Greetings from Chicago

Greetings from the AWP in Chicago-- for those who don't know, we are at the Association of Writers & Writing programs conference.

When we get back, I will convey all the lessons and advice I think you all might be interested in.

Here are some highlights so far:

Getting to see Nikki Giovani (poet @ Virginia Tech) read some of her poetry

Being in the audience for Margaret Atwood's keynote address at the wonderful auditorium at Roosevelt University (Atwood is one of my favorite authors--you might have heard her "Handmaid's Tale" novel). She was so charming and has a huge twitter following @margaretatwood

Getting to see Kate Hopper and others at a presentation on mothering and the writing process; Kate has expressed interest in reviewing our anthology (her website is http://motherhoodandwords.com) and is open to being interviewed on our blog.

Meeting one of our anthology contributors, Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow, and her husband, Richard, for a wonderful dinner at The Park Grill; look forward to her future interview on our blog and you can also see what a talented and interesting person and writer Elynne is. In addition, she gave great advice about marketing and promoting our book-- we are very grateful to her recent efforts to get a large number of "likes" on our facebook page. Btw, if you haven't already, come check out our page--and like and/or share it--at http://Facebook.com/fatdaddysfarm.org

If you haven't already, scroll down and check out the first contributor interviews of Nina and Ann and keep an eye out for more.

Please join us in getting the buzz going for our upcoming anthology and other efforts by following us via twitter @fatdaddysfarm -it is a great way to find out about our projects, giveaways and other info!

Take care,
Melissa

Oh My--it has been so long

I haven't kept up with chronicling hog dogness for the past few months, i.e. this summer. Partly because Matt has been home more, Britin came for his summer visitation, and my mother moved up near me. So, it has been quite busy, but Daisy and Boss have adapted wonderfully. They are learning a new environment to hang out in, my mother's new house, and have a regular available babysitter. Daisy is so adapted to us now so that I can't remember life without her and Boss just had his 2nd birthday! We were so busy we didn't get to have a big party like we had for his first birthday. :-( I am still trying to fatten Boss up and slim Daisy down--I feel like I have more luck with the second. Matt has really bonded with Daisy, and misses them both if he has to be away, and not just the Boss dog.

I have pics to put up, but until I get things more organized, here is a cute video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaDYeC6n42E

Bully Rain

It has been raining on and off all weekend and it really isn't fun being a bully when it does. Boss doesn't like rain much at all despite his love of swimming (similar to his disdain of baths I guess). I don't like them getting muddy, or smelling like wet dog. They both love to drink rainwater--which makes me uneasy because I just gave both of them a big dose of worm medicine and rainwater might increase their worm infestation. So, right now we are all singing rain, rain, go away....

Matt's summer has officially begun--and where is he? At work for a meeting, of course! So, the dogs and I are hanging out inside listening to the ucky rain. It reminds me of my childhood in Houston when it would rain nonstop for days at a time and it seemed so boring inside. Even if you don't go outside, raining seems to make the inside lazy, damp, and trapped feeling.

Pausing in the rainy dayness, here are a few pictures from the past week or so:

Doesn't Daisy look skinnier here? I have been trying to get her to a healthier non-blimpy weight at the same time I try to fatten Boss up more. I feel like I am having more success with skinnying Daisy...

I think Daisy looks like an armadillo in her new floatation device. I haven't found Boss's old one yet but I think it might fit her better.

Milo is starting to warm up to Daisy--a rare snuggle for the three of them!

Bully Biscuits Recipe

For a healthy immune system preventative of so many doggy ailments treat to welcome Boss home from camping (and after a super good bath) I have baked the bullies some yummy cookies:

Tablespoon ricotta cheese
2 crushed cloves of garlic
dash of cayenne pepper
2 cups rolled oats
half a carrot chopped
1 radish chopped
1/2 cup of milk

Mix, microwave for 1 minute
Bake for 10 minutes, 350 degrees

Girl's Night with Daisy

Matt with Boss and Daisy

The Dynamic Duo


Matt is off with Boss Hog Hurley camping tonight and so I am hanging with Daisy by myself. She acted confused for awhile because she has never been apart from her buddy Boss since we got her a couple of months ago. It was hard for me to see Boss go off with his Daddy, too!

Aftermath of Ironton Storm Bully Style

Last week there was a horrible storm that went through the Midwest and spawned tornados and hurricane force winds (and rains) in our area. I captured the aftermath and arranged the photos in a slideshow below. A couple show the dogs examining the collapsed trees and rising creek. As a result of this storm, we (including the dogs) are staying in a motel. Supposedly we won't have water or electric for this week. We survived two days without electric, but this week is finals week for Matt and sponge bathing and no internet just isn't functional for us during a work week. Anyways, the pictures demonstrate the intensity of the storm that went through much more than I can...one last thing, during the tornado warning, the dogs and cats and I sat in the bathroom as I watched out the little window as the flying (not falling) trees...

Everyone is okay as well, just a little tired and rattled...

Playful Bullies

I figured out how to capture some real-time playing with my computer. Daisy loves to play, she is a big where's your toy fetch type of dog. I never played this much with Boss when he was a puppy so he is trying to catch on and be part of this playtime. They slip and slide on our new pergo floors and I recycle old Boss puppy toys for them to tug of war with or play keep away. Here is a video showing this process a bit...ignore my doggy playtime voice!