My life as a book writer has changed almost beyond my imagination. My 26th book – “Saving Simon: How A Rescue Donkey Taught Me The Meaning Of Compassion” arrived by UPS today, and there is still little in my life as exciting as seeing a book in bound form for the first time. It is coming out on October 7, one week before the second Bedlam Farm Open House.

You can order and pre-order the book through my local bookstore, Battenkill Books. The first 2,000 people to order the book will also receive a signed postcard with a picture of Simon. In addition, anyone who buys the book will be eligible eligible to recieve a potholder from Maria, some free dog food from Fromm Family Foods, some photographs and notecards. Supplies are limited, we  can’t give everybody a give-a-way beyond the postcard, but we will be giving a lot of things away to a lot of people. Incentives, they call them. Books used to be enough, not any longer. I’m game.

Might be smart to order earlier rather than later. You can order online, on the store’s special page, or you can call Battenkill at 518 677-2515 or e-mail them – [email protected]. I will be reading from “Saving Simon” and signing books at Battenkill Books at 7 p.m. on October 7, the publication date, and also Sunday Morning, October 12 at 9 a.m. before the second day of the Bedlam Farm Open House. Simon and I will be hanging out together at the Open House all weekend, two asses on the farm.

Battenkill Books is a wonderful independent bookstore, thank you for supporting me and them. They are wonderful to deal with, courteous and helpful. All books will be shipped in time for Christmas, they take Paypal and ship anywhere in the world. Our town post office is ready and braced for action. I am shooting for 2,000 books to be sold through Battenkill by Christmas, we hit 1,500 last year and 1,000 the year before. Seems natural to go for 2,000. Connie Brooks has already sold a couple of hundred pre-orders.

I am excited to take my new book with me on vacation, which begins as soon as I post this message and photo. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your reading this blog, following my life, subscribing when and if you can, sending me a river of encouragement, good wishes, support and yes, advice.

I know now that as much as I love my books, this blog is my true life’s work, my great work, my living memoir. It used to support the work, not it is the work, and I love every minute that I spent working on it, writing on it, posting my photos and sharing my life with you. I believe it to be the most creative thing I have yet done in my life.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will see you at the end of the week.