Yes Gordon, I confess...I wrote the story too! :)

Gordon,

I'm so glad that you found the humor in my Billy Bob novelty creation.

Actually, the FAQ on the Billy Bob roach site tells a little bit about the day he entered my imagination - deep in the heart of Texas...just outside of San Antonio.

For over a decade, Billy Bob wouldn't leave me alone. :) I mean...I just couldn't get him completely out of my mind...and in times of stress - when I needed more humor in my life to counteract it, 'fleshing' out the Billy Bob story and the idea for the pin was a wonderful way to escape reality for short periods of time. (Makes you wonder about my sanity doesn't it?) :)

A 3rd grade teacher in Texas has read the story to her class while wearing her pin. She said they were fascinated! :)

Even a preacher wore one on his tie (after church services!) to lunch. A post office clerk has worn one on her blouse for giggles from the customers, and a local exterminator wears one on his uniform to inspire confidence in his clients.

My husband gave one to each of his two visiting business guests from Germany, along with a large gift basket of Texas goodies. They got more excited about their Billy Bob pins than all the other good stuff... and even wore them on their tie at a fancy restaurant where they were entertained for dinner that evening. :)

Oh the satisfaction that I have had from the reports coming back to me, so far. It's been great to know Billy Bob is out in the world now doing his 'thing' after all these years while he was haunting my mind - begging to be released in story and physical form. Yep.

This is not exactly what I wanted to become known for...but anytime I begin to take myself and my other work too seriously, I remind myself to lighten up a bit -- and find something to laugh about.

If seeing Billy Bob gives just a few people of the world a few good laughs, then I'll be happy and it will have been worth any humiliation I may possibly suffer. ( I hope) :)

So, he's now 'come out' of my zany imagination to do his 'thing' ~ to entertain and inspire...and motivate!

Is the world ready for a cowboy cockroach? I don't know, but here he comes! Yee-ha!

Yours truly,
Amber

> If seeing Billy Bob gives just a few people
> of the world a few good laughs, then I'll be
> happy and it will have been worth any
> humiliation I may possibly suffer. ( I hope)

I think it's a wonderful story..I loved it...
humiliation: well that may be your perception
..but it's a genuinely creative product...a
wonderful story for children and adults...mmm
this would make a great multimedia story..I'm
glad it's on the net ....
YOU JUST WAIT AND SEEE...I think Billy Bob
is going places..
> :)

Thanks for sharing...

Hi Sandy,

Thank you for the feedback on my silly little critter, Billy Bob, the roach with an upbeat positive attitude!

I certainly do hope that he does accomplish "going places"! I'd like to get a few out of here! :)

Seriously, Texas souvenir products are fairly *hot* items - lots of souvenir shops in the larger Texas cities, especially, with hundreds of items...but up until now, no cowboy cockroaches! :)

There seems to be a lot of mystique about this wild and wooly state, so I sincerely hope that Billy Bob can do his part to define how wonderful it is to live in Texas. . . and manages to charm his way into the hearts and homes of many.
Is that too much to wish for? :)

But then again, he may scare off potential new-comers to this great state! Oh well.... :)

Thanks so much for taking the time to read B.B.'s story. Again, I really appreciate your encouraging comments.

What are you up to these days Sandy?

Best Wishes,
Amber

> I think it's a wonderful story..I loved
> it...
> humiliation: well that may be your
> perception
> ..but it's a genuinely creative product...a
> wonderful story for children and
> adults...mmm
> this would make a great multimedia
> story..I'm
> glad it's on the net ....
> YOU JUST WAIT AND SEEE...I think Billy Bob
> is going places..

> Thanks for sharing...