Oxen Book

I received my complimentary copies of the "Oxen, A Teamster's Guide" today in the mail.
I don't know what I was expecting, since this is an update and republication of a book I illustrated about ten years ago. I guess I thought it would still look like the old book. I was wrong! This is really a handsome book. Everyone should have this on their coffee table. What a conversation starter! "How's that yoke building coming along there, Ted?" "Them calves ever learn to haw?" It has to be right up there with "Making a Living as a Buggy Whip Maker"

All joking aside, it is a beautiful book and I am very proud of how it turned out. I sent in the last batch of drawings for another in this series on Draft Horses this morning. I will post here when it is finished as well.

Here is Storey's link to the book if you need your own copy:
http://www.storey.com/books/book.php/y/1/p/0/order_no/67692

Oxen
A Teamster's Guide

by Drew Conroy

256 pages, 8 1/2 x 10 7/8 trim size, illustrations throughout.

Stalwart and powerful, oxen can plow fields, haul stones, assist in logging, improve roads, and demonstrate traditional farming techniques. And they are stronger, steadier, less expensive, and easier to keep than draft horses. Here is the definitive guide to selecting, training, feeding, and caring for working oxen. With proper care and training, oxen can be a dependable, economical alternative to heavy machinery on small working farms.

paperback - $24.95
ISBN# 1-58017-692-7
ISBN13# 978-1-58017-692-7, Order# 67692

hardcover - $34.95
ISBN# 1-58017-693-4
ISBN13# 978-1-58017-693-4, Order# 67693

Snow Days

This year in the midwest we have had more ice and snow than I can remember for a long, long time. While it may be true that my memory is failing me, it could just as well be true that I tend to remember trudging through snow and driving everywhere in four wheel drive or nowhere at all with amazing clarity.
One of my February chores each year is to do chores for my neighbors while they attend a fox hunt. (That might sound pretty uppity, but this is not the champagne in the cup before releasing the hounds, and more the sixpack. ok, twelve pack, the night before and chase around on a four wheeler). Each year, it seems, brings a new set of challenges to getting those chores done. The lane to the property starts out steep and from there you have to climb. The first couple of days I could not get up the hill with the truck and got my cardio workout for the year getting up the hill.
I did find a fun way to transport the feed though. In the past I have used the horses, or the tractor, or gotten stuck with the "gator". This year I decided Bella could help and we used a padded dog harness and a kid's toboggan to transport the bags of feed. She caught on amazingly fast and by day two, was an old pro.
If you want to see more of her in action, I posted a short vid on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g-Mzoa02yU