Well, it’s finally here, the day all America has been waiting for all year. Bedlam Bowl IX. Emotion. Achievement. Bravery. Money. The food is all ready – hay, feed, kibble, salmon, and plenty of water. Great anticipation, and lots of emotion. On the farm, we all think of Alice the hen, scarfed up by a hawk just as she was eating a worm. Alice’s spirit touches all of us on this important day. A photo of her is in the big barn, and all of us will touch it right before the big event, and I don’t know how any eyes will stay dry. She was sort of a mother figure for all of us. Well, she wasn’t that bright, but she had a good appetite.

I imagine a farmer or two, and a lonely and distracted dog or cat lover, perhaps,  will be watching at some point, and we will all pause to pray and honor the brave animals who have gone before us. Before the bowl began, four mice scampered through the barn (unfortunately, Mother was there and only one made it out the other side) and four Barn Swallows flew over the pasture in formation. Lenore was on hand to open the ceremony but she was busy vomiting some donkey droppings instead, so Izzy got off of the phone with his agent and filled in. It’s a big day for all of us here, and we are excited and exhausted. More photos here and on my Facebook page.