November 14 2007 – We had a blast at All the Right Angles yesterday, as several hundred people came through the store on Maple Street from l to 5 p.m. Anthony talked about his concrete counters and artworks (behind is his chain sculpture, bought by an art lover in California) and I talked about my photos. Mary Kellogg graced us with her amazing presence and poetry, and Stephanie manned the cash register happily. She did an amazing job organizing and promoting the show, and it was a pleasure.
Izzy and Lenore worked the crowd, and Lenore ate a good number of styrofoam packing peanuts before falling asleep with Izzy at the end of the day. My doctor, John Koella of Saratoga, showed up, and he has almost single-handedly restored my faith in medicine, in that he is as courteous, thoughtful, knowledgeable and competent a physician as I have ever met. Anthony, who is also a patient of his, admires him as much as I do, and he is the only physician on earth who could have gotten me to undergo the tests I recently underwent (enough said.)
I talked about my pictures, about Paying Attention, the picture book Anthony and I are working on together, and Anthony talked about his work and also about the trust fund set up for his niece Karlie Armstrong-Gates, whose mother was killed recently. He has helped set up a trust fund for her. Contributions can be sent to the Karlie Armstrong-Gates Trust, c/o TD Banknorth, Main Street, Salem, N.Y., 12865.
Events like this are hit-or-miss, really. You never know if anybody will show up, or in what mood. Led by the ever-loving dog lovers, this crowd was amazing, a real pleasure. Sold some pictures and a lot of books. Felt grateful to Stephanie for the class, energy and affection she brought to the day, and for the good food and neat atmosphere. Thanks to her and to all of you who came. It was a particular pleasure to see my great pal Audrey Osterlitz bring Emma, the border collie who once lived with Izzy on a farm, and who has gone to live with Audrey. I have to say it was bittersweet to see Emma, as Audrey sensed. She is quite happy and living the life, riding around all day, going to work, with several chairs and sofas to nest on. This is the life she needed, one I couldn’t quite give her. Still, it was nice to have her jump up and talk to me, and we exchanged greetings and grumbles. She was quite happy to sail off on her special linen in the backseat of Audrey’s. Thanks Audrey. This is a fortunate dog, and we are all better for having people like you on the earth. I was happy and sad to see her drive off, grateful for her life.
It was also satisfying to see the great response to Anthony’s work and I think he drummed up some substantial business, which is cool.
I should add that Stephanie Arpey is not only my framer, but the official curator and vendor of the Bedlam Farm photo collection. If you are interested in buying any of the photos that appear in the Farm Journal, Photo Journal, or Portrait Gallery – and soon, on photosbyjonkatz.com please contact her either by phone, 518 57-4320, or by e-mail: alltherightangles@verizon.net She sells the pictures framed, or matted, and she does a great job. My proceeds go to benefit Hospice, and from yesterday, the Karlie Armstrong-Gates Trust.
Lenore and Izzy rest on their laurels – I see from the photo that Lenore is eating something. Lord knows what.
John Koella, a wonderful doctor and a pretty good human, too
