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HoofPrints Newsletter
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April 30, 2015
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A Special Story for Mothers - THE INVISIBLE WOMAN
I featured the quote below in a newsletter last year - because Mother's Day was upcoming. The response was tremendous - from women who needed to read those words, or knew someone else who needed to read them. I located the publisher - so now the book is available to HoofPrints customers.
WARNING! The book is not one bit horsey - no mention of equine anywhere. This sweet little hardcover book has a presentation plate in the front - makes a great gift. It's illustrated throughout in sepia-toned photos, and is an inspirational read that's not too heavy/deep.
To order click here. Below is an excerpt:
The Invisible Woman: When Only God Sees
"It started to happen gradually. One day I was walking my son Jake to school. I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the crossing guard said to him, 'Who is that with you, young fella?' 'Nobody,' he shrugged. Nobody? The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only 5, but as we crossed the street I thought, 'Oh my goodness, nobody?'
I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to my family - like 'Turn the TV down, please' - and nothing would happen. Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, 'Would someone turn the TV down?' Nothing.
Just the other night my husband and I were out at a party. We'd been there for about three hours and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to a friend from work. So I walked over, and when there was a break in the conversation, I whispered, 'I'm ready to go when you are.' He just kept right on talking.
That's when I started to put all the pieces together. I don't think he can see me. I don't think anyone can see me.
I'm invisible. It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.' I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
She's going... she's going... she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.'
That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women."
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MOTHER'S DAY IS MAY 10
Here's a great gift idea:
A Woman's Place is on A Horse!
What mom doesn't want to get out of the house and onto a horse?
This sparkly pink gift bag is sturdy, durable, and UNDER $5.00! It measures a handy 9 "x 4" x 12" (not counting the handles) When I posted a picture of it on HoofPrints Facebook page, a customer immediately chimed in: "I love this bag! It's just the right size for my lunch, or shoes + a big bottle of my favorite flavored water. And, since I carry a giant tote anyway, it takes up no room to have it folded and available when I need it, Plus -- it's pink; what more needs to be said?" ~Jenne
You can see this, and a sweatshirt that matches, along with all our other Horsewoman products here .
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 Long, Tall List for Mom: The original version pictured in the HoofPrints flyer is sold out. BUT - I came up with a replacement!
For a couple years we carried the Long, Tall List pad picturing the bedraggled woman on her bedraggled horse - scanning the list with worried eyes. It was so popular that I brought on board a second pad of similar ilk that features a woman riding, facing backwards: "Some days I don't know if I'm comin' or goin'!" - and bundled the two into a money saving set.
But then, I got the news that the original Long, Tall List pad is sold out at the publisher! So I fabricated this replacement, using artwork by my friend, horsewoman Lesley Bruce. You can see closeups of these diligent women chipping away at their Long, Tall List here.
I think she's captured the feeling that most women experience when they scan their own list of chores! The list is magnetic (so you can stick it on the fridge) measures 9" tall x 4" wide, and has 60 full color sheets for you to keep track of your tasks.
At HoofPrints, we know what it's like to have a long, tall list of things to do. That's why we've assembled this fun group of unique and creative gifts for busy horsewomen. Whether you need to find a thoughtful gift for a horse-loving friend, or a little pick-me-up reward for yourself, we've got you covered. Right down to the long, tall list notepad to keep track of it all. I've placed these, appropriately, in the Useful Stuff category on the all-new website. There are plenty of great products for horsewomen - see them all here.
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Cowgirls Book Series
Here's a set of 3 softcover books, each about 100 pages, and profusely illustrated, covering all things Cowgirl.
First up is The Cowgirl's Cookbook - a compilation of delicious (and practical) recipes augmented with cowgirl facts, photos and trivia.
Next is Cowgirls - Stories of Trick Riders, Sharp Shooters & Untamed Women; a compilation of inspirational stories about old west cowgirls whose can-do attitudes, hard work and sacrifices helped build a nation.
Third is You Might Be A Cowgirl If... A Guide to Life on the Range - Everything you ever wanted to know about finding your inner cowgirl, including riding herd on your dreams, outfitting your life on the range, and more.
Sold individually, or buy as a set and they are under $10.00 each here
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Revisiting favorite books - A lesson in keeping an open mind.
I personally read every book that we have for sale. If there's something about it I don't like, or if it doesn't hold my interest, then it doesn't make it in. Like everyone else, I have fairly strong personal opinions about how I think animals should be interacted with. So, naturally, I would likely not be selling ANY book that endorses activities that go against what I feel is appropriate. Until now. Ironically, I ended up with two titles at the same time that each had potential "deal-breaker" content.
The first is I'm Listening With a Broken Ear by Vicky Kaseorg. This book has all the makings of a modern classic. It's so good I think it'd make a great movie. It's 426 pages, and once I started I couldn't put it down (except for essential distractions like work and animal care) until I was finished. It's that good. In a nutshell, the author finds a pathetic, nearly dead dog abandoned in a parking lot. She brings her home and nurses her back to health. Somewhere along the way the family realizes they are in way over their heads as the dog has behavior issues that they can't manage. Dangerous behavior issues. It's hard enough to find homes for dogs who behave perfectly, so rehoming this one was NOT an option. Vicky spends a lot of time online trying to solve the problem, and ends up getting hooked up with a rescuer named Malta. Malta supplies Vicky with a horse whip. And teaches her how to do the "alpha roll" when the dog gets out of line. Now, before you run screaming, thinking you totally don't want to waste your time reading a work written by someone who keeps a whip in hand and rolls her poor dog - give this one a chance. You WON'T be disappointed. I guarantee it. It's thoughtful, spiritual, laugh out loud humorous - and the ending is so very good you will probably cry. Or cheer. Or both. There's a more detailed description and a couple excerpts to read here.
 Next is The Smart Woman's Guide to Midlife Horses by Melinda Folse. I got a copy of this in to review last fall, but was much too busy to give it a thorough look. It sat on my vintage glider for quite a while. I'd picked it up a couple times, and skimmed over it, I kept seeing Clinton Anderson's name, so had pretty much decided this was NOT a keeper as I don't care for this trainer. Now, in all fairness to Clinton, I have not personally attended any of his presentations. My opinion was formed by watching him work with horses on TV. I hate how his horses skulk around with their heads so low. Looking dejected, not softly flexed or collected. I hate how the beginning of his show has footage of him spinning and spinning and spinning that poor horse. Enough already. He waves his "handy stick" entirely too much, and doesn't appear to have any consideration for how the horse is feeling about all this. I assumed that this author, since she made so many mentions of this particular trainer and his teachings, would likely not have anything to say that I'd find merit in. But as I read, I discovered that I was wrong. She "canceled out" the negative of mentioning Clinton, by quoting some of my very favorite authors - Linda Kohanov being at the top of the list. It turns out, this book is a wonderful compilation of information that will interest the beginner horse owner, as will as those who've had horses all their life. It's arranged in concisive chapters - you can skip around and not feel like you've missed something. And it tackles unlikely subjects like Finding Your Soul Values, Plateaus, Ruts and Fear, Women of a Certain Age, and more. And is not all technical "business" - there is much information about the aspect of horses as healers, building better human relationships through horses, and other life skills issues that busy women often put by the wayside. An excellent, inspirational reference. You can order a copy here.
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EVEN MORE ITEMS ADDED to HALF PRICE SALE!
Clutter busting continues at HoofPrints
My efforts to clear the warehouse (and my house) of accumulated oddball products continues to gain momentum. I've written about it before. The point continues to be, sometimes the space becomes more valuable than the items that are occupying it. So this is where most places say... "our loss is your gain!" Well, check out this super-cheap stuff and BUY IT. And your gain will be my gain, too. Because I need that space on the shelf.
The Half Price Page is here - check this often as they're one-of-a-kind things that will sell quickly and be replaced with whatever else starts to get on my nerves. I am currently going through a large stash of samples* - so many wonderful things, it's hard to choose just a handful for the website/flyer. And the rest have got to go! Only one of each available so act fast if you see something you like. The image shown here is what was available at the time this newsletter was sent. All prices on this page are at least 50% off retail. The red SALE! tag doesn't show if a product has size or color options. Don't know why. Don't know how to fix it...
*A note about the samples - Someone made a comment on the HoofPrints Facebook page that the samples are free to me and implied should thus be priced accordingly. Just to set the record straight - I pay for almost every sample I acquire. Occasionally an author or publisher will send me a book unsolicited, but I prefer to buy these anonymously so if I review and don't think it is a good fit for the product line, I don't feel guilty about not including it.
Half Price PRINTS are here - there are a lot of lovely prints languishing in drawers here that really should be hanging on folks' walls making them smile and beautifying their homes. Fall/winter is busy season here and I don't encourage print sales then - I don't have the extra time it takes to wrap these carefully for safe delivery. Now that Christmas is past, I've marked them way down now to sweeten the deal.
Half Price JEWELRY is here
The more I got to digging, the more I found. Jewelry doesn't take up much room - suffice to say there is a LOT of lovely stuff that needs to find a new home. Then there's that whole problem I have with the beads. It's getting worse. Stay tuned for details on that.
Half Price BOOKS & Magazine Back Issues here
This represents a major turning point for HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling. This treasure trove of magazine back issues has been lovingly collected and hoarded for many, many years. It's getting to be a space problem, keeping them all stored AND due to the sheer volume of them, along with my busy schedule, they rarely get any attention. But even now, as I go through them to write sales descriptions, I am feeling sad at the prospect of letting go of this vast collection of pictures and articles about all the things I love - Horses, Dogs, Farriery and Blacksmithing, The West, Pretty Western Clothes and Jewelry, Awesome Country Homes, Recipes for Hearty Food, Healthy Living, Spirituality and more. I'll do my best to mention the content that stands out to me in the descriptions. Prices on these back issues reflect the fact that I am still very much in love with them, however they are at or below what the publishers are charging. The current sales list is small, but I'll be adding more as I am able; going through these is a slow process, as you can imagine, I get sidetracked frequently by all the fascinating content that lead me to hoard these in the first place.
The Closeouts Page is here
It features overstocks, items that are being phased out - still lots of good deals to be had there, too
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Here's what we talked about last time
Last newsletter is here ALL newsletters are here
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The Doctor is In Horse Thermometer
Measures a big 17" tall and under $15.00! Order here
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DON'T do it yourself
FARRIER COASTERS
No farriers were harmed in the making of these coasters. To order click here
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GINA'S BLOG
Fun on the Farm
read the latest happenings in the Keesling household, involving construction, destruction, remodeling adventures and general wreckage here
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MADE IN USA
Don't Sell Your Saddle
Don't give up on dreams.
Take time to see 'em through.
There are no easy trails.
Hard work makes dreams come true.
You'll make it through tough times.
Friends will stick like glue.
Don't ever sell your saddle,
Dreams won't give up on you.
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Mule & Donkey items
Check out this brass longear charm and more here
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MADE IN USA:
DC Metals Steel Cross Pendant
 This makes a great gift for a man, but it's not too big for a woman to wear, either. To order click here |
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MADE IN USA
Secret Box
Nifty little wood box has a lid that fits so neatly that it's virtually invisible when closed. A real deal at only $19.95 here
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MADE IN USA
Horse Woman's Balm
A great product that DOES WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO!
Order here
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COFFEE & DOG HAIR
I NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM
16 oz Ceramic Travel Mug with leakproof lid only $16.95 here
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MADE IN USA:
A CRAPPY MUG!
Same sh*t different day
mug here
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SPRINGY HORSEY Ts
3 Springy Horsey T-shirts less than $15 each here!
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Horsewoman's
HAIR CONTROL IDEAS
Sunny yellow embroidered HORSES LEAVE HOOFPRINTS ON YOUR HEART Cap here
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MADE IN USA
Riding for a Cure
See HoofPrints breast cancer awareness products here |
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MADE IN USA
Tooled Leather Bracelet
Features braided rawhide, engraved heart and fancy buckle. Only $19.95 here
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HALF PRICE AND PRINTED IN USA: "Pharaoh's Horses"
20x26 Print with history and trivia article included is available here
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HoofPrints
BARN BLADE
Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly
Order here
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PRINTED IN USA:
This Hug's For You
Equine Sympathy Cards here
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Copper HoofPrint Bracelets in 7 colors!
Hand tied right here at HoofPrints - see them all here
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Silver Dog Whistle
Solid Sterling Silver Whistle on waxed cotton cord here
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Message
I love hearing from customers. You can contact HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling via email at gina@hoofprints.com |
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Find us on facebook
Be sure to LIKE our facebook page - it's where we announce special sales, breaking news and everything else we find interesting. To see it go here |
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ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THIS NEWSLETTERFarriers Greeting Cards was started by Gina Keesling in 1986 (in a very small way) to provide helpful promotional materials for farrier husband Rob. Along the way the company became HoofPrints.com, too, adding a selection of fun horse and dog products geared toward women of a certain age. This newsletter is emailed to subscribers a few times a month, depending on how often I have something to share. Watch for special sales, interesting stories, uplifting quotes and more.
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Share our emails
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Viral marketing... it sounds bad, doesn't it?
You can ask my husband - a frequent topic around here is that of forwarded emails - and the psychology behind them - just WHAT prompts people to decide; "I am going to send this to everyone I know!".
We receive a lot of them. Some are pretty good, and others are dumb. Dumb in a myriad of ways... Alarmist email rumors that have been around forever - that folks keep sending "just in case it's true" Pictures of someone's butt (or worse) - don't even get me started about the firecracker butt - but at least that one was timely when it showed up around July 4. Christian messages that are uplifting - until you get to the end and you're threatened "if you're not ashamed that you love Jesus, forward this - if you are, then delete." Pictures of cute puppies and kittens (awww)
I enjoy writing these newsletters - and sharing all this stuff with you all. But the fact is, it's also a way to help us stay connected with customers and sell products during the time between catalog mailings (which is only once a year) So I really, really like it when someone new stumbles upon the newsletter and is excited to "discover" our company and the products we offer.
In all my efforts to make the newsletter interesting and forward-worthy - it never occurred to me to JUST ASK you all to send it! Duh. Sometimes the obvious is elusive, I guess. So here goes - my request to ask you to forward our email newsletter to your horsey friends. All we ask is that you please be judicious and only send to folks who might be interested. Otherwise we are no better than the "firecracker butt". Click to get started. (please note - using this form does NOT subscribe anyone to our list - it is a one-time only forward)
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