Letters from Across the Country - Softcover

She found me through the florist.

"I'm so glad its not one of those everything-is-new farms,'" Mrs Drinkwater said while I walked her around the farm.

That it is not, as the photographs in this third volume of "letters" should illustrate. My thanks for these images go to photographer John Reeves and the Toronto Star's Boris Spremo, along with friends, relatives and my constant companion and fellow wordsmith, Stephen "Moose" Williams.

Over the years many readers have written to me with their stories about "the crazy lady with the sheep who lives down the road." There seems to be one on every concession.

Many of these letters have been remembrances of favourite animals ranging from a milk-drinking horse to "Bubbles the Killer Cow," who would defend her calf at all costs. Somewhere out there lives a pair of hens who made the trek from a farm in North Bay all the way to suburban Mississauga in the under-carriage of an pick-up. Thanks to all of you for sharing -- with the greatest of affection -- your memories and your tribulations.

This book incorporates many of those stores, constructed, combined and construed as I envision them. Many names and places are fact, others are up for the guessing.

Somewhere in this book I say that "E-mail and voice mail have yet to replace real mail." I hope that is true, although the former are becoming awfully convenient. Please keep those cards and letters coming. They are always an inspiration.

The farm has always been a form of sanctuary for me. I thank the Writer's Development Trust for assisting me in maintaining that equilibrium.

My bold new Canadian publisher, McArthur & Company, under the guiding hand of my affably exuberant friend Kim McArthur, have offered support and good cheer throughout. You can't sink a rainbow.

Lately, Wally the Wonder Dog has tended to steal the show at public appearances I have made with the CBC Radio program Fresh Air. He's the clown in the dog suit on the cover of this book. My thanks to Fresh Air host, Jeff Goodes, and the hundreds of people who assemble the show, for putting up with the antics.

It takes a lot of character to survive life with "the crazy lady with the sheep." I am fortunate to have found that character in my beloved Moose. And god bless you Mrs. Drinkwater.