Marley and Me
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
That Time of Year Again
Today marked that most special time of year in every parent's life: Back to School Day. Like moms and dads everywhere, Jenny and I celebrated by dancing on the table with lampshades on our heads. Actually, that's just what we felt like doing after the school bus disappeared down the hill. Instead, we went out for a grown-up lunch with no kids in tow. Family togetherness is great and all, but after nearly three months of it, well...a little family apart time isn't such a bad thing, either. As a friend of mine in Michigan said in an email to me this morning: "Well, the kids headed back to school this morning. I can't say I'm in mourning."
It was a good summer, though, with family trips to the Great Lakes, where we ate white fish; the Chesapeake Bay, where we devoured blue crabs; and most recently to San Francisco, where our goal was to eat the foods of every nation on earth -- and we actually came close to doing so. (Yes, the Grogans are nothing if not good and enthusiastic eaters.)
The California trip, the whole family agreed, was the summer's highlight. The weather was perfect and the views in every direction, at every turn and in every rear-view mirror, were magnificent. Jenny and I have been before, but this was the children's first time. It was fun rediscovering the city through their eyes. I was surprised that what they loved most of all was Chinatown, followed by the towering redwoods in Muir Woods and the tour of Alcatraz. Their father's hands-down favorite, in contrast, was the free wine-and-cheese hour in the hotel lobby every afternoon at 5. Here's looking at you!
I just tried to post a bunch of my vacation photos, but Blogger rebelled and would not allow the uploads. Consider yourselves spared!
That's all for now, everyone. I have another week to myself before I hit the road again, promoting my children's books, "Bad Dog, Marley!" and "Marley: A Dog Like No Other" -- and, of course, grown-up "Marley & Me" too -- through much of September. Cities I will be visiting include Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Orlando, and Miami. Stay tuned to my HarperCollins upcoming events page where details will be posted as the schedule fims up. You'll find the link on the Marley & Me home page.
I also will be appearing Sunday, Sept. 30, at the first annual Carmel Authors & Ideas Festival. Tickets are pricey, but cover the entire three-day event and a host of authors. Details are at http://carmelauthors.com/
posted by John Grogan at 1:54 PM
 
8 Comments:
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John, include Brazil in your tour !!! You will be a great sucess here ! Regards, Rafael
Hello John,
Congratulations on your double success - getting the kids back to school & getting to #1 slot in the UK!
I have just finished reading Marley & Me and I was in tears by the end. I lost my dog, Patch, a few months ago when she was thirteen, so I was able to relate to your pain and sadness at having to decide when the time was right for Marley to go. I don't think there is ever really such a time but we know we have to make ourselves say "goodbye" when our best friend starts to suffer and they lose the wag in their tail.
I hope your are enjoying life with your family and new furry friend, Gracie. We too now have a new addition, Brandy the Brat, as my Mum has labelled her. She is a very stubborn five-month old golden retriever who likes to put her paws on pause when out for a walk. I can't figure out whether she is tired, scared or just testing my leadership. Like her pedigree name suggests, she is indeed a Conundrum (yes, she has one of those majestic sounding names that you love so much)!
Good luck with your tour, the writing and the film (how exciting - I can't wait!). I would be interested to know whether you have any plans to tour the UK at some point? It would be fantastic to get my copy of Marley & Me signed by the author! I only wish Marley was around to put her paw-print on it!
Best Wishes & Woofs,
Marie & Brandy the Brat(Birmingham, UK)
Dear John,
I just finished your book thank you so much for the wonderful look into your life. Never have I felt so in touch with an author. I laughed & cried & in the end came to love Marly as much as you & your family. I read that they were making a movie Marley & Me and that Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston were to star in it, but due to Mr. Wilsons personal life it is being put on hold. I would like to know if there is any truth to this. I think that Ben Afflick & Jennifer Garner would be better suited to play you and your wife. I would love to hear from you if there is any truth to the movie and what you think. I wish you & your family, which also includes Gracie, all the best and thank you again from an owner of 2 mixed Lab's,who now knows she is not the only crazy dog lover in the world.
Lara Hunter
P.S. By the way I thought Hunter was a good choice but Marley Was the best choice for his name.
Eu s� queria dizer que amei o livro,mas hoje cheguei em uma p�gina muito triste,onde o Marley morre,nessa parte eu cheguei a chorrar,e acredite eu n�o choro por qualquer coisa.
Sei que tlavez n�o esteja me entendendo ou ao menos lendo,mas sempre quando eu olho pro Marley na capa eu me lembro da minha cachorra,Lana.
Uns minutos antes de morrer ela foi nos p�s do meu pai e lhe deu um beijo,e morreu nos p�s dele.
se voc� puder me mande um e-mail.
gabmadal@hotmail.com
ou o link do seu orkut(se voc� tiver)
Mais eu aaaameeeeei muito o seu livro e gostaria de saber se voc� tamb�m vai fazer o livro "Gracie & eu" pois diz no final do livro "sobre o autor" que voc� tem uma cachorrinha labradora chamada Gracie e eu ia adorar ler mais um livro seu.
por favor me mande um e-mail com fotos do Marley e informa�es:
gabmadal@hotmail.com
MUITO OBRIGADA!
John:
Thanks for a delightful book. I finished "Marley and Me" just yesterday, however, I listened to the version read by you on CD which, I think, made it even more special. Don't know how you got thru those last chapters. I was a teary-eyed mess by the last. Thanks for a wonderful book. I have recommended it to all my blog readers. Looking forward to the movie version!
Suzanne
http://bizzyblogging.blogspot.com/2007/09/marley-and-me.html
Hi John:
I bet it's great to have some time for just you and Jenny after the long summer of family activities (though they did sound like a lot of fun!) I just reread "Marley and Me" after the loss of my beloved Fuzz (cat), whom I had for half of my life. It was really theraputic. Thank you so much for writing such an entertaining (and above all, touching) book. I look forward to reading more of your work.
All my best to you and your family,
Katie
Hi there John. Loved Marley and Me and my 3yr old and 5 yr old LOVE Bad dog Marley! Our shep/lab mix is a joy and he loves my kids. I just wanted to say I am really looking forward to seeing you on the Dog whisperer next week with Gracie! My favorite author and my favorite dog behaviorist coming together...makes for a great show I hope! Congrats on your continued success. Can't wait for the movie!
Melissa in MA
John, I really enjoy reading about the places you have been visiting including your recent "guys weekend" in New York. I am an American living in England and reading about your trips makes me feel vicariously "at home", as I have been to so many of the places you write about. P.S. I think it's great that you have such loyal, long term friends. I hope Jenny supports the next annual get together. (She sounds like the kind of woman who would.) Best wishes to your entire family,including Gracie of course.