May 15, 2009 – Rose never takes a break but I’m taking a day or so off from the blog. I’ve come to realize that I can’t be off the site for too long, as it is now a part of me, my life, and my work. In an odd sort of way, things don’t really happen in my life unless I share them on the
Journal. I don’t share everything, of course, but this Hero’s Journey, for all of its bumps and twists and turns, has been something of an interactive one, and I can hardly imagine life without it, or the good and loving people who have cheered me on, scolded me, encouraged me.
  So I’m heading to Vermont for a couple of days with my girlfriend (doesn’t that sound quite strange?) and thinking about how wonderful that will be, and how much I am looking forward to writing children’s books (I have a contract offer) and resuming work on my novel. I am nothing but lucky. The sheep and donkeys have tons of grass. The sun is out.
  The dogs are in the kennel, friends are staying at the farm, I’m bringing my camera, my sketchpad, and some homework – a box of children’s books, my editor’s notes, three books I am reading.