My goats are not contemplative, accepting, or introspective. They are the Greek chorus of my farm, sometimes of my life. They watch me closely and remind me that I am foolish.

Dogs and other animals - goats, donkeys, cows, a grumpy rooster - continue to change my writing life.

A border collie named Orson inspired me to buy a 110-acre farm with four barns and a sheep. That led to a series of books about Bedlam Farm and about dogs, rural life, lambing and herding sheep.

My life has been being a daredevil. I am Evel Knievel. I am a daredevil.

I treat my life as though I am on a tightrope.

I am what I am, I'm doing very well in my life, and I'm thankful to God for that.