The posse at Battenkill Books is getting punchy but very determined, and always professional, they are holding it together, Connie says she has now sold 972 copies of “Second Chance Dog” as of 3 p.m. Monday, she got another shipment of books from Random House and e-mailed an urgent summons, Maria and I got right over there with Red. Kate Reid, Maria and Connie help prepare our writing table, where we  sit every afternoon and keep  up with the book orders.

Connie’s system is holding up well, no mishaps yet. We are keeping up, sore hands and backs, full hearts.

We signed 60 or so books, it seems Christmas fever has set in, the book is catching on as a Christmas gift and I suspect by the time Connie checks her e-mail and messages this evening or tomorrow morning, we will have hit 1,000, we are waiting for that person, he or she will get a free books and some other things as well, I am proud and grateful about this, last week Connie said she doubted we would get over that final hump, I did not doubt it for a second. It just felt right to me. So two more days to go, assuming Connie gets another load of books in tomorrow, as she expects, or Wednesday, as seems certain.

I hope to be there and call the 1,000 buyer and thank him or her personally, this has been a great experience for me on so many levels, and it isn’t over yet. You can still order the book via Battenkill’s website or by calling 518 677-2515. I think I like the new book tour, I like the energy and enthusiasm I can bring to it, I appreciate the great connection and community that has built up around this blog, we are making some loud noise, it is being heard and felt all over the place.

Wow, 23 books to go, Maria had to restrain me from buying them myself.