It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

We had a heavily literary weekend in Sun Valley at the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, which was just as awesome as always. This was our fourth time there, and it’s our favorite event of every year. I’ll have lots to say about it later on. For now I will report that I discussed the laying properties and personalities of Buff Orpingtons and Barred Rocks and the roostering capabilities of New Hampshire Reds with the former Poet Laureate of the United States, Ted Kooser, proving that there are no bounds to my chicken obsession. Or his, for that matter, although he isn’t keeping any chickens these days.

As for the worst of times, we were supposed to be there until Tuesday, but our darling Bronco had a rough time, causing Auntie Margarita to take him to the emergency vet and scaring us all half to death. So we decided this morning to come home early and relieve Auntie M and Uncle FlaVio of their round-the-clock nursing care of our boy. I know we can’t take better care of him than they have, but we were having trouble concentrating on all the bookish goodness while worrying about the B-Boy.

He has rallied a little bit, but isn’t wanting to eat. The vet found some infection and some other off-kilter blood results, so we will be poking antibiotics and pain pills in poor Bronco and trying to tempt him to eat. He seemed happy to see us, but he sure lucked out having his devoted Auntie M pampering him when we couldn’t.

Meanwhile, Bonnie says, “What am I, chopped liver?” No, Bonnie, but you are always so easy. Little Miss Self-Sufficient.

I did manage to get a bit of writerly celebrity stalking done, which I will share with you all this week. (Don’t even try to stop me.)