This is a new series of photography aimed at capturing the feeling and beauty of Bedlam Farm. Today, I went out with my Iphone to work on a piece on the myth of security. I was upset by a sad report about a family member; it was depressing.

We have a new ritual, Zip and I. He jumps into my lap. I hold and scratch him for 15-20 minutes, then I get to work, reading or writing for the blog. When I go to work, Zip gets it, hops off, and sleeps on the chair next to me, the one Maria often uses (she is belly dancing tonight.)

(In the above photo, the donkeys and sheep grazing just a few feet away from where I sit with Zip for a while every afternoon.)

I have to say that holding Zap and communicating with him makes me feel a lot better. He seems to have given up on the baby chipmunks for now; perhaps he gets them all at night when he is prowling around and hunting. I look forward to my afternoon session with Zip; he does, too. Perhaps sensing my sadness, which he does, he was soft, gentle, and affectionate.

I walk around the farm two or three times a day after going to the pharmacy, the food co-op,   Bernard Farm for fresh bread and vegetables, or the post office or bank. Tomorrow I go to Saratoga to see if my mouth is accepting the screw implanted for my implant crown. If so, I’ll get the crown in a week or so.

I realize I need to pay more attention to the beauty that brought and sustains us here. So, this is a way to focus on that more. No life is perfect or without suffering, but the beauty I see every morning sustains and comforts me.

It’s our 14th wedding anniversary, but it’s something to be grateful for, not necessarily something to celebrate by going out to dinner. We are going about our business as usual, but I never stop being thankful for Maria.

Zip is keeping me company while I work a foot away.

They were grazing in the afternoon. Always beautiful to me.

The garden bed is coming to life.