It’s time for me to make a transition back to the center. I generally faithfully follow my instincts never to argue my writings or feelings on the Internet, but there were a number of things that came up this week that I felt strongly about, and so I did some arguing, much of it healthy. But on the Web, it can also be a trap, an endless cycle of people telling me what to say, write, think and do. The idea that we can simply each make our own decisions – the Thoreau idea – seems to be vanishing in America. Many people feel they have to argue or push others into doing what they do, there is not a universal notion that we each must find our own way, and that is all right. But sometimes it is necessary, even cleansing, to speak your truth and stand behind it.

There is this idea that if we do something or believe something, everyone else needs to. I don’t care for it but I am going to work to stay grounded and open next week, “Listening To Dogs” is a big step for me, and I am eager to see the book come out. Taking images of peace and light and beauty helps me to be centered.

Next week, “Listening To Dogs” will be published (Tuesday) and I am sure – I hope- there will be intense discussions to it and reactions. My job as a writer is to get people thinking and talking and feeling, that is the goal, the point. But for tonight and tomorrow, back to the center, to my farm, my wife, the dogs, my meditation, my Tai Chi, my reading. We have friends coming for dinner and I’ve made two pizzas – one roasted asparagus and cauliflower, the other spinach on tomato sauce and Ricotta cheese with pumpkin seeds. The muck in the oven caught fire on the first one and the house filled with smoke. We got it cleaned up for the second. Hope the Easy Off didn’t stick to the pizza. Tomorrow Maria and I will be going to the 3Pears Gallery from one to 4 p.m. The new gallery, opening in Pawlet, Vt. is showing and selling Maria’s potholders and pillows, and they are offering six of my photographs for $65, a good deal. It’s neat gallery with an emphasis on art and home decor and the people running it are sharp and have collected 30 of the most interesting artists in the area. Good thing to do on a rainy day. I will be visiting the bookstore as Recommender-In-Chief briefly around 11 a.m.