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
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.
“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
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
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
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?”
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,
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
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
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
“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
“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
“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
“Marica? Do you have a minute?” Missy asked as she closed the lid to her laptop. “Of course, Missy! What’s on your mind?” Marica replied. “Ruff?” “I’m just curious. Have you read the Harry Potter books?” “No, Missy, can’t say as I have. There’re not really my cup of tea,” Marica said. “Dear Friend,” Missy
“Yes, Marica,” Missy looked up from where she was relaxing on the floor at Marica’s feet. “Missy, I hope this doesn’t offend, but you’re getting a little… um, a girth upon you,” Marica stated. “Ruff,” Rocky concurred. “Oh, my, Marica, I know! Why! I look at myself in the mirror and I hardly know meself!
“Hey, Missy?” Marica asked as she approached Missy’s desk. “Sorry to interrupt, but do you have a minute?” “Sure, Marica,” Missy said slipping off her reading glasses and looking up. “I’m working on the final edits you suggested to my Epic Novel but I could use a break. What’s up?” Missy and Marica just looked
“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 this cold gloomy day?” “Ruff?” Rocky, too, was curious. “Well,” Missy heaved in a big breath of purified air (thanks to Marica’s recent shopping trip) in the way that
“Missy! Rocky! Come ‘er!” Marica hollered. Missy and Rocky jumped from the bed and ran into the kitchen. “What is it, Marica?” Missy asked. “What is it?” “Ruff? Ruff?” asked Rocky. “You’ve got mail!” Marica said. “Ruff?!?” “Really?!? We have mail! Oh my goodness! Oh my!” Missy said excitedly while spinning around in circles. “Who’s
“Hey, Missy!” Marica looked over at Missy who was sprawled out on the bed. “Rocky! Listen to this!” “ruff,” Rocky mumbled. “Um hum, Marica?” Missy barely lifted her head. She was exhausted after the big morning run before the rain. ” Listen to this– you’ll love this,” Marica said. ” Quote, ‘All knowledge, the totality
“Marica?” Missy slid off the bed, sauntered over to Marica’s desk and sat down on the floor. “Oh! Hey Missy,” Marica replied. “What’s up?” “Ruff?” wondered Rocky. “Well, Marica, we wondered why you are looking so pensive these last few minutes.” “I’m trying to think of a name for something,” Marica said sighing. “Ruff?” “Oh.
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