Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

Beautiful Morning
25 October

Beautiful Morning At Bedlam Farm. Mist And A Sweet Sunrise

by Jon Katz

It was a sweet Friday morning, softened by a moody sunrise. I was up early enough to catch the light I wanted. This morning, I will pick up my new post-cataract glasses for computer use. Otherwise, I don’t need glasses at all. The surgery was well worth it. I’m very happy with the results.

Zip up in the apple tree, we often meet there in the morning when go out.

David Weeks, who brought us some second-cut hay, gave Zip his fourth warm spot for the winter; he made a hole for him in the rich and newly cut hay. Barn Cats love holes like that, the warmth of their bodies and of the hay is perfect for them, warm in any kind of weather. He has some good choices, we’ll see where he lands.

 

 

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Sue Silverstein's Art Class
25 October

Sue Silverstein, New From The Art Class. Thanks For Your Creative And Generous Donations To The Future Of Art

by Jon Katz

Sue is an extraordinary human, an extraordinary artist, and a remarkable art teacher. I am honored to post her report on her sizzling art program, which is one of the best in the country. Sue’s column will be here every Friday morning.

 

—News from the Art Room – Painting on Maps

We have had the most beautiful weeks of weather. The blue in the sky against the yellows, oranges, and reds of the changing leaves is simply stunning. I asked the students to take some photos to paint next week.

The studio art class again for the win! This week, they are painting and drawing on the maps that many of you sent us! This class……they pull off some fantastic works of art. I said yesterday that I love to see students work on something and take photos of their work to show their friends and family. That spark of pride is such a reward for any teacher. No matter the subject, it is a great moment when a young person is proud of their work in class.

The older students are starting to work on painting the shutters. I am excited to see what they produce. The first steps for this project involve cleaning and repainting the shutters with a solid base coat. I shared some examples but have allowed them to design as they wish. We will see what happens.

Seeing how the students “compete” for the most creative idea is funny. We had a display yesterday evening for our school open house. A student came and said (featuring a huge grin),” I see you have my work on display up there. “I said, Of course, people are raving over it!” The open house had not started yet 😉. He is a senior who came with me from Maginn when I came to NDBG and is honestly like one of my own children. It is hard to believe he will be off to college next year. Students become part of the fabric of the lives of teachers.

Lots of thank you notes this week!

Thank you to our local donors who dropped off winter coats, healthy snacks, and great Halloween things.

Thanks to Rick and Meg, who brought some excellent maps, some things for science, and some art supplies, which they purchased at a local small business. An art shop named Arlene’s in Colonie is nearby.

Thanks to Kathleen for the tablecloth fabrics and more.

Thanks again this week to Karen and Ken. They sent a fantastic box last week, and they special ordered blades for the mat cutter that arrived on Monday. They were so very kind.

I explained the art program at the open house last night, and people were amazed by the kindness of the Army of Good. I am often genuinely amazed at the depth of their empathy and compassion.

I am still seeking donations of everything you feel could be turned into art! Wire, gauze, plaster, shutters, glassware, paint, canvas, printing materials, maps, stamps, sandpaper, wood scraps, and all the other amazing things you can think of would be so helpful. If you are local and have smallish pieces of furniture you would like to see repurposed, we are always looking! The students love to make old things new! Holiday items are also great this time of year!

 

I love hearing from you. My email is Sue_Silverstein@nd-bg.org 

Have a blessed day!

Sue

ND-BG

2600 Albany Street

Schenectady, New York 12304

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Ian McRae
24 October

“The Old Typewriter,” A Poem By Ian McRae

by Jon Katz

Ian came over last night to have dinner with us on his way to the weekly Poetry group meeting. Since he drives right by our house, he usually stops for dinner. It’s always too short, but we love seeing and talking with him.

The poetry group is fond of Ian and encourages and supports him. He would never have considered attending a weekly poetry workshop four years ago.

He rarely misses a meeting and now attends a second poetry group near Schuylerville,  just outside Saratoga Springs.

As usual, he brought us a poem, and we loved it. His use of words is remarkable. He is always welcome at dinner.

 

________

 

By Ian McRae

“The desk ages gracefully when the varnish flakes like

dead skin, the wood underneath

It is new and fresh and pale.

I kept this typewriter around because it has

There is a little latent heat

from the last poem

a little bit of fire, an ember 

That I can blow on, gently at first.

But then beat on abuse, tuck,  and hate, and hate.

And slam and smash

and every time, somehow

this machine, abused and doglike

looks back at me

And says.

You ain’t nothing I can’t take.”

 

 

 

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Color Art
24 October

Flower Art: A Day Of Gratitude. Happy To Be Going To A Georgia O’Keefe Exhibit In Boston On Monday. I Owe Her. And You.

by Jon Katz

There is no quote tonight; it is just me and my flowers. I will see a Georgia O’Keeffe show at the Boston Museum of Fine Art. I owe her a great deal of inspiration. Maria and I will be gone Monday and half of Tuesday.
I look forward to seeing you in the morning.

 

More sun.

Heart and sole.

 

Sun at noon

Sun and light, and a nod to Georgia

 

Baby rose.

So soft and beautiful.

My associate Zip kept me company while I took these photos.

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The Cambridge Food Pantry
24 October

Second Miraculous And Amazing Delivery Today: Thanksgiving Came Early: See What You Did For Hundreds Of Kids, And For People Who Have Nowhere Else To Go.

by Jon Katz

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, the second load in as many days arrived today, ensuring that every pantry member will receive a frozen turkey with gravy, cranberry sauce, and turkey stuffing for Thanksgiving.

We sent 600 items (more than that are still coming) worth more than $2,000. We raised the money in less than three days; many thanks and appreciation for the Army Of Good. I never really doubted it when gulp when I heard about the number of items. I needn’t have worried. Sarah said I had a month to raise the money; I said a week sounded better. I know what this group can do when I like the cause.

Our unofficial motto was “no kid should be afraid of missing Thanksgiving Dinner.” At the Cambridge Pantry, no kid will, thanks to you.

The last two days racked up the most significant order delivery in the Mansion’s history, and another truckload is coming tomorrow, so we are so appreciative and proud. No one can take this away from us. I thank you again and again. Doing good does feel better than almost anything else I do.

I’ve asked Sarah to start brainstorming about our Christmas plans. This is another challenging time for our Pantry members, and I’m eager to see what we can do together to make it a little brighter.


A load from Amazon filled the pantry delivery bin; Scott is unpacking it, sorting it out, and preparing it for storage; we also got a lot of other items the pension needs, and they are going up on the shelves tomorrow.

Sarah bringing some classy style to the pantry. I want to buy one. Scott will be up late tonight. Another load is coming tomorrow. More later. I slept very well last night.

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