Yesterday was the first day in weeks that the farm seemed normal, that we had come back to ourselves. Maria’s trip to India was intense, more exhausting emotionally and physically than expected. Yesterday, things seemed to resemble their former selves Maria was holed up in her studio working on some mysterious new quilt – right out of India, I should think, the snow and ice were melting on the Ed Gulley Memorial Bridge,  and I am  beginning to finally focus on my book “Lessons From Bedlam Farm.” There were sure a lot this month.

Life as we know it here cannot remotely be gone without Maria, she is the heart and soul of the place, a love force and a creative force. Maria has taught me the meaning of loving energy, it left a black hole when it was gone. Today, a new chapter continues, I am going to Albany to meet some refugees who are putting on an art show in Albany at the end of the month. It’s called “New Beginnings,” and it will feature art that celebrates and explores the idea of home.

Also today, gratitude for the successful gofundme campaign to buy the Mansion its new van, and more good news: Rachel Barlow just ordered 40 new Creativity Kits to help the traumatized and bewildered refugee children who have recently come to our area. This is shaping up as a meaningful day. Glad to be alive.