We’re heading to Massachusetts for one night to see a dance concert, Step Show, The Musical, African American Step Dance, And Its Impact On College Life.
Because the concert is later in the evening and there is a prediction for lots of rain, wind, and snow, we will stay in Williamstown for the night and have some Mexican food for dinner. We’ll all be back on Sunday. There is no more fun in the world than traveling around with Maria. She is Willa Catha, a woman who knows how to have fun.
We’ve had fun together since we first met, and Random House hired her to take care of me on my book tours. She told me she began to fall in love with me when she discovered that I wasn’t an asshole and treated people well.
I don’t wish to be anywhere near assholes, certainly not on my blog. I’ve left that world behind.
The sun came out in full glory, and Zip and I wandered around the farm to capture the moment of light and beauty.
Also, I’m considering closing down the blog’s comment page for a while. The comments I value are those of regular readers who understand the blog and write stimulating and thoughtful comments.
The ones I dislike come elsewhere, mostly first-time Facebook people.
Unfortunately, the Internet is constantly changing, and the one-timers who find the blog on Facebook are primarily interested in arguing, criticizing, or correcting. As you know, I am Dyslexic and also prolific and am prone to typos and some mistakes. I have little time for frustration.
And I will make mistakes.
Whenever I mention this, someone writes to say I should have a blog if I don’t want criticism and response. I consider this a mindless rationale to enable the mindless and broken, like telling a young woman it’s her fault if she wears the clothes she likes and gets harassed or assaulted. People don’t deserve to be assaulted because they are honest and open about themselves.
Thoreau didn’t have to work about jerks on social media sticking their noses into his business at Walden Pond.
He probably would have drowned himself if he wrote about Walden on Facebook. I wish to focus my energy on improving my art, writing, and photography.
Curiously, most corrections are off-base, dumb, or not very important to me. Honestly, I have no tolerance for arrogant, pompous people with no manners and no ability to communicate civically.
I have real trouble with bullies. The problem is that I hate them.
I have no tolerance for myself when I get sucked into hating either; that was happening more frequently. It’s not who I wish to be. There are just too many disturbing people out there feeding off other people like vampires. Somehow, being cruel has become okay. I won’t accept it.
This coming week, I’ll ask Mannix Marketing to set up a new communication system; people I know and approve can post anytime they wish about anything they want; people I don’t know and haven’t signed up can’t. It may take them a while.
I want people to know where I’m going. In the meantime, I will delete correction addicts, people who learned nothing from their mothers, and people with nothing better to do than write nasty notes to strangers. Facebook comments won’t change, people can post there if they wish.
My deletion campaign has been successful; I need to expand it. I won’t have the blog join so many websites and blogs whose comment sections have become cesspools of angry boors.
I’m happy to correct mistakes if they are significant or misleading. And I love thoughtful criticism and comments; I wish I could receive more.
The issue is how I wish to spend my time, and it is not about arguments and “corrections.”
The social media culture is changing, becoming more vicious, polarized, distracting, and presumptuous. I didn’t permit comments for years, which helped me focus and concentrate. I must try that again until our country becomes kinder and more gentle.
Mr. Trump was not only an awful President, he’s become his own disease. Maybe there’s a vaccine for ignoring him.
People who comment must have something to say, pro or con, about the posts.
I find that a more significant percentage of blog comments are from people looking for trouble, not enlightenment or truth.
And the corrections are surprisingly inaccurate, meaningless, or irrelevant. I’m not looking for arguments or rants from strangers—details to come. I learned to dislike people who can’t or won’t mind their business from my grandmother, who called those people “yentas.”
I’ll approve regular blog readers I know to comment, pro or con—just no jerks, correction addicts, animal rights fanatics (I’m sad to learn that few animal rights activists know the first thing about animals and have no use for the truth), or yentas from the Social Media Police.
This idea makes me happy.
Correcting for detail or ideology has become a pandemic online. Almost everyone I know now hates social media, which is a tragedy. My blog will never go there. I want to do my writing, photography, and proofreading in peace. I’m sick and tired of obnoxious windbags; I’d rather be the only one.
I need to be able to think, not fight; that’s my vocation.
I remain interested in thoughtful comments on the subjects in the blog. I’m not interested in unwanted advice, ignorant or angry rants, nit-picking “corrections,” or people who can’t accept the challenge of reading a Dyslexic blogger. Sorry, but I can’t change. And I don’t wish to.
With this one sweep, I believe I somewhat eliminated rudeness, cruelty, and anger from the site. Anyone can contact me in the usual way, e-mail: [email protected] any time. I’m not looking to be a hermit. I’m tired of being a toilet bowl.
There will be a welcome space for intelligent and valuable posts; people who want to join need to be accepted first- this will be in January, not now. America is having nasty and rudeness trouble, and I need to work around it, and I will.
I don’t write to please other people; I write to tell the truth as I understand it and provoke thought. I’m not running for Congress; God help us.
I can assure my regular readers and commentators – you know who you are – that you are very welcome and will have full access to the blog comments page. You deserve better than nutballs from the world over looking for a place to spout off.
I’ll write more about this as it develops, and thanks for your patience.
I attached these photos from this morning and will return them on Sunday afternoon.
Zip and I marched around recording the sun, which had been absent for a while.
Bud and Maria love one another in the first light.
This is my Willa Cather woman doing her Willa Cather thing.
I love the old and original fixtures in the house. There is more craft in a doorknob from 18oo’s than in most new homes being built today.
I rarely see the curator who puts up followers and plants on the windowsills all year. I saw her doing her work this morning and took the photo. I love her dearly.
Soft landscape in a bright sun.
I call it the morning meeting; Zip and Fate meet every morning. All peaceful.
The first sunlight slit up our table candelabra, stunning.
Manure, every morning. She says she loves doing it, and I believe her.
The sheep light up when the sun rises, and the wool takes in the light and shines.
Off to Massachusetts, have a beautiful weekend. See you Sunday afternoon.
Traveling mercies !
I can see your Burgundy Oxalis on the windowsill, I think you call it clover.
It’s looking better than mine. Please understand, Im commenting not correcting.
Peace
Will you update the FB page with new logo design ?
Zuck Markerburg my name FB creator
not such a great idea FB
love these photos
thank you jon/maria
Jon – who needs people to edit, criticize or make nasty comments about someones life. no one deserves to be treated like that…..or to be a sitting duck and receive unwanted comments from anonymous people who enjoy one upping.
Good riddance!
Jon, I can understand why you’re doing what you’re doing with the comments. I have a nephew who is dyslexic and understand.
There are to many people who use the anonymity of Facebook to make rude comments. Evidently they don’t remember that if you can’t say something nice then say nothing at all.
I rarely make comments on any of my favorite sites so I won’t be offended if I’m not invited to comment.
I have enjoyed your blog for a long time, the first thing I read each morning. Please keep me on you list. I rarely reply. Love all your animals especially Zip. You and Maria have a Lovely weekend.
Don’t worry Ruth, and thanks..I’m not goind to knock people off any list,I’ll set it up so people who have read the blog continuously will automatically be able to post..I don’t want to lose that..
Excellent choice on your part. It is your blog, your life, your choice.
I rarely comment yet read yours and Maria’s bl9g everyday.
Not on Fb.
Thanks Dawn Marie, I dont be tossing people off, the Web people say that I can set it so frequent and regular blog read3rs will automatically be able to post. New comers will have to apply.. and thank you
I like a cat around your place again. It makes the farm complete. I don’t mind the typos. Actually, they bring life to the blog bc it’s you and you are who you are.
Thanks Lauie, I’ll be happy to see posts from you and people like you..
Well, I think that”s a great idea – filtering the effluvia; like your handyman installing the mini-bathroom ventilation pipe.
Nicely put, Amy, a great analogy..
I started reading you maybe 15 years ago, after our Boomer dog died; my sister gave me her copy of your “Soul of a dog”. I read a few other of your books about dogs since the . Years ago I was talking about these books to a friend and as a result googled “Bedlam Farm” and was introduced to your blog, signed up for your daily email, and read it every day, without fail. Some days are more appealing to me than others, but that’s because we are not mirror images of each other: we have sometimes similar, sometimes dissimilar interests. And that’s okay. Reading your blog is part of my early morning routine…the house is quiet, I have a nice cup of coffee, and I get to read something sometimes funny, often insightful, and usually soul-satisfying. Thank you. I do particularly enjoy your thoughts on “faith” I think as you describe it…simply being kind to others. I believe you are a kind man, a good man, and I thank you for sharing yourself, and Maria, and the animals, with those out here willing to listen.
Thanks much Leigh, this will make all of us happier I think, and more peaceful..
I’ve only discovered your blog the past month or so but it’s the first email I read every morning. Your words often bring me valuable reflection and a feeling of peace. Thank you, Jon.
Thanks Bib, I’ll keep at it..
Jon, I have watched the trolls here do their troll thing, and often wondered, that if they took that energy and put it to good use, what a world we could have! A silly and Pollyanna-ish notion, for sure. Hurt people who have no other tools have to hurt people to try and dispel their rage. However, as humans, regardless of the reasons for our behaviors, we are all accountable for our words and actions; the law of karma doesn’t care who you are.
Thanks Karla, you are an example of the kind of discussions and thoughtfulness I’m looking for.
Thanks for providing me, and many others, with an enlightening and inspiring message on a daily basis.
And a loud AMEN to your comments on the increasingly large cesspool that social media has become.
Thanks Mark
Regarding Jon, for me Jon is a beautiful example of the Mary Oliver quote: 1.) Pay attention; 2.) Be astonished: 3.) Tell about it.!
P.S. Also applies to Maria!! Thank you both!
Thank you
Once more you’ve put everything perfectly . Its why I don’t have FB or social media. I’m always stunned and confused about why so many people on such a grand scale find it worth their while to be so ugly. In a way , your blog is your home and you are our host. I personally would never enter a person’s home and criticize everything about them in the whole range of mild to vicious. People are confusing freedom to comment with thoughtfully considering what they are going to say and if it’s worth even saying . I wonder if any of them ever self reflect and wish they hadn’t said something. Maybe that’s just something we older people do. Somewhere, somehow a new concept of etiquette of “before we open our mouths” could be developed but I think the idea is too old fashioned anymore. It seems to me behavior in general , whether written or in person, is on a backwards slide. The object too often is to wound or to come out “on top”.
On the subject of particularly those that insist on instructing us, it seems those of us who are open and honest and humble seem to be a magnet for them. I’m always fascinated that these people always inflict their wisdom without ever finding out how experienced or interested you may be.
I’ve never understood how some don’t get that your blog is chronicling facets of your personal journey . Emphasis on the last three words. We as readers get to follow along and enjoy, ponder, and adopt what enhances our lives. It’s personal to you but shared. It’s your turf. it’s not a forum for anyone to try to change or influence. I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with all of this, but even if I can no longer comment, I will continue to follow, absorb, and enjoy.
“The social media culture is changing, becoming more vicious, polarized, distracting, and presumptuous”
So well-put! I’m 32 so I grew up on the internet and I am often nostalgic about how much more simple and intimate it was in its earlier days, before the social media boom. The accessibility of internet communities has been a blessing at times, but the anonymity of the internet has been a vile curse! A mirror for a lot of people’s worse attributes.
The type of people that you talk about here is definitely a big reason why I stopped blogging for many years. The fear of being berated heartlessly over making mistakes can be very disabling. The common angry person is projecting, and will not care if you personally work everyday to educate yourself and to spread kindness.
I want to have hope that the social climate will change at some point, as you imply.
I am subscribed to your blog as well as Maria’s. I enjoy reading both from time to time because they bring me a lot of peace, and they’ve both inspired me to let loose with my own online writings in my own personal blog. So thank you! 🙂 You’ve been a beautiful force in the internet world for me.
Thank you for the upcoming change on the blog. I am so tired of people young and old who have NO manners. Where do people get off correcting others for simple minor mistakes? We all type here and make mistakes.
I am finding more and more people are doing this in person as well. I guess I was brought up right. If you have nothing good to say, say nothing.
Enjoy your weekend. I love your pictures, and also the way you explain the new lens you are using.
Thank you!
Jan
Great idea. It also creates a safe place for your readers who may not appreciate the corrections and negative comments. I don’t like seeing them myself.
Janet, thanks you got the idea it protects my real readers as well as me, we’ll set it up so regular readers don’t have to do anything..they can post anytime..newcomers will have to register and use their full names..
I laughed out loud at Amy’s comment: filtering the effluvia. I will use that line. I also found you thru your dog books. The photo of the doorknob and key could launch many a short story.
ThanksSharon, I’ll use it to..
Keep up the great writing. Enjoy your pictures as well. Nothing beats your landscapes of the country. I miss reading about Murrey and how he annoyed you. Zip is fun to read about.
I haven’t seen many mean comments directly on the blog lately. That must mean you’ve been having to take your rime removing them. Makes me sad. Whatever steps you take to lessen that burden and stress will be a good thing.
I never bothered to sign up for an email announcing new blog posts since I visit the page daily anyway. If I miss a day, I come back to completely catch up. (I link through from Facebook, where I can quickly scan to see how many posts are awaiting.)
Hope you and Maria had a safe trip this weekend and got home before having to drive through a snowstorm!
I’m sorry for the bullying you have experienced. With social media and its’ ability to be rather anonymous, people say things they would never say to someone’s face. I’m glad you are taking steps to stop them from commenting.
Jon, I love your blond, the life you and Maria are living. Your photographs of the farm and the animals that call it home are inspirational. God bless you for taking the stand you are taking. It seems. to be a healthy way to live. Plus, the two of you are mentors for the rest of us. THANK YOU.
Thank you, Betty, messages like this really make a difference…I appreciate what you wrote.
Thanks for your wonderful and touching words and photos, I am recently back online with you. I started reading your books again, and have been enjoying them so much. You and Maria are so lucky to have found each other.
A friend and I had a mutual friend that died in July and he sent me your blog info for some solice. I’m so very glad he did. It brings peace to me.
Yes, Please keep the negative Nellie’s AWAY!
PS: Tell Zip I’m in love with him!!