I Spent my Life as a Pack Mule
Someone blogged they were a thoroughbred. I thought about that, and decided I spent my life as a plow horse, or maybe a pack mule. I guess I was like a ‘King Wilkie’ (Bill Monroe’s horse) or maybe a wheel hoss. (that single minded beast who spent a whole lifetime going in circles.) I like dogs too, ’cause mine have always been loyal.
What kinda animal were y’all while here on earth? For example, I would assume Ms. Cindy was a loyal canine and spent her days running with Ranger.
I’m trying to get my MS done by Jan 1- still on track, but might run a week or so past goal. How y’all cranked out a whole novel in one month is beyond me. I am just too slow.
Dr. B
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
November 30, 2008 at 9:57 am
black panther… definitely
sleek, elegant, powerful, deadly, playful, fun, lazy, efficient, feline, graceful, commanding. I think that sums it up nicely. Unusual too. Not something that is found in abundance in the world.
November 30, 2008 at 10:11 am
Ms. Amber,
A sleek cat- it fits.
I’m afraid I’m an old mutt.
Dr. B
November 30, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Hmmm. I’m betting coyote, but it’s always possible I’ve been a mutt. Either way, I think drooling on the couch, harassing flocks of sheep and howling at the moon has been working great for me so far. 🙂
November 30, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I’m the lion.
I will sit and watch and plan for hours on end, but when the time is right to catch something, I put the plan to work and find it doesn’t take that long to execute. With Garmon’s and computers it is easier and quicker to plan.
November 30, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I am surely a dog! Ranger Dog and I have a lot of adventures! We left him alone at home for the first time over Thanksgiving. We had someone come over to feed and play with him a little. But, he had the run of the property.
I missed him so much. I don’t know who was happier to see who! He and I are truly kindred spirits.
Plus, I am loyal and protective of my own. All I need is a scratch or two behind the ears and a warm corner. LOL
November 30, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Hey Amy,
Appreciate you dropping by.
Coyote- that’s cool. One of my favorite mandolinists, Sam Bush, does a song called that has a line that says “better take time for howling at the moon.” I think it is on his Glamour and Grits CD.
Dr. B
November 30, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Billy,
King of the Jungle fits you to perfection, my friend.
Dr. B
November 30, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Ms. Cindy,
I knew it would be Ranger!
Loyal, friendly, but fierce and protective when you need to be. It shows in your writing.
Dr. B
November 30, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Hmmmm…I think I’d have to be a labrador. Loyal, loving, family-oriented, playful, dependable, athletic in a fun kind of way and always excited about life – and I’m blonde, so it fits. 🙂
As for finishing a novel in a month, I’ve done just over 60,000 words in NaNoWriMo but I would guess I’ve got another 30-40K to go. My aim is to have the first draft finished by December 31. Then comes the part I have NO idea how to approach and am secretly dreading – editing. Think I’m going to sign up for a series of editing workshops at my local writer’s workshops. I’m gonna need someone to hold my hand through that bit.
November 30, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Karen,
Edits are tough. I’m on my last major revison. I think the finish line is found more from “no give up” than raw ability.
From what I can tell, and have read, even the most gifted writers go through a grinder to get revisions and editing done. So, remember you are in good company. They all have to do it.
Labs are popular for a reason- they are reliable and will stay on task. I saw one years ago jump off a boat house and pull a child out of the water, so I have all respect for labs.
Dr. B
December 1, 2008 at 9:17 am
50K words isn’t a whole novel. At least, it’s not mine. I think I have another 75K to go before I can close the book on this adventure.
As for animals, I probably see myself as more cat than dog. Birds are interesting, too.
December 1, 2008 at 9:47 am
Pande,
For a while we had both birds and cats in our house, and they co-existed O.K. We still have the birds.
We had a cat was named Pancake, bit she got run over.
Don’t forget, when your book comes out reserve a signed copy for me.
Dr. B
December 1, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I’m pumped to find out the origins behind the name Wheel Hoss. It seems you are a bluegrass encyclopedia!
If I was an animal, I’m going to have to say I’d be a dog.
Sometimes I’m full of energy and interest and super extrovertive, sometimes I just like to sit around and wait till I feel extrovertive again. And I love my buddies.
Keep up the good work Dr. B.
December 1, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Hoss,
Yeah, I think the Wheel Hoss was sort of lead horse in a team that went around in a circle to power a gristmill or something like that. Someone might write in who knows more about it than I do.
We played the tune for years before I got around to studying the issue, so as a young person you’ve got a leg up on your contemporaries.
I like dogs too. Like the bluegrass crowd, they are loyal.
Dr. B
December 3, 2008 at 12:13 am
Daddy! Say something nice about Pancake too… in addition to saying that she got run over. Just for the record, she was the best cat ever!!! Love you daddy!
December 3, 2008 at 7:00 am
Oops Baby Bibey,
Baby Bibey is right ya’ll. In fact, other than my Marfar the young lady knows me better than anyone on earth. (except her brother knows my golf swing better)
Pancake was a sweetheart. In fact the cat was so named ’cause the kids raised her on Pancake syrup. She was a stray they nursed along with a bottle.
My kids were forever bringing home some poor animal.
My vet loved me, but I can’t complain. So did my kids.
Dr. B