Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

20 June

Bedlam Farm In The Morning (Thursday, June 20, 2024), Beautiful Day, Hot Or Not. Zip And Asher, Brutal Sun, Donkeys Getting Brushed

by Jon Katz

Zip stole the show this morning, as usual. He and Asher are becoming great friends. It helps that they are on the other side of the fence; they learn trust and familiarity. I am inside all day, only going out for errands. I have a lot of work to do, lots to write about, and some pictures to take. Maria sold her Tea Potholder with proceeds going to the Cambridge Food Pantry, details to come.

Zip and Asher bonding. With animals, it starts with touching noises or smelling butts.

When the sun tried to come out. A feeling of great heat.

Whether it’s rain, snow, heat, or wind, the donkeys expect to be brushed in the morning; Maria is the person who does it.

It feels like a painting, brushing the donkeys in the heat.

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The Cambridge Food Pantry

19 June

Small Miracles! Only Two Items Left Out Of Fifteen Requested: You Did It. Thank You, Thank You, We’ll Get It All By Morning

by Jon Katz

A couple of days ago, Sarah Harrington, Executive Director of the Cambridge Food Pantry, contacted me and requested help.

More than 17 critical items had disappeared from her shelves, taken by record-breaking crowds who needed food support for their families.

She asked for help replenishing the list.

I said we would try. I wasn’t sure we could get all of those items replaced; I should have known better.

After my first request, two were replaced overnight. I made another request yesterday, and as of 9:30 p.m., only two items remained, and the need is still urgent:

Seattle’s Best Coffee Post Alley Blend Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 12 oz bags, pack of 3, $17.94.

And Amazon Brand, Happy Belly Grated Parmesan Cheese 8.0z, $2.96.

Until yesterday, the Army Of Good seemed allergic to donating coffee. That’s changing.

I should know better than ever to underestimate the Army Of Good. Big hearts and a desire to do good from people all over the country, most of whom I don’t know and will never meet.

They are friends, all of them, to me, to refugee kids, the elderly in care, and now the people in need of good food to eat, people down on their knees from skyrocketing prices and stagnant wages. Your potential donations could make a significant difference in their lives.

I bet Sarah will have taken down these two items by morning, and then we will move on to a new wish list, seeking one or two items a day.

There is nothing better than helping people in need; Christ himself started the ball rolling. Thank you so much.

I’ll seek help getting Size 6 diapers and Hand Soap on Thursday afternoon. This one never really stops.

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19 June

Flower Art, Emotions, Emotions…Bedlam Farm Journal, Wednesdays, June 19, 2024. Pantry Supper – We’re Halfway There.

by Jon Katz

I’m signing off. See you in the morning. I’ve got to make dinner for Maria, who will be home soon from belly dancing.

Flowers are all about emotions for me. I’m no gardener and have not grown up loving flowers. I never really paid attention to them; I was too busy being unhappy and successful. They mean a lot to them. I talk to them, hear them, and feel them differently. I don’t have the words for that yet, but I will one day.

Photography helped me to see the world anew.

It’s what I do—a full, busy, warm, and meaningful day. My photography led me to flowers, which are changing my life daily.

Today, I’m painting a mix of colors, wildflowers, and a handful of cut flowers. They dance well together. I’m signing out; see you in the morning. I’m planning a tranquil day. I need to stay out of the sun.

(Please help Cambridge Pandry replenish the 14 foods (now down to seven) taken off the shelves on a big, busy day last week. We are trying to replace every one of the 14 Wish List items; we are halfway there. Nobody bought tea or potatoes, but they are essential and still needed. You can find the details here. We are halfway there. Thanks for your help.)

Here, I think the words speak for themselves, softly and loudly.

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Maria

19 June

Lamp. It’s Perfect For My Office

by Jon Katz

It took Maria three or four tries and the better half an hour to put together my old lamp, which I call a “Brothel Lamp” because that’s what the antique shop owner who sold it to me said it was. He had no proof, just a feeling. I feel the same; the lamp was a mess and only cost $20.

The plugs and wires were frayed, so we thought they had to go to the basement. That was five or six years ago, maybe longer. I don’t buy stuff like that anymore.

Last week, Maria was cleaning something out of the basement and found it covered in dust and dirt. I took a while to clean up.

I was delighted to see it, but I had several disastrous, confusing, and unsuccessful treks to the Hardware Store to get the right fixtures, plugs, and wires.

Maria ended up going and got it all right, and last night, she gathered her tools and figured it all out. It has a perfect spot in my office, and I am thrilled to have it there. It just feels right to me.

I took a few photos; as always, I am grateful to Maria. I would have called an electrician. I don’t play with wires.

You can follow along; it was fascinating for me to watch. Maria can only do a little, although there are many things she doesn’t want to do. Here goes. Someone on the blog asked me why I was interested in a “Brothel” lamp. I don’t know; it has a lot of character and maybe some bad behavior in the past.