Hope Darby Writings

Here I am again, pandering for animals and my favorite pet-rescue organization, “PAWS” (Pets Are Worth Saving). This time, all you have to do is click on two links. Couldn’t be easier! _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Free Food for Abandoned and Abused Animals is Just a Click Away! The Animal Rescue Site is a great website... Continue to Full Post →

I’ve made some slight alterations to the front page, and will be loading new articles into the Fiction/Non-fiction headers soon. Be sure to refresh your cache so you can see the changes, and go peek at the front!  Read More →

Living in Alabama provides a lot of “moments.” Odd moments. Eyebrow-raising moments. Snort-Dr.Pepper-through-your-nose moments. Cringe-worthy moments. And, of course, the “please let me stifle my laughter so I don’t insult or embarass this very nice, very countrified gentleman/lady” moments.   One of my favorite such moments involved a very sweet octogenarian lady, her granddaughter, and their very enthusiastic poodle.   Mikey (my schnauzer) and I were going for one... Continue to Full Post →

This came through my inbox via the pet rescue organization that my aunt-in-law helps to run. A Boston Terrier Society contacted the rescue organization for help. Fair warning, this is terribly disturbing and upsetting, and contains two equally upsetting photographs. Dear Benefactors: A severely injured Boston Terrier was dumped through a shoot at a shelter in Chilton County, Alabama, on 31 July 2008, and he was immediately rescued by Donna Farmer, President of the Birmingham Boston Terrier Rescue,... Continue to Full Post →

Two of my friends are pregnant! I’m so happy for them, I am. But I’m also terrified. They both live in Alabama, same as me. Is there something in the water that I should be wary of? *grabs bottled Fiji and hides*  Read More →

Perhaps I’m simply in a bad mood. Heaven knows that’s not unheard-of…but…I’ve heard a lot of my friends say things like “There’s no such thing as a good person or a bad person,” “people aren’t evil, there are just good and bad choices,” etc etc, and it’s driving me up the wall.   There ARE inherently GOOD people in the world. Just like there ARE inherently BAD people in the world. And yes, EVIL people exist! Ask any parent who... Continue to Full Post →

I’m back! It’s insane how much I missed my internet connection while there. Granted, I did jack a few wireless networks while traveling, but I was never certain enough of my connection to toss passwords around. This is why I now have a new wireless card on order! Safe travels for all!   Vegas was fantastic. Well, most of Vegas was fantastic. There was a lot of construction going on, as they are in the process of building a new “City Center” next to the Bellagio (where we... Continue to Full Post →

I am getting terribly excited about my upcoming trip to Las Vegas. The anal-retentive organizer in me is making lists, lists, lists. Packing lists, to-do-before-we-leave lists, luggage dos and don’ts lists, lists for the groomer/spa where we’re boarding Mikey, lists for Chan’s dad, who is tending the kitties, etc etc. I have them on white boards, on the Simpsons magnetic notepad stuck to the freezer door, in copious emails, and throughout my journals. And, considering that we aren’t... Continue to Full Post →

I took my schnauzer, Mikey, for his constitutional today. We live next to a huge walking park, with winding concrete paths, two ponds, wooded areas, and rolling stretches of green grass. Mikey adores it. Heck, I adore it. It never fails that we pass at least one other person who is being walked by their dog, and Mikey always has to stop and make a new friend. A few moments of mutual derrière-sniffing and playful down-dog postures, and we’re on our way.   Today, it occurred to me as I watched... Continue to Full Post →

I am currently writing an article regarding whether or not the diet industry should be held financially liable for people with eating disorders. As I write, I realize that this is just one more thing in a long line of “don’t blame me!” characteristics that define current society.   Don’t get me wrong. I understand eating disorders. Quite well, as a matter of fact, considering that I’ve battled them myself, to the point of being 5’5 and balanced precariously at... Continue to Full Post →