National Yellow Pig Day

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here – Keeping my paws on the nuts of the world

Hallelujah! Can you believe they make a holiday for this little oinker we have here at the Hotel Thompson called Bacon? It’s not enough that he’s a spoiled little tyke, now he has holidays. It’s certainly a great reason to celebrate with Bacon – we’ll take that anyday.

Yellow Pig Day is today, July 17th. This is not to be confused with National Pig Day celebrated on March 1st every year. Are you wondering what the difference is between the two pig day holidays? Let me explain it to you 🙂

National Pig Day on March 1st, recognizes and appreciates domesticated pigs, like Bacon. Pot-bellied pigs are often found in petting zoos and sometimes they can be found in regular every day homes like at the Hotel Thompson as members of the family. (I would say as pets but we all know that Bacon has gone beyond that category and is now a ‘member’ of the family. Some would say a child.) I’m sure you already know due to Bacon’s blog here that pigs are highly clever and intelligent animals. They will focus in on one thing until they accomplish whatever they are trying to do. Pigs like Bacon can learn how to open doors, gates, fetch like dogs, roll over and other amazing tricks. Ellen Stanley, an art teacher in Texas, created National Pig Day in 1972. Her intent was to to recognize and be thankful for pigs as intelligent domestic animals. And I have to admit, this holiday is HUGE at the Hotel Thompson.

Yellow Pig Day on July 17th is a mathematician’s holiday celebrating yellow pigs and the number 17. Have you ever seen a yellow pig in real life? Probably not, but wouldn’t it be fun to have them yellow? Why not celebrate yellow pigs anyway! This holiday has been celebrated yearly since the early 1960’s, primarily by mathematicians on college campuses but hey it’s a holiday – let’s celebrate! I wonder if Bacon’s Aunt Tina knows about this date? Did you know that she is in fact a mathematician and a college professor? See smartness runs in the Thompson family 🙂

The Yellow Pig was created by mathematicians Michael Spivak and David C. Kelly in the early 1960’s. Spivak and Kelly were students at Princeton University, studying of course mathematics. History was made as they were listing interesting properties of the number 17. During this thought wave, the yellow pig was born. The yellow pig and the number 17 have been linked ever since.

So, spend some time today thinking and working in multiples of 17 and thinking about little yellow pigs.

 

National Pig Day

TODAY IS *MY* DAY!

Normally, I would let me friend Journalist Rocky the Squirrel tell you about important and interesting holidays.  But today, well today is *my* day.

I bet you didn’t know that I have an entire holiday to myself? Well – I do!! Today is National Pig Day. I wait all year for my holiday. 

But you’re probably asking yourself what is national pig day?

“National Pig Day

National Pig Day is an event held annually on March 1 in the United States to celebrate the pig. The holiday celebration was started in 1972 by sisters Ellen Stanley, a teacher in Lubbock, Texas, and Mary Lynne Rave of Beaufort, North Carolina.

According to Rave, the purpose of National Pig Day is “to accord the pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man’s most intellectual and domesticated animals.”

Since today is my day, I get to do what I want… within limitations. I get my favorite foods. I get the extra loving and snuggles. I get a piggy massage. I get my hooves done. Whatever I want – it’s all about pleasing this piggy. To all my fellow pig friends – cash in on this our holiday – enjoy it to the fullest!!

Yawn, I think I’ll start like I am in this picture.  On the couch and snuggled with mommy!

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Lucy

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:  Lucy Howell McCormick

Age:  seven years

Location:  Mustang Island, Texas

Web/Blog Page:  http://johnwhowell.com/

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  Well, I was a rescue from San Antonio and my mom met me at an adoption event. She was looking at another and my thought was she looks like the kind of person who will love me forever. I went up to her and the rest is history. (My secret was giving her a kiss)

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  I met my dad and he said, “This is the most beautiful fur person on Earth.” I knew that I had arrived.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?  One night there were a lot of people over for drinks and canapés . Someone suggested going onto the deck to see the moon. While they were gone my sister and I ate everything we could find. Although I enjoyed the food I did think there would be a consequence. Turns out a visit to the vet was the only punishment. We never got another chance to do it again.

Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  I would say my mom. She is smaller than dad and I can fit nicely on her couch when she is on it too. Old dad takes too much room. Mom always welcomes me when it is time for a snuggle.

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?   Because I’m a boxer  and look like a bulldog people think I’m a bulldog. I get a number of people doubting I’m a boxer especially since I’m white in color. Of course, the minute they come near I give them the boxer greeting which includes a big kiss.

♥

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Bailey

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:   Bailey McCormick

Age:  Seven Years

Location:  Mustang Island, Texas

Web/Blog Page:  http://johnwhowell.com/

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  It was so long ago. I was born on Mustang Island and went to my forever home when I was just eight weeks old. I see old photographs and believe I was a happy  puppy. I can’t recall when I first laid eyes on my parents, but I can tell you they sure loved me as evidenced in all the photos and the fact I am totally spoiled.

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  My earliest memory is of being called Princess. I wasn’t so sure of what that meant but finally figured out that it was a term of endearment. I think it also may be a tongue in cheek reference to the fact that I am very special and know it.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?  I watched as Lucy, my sister  decided to clean off a table full of snacks. She forced me to help her and then when it was done our humans came into the room and were totally shocked. We had never done anything like that before. I tried to explain that I was a victim but I still ended up at the vet.

Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why? I think  dad. He seems to be more willing to have me on his lap. I’m thinking it is because his lap is bigger and I’m a large dog. I know you must wonder what I’m doing on a lap in the first place. Well, you see there are times when even we big dogs need some assurance that things are okay. He is always willing to have me on him.

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?   Since I’m a boxer I have had people mistake me for a pit bull. I don’t even know any pit bulls so, I really don’t understand how they get confused. I am very gentle but these people act like I’m going to lunge after them. I am always on my leash so I really don’t understand the concern. I think for a joke sometime I’m going to growl and see what happens.

♥

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

Travels in the South

Yes you are right.  It is hot outside for any likes of chili.  However, we had a couple of rainy days/nights last week. So mom/dad was craving something warm for their bellies.  So off they went to one of their local restaurants that has the best chili – so they say – snorts with piggy laughter.

Let me introduce you to some Texas style chili.  I give you that it doesn’t look tantalizing.  But mom/dad says that it is the best chili that they have had in some time.  It has tender beef throughout the chili mixed with secret spices that no one will tell.  It all has jalapenos in it so expect some kick to it that stays with you for a bit.  Mom/dad both got theirs served with aged cheddar and crackers.  You gotta have crackers… or good loaf bread which they also got smothered with butter to combat the heat.

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Stella

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:  Stella Mc Cormick

Age:  15 years

Location:  Mustang Island, Texas

Web/Blog Page:  http://johnwhowell.com/

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?   When i saw my mom for the first time I was living with my four siblings in a woodpile out in the woods. My birth mom was feral and my adoptive mom captured her and all the kids. We were only four days old and my new mom took us in and fed us with a bottle. She had my birth mom fixed and released back to the wild. We stayed with our new mom and when we were old enough she placed everyone but my brother and I in new homes. My first thought was this was some mom. She has loved me since then. Sadly my brother went over the rainbow bridge a year ago and so I’m the only feline in the house.

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?   When I saw the brothers and sisters all go and I was still left I knew I was a chosen one. My brother felt the same.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?  For some reason I decided to jump up on the table during dinner one time and wasn’t very careful. I caused a glass of red wine to take a tumble and it ended up in my mom’s lap. She was wearing white slacks at the time and I thought there was going to be trouble. All that happened is I was told to stay off the table. Of course, I completely ignore that order if I want to check things out. I now know all about wine glasses and I plan my landings to accommodate that risk.

Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  Well mom originally wanted to keep only brother and dad talked her into keeping both of us. Mom was very sad when brother had to leave and so I’ve made a real effort to help cheer her. I still think I have dad wrapped. He always makes room for me when I bug him for a stroke.

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?   Humans think because I disappear when they come to the house that I’m shy. It’s not that at all. I am really outflanking them and preparing to leap out in case of emergency. I’ve never had to do it but I’m willing to save the family in case of danger.

♥

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Leia, Raven, Pepper, Michael and Precious

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:  

Leia: Well, there’s a lot of us, so who goes-

Raven: FIRST!

Pepper: Very mature, kid.

Michael: Have ya’ll ever noticed that your heads can fit in my mouth? How weird is that?

Precious: Will this take long? I haven’t seen the inside of my eyelids in a very long time.

Age:  

Pepper: Um, let’s see. Oldest to youngest? In that case Precious is –

Precious: Still young enough to kick your multi-colored tail if you finish that sentence.

Raven: I find it very odd that we all can tell time yet none of us can even read.

Michael: I’m sixteen months old. Not sure what a month is, but I am sixteen of them.

Leia: Oh for crying out loud. Precious is 12, Pepper is 6, I’m 5, and Raven is 8 months.

Location:  

Leia: I believe we’re in Houston.

Raven: Not exactly Houston. Well, it’s close enough.

Precious: Humble, we’re in Humble.

Pepper: Like, being humble, meek, lowly and that stuff?

Michael: Weird name for a place. I think it’s pronounced “umble” though.

Raven: That’s not how you say “humble”.

Michael: Dude, I know. 

Web/Blog Page:  http://Walkingthroughpain.com

Leia: You should check it out. Or else!

Pepper: Did you just threaten the audience?

Michael: What’s an audience?

Precious: It’s the people who will be reading this later.

Raven: So why not just call them people?

ALL: Ohhhh……

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  

Michael: I was tearing it up with some of my bros, when all of a sudden…

Raven: These enormous hands came in and grabbed me...

Pepper: Next thing I knew, these faces were looking down on me…

Leia: And they hugged me and gave me food and let me chase the cats…

Precious: I infiltrated the male human’s domicile nigh on a decade ago, feigning an injured paw and utilizing my notable skills of stealth and deception in order to set myself up as the veritable queen of this domicile.

Michael: Pepper told me you got beat up and sounded like a tiny little kitten and daddy fed you scraps of –

Precious: Silence demon fluff dog!

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?   

Leia: I’ve got an anxiety problem. I literally ate holes in the walls. And, well, mom and dad still kept me around.  That was unexpected.

Raven: I had a pretty bad rash on my side that really messed up the daily schedule for not only my parents, but for my brother and sisters. Sorry, guys.

Pepper: I think I’ve always known that mom and dad were going to be there for me. Then again, I was the cat equivalent of a toddler when they brought me home.

Precious: As my younger canine companion so eloquently stated earlier, I was in all senses of the word, a rescue. Dad found me one night with an injured paw, took me in, and the rest is history.

Michael: The first night I was brought home. They wouldn’t stop recording me. They had these big, goofy grins on their faces.

Leia: Your head fit in my mouth back then.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?   

Raven: I really haven’t been here long enough to cause much destruction. I did knock over the lamp a few days ago.

Michael: Did you break it?

Raven: No

Pepper: Doesn’t count.

Leia: I followed mom  and dad into the garage one time and hopped into the car. I thought we were going for a ride! Turns out, we weren’t. I freaked when they tried to get me out, and well, I peed in the car.

Everyone else: Hee, hee, hee.

Leia: Grrrrrrr!

Michael: Now, see, I peed literally every single night when I first came home. I had an excuse: I was a puppy.

Leia: Shut. Up.

Pepper: So when we moved to the house from the apartment a few years ago, we suddenly got these long, soft sheets hanging from the top of the windows –

Leia: Curtains. And you obliterated them.

Pepper: Yeah….those were a lot of fun.

Precious: Years ago, and I don’t remember much for the night was so traumatic, I supposedly walked up and down the hall, howling, and eventually, relieved myself on the floor. Obviously these accusations are baseless.

Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  

Leia: Mom. I just wriggled my way into her heart.

Michael: I was a white ball of fluff, of course mom loves me the most.

Pepper: I am an egalitarian paw wrapper.

Raven: You’re an eagle?

Pepper: Yes Raven, I am an eagle.

Raven: So cool. I’m an eagle, too.

Precious: You’ve got both mom and dad around your paws?

Raven: That, too.

Precious: The human male’s soul is mine and mine alone. Touch him not!

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  

Leia: The biggest misconception is that as a French bulldog, I should be more fancy. Well, I live in the US, sorry to disappoint.

Pepper: Oui.

Michael: The greatest misconception about me is that I will eat anything and everything in my path, leaving a wake of destruction so wide and vast it could only be called apocalyptic. All I want is some good play time and some snoozing.

Raven: The whole black cat stigma.

Precious: You’re not bad luck.

Raven: Exactly.

 

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❤ Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition! ❤

 

Yellow Pig Day

 

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping my paws on the nuts of the world

Hallelujah! Can you believe they make a holiday for this little oinker we have here at the Hotel Thompson called Bacon? It’s not enough that he’s a spoiled little tyke, now he has holidays. It’s certainly a great reason to celebrate with Bacon – we’ll take that anyday.

Yellow Pig Day is today, July 17th. This is not to be confused with National Pig Day celebrated on March 1st every year. Are you wondering what the difference is between the two pig day holidays? Let me explain it to you 🙂

National Pig Day on March 1st, recognizes and appreciates domesticated pigs, like Bacon. Pot-bellied pigs are often found in petting zoos and sometimes they can be found in regular every day homes like at the Hotel Thompson as members of the family. (I would say as pets but we all know that Bacon has gone beyond that category and is now a ‘member’ of the family. Some would say a child.) I’m sure you already know due to Bacon’s blog here that pigs are highly clever and intelligent animals. They will focus in on one thing until they accomplish whatever they are trying to do. Pigs like Bacon can learn how to open doors, gates, fetch like dogs, roll over and other amazing tricks. Ellen Stanley, an art teacher in Texas, created National Pig Day in 1972. Her intent was to to recognize and be thankful for pigs as intelligent domestic animals. And I have to admit, this holiday is HUGE at the Hotel Thompson.

Yellow Pig Day on July 17th is a mathematician’s holiday celebrating yellow pigs and the number 17. Have you ever seen a yellow pig in real life? Probably not, but wouldn’t it be fun to have them yellow? Why not celebrate yellow pigs anyway! This holiday has been celebrated yearly since the early 1960’s, primarily by mathematicians on college campuses but hey it’s a holiday – let’s celebrate! I wonder if Bacon’s Aunt Tina knows about this date? Did you know that she is in fact a mathematician and a college professor? See smartness runs in the Thompson family 🙂

The Yellow Pig was created by mathematicians Michael Spivak and David C. Kelly in the early 1960’s. Spivak and Kelly were students at Princeton University, studying of course mathematics. History was made as they were listing interesting properties of the number 17. During this thought wave, the yellow pig was born. The yellow pig and the number 17 have been linked ever since.

So, spend some time today thinking and working in multiples of 17 and thinking about little yellow pigs.

 

40th Anniversary…

That’s right friends.  This past weekend was the 40th Anniversary of the Smokey and the Bandit movie that came out in 1977.  Do you remember the basis of the movie?  This is what it says on the IMDB webpage:

Big Enos (Pat McCormick) wants to drink Coors at a truck show, but in 1977 it was illegal to sell Coors east of the Mississippi River without a permit. Truck driver Bo “Bandit” Darville (Burt Reynolds) agrees to pick up the beer in Texas and drive it to Georgia within 28 hours. Cledus “Snowman” Snow (Jerry Reed) drives the rig while the Bandit helps make his path.  When Bo picks up hitchhiker Carrie (Sally Field), he attracts the attention of Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). Angry that Carrie will not marry his son, Justice embarks on a high-speed chase after Bandit.

Knowing the story line, you now know that some of the movie is based in Georgia, home sweet home to this oinker.  And downtown Jonesboro (less than five minutes away from the Hotel Thompson) held its 40th Anniversary over the weekend.  The big rig came rolling in on Main Street followed by the famous Pontiac Trans-Am.  And not only was the rig and Trans-Am present, so was the sheriff’s car that was driven by Sheriff Buford T. Justice (played by Jackie Gleason).

And of course they had a re-enactor that was playing Burt Reynolds character… who just happened to get arrested by our finest here in Clayton County, Georgia.

Nah, not really.  It was all for show but doesn’t that guy look just like Burt Reynolds years ago in the movie?

He was a great guy for getting arrested and hanging out with everyone… and mom said not bad on the eyes whatever that means.

Burt Reynolds did show up to the festivities.  This is him in the picture next to the Trans-Am.  What an awesome time it was for everyone in attendance.

Did you know some of this trivia that we read on IMBD?

• A senior executive at Pontiac promised Burt Reynolds a free Trans-Am if the movie became a hit. It did and the 1977 T-Top Trans-Am became one of the hottest selling cars of the year. When the movie became a hit, Reynolds expected the executive to come through with his promise. But the Trans-Am never came. After a few months, Reynolds, (who was afraid of looking like one of those pretentious stars looking for freebies), finally called Pontiac. As it turned out, the executive that made the promise had retired and the new executive refused to keep the promise that was made, by the previous Pontiac Trans Am executive.

• Jackie Gleason would often ask his assistant Mal for a “hamburger,” which was code for a glass of bourbon.

• In Jonesboro, GA (YAY close to us here at the Hotel Thompson) where a lot of the film was shot, Snowman’s house and the warehouse where the Coors beer is picked up (in Texarkana, TX) are actually only about a half a mile away from each other.

• The line of Jackie Gleason’s dialogue printed on the movie’s poster is incorrect. The quote on the poster reads “What we have here is a total lack of respect for the law.” In the movie Gleason actually says “What we’re dealing with here, is a complete lack of respect for the law.”

Credit to IMBD web page for information on movie.  Credit to Scott Stubbs for pictures.

 

 

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Kinley and Brinley

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:  Kinley and Brinley

Age:  1 year young

Location:  Plano, Texas

Web/Blog Page:  Kinley and Brinley

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents? Kinley: OMD, I LOVE you!!!  Can I hug you?  Can I crawl inside you?  Seriously, I just wanna melt into you.     Brinley:  I luvs you too.  Oh, dat charm bracelet sure looks tasty.  Are it edible?  No??  Ok, back to da loving then.

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  Brinley:  I knew I was in my forever home right when I got here and met everyone.  After all, how could they not love a three month old westie pup??  Kinley:  I knew I was in my forever home right when I met my momma.  I just tried to melt right into her – I knew my family was the one.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?   Brinley:  Probably when I got caught chewing up the cabinets in the kitchen.  I was worried da peeps would be upset.  Ok, my momma wasn’t exactly happy about it, but I got forgiven.  Kinley on the other hand, she never thinks she’s done anything wrong, even when she has.   Kinley:  What, me do something wrong??  I don’t think I’ve ever done anything wrong.  I just smile and forget all about it. 

 Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  Brinley:  Probably my dad.  He was ready to let me run loose all over the house when I was a baby.  My momma (and Kinley’s momma) nixed that idea – she didn’t want me chewing something I shouldn’t or making messes everywhere.  Kinley:  Well, it would have to be my momma since I don’t got a dad (my momma are Brinley’s momma and daddy’s daughter).  But I has Brinley’s parents wrapped around my lil fluffy paw too – grandparents are great for spoiling you!

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  Brinley:  That I’m just a cute little fluffy dog.  People are always saying I’m cute on the walk.  I’m a tough terrier!  Kinley:  I gotta agree with Brinley.  It’s that I’m “cute.”  Even when I growl people, they say I’m cute!  What’s a girl gotta do to prove she’s tough?

♥