Before I came to the country, I considered myself a New Yorker. It is always interesting to me when New Yorkers come to visit. Some – my daughter – aren’t much drawn to the country. Too quiet, too much driving, too few restaurants too far apart. I understand that If I were 30 I would head to Brooklyn like a homing pigeon. It is one of the most interesting places on the earth, especially if you are young.

My editor Hannah is a New Yorker in every sense – the way she dresses, acts, talks, thinks. And she lives in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood.  But she did take to the country. This was her first visit upstate and I could see it touched many parts of her – the quiet, the path, the fresh food, her powerful gardening instincts, barn cats, donkeys. I could see the peacefulness in her connect to the peacefulness here. She and Maria connected immediately, these two warm and open people, talking so comfortably.

Hannah was a wonderful guest. She cooked us great meals, went off quietly to read when we were busy, cleaned up after herself – and after us. I am very lucky to be able to have an editor like that talk with me in such detail about my writing and my book.  She is a gentle person, but not about me and my writing – she is tough. Editors should be tough. I am excited beyond words to polish up my book on Frieda and get it back to her. We got to the train station early, and I went inside for a few minutes to get some water and when I came out Hannah and Red were sitting quietly on a bench together. Caught the spirit of the moment. Come again, Hannah.