Dear Abby: David Hockney's Dog Days

Dear Friends,

Today I would like you to introduce you to two dachshunds named Stanley and Boodgie.  I have never met them, but I have a book about them on the dachshund shelf here and I love looking at the pictures.

Stanley and Boodgie were two handsome red dachshunds, and their person happened to be a famous painter.  He loved them so much that he made an entire book about them.  Their person was David Hockney.  He was born in Great Britain, but now lives in Los Angeles.  In the 1960's he painted in the Pop Art style.  Momma loves his paintings - they are bright and full of color.  Sometimes he paints dachshunds, like this book:  David Hockney's Dog Days.   

On the dustjacket end flap, Mr. Hockney writes:

"From September 1993, I painted and drew my dogs. This took a certain amount of planning, since dogs are generally not interested in Art (I say generally only because I have now come across a singing dog). Food and love dominate their lives.

"I make no apologies for the apparent subject matter. These two dear little creatures are my friends. They are intelligent, loving, comical, and often bored. They watch me work; I notice the warm shapes they make together, their sadness and their delights. And, being Hollywood dogs, they somehow seem to know that a picture is being made." (David Hockney)

Here are a few pictures of Stanley and Boodgie for you to enjoy.  They look very comfortable on the book cover!

This dachshund, on the title page, is peeking.  He's pretending to sleep, I think.  I've heard of dogs who do this.

Stanley and Boodgie look very comfy here on their big bed!

Come to think of it, this book has lots of pictures of dachshunds sleeping.  I like this book!

Look at their little heads resting on the edge of the bed!

There!  Sometimes they eat, too.  I wonder what was on that plate?

And here is Mr. Hockney with his dachshunds, and with lots of paintings of them as well.

Needless to say, I give this book four paws up!   I recommend it highly for dachshund lovers and for anyone who loves dog art.  It's still in print, so you can find it easily at your favorite book retailer.

What do you think of the Hockney pictures?  Do you think they capture dachshund personalities?   I would love to hear from you with thoughts or questions for future Dear Abby posts in the comments, below.

Love to all,

Abby

Throwback Thursday - Baby Doll Pajamas

I loved babydoll or "shortie" pajamas as a little girl.  They were perfect to wear during summer -- especially before we had air conditioning!  They made these for girls, teens, and women, too.  

Are these still around, in a light cotton fabric?   I have a feeling this is a retro fashion trend that I would still like.

Wordless Wednesday: Jump Rope Girl Vintage Valentine

Found at Birdhouse Books

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

The dead of winter.
An isolated island off the coast of Maine.
A man.
A woman.
A sinister house looming over the sea ...

He's a reclusive writer whose macabre imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill with laughs.

But she's not laughing now. When she was a teenager, he terrified her. Now they're trapped together on a snowy island off the coast of Maine. Is he the villain she remembers or has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart says yes.

It's going to be a long, hot winter.

 Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/07/heroes-are-my-weakness-by-susan.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23215475-heroes-are-my-weakness-intl

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | BAM

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062106090/susaelizphi03-20/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heroes-are-my-weakness-susan-elizabeth-phillips/1118735367?ean=9780062106094&itm=1&usri=9780062106094&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-1KSIRJmDm4M-_-2:9780062106070&r=19780062106094

BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Heroes-My-Weakness/Susan-Elizabeth-Phillips/9780062106094?id=6377087445407

Author Info

Susan Elizabeth Phillips soars onto the New York Times bestseller list with every new publication. She’s the only four-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Favorite Book of the Year Award. Susan delights fans by touching hearts as well as funny bones with her wonderfully whimsical and modern fairy tales. A resident of the Chicago suburbs, she is also a wife, and mother of two grown sons.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Website:  http://susanelizabethphillips.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SusanElizabethPhillipsNovels

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/sepauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41313.Susan_Elizabeth_Phillips

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Surprise SEP Romance Prize Pack)

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Did You Know Tuesday: Billboard Hot 100 Chart

The Billboard Hot 100 Chart first appeared on this date, August 4, in 1958.   This chart featured all genres of music and rated them by popularity.  The first ever number 1 single was "Poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson, below.  The chart is still around, and is now called the Hot 100.  Just a little music trivia tidbit to start your day!