Rocky has the quality of grace. Of acceptance. He always inspires me to accept my life graciously, and without complaint or regret. I do not want to live a small life, and a small life is bounded by anger, resentment, anxiety and regret. Above all, I do not wish to live a life of regret.

Notes: My daughter Emma is here at the farm (with Pearl) for a few days and that is very wonderful, and we are heading off into Vermont Friday, perhaps to Brattleboro. Gone most of the day. I asked Emma – city person – what she would like to do, and I offered her a bunch of things, and she wondered if Gretchen Pinkel (Lenore’s breeder, Kee-Pinlabs) has any fresh Lab puppies.  She doesn’t. I might take Em to Patti Newton for a Tarot Card reading.  The Alexander story has touched a lot of people, interestingly. I don’t want to take it too far, but have a ways to go. I don’t wish to write a book about this family, nor do I wish to research their lives much farther. It just isn’t what I write about, not in books. I’m hauling my camera to Vermont for the day.

Maria says she is swamped with orders for the Dogs Of Bedlam Farm notecards. Still some left, I think. We are printing up some Rose In The Mist cards and others.