Simon’s ready, for the Open House, for the book about him. Simon is not shy, he relishes every bit of attention he can get, he is eager for the hugs, kisses, fussing and carrots headed his way this weekend and for his growing fame – I learned today in a series of interviews that he is quite popular, a donkey celebrity.

It was a good solid first day for the book, “Saving Simon.” The official part of my book tour continues and ends tonight with a reading at Battenkill Books, but I intend to make my own book tour and keep it going. I was on two NPR shows and Simon raised more than $10,000 in pledges to two NPR networks. I had a series of interviews with people who really loved the book and it’s message, and were eager for more information on donkeys.

A writer things every book may be a big one, I have kind of given up on that, but who knows? Simon has some good mojo going.  The book my publisher set up ends tonight – my first ever one-day book tour. That’s why I’m callling it the Orphans Book Tour, in honor of Simon and my books.

But I realize that in many ways, the tour is just getting started. This is what creativity is all about, getting creative instead of angry, I will always write my own story and am grateful to have written Simon’s. “You are going to have a great weekend, Buddy,” I explained to him this morning, before kissing him on his big soft nose. He knows it too.