Frieda’s daily training today was in the pasture, being near the donkeys and waiting for Maria. She did very well, and sat calmly until Maria came down. More calming training.

One of the things I am learning about life: it does not ever go in a straight line.

Also, don’t make predictions. Don’t make assumptions about the lives of other people. Stop making struggles and drama. Make your own news. Ignore the expectations of other people regarding your life. Find love wherever you can get it and hang on for dear life.

Oh yeah, and don’t let the peckerheads, toothless ducks and midgets of the world get you down. They will gum you to death of you let them. Put your lips to the world. And just live.

I have written adult books – memoirs, non-fiction essays, novels, even mysteries – for some years now, and you never know what will happen with a book. My first children’s book, “Meet The Dogs of Bedlam Farm” was the first real use of my photography in a book. I thought the book to be a simple and quiet tribute to Lenore and my dogs. It is making a lot of noise. Great reviews, early reprints, big orders from the right places. My publisher – Henry Holt – sending me on a national book tour – so far, to Boston, New York, New Jersey, Woodstock, Chicago, Cincinnati, Portland, Seattle, just to name a few. I can’t quite imagine what a children’s book tour will be like. But I will be doing an “Inside The Book Tour” and will share what I learn with all of you here and on Facebook.

This is a serious book tour and I know publishing well enough to know when a publisher is really behind a book. Holt is really behind Lenore and me and the dogs. So this is going to be wild ride, I think. One of my writing goals was to write good children’s books.  I think I am close to that.

And on September 27, my book on grieving for pets will be published by Random House. “Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die.” An important year for my writing.

Life does not move in a straight line.