Novel by Christina Carson
Purchase at Amazon Kindle
Quote from Suffer the Little Children:
"Perhaps what we call misfortune is actually a place where the universe interrupts our habits that keep life so limited and small, forcing us to respond differently. The opportunity it offers depends on how hard we work to close the gap or hold it open, allowing ourselves to glimpse realities we've never glimpsed before."
Novel by Christina Carson
Quote from Dying to Know:
"I knew in that moment, we were never meant to surrender our childlike innocence, to trade a world in which we fit like a glove for one that hung on us like ill-fitting hand-me-downs. However, all about us insisted on our membership. And instead of a handshake or a mystical password as entrance into this spurious society, we agreed instead to share a lie, the one that says we’re safe, secure, and fulfilled living this way."
Contact Me
The Motherbreed
I've been sick for the last week. Illness quiets me and soften me around the edges. I began reminiscing about my life as a shepherdess, my adoration and respect for sheep, and the admirable qualities they demonstrate. Sheep have all the merits of the people I most love – kindness, humor, joy, tolerance and toughness. Our breeding program required that we run several different breeds, but one breed fascinated me most of all – the Dorsets – dubbed by the industry, the Motherbreed. The ewes were not the tall, flashy femme fatales called Suffolks.
Nor were they the rugged Rambouillet ladies of the western range. They were close to the ground, short-coupled, dumpy little gals. But when it came to mothering, the only job a ewe is asked to do, no one surpassed them in their ability to deliver and raise healthy lambs. The moniker, Motherbreed, acknowledged them as the best there was.
Their unflappable demeanor made them different from most other breeds of ewes. Thus, their lambs lived next to this rock of steadiness and quietude, the little gaffers having no idea what commotion or stress felt like. The challenge in working with Dorsets was just keeping them on their feet, for 30 seconds of inactivity had them dropping down for a nap. And when you wanted them back up, they’d have a look on their faces that I swear was akin to their saying, “Are you sure this is absolutely necessary?” Dorset Ewe & Lamb
Loving words as I do, Motherbreed is one that fascinates me. The word almost explains itself by the feeling it creates when you say it. Nor is it meant to be gender-biased, describing instead a high order of excellence. Perhaps we indie writers will form the Motherbreed of this new age of authors and publishers. In a strange twist of fate, we are neither solo nor isolated as our nickname suggests. We are a community, powerfully affected by what we and our associates do. A simple set of principles governs such situations. Do your best and help when you can. These are the qualities of a Motherbreed. And I guarantee you, it is not something that we need invent or cobble together from our minds. It is as innate to us as to Dorsets, and begging only our commitment to know it full out. If you doubt, spend a bit of time around some Dorsets ewes and lambs to see what a thing of beauty life becomes when you live it at the level of the Motherbreed.
Comments
Yummm. Lamb. No, stop that Jack!
Seriously, I understand "Motherbreed." Better than most. My wife is one. She was the neighborhood mom. All the children would run to her. Now, she's the community "grandmom." It's fun to here neighbor children and children of our children's friends, calling her "grandmom."
I appreciate her all the more because she is the antithesis of my first wife. Believe me I know the difference between "Motherbreed" and "Demonseed." They may rhyme, but's that all.
Yes, that difference is significant. Glad you've got that one figured out.
You are a fascinating creature, yourself, Christina! And how I've come to love your sheep over the months! You have given here the perfect concept for this fine circle of writers, with the perfect, perfect name as well! Personally, I'd leave off the "indie" qualifier because of the lesser stature it has widely been given, as if we somehow have not been forged in the fire like proper mainstream authors. I submit we have been through worlds more than the fire, having learned to do it ALL ourselves minus the myriad professional services of a huge publishing house.
We ARE the mighty Motherbreed and we are legion; we just haven't been properly christened yet...until now. Just think what a mark you will leave on the world if you think this through further and develop the concept to its highest and fullest potential!
Thank you, sister Christina! You are soooo brilliant!
I knew that you could shepherd words into great sentences and great sentences into great books. I had no idea that you could shepherd sheep with the same verve and enthusiasm as you write. I am amazed and impressed. Your talents have no end to them.
Jo, you inspire me. I do have some more to say on where we find ourselves, so perhaps a Part 2 is in order. Leave it to you to have caught the thread of my thoughts so perfectly. You're a treasure.
Caleb, that was an amazing time. Clear Hills is the only place I've ever called home and there I would have liked to have ended my days. My most loved spot in the world is in the middle of a flock of sheep, dragging my finger tips across their backs, stopping to tickle an upturned nose, watching the lambs play. For me that is heaven. But life had other plans.
Beautiful, Christina. My time as a Wrangler taught me of the simplicity of sheep and their lambs, and this brought it all back...Thank You! Yes, we Indies are a Motherbreed. I can't wait to see what we ultimately birth.
Well said Mary Kathryn. And yes, I love sheep; always will. Nice to share that sentiment with you.