Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

14 December

Grumpy Morning, Bedlam Farm, Saturday, December 14. 15 Degrees This Morning, A Most Beautiful Sky. Deleting. Snapping Away The Annoyers Like Mosquitoes Before They Bite. Do Jews Really Belong In Florida, Not On Farms In Winter?

by Jon Katz

My farm is sweet and pleasant, but the world seems grumpy to me these days. Duh.

I must own up to being dangerously grumpy in the early morning, especially when my Sleep Apnea Mask wakes me up hissing and complaining. The cherished Maria has been known to growl a bit in the morning as she heads out to shovel manure. Only Zinnia retains her good cheer through Hell and Fire Water.

Yesterday, I received an angry message from Beth, who claimed to live near me and was displeased with me. Since I knew everyone who lived near me (there aren’t many), I was puzzled but surprised to be scolded for getting up too early in the cold and unknowingly enriching the experience by a few degrees.

Seventeen degrees felt cold, but it was an honest mistake; it wasn’t zero. I’m Dyslexic and make a lot of errors, plus I’m old. Also, I love embellishing stories a bit, as writers love to do; it’s a habit. I was annoyed that Beth was correct, and because of her haughty message, I changed the blog to be more accurate and agreeable. I also like the truth.

Beth was very disturbed when I wrote that it was below zero on the morning blog report; she said it was “nowhere near Zero” and believed it was “important” to tell the truth.  I had no idea.

I thanked her for writing to me (I have been repeatedly urged not to be nasty and to be either nice to annoying people or ignore them, and with this in mind, I wished her a happy holiday and fixed the blog report.

 

Social media is becoming one of the world’s capitals of correction (a/k/a  annoying people) and the world’s center for minding other people’s businesses, which may be what it is all about.  Big Brother will love it. I am a rich and irresistible target, but I did not say that to Beth, who, I sensed, wasn’t into friendly discussions.

I foolishly thought everybody’s mind might be absorbing the news out of Syria or Washington. But the big news was the weather right here on the farm.

But I was not annoyed (yes, I admit to lying right here, I was annoyed) but polite (I was that, at least).

 

Zip was waiting for Zinnia and me when I came out, and he seemed annoyed that I had slept late. Another woman wrote that if I was going to publish colorful photos, I was ethically advised to name them. She found that annoying. I didn’t think she was interested in Dyslexia, either.  Who is?  I was not unkind to her either; I just deleted her. It was just another morning on the Internet. (I love deleting people; it’s like snapping a mosquito and getting it before it bites.)

So I took my alleged neighbor Beth and told her I would henceforth use an accurate thermometer and not guess, which I do like to do or embellish instinctively, as I sometimes do. I might be stupid, but I am honest. Of course, I should have offered her a refund, but I am sure she never donated to the blog.

When I looked it up, the temperature this morning was 17 degrees when I sent it out (it was 15 degrees this morning). Ernest wrote from Miami, suggesting I was a fool for living in upstate New York. “Be like Jews everywhere,” he said; get to Florida, where it is warm. He said he hoped he wasn’t being annoying. Not at all, I said, making sure to be friendly, “but I’m never moving to Florida; what would happen to Zip?”

Some people are not grumpy in the morning, as I often am. David messaged me from Hawaii to say he loved my morning farm photos and hoped they would never stop coming. He also loved the flower photos. Bless you, David; I hope you never stop writing to me.

(I expect more messages tomorrow from people annoyed that I was annoyed with people who annoy me. The wheel turns and turns. I need clarification on this. I relish being a grumpy older man sometimes; I might be getting what I asked for.)

I showed this to Maria, and she read it, stonefaced and without a chuckle.  She didn’t seem to think it was funny. “It is funny,” she said, “but I’m in a grumpy mood and can’t laugh.” Okay, I get it. I will go to the living room before the fire and read a new book about a devoted but very annoyed cop who pursued a serial killer in Ireland during the Troubles. It sounds perfect.

 

 

This is what it looked like this morning. COLD.

 

 

I love and admire this woman. Every morning, she shovels out the pole barn in the cold, singing her “manure song” to the animals and claiming to love every minute. How did I become so fortunate?

 

Zip has a warm corner that the donkeys love; the stones warm up by the sun.

The sun paints shadows every morning, and they are beautiful.

The morning sun lights our flowers and the old candelabra on the table.

First feeding. Cold is beautiful.

Zinnia is waiting to go out with Maria to eat manure and play tag with Zip. We have a lot of fun here.

 

 

14 December

Coffee And Cleanup, The Cambridge Pantry: Towels, For 6, $7.28, Seattle’s Best Coffee

by Jon Katz

Sarah’s drive to prepare the members of the Cambridge Pantry for the holidays is on us; you are helping immensely. Thank you. This is a tough time for people with food deprivation; many can find jobs for the holidays (only) and have to be outside of their homes.

A clean and healthy household is essential, especially for children, who are often alone during the day and asked to clean up while their parents work.

I’m proud to post the photo above. These were once empty shelves for women and people—especially older people—who needed dental denture grips, Efferent, Tampax, diapers, and pads. Thanks to you, those shelves are complete, and we are all relieved and grateful.

Parents often have to give up paper towels to buy food; coffee and shampoo are considered a luxury. The pantry is looking for not only food but also for their holidays. They all love coffee to get started on another busy and challenging day. Some have two or three part-time jobs this time of year.

These items are currently discounted on the Amazon Wish List Program. You can also access the wish list by clicking the green button at the bottom of every blog post.

Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels, 6 Double Rolls =12 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value Paper Towel with Full and Half Sheets, $7.28.

Seattle’s Best Coffee, Post Alley  Blend Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 12 Ounce Bags (Pack of 3, 16.47.)

Suave Kids 3-in-1 Tear Free, Body Wash, Shampoo and Conditioners, Dermatologist Tested, Watermelon Wonder, 18 oz Pack of 6, $22.68.

 

(Every week, the Cambridge Pantry operates its much-needed children’s weekend support program – the Pantry Pack program- to ensure the children of people in the food program have healthy food for the weekend. It’s assembled in the school and distributed there.

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I hope you can help.

These items are currently discounted on the Amazon Wish List Program. You can also access the wish list by clicking the green button at the bottom of every blog post. Everything on the wish list is desperately needed.

13 December

Flower Art. Yellow Effects Our Emotions – In Some Ways, The Strongest Color. Flower Dream: What Does A Photo Dream Look Like?

by Jon Katz

Yellow affects our emotions. Its primary action is to trigger emotional responses. It impacts the nervous system—which transmits signals to and from the brain to the rest of the body—making yellow the strongest color in psychological terms. Darker, more intensely saturated blues stimulate the mind, while lighter, less saturated blues can soothe and calm it.

– Karen Haller, The Little Book Of Colour, How to use the Psychology of Colour to Transform your life.

(Above – Maria’s Amaryllis, a gift, is opening up.)

 

 

 

 

What does a photo dream look like?

Photo dream two.

 

13 December

Sue Silverstein’s Column: “Thanks, The Donations Are Over The Moon…”

by Jon Katz

Sue told me that she was “over the moon” with the donations to her art program. That is wonderful to hear. Thanks, and have a wonderful and meaningful holiday. I can’t thank you enough for supporting this outstanding teacher and her fantastic work with her art program. You make it all possible, and you are much appreciated. Sue’s column is on Bedlamfarm.com every Friday; it is a privilege to have her here.  She is part saint and part magician. -Jon Katz

News from the Art Room – Rainy and Dark Days

These days in December are some of the darkest of the year.

After such an extraordinarily lovely Autumn, we have had a stretch of rain and snow that shortens the daylight hours but does not dampen the spirits in the art room. There is unabashed joy. The sparkles, velvet ribbons, greenery, and Christmas are everywhere. Wreaths are being made, quilts are being sewn, and sculptures are being created—ornaments and gifts are in progress. The middle schoolers are making giant wall-size pop art trees, and the high schoolers are refinishing a wonderful chest donated by Rick several months ago for the school’s fundraiser in the Spring.

Paige and her crew were putting final changes on the window display today. It is so full of fancy; it makes me smile and think about it. The piece contains a beloved tea set gifted to a young woman by her father, silverware donated by several people, Christmas trains and treasures, vintage linens, doll chairs we saved for a special occasion, and some pretty incredible food art.

I love to watch the process. Every detail is essential. Sugar cubes are made from painted cubes and glitter, hot chocolate with marshmallows, and finger sandwiches are made from mattress foam and paint. There are even styrofoam olives on toothpicks! I found some tiny lights at Dollar Tree (my favorite store), and tomorrow, we will place the finished product upstairs in its place of honor!

Emma is making her first quilt from your donated Christmas fabrics and is beyond excited.

Many kids have made beautiful wreaths from the donated boxes of trimmings and treasure.

Several students were delighted to find things they could give a loved one when money was tight.

I asked for help with Holiday items, and you never fail! The response has been beyond what we could have imagined.  It is like when the Grinch returns the sled full of Christmas to Whoville and the Who have Christmas back. They did not need the items to live and love but were happy. Primarily, they are creating to give it away and spread their joy.

We have spent some time working with oil pastels and shading techniques. 7th grade Trinity drew such a beautiful ribbon that it stunned even her older siblings!

When we return from the break, we will refocus and return to work preparing for an art exhibit in January.  As I said before, it is joyful!

Once again, this week, I have so many to thank! We are blessed.

Bonnie from MA sent an excellent donation box that the Hammers from NY delivered. They have been so very generous to our program. The box contains huge, stretched canvases for repainting. Everyone has claimed them and has a save-for-me name tag already! I cannot wait to see what they do. The largest will go to 12th-grade Thomas, who intends to wow us all with his signature senior painting.

Michelle also dropped off a beautiful carload of donations, each more memorable than the last. She included an Amazon Gift card as well. There is always a ‘I wish I had….to finish this project.” Thank you, Michelle.

Mary Lou drove from Syracuse yesterday (about three hours); it was pouring and nasty the whole trip. I asked her if she had other businesses in the area, and she said no. She did that trip with many amazing things to help my kids. There are no words for that. I asked her to let me know if she had made it home okay, and she did.

Thank you to Anne from NC for the beautiful yarns, papers, inks, and more.

Thank you to Carolanne from NY, a box of goodies with endless possibilities.

Our beloved Andrea from MA sent the ultimate Christmas box. The students loved all the items; everything was already on its way home or in use! Thank you, Andrea!

Thank you to the anonymous donor who sent fluff; next week is pillow week!

If you have extra stuffing for pillows around the house, it goes fast during gift-making seasons! We always seek donations for anything you feel could be made into something new! Rolled gauze, wire, glassware, canvas, art supplies, heavy foil, pinecones, glue sticks, seashells, sea glass, bottle corks, sandpaper, and wood. I love hearing from you. My email is [email protected] 

Have a blessed day!

Sue

ND-BG

2600 Albany Street

Schenectady, New York 12304

13 December

Christmas Is Coming To The Cambridge Pantry : Let’s Do Some Good! Cleanning Up For The Holidays, Sarah’s Request Today: Paper Towels (Six Double Rolls, $7.28) And Kids Shampoo, (Pack Of 6, $22.68)

by Jon Katz

It’s clean-up time for the families of the Cambridge Food Pantry. Sarah is interested in doing some clean-up work, and she hopes we can help her get some paper towels and kids’ shampoo onto the pantry shelves; they are out of both. I also found a bargain special, scented Irish bar soap. School is letting out family Christmases, which are being planned, and it is time for a clean-up for health and morale.

Thanks so much for your help.

We are grateful for any help you can provide. These items are currently available at discounted rates on the Amazon Wish List Program.

One woman told me her daughters have been invited to two Christmas parties: “we don’t have the money to do what we would like for them, but we want them to be clean and feel good and look good.

I hope you can help.

These items are currently discounted on the Amazon Wish List Program. You can also access the wish list by clicking the green button at the bottom of every blog post.

Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels, 6 Double Rolls =12 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value Paper Towel with Full and Half Sheets, $7.28.

 

Suave Kids 3-in-1 Tear Free, Body Wash, Shampoo and Conditioners, Dermatologist Tested, Watermelon Wonder, 18 oz Pack of 6, $22.68.

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Bargain Special: (Pack of 3 Bars) Irish Spring Original Scent Bar Soap for Men & Women. 12-Hour Odor/Deodorant Protection! For Healthy Feeling Skin. Great for Hands, Face & Body! (3 Bars, 3.75 oz Each Bar), $6,49, Pack of 3. 

 

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