Maria and I had one of the nicest Thanksgivings either of us had ever had, a sweet, gentle day filled with friends, each other, gratitude and good food. The day began with an animal communication with Jeannie Lindheim, a surprisingly touching exchange between Maria and I and the animals. We loved Jeannie’s image of Frieda on her hind legs embracing all of the creatures on the farm.

I baked a first-rate turkey, if I do say so myself,and I was proud of the stuffing Maria and I made together. An affirmation of our lives. My stuffing included wheat bread croutons, dried cranberries, chopped apple, grapes, grated orange peel, celery, walnuts, onions, baked inside the turkey.

Friday, another special day. I’m going to be at Battenkill Books from 11 a.m. to somewhere between noon and 1 p.m. to take your calls ordering “Going Home,” “Meet The Dogs Of Bedlam Farm” or any other of my books. You can call at 518 677 2515 and if I am able, I will be happy to personally thank you for ordering books from this great independent bookstore. We have taken more than 700 orders for “Going Home” and nearly 100 for “Meet The Dogs Of Bedlam Farm” and we are hoping to pass the 1,000 mark for “Going Home” by New Year’s. Connie Brooks is giving away videos and signed Bedlam Farm notecards to people who buy any of my books through her store. You can buy these books at Battenkill’s website or by e-mailing the store at [email protected]

At 2 p.m., I’ll be signing books at Gardenworks, Salem, N.Y.,518 854 3250. Great food, crafts, cheese, cider donuts and other lovely things at Gardenworks, my neighbor. Another great independent store.

At midnight Thursday, Maria is launching her Plaid Friday potholder sale at fullmoonfiberart.com. She had made 25 “plaid” potholders and will give them away free to three of the first 25  people who e-mail her – [email protected]  – wanting to buy a potholder.

Plaid Friday is a fast-growing movement that encourages people to do their holiday shopping at independently owned stories and businesses, a response to the “Black Friday” sales offered by large online stores in malls. Support individuality, community, independence and creativity. You should shop, of course, wherever you wish, but Maria and I are supporting Plaid Friday all day. Call me at Battenkill Books  from 11 a.m. on today – 518 677 2515 -that will be fun – or e-mail Maria and get a neat potholders ($15 plus shipping).

And Happy Thanksgiving. We hope your holiday was as meaningful as ours.