We’ve decided to open our new podcast – Katz and Wulf On Bedlam Farm – with with Simon’s Call To Life, his famous bray that seemed to celebrate recovery and life itself. This will be instead of music, I guess it is music in a way.
Simon was perhaps the most extraordinary animal to enter my life during my time on the two farms, both called Bedlam. He was taken by the State Police off of a nearby farm starved and sick and emaciated.
I had to hand feed him hay and reach my hands into his mouth five times a day to rub medicine on his swollen gums and in his infected eyes. He trusted me, he always let me heal him. We formed the most powerful bond together.
He and I went for daily walks in the woods, his appreciation for his new life was palpable.
Maria and I came to love him very much.
At night, I would sit by him in the pasture and read donkey stories and tell him about Don Quixote, Rocinante and Dapple, Sancho Pancho’s donkey. For several years, he had the most wonderful life. He would greet us every morning with a robust bray, we called it the “Call To Life.” Thousands of people came to our farm to meet him during our Open Houses.
I’m happy to honor the spirit of this amazingly forgiving and loving animal by having him open our podcast, which will be registered and produced sometime in the coming week.
Simon died of a stroke here on the second Bedlam Farm several years ago. He is buried in the pasture. He had some great years. It feels good to honor him by leading our podcasts with his bray.
Audio. Simon’s Bray will be inserted into the podcast opening, here’s the podcast trial
Here’s our discussion about how to open the podcast.
It was Simon’ story, and the listing of your journal site on the book jacket of your book about him, that introduced me to you and the Army of Good a little over two years ago. Thank you for honoring this gentle and forgiving soul by opening your podcast with his “Call to Life.”
A capital idea!!! I look forward to the podcast and to Simon’s call to life each time! I have read most of your books and the book about Simon was wonderful – it was touching to be able to come to know him through it (and wrenching along the way). thank you so much.
So much better than music. On every level.
Simon lives! (If you are familiar with Marc Maron’s podcast, he shouts out for his disappeared cat on there)
How absolutely beautiful you will open with Simon’s bray! This just made my day! Can’t wait to hear it all come together.