Apple Pie for Dreamers at your service

I was so pleased to get a message from someone who not only came to Pino Pie Day all the way from Omaha, but she also was a supporter of the Kickstarter project and had recently received her copy of Donkey Dream. She and her young daughter had been busy, making the Apple Pie For Dreamers. And they followed the directions to the note, so I'm sure the pie was as tender and caring as can be! This just made me smile in a visceral way. My work had been done.

It's the circle again-the moments when I do something, put it out there, someone else is inspired, they do something and share it back with me. It makes my life meaningful, full and responsive to my heart, but also gives me a connection to an outer community. It takes only a small thing-like sharing a pie recipe, or sharing a donkey hug, to inspire others and make them feel good.

Want to make an Apple Pie For Dreamers? The book is now available!

All books shipped...now we nap for a day

The Head Troll has a good idea-napping. Which I am about to indulge in on this blustery, misty day. If you pre ordered a copy of "Donkey Dream", or were a Kickstarter supporter, your book will be in your hands soon, if not already. The last batch went out this morning!

Martyn said that distributing this many pre orders this go around will give me a good idea of what it would be like to distribute if I were on the NY Times Best Seller List. he is such an optimist!

I look forward to hearing more of your comments and reviews-so far, it has been really rewarding to hear people's comments. I am really proud of the book–even The Dirt Farmer is pretty touched by it. Lots of ideas to promote it are percolating, along with Misfits.

Heart beat of the book

The new book arrived on Monday-it was supposed to come Thursday, then Friday, and once I got over the disapointment it wouldn't be there for Pie Day, I relaxed, realizing it really didn't matter-it would land here when it did. Besides, the excitement of the new book and Pie Day might have made my head explode.

A book isn't complete, for me, until it is printed and out there. It is different than a painting-again, this is my sensation. A painting is me, it is something I do to explore a feeling; a book is a story I compile and shift and shape and want to share. If I just wanted it for me, it wouldn't need to be published.  I feel books have heartbeats, they feel like entities to me. Little creatures-they have a weight, a smell and a voice. A painting feels more like my insides on a canvas in 2D. A book unfolds like a movie. It has a beginning, and an end, not only as a book, but as a creative process. I know paintings that just keep changing and being painted over. There a lot of paintings I could bring back into my studio from whoever bought them years ago, and I'd paint over them, not because I don't like them, but because I did it then, and now it is now. I don't feel like that with books. They were thought out and then made -and although they evolve during the process, they just are more complete in the end, more solid. While my writing is personal, I feel like paintings make me more naked, and viewers have all sorts of ideas what it is "about"- they are usually wrong, but it doesn't matter, because long ago I learned, for myself, that the viewer gets his or her own relationship with the painting. It has nothing to do with me, and vice versa. I suppose that is one of the ways the two mediums are alike.

It is just beautiful, this book, if I may say so! I know my followers are going to love this story, and all the art and images. I love "Misfits", but this book is slightly more appealing [perhaps] to a wider audience. It will make you feel for your own magic dust, or wing nubs on your shoulders that we all have. I especially love the feel of the cover, as I used a different surface. Feels like butter. I agree with the freelance editor who I worked with on the manuscript [over 4 years ago, that is how long it has been in the making]- I think the commercial publishing world missed out on a gem. While I would love a wider audience for "Donkey Dream", I am simply happy it is birthed and out of my womb.

I spent a half hour looking through it with a cup of coffee yesterday and had an overwhelming sensation of self accomplishment. I shouldn't forget that. I am beginning the process of wrapping and shipping to Kickstarter patrons and will be shipping out books to everyone in the next couple weeks. And anyone who pre ordered too.

A friend said it should be a movie, and we fantasized who would play me and Martyn. I want Frances McDormand to play me and Jeff Bridges to play him. Or maybe Ed Harris. Or Billy Crudup. If we add chapters and end up old in the movie, then I vote for Sam Shepherd.

Oh good grief. Make me stop. You can purchase the book at the site. You can also purchase a copy of "Misfits" and a copy of "Donkey Dream" and have them sent in one pack for a 2 book price-you will see it in the Paypal drop down menu.

The new book is coming!

As if my life isn't exciting enough this week getting ready to have a pie party with a donkey...and old goats...the new book is scheduled to arrive this week! While it will be hectic getting all the books in storage in between pie baking and such, I am so excited to see it and have it at Pie Day.

You can buy the new book at the special pre order price for the next few days! If you ordered a book, they will go out after 6/20.

Special Pre Order Book Rate on NOW

I was so excited to get to see the color proofs of the book today from the printer! It is going to be so wonderful-I am so thrilled, and so happy this book is finally being born after a very long gestation, and labor.

Through the last day of May you may pre-order the book at a discount{Kickstarter people take note, you got the same price rate, just so you know!}. The prices in the drop down Paypal menu INCLUDE USA shipping. I have also set up a separate page/site for Donkey Dream the book so you can share it with friends or read excerpts and see sample pages.

Note: International orders may email me and I can tell them the extra shipping.

If you order the 2 book rate, books must ship to one USA address. If you want them shipped to separate addresses, it will be an additional $7 which will be invoiced separately after you buy.

Delivery Date: Books are expected to arrive mid June. So I will ship by end of June or first week of July.

Buy/Quantities

1 Donkey Dream book $25.50 USD 2 Donkey Dream books $44.50 USD

Donkey Dream is spreading its wings

I will be sending the files off to the printer next week for "Donkey Dream" and let me tell you-I am so pleased, and relieved. There are so many tiny details to be consumed with and it is hard to focus on any other work while making a book–at least that is how I work on them.

What has been fun for me is to go back and read the original story–which was originally called "Raggedy Love". I started it in 2009 I think. This book has been through so many transformations-it started as a children's story of Pino and his pies, but then evolved into a memoir of how I met Martyn and got to the farm, which included Pino and his pies. Depending on who saw it, the poor book [and me] would labor over a new direction. But looking back, it was all worth it–the book is really more like I had envisioned it in the first place, with the love story but also pie recipes.

Anyway, I settled on a cover and back cover, seen here. Very soon I will have pre-order information up too.

Dirt Farmer hand model

I asked Martyn to help me with some of the final images for the new book. He obliged, of course, and the pot was sweetened when he knew the photo shoot consisted of cherry pie.

Many of you know our love was sealed over cherry pie and it is one of The Dirt Farmer's favorites. Any pie with berries is his favorite, I guess I should add. I have witnessed the man almost walk off an incline because he is so immersed in picking berries. I have gone on short hikes with him, turned around to say something to him only to he is way off behind me with his head buried in a berry bush. Berries are to Martyn like honey is to Pooh.

Now me, I love walnut pie. Probably the worst pie for me, I suppose. But I will confess-on Pino Pie Day, I always make an extra and hide it in the kitchen–so I know when Pie Day is over and the hostess gets to put her feet up, she will have not one piece of walnut pie, but an entire pan.

We did it like a herd!

Who is more relieved–me, the donkey, or maybe the Dirt Farmer who doesn't have to watch me agonize over a ticking clock anymore? All patrons of the project will get their books or rewards in late June-early July. The book will go to the printer in mid April. I'm so happy and thankful for all the support-really!

In the coming days and weeks, I'll be creating a separate Page for the new book and ways you can buy the book. For now, I'll relish a bit in all the hard work that paid off in success. I am feeling grateful, excited, proud and thankful all over again.

The donkey has lit a candle

I...um...think...we ...are ...funded.

But I am nervous-I have the same worry genetics as Paco the resident worrier.

Right now, I just need to take a breath, have some wine tonight, dream deep. I am so happy. Really!! There were so many who helped in so many ways-sharing, pledging, repledging, telling friends...it all came together. Some sent big donations that helped at very crucial times. But all the pledges-all of them-were met with me smiling and feeling gratified. I mean that.

But there are reasons why people should still consider pre ordering the book for the next 5 days [the Kickstarter campaign goes until 3/24 no matter what]and why going slightly over the fund will give a bit of a buffer in case of mishaps.

- Like I said, I'd like a comfort zone over the goal, in case someone pulls out [please don't do that!]

-Anything over $14,500 will be put to good use- promotion of the book [paid PR releases, mailers, give always, ads] and possible reprints costs

-By pre ordering here, you get a book for $25 [includes USA s/h] and that price will go up after 3/24 for regular buyers. I can't give you the exact retail cost of the finished book yet since I don't know weight and final incidentals, but am assuming it will be $28-$35 [that includes USA shipping]

-I'd also like to take some of what might be pledged in the next 6 days and use it for a private pie party for children and elders. I have a couple of contacts and am hoping I can pull that off.

So keep pre-ordering until Monday 3/24!

Donkey speaks

So I was informed, by The Heaad Troll delivered note under the door, that in a nutshell, my tone in my last update on Kickstarter felt a wee bit...tired. So the donkey has stepped in. With help I suppose from The Head Troll. Today he just wants to show how he relieves stress from such a fundraiser with Donkey Inspired Frisbee. I mentioned the typo in his movie and he said,

"Typos have no meaning to me".

He will be helping do updates as we tick down the final days of this Kickstarter-so be warned, the donkey will be sharing in earnest.

What else can I say?

Thank you to everyone who pledged, or adjusted their pledge. The offer still stands-any $25 increase gets your name on a slip of paper to be held safely in the donkey's bucket, allowing you to possibly take home original art as shown in previous updates. Plus there are other reward levels for all tastes.

Thank you to many who shared on social media and their blogs - many pledges came in this way-thank you! That really meant a lot to me.

But mostly THANK YOU to everyone who helped get me this far-it's up to the universe now- I've done all I could or think to do. I am hoping a surge of pledges come in this week to push Donkey and me over.

So close, so far away

Only 13 days left to support this book. Pledge or pre-order here. Price of the book will go up if and after funding is reached.

Donkeys and barn angels

We have reached $10,000! We need $4,500 more to reach the Kickstarter goal and get "Donkey Dream" funded-and I know we can do it. SO grateful for all you pledgers!

To spice the pot, not only will you get the new book[s] for pledging, you might take home original art. Last week I announced how you might take home a favorite donkey piece, but I have decided to entice you even more with two more sweet pieces of art, shown here.

Here's how you might take them home: You do not get to pick which piece you are pledging for, if The Head Troll pulls your name out of the bucket, she decides. This way it is fair.

New pledgers:For each $25 you pledge, your name will be on a slip of paper, and placed in the donkey's bucket. SO if you pledge $75, your names gets put on three pieces of paper and dropped into the bucket. Keep in mind for each $25 you pledge, if funded, you also get three of the books when printed.

If you already have pledged:For each $25 increase you make on your current pledge, your name will go into the donkey's bucket. And yes, each additional $25 gets you another copy of the book once funded and printed.

So there will be chances to take home one of the three pieces of art-all with a pledge of $25 or more.
{Nobody will take home more than one piece however}.


Pledge today. Make the donkey bray, the pig squeal, the Dirt Farmer blow a kiss, the old goose lay an egg, the chickens line dance, and make the pie baker sigh [that would be me!]

Emotional support for the artist

More art from "Donkey Dream" the upcoming illustrated book

Pledging to Kickstarter, to be clear, is not a handout to me. It is your choice-and you get a reward in return: a book, a piece of art, a visit to Apifera for a private pie party, or other items. In return for working on a book and art for over three years, I get money to pay for the printing-in so doing, I continue to make a living as a solo artist and writer, without a publisher backing me up.

It's that simple.

I certainly can't pledge to every Kickstarter that comes before me, or cause or event. It's the same when people want me to donate art, I can only do it so many times.

So I want to reiterate how important-emotionally-the support is that has come in so far, It makes me feel like people believe in my work and want to see more. The story of "Donkey Dream" is very special to me and Martyn-it is what Apifera is about-sharing the bounties that have come into my life because I picked myself up, dusted myself off and grew wings of my own, landing where I needed to be with whom I needed to be with. It is the sharing of it all through art, story and farm visits that give it even more meaning. The Misfits I help, it's all wrapped up into any piece of art I make, or an book I write. I don't separate the two.

Once the project funds [note the positivity again] anyone who donated at any Kickstarter level will be rewarded for their loyalty with a book at the price level they chose. I will also let them purchase more books at that price to reward my appreciation for their support. {Once the book is on the market, the price will go up to reflect shipping and other reasons, just a cautionary note.}

Can I say it again-running a Kickstarter-along with running the farm and writing and painting for the book-is a lot of work. Not complaining but I just really appreciate the tender letters I'm getting from people that have pledged, or adjusted their pledges upward. One person I hardly know wrote the sweetest note, with some tea, so I could sip it and relax. She explained she couldn't pledge but was telling people about it whenever she could.

The rains are here, I am doing my taxes and hoping the weather clears before one of the ewes lambs. So much more pleasant on everyone to have dry weather for lambing. I have a first time mom who already is giving me worries and think will be a handful come lambing. I have sent my prayers up the the Shepherdess Gods.

You can take this donkey home...if

Wouldn't you love to have a donkey-maybe in the kitchen, or bedroom? This art might be yours if you pledge at $25 or more, or up your current pledge by $25 or more.

It is crunch time! 25 days to go and we still need over $6,000 but we had a good boost this week and are 54% funded. [Thank you to everyone who got us here so far!]

I Need You! Here is how it works.

New pledgers:For each $25 you pledge, your name will be on a slip of paper, and placed in the donkey's bucket. SO if you pledge $75, your names gets put on three pieces of paper and dropped into the bucket. Keep in mind for each $25 you pledge, if funded, you also get three of the books when printed.

If you already have pledged:For each $25 increase you make on your current pledge, your name will go into the donkey's bucket. And yes, each additional $25 gets you another copy of the book once funded and printed. In addition: I also plan to do another surprise name pulling out of the donkey bucket for those that have already pledged to date and increase their pledge. So some of you that up your pledge might have a surprise in the mail after the project funds [note the positivity in that].

As always The Head Troll will pick the name out of the bucket and that person gets the art [this will happen after funding] [9x13", acrylic on heavy watercolor paper, retail value $850+].

I know some of you won't be able to increase your pledge $25 or more and that is okay. But the days are waning. If you can pledge another $10, or SHARE this project on blogs and social media-it is so appreciated. I really mean that-it means so much each time a pledge comes in or a word of encouragement. Fundraising on a deadline is not for the weak or whiny.

Pig tested

We are down to 27 days, folks. Please visit the Kickstarter fund page and pre order at any gift level you'd like. I have been working on this book for many years and it is close to my heart-birthing it can be a slow process, and a lonely one [except I do have the donkey for lunch breaks!] but I feel we can make the goal if everyone who follows here, or who has bought Misfits- pledges now. We are only at 40% funded. I have not given up hope, because I look at the lists of people I've promoted the book too, and I just feel they will come through for me and this book.

It's going to take a herd and a flock to reach the goal in time. But the book's underlying message is to never give up on a dream, and to let dreams evolve. So I'm holding onto that sentiment, even though the hill to climb is steep.

Things you can do to help today-

- Share the link http://kck.st/1atG0OW on Facebook and social media

- Do a blog post [feel free to use images from my posts on this blog about the book

- Email 5 friends that love pie, donkeys and farm and share the project

- Email friends that have lost at love and feel like their mate isn't out there-the book might resonate

- If you have pledged, consider adjusting your pledge upward

And finally- thank you to those of you who stepped up early to pledge, and share. I really, really appreciate it.

To fund or not...just give me a pig kiss

If you aren't sure what the "Kissing Pig Level" is all about, please visit here and take a good look. It's your chance to pre-order some books and help an indie author/press get yet another love story out into the world. The world can always use another love story-especially one for the middle aged gang or those who are a bit later to love like I was in my then forties. And if donkey, homemade pie and talking barns are included, all the better for many readers.

I've also put up a couple mock ups for cover options to mull. They generated about a 50/50 opinion pull on both my Facebook pages, but I kind of think option 2 is slightly ahead, and it is the one I was leaning toward from the start. But I will put them down for a bit and look with fresher eyes. It's interesting to hear the comments too.

We have 32 days left, with day 30 being the middle of the 60 day funding period. As you know, the fund goal must be met or I get 0, and you aren't charged. To be honest, I am having a hard time going through this one, and look forward to the end-no matter what the outcome. I guess that is not the best marketing tactic to get you to pledge NOW, but I really am exhausted by it, and knew this is what I was up against. When it is over, no matter what the outcome, I'll know I've done my best to pitch it to you all- but I will be relieved to be back to other things. I would warn that to all Kickstarter people-especially the majority that do not garner immediate funds like I've seen some people do of late [bravo for them, but it is not the norm]. I think that is something I'm trying to avoid- the watching or examining other Kickstarter project-some that seem rather boring to me, and they get over funded by day 5 or something. That's when you start playing the - "What's wrong with me" in your head.

And that's when I take a breath, go outside and look around. I have what I have and it is just all good even if a Kickstarter project doesn't get funded. So there.

I have an idea that I just want to be with my donkeys again. Alone from the world for awhile. Maybe spend 24 hours straight on Muddy Hill with the The Great White. Take Boone on a day long trek and try talking to 5 strangers along the way and ask them one question. I don't know, we'll see... I'm tired.

So there you have it-32 more days-and then my donkey and I bake a pie and retreat to the hills.

Hey the donkey just brayed, maybe someone pledged. Either way-my cue to get to the barn for feedings.

The donkey explains it for you

Besides getting a copy of the book if we get funding, Pino delivers his own personalized bray each time someone pledges at this level. Can you hear him?

Most of you know-but some may not- that Pino is the actual donkey that helped me first deliver pie to nearby farms, and who to this day is the ambassador of healing to all who come to meet him. And of course he is a big part of the upcoming book, "Donkey Dream" which I hope to fund through Kickstarter. Pledging ends 3/23.

The Donkey Bray Level is a great deal-you help get the book printed, but you also get a copy for $25 which includes USA shipping, and once the book is out it will cost a bit more than this due to shipping. So don't take donkey steps, get a move on to the Kick page.

New gift level added to our "Donkey Dream"

We are almost 20% funded - we have a lot of small donkey steps to take together to reach our goal. It's important we get to 30% in the next couple weeks-statistically projects that reach that level make it, and this was true of the last Kickstarter I did.

So to entice some of you to get us there faster, I've added a new gift level.

If you donate $75 at the Kickstarter project page, you will get one of these prints sent to you once the project is funded [April], and then when the book is out you will get a copy of that too [expected book arrival June, 2014].

Please understand you will have to be surprised which print you will get - surprises are good for you–just ask the barnyard.

These are printed on matte paper with black archive ink. They are all black and white printing, signed on the corner border. Each print is about 8" wide.

Happiness of the pig hair

I get great happiness spending time with the animals. Sometimes it is just a small passing of the pig, and I look at his head and admire his beautiful red color. I hope this for others, that they have something like that that gives them moments of pleasure like that.

I always have something to do here and care for; I have an endless supply of stories-too many-to write and paint-and share.

But sometimes, I just want to sit with the barnyard. That is where I'm headed now, to take a cup of coffee and just hang out in a short sun break and observe, quietly, be part of the gang. Goose will likely jump on the concrete wall where I will sit, and Moose will run by and pretend he is not interested but he is; Rudy will be off in the distance in his favorite sun spot by Old Barn and the ducks will most likely be on the compost pile soaking up earth's warmth. Who knows where The Head Troll will be. Boone will be napping I think, as I rode this morning; the elder ponies will be sleep standing. Doris and June will hear me and will squeal and squeal and then go back to napping. Chickens will be about. Just a normal day-but so huge in many minute by minute ways.

If you like what you read and see here, please consider supporting and pre ordering at the Kickstarter project for the upcoming book, "Donkey Dream" {A Love Story of Pie & Farm}.