Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

6 November

Talking With A Donkey: How Lulu Trains Me Every Day.

by Jon Katz

I’ve lived with donkeys for nearly 15 years and have learned to listen and talk to them. They are astonishingly intuitive and know humans well or better than any other animals I’ve known, including dogs.

Lulu and I (and Maria, Lulu, and Fanny) have been communicating with each other in obvious and amazing ways for years. Maria is a natural at this, but Lulu and I have also learned how to speak to each other.

Lulu has a sharp, reasonably loud bray for Maria; she has a soft bray when she wants something like an alfalfa cookie.

Lulu has figured out the camera trick with me; she knows I love it when she sticks her nose at me through the top of the fence. I always point the camera at her and shoot when she does this. When I first started taking photos of Lulu, my cameras spooked her, especially when I told them to her. I reversed this by putting alfalfa squares on the camera and letting her come and sniff when I pointed it. She figured this out instantly – want a cookie, snick your nose out for a photo.

Her other trick was this soft bray used only for me, a clear plea for a treat. The bag of donkey treats is just a few feet from the fence in a trash can in the barn.

The minute I exit the house or the car, Lulu spots me and enters, her soft bray and pleading brown eyes. There is no question about what she wants. She wants me to go into the ban and give her an alfalfa treat.

She knows that soft bray gets to me.

Then she opens her big, black, beautiful eyes towards me and tilts her head, the brays staying soft and only for me. This has worked every time, every day, for 15 years. By letting myself think I was training her, she laid the groundwork for alfalfa treats daily.

I used to assume I was smarter than her, but no longer. She can read my intentions the second I come out of the house, and if I’ve tucked some medicine in my back pocket, she’ll be off like a shot before I take a step.

These big ears give her away. I can tell what each different placement suggests. They rise and fall and twist and turn. They go from “hi” to “Where’s my cookie?” to  “Get lost; you’re not changing that bandaid or giving me a needle.”

This animal hears me when I say “Morning” to Maria softly in the morning. The soft braying begins, and those ears pick it up 30 years away.

There is the question of who trained whom. I am rarely that soft on the dogs, but Lulu knows how to get me to bend. Once you bend with a donkey, you are stuck for life. They do not forget or give up. That soft bray goes right to my heart.  Lulu is more intelligent and patient than I am.

I used to think she brayed because she liked me. She likes me because I give her an alfalfa fit every time I hear it, and I have done it for 15 years. Once in a while, when I am hungry, I will run out to the car, apologizing to her and promising to make it up to her.

I can tell the dogs to get lost, and they will leave me alone. However, with Lulu, there is no way out; she knows how to train humans quickly and well.

6 November

Flower Art, The Black Dog Came. Out Of Darkness, Light.

by Jon Katz

It was all so far away—the country had a quiet, untouched feel, and I could work as I pleased–

Georgia O’Keeffe.

When suffering arises, the first thing to do is to stop, follow our breathing, and acknowledge it. Don’t try to deny uncomfortable emotions or push them down.

Breathing in, I know suffering is there.

Breathing out, I say hello to my suffering.

— Thich Nhat Hanh

Today, I am continuously experimenting with my new 100 mm lens. I like it immensely and have a few new flowers to experiment with. You are welcome to come and see.

 

I admit to slipping into a dark place today. I’m not looking for an argument or self-pity. I feel blue, and the things that lift me are Maria,  my flower photography, my blog, Zip or Zinnia hanging out with me, and my work at the Food Pantry, which gives me an incredible feeling of joy, meaning, and purpose.

The Mansion finally asked me if I would return to teach my meditation class. It was hard to say no, but I said I’d consider it. I miss those people very much, but I called and said no today. I am done with it. They just waited too long. I’ve filled that space in my heart and can’t be comfortable there.

Zinnia hangs out with me all day in my office; Zip hangs out with me when I take photos in the sunlight.

Meditation and silence will heal me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 November

Anatomy Of Kindness: Hail Kyle, A Hero: Every Day “The Pantry Special” From Amazon Arrives At The Food Pantry. The Amazon Drivers Know Everyone By Name. This Is What It Means To Be Caring

by Jon Katz

Message From Amazon Donor: “I’ve been where your families are. I am so grateful for the opportunity to pay it back/forward. Ardis.”

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Kyle is a hero of mine. He is often called in when an Amazon truck pulls up with a load of heavy boxes that need unpacking, sorting, logging, and putting up or away. Kyle often works with his wife, Kris. They work quickly and efficiently and know where everything goes and belongs. He and I have become pals. He has an evil eye and a wicked sense of humor.

Today, Sarah texted me this afternoon to say another huge Army of Good load had arrived (see below), and Kyle’s shirt was ready to be given to him. She knew I would want a photo; keeping up with the Army of Good is hard, but I am determined to catalog their generosity.

Running back and forth to the pantry with my camera, often more than thrice a week, is a labor of love. It’s a way to show the Army of Good just how vital their work is. Your contributions are not just making a significant impact; they are transforming our community. I’m proud to be a part of it, and I hope you are, too.

Here is what it looked like today – Kyle was thrilled with his shirt, and Sarah was thrilled with the items women needed, the Ramen everyone needed, and the cereal for the backpacks. Nothing makes her happier than full shelves, and we are helping to keep them that way. Smiles are everywhere; you are making a huge difference.

We got Kyle his “hero” shirt because he ran outside to stop a stranger from taking a cake (meant for a fund-raising dinner) and running off with it. He chased the car, stopped it, and got the cake back. We got him a “hero” shirt, which he loves.

Thanks to your support, we were able to provide enough cereal boxes for tomorrow’s backpack stuffing, along with soup and women’s health items. Your contributions are not just appreciated; they are invaluable. This big and precious load, delivered as usual, is a testament to your integral role in ensuring the kids have full bags and the women have what they need to care for themselves.

Kyle logs the food and puts it on the table for other volunteers to store or put on the shelves. This process goes on all day, every day.

 

Kyle makes Sarah smile. So do Amazon boxes. She can fill the shelves.

6 November

Beautiful Morning. Beauty Heals, Beauty Inspires. Light, Not Darkness

by Jon Katz

Above, Zip keeps me company when I take photos of flowers. He gets close.

 

Maria has moved the manure pile to the front of the pole barn, closer out of the way.

The morning sky was beautiful. My Iphone Pro Max 18 does lovely landscapes.

I’m fascinated by my doomed chair (bonfire coming); it just calls to me.

At first, I didn’t realize an Amish cart was in my photo. I rarely take pictures of them anymore, although they don’t care much if they’re a distance from the road. I love seeing those carts go by; it’s a beautiful addition to any morning.

Fate is waiting, as always.

Geese heading South.

6 November

Salad Dressing Again For The Cambridge Pantry, All $1.99 Than Three Dollars: Let’s Help: Why Salad Dressing Is So Important

by Jon Katz

I asked Sarah why she thought salad dressings were so important she could never keep them in stock. She explained:

We strive to offer an abundance of produce, including fresh greens and lettuce,” Sarah shared. “However, the scarcity of salad dressings at the Regional Food Bank is a significant challenge.”

These dressings complement our nutritious offerings, making it easier for kids to enjoy healthy food. Your support makes a real difference.

(Photo above: Terry spends hours unloading and distributing the food from the Army of Good. She says it is lovely to see the shelves filled.

One of the things I like about working with the food bank is that I am learning a lot about food hunger and preferences. The pantry parents are constantly fighting for their children and their health.

Parents who visit the pantry are faced with a difficult choice-they continually have to give up one food for another, highlighting the severity of the food insecurity issue.

Sarah is a genius at keeping track of every item in the pantry. It’s always challenging and complicated. For less than $3, we can buy all three.

Three kinds of dressing are popular, and all are $1.99, an exceptional bargain. We can help. And good for Sarah, she cares greatly about members who come to the pantry for help; she always wants to know what they want and try to get it. That is rare in the food pantry world.

Happy Belly Creamy Caesar Dressing, 16 fl oz (Pack of 1), $1.99.

Thousand Island Dressing, 16 fl oz, Pack of 1), $1.99.

Traditional Italian Dressing, 16 fl oz (Pack of 1). $1.99.

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I found this bargain item now on the wish list: body shampoo.

Extra Body Voluminizing Shampoo, 15, $1.01.

 

 

 

“As you can see from this photo taken just two weeks ago, our salad shelves are currently empty. Your donations can help us restock and continue our mission to provide nutritious meals.

You can see and browse the Cambridge Pantry Amazon Food Wish List anytime, but you can also click on links here or on the green button at the bottom of every post on my blog. And thanks. Doing good helps me sleep and be happy.

I highly recommend it.

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