The longest storm is ending; the sun is peeking through. I thought I’d celebrate with a morning flower.
6 April
Morning Flower, Bedlam Farm Journal April 6, 2024
by Jon Katz
Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz
6 April
Back Door Faceoff
by Jon Katz
Bud and Zip have never come nose to nose with one another; Bud isn’t allowed to run freely outside, as he likes to chase and kill things, including chickens. Fate is grumpy around cats; she doesn’t hurt them but likes to try to herd them, which doesn’t work out.
Yesterday morning, they all came nose to nose at feeding time. Zip was awaiting his morning food; Fate was ready to go out, and Bud was staring at Zip, who stared right back. It was a standoff. When we came to the door, Zip headed for the barn and his meal; Fate came out to be with the sheep, and Bud stayed in the house, staring. One day, these two (Zip and Bud( will meet. Bud will get a nose swiped.
So far, Zip is afraid of nothing I can see except the sound of tractor-trailers roaring down the road. He stays away from them, as smart barn cats tend to do.
Photo by Maria Wulf
5 April
Soul Of A Flower Art, April 5, 2024. Sun Peeping Through, Snow Tonight, The Earth Growled A Bit Up Here, A Great Day For The Blog
by Jon Katz
I was in the kitchen when I felt the ground rumble and heard a strange growing sound. You all know about the earthquake, but there was no damage here; a lot of surprise. I did look out the window and saw the donkeys look around, rattled, but it was gone in a second.
I was shocked when my daughter texted me to say they felt it in Brooklyn. Anyway, here’s the flower art show for tonight. Mother Earth keeps trying to wake us up. Below is today’s flower art and experimentation.
This was an excellent day for the blog. The spirit was strong as more boxes streamed into the Cambridge Food Pantry. We have had enough meanness and hatred. We want something more. The pantry has given us a chance to have more. Thanks.
I’m negotiating for another lens, trading and pleading to get an unusual old lens that will give me another surprisingly inexpensive feature in my photography. I’m having fun wheeling and dealing. Stay tuned. I’m learning that lenses can last a long time, especially when the alternative is paying Leica’s prices. Sigma lenses have saved me, especially the older ones. B&H Photo is helping me, and I’m grateful.
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Sue Lamberti of the Cambridge Flower Shop bought a lot of flowers for Easter, and a few are left and can’t be sold. When I went in looking for some fresh flowers to photograph, she generously gave me these tulips that were too old to sell.
I’ve been sniffing around like a dog at the dump.
The flowers she gave me are pretty young to be photographed. Sue has a sharp idea for flowers that make good photographs, and I am grateful for her suggestions and support.
They have gotten me off to a good start, especially before I have my flowers in May or June.
I told her she’d be seeing me all summer, and I appreciated her instincts and friendship.
5 April
Sarah’s Choice For Saturday: Italian Dressing For $2.58 Deodorant For $19.89. Boxes And Boxes Came Today
by Jon Katz
Sarah’s choice for the day’s food needs is the cheapest yet: Kraft Tuscan House Italian Salad Dressing, 16.0z, $2.58.
The second item on the list (it needs no explanation) is Art and Hammer Ultra Max Fresh Scent Persperant Spray Deodorant, 26 ox., pack of six. $19.89
You can see the Wish List here to purchase a different item or browse the list.
I wondered how the Easter holiday would affect our building momentum, but I needn’t have worried.
Sarah said this was the second delivery; the first was much larger, or as Sarah put it, “they sent a lot of stuff.”
I understand there will be ebbs and flows, but this is one of the least expensive and most convenient ways to help people I know. I have never been prouder to be a member of the Army Of Good, and the spirits will thank you all.
I’ll buy four bottles of dressing tonight. People are sick of Mean and want something gentler, kinder, and more compassionate.
People might like to see the shelves where the customers, as Sarah calls them, come to pick out the foods and supplies that they want. By Saturday, everything on this shelf will be gone. The Army of Goods is not the only supplier; supermarkets, farmers, individual donors, and volunteers have kept the food pantry going for years.
But we are filling some significant holes; we are making a difference. I can feel the need and the love; it’s pretty beautiful. It’s very powerful.
If you are sending food from someplace other than Amazon, the correct address is Sarah Harrington, Cambridge Food Pantry, 24 E. Main Street, Cambridge, New York, 12816.
5 April
A Great Day In Meditation Class At The Mansion. Susan Meditated For The First Time. It Took Her More Than A Year. So Did Ellen
by Jon Katz
My most significant achievement in two years of Mansion Meditation Class happened today. Susan Meditated.
When the class started, Susan, a newcomer to the Mansion, said she wanted to attend my meditation class but didn’t want to meditate. She hated sitting still, she said, and she hated silence. She said she was afraid to look too deep inside herself and didn’t know the point of it. She never wavered or suggested she would join in.
In my classes, I read (Maria came and read some poems today), and then we meditated for between 6 and 10 minutes. Halfway through, I opened my eyes to see how everyone was doing. At first, the residents would be drawing, sleeping, or looking restless and uncomfortable.
Still, they always came. Week by week, one after the other, would close their eyes and, in silence, look into their souls.
Susan didn’t like it, but she always came. Usually, she would draw while we meditated.
“I guess I’ve changed a little,” she said, smiling shyly.
Today, I opened my eyes and was shocked to see Susan with her eyes closed, deep in silent meditation. I asked if I could take her picture, and she nodded yes. I was thrilled. They were listening, and as I looked across the room, everyone in the class except Jane from Memory Car had their heads down and their eyes closed. I congratulated Susan, and she looked pleased. She said she liked it. I wanted to cry.
They were listening and meditating, which meant a lot to them. Susan’s closed eyes and deep thought made it all worthwhile. I’m too close to it to know if it is helping them; today, I saw clearly that it is. That feels beautiful. Maria came with me today, she had some beautiful poems to read. Zinnia kissed everyone.
As always, we talked about real life; this is as important to me as it is to them. We talked about the value of silence. We talked about how to be civil to people we don’t like. We talked about what spirituality means to them.
Sharon, the poet and one of my favorite residents, told me she was leaving the Mansion. She now needs more medical care than the Mansion can provide. That was a sad moment for me, and I know it for her. Sharon is a published poet who has been writing and publishing poems all her life. I will miss her greatly. Maria gave her a book of poems from Rumi, whose poems she was reading. Above, Claudia showed me her drawing.
Rachel was enthusiastic about meditating from the beginning. She says it calms and grounds here.
Jane lives in Memory Care and continues to draw during our meditation work. She comes every week and says it is always important to her.
Claudia loves to listen to Maria’s poetry reading. She has always attended a meditation class and meditates every morning before breakfast.
Ellen lives in Memory Care and has always attended a meditation class. Most of the time, she draws. Today, she meditated. It was a great day in Meditation Class.
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Some of you have asked me what’s going on with the Mansion. The truth is, I have no idea. Last year, a New York company that runs nine or ten elder facilities purchased the mansion. I’ve never seen or heard from the new owners, and they have yet to take any steps to change the Mansion, which is struggling to hire aides and staffers. I don’t know anyone from the new owner’s company who has spoken with anyone at the Mansion beyond a staff meeting held months ago.
The new owners told the staff everything would stay the same for at least a year.
I love my class and work and will continue to help get the residents clothes, blankets, books, and any other assistance I can. I am buying a lot of art supplies at the moment. Eventually, the new owners will show up and explain their plans.
The mansion work is critical to me; I’ve volunteered there for ten years. Although many people have left, I’m still hanging out there.
Donations are welcome. From Paypal, [email protected], from Venmo, Jon Katz@Jon Katz-13, or by mail Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.
In March, I spent $800 to purchase art supplies, sneakers, blankets, and books, and $1,000 for new tablecloths on each of the Mansion’s 12 dining room tables. I also do regular therapy visits with Zinnia, and there is no cost to that. Thanks to your support, it is necessary.