Maria’s potholders have become a family enterprise. All of the dogs have joined the sales force, and I think a part of it, really, is that they smell Maria’s hands on the potholders. You couldn’t have a more loyal and enthusiastic sales force. Maria is wary as she is getting so many orders – 100 over the weekend – but she made a bunch yesterday and last night and settled down. We are having fun.
October 6, 2009 – Full day. Sun’s out. Dropped my favorite lens, 16-35mm, and fortunately I have an insurance contract on it. Wise $200 expenditure three years, as the lens is worth $1,600. It’s my normal lens, the fifth I have dropped or damaged.
Talking with my editor about the second novel. I was up half the night writing a synopsis for it. Selling a book is challenging these days, even if you’ve written 18 of them. It’s a demanding process, but it ought to be. I have the sense publishers are publishing better books these days, and marketing them more thoughtfully. That’s the impression I got from the book tour, and the bookstores. I ran the story line by Maria and also my sister and my daughter Emma. I think I’m good to go.
I am cranked about the second novel, which takes place in the Adirondacks. I hope to write a new language for a part of the book, in which the Rose character learns to communicate with a woman who works with animals. My first novel is in the final edits. I love pitching ideas. If you don’t love your own book, nobody else will.
The farm is beautiful in the fall, though eerily quiet. Peaceful. I am spending more time with the dogs, and loving that. I miss the donkeys, not the sheep. I might go see them this weekend.
I am throwing the first party of my life in a few weeks. Have no idea how to do it.
I am focusing on portraits and landscapes, once I get my lens situation resolved.
I have to shop today, for groceries and pet supplies. I give the dogs few treats these days, some rawhide flips, that’s about it.
Rose is doing very well. Happy, playing, enjoying some leisure. I am taking her to Vermont this week to some friends to give her some sheep time.
Frieda has settled in beautifully, sleeping in the house, getting along comfortably with the other dogs. I hope to write more about training Frieda this week, as I learned a lot.
I was online last night order theater tickets for a trek Maria and I are making to Manhattan in a couple of months. Four days in the Apple, and I can’t wait. Museums, plays, walks in Brooklyn and Chinatown. And other places.
I am eager for this year and next – I can hardly believe next year is nearly upon us. This reminds me to enjoy my life, and to live it fully.