June 30, 2009 – I am loving my new computer. The screen is unbelievably clear, and the system is quick. I hope to produce a lot of books on this machine Hope to be on Facebook later this week.
   Plowing through the novel – July 15 deadline. Seven more chapters to go. “Soul Of A Dog” is out
August 19. Maria and I are doing two crafts fairs together. She will be showing and selling her quilts and I will be gassing off and selling a few photos. Izzy will be charming and snaring the public. Saturday, July 11, from 10 to 6 in Saratoga Springs, in Congress Park. August 8 at the Poultney Crafts Fair.
  I’ve been thinking a lot about  art and the economic troubles. Some artists I know are thinking creatively about how to sell, show and price their work. It’s a challenge, because people don’t buy art in recessions. It’s challengine to see past the moment.
  Galleries are stuffy places to me, filled with expensive things. I wonder what would happen if they priced photos and paintings differently, offered choices, changed them more often, presented themselves differently, as many businesses are doing.
  Novels and children’s books make more sense to me now than memoirs, personally and creatively,  as well as economically. I see Maria turning to potholders, pills, as well as quilts, and personalizing some quilts when they are gifts for family members. She made one for somebody to give to their mother, and since she loves music, Maria wrote some lyrics into the quilt, which is quite striking.
  I see from hospice work how much quilts can mean to people. To me, a new idea.
  I notice creative restaurants are offering cheaper, more basic meals and tell me they are doing well. I don’t mean to minimize the challenge of hard times, but the challenge is in how we respond. We will face one difficult time after another. How will we deal with them?
 Like Churchill said, change is the same as rest for me.