Had a standing room only crowd last night at Odyssey Books in S. Hadley, Mass., good people braving snow, ice and freezing rain. The reach and depth of the blog continues to surprise and humble me, and we had a good discussion about grieving, animals, and the role of animals in our society. I notice on this book tour that people ask fewer questions than is usually true, and I think that is because people are are still a bit uncomfortable talking about grief and grieving. It is something of a taboo in America. One questioner suggested that one reason for the spectacular rise in companion animals in America is that we are an affluent country, and we can afford to care for animals, something not true in many societies.

I think this is so, but I think an equal or greater reason is our growing disconnection with one another, the fragmentation of life in America. Animals are playing critical roles in our emotional lives – new roles – and that did not used to be true. This also helps account for the rise in the depth and pain of grieving for pets. They are important to us.

Maria and I stopped at a nearby Chinese Restaurant to eat before the reading. The Odyssey now charges $5 per person for readings, and the people at the bookstore didn’t seem to mind. Bookstores vary wildly in how they are reacting to changes in the publishing world. Many people in line asked me to sign books they had bought from Connie Brooks at Battenkill. She and her mother Marilyn have a distinct following across the country. I hear about them everywhere I go. Their store seems very vital to me. People are cheering me on, urging me to stick to my guns – help Connie sell 1,000 books by Christmas.

Tomorrow, get up early head to Woods Hole to catch the Vineyard Ferry by 1:15. Bunch of Grapes reading tomorrow night and it will be cold but sunny so hopefully I can take some photos. I feel for the donkeys on this nasty night, but I am sure they are all up in the pole barn. Jessica Barrett, who is watching the farm in our absence, says there is snowfall in Bedlam. Here we go.  I am tired, but getting more rested.