The Dahlia growing in my garden bed helped frame this photo, which I greatly liked. I am lucky to live in nature and see such beauty evert time I leave the house.
14 May
Landscape, Bedlam Farm, Dahlia’s Assisting
by Jon Katz
Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz
14 May
Bedlam Farm Journal, Morning, Tuesday May 14, 2024. Solar Grazing, Food For Children, Manure Removal, Two Heads Better Than One. Grass Grazing. Just Another Morning.
by Jon Katz
Today, there is no rain and no cold. It is a good day for photos. We are going to Vermont briefly to help a friend who needs her house and dog cared for while she gets some medical tests. We will be back after lunch. I might be playing chess with Ian McRae tonight.
I can’t wait to kick his ass. (That will make him crazy.)
I’ll post about this later, but Sarah Harrington’s food picks for the children of the Cambridge Pantry will be SpaghettiO’s and Children’s shampoo. Both are things the pantry kids need badly.
You can see and donate both of these right here. When we get back, I’ll also post about them. The shampoo costs $22.68 for a pack of 6, and the SpaghettiO dinner costs $11.44 for a pack of 12.
These purchases are for the children of the pantry guests.
Our solar panel was an excellent move. The electricity bill is way down, and the donkeys have a nice place to graze in the shade.
Two heads are better than one—our garden Head in the mirror.
The first Pansie is thriving in my garden bed.
Fate running
14 May
Video: Wild And Beautiful Happenings In Maria’s Studio: New Quilt, New Fiber Painting, New Bird Potholders
by Jon Katz
When Maria is excited about the word she’s doing, she invites me into her studio to see it and help her with a video. This is great fun for both of us – I’m a former TV producer – and Maria is one of those people that the camera loves. She never shows the slightest discomfort being on camera as long as she talks about the art she loves to make. Come and see. We did the video yesterday afternoon, she has some great new stuff to show you.
13 May
Flower Art, A Festival, Orchids, Tulips, Lilacs, Pansies, And The Morning Sun, My Sponsor. Come Along, It’s Free. I’m Appreciating The Simple Joy .
by Jon Katz
I ran amok today, rushing from flower to flower to catch the sun, adjust the focus, and try not to be blinded by the light. I sometimes succeeded and sometimes failed, but I was happy at the end of the day. You are invited to come and see this photo journal on the Souls of Flowers. I’m ahead of myself this year, but that’s where I like to be.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow; I’m done for the day. I’m beginning to understand the wonders of Simple Joy, drowned out by chaos, argument, and what they call the news. I can’t speak for you; it is not news to me.
Tulips in the sun, beginning to open up.
Above, Wildflowers, picked by Maria.
Wildflowers, picked today, above and below.
Above, wildflowers picked this morning.
Soul Of An Orchid
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13 May
People I Like And Respect, Clint Rushinki Is On The List, He Takes Care Of My Car
by Jon Katz
I love my car and wouldn’t trust it to just anyone. I am happy to trust it to Clint Rushinski, who has a garage just a mile or two down the road in front of our farm. He seems like a gentle giant—soft-spoken, honest, and great at emergencies.
When I panic about my car, I call Clint, and he talks me down and explains why I am wrong. I also know of several people he has helped when they are in trouble.
Clint is thorough and meticulously candid and has come to my farm more than once to bail me out of a mess.
He’s also charming to deal with and precisely the kind of person I try very hard to do business with.
I have always admired the small business people who make it work in my small town.
He is also one of those self-motivated people who built his small car repair business into a big one that requires a week or two in advance for an appointment. He cuts no corners and explains what he is doing.
The automotive industry is constantly evolving, and Clint keeps pace with these changes without compromising his integrity. As much as cars change, he remains Clint.
I am genuinely grateful to have him in my life and consider him an invaluable part of my support system. His insistence on explaining the intricacies of my car’s mechanics and the necessity of maintenance items like filters and brakes only further solidifies my trust in him.
If he isn’t busy, we talk about life in our town.
I never know what he is talking about when he explains my car repairs, and I am sure he knows it, but he does this explaining for him as well as me, even though I’m blurring over. He has a soft but sweet smile.
Today, we talked about his beard and why he cut it off. He said it keeps him warm in winter. When I saw him sitting quietly underneath a car, working on it, I had to take a picture. He just smiled.
His business is doing well, but I’m even more confident in his honesty. I love taking photos of good people who work hard, are honest, and succeed.