I love talking to libraries, especially small ones in rural communities. They mean so much to the people there, they work so hard and are so open to writers and the special beauty of books. They are always surprised that I won’t charge them for coming, I can’t bear to take money from libraries or schools.

I love the atmosphere and feeling of these talks, people are appreciative, they pay attention, they love books in the particular way library people love books, they listen carefully, ask the most thoughtful questions, linger behind to tell me the strangest and funniest animal stories, tales that often appear in my books.

I love the smell and feel of these places, a row of computers upstairs, stacks of old and new books all around, a small room always in the basement or off to one side.

Some of them have been following me for years, they love to talk about Orson or Rose or Izzy or Frieda or Red, they love the farm and the idea of the farm. They are quite serious at first, unsure of how to treat me, then when I tell a joke or two, they lighten up and laugh with me, and then we are in sync.

Afterwards, people stay behind to shake my hands, tell me more dog stories, ask me more questions.

Sean, a man who has been reading my blog for years, told me he is a Celtic spiritualist and he loves my IR photographs, he believes they are deeply spiritual and reflect the idea of two worlds and different realities. I am pleased to hear this, as I often don’t get much reaction to the IR photos, and I am not sure what people make of them.

Sometimes, I’m not sure what to make of them. Sean inspired me to keep at it. I am in awe of the blog and its power to transmit my life to people who wish to follow it. How humbling a gift.

Maria shares my love for small-town libraries, I never turn them down and enjoy every minute. At the end, the librarians gather to take a photo of me, Maria and Red. Red is anxious on linoleum floors, but otherwise manages to great almost all of the people who come to hear me speak on this beautiful library on a quiet state road in a small and beautiful town.