Mr. Bacon Sighting
It all started back in August. Journalist Patrick Ross introduced his sidekick, Mr. Bacon, to the blogosphere.
On Patrick's blog, Mr. Bacon made a break for freedom in the Shenandoah National Park, hoping to lose himself in the forest. With such short legs, he was an easy catch.
Good for a laugh, Mr. Bacon was also a symbol of Patrick’s love for bacon (as well as his affection for bendy bacon toys). Then something interesting happened. Mr. Bacon took the writing world by storm. Writers tweeted Mr. Bacon’s adventures, responding warmly to the hint of his bacony aroma.
And when Mr. Bacon showed up at a White House press conference in Patrick’s pocket, boldly demanding that his picture be taken in front of President Obama? Well, that pretty much gave him rock star status – or maybe something more akin to traveling gnome status.
Because, recently … he showed up in my Arizona backyard, emboldened by his desert surroundings. You can imagine my surprise.
SAGUARO SIZZLE. This damaged saguaro provided the perfect vantage point as Mr. Bacon scouted for coyotes. (They like bacon). Click to enlarge.
BACON IN THE SUN. Mr. Bacon wasn’t afraid to get his feet dirty, standing in the dry, cracked earth of the Sonoran desert. Click to enlarge.
Mr. Bacon is, indeed, taking the writing world by storm. But why? Writers and bacon? Is there a correlation? Is it the boldness of his crunch? His flexibility? His ability to savor the moment? His thirst for adventure? His salty personality? Or is it just that bacon is yummy – and we writers know it?
BACON ON THE ROCKS. Mr. Bacon does his best tribal dance next to what he thinks is a Native American metate (stone used for grinding) that he discovered in our wash.
Maybe the bigger question is “Where will this traveling pork strip show up next?” I have a suspicion that Maine may be his next destination. Then where? What will he see? What will he share with us throughout his travels? What will we learn?
BACON JOYRIDE. Unbeknownst to me, Mr. Bacon took the quad for a joyride in the desert. All was well until his greasy hands lost their grip. Click to enlarge.
THE EQUIVALENT OF BACON BULL RIDING. Mr. Bacon really wanted to ride this tarantula, but hubby held him back. On this particular night, this normally slow-moving spider couldn't get away fast enough. Look at the reach of his furry legs! Click to enlarge.
Share your Mr. Bacon photos – the good, the bad – from around the world by visiting this fabulous site created by hubby (and wrapped in bacon humor). Interested in bringing home your own bacon (Mr. Bacon, that is)? Hosting his adventures on your blog? Just say the words in the comments section, and we’ll start cookin’ with bacon (i.e. I’ll send you the details on how to get your hands on this culinary – um, plastic – delight).
September 25th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
What hath I wrought? I was wondering where Mr. Bacon had gotten off to the other day. I should have known he was heading out to the Sonoran Desert. He once told me he has a cousin who lives out there, another trickster by the name of Kokopelli.
The next Mr. Bacon sighting? I’ll announce it here first. He’s authoring a guest post that will be on my blog tomorrow (Monday, September 26). He must have written it before heading to Maine.
As for the web site of Mr. Bacon reject photos, I’m speechless, but I’m sure Mr. Bacon would say there is no such thing as a poor photo of him.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
September 25th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Mr. Bacon left our place so abruptly, I honestly didn’t know where he was headed. Now that you mention it, I thought I heard the keyboard clattering away the other night. Must have been him writing your guest post! And now I know exactly where he’s heading … the DC/Virginia area! I wonder if he’ll swing by Maine since he’ll be on that side of the country?
And, yes, Mr. Kokopelli. I better keep my eyes out for HIM, too. Who knows what kind of havoc he’ll wreak?
True. There are NO bad bacon shots. None.
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September 25th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
I wonder if Mr. Bacon could sneak into some of my crime scene photos? It would be great in court!
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Melissa Reply:
September 25th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Hmm… and would the judge appreciate it as much as I would :-)?
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Patrick Ross Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 8:01 am
From what I know of Mr. Bacon, he might have been the perpetrator, and is too smart to return to the scene of the crime.
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Melissa Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
You are such a crack up. Everyone – check it out – Mr. Bacon hit the National Book Festival once he left my desert haven: http://artistsroad.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/guest-post-mr-bacon-goes-to-the-national-book-festival/.
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September 25th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
I know a couple of good eggs who are eager to meet Mr. Bacon. Can’t wait for him to visit Arizona again.
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Melissa Reply:
September 25th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Ha ha. Hilarious – two good eggs. Love the humor, and I KNOW he’ll be back.
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September 26th, 2011 at 4:42 am
This is HILARIOUS 😀 As for why there’s a connection between Mr. Bacon and writers…. I’m going to have to go with “the boldness of his crunch…” I love this post, Melissa; you have a real knack for humor writing! (p.s. If Mr. Bacon DOES come to Maine, I’ll definitely make sure he visits in true Maine style!)
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Melissa Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Hmm. I’m not sure how hilarious this post really is, given the low, low responses. Maybe, like Sara, below, folks just don’t get “bacon humor.” But I really DO appreciate the compliments, Julia. And I laugh a little every time I see Mr. Bacon in my desert setting.
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September 26th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
I’ve never heard of this before so I’m just giggling sort of confused. He’s the cutest little bacon though.
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Melissa Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Well, if you’re giggling, then I accomplished my goal. Did you happen to look at any of the original posts (to see where Mr. Bacon came from? Or the link at the end with Mr. Bacon photos… that is probably the funniest part of the entire post) AND – if you check out Patrick’s blog, you’ll see Mr. Bacon went to the National Book Festival over the weekend – after leaving Arizona … he has some pretty crispy opinions about books!
Consider him the traveling gnome of the writing/blogging world!
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September 26th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Wow, Melissa (and Patrick and Mr. Bacon), way to promote the pig! And I think this just gave me a pregnancy craving for a BTL. Thanks a bunch.
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Melissa Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Love the alliteration. Promote the pig… So – did you get that BLT?
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Patrick Ross Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Jolina, I don’t think you can go wrong with a little prenatal bacon delivery. Let’s give that child the creative mind that bacon delivers.
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September 26th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
This is so funny! And I hadn’t heard of it before. Thanks for showing me the ways of Mr. Bacon!
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Melissa Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
He’s a pretty fun guy, Leah. You should invite him over some time since you’re such a cooking queen :-).
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September 27th, 2011 at 7:09 am
This is my first encounter with Mr. Bacon, too! Thanks for filling me in and…whetting my appetite for more!
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Melissa Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Sometimes you just have to be silly. But you should check out @on_creativity’s recent blog post; Mr. Bacon attended the National Book Festival in D.C.: http://bit.ly/oNGnqK.
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September 27th, 2011 at 10:43 am
OMG, you guys are TOO funny!!!!!
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September 27th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Love me some bacon humor. He needs to pose with at our favorite hotdog stand! And perhaps outside a pig farm. ha!!
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Melissa Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Ha. I totally thought of you while I was writing this post, and thought of those yummy Sonoran hotdogs. Now a pig farm… know of any of those in Washington?
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September 28th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Undoubtedly, writers have a connection with Mr. Bacon. After all, we’re a bunch of hams . . .
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September 29th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
You guys are cracking me up! That picture with Obama sent me into fits of giggles and snorts. I think we writers love Mr. Bacon so much because he represents the lighter side of our profession, which can be a bit heavy at times. (Light? Maybe he’s turkey bacon, instead of pork.)
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Melissa Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 3:13 pm
I have to agree with Erika: pretty amusing about the turkey bacon. 😉
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September 30th, 2011 at 6:34 am
I’ve been wondering what all the bacon-mania was about–and now I know!
And Jessica wins for the jest of the day: (“Light? Maybe he’s turkey bacon, instead of pork.”) Ha, I love it!
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September 30th, 2011 at 6:59 am
I like to think Mr. Bacon’s invasion of the writing community is my fault in some small way since I introduced him to Patrick.
I wonder if he’ll come back and visit me in Toronto now that he has ventured so far.
In the meantime, I love seeing all of his adventures.
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Melissa Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Oh NO… I’m not giving credit where credit is due, Kate! I think Mr. Bacon MUST travel to Toronto for a visit. We need to check his schedule.
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September 30th, 2011 at 10:11 am
I love, love, love this from the pix of Mr. B to the captions to the bacon-y prose.
As a writer, here’s why I love Mr. Bacon: he allows me have an excuse to be politically incorrect online. Just adore exchanging insults with that feisty little guy.
~ Milli
P.S. Love the new photo gallery!! Yes, pray do tell. How *does* one invite Mr. Bacon to come visit? I’d like to do a photo shoot with him too.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 4:00 pm
So nice to know that Mr. B is providing an outlet. I will be sending you some extra special info about having a guest bacon visitor! (Still working out a few logistics, so stay tuned). And thanks for the bacon interest!
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October 6th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I think Mr. B needs to take a ride on a football at Lambeau Field as he soars through the uprights. Wouldn’t that be a hoot – A REAL piggy back ride in more ways than one!
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
October 16th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Hilarious, Tracy. Sorry I never responded. I got bacon backlogged.
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