Day: September 19, 2012

There is so much going on in my life I nearly forgot that next Tuesday, September 25 is one of the more important days of my life, the publication date of my first short story collection, “Dancing Dogs,” and the start of my book tour. Connie Brooks of Battenkill Books reminded me when I stopped in to sign some books for her. I intend to work hard on  behalf of that book, it is special to me, it’s 16 stories an effort on my part to capture the connection between people, dogs and other animals, even in hard times. It is a happy book, but there is some sadness in it. It is a celebration of love and a challenge  to perspective, complete with odds twists and surprise endings. You have to be alert to read this book I think.

The book tour kicks off at Battenkill Books, Cambridge, N.Y., at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Red and Lenore are coming, Maria too.

It is available everywhere books are sold, in bookstores, online, in print and digitally. If you buy it through Battenkill Books, my local bookstore, I will sign and personalize it for you and you will also be supporting a wonderful independent bookstore. You can call the store at 518 677-2515 or visit their website. They take Paypal, will ship anywhere and are offering free signed Bedlam Farm notecards.

So here it is, autumn and another book coming out. I am excited and I thank you for your support. “Dancing Dogs” is already a bestseller and it isn’t even out yet.

It was a powerful thing, a wrenching thing. We had a day-long wind and rain storm Tuesday, gusts up to 60 mph and torrential rain on and off all day. In the afternoon Rocky was disturbed by the rain on the roof – he had never heard that before, the rain pouring off of the barn and the smoke fro the barn fire nearby and in the afternoon Red and I went looking for him and found him out in the far pasture, hiding under some trees. I began calling to him and Red  walked in front of him. Using my voice and pausing to sniff where Red was, he followed us towards the barn. It affected me very much to see Rocky out in the storm, frightened struggling to get to shelter, to see the trust he is developing towards me, to see the way he uses Red as a guidepost to move forward and get to safety.

I am awed to see how this accepting animal uses his senses – his hearing, his smell, his instincts – to cross strange terrain. Totally blind, he sees in his own way, and this was a step forward in my relationship with him, as you can see him responding to my voice and trusting it. And how this dog, Red, seemed to understand what was happening, sitting out in the pouring rain to wait for Rocky to find him.  And how Rocky was searching for my voice as well. Horse, dog, human. His relationship with Red speaks for itself, and so I shot this affecting, sometimes wrenching video so you can share the experience of seeing this remarkable animal make his way in the world. So many lessons there. All three of us were in this dance together, a beautiful thing, getting Rocky out of the rain.Come and see.

Dogs play different roles in our lives, depending on what we need and are open to. This is an intense period for me, for Maria. So much going on, so much to keep track of. Red seems to be the witness to my life. He is everywhere I go, watching, waiting. I wonder why I need a witness, but I seem to, the role fits me, it was something I need, cherish, want. I see Red popping  up in all my photos, all parts of my life. He is happy to be there, I am his work. If dogs could write biographies…perhaps it is better that they can’t.

I think it is that he doesn’t judge, doesn’t roll his eyes, he understands me, walks with me. Perhaps he is the close friend I never had. Perhaps I will never know. The witness is an ancient role in the role. It is important. I think a part of me has always felt alone, much less so now that I am with Maria. But, like anger, it is in there and it has its own way of departing. Maybe that is why Red is here, to expunge another ghost.

It cleared up this morning and the barn wood was still smoldering, hangiing on perhaps, to the last. Barns have their time like people, and I don’t see it as a loss as much as a rebirth – a new barn right behind it. That is the nature of life I suppose, this coming and going. Lots of junk to clean up – nails, glass, garbage. Barns are junk collectors and they go slowly and hard.

Ben is finishing up the siding on the barn. We’ll put a plastic cover on the South Side to let the light in. Some damage to the barn roof in yesterday’s storm.