Donkeys are guard animals, which is why I first got them. They protect the sheep from coyotes, wolves and stray dogs. When there is trouble, the sheep rush to be with them. Simon has been guarding the sheep, especially at dusk, when they climb up the hill to spend the night at the highest point, as sheep instinctively do. Simon and Rose have been going at, but Rose is patient and agile, and I think has Simon a bit cowed. He is an eater and a lover, not a fighter.Simon and I took our daily walk today, to go visit Maria – she put a video of this up on her website, I gather.  Reminder: The Bedlam Farm Pig Barn Art Gallery is holding a functional art show Columbus Day Weekend – peak foliage season – and it will be held from ll to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at the farm. Maria has invited nine artists, including herself to exhibit a wide variety of things – quilts, pottery, paintings, jewelry – that are both functional and inexpensive.  If there are sheep, Rose will herd them, and Simon will be on hand to greet people.

I will also be signing books that can be purchased at nearby Gardenworks, where there is great food and crafts to buy, as well as books. It is also peak foliage season, a beautiful time up here. Right in the middle of my book tour for “Going Home.” Wild.