December 19, 2009 – Bitter cold, missed a big storm, which swept South. A couple of years ago, I started a Christmas tradition – going to bookstores around Christmas to meet readers, and bring other writers and artists – Maria, Mary Kellogg, the ASA Calendar – into bookstores to talk about other work than mine. It has developed into the loveliest tradition, with many people showing up every year to meet me and/or the dogs, and for me to talk about my life and work. Mary Kellogg usually has a book out – this year it’s “Whistling Woman”  and Maria, who is shy about selling things, sold a bunch of potholders and quilts without even bringing any. Mary has sold a lot of books.

It pulls some people into the bookstores, gives us creative types a chance to show our work, which is great and it has become a cherished tradition for me. This year the Christmas tour went to Red Fox in Glens Falls, Union Village in Greenwich, Gardenworks in Salem, Battenkill Books in Cambridge, and today, Northshire Books in Manchester, Vt.

I loved watching Maria talk to so many different people, and Mary has become a charismatic salesperson for her work, a critical element these days. Her two volumes of poetry have been unusually successful for books by new poets. What a lovely thing to see.

This has become a valued part of my life, bringing me into the community, and permitting me to interact fact to face with the people who follow my life and read my work. I sell and sign a lot of books too. I don’t know how many I’ve sold or signed – hundreds, for sure. So no more public appearances until January 9 at the Redux Art Gallery in Dorset, Vt. And then I’ll vanish for a good while – not from the blog –  to finish my second novel and my short stories.

Decisions: Looking back on it, it was a good decision to find new homes for most of the animals on the farm. It is a saner, more peaceful life and place. I am more creative, focused, productive. And happy. As many of you guessed, the parting of the sheep, donkeys, goats, steers and cow was very painful for me. But I am better. My life is safer, more grounded. And I have no shortage of things to blog and write about, including my many experiences here.

The decision to sell the farm may not have been as good or clear. I am very attached to it. I can’t even guess how many people have come up to me in recent weeks and told me plainly to stay on the farm. I think they are telling me something I need to hear. There are lots of factors that go into where one lives, including cost, partner. I am thinking on it, though.  It is such a creative place here. I have never sat down at the computer and failed to write here. That is saying something.