When I told her we were getting married, my daughter Emma advised that I go to Las Vegas and get married in the Elvis Chapel. I liked the idea, but Maria was not enthusiastic about it. Then we fell in love with the farm all over again, and sheep and donkeys began to reappear.

Weddings, I see, are not simple. There’s the question of who to invite, what to feed them, and the millions of production details – music, who enters when, when are vows exchanged, who will marry us, the license and certificate.

I think I’ll need somebody to watch the road and keep an eye on the gates, etc. I found a great person in Kevin, a retired New York City fireman. He and I went over the grounds yesterday, and he is the sort of guy you want to have around when you don’t want to worry about anything. We did go over security a bit, as I have had some issues with stalkers in the past. Kevin is the man.

I think we have everything lined up, and there is plenty of time left for any additional details to be worked out. Emma will be Best Man, Lenore will be a Flower Girl, Izzy will be the usher, and the donkeys will wear floral wreaths from Gardenworks, if we can get them on them uneaten. I think the donkeys will definitely come and check out the proceedings in the barn, and Rose will hopefull keep the sheep up the hill during the wedding. It will be …unusual…to say the least. I am excited about it. We are planning a short honeymoon.