October 15, 2007 – Life resumes, post Art Harvest. I am tired. Maria and I rode over to Gardenworks and Meg Southerland said we could keep the pictures and art up for a week or two. Anthony and I congratulated each other on our wonderfulness, and then went to buy pet supplies and check out one of
his big new countertop jobs. Mary Kellogg went back to work. I am doing chapter lists with Paula, who is here, and who is helping me. I am getting cranked about this book. Three months is the longest I have ever gone without writing something and that is perhaps because of all the picture-taking. Took just a couple of pictures today. Visited with donkeys. Made popcorn for goats. Annie and I will move firewood to the porch in one of my tractors. Took Lenore and Rose sheepherding. Lenore, as usual, was not bothered by the thundering herd, or anything else much that I can see. She has begun to chase and retrieve toys. Got her some more chewtoys. She has discovered sheep droppings.
  In this period, it is essential that a Lab puppy have lots of her own stuff to gnaw on, otherwise, she will turn to my stuff.
 Paula helped clear out tons of books, and you can see the dining room table now. She will go back to New York this week and I will tackle the book. I am going ahead with the printing of a small number of picture books about Anthony’s experience with ADD and other issues, which I have tried to capture in photos. Haven’t got a name for the book yet, but I will offer it for sale in some bookstores and at readings and public events. The response so far has been strong. Meg says it looks as if we raised close to $2,000 for hospice as a result of the Art Harvest. Thanks, thanks, thanks.
  My work in Hospice has awakened me to the mistreatment of the dying, to our culture’s almost complete avoidance of the subject and manner of death. All of  you who came and bought things helped ease that mistreatment, and I appreciate it, as do Anthony, Maria and Mary. Looks like somebody from California is interested in buying Anthony’s Chain Sculpture “Family,” which would be an awesome thing. I got an e-mail from someone interested in buying his block sculpture, “My Life.” Supposed to be warm this weekend, but you can see winter coming in the animal’s coats, and you can feel it at night, too. I am very happy about Lenore. People ask why I got another dog, since I have given some away.
  I can only answer there are some dogs I could never give away, others that are better off in other places. I love the idea of my dogs as a continuum, loving and training them all, sending some out to brighten other lives, keeping others for good. Feels good to me.
 The big news here is it is time to get back to work. To talk about my book, think about it, write it. I miss that. I am grateful to the picture-taking, and hope I keep doing it forever, as I needed a head-break. Now time to get back to my thing (and still take pictures.) I am so pleased and humbled by the numbers of people telling me they enjoy these pictures, and that is more than enough to keep me taking them.