Can't think of catchy title

Got back from the ARBA national convention about 10 days ago. I was away from home for 9 days- I can't remember the last time I was away for so long. I had best of variety and best opp sex of variety in White Americans which for a national show is good. The convention was held in Grand Rapids, MI- right across the river from the Gerald Ford museum. I did not go visit. Probably the worst thing about the convention was the parking- you paid 6.50 every time you left so when we would get there in the morning, we would stay there until everything we needed to see/do was done for the day. I went to a judging conference, purchased such items as feed cups and breeding chart, was consulted on various aspects of guinea pig health and pulled a stone from an aby sow's urethra (yes, that was rather spectacular) with a fellow collegue. The little gal who owned the pig is an aspiring vet and when it was all over I told her this was a fine lesson- to remember that the difference between being a hero or a heel is sometimes a very thin line. Going and coming I went through Ravenswood, WVa and thought of RS. Athens was my halfway point in the trip which was two days driving each way. My mother has started her radiation treatments and seems to be doing well. I think some of the problems such as skin burns don't necessarily show up until later in the treatments or after they are finished.

SURPRISE!

Sometimes they fool you. We have been feeling this sow,, yeah, she's a little bit pregnant,, not due for awhile though. When I opened up the cage door this morning to feed,,look what greeted me! I moved them to a maternity tub to make sure they bond good to mom and not to dad (no grub there, son), or the other sow (that well is dry too!) I am wildly busy this week.. I leave for Michigan on Friday, will be gone at least a week I think. National Rabbit and Pig Show. I have five entries,, but the one sow that I was most hopeful for has turned up pregnant! This is a sow that has won one best in show and about three reserves and routinely kicks ass and takes names,, but is notoriously hard to settle. She had been living in peace with a boar for about six months,, no action,, so I pulled her from the breeding pen and put her by her lonesome. This past week,, she is very full,, and I could probably still show her, but these pups are more important than any award she might get,, so she stays home. I do have a replacement for her,, but side by side, a poor substitute.