Each new lens helps me see the world differently and I was drawn to this tire swinging in the wind in the back of a farmhouse. I want to be a bit more serious about meditating, about beginning and ending the day in silence and thought.
This is an important time for me, creatively as well as personally. We are publishing two series of notecards celebrating the family farm, the Rouse farmhouse and Judy Baldwin, Ed and Michelle Rouse’s daughter. Those will be offered for sale on the Redux website, and I will be bringing them along on the book tour as well, selling them myself for $15. Portion of the proceeds to go to the Washington County Farm Bureau and to other farm aid groups. This is an affirmation of my photography as well as my strong feelings about family farms and the need to help these hard-working, struggling people survive. It is our culture too, and in a Wal-Mart world, somebody has to fight for individuals living their lives. The notecards are part of my fight. They can be purchased by phone, at 802 867-4211. Five-packs for $15. Money is tight, but this is a good cause. All are signed, as are the other notecards from Bedlam Farm.
Next week, on October 5, “Rose In A Storm” will be published by Random House. There have been strong pre-orders for the book, and I am proud of it and excited by it. It is inspired by my border collie Rose, but not really about her. I am happy to be returning to fiction. Except for my book in animal grieving, due out next year, I hope to stay on fiction for awhile. “Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm,” my first children’s book, has gone up on Amazon and will go onsale next April. So will my first short story collection, also from Random House, “Dancing Dogs.” It is about the emotional connections between people and companion animals. Some surprises there I think.
We are also nearing the Creative Union 2/Affordable Art for Christmas show at the Redux Gallery, Dorset, Vt. at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 13. I will be selling inexpensive photos and signed notecards, Maria will be offering quilts, potholders, placemats and other fiberworks, and Christine Nemec will be showing and selling some of her lovely paintings. Dorset, Vt. is a wonderful place to go before and during the holidays. Lots of shopping, restaurants, great walking trails. We are continuing to think of ways to re-connect our art with people in tough times, by selling it inexpensively and in different ways. This is not a show where you stroll around looking at things on walls you can’t afford. You will have things to take home for the holidays. Come share it with us, and also help us figure out how art can survive and artists can do their work.
I am committed to the notion of living your life, of fighting to tell your story, and to free the inner light that wants to come out. Don’t let anybody take your life away or tell you you can’t live it.
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On October 5, Rose and Maria and I will be on Joe Donahue’s WAMC in the afternoon to kick off “Rose” and raise money for public radio. Then we will be at the Saratoga Springs Barnes & Noble at 5 p.m. to sign books (this is an unofficial event. It didn’t happen). I am hoping to bring Rose to Barnes & Noble for her first-ever book signing. Probably her last.
The tour kicks off Friday October 8 at Northshire Books where I will read from “Rose In A Storm” and talk about the book, writing and fiction.
For a complete list of tour sites and events, look at the top of the Farm Journal page. Thanks.