Simon is no longer the shy, tentative creature he was when he came here. He brays whenever he sees me, and it’s loud. He is a scholar of gates and latches, and will one day figure out how to take down the barn door and get to the grain. He is at lease with the other two donkeys now, and makes sure to get his share of carrots, cookies,brushing.  He is strong, skittering up and down the hills. He is doing well with halter training (second session video going up tomorrow).

I love Simon, but there are three donkeys, five dogs, two cats and about 40 sheep on the farm, and two years  ago, there were just four dogs and the barn cats. I suppose when we decided to keep the farm (my editors were very happy about this) it was inevitable, and the donkeys are pretty easy in the summer. But five dogs is a lot. Its like feeding time at the zoo, but I have to say they all get along beautifully and are all sweet dogs. I am now used to having four dogs lying quietly in the bedroom when I wake up. I like having Frieda guard the farm, Rose is Rose, and Izzy, getting some gray hairs, is no trouble at all. Pearl is easy, a sweetheart, and she will be leaving next week. In the autumn, the sheep will also be leaving. That will feel better.

This many animals is a lot of responsibility, work and expense, love them as I do. Good thing I have a farm.

The barn cats need their shots (so do the donkeys), Simon needs more rehab, and we are constantly dealing with sheep, water and fence and hay issues. I’m not complaining, but it’s interesting how life evolves in its own way. I never imagined having this many animals at this point. But it’s also a great gift, and I see that. Videos, books, stories, children’s book. The farm is a magical incubator of book and ideas and material and images. It just grows appealing characters, draws them in. Sometimes you get what you need even if you are too oblivious to know what you need..

So I get up very early to write, when it is quiet. Tomorrow, I tackle chapter three of the Frieda book – how Maria and I had such different notions of dogs when we met. In the evening I am driving to Massachusetts to have dinner with my brother. This will be the second time I have seen him in many years. I am looking forward to it. Maria is coming too .