Maria is off working today, and she foolishly left some samples of the new dog fabric she has bartered for to make her potholders, quilts and handbags. Last week, she made what I call the first Sparky handbag, but the new material is a lot of fun and Lenore and Frieda happily modeled for me behind the farmhouse during a lull in the eternal storm. I don’t know what she calls them, but I’m calling these the Spot Bags. They will be up shortly on her website. I also got Frieda to model. Both were paid in biscuits. They are naturals in front of a camera.

(Reminder: This Thursday March 4, Mary Kellogg will be reading from her new book of poetry “Whistling Woman,” at the Red Fox  Bookstore in Glens Falls, N.Y. The book contains wonderful new poems from Mary and some of my photographs. I will also be on hand to sign books for anybody who wants them.)

On March 26, my daughter Emma and I will be appearing at Red Fox to talk about Em’s new  book “Ninety Percent Of the Game is Half Mental,” on sale March 16.

Emma and I will also be making a joint appearance on behalf of her book at Northshire Books in Manchester, Vt. on May 8. Also the Mother’s Day/Spring notecards are being organized by Christine Nemec at Redux.