Julie A Barker

I love this time of year for so many reasons.  The warm air, the end of the school activities with the anticipation of upcoming summer fun, and also because it is rodeo time.  I grew up in Vernon, Texas, just 30 miles down the road from my current hometown of Quanah.  On May, 17-20th, Vernon will be celebrating their annual Santa Rosa Roundup.  If you are traveling through on Wednesday the 17th, stay for the Santa Rosa parade, then head on out to the rodeo grounds for the amazing BBQ meal provided by the local Lion's Club.  There is absolutely nothing like good ole Texas BBQ!   After the BBQ, walk over to the Santa Rosa arena to watch the first night of rodeo action and enjoy the talent of the historic Santa Rosa Palomino Club.  These talented riders give all they have to entertain the crowd, and they never disappoint!  My little boy Brady sure couldn't take his eyes off of them!   Rodeo is such a wonderful tradition. ...

N ational Small Business Week is April 30th-May 6th , so in honor of this week, I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite small businesses in my area.  I am blessed to live in a rural community that is full of people wanting to better our little town.  I live in Quanah, Texas, located about 90 miles east of Wichita Falls, on Highway 287.  In our little town, we have entrepreneurs that see the importance of bringing businesses and travelers to our area. Ladies, who doesn't like to shop???  I know I do, which is why I'm proud that Quanah boasts two wonderful dress shops that provide the latest fashions we are all looking for. Rustics and Rhinestones is located directly on Hwy 287 across from the Best Western hotel, making shopping convenient for travelers on the main road.  Owner, Joycelyn Smith, has clothing, home decor, baby items, Junk Gypsy paint, furniture, Tyler Candles and much, much more.                ...

" His brothers were all here, Gene, Donny, Tommy and Tim - the one a head taller than Hitch. Then stepping through the crowd with his 10-gallon hat, was the youngest little brother named Mitch." I am excited to say that the follow-up to Hitchin' Post, is almost complete, therefore I wanted to give you a little snippet of what's to come!  In this next book, we get to meet a few of Hitch's family members.  He has five brothers that have come to visit, and Hitch is so excited!  They get to experience working alongside their brother on his beloved 6Bs Ranch, and get to attend the biggest celebration of the year - the 6Bs 4th of July Rodeo!  Get ready for some rodeo fun and celebration as we head back to the 6Bs Ranch.   I am so glad that my mom, Carolyn Altman, will continue on this journey with me as my illustrator. She and I have enjoyed writing, drawing and creating Hitchin' Post and the other characters, as well as sharing how we feel about our Texa...

As 2016 has come to an end, I feel a huge need to say in a BIG way, "THANK YOU!", to everyone who has supported me and the release of Hitchin' Post.   What an incredible year it has been.  I have received such amazing support from my hometown of Quanah, Texas, as well as my original hometown, Vernon, Texas, and the support continues to come.  My goal was to write something with a purpose and with a lesson that children could learn from, and I hope that  Hitchin' Post  did that. Hearing from parents, grandparents, and especially the children, that they loved Hitchin' Post , has been a dream come true.   One of my favorite "reviews" that I have received was from a very special little girl whose mom sent me this picture: I'm not sure if you can see it clearly, but she listed the "6Bs" as one of her favorite summer reads! I could not ask for a better review than that! This has been such a fun journey to go on with my mother, who I could ...

I began writing  Hitchin' Post as most of Texas was coming out of a horrible drought.  While surrounded by ranches, and married to a rancher myself, I was well aware of the hardships that this way of life was enduring.  Needless to say when the rain started coming we would literally watch the radar with great anticipation, crossing our ears-oh, I mean fingers!- that the clouds wouldn't decide to part and pass right over Quanah without a drop to wet our sad, thirsty ground.  It was a worrisome time.  Growing up I have such fond memories of living on the farm watching my dad, grandfathers and uncles work.  It was a time that was so precious to my sister and I, but one that was cut short due to my dad taking another job resulting in a move into town.  I didn't want this at the time, though now I understand why.  Farming and ranching are tough, and there is much uncertainty to say the least.  However, even with the ups and do...

We had a wonderful time at the 2016 North Texas Rehab Texas Ranch Roundup and Trade Show!  Thank you to all who visited the booth and bought Hitchin' Post !  Next it is on to the Quanah Fall Festival coming up September 10, around the square in Quanah, Texas.  I will have a booth there among many other vendors for fun shopping!  Come out to downtown Quanah for great events for the kids, the 33rd Annual Century Car Show, museum tours, a 5K run and much more!   Hitchin' Post is now available at the Quanah Museum at 105 Green Street, as well as Rustics N Rhinestones Boutique on Hwy 287 in Quanah.  Go by either location to pick up your copy, or order online at the following: www.julieabarker.com Amazon.com liferichpublishing.com barnesandnoble.com Thank you all for the support of Hitchin' Post !

I wanted to share another excerpt from Hitchin' Post , this one actually being one of my favorite.  The main theme of this book, and one that I try to instill in my children daily, is that though life brings you so many ups and downs, you must always look for the good and ALWAYS be thankful.  Hitch spends much time in thought about this very subject after seeing his beloved ranch go through a drought, but he continues to find more to be thankful for.  "Hitch's favorite place so calm and serene with a little creek flowing near, is the small country church, where by the window he'll perch each Sunday morning so he can hear. He can see it from the air, that little white church, and oh, what an amazing view! The horses are running, the windmills are turning, and Hitch thinks, God must be a cowboy too! " Thank you all for your interest in Hitchin' Post .  I look forward to sharing more! Julie Barker