Howdy everyone! By the time this blog posts I should be back from a weekend in Texas.
During a terrible heat wave. With horrible drenching humidity.
See here’s the thing—when our kids were older, nearly grown in fact, we put in a built in swimming pool. Everyone said we were insane, why the blazes were we building a pool when the kids were just getting ready to leave home? We had three reasons:
1) We both enjoy swimming and sun.
2) The kids will have something to do when they come home (and this has paid off HUGE! They love coming home and hanging out in the pool and Jacuzzi)
3) The BIG REASON, we figured we don’t travel and spend money on vacations so we’d invest in a pool and take our vacations in our own backyard.
So that last reason? That’s exactly what we’ve done and really enjoyed it! But we’ve decided we should take baby steps and start doing a little travel. (Just an aside: The kids say that their dad and I are like kids again, having way too much fun.) First on the travel agenda? Visit old friends we haven’t seen in ages.
In Texas.
In July
During a blistering heat waves soaked in humidity. (My hair is frizzing just thinking about it!)
And you know what? I’m starting to think that pool was an excellent investment because we are clearly not very good at planning vacation travel! Maybe we should stay in our backyard having gin and tonics by the pool.
Having said all that, I’m looking forward to seeing friends and I bet have a good time anyway.
Okay, now it’s time for fun! To celebrate our first attempt at vacation travel in a while (to Texas! In July! During a heat wave!) let’s have a little fun! For a chance to win a signed copy of my two Wing Slayer Hunter books out this year; NIGHT MAGIC and SINFUL MAGIC, let’s play Pick Your Favorite Cowboy.
Here are the cowboys: (Some of which I borrowed from Silver’s brunch last weekend on her blog.)
Number 1
Number 2
Number 3
Number 4
Number 5
Leave your pick for your favorite cowboy in the comments and you’ll be entered into the contest to win the signed copy of NIGHT MAGIC and SINFUL MAGIC. (And if I’m not around answering comments, it’s not because I’m ignoring you but I’m either held up on the trip, or slammed with stuff when I got back!)
I will have to go with #3, a nice variety of cowboys! Lol
June, I can’t argue with that logic!
I pick #3, because 4 cowboys are better than one.
Mary, so true!
I’m going with Number 5 because I like a little hairy chest- makes him seem like a real guy and not a model (not that I have anything against hunky models because I don’t).
As a native Texan, insane heat and humidity are the norm for this time of year. Where did you visit in Texas?
MichelleKS, we were in Fort Worth, and had a great time! I know it’s hot and humid in Texas this time of year, my mom was a Texas native too 🙂
I have to say number four. Just look at the way he fills out those jeans. Not to mention that you could wash clothes on those abs. Have fun on your vacation! I’m like you, I don’t really do vacations either. The last one I was on, was over five years ago, when I eloped to Jamaica.
Nikki, you eloped to Jamaica? How romantic!
Our trip was great, thanks!
Welcome back! I hope you had an awesome time in Texas, even if it was ungodly hot. (Of course, it was like that everywhere, so you weren’t alone – and most of us didn’t even get to see new places.)
I’m picking #1. Gotta love me a hard working dude.
B.E., most of the country is suffering a brutal heat wave, and oddly, here on the West Coast we’re cooler than normal. However we’re having more humidity than usual.
But we did have a great time! And thank God for air conditioning! I don’t know how my mom grew up in Texas–on a ranch–without it.
i like #5 the best, but i choosing #3 i’d never get bored!
Kris, that’s a great reason! More cowboys, no boredom!
Hard to pick just one they are all so hot, but I think I’ll go with #3, in this case more is always better!
Angela, #3 appears to be very popular for just that reason!
I’m tempted to go with 3 for quantity, but 4 is perfect all on his own.
Anne, 4 is a great pick!
I’m going with #4 because he almost looks like Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise – yummy!
My awesome husband is feeling your pain. He spent last week in Dallas for work, – said he made him remember why we didn’t move there. 🙂
Shannon, we were in Fort Worth, which is next to Dallas. Yep, it’s hot 🙂 Hope your husband spent his days in air conditioning!
Yum. Cowboy 5. — looks like he’s comin to get me!! LOL
TrishJ, LOLOL!!
Hi
Just can’t pass up number 3 and I have looked at the pictures several times – lol
Thanks
Pam B, I see you like variety too 🙂
Love #3. I’m a sucker for the clean shaven look. Texas in July, interesting choice, especially if its West Texas.
Carol, our choice was motivating by seeing old friends 🙂
I like their clean shaven look too!
Lorelei picks the multiple cowboy pic because you can NEVER have too many cowboys 🙂
Thanks for the pics, Jen, and hope you had fun in hot TX!
Lori, Lorelei is my kind a girl (and writer) 🙂
And we had a great time, thanks!
ooo, yummy. Gotta go with #3. The more the merrier!
Kelley, gotta agree with that!
Yummy cowboys! How does one choose? lol I have to pick #5. So hot! 🙂
Shadow, #5 has “hero material” written all over him 🙂
Welcome back, Jen! Hope your trip was fabulous. Did you see any cowboys while you were there? Probably not since I’m thinking you probably spent a lot of time inside near the air conditioner. 🙂
Okay, I’m picking Cowboy #1. He looks like he’s way too busy working to deal with this whole contest thing–and I can appreciate that! I can appreciate a lot of things about him. 😉
Kate, I really didn’t see any cowboys, darn it. But we did drive by some beautiful horse farms.
#1 does look very busy and very capable 🙂
I can never resist a cowboy. Strong, capable and very easy on the eyes. I’m going to go with the cowboys in pic #3. They caught my eyes and held them.
Na, #3 is definitely getting the lion’s share of attention 🙂
Number 5, baby! Oh yeah. Look at that stare…..and of course you had to post all of these during a heat wave!! =)
Glad you had fun, hope your hair survived!
Maureen, LOL on the heat wave.
I didn’t fight my hair-when we went out on the boat, I just let it dry naturally which is something indescribably funky. No one screamed so I guess it wasn’t as horrifying as I imagined.
Wooohooo speaking of a heat wave!! Yummy!! I’m thinking Number 4 is my slice of heaven 🙂
Miranda, glad he’s your heavenly cowboy!
Boy, that was tough but the eyes have it, I take #5. The enigmatic but direct stare gave me goosebumps.
Little Lamb Lost, you’re so right about that stare!
Sorry but I can’t pick just one. #1, #3, #4. Huge congrats on the upcoming releases. I can’t wait to read them.
HollyD, it was a little unfair of me to ask you to pick just one 🙂
Hi Jen,
Welcome back! Can’t believe you willingly visited Texas in July. It’s hot as fire down here! We have had so many triple-digit days in a row I stopped counting.
Laura, I know, right? What were we thinking! But it turned out to be a great trip. But I really hope you all get a break from the unrelenting heat soon!
My pick is number #5. They are all awesome. 😉
Crystal GB, #5 is a great choice!
My favorite is cowboy #1, yummmmy!
Jeanette, he is that!
I choose #3. 4 cowboys!
Have a great vacation!
Chey, thanks! And variety is always good.
I will have to choose #4…thanks for the pics. It helped get the blood flowing on this dreadful Monday morning
Leagh, sorry for your dreadful Monday, and really glad the pics helped!
I don’t have a favorite, they’re all too much of a buff for me. Give me some skimpy! 😛
I just want to comment that after a week in 10-20% humidity, it’s HEAVEN coming back to my city of 94% humidity. I’ll never understand people who complain about humidity. The more humid, the better, it’s what I always say (and, remember, I live in Brazil, so, it’s hot!) 🙂
Barbie, it’s a good thing the humidity works for you if you’re living in it!
I am going to have to go with #3 because there are more cowboys there.
Boy this heat wave is something else we are 95 plus with heat index over 100 and I don’t live in Texus. I can imagine what you went through there.
Quilt Lady, it was easy for us, we were just visiting and the hotel had air conditioning. It’s harder for the parts country living through it each and every day. You have my sympathy!
I’ll opt for No. 3 but, when I went over to Silver’s brunch, the first picture caught my eye. Must have been the horse or maybe the black hat.
My husband and I drove through Texas in August once, w/o air conditioning and w/ a dog. Seated her on bags of ice, w/ sheets shielding her from the sun and funneling air into her “cave”. Such a patient dog.
Liz, wow! Without air conditioning? But I give you Kudo’s for taking such good care of your dog!
Holy Hannah you’re serious I gotta choose? I choose All! but I’ll start with #1
Gina, I’m wicked for making you choose 🙂
All I can say is wow!
Deb, wow is good enough 🙂
You’re welcome. 😉 I already have a passel of them at my place, but thanks. I’ll stick with my ranch hands.
Silver, ranch hands, huh? 🙂
While they all look yummy…in my humble opinion number 4 looks right up my alley. Those biceps bulge and those jeans it just right with those pelvic muscles and abs meet delicious indeed. Besides, there is something nostalgic about a black and white photograph.
Amanda, you have done a very thorough study!
Okay, sympathy for me because our downstairs air conditioner broke on Saturday and didn’t get repaired until today. We live in FLORIDA. It was inhumanly hot. Spent 90% of Sunday in the pool and the rest upstairs.
I’ll take #3 because I like variety. xo
Rocki, that sounds really awful about the a/c! So glad it’s back on!
Definitely ALL of them!!!!!!!!!!!
5
love 5
I can’t make up my mind I’m like a kid in front of the candy display but choose I will: #3
I’m going with #3..The more the merrier 😀
I’m going with Number 2. He just edged out #4 (whose pants are riding too low, that always bugs me). I was also tempted by the guy all the way on the left in #3. (If he’d been in a pic alone, he might have been the one.) What can I say? So many cowboys, so little time…..
heh heh, i was late to check in today and what do i find? …jen has brought back a whole passle of sultry looking men from texas. 🙂 they all look just fine to me!
# 3
Definitely #3!
My cousin was on a bus traveling from NY
to Boston last week – unfortunately the air conditioner on the bus wasn’t working and one couldn’t open the windows either. It was a long, hot and stuffy ride that she hopes never to repeat.
i think i ‘m going to take #3 . i mean what’s not to like about all of those hot cowboys?
ALL. OF. THEM!!!
I wonder after looking at the pictures a bit closer if in picture number 3 that the man on the far right and the man on the far left are not brothers, perhaps even twins? I wasn’t looking at their faces at first but now I see it.
Love all the cowboys! I pick number 4!
Definitely number 5.
I’ll take #3 for the variety too but it can’t hurt to look one more time or a couple more times right? right?? Anyone with me?
We have to be sure. lol
Lisa B
Definitely # 5 – finally, some chest hair!
OK, I’m chiming in a bit late here LOL And although my first instinct is to echo Karin’s response and say ALL of them haha I’m going to go with number 3, for very obvious reasons *snort* Thanks for the eye candy!!
Number 3 might offer 4 options but Number 1 is my choice. WOW!
#2 beautiful 🙂