Maria got even this morning, she videotaped me smooching with Gus, and I guess I had it coming. She can be ruthless, that woman, not only was it payback for many videos and photos of her, she relished the chance of exposing all of my pompousities and pretense. No man looks more ridiculous than when cooing to a puppy. I did give her permission, what the Hell? And maybe I’ll get it up before she does.

On a more dignified note, I took with my agent Christopher this morning, and I told  him I wondered if I couldn’t recast the current book – “Lessons Of Bedlam Farm” onto a different book, “Gus And The Lessons Of Bedlam Farm.” The decision to get Gus, and my experience training and living with him is, or will be, among the major lessons of the farm for me this year.

And I could still incorporate the other ideas – The Army of Good, Maria’s Trip to India, Red and the Mansion, The Refugee Children – into the book, only Gus would be the narrative line, and the lessons woven into that story. The Gus story is just beginning, and I realize how much I love writing it.

Christopher loved the idea and he will talk to the publisher about it, and we’ll figure it out. I like the idea, I think it could really work as a book on many levels. I’m eager also to write about how the political turmoil has been a gift to me in some ways, and I am also interested in writing about how I dealt with it, and am dealing with it.

I think it could be helpful. And having Gus on the cover is a great way to launch any book.

Meanwhile, have a chuckle on me. Check out the video.  Gus and Maria have pulled one of the masks right off.