Ritual is important to me; it grounds and cements a feeling of life and an appreciation for what we have. Bedlam Farm means many things to me, many of them new, surprising, and transformative.

Perhaps the most powerful has been seeing Maria grow, bloom, and create. Her love of life and nature and animals has become the hallmark of life here and the source of one of its most beautiful rituals – the Monday morning video, Maria’s start of the week and the day by checking in on and greeting every single animal that is a part of our lives – Bud, Zinnia, Fate, Zip, Lulu, Fanny, the hens, the barn birds, and the sheep.

She talks to every animal by name, and none fear her or run away.

She gets up early on Monday mornings to record her video, an increasingly popular look into life here. The farm is essential to many people, not just Maria and not just me.

It’s a happy time; we check on the animals, the fences, the water tanks. I have my camera, and she has her Iphone. Lately, I have realized that I have ended up watching and chronicling her as much as anything else here; she is worth watching and waiting for.

Maria says hello to every animal, usually with bread and fruit she collects from co-ops and markets when it gets stale, or we have left it uneaten. It’s all good stuff, and the animals are pleased to get it.

After greeting the animals, she shovels manure and spreads it; she is happy to do the dirty and fun work. She emanates patience and affection. They get it. Then she heads to her studio to make some art, her purpose and passion in life.

She is so often the story for me; I admire the art she creates – her lifelong dream – and the goodwill, laughter, and love she brings to our world. I am in awe of what she has done with her life.

The frightened, shy,  angry, and unhappy woman I met 25 years ago has blossomed more beautifully than any flower, and she did it all by herself. All she needed was the same thing I needed—some support for the lives we sought and now have, some assurance we weren’t mad.

Her videos tell her story as well as the farm’s.

I am very excited to post her video on my blog every Monday morning. It is not only a sweet way to start the week, but it is also the story of two lives coming together in a celebration of creativity and a search for happiness. No matter what happens next, we got there.

This is Maria’s; she is full of new and creative ideas. She not only put up with me but has also supported me and taught me a great deal. She alone makes life worth living, and there is so much more because of her.

It is a rare joy to give animals such good and happy lives, and they return the favor. Would you be willing to come and see?

Welcome to today’s Good Morning Monday video. It’s hard not to smile at least once.