Ankle High and Knee Deep: Women Reflect on Western Rural Life is an engaging collection of essays written by ranch women, cowgirls, and farmers. The anthology, edited by Gail L. Jenner, offers a candid look at rural life, its tranquil beauty and its messiness. This anthology is about lessons learned, sometimes the hard way.
Many of the essays reminisce about childhoods on a ranch or farm, sharing the joy of riding horseback in wide open spaces. Along with the joy comes the hard parts, the endless chores, the hardships, the doing without when that year’s crops or stock doesn’t bring the hoped-for price.
Several stories delve into experiences with horses and how they become an integral part of rural lives. Through the years horses have been the constant source of pleasure as well as of necessity.
The book is divided into sections: Fortitude, Horse Sense, Community, Self-Reliance, Memory, Resilience and Lessons. Ankle High and Knee Deep offers stories rich in inspirational experiences The collection isn’t all pleasant—real life never is. The stories shared are from the heart, memories and current experiences of life passed on from generation to generation.
Toward the back of the book a section about the contributing authors and photographers reveals the lives of those who have participated in this fine collection. These brief biographies reinforce the heart of the book.
Photographs throughout the book help the reader feel what the words portray.
This is an excellent read written by women who have lived what they write about. I highly recommend this anthology of life in rural America.
I have this book, Mary. Haven’t finished it yet, but love the stories and themes.
It IS a fun book. Bruce is enjoying it, too.
I’m putting this on my ever growing list of books to read. My dad who spent his life on horseback as a cowboy in single years and as a packer for the forest service in his married years, loved horses and story telling. Me too.
Eunice, I’ll bet your dad had some wonderful stories!
I just finished reading this as well, Mary and found it a very engaging book. Glad you took the time to review it.
That’s funny that we should have both just read it. My husband is reading it now.