Hunting Season. House arrest for the dogs.

   November 22, 2009 – Hunting season opened this weekend, and the dogs – especially Frieda – are under house arrest, going outside for brief periods in the fence. Gunshots began around first light and were echoing in the hills all day, and a hunter came by to warn me of a man in a plaid shirt cursing and firing off a pistol up the hill. Brought the dogs inside, where they shall remain.
  I find the hunters I know to be responsible, ethical and very safety-conscious. This year, it seems a lot of people are hunting deer for food. Frieda will chase after anything that moves, including hunters, so she is in lockup.
  There are many more gunshots than usual, and I don’t know about the plaid-shirted main, that’s a new twist, but I will be cautious. There are people in the country who hate hunting and try and disrupt hunting by shouting or scaring off the deer. I am not a hunter, but I have a lot of respect for the hunters I know. You want them around your property.
  I do take hunting seriously as far as the dogs are considered. Lots of people show up from out of state with lots of equipment and big fancy guns, and I know too many people who have lost their dogs in hunting season not to be careful. Two neighbors stopped by and asked me to photograph the deer they shot, which I will happily do.
  This afternoon, going to Union Village in Greenwich to sell ASA calendars and sign my books. I will also be selling Maria’s potholders, as she is working. 1 to 3 p.m.
 Next Saturday Izzy and Lenore and I will be at Gardenworks, Salem, N.Y., from 1 to 3 p.m. to sign calendars and books.
 January 9, 2010, my photo show “Portraits Of My Life,” goes up at the Redux Gallery, Dorset, Vt. Talk and reception. Photos are all for sale.