August 1, 2007 – Hot, sticky. Walked the dogs, said goodbye to donkeys, goats and Elvis before packing to resume the book tour. Talked to Paula, who I miss. Called Emma, who is in Milwaukee, but I couldn’t reach her. Talked to Annie, who mucked out the pole barn in brutish heat – how lucky I am to know such a loving, cheerful and hard-working person. She told a fox hanging around her farm to take off before he had to be shot for stalking her chickens. She says she hopes he got the messages as Annie worries more about the fox than herself, typically. She is the person you want to leave your animals with, for sure.
  Talked to Brian at Random House, who I am thinking of and praying for today. Talked to Don about projects. Waiting to talk about brush-hogging, hay shipment, winter water system. Sad at leaving the farm, and feeling a bit overwhelmed. I am eager to return to normal life, if there is such a thing, and if I can re-create it. Guess it feels sad, a bit, too. Talked to Anthony, said goodbye. Saw the mist being burned off by the sun. Be back soon. Rose, as always, knows I am leaving and is sitting by the suitcase. No sheep in Boston, I tell her.