September 28, 2007 – Cloudy, cool. Robbin Slater is finishing up the excavations to the cow pasture, and Don Cavna is finishing up the tractor shed. Soon, the farm will be quiet again, and I will get back to work. I look forward to the quiet, and may go back to Merck Forest for a few days. Had a restless, anxious night. Annie is going on vacation and Maria will help out, but I will be alone with the animals for a week, which will be very nice. I am going to visit a sweet black Lab puppy in Argyle. N.Y.
Just a few weeks to go for Art Harvest. It’s a special weekend for me, because of Anthony’s sculptures, and Maria’s art, and my own photos. Anthony has been through a lot in his life, and this year, and his outpouring of amazing art is a testament to his courage, industry and artistry. I love him a lot.
I am going to build a photo website called Photos by Jon Katz, and Raeanne Wright of Trampoline Design in Glens Falls will design it. I am very excited about it. It will link to this site, and give me a place to expand and improve my photography without cluttering up this site too much. I will run some story threads in pictures. The site will be photosbyjonkatz.com and will be up and running in awhile.
Mary Kellogg is not only a special friend, but something of a hero to me. She has been writing poetry since she was 11, but only showed her poems to people a couple of years ago. One graces “Dog Days” and she has others coming for my forthcoming books. She isn’t sure why she kept her poems a secret for so long, but we are all pleased that she has decided to emerge as the sensitive and gifted writer that she is. She is a wonderful friend as well.
Since the death of her beloved husband Dick, she has stayed on her beautiful farm and run it by herself, no small feat. In the winter, she brings me soup in nasty weather.
She will be reading from her poetry at Art Harvest “Four Friends Share Their Art” at Gardenworks, October 13-14 (518 854-3250). Maria, a dear friend and a very serious and talented artist, will be showing her quilts, dresses and other works, Anthony will be showing his concrete sculptures “My Life in Concrete” and I will be showing and offering some photos for sale – “Pictures from Bedlam.” Money goes to benefit Hospice. Gardenworks will be selling their famous cider, cider donuts, pies, gourmet cheeses and pasta, and fresh farm produce as well as art and crafts. Keith Mann will be playing his guitar and singing. Izzy will be on hand, as might Emma or Rose, if she can take time off from her work.
Nothing in this weekend is more stirring for me than to see the emergence of Mary Kellogg’s great gifts. She means the world to me, and her work inspires me every day. I am plotting to run off with this beautiful woman to Mexico, except she is far too wise to do a dumb thing like that, as Poor Paula can attest. It is my goal to live like Mary, and be as good and gifted.
One of Mary’s new poems is called “Decision,” and she wrote it this summer. From the first and last verses:
“you cast a main line
to
attach and secure a hold
on
solid footing.”
_
“forget about tomorrow.
deluge takes it all away.”
If you can, please come and honor this extraordinary writer and human being. She is worth the trip.
