This week's book

Now I'm reading Eric Larson's The Devil in the White City. From Amazon.com: Author Erik Larson imbues the incredible events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with such drama that readers may find themselves checking the book's categorization to be sure that The Devil in the White City is not, in fact, a highly imaginative novel. Larson tells the stories of two men: e Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair's construction, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor.

We learn about life in Chicago, details about the Columbian Exposition and the men who creaated it. And we learn about a handsome and charming serial killer. There seems to be more about the people working to create the World's Fair, but I bought the book because of the serial killer. But I am enjoying the book... learning how people lived, what was new (to them) and how our own Bethlehem Steel made part of the brand new Ferris wheel. Maybe this book isn't for everyone, but I find it facinating. Maybe you will too.

what I've been reading

It's July 5th and we're about to head out to visit friends for some outdoor fun and catching up. It's another hot day, but is comfortable in the shade.

Yesterday I finished reading Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer. I really enjoyed it and found it difficult to put down. It was about a man named George Mallory, who wanted to climb Mount Everest. It's a novel, but it's based on a true story.

Then I started reading The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. He's got a nice style of writing, so enjoy reading it, even though I'm only up to page 72. So far it's about Chicago in the late 1800s and early 1900s... describing an architect and a man that is a serial killer (although we don't know any details yet). From what I've read so far, I know I'm going to love this book.

Have you read either of these books? What did you think of them? What have you been reading lately?

6 pounds in 4 weeks

Abby gained exactly 6 pounds in the 4 weeks between vet visits. She's not fat at all, just growing. In fact, I wish she would eat a bit more.

I have to look into getting her one of those a seat belt for dogs; she almost crawled into the front of the car by squigling under the driver's seat. I reached down and felt her nose right there.

Amy and I go to Chicago for a conference on Sunday and come home on Tuesday. Quite frankly, I can't wait, and I think the time away will be good for me. Too bad it won't be for longer. But we'll be going to San Francisco in July for a few days. I'm thinking that maybe I should schedule a few days off. Maybe I could even go on a retreat for a few days. Hmm, I'll have to consider that.

Abby is home, and growing like a weed!

Well, Jim and I brought Abby home on May 2. She wasn't quite 8 weeks old. What a cutie! Even Jim likes her. The photo is from today... almost 11 weeks old. Only three weeks since we brought her home, but I can really see that she has grown. She was 2 pounds heavier when she went to the vet here, as compared to when she went to her own vet, about a week and a half earlier. And I'll be she's gained about another 3 pounds. She goes to the vet again on Tuesday.

She like to chase and eat leaves, she like to attack dandelions, and sadly, she likes bunny poop. She's really had fun running around the back yard, now that we've got the line hooked up for her. She likes to chase balls, and take them under my chair. She's still "biting" quite a bit, but is doing better. She's attending Puppy Kindergarten at Petco. It's helped, but she's still so young, I guess I can't expect miracles.

I gave her a bath in the tub yesterday. She was not crazy about it at all. Which just means I'll have to do it more, and make it more enjoyable for her. Give her a massage, as Caesar would say. If she comes to associate a bath with something pleasant, she won't mind.

She had a tick on her neck last week. Jim found it and I removed it with a tweezer. It came right out. When Conall and I gave her the bath yesterday, one fell off of her onto the carpet, so it hadn't latched on yet. This can only mean that she definitely will be getting the vaccine for lyme disease.

Puppy on my mind

When asked what I wanted for my birthday, I was all prepared. "A puppy!" And everyone in the room groaned. What's that all about? I miss my Darby, and the unconditional love you get from your dog.

Then I started looking online for the right breed, and for breeders in the area. English Springer Spaniels seem like the perfect pet. They do have long ears, which could mean ear infections, but now I know they need to be kept clean, and buying from a breeder would mean better genetics.

What kind of puppy do you think I should get? I had one friend who said no beagles! They howl too much. Darby howled sometimes when we left the house. Once in a while he'd howl when he only thought we had left... it was cute and sad at the same time.

We're not planning on taking a vacation this year, and Amy said I could bring him/her into work... I have no travel planned except for a short trip to Chicago in early June. Sometime during the summer we'll be going to San Francisco, too, to promote WhiskyFest.

I know a puppy would be work for a while, but it's well worth it.

Gotta run!

Amy and Joanie's Great Chicago Adventure

Ok, so it's 4 am east coast time, and 3 am in Chicago. Amy and I just got back to the hotel. I'm munching on some home-made peanut brittle that we got from the Marriott.

We started our evening at Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro. I tried Redbreast for the first time, and we met Sue - I love her! I could have spent the whole night there; it's a great place!

Then we went to Twisted Spoke and I met Mitch. We had dinner there, the food was awesome, and I had another first for me - bourbon. Mitch gave me a Van Winkle 15 year old. I liked it.

Let's see, next was Delilah's and Mike Miller. We spent quite a bit of time there and Mike was very gracious. Amy was getting loaded by the time we left there (sorry Amy, but you were... or maybe you were just tired).

Mike drove us to the Clark Street Ale House where Brett (of Binny's Beverage Depot) was waiting for us. They talked a lot (Brett and Amy), and I listened a lot. Amy looked exhaused; she had that look in her eyes that she has after WhiskyFest. But then the staff prepared for a shot of Jameson each, and they invited me to join them. So of course, I did a shot of Jameson with them (thank you for your hospitality!). I found out that Brian, the bartender, had been to every WhiskyFest Chicago except for the very first one. That's quite an accomplishment! I hope to see you, Brian, at this year's event on April 1!

Then Brett drove us back to the hotel. And here I am, now 4:08 am. We have to leave at 9 for the airport, so I hope to catch a nap on the plane. I'm not a very good plane-napper.

BTW, the photo attached is of Amy in the eleveator as we came back to our rooms. She just wants to go to bed....

Nighty-night!

Snow, everywhere I look

So, it's not Spring yet. But sleet and snow are uncalled for in March. And the wind... UNCLE!

Baseball season is almost here

The Iron Pigs open on April 9, and I'm working on getting some sweet suite tickets, thank you Pamela!

Last year, we were lucky enough to be hosted by Nacci Printing in their suite and it was a lot of fun. Dave found out that my friend Maura was a big FeFe fan, so he made sure she came into our suite and visited us. She's apparantly got some kind of a hair fetish, mine is still a mess! Anyway, Nacci was a very gracious host, and we really enjoyed it.

Jim has tickets for a number of games, but I don't. :( Now I ask you, is that fair?? I don't think so. Jim got hired at the ball park. He'll either be working consessions or as a cashier. Maybe he won't be able to use his tickets and I'll have to use them. Wouldn't that be terrible?

Chicago's around the corner

WhiskyFest Chicago is on April 1. But first, a little reconnaissance. Amy and I will head to Chicago next week and visit some of the bars that will be helping us to promote WhiskyWeek and WhiskyFest Chicago.

I know, it's a really tough job. When we went to San Francisco in the summer, Amy brought this really great (that is old) bottle of whisky from John. Did we ever get the royal treatment when Amy pulled that out of her bag! I'm hoping she'll again have something special from John that we can take to Chicago.

Any comment on our new web site? On the WhiskyFest blog (found on our web site)? On our expanded whisky list for Chicago (on our web site)? On all the hard work I've been doing? www.maltadvocate.com