Month: October 2009

  Lenore loves her creature comforts, as she loves people, food, dogs and animals. She has co-opted the sofa, which she was forbidden to lie, and loves to put her head on the armrest and snore while I work. If I talk to her, her tail wags in her sleep, but she is hard to wake-up, unless you say “walk,” “treat” or “food” and she is up like a shot. Lenore teaches me much about love and appreciation of life.

 It’s strange carrying potholders around the woods, but they seem to know where they fit in.
They seem to belong, like leaves.

Dogs on the path

October 28, 2009 – Maria and I are going to the Adirondacks to look at a cottage to rent for a month to research my next novel, “Rose Running.” We made some really wonderful new friends last night, at dinner in Cambridge, N.Y. An exciting thing, always.
This morning, taking Maria to get her car fixed, then we head into the mountains. Then home in time to make dinner – turkey stew. I am doing the shopping and most of the cooking now. I love it. Light and healthy. Soups and vegetables, nothing red, fried or too sweet. I love cooking fish.
  Then will watch the Yankees drub the Phillies in Game One of the World Series. With popcorn and four dogs around me. Maria, who does not like baseball, will be in her studio cranking out her potholders. Maria is taking orders for Christmas for her artsy and useful potholders. She is also working on her quilts. The Studio Barn has become quite the little art factory, and Maria is always mumbling about shipping and packaging these days.

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  I am on a reading tear, thanks to Susan and Naftali from Red Fox books in Glens Falls, N.Y., living testimony to the wonder and meaning of bookstores. They both have my number. I’ve just finished “Await Your Reply,” by Dan Shaon. Next up: “The Financial Lives of the Poets,” by Jess Walter, “Chronic City,” by Jonathan Lethem,” “The Locked Room,” a Martin Beck Police Mystery,
by Maj Sjowall, and Per Wahloo. Then the new Clint Eastwood biography. I need to stop buying new books until I catch up.

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  Still waiting for final approval on “Rose In A Storm.” Working on my dogs dreaming book. Preparing for two photo shows next year, one in January. A reminder that you can look at the images and use your credit card to buy the new ASA Calendar with photos by me and Corinna Aldrich. Just go to the ASA’s website.

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  Yesterday, I came across this quote: “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” From Epictetus. I suppose it’s my personal creed, really. I think for me the real meaning of positive thinking is to believe that you can cope with the world, and live your life, amidst all of the challenges and difficulties. This is what I am working hard on. To understand what I would do. And then to do what I have to do. It’s a powerful for notion for me. I do not wish a perfect life, just my life.

One of my farmscapes (not in the calendar)

  The Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) is now offering its 2010 photo calendar – with photos from Corinna Aldrich and me –  for sale online with a credit card, through its website.
  You can also call the ASA at 518 692-7285. The ASA has preserved thousands of acres of precious farmland from develop, and the beautiful and useful calendar will raise funds only for that purpose. It’s a great calendar and a good cause. There are shots of Bedlam Farm and my farmscapes and some of the animals from here, and also Corinna’s lovely shots of rural and farm life.
  The new link makes it simple to buy the calendar online. Needless to say, an inexpensive, useful and beautiful Xmas gift. Living here in Washington County, N.Y., I see every day the urgency of preserving farmland from fast-enroaching development.