Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

10 July

The Hottest Day Yet Here. Life Goes On. And On

by Jon Katz

The temperature was close to 100 degrees; I went only to the pantry to get the mail, to the post office, and to the back porch for some flower photos.

Zip only briefly appeared in the donkey’s feeder, of all places.  He’s not a summer cat, but a winter cat.

We are still nursing Fannie through a nasty abscess. Maria has been working with Fannie.

There is a severe tornado warning for this area; I’m getting my blogging done in case we lose power.

I got out this morning to take my sunrise walk around the farm. I got a new summer bathrobe that cost only $23, which I like very much.  I’ll be wearing it outside in the mornings. I was going to play chess with Ian, but I thought it wouldn’t work for him to be driving around in a tornado.

There’s not much we can do about a tornado except run into the basement with the dogs and wait it out.  We don’t get a lot of tornadoes here, but this alarm does sound a bit serious. See you later.

Our pantry women’s shelf campaign is working out beautifully. Thank you.

 

Our day begins with a manure throw.

Putting anti-biotics on Fannie’s foot.

 

Sunrise in my flower bed.

 

Sheep and heat.

 

Sheep and heat 2.

10 July

Update: Sarah Says Thanks! Support For Tampax And Pads Are Pouring In, Thanks. The Women’s Shelves Are Empty, But Not For Long

by Jon Katz

From today’s response, support for women’s hygiene should be a regular feature of our Cambridge Food Support program, which served 629 households in May alone.

We need more Tampax. There was a mix-up this morning, and the pads got posted, but not the Tampax. I’m making up for that.  As almost every woman can testify, the Tampax items are very, very important.

Pantry Director Sarah wanted me to make sure to thank you for helping her get these very important items to the women who need them.

I’m calling it Woman’s Support Day, and I’m going to post it regularly. The pantry has a women’s shelf for pads and Tampax. They usually end up with little left. Now, the shelves are empty, and Sarah called out for help.

That’s what we do, we help.

Sarah also asked me to thank you for the enthusiastic response to the request for help getting Tampax and Sanitary Pads; the Pantry Women’s shelves are empty, but thanks to the Army of Good, this will soon change.

The two items most in need are:

Tampax Pearl Tampons Multipack, Regular/Supper Absorbency, with Leakguard Braid, Unscented, 34 Count, $7.97.

Thick Maxi Pads for Periods, Super Absorbency, Unscented, 48 Count, 1 Pack, $5.15

Sarah says these are among the most challenging items to get and stock. She is very grateful for the support this is getting; she gets receipts from Amazon as soon as an item is purchased.

She said that of the two, Tampax is the most difficult to find and get and the most in-demand, but all women’s hygiene items are hard for them to get on their shelves.

Thanks to you, I think the shelves will soon be full, and I’ll keep on doing this. This is an important way for us to help.

I want to say thanks also. I would appreciate you being appreciated. Today, the Regional Food Bank released stats for the area. “We served 629 households,” she said. The average number is closer to 550.

There is a great need for food support in America now. We will do our best to help; so far, that is a lot of support. Thank you.

10 July

Buy A New “”Flying Tampon” Potholder, Maria Will Donate The Charge To Help The Cambridge Food Pantry Get Tampax And Sanitary Pads Back On The Shelves

by Jon Katz

As some of you know, Maria is selling a new potholder today, a sketch honoring her new free-form sewing machine. The potholder (above) is called The Flying Tampon.

You can read about it on her blog.

The purchase price is going to the  Cambridge Food Pantry.

The cost of the potholder will be donated to the Cambridge Food Pantry, which has run out of Sanitary Pads and Tampax, two desperately needed items that are very difficult for them to obtain.

Maria is selling it on her Etsy Page for $22.27, plus $5 shipping, which she will donate to the Food Pantry’s Women’s Aid Day, which we launched this morning and will continue to mention here.

The pantry desperately needs sanitary pads and tampons for its women’s shelves—the Tampax Tampons are hard to get. The women’s shelf is empty; we mean to fill it.

In addition to buying the potholder, please consider purchasing one or both items listed below. They are on an Amazon Pantry Wish List, and any items purchased will go directly to the food and the Pantry—no middlemen or women.

The potholder is up for sale today on Maria’s Etsy Page. Here are links to the two things the pantry most needs; you can see them or buy them here.

Tampax Pearl Tampons Multipack Regular/Super Absorbency, With Leakguard Braid, Unscented, 34 Count. $5.43.

Ultra Thin Pads with Flexi-Wings for Periods, Extra Heavy Overnight Absorbency, Unscented, Size 5, 24 Count, 1 Pack., $5.06.

 

The Empty Women’s Shelf at the Cambridge Food Pantry

10 July

Support For Women Visitors To The Cambridge Pantry. Sanitary Pads ($5.06) Tampax ($5.42). The Women’s Shelf Is Empty. Let’s Fill It

by Jon Katz

Yesterday, we focused on diapers and toothpaste for children. Today, it’s women.

(Above, the empty Women’s Shelf)

Today, Sarah texted me that the shelf reserved for these items was empty, which I saw when I was there. Sarah says the Regional Food Bank typically supplies Tampax and sanitary products; the ads have all been taken by the people coming for food support.

Like the other items, these two are inexpensive, so seeing that shelf full as soon as possible would be wonderful. I appreciate any help you can give us, as would the women who depend on the pantry for these items. That’s something that is very much needed.

A small amount of money could go a long way to make someone comfortable—another small act of great kindness.

 

 

Here are the two items on the Pantry Wish List; Sarah put them up Tuesday afternoon:

Ultra Thin Pads with Flexi-Wings for Periods, Extra Heavy Overnight Absorbency, Unscented, Size 5, 24 Count, 1 Pack., $5.06.

Tampax Pearl Tampons Multipack Regular/Super Absorbency, With Leakguard Braid, Unscented, 34 Count. $5.43.

Our strategy of picking a few urgently needed and inexpensive items is working. We are helping people and children in the most basic way.

The Food Pantry Wish List is updated daily and reflects the items and needs that have either been used or that the Cambridge Food Pantry hopes to be able to get from its usual sources or afford to buy but can’t. It is updated constantly. If you see something on the list, it is needed and not available.

Once some items sought are received, Sarah takes them off the list.

The most popular items on the list are always needed.

 

Sarah is also looking for a popular item in demand: extra chunky peanut butter. You can take a look here and donate  a pack of 12:

Jif Extra Punchy Peanut Butter, 16 Oz, Pack of 12, $34.80.

 

 

 

9 July

Flower Art. Today, A Brighter Day For Me, And A Sizzling Hot One. I Worked With Some Bright And Beautiful Flowers

by Jon Katz

When I went out today, it was close to 100 degrees, and I couldn’t remember ever feeling heat like that. There was no sign of Zip or any of our animals. I don’t know where Zip was; the donkeys and sheep were all in the Pole Barn. I spent much of the afternoon at the food pantry, where everyone was unloading food supplies from the truck that goes to the Albany food bank.

I was only out taking photos for half an hour, but it nearly knocked me out.

I’m sorry for all the people struck in the latest hurricane who saw their homes destroyed. They all have my thoughts and my prayers. I’m proud of the photos today. I hope you enjoy them.

 

 

I fell in love with this photo when I saw how these flowers merged—an actual photo painting.

An Iris was just what I was looking for.

 

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