I was trying to find something to post this evening. Searched for photos–nah. Quotes–no. Even picked up an old book or two. Just not feeling it this evening. This, from July 2015, will do nicely. And old Big Dogs Jawin’ post which were conversations between Missy, Rocky, and I. (And which were the early character
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
2/5/2013: This, too, is from February 2019, but it now needs some background. I follow the blog of a Raku potter from Nova Scotia. Quite interesting and cool work. He likes to create stories for his work–usually mythical stories. And from time to time, he invites readers of his blog to create stories of their
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
I am wandering around January 2016 looking for a recipe to post–it will probably be spicy deer meat burgers–and I came across this and laughed out loud. For the new folk–Daughter C, as she’s known here on the blog, and her husband, The J-Man, used to live on The Farm. It’s a big place. The
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Our mission to figure out a way to present Big Dawgs Jawin’ segments so as they are, in fact readable. Remember, the Big Dawgs Jawin’ posts were precursors to my first book, Miss Missy’s School, in which I discover the power of He said and She said. To Boldly Italicize… Published on August 23, 2015 by Marica | Edit “Hey, Marica. What
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
This is an interesting one. And you know this is not a political blog. But we do like history and we think there’s value in the observations of those who lived in the past. Interesting also because this was another instance of Big Dogs Jawin’–the early years of developing Missy and Rocky’s characters. This one
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Gosh, would you look at her! Her official birthday is at the end of August, so she’s not quite one year old here. Who would have thought on August 13, 2012 that Missy would write an epic novel titled, Vitiosus Canes, Virtutum Actus (Vicious Dogs, Virtuous Acts) that was destined to become a best seller?
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
This is interesting, at least to me, not because of my little rant, but what follows– a short conversation between Missy, Rocky, and I. The very first Big Dawg Jawin’ post was in 2013. I see three years later I still had not gotten around to doing he said/she said. Made for difficult reading, so
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
As we approach the publication (finally, I hope) of Miss Missy’s School Book I: A Pack of Farm Dogs Starts a School, I thought it might be fun review how this project got started. I’d need to do more research than I have time for right now, but below is one of the earlier conversations
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
As part of the marketing strategy for my new book, Miss Missy’s School: A Pack of Farm Dogs Starts a School, I’d like to introduce– or in some cases, reacquaint– you to Missy and Rocky. I’ll be posting several short short stories about them, and a character called ‘Marica,’ outside the context of the book.
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
“Poppycock!” she said. Missy, a black lab, looked up from her desk and peered at Marica over the top of her reading glasses which were perched at the end of her long, dolichocephalic snout. “Marica! Please watch your language,” she said and winked. “But what’s gotten your knickers in a knot this fine morning?” “Listen
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Art work by Daughter C “Hey, Missy? Do you have a minute?” Marica asked. “Sure, Marica. What can I help you with?” Missy looked up from an enormous pile of open books on her desk. “How’s your book doing?” “Well,” said Missy, “I’ve still quite a number of researches to do, especially with regard to
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
It began in the 1940s, when “schools unbolted the desks and kids were no longer facing the teacher.” Instead children were divided into small groups and instructed to complete worksheets independently with occasional input from teachers. “That was also when our verbal test scores went down and the relative ranking of our elementary schools declined
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
A follow-up to the four-part saga of Missy’s Epic Novel writing posts. Originally posted June 2019. Pt. 1: Missy Begins in the Middle; Pt. 2: Missy’s Epic Novel (so called); Pt. 3: “Have I missed something?”; Pt. 4: It’s Epic! “Marica?” Missy asked as she looked up at Marica who was having breakfast at her desk. “Yes, Missy?”
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
This is Pt. 4 of the story of Missy’s Epic Novel (so called). Originally published March 2019. Pt. 1: Missy Begins in the Middle; Pt. 2: Missy’s Epic Novel (so called); Pt. 3: “Have I missed something?” “Marica? Do you have a minute?” Missy asked as she closed the lid to her laptop. “Of course,
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Originally posted January, 2019. This is part three in the story of Missy’s Epic Novel. Pt. 1: Missy begins in the Middle; Pt. 2: Missy’s Epic Novel (so called) “Marica?” Missy got up from her desk, laid down her reading glasses, stretched, and asked, “Do you have a minute?” “Sure, Missy! What’s on your mind
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Reposted from December 2018. First part of the story of Missy’s Epic Novel here. More to come. “Hey, Missy! How’s your novel coming along?” Marica asked. “Sweepingly, Marica. Just sweepingly!” replied Missy looking up from the pile of notebooks, books, and devises on her desk. “Ruff?” Rocky questioned. “Um, Missy… don’t you mean ‘swimmingly’?” “Swimmingly!?!” Missy
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Originally posted December 2018, with more to come. “Pardon me, Marica,” Missy began, “Do you have a moment?” “Why certainly, girl,” Marica replied, “What’s up?” “Ruff?” Rocky asked. “What are your thoughts on in me-dI-us rez?” “Ruff?!?” Rocky scoffed. “What?” “Me-dI-us rez. Surely you know that term, Marica,” Missy answered. “It’s a literary devise meaning
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
“Marica?” Missy asked as she looked up at Marica who was having breakfast at her desk. “Yes, Missy?” “Why did my Dear Friend not accompany me on my morning constitutional?” “Ruff?” Rocky, too, was perplexed by the change in routine. Rocky does not like routine changes. “Well, Missy,” Marica replied, “You cannot exert yourself for
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
“Hey Missy!” Marica called out. “Misssyyyy!” “Yes, yes, Marica. What is it?” Missy asked as she ran into the den. “You’ll never believe this! You just won’t,” Marica said excitedly. “Ruff?” Rocky asked as he, too, trotted up to Marica’s desk. “What’s got you so excited, Marica?” Missy asked as she slid down on the
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
“Marica?” Missy inquired looking up from her devise. “Yes, Missy?” Marica replied looking up from her laptop. “What’s up?” “rufffff,” Rocky grumbled. The last few morning walks had been exhilarating, but they’d caught up with him. He just wanted to get on with his morning nap. “Well, I see here that our favorite artist– excepting
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
{"id":null,"mode":"button","open_style":"in_modal","currency_code":"USD","currency_symbol":"$","currency_type":"decimal","blank_flag_url":"https:\/\/www.bigfoodetc.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/blank.gif","flag_sprite_url":"https:\/\/www.bigfoodetc.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/flags\/flags.png","default_amount":1000,"top_media_type":"featured_image","featured_image_url":"https:\/\/www.bigfoodetc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Whats-happening-copy-4-1.jpg","featured_embed":"","header_media":null,"file_download_attachment_data":null,"recurring_options_enabled":true,"recurring_options":{"never":{"selected":true,"after_output":"One time only"},"weekly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every week"},"monthly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every month"},"yearly":{"selected":false,"after_output":"Every year"}},"strings":{"current_user_email":"","current_user_name":"","link_text":"All current contributions go toward redesigning the cover, and publishing an eBook of Miss Missy's School.","complete_payment_button_error_text":"Check info and try again","payment_verb":"Tip!","payment_request_label":"Big Food, Big Garden, Big Life","form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","general_server_error":"Something isn't working right at the moment. Please try again.","form_title":"Big Food, Big Garden, Big Life","form_subtitle":"All contributions go toward cover redesign and eBook publication of Miss Missy's School: Book I A Pack of Farm Dogs Starts a School","currency_search_text":"Country or Currency here","other_payment_option":"Other payment option","manage_payments_button_text":"Manage your payments","thank_you_message":"Thank you for your help and encouragement!","payment_confirmation_title":"Big Food, Big Garden, Big Life","receipt_title":"Your Receipt","print_receipt":"Print Receipt","email_receipt":"Email Receipt","email_receipt_sending":"Sending receipt...","email_receipt_success":"Email receipt successfully sent","email_receipt_failed":"Email receipt failed to send. Please try again.","receipt_payee":"Paid to","receipt_statement_descriptor":"This will show up on your statement as","receipt_date":"Date","receipt_transaction_id":"Transaction ID","receipt_transaction_amount":"Amount","refund_payer":"Refund from","login":"Log in to manage your payments","manage_payments":"Manage Payments","transactions_title":"Your Transactions","transaction_title":"Transaction Receipt","transaction_period":"Plan Period","arrangements_title":"Your Plans","arrangement_title":"Manage Plan","arrangement_details":"Plan Details","arrangement_id_title":"Plan ID","arrangement_payment_method_title":"Payment Method","arrangement_amount_title":"Plan Amount","arrangement_renewal_title":"Next renewal date","arrangement_action_cancel":"Cancel Plan","arrangement_action_cant_cancel":"Cancelling is currently not available.","arrangement_action_cancel_double":"Are you sure you'd like to cancel?","arrangement_cancelling":"Cancelling Plan...","arrangement_cancelled":"Plan Cancelled","arrangement_failed_to_cancel":"Failed to cancel plan","back_to_plans":"\u2190 Back to Plans","update_payment_method_verb":"Update","sca_auth_description":"Your have a pending renewal payment which requires authorization.","sca_auth_verb":"Authorize renewal payment","sca_authing_verb":"Authorizing payment","sca_authed_verb":"Payment successfully authorized!","sca_auth_failed":"Unable to authorize! Please try again.","login_button_text":"Log in","login_form_has_an_error":"Please check and fix the errors above","uppercase_search":"Search","lowercase_search":"search","uppercase_page":"Page","lowercase_page":"page","uppercase_items":"Items","lowercase_items":"items","uppercase_per":"Per","lowercase_per":"per","uppercase_of":"Of","lowercase_of":"of","back":"Back to plans","zip_code_placeholder":"Zip\/Postal Code","download_file_button_text":"Download File","input_field_instructions":{"tip_amount":{"placeholder_text":"How much would you like to tip?","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How much would you like to tip? Choose any currency."},"invalid_curency":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please choose a valid currency."}},"recurring":{"placeholder_text":"Recurring","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"How often would you like to give this?"}},"name":{"placeholder_text":"Name on Credit Card","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter the name on your card."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please enter the name on your card."}},"privacy_policy":{"terms_title":"Terms and conditions","terms_body":null,"terms_show_text":"View Terms","terms_hide_text":"Hide Terms","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."},"unchecked":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Please agree to the terms."},"checked":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"I agree to the terms."}},"email":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email address"},"not_an_email_address":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Make sure you have entered a valid email address"}},"note_with_tip":{"placeholder_text":"Your note here...","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"empty":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"not_empty_initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Attach a note to your tip (optional)"},"saving":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Saving note..."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Note successfully saved!"},"error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to save note note at this time. Please try again."}},"email_for_login_code":{"placeholder_text":"Your email address","initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your email to log in."}},"login_code":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"success":{"instruction_type":"success","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"blank":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Check your email and enter the login code."}},"stripe_all_in_one":{"initial":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"empty":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"success":{"instruction_type":"normal","instruction_message":"Enter your credit card details here."},"invalid_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is not a valid credit card number."},"invalid_expiry_month":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration month is invalid."},"invalid_expiry_year":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is invalid."},"invalid_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is invalid."},"incorrect_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incorrect."},"incomplete_number":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card number is incomplete."},"incomplete_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incomplete."},"incomplete_expiry":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration date is incomplete."},"incomplete_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code is incomplete."},"expired_card":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card has expired."},"incorrect_cvc":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's security code is incorrect."},"incorrect_zip":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's zip code failed validation."},"invalid_expiry_year_past":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card's expiration year is in the past"},"card_declined":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The card was declined."},"missing":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"There is no card on a customer that is being charged."},"processing_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"An error occurred while processing the card."},"invalid_request_error":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"Unable to process this payment, please try again or use alternative method."},"invalid_sofort_country":{"instruction_type":"error","instruction_message":"The billing country is not accepted by SOFORT. Please try another country."}}}},"fetched_oembed_html":false}
{"date_format":"F j, Y","time_format":"g:i a","wordpress_permalink_only":"https:\/\/www.bigfoodetc.com\/category\/big-dogs\/jawin\/","all_default_visual_states":"inherit","modal_visual_state":false,"user_is_logged_in":false,"stripe_api_key":"pk_live_51H1In9KDLfKHlvGgsliZe4efNchBVkhUvpkfy3DJTf5J6Kumgyzt5CgC0gY8E4J6dsAemyUcNLRf68pdCdkj8ZWn0021C5X4gj","stripe_account_country_code":"US","setup_link":"https:\/\/www.bigfoodetc.com\/wp-admin\/admin.php?page=tip-jar-wp&mpwpadmin1=welcome&mpwpadmin_lightbox=do_wizard_health_check","close_button_url":"https:\/\/www.bigfoodetc.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/tip-jar-wp\/\/assets\/images\/closebtn.png"}