Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

14 July

Feel Better Instantly. Let’s Put Some Good Out There. Sarah’s Request, Creamy Peanut Butter, Crunchy Peanut Butter, Colgate Toothpaste

by Jon Katz

“What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love.” — St. Therese.

Sarah and Super Volunteer Tracy (above photo( had a booth at the farmer’s market this morning.

It felt like the whole town was raising money for the pantry. A collective spirit is what makes a community strong and a country united.

It’s not just a moment; it’s a movement. The Compassion Revolution can start right here. Seeing the town coming together like this for a good cause was heartwarming. We were all together.

Every booth offered free ice cream to anyone who donated to the pantry. I woke up needing to do some good. Donating to the pantry did it for me; I recommended it to anyone who needed a lift. We are lifting the lives and morale of people who need a hand.

What the pantry needs today, the shelves are empty of them:

Peter Pan Creamy Peanut Butter, Made with Roasted Peanuts, is Great for Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches and Snacks. (Pack of 12), $33.24.

Colgate Whiting Toothpaste with Mini Strips for Bad Breath Helps Fight Cavities and Whitens Teeth (Pack of 4), $10.65.

Jif Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter, 16 Ounces, (Pack of 12)m $37.44.

I got the now familiar SOS late Saturday after another record-breaking day of visits to the Food Pantry for people needing help.

Message from Sarah: “Next week’s items are peanut butter (both kinds), canned chicken, and toothpaste. We are very cleaned out right now. The lady products were a huge hit. Thanks to the Army of Good.”

Tomorrow, I’ll be promoting the canned chicken. But I’ve put up a link for those of you who prefer to contribute regularly. Your consistent support is making a significant, indescribable difference.

Canned Chicken, it’s on the Monday list, but I’m jumping the gun; some people like to:

StarLost Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 5 Oz (8 Pack( Canned Tuna Fish, Wild Caught, Gluten Free, Ready To Eat, Perfect for Salads, Keto Meals, and snacks, with 20G Protein &90 Calories per serving, $7.98.

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an act of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” – Mother Therese.

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Americana

14 July

The Washington County Dairy Princesses Raise Money For The Food Pantry At The Farmer’s Market

by Jon Katz

Every year, Washington County chooses its Dairy Princesses, and I am always happy to take their photo. Some people ask me shyly if I moved to the country in such a remote place. I always reply this way: the city was remote to me, but I feel I’m in the heart of the country right now.

These are all farm children; they work hard, care for their animals, and help their families run their farms. This is the Washington County equivalent of the former Miss America Pageant. They spend very little time, if any, on Social Media. They are too busy feeding and milking the family cows.

I love their warmth, pride, work ethic, and smiles. Everyone knows what a barn cat is, another reason to love them. They will all appear again at the County Fair in August.

They all appeared at the Cambridge Farmer’s Market to raise money for the food pantry, and they did a great job.

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Beautiful Morning

14 July

Sunday Morning, Bedlam Farm. Take A Look. You’ll Feel Better, Guaranteed….

by Jon Katz

It’s warm today, getting hotter. Looking through the heat, all I see is love and beauty. In Many Different Ways, We Are All To Blame. Above, Maria’s garden.

Fannie gets a leg check and a butt scratch.

More wood is on the pile; Zip is making it his headquarters in the day. He loves it in there.

Merricat in the shade.

The gang is there.

Wanting a treat at the fence – apples falling from the trees.

Waiting for leftover fruit and vegetables.

My Garden Bed, Sunrise.

Blogger on the porch.

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Army of Good

13 July

On Putting Good Out There. Hate Begats Hate, Good Begats Good. I’m Putting My Weapons Away.

by Jon Katz

The phrase “hate begets hate” is described in the Gospel of Matthew, verse 26:52, in the Bible. The concept is that violent behavior can lead to more violent behavior. In this passage, a disciple, later identified as Peter in the Gospel of John, draws a sword to defend Jesus from being arrested but is told to put his weapon away.

I don’t recall where I first heard the idea that hate begets hate, but I do remember when our country began to boil over with hatred in 2o16.

My response was to start putting good out there. That was the birth of the Army of Good, an army of good people all over the country who began putting good out there and still are.

When I heard the chilling news about the bloodshed and hatred in Pennsylvania last night, I resolved once more to keep putting good out and make sure not to hate, judge, argue, or blame others.

I wish Mr. Trump well and am grateful he was not hurt more severely; I said a silent prayer for the people who were killed or injured.

Then I went online with Maria, and we bought four different kinds of salad dressings and sent them to the Cambridge Food Pantry, where food is badly needed and put to good use. “Putting good out was your idea,” she said, “let’s go do it.”

That was my first thought. The second was to put my weapon away, just as Peter did.

For me, and speaking only for me, putting good out there does not make me a saint or even a good person; it is my way of turning hate and rage into good. I am not a Christian, but Jesus had the right idea for me. I’ve learned that he and the Bible were correct: anger spawns anger and hatred more hatred.

I’m not doing that.

I believe good spawns good. That’s my faith.

This is not a night for analysis, finger-pointing, political talk, or endorsements for me; it’s a time to sit in silence, think of the victims, and say some prayers for my troubled country, which I love.

When I feel I’ve done that to the best of my ability, I will return to life and continue my work to be a better human.

I can and will do that. I will sit with Maria and our dogs and work together to find hope and kindness.

Many people need help, and the food pantry is out of peanut butter again.

I know what I will be doing in the morning.

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Flower Art

13 July

Battle Of The Sun: Me, Sunflowers And My Camera Lenses. Don’t Try This At Home. I Think It Was A Draw. .

by Jon Katz

This morning, I had one of the most challenging brawls with a strong and bright sun. I love flower photographs, which really show the intensity, emotion, and beauty of the sun, mother to all flowers.

The noon sun was directly level with my eyes, the flowers, and my camera. It kept blinding me, even indirectly or when I looked away (this is perhaps why I am probably going to need cataract surgery in August or September. It isn’t the flower’s fault or mine; I have become much more sensitive to direct sunlight but no less stubborn about taking my pictures.

(See one sunflower in the sun above.)

It came out well. I wouldn’t dare taunt the sun by suggesting I win a struggle with him, but I got a bunch of photos I really like, and I hope you do, too.

I had to try each picture about a half dozen times, standing up, lying down on different chairs, moving them so the sun would be where I wanted it, and rapidly changing exposures so I could get the pictures I wanted.

I didn’t look directly into the sun, but it was very difficult to see through the lens or viewfinder. My eyes are back to normal. It is a gift to capture the beauty and emotion of the hearts and souls of flowers. It was worth every minute.

I’m using eye drops, staying close to the air conditioner, and giving my eyes a rest. They deserve it. According to our outdoor thermometer, the flowers captured the feeling on a day when the temperature was close to 100 degrees. I’m checking out for tonight. See you tomorrow in the morning.