspie: canning up some of my favorite strawberry bourbon jam. MOST PLAYED SONG: Somebody Like That – Tenille Arts FAVORITE QUOTE: “Got the sunshine on my shoulders, got a fistful of four leaf clovers.”

Let us tell you about her...

Born and raised in Charming, Mississippi Keaton Forrester is something of a local legend. Following in the footsteps of her mother, after a tragic accident took her away, Keaton is the sole horse trainer at heartland Equestrian Connection. As well as running the on site dude ranch for travelers near and far she has her hands full. It’s unlikely she comes across anyone in the town that her or her family doesn’t know. Heartland has been in her family for the past six generations and she has no plans on giving it up just yet.

#Keaton Forrester #taken #taken female

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tinalus-blog · 5 years ago

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It is said that the journey begins the moment you start preparing for it. And that is a fact. You spread out the map across the dining table, then check out the Google versions; keep notes; calculate distances from A to B; make a note of towns and villages you intend to visit; collect ideas for various activities and “must have” experiences and finally pack your bags.

Everything is ready for tomorrow’s most wanderlust trip! In my mind I am already in the car heading for the Peloponnese. In reality, I am still at home. How on earth am I going to get some sleep? My eyes just won’t close as my frenzied imagination runs through all the exciting adventures to come!

I check the weather forecast one last time. It will be more like summertime than autumn. Perfect!

Our journey starts in Argolida. We are spoilt for choice with so many beautiful places in the prefecture, but our first destination is Ancient Epidaurus, followed by the beautiful city of Nafplio.

Wanderlust Day 1: Argolida Prefecture

The ancient theatre of Epidaurus is majestic. There are quite a number of people here enjoying the October sunshine. I soon begin to experience a familiar sense of awe as I enter the archaeological site, a finely preserved representation of ancient Greek culture at its height! I find myself almost running up the marble steps to reach the top tiers, from where I hear a crystal-clear recital of a Kavafis poem by an Italian woman down on the stage. The symmetry of the theater and its excellent acoustics are as amazing as ever. How far ahead of their times our ancestors were!

As even more people arrive and the theatre starts filling up, it is time for me to go. I drop by the museum and Asclepius Sanctuary and after some essential photography, get back into the car and drive to Nafplio, the first capital city of Modern Greece.

I leave my stuff in the hotel and quickly lose myself in its alleyways. I wander here and there, pointing my lens at clusters of bougainvillea and the odd colourful bicycle leaning nonchalantly against a wall. I emerge from the labyrinth and head towards the harbor to check out Bourtzi, the small island fortress in the bay with a thousand stories engrained in its stone work. From here, I turn my attention to Palamidi, the castle above the city where war hero Kolokotronis was imprisoned, commanding fabulous views of the surroundings. When night falls, it is time for dinner in a traditional tavern, not forgetting a well-deserved dessert and a drink in one of the town clubs. After all, Nafplio has it all, history, art, nature, taste and nightlife.

The following day finds us back on the road and a change of prefecture; from romantic Nafplio we go to… even more romantic Monemvasia and then to the rugged heartland of the region, the famous Mani.

Wanderlust Day 2 and 3: Laconia Prefecture

After a three-hour drive we have just begun to make out the distinctive Monemvasia rock in the distance. On arrival there, we take the road connecting the beach to the fortress and then, abandoning our car to the 21st century, prepare for the fairy tale to begin. Entering the citadel, we are greeted by the sight of a cobbled street straight out of the Byzantine era, leading to the central square with the old canon and the church of “Elkomenos Christos”. On either side, little shops and houses bedecked with bougainvillea add life to the place. Every corner presents a photo opportunity, every alley a reason to never leave.

Watch the LIVE video from Monemvasia

I wander around the top castle to see the view of the tiled roofs and just before dusk, I go down to Kato Poli where little children play football in the new square. I have a coffee with a view of the sea and a hastily sinking sun and then I surrender myself to the delicious tastes on offer. I have been told to try the famed aubergine and who am I to ignore this recommendation?

In the morning I wake up for a last stroll on the paved street by the sea front wall. This place is magical! However, it is time to go. Mani awaits!

The first tower houses can be seen from afar and this is a sign we have reached Mani. The landscape is dry and rugged but it is this wild, stark beauty that makes it famous. Our first stop is the cave of Diros, one of the most beautiful in the world. The experience in the depths of the Laconian earth is enchanting and I look forward to continuing the mood on the surface, namely in Areopoli with its towers and stone alleys.

Before sunset, I head to the harbor of Areopoli, beautiful Limeni with its combination of tower houses and taverns at the water’s edge. The sun gently caresses my face, hair and soul and I sink into a wicker chair, with a cup of coffee and a smile on my lips. Friday evening continues back in Areopoli with a cocktail and a chat with the locals, taking advantage of the fine weather and welcoming the weekend in its numerous bars.

I wish I could stay a little longer but the road trip beckons us ever onwards; this time towards Messina.

Wanderlust Day 4: Messinia Prefecture – Kardamili, Kalamata

Our first stop is Kardamili in the area of Messinian Mani. The change of prefecture gets gradually more noticeable and I must admit that, for me, there is a special sense of excitement. You see, I have roots in Messinia both metaphorically – my origins – and literally – the roots of the trees in my olive grove!

So the first coffee of the day is here, by the little harbor of Kardamili and, as it is still early morning, we see two fishermen cleaning their nets and feeding a goose, a permanent resident of the area. A stroll around the old fortified town is a must. We take pictures while, to my surprise, lots of foreign tourists are sat here and there painting landscapes on aquarelles.

Time is pressing and after I promise to come back soon, I continue towards Kalamata. Although I know the capital of Messina quite well, the city has a surprise in store for me. A few kilometres outside Kalamata the team of the local horse riding club are at the beach, swimming in the sea with their horses. It is a scene that leaves me absolutely speechless.

Nickolas, the owner of the Equestrian Club, invites us to a Saturday family lunch. Nick, who is the team videographer, and I suddenly find ourselves eating and raising glasses as if we are part of the family. “This is Messinian hospitality”, I said, winking. In a matter of moments, we go from being complete strangers to fully-fledged members of this wonderful gathering!

Our stroll continues, coffee in hand, in the alleyways around Aristomenous square, where all the university students, and consequently, all the cafeterias are gathered. We carry on to my favourite spot, 23rd March Square and Kalamata castle where we have dinner and then come back for a drink. After all, nightlife in Kalamata, both in its old town and along the sea front, is one of the best kept secrets in the Peloponnese. Before you go dancing, however, a stop at Navarinou St for a sweet treat with a sea view is a must!

Read also: Kalamata in the heart of Messinia

Wanderlust Day 5: Messinia Prefecture – Voidokoilia, Methoni, Pylos

The following day finds us on the other side of Messinia as we want to see the Navarino Challenge athletes running along Voidokoilia, one of the most impressive beaches in Greece! The event is co-organized with Costa Navarino. As we are there very early, I get the opportunity to see the rising sun daubing the Gialova lagoon in its golden rays before I begin to cheer the runners on.

Our inner compass points towards Methoni now, but along the curling coastal road that takes us there, the harbor of Pylos suddenly reveals itself. There is no way we are not stopping for a meal and a wander round. The Navarinia Festival and Navarino Sea Battle re-enactment are coming up in the following week so the atmosphere is already charged with excitement and anticipation. After a walk along the pier and around Trion Navarhon square, we hit the road again towards Methoni castle.

In a matter of moments, we go from being complete strangers to fully-fledged members of this wonderful gathering!

It is a typical Sunday afternoon and there are few people around, so the castle is basically for our eyes only. I walk along the paved roadway that extends into the sea to reach another Bourtzi, like the one in Nafplio, a fortified island with an octagonal castle. The keen-eyed can also make out the islets of Shiza and Sapienza in the distance.

I could sit here for hours but the Vlahopoulou Women’s Association is expecting us to make lalaggia and tiganides, traditional Messinian delicacies fried in world famous Kalamata olive oil. In essence, during the evening there is a great feast in the main square of the village where I would still be, eating and drinking with the locals had it not been for the programme I had to follow!

Wanderlust Day 6: River Neda, Lake Kaiafa

The following day finds us on the road heading to the River Neda and its waterfalls. A place long included in my bucket list which I hadn’t had the chance to visit until now.

Along a verdant, undulating trail, we reach the largest waterfall and the view fully rewards our exertions. Only the sound of the water breaks the tranquillity of the landscape. I take off my shoes and hesitantly dip my toes to try out the water. It’s cold but I am here now so I might as well go in. I put on a bathing suit and in I go!

Time passes and the afternoon finds us leaving Messinia prefecture behind and heading to Lake Kaiafa.

Ilia Prefecture: In Kaiafa we are welcomed by the wonderful forest right next to a huge beach, which, by the way, is gorgeous as well as empty when we arrive. A strip of land separates us from Lake Kaiafa and the islet of Agia Aikaterini and for a few moments I feel like I am not in Greece. So used to the blue of the sea, my eyes take some time to adjust to the piercing green of the lake.

Wanderlust Day 7 and 8: Ancient Olympia and village hopping in Mountainous Arcadia

The morning finds us in Ancient Olympia, the most important landmark of the Peloponnese and the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Our tour around the archaeological site includes short pauses at Philipeio, the ruins of the Temple of Hera, Nymphaion and of course, the stadium, where you get goose pimples just contemplating the magnitude of its history.

However, our time is racing like a sprinter and I have to leave Ilia and head to Arcadia.

Arcadia Prefecture: And here we are at the heart of the Peloponnese, Arcadia. It is here that we are welcomed by authentic autumnal images. Yellow leaves everywhere, running waters, stone houses left and right. A treat for anyone preferring the mountain to the sea!

We are ready for village hopping! We start from beautiful Stemnitsa and Roilou tower and we have a coffee in “Gerousia”, a traditional café in the village square. We carry on to Dimitsana with its ultra-modern Water Power Museum which makes a huge impression on me as it is an incredible combination of the traditional and the contemporary. Later we wander around the cobbled stone alleys and sit for a meal in one of the numerous taverns of the area.

Village hopping continues the next day, this time starting from Karitaina and its beautiful castle, aka “the Greek Toledo”, and have a coffee in the café of the next village, Zatouna, with its many water fountains. We carry on to “the hanging village of the Peloponnese”, Lagadia, also known for its artisans and tapestries and we conclude our tour in Vitina where we sit down to dinner after having done our shopping: local honey, oregano and handmade pasta.

Wanderlust Day 9: Corinthia Prefecture

We have reached our penultimate day and time is pressing. We change prefecture again and head to Lake Stymphalia. Take a glimpse just before you keep on reading!

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Corinthia Prefecture: Our first stop is the Environmental Museum which amazes me as much as the Water Power Museum in Dimitsana. Unfortunately the lake is totally dried up. Then again, this does give us the chance to walk in it and take amazing photos of places we would otherwise have no access to.

Our day concludes in the best possible way. Just outside Nemea we sample fantastic wine varieties in Semeli winery and wander around the endless vineyards.

Wanderlust Day 10: Achaia Prefecture

Achaia Prefecture: Although it is not winter yet, a visit to Kalavryta is a must. We can always come back to the ski centre with the first snows. We walk around the paved streets of the town and the smell of grilled meat from the taverns tickles our nostrils. We carry on to Diakopto where the rack and pinion railway awaits to bring back old fashioned romance and adventure to the railway experience! Nature is at its best at this time of year and the colours of the trees are impressive.

And after 10 wonderful days on the Peloponnese, full of images, colours, flavours, faces, joyous conversations and lots of emotions, it is time to go back to base. So this is the last change of prefecture… Attica. Back to Athens with a mind full of pictures and a camera full of colourful shots of the Peloponnese.

Have you been to the Peloponnese? What was your favourite experience? Let us know in the comments below by sharing your thoughts.

Find more of Maria’s travel stories here: https://tstories.gr/

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The post Wanderlust Greece: Round the Peloponnese in 10 days appeared first on Discover Greece Blog.

#>Tips:#00ff00;#>Tips:#039;s #00ff00;>Tips:#00ff00;">Tips:#wanderlustGR

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anythingmagazinecom-blog · 7 years ago

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Sling TV adds new channel RIDE TV

RIDE TV is coming to Sling TV subscribers. If you have their base package you can add on the Heartland Pack for $5/mo which includes multiple other sports, outdoor, farming, and family movie channels.

RIDE features over 90% original high quality programming related to horses and equestrian lifestyle.

The good news is if you have an internet connection you can download the Sling TV app, get tons…

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touraandtravels-blog · 7 years ago

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Ashford Castle: A Place Where Time Seems To Stand Still

One of the most exclusive luxury hotels in the World is Ashford Castle. Ashford Castle is located in Cong, Co Mayo, Ireland. This 13th Century Castle is hidden in over 350 acres of wooded parkland and stands as a monument to a fascinating history of days gone by. Ashford Castle was once the estate of the Guineness Family. It opened its doors as an exclusive hotel in 1939. Ashford Castle is 30 minutes from Galway city, and within driving distance of Shannon International Airport. You can enjoy a wide range of relaxing or exciting activities that include: • Spa treatments • Fly a hawk in the School of Falconry • Take a picnic in the Walled Garden • Catch Wild Trout or Salmon in one of the most famous fisheries in Ireland • Enjoy dining in all four unique dining areas, each with their own imitable style and ambience • Have cocktails, liqueurs and brandies in the Prince of Wales Cocktail Bar • Their “Dungeon Bar” features an informal atmosphere where you might relax in the company of the resident harpist and singer, or join in the nightly sing-songs. Most evenings feature an Irish Show including ballads and storytelling in the company of resident entertainers. Each guest room is individually designed to provide stylish personal comforts. Features include: • Marble fittings of bathrooms • Sumptuous coordinated fabrics and furnishings • Many of the rooms retain their original features • All rooms are equipped with modern amenities including Broadband connectivity and Interactive TV The four unique dining areas are: • The George V Room: Named following the visit of the Prince of Wales, who subsequently became George V of England. Features are breakfast and a table d’hote dinner menu. It is Ashford’s main dining room. Guests can enjoy the pristine period décor and choose from a world-class menu of modern Irish and international cuisine. It is a setting in which to enjoy the traditional art of elegant dining. Book flight ticket Mumbai to Delhi online within a reasonable price. • The Connaught Room: Is the most beautiful and intimate room in the castle and showcases the very best in Irish produce. There are spectacular views of Lough Corrib, delicate wood carvings and a spectacular hand-carved Inglenook fireplace. The tasting menu is available as a five – or seven – course menu and is changed regularly according to season and availability. Accompanying each tasting menu is a wine suggestion offering a different glass of wine for each course. traveling • The Drawing Room: Serves lunch, afternoon tea and offers a more casual evening dinner option. It is the perfect place to relax without formality. The Drawing Room features a selection of sandwiches, salads, hearty soups or foods more substantial. The Irish stew is a favorite of many who visit the Ashford Castle and is made with lean lamb and local vegetables served in a flavorful broth. • Cullen’s at The Cottage: Named after the late Peter Cullen, offers a bistro-style menu with a relaxed atmosphere. Cullen’s allows an informal option outside the castle, while still on the Ashford Estate. It is just a short walk across the River Cong. Choose a lobster from the tank or enjoy a light salad. Health and Beauty Ashford Castle offers guests the ultimate in pampering. In their health and beauty facilities, they offer: • Aroma-Stone Massage: Top to toe aromatic hot stone massage • Aroma-Luxe Massage: Aromatic massage – energizing and relaxing for one hour • Back Massage • Back, Neck, Shoulders, Face and Scalp Massage • Swedish massage – Full body massage that relaxes tense and contracted muscles, improves circulation, lymphatic drainage and muscle tone. Stimulates nerve endings relieving muscular pain and fatigue Estate Activities include: • Fishing: An Orvis indorsed property located one the banks of Lough Corrib, one of the most famous fisheries in all of Ireland • Falconry: An ancient art with the reputation of being the oldest sport in the world, and originating in the Far East around 2000 BC, as a means of catching food. The exclusive collection of birds of prey is open only by appointment. • Golf: A beautiful 9 hole 2996 yards par 35 parkland course • Equestrian: The Ashford Equestrian Center is situated within easy walking distance of the Castle on the Ashford Estate • Clay Shooting • Archery • Lake Cruising: See St Patrick’s Church built by St. Patrick in 450AD, Europe’s second oldest Christian inscription – 470 AD, Ornate Augustine church built by the monks of Cong in 1178 Ashford Castle, located deep in the heartland of Mayo, and set against a backdrop of forests, lakes and mountains feels like a place where time stands still, however, the castle you will see today has undergone enormous change since its beginnings nearly eight centuries ago. Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with Ashford Castle or any of its employees. This article is offered as a resource for vacation planning of the castles of Europe. This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. © 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

#online flight booking #flight tickets #book online flight ticket

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thehorsedispatch · 2 years ago

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New Post has been published on https://horsetoloan.com/horse-health/best-horse-walks-into-a-bar-jokes/

Best Horse Walks Into a Bar Jokes

Best a Horse Walks Into a Bar Jokes

There are plenty of different types of jokes and different formats– like the knock-knock joke, for instance. Another one of the classics is the “X walks into the bar” joke, which can often serve as a witty social commentary. Other times, this joke is more innocent and is simply there for an easy laugh! These jokes can be made about anything or anyone, from race car drivers or blondes, to even horses. Below, we will go over some of the best “a horse walks into a bar” jokes that any equestrian or horse lover is sure to get a kick out of.

Related – Horse Equipment for Beginners

The Power of Jokes

You have surely heard the saying that “laughter is the best medicine”. Well, it’s true– and a well-timed horse joke can certainly help to cheer someone up! One of the key reasons that laughter is so good for both the body and soul is because it is a form of stress relief. Laughter activates your stress relief response and can increase and decrease your heart rate and your blood pressure. This leaves you feeling happy and relaxed.

Laughing can also soothe tension, which is similar to the stress relief we went over above. To specifically target tension, laughter stimulates your body’s circulation and muscle relaxation. These can both help with the physical symptoms of stress. Laughter stimulates some of your organs, too. When you laugh, you increase your body’s intake of the oxygen-rich air. This helps to stimulate your heart, lungs, and muscles. It also increases the number of endorphins that are released by the brain.

In addition, laughter has certain long-term benefits! One of the ways that it can help you in the long term is that it can help to improve your immune system– which can keep you from getting sick while others around you deal with viruses or bugs. You are probably aware that certain negative thoughts or emotions can manifest themselves in the form of chemical reactions in the brain or body. These reactions can decrease your immunity! However, positive thoughts and emotions can do the inverse, releasing neuropeptides that can fight stress and more serious illnesses.

Another of the long-term benefits of laughing is that it can improve any pain that you might be suffering. It prompts the body to produce its own special natural painkillers– so next time you stub your toe, try to laugh it off. Laughter can improve personal satisfaction with your life, interactions, and experiences, because it helps you to make connections with people– even those that you do not know well. It can also help you to cope with particularly challenging and difficult experiences that you may have to go through. And besides, laughing is fun!

After reading about all of these benefits, you will surely want to start laughing more! Well, look no further than the 20 “horse walks into a bar” jokes that follow.

Also Read – Find out all about Heartland’s Horse Phoenix

20 Best a Horse Walks Into a Bar Jokes

1 – A horse walks into a bar, and the bartender asks him, “hey, why the long face?”

2 – A horse walks into a bar and the bartender greets him, “hey!” “Yes, please,” says the horse.

3 – A horse walks into a bar, and he steals my girlfriend of 3 years.

4 – A horse walks into a bar. A chicken crosses the road. Well, a lot of animals do things– it’s not our place to judge them!

5 – A horse walks into a bar, and the bartender tells him, “We don’t allow your kind here.” The horse leaves and sues him for discrimiNEIGHtion.

6 – A horse walks into a bar. Five hours later, the same horse walks unsteadily out of the bar.

7 – A horse walks into a bar– four faults.

8 – A horse walks into the bar, and the bartender asks him, “why the long face?” The horse replies, “because you tell that same joke every time I come here.”

9 – A bar walks into a bartender. The horse comments, “you’re not very good at telling jokes, are you?”

10 – A horse walks into a bar, but the whereabouts of the rider are unknown. Everyone there is very tense.

11 – A horse walks into a bar. The bartender greets him, “hey.” The horse replies. “No, thanks, I just ate. I’ll just have a beer instead.”

12 – A pony walks into a bar. He whispers his order to the bartender, who asks, “why are you whispering your order? I need you to speak up.” The pony says, “I’m a little horse.”

13 – A horse walks into a bar and gets kicked out. Why? Well, because horses can’t be in bars.

14 – A horse walks into a bar. The trainer tells him, “next time, jump.”

15 – Warhorse walks into a bar, and the bartender says, “why the long film?”

16 – A racehorse walks into a bar with his entire entourage. The bartender says, “You can’t come in here with those trainers.”

17 – A pantomime horse walks into a bar, and the bartender asks him if he would like a pint of beer. “No, two halves,” the horse replies.

18 – A white horse walks into a bar and asks for some whiskey. The landlord tells him, “hey, we’ve got a whiskey named after you.” “What, George?” asks the horse.

19 – A horse walks into a bar. The bartender mixes up idioms with jokes and offers the horse water, but he can’t make him drink.

20 – A horse walks into a bar. He approaches the bartender and says, “I’ll have a beer, please.” The bartender is shocked, and he excuses himself to go talk to his manager. “Hey, boss, there is a horse in here and he’s asking for a beer.” The boss replies, “so give him a beer, but charge him double for it. After all, horses don’t know the cost of beer.” The bartender goes back out front and serves the horse his beer. “You know, we don’t get a lot of horses around here.” The horse looks at him and replies, “well, at these prices, I’m not surprised.”

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the-real-tc · 6 years ago

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Fic Update! Wide River to Cross: Ch. 20

Author's note: I could say I'm sorry for not having updated in a while, and you'll get the usual excuses: I was too busy; life happens; writer's block, etc., etc... In any case, here's Chapter 20, which brings Lou into the picture. I had to address the Dude Ranch issue, so this is my take on what probably happened behind the scenes. It was never explained how or when or why Lisa was no longer involved with that business. I tackle that here. No, Jack and Lisa still aren't back together yet (c'mon, you know it didn't happen that easily!) but things may be turning a corner on that...

Chapter 20: The Waiting Game

Lou sat silently at the kitchen table, staring at the paperwork before her. It had arrived that day in a business envelope that bore postage marks from France; the return address from Toulon. For a moment, Lou wasn't quite sure what emotion she was experiencing. It wasn't sadness, exactly, or even regret. It was a little bit like grief. Yes, Lou decided: it was like grieving a loss. In this case, it was the loss of a business partnership.

A sigh puffed her cheeks as she re-read the very familiar legal jargon on the pages. Memories preyed on her mind of the time Tim sold his share of the Dude Ranch to Lisa. Uncomfortably, Lou thought of how unhappy she was during that period of her life. Dubai had been a disaster, and her father simply couldn't handle the running of her precious business in her absence. Tim's selling of his share to Lisa after she offered to help seemed the prudent solution to the problem. That they endured a rocky start due to a massive clash in vision for the Dude Ranch was beside the point. It hadn't been easy, but Heartland Equestrian Connections survived—and thrived—during their partnership. Lou had to admit Lisa's years of experience gained from running her own business was an invaluable and often intangible asset she had not appreciated enough. Long forgotten were disputes over "tacky" décor and the ill-timed operating of noisy excavating machinery during leaf-peeping season. Two admittedly head-strong, savvy women found ways to work together for a common goal of success.

Now, with the stroke of a pen, that successful partnership was dissolved. Lou put her signature on the designated line, formally agreeing to buy back Lisa's share—effectively making her the sole owner and operator. She sat back in her chair, exhaling again. Part of her was glad her grandfather was still in Arizona while this transaction was taking place. Lou suspected Lisa planned it that way, and she appreciated the other woman's discretion. They had mostly corresponded via email but had spoken on the phone a few days earlier to smooth out some final details. During that call, Lou could not help but hear the resignation in Lisa's voice:

"I'm giving you a fair price for it, Lou. I think our reasons for having me as a partner have reached their conclusion. You're perfectly capable of running this on your own, now."

"So, you're really staying in France for good?"

"Um, yeah, it's time to move on. My next step is to sell Fairfield, but…"

"But what?"

"Oh, I don't know. I have to do it, but I guess I don't quite want to let the family farm go just yet. Honestly, if you had told me a year ago I would even be considering selling this place, I would have told you that you're crazy. It breaks my heart to think of it no longer being in the Stillman name, but other than the land and the house, there's nothing left for me in Hudson."

"You still have us, you know. What about Katie?"

"Katie will always be my goddaughter, and of course I'll visit..."

That had been the end of Lou's attempts to persuade Lisa to otherwise remain in Hudson. As she stuffed the document into the return envelope, Lou concluded any effort expended to convince Lisa to stay belonged solely in her grandfather's hands. This was his relationship to fix, if he indeed wanted it fixed.

It was unfortunate that things had come to this. For all their differences and disagreements, Lou had a healthy admiration for the other woman. She, along with Peter, would not have asked Lisa to be godmother to Katie if their relationship had been a genuinely negative one. Lou considered the main reasons she felt Lisa's involvement in the family's affairs often crossed the line into meddling were due to a mix of jealousy and resentment.

Jealousy, because Lisa seemed to have it all together all the time; resentment because of how she seemed to stake a claim on the role of matriarch by dint of being romantically involved with Jack. Her kindness, too, could be overwhelming. It was Lisa who had secretly obtained for her the dream wedding and bridesmaids dresses when it seemed impossible. Such a gift must have come at a great expense, yet Lisa never once reminded Lou of it. Fishing for compliments or signs of gratitude was not a sport Lisa played.

The screen door from the porch entrance slammed shut and Tim shuffled in.

"Hi, Dad," Lou said, too late catching the despondent tone in her voice.

"What's the matter?" Tim snapped upon hearing the glum note.

She ignored his surly delivery. "C'mon, Dad," she sighed. "You know it hasn't been easy with Grandpa being away."

"You know he's not going to live forever, right?" Tim asked as he removed his boots. "This heart attack is just the kind of wake-up call this family needs."

"Thanks, Dad," Lou grumbled in sarcasm, trying to ignore the wave of anxiety that swamped her at the thought of Jack's inevitable mortality. She glanced down at the sealed return envelope instead. "I just signed the deal to buy back Lisa's half of the Dude Ranch."

"Honey, that's great!" Tim declared. "I mean, don't get me wrong: Lisa helped out when you needed it most, but she's not here anymore. You need to take control again. You've got this."

"Yeah, I know," Lou agreed. "It's been really hard not letting Grandpa know about all this when I've spoken to him on the phone. It's just what he needs to hear, right? That Lisa has one less reason to stay in Hudson."

"What happened between them is plain sad," Tim sniffed while making his way into the kitchen. "That old man is too stubborn for his own good. He should have just taken my advice and kept his mouth shut about what happened in Paris. That's what got him in this mess in the first place."

"I thought things were looking up when she came back from France to see him after… you know…" Lou struggled to speak. "I thought they were going to Arizona together."

"We all did," Tim put in.

"But then she left without a word, and he's down there by himself."

"When's he supposed to get back, again?" Tim asked.

"One more week," Lou answered. And it can't happen soon enough.

"Great!" Tim exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. "That gives me enough time."

Lou shot him a quizzical look. "Enough time for what?"

"You'll see!" Tim said, smiling slyly, while rummaging in the fridge for something to drink.

"Why do I not like the sound of that?"

"C'mon, Lou," Tim sighed, turning around with a carton of orange juice in his hand. "I did not ask for this responsibility, but with Jack out of the picture, someone needs to start thinking about the future of this place."

"Okay, what is that supposed to mean?"

"Let's face it, Lou: when your grandfather gets back, it'll be more than time to put him out to pasture. I mean, he shouldn't even be in the saddle what with his arthritis and after that heart attack."

Lou folded her arms. "I don't like the idea of his working himself into another heart attack, either, but…"

"See? Then you agree with me," Tim interjected. He poured the juice in a glass and took a long swallow.

Biting her lip, Lou decided to drop her protests. It wasn't worth the effort to argue with her father. Jack would soon return and after that, things would hopefully be back to some semblance of normalcy.

"I've gotta go into town to mail this," Lou said, getting up from the table. "Katie's napping right now. Could you…?"

"Yeah, yeah, go," Tim muttered, waving her aside. "I'll watch her."

She grabbed the keys to the SUV along with the envelope. "Thanks, Dad. See you later."

"Thanks for letting me use your phone," Jack said to his hosts after having finalized his return travel details. Changing his flight back to Calgary to an earlier one hadn't been as much of a hassle as he thought it might be.

"It's no problem, at all," Henry Groves said. "Are you sure we can't convince you to stay any longer?"

"Yes, Jack," Annette added. "You're in no way an imposition."

Jack nodded. "I know, but it's time I got back. You've both been very good to me."

"When does your plane leave?" Henry asked.

"Tomorrow at 2:35 p.m.," Jack said with a pout. "Couldn't get a seat on the next nonstop, so I've got a stopover in Vancouver. It was the next cheapest option."

"Then let's take you out to dinner tonight as a farewell," Henry suggested.

"That's a great idea," Annette agreed. "You've got to be tired of our cooking by now."

Knowing it would be pointless to protest such generosity, Jack smiled and replied in the positive. His thoughts, however, were already jumping ahead to the future: to home. He just had to endure one more night in the company of people who were not family; one more night of sleeping in a bed that wasn't his. He'd touch down in YYC at nearly 11:00 p.m., local time. If he was lucky, he could be at Heartland around 1:00 a.m., and he could at last be tucked under his own blankets in familiar surroundings.

As good a horse as Blaze had been during the week with Saddleback Tours, Jack thought with great affection of his long-time steed, Paint. He hadn't ridden that faithful four-legged companion since suffering the heart attack, so he very much anticipated getting back in the saddle. It was maybe a little fanciful, but Jack wondered if the horse missed him. Amy would probably tell him yes; for a moment, the cowboy indulged the idea that maybe Paint did feel his absence.

Home.

If he were honest, Arizona had been more than okay. Jack again didn't know what he'd done to deserve such kindness from all these strangers he'd met along the way. The trip would have been exceedingly dull had it not been for Kristin and all the Saddleback Tours folk. He was grateful, too, for Tess and Roger, the couple in Flagstaff that welcomed him into their home. Even though that home would never be his and Lisa's, the fact remained it was a beautiful location they could both have enjoyed. Finally, Henry and Annette's hospitality ensured Jack would leave with a mostly positive mental memory book of Arizona. He knew, however, that when he revisited all these experiences and images, there would be a glaring blank spot, like a missing picture in a photo album. That spot could only be occupied by Lisa, and for that reason, Jack's heart remained heavy. Nothing was going to change the fact she should have been with him on every step of the journey. Ah, well, it was too late for them now. There was no turning back the clock and resetting that awful argument in front of a rented hospital bed in the living room. His thoughtless words had pushed Lisa away, and she had taken her leave, never to look back.

Evening fell on the Toulon countryside. Lisa felt her mood dipping along with the setting sun while she sat alone on the porch. Earlier that day, she had seen her sister off to the airport for departure back to Canada.

"Rachel Judith, have a safe flight," Lisa had said affectionately.

"Thanks, Lisa Renée," Rachel had answered in kind. They embraced warmly, with promises to keep in touch as frequently as possible. Lisa had waved to her sibling as she headed towards the necessary security checks. When she could no longer see Rachel through the small throng of travellers and airport officials, Lisa made her retreat.

A barely touched glass of wine sat at Lisa's elbow. She couldn't help but think of the conversations shared with her sister during her brief stay, especially talk that somehow gravitated towards Jack.

"You still love him, don't you?" Rachel had asked.

Lisa had wanted to shout Yes!

Instead, a more restrained, uncertain response fell from her lips. "I do, but…"

"Look, sis, I know you're ready to sell Fairfield, cut ties all ties to Hudson, and hide out here in Toulon for the rest of your life," Rachel said. "But if there's even one chance of you two getting back together, I think you need to take it. Forget what I said about being cursed when it comes to love. You were happy when you were with him. I know you were."

"Okay, yes, I still love him," Lisa said.

"Then go back there and tell him before it's too late."

"How can I go back?" Lisa protested. "How can I go back when he doesn't feel the same way?"

"Are you sure about that?"

"He practically threw me out of the house, Rach; told me he didn't want me with him in Arizona. I told you. It was ugly that last fight we had."

"Yeah, but you also told me it was your own silly fault for getting that hospital bed in the first place."

"I know, I know!" Lisa groaned, putting her hands to her face.

"Maybe Arizona was good for him, Lis. Did you ever stop to think that maybe he missed you? That he regretted leaving you behind?"

I think about it all the time. "Yeah… I did," Lisa admitted. "But don't you get it? The ball is in his court now. I can't just show up on his doorstep after all that. He needs to make the first move. I couldn't bear to go see him and then have him tell me he doesn't want to see me again."

"Well, I can't tell you what to do," Rachel sighed. "But let me know when you seal the deal on the Fairfield sale. I may just want to come out for one last look at the place, just to say goodbye."

"Okay, I'll do that," Lisa replied, gripped with anxiety of what the future would bring when she dissolved all ties to Hudson.

Now as she sat in the swiftly gathering darkness of night, Lisa took the wine glass to slowly swirl the liquid. Pleasant aromas of oak and caramel tickled her olfactory senses. She tilted her head to take a long gulp. The wine hit the back of her throat awkwardly and she nearly gagged in discomfort. Her eyes momentarily teared up.

Was it too late to try to salvage things with Jack?

Things were starting to move forward with the Avignon business plan, thanks to the funds from selling her share of the Dude Ranch back to Lou. Lisa was glad Lou readily agreed to that, as it kept Dan placated for the time being.

Spring was almost over. Summer would fly by in no time, and her ex-husband would want to hear that Fairfield was on the market. He would want to hear that the horses not already earmarked for France would be sold.

Lisa sipped from the wine glass, draining it to the dregs while her mind buzzed with all the possibilities and choices facing her. Logically, she knew she couldn't stall forever when it came to Fairfield. The questions remained, then: should she wait for some sign from Jack that he wanted her back in his life, or should she make her intentions known?

No. He needs to make that call, Lisa thought defiantly, as she got up from the porch to enter the house, taking her empty glass with her. I can't have my heart broken again.

I'm waiting, Jack. But I can't wait forever.

Chapter 21: The Ghost of You

#heartland #heartland fanfiction #my fics #wide river to cross #chapter 20 #the waiting game #Jack Bartlett #Lisa Stillman #Lou Fleming-Morris #Tim Fleming #JISA #JISA fic

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