Aha! Just the kind of question that a degree in chemistry doesn't prepare you for. Maybe his hard drive crashed ? Did he lose it in the great Chicago fire or the San Francisco earthquake? Maybe he was writing in Texas City in 1947 when the ship full of ammonium nitrate blew the absolute heck out of the place. (See, that's the kind of answer a chemistry degree will give you.)

I probably will have more luck if I get a clue or two. Back to you, Cynthia and friends.

TM

Yes, clues please.

Annette

lol - neither a degree in Science not Literature. Steinbeck wasn't required or suggested reading when I was a child. I need clues!!

Nancy.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>TM, those are intriguing ideas. I might have to do some research to discover odd bits of trivia coming out of those events! Of Mice and Men was published in February 1937. The unfortunate incidence was less a disaster than those you mention. Quite the opposite, actually.

The routine here at home is less frenetic than usual. The pups usually have Koda here by now and wildness ensues. Sadly, for them, John doesn't have to work today, so their family of three will be off on an adventure in the lovely weather. I guess we will need to take an extra long walk to boost their spirits and work off the extra poundage they have been gaining lately. Too many treats, I fear. The same is true for a certain human in this house as well.

I'm hoping to learn that the book was eaten by mice. Even better, but much less likely, by mice and men.

Just a little Sunday silliness.

TM

Haha. At the risk of giving it away before others chime in, may I say your silliness isn't too far off, TM!

I should be working on IEP progress reports (finished grades last week, but these are such a pain to do). I need to set goals for homework. I hear every excuse in the book.

John and a friend are out back treasure hunting with a metal detector hoping for Civil War artifacts. So far, nothing. It would be so exciting if they were to find something like a button or shell. Oh well.

Cynthia

Well, they found a Civil War bullet and some sort of decorative small double circle thing with a clasp on the back that won't open and will probably break if I do get it open. That may not be all that old, but who knows.

Working in the yard earlier, I cleaned up all the flexible black, ridged, plastic drain pipes that the dogs pulled out of the ground and chewed up in their never-ending quest to capture furry varmints. Sheesh. Good thing they are cute.

Cynthia

Dogs. Chewing. Furry varmints. Must be a clue in there.

TM

DH's suggestion seems to be where your clues are pointing, Cynthia.
It is one of the most common disasters cited for lost homework though don't know how often it is really true.

We are on the last night of our trip, staying outside Des Moines, IA. Will likely get home tomorrow afternoon.

Stayed one night in Dodge City, KS so am ready for any trivia about that outlaw city history.

Boot Hill

The dog ate it? Having never read the book or know anything about the author I'm at a loss here.

Annette

I used to get the dog ate my homework excuse, but never with a straight face. They generally took their zero in good spirits.

TM

Yippee. Four stars for Bobbie (very cool Boot Hill photo, btw), Annette, and TM.

Yes, believe it or not, John Steinbeck's dog Toby ate the manuscript! Apparently, the author was not terribly put out. Quite the dog-lover, he. I had to read Travels with Charley one summer. Fun book. Never have read Grapes of Wrath or Cannery Row or East of Eden, though. Actually, I did read some of Cannery Row, but never finished it. Not sure why.

Anyway, thanks for playing. Have a fun week. Hope it feels good to get home and sleep in your own bed, Bobbie.

Cynthia

Here is a link that might be useful: Toby

It's me ThinMan just checking in under the new regime to see if it works.

Crap! I don't want to be web user 8178798.

Hi TM, they let me keep mine but added _GW. I tried changing it to adding my location and zone, see if it works.

Hmmmmmm, I guess it didn't work

I used their "sign into your Garden Web account" but then when I filled in the user name and email acct, they said I already had an account and showed my houzz user name and asked for my password. I must have signed up years ago. Have no desire to keep two accts. sheesh.

See? It used crazydogs instead of cyn...

Hate this!

, found a post that said if I went to edit profile, I should add my gw user name as my first name and my zone as my last name. Better.

Thanks, Cynthia. I think I'm back in business now.

TM

I was completely surprised with the change as did not recieve any e-mails that it was coming. Think I got my sign in the way I want. Will spend some time exploring. Don't understand the need for followers and like buttons. Too online illiterate.

Re trivia: Thanks for the question, Cynthia, and stars. I read Of Mice and Men long ago and have seen it done as a play numerous times.

Good - I think we all found our way in? The upside to this is that my new (5 years ago) email is now linked to my account. Haven't even looked to see how to edit profile. The downside is no off-topic side. Bobbie, glad you found your way in!!

Nancy.

I wonder if they will add a conversations side to Cottage Gardens. Seems odd to continue trivia all mixed in with the garden discussion side. Bwhat do you all think? They added a conversation side to Home Decorating, I heard, but haven't checked yet. Maybe if we ask...