Do dandelions have souls? Talk about signals to the world

May 8, 2008 – Starting a Bedlam Farm Notebook this morning, a place to post odds and ends of farm life. First off, Annie’s Goose has a new name. First it was Isabella, now it’s Sophia, after the Queen of that name. I will go take a photo shortly, but Sophia is happy, hangs out with Annie’s chickens, is making peace with the gate, coming closer to the house, napping in Annie’s pond, happy and eating the special goose food Annie got from Agway. Soon, Sophia will be napping with Annie…the black flies are horrendous, and going herding is a nightmare for dogs, sheep and me…met with the Hospice bereavement specialist Jean Malone yesterday, and that was good… I am signing up to be a bereavement volunteer for Warren, so that he has help, and that the help is focused on his grief, and his life beyond.
  It’s very good to focus on the point of the visits, and to learn more about the nature of grieving, so that I can actually be helpful, rather than just be a pal hanging around.
   Very instructive talk and Jean helped me with my own feelings as well about the loss of Helen, which I had not had a chance to express. How hard it is to get or ask for help, how important it is. Going to the dentist today, and I am tired, and I need to take a few days to think, gather myself and recharge. Might run to NJ over the weekend to spend Mother’s Day with Paula and Emma…My expensive self-cleaning camera needs cleaning again, as the black flies are all over the lenses and inner works. Yuk. Nasty little buggers. Meeting with Steve McLean, the heavenly hound this morning, and I am much looking forward to it.
 Lenore has recovered from her traumatic bout with the sheep last night, and is spreading love and joy..Izzy is still down, tired, and is getting a few days rest, and maybe even some acupuncture.