Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

9 May

Zip Today: Early Meeting, Early Photos

by Jon Katz

I was leaning back in my chair to try to photograph a bird in the apple tree; Maria must have taken this picture. Zip (Zud) climbed onto the chair’s arm and crawled onto my shoulder as I leaned back.

Zip can be incredibly affectionate as well as murderous.

As I went out to do some chores, I saw him drinking from the birdbath, which no birds use, probably because of him. He has two fresh water bowls to drink from, he chooses the animal tank or the bird bath.

We had our meeting early today because I have some meetings I have to go to this afternoon..

9 May

67 Back Packs For Children: Sarah’s Pick For Today: Canned Smoke Ham, Jasmine 90 Second Rice

by Jon Katz

Back Packing – 67 bags –  at the Cambridge Food Pantry this morning: Sarah has chosen two foods that the guests coming to the pantry have asked for:

The first request: Hormel Canned Ham, Smoked, 5 Ounce (Pack of 12), $22.95. This choice is particularly significant as it provides a much-needed source of protein for our guests and is a fast and healthy meal for working parents (some have three jobs but can’t keep up.).

The Second: Ben’s Original Ready Rice Jasmine Rice, Easy Dinner Side, 8.5 Oz. Pouch (Pack of 6).

This is the first time the pantry has sought either of these foods; they are often requested.

Sarah treats her guests respectfully, always asks them what they want to eat, and tries to get it.

This personalized approach is what sets this program apart.

Everything we send is wanted and requested; we don’t have to wonder. Most pantries don’t have the resources to try and do that; it’s take it or leave it; they have no choice. Your support allows us to continue this unique and impactful service.

(Above photo: We purchased two large bins for the pantry. The one above is for donations that come in locally and packages that come in from the outside. The one on the side of the building is for pig farmers who can use produce too old to be served.)

You can browse the entire pantry Wish List here. FYI, prego pasta sauce is also in great demand and is hard to keep in stock. It’s also on the Wish List. Your support is appreciated and life-changing.

We start at 9:30 and work until about 11 a.m. Joan (above, with white hair) makes up the list, which details how many children, high school or lower school (high school kids get extra), and their ID number. It goes to the school tomorrow, and the parents pick it up.

The other students never knew who was getting the food. Privacy is a big deal at the pantry and is rigidly enforced.

This is the children’s shelf, where the Army of Good food is stacked and ready for the backpacks. We did a great job on soup, peanut butter, dishwashing liquid, and other things. Thank you.

 

The pantry work continues occasionally, if at all. Sarah, with the help of her volunteers, keeps it all together.

We did 67 bags, special ones for sugar issues and gluten.

9 May

Life Update, Personal: Grazing Is One Of Those Grounding Things. Working Through Side Effects, Loving The Farm, Time Off From Therapy

by Jon Katz

In the morning, I love to look outside and see the sheep and donkeys grazing; there is something iconic and peaceful about it in a world sometimes drowning in information nobody likes to hear, or I don’t want to hear. Somebody must enjoy it, or there wouldn’t be much of it.

I’m feeling off today; I started taking the now-famous Ozempic, which was created for diabetics but was taken over by Weight Watchers. It took me a while to get, and I was warned of side effects, especially for the first month. The warnings were correct, at least for once.

I’m sticking with this medicine; it is proven to be very good for diabetics, and my doctor said I should ride out the side effects; they usually receded after a couple of weeks. I have to suck it up; it won’t kill me, and it may just make me healthier.  There are always risks and costs (and often rewards) for change.

I’m taking my doctor’s advice and staying with it. I’ve been there before and can feel my body adjusting to it.

I went to the food pantry this morning and was dizzy and uncomfortable, but I took photos and wrapped my packages with Maria.  I love doing that work. I’m into wildflower photos today. Maria has been bringing some back from her walk in the woods, and I love the pictures I get from them.

I went to the Dollar Store and bought some sleep apnea mask cleaning wipes for two dollars. I’ve been spending five times that much on Amazon. I also bought cat food for my Amish neighbors; they have a kitten. I let them pay me back for the cat food, but I don’t take money for the food for Tina, one of my favorite dogs in the world. I buy my tissues there now for $1 per box. They are perfect tissues.

I’ve given up on cannabis and am taking Melatonin tablets at night; they are helping me get to sleep and stay there for a while. They are a lot cheaper than cannabis. I’m doing well at figuring out what I need and what I don’t wish to spend.

I’m going slow today; it is a great lift to help stuff packages with food that comes in part from the Army of Good. It gives me perspective.

Today is another critical day; I am taking some time off from my therapy for a few months, and I’m doing very well and feeling almost no anxiety. I want to see if I can do that by myself and if it’s for real. I think so. My life seems to be changing constantly, and I hope I never stop, but I would like to stay still and breathe and soak it all in.

I’ve depended on an excellent therapist for years; it’s time to stand on my own, use what I’ve learned, and see how I deal with it. It’s a big step for me in a considerable time. That’s a massive change for me. Just as Maria did, Peggie saved my life.

The last couple of months have been a turning point for me. I’ve finally come to terms with how to deal with the growing social media hostility, which liberated me from anger; I’m not a fighter anymore.

I’m learning how to handle all the bad news. I have felt no panic for some time, and I greatly appreciate my life with Maria. It is divine to love someone and be loved back. Some days, I feel like I’m living a Taylor Twist song.

And I have no words for my love of photography, excitement over the pictures I take, and my response to them. What a gift for me at this point in my life.

My foot is good, my heart is firm, my Dyslexia is in hand (I got some new editing software created for Dyslexia; it helps and is an asshole killer), and I find my work at the pantry care especially meaningful. The Army Of Good is a miracle.

I don’t waste much time anymore worrying about my life; I like just living it. It’s always possible to change.

Thanks once more for your support and encouragement. It has meant a lot to me.

8 May

Flower Art, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Experimentation And Imagination. See You Tomorrow.

by Jon Katz

I love ending the long day with some flower art and learning how much these photos mean to people. That was the idea, and it’s working and just getting underway. Maria is in her belly dancing class, which she dearly loves. I’m in my study with a fan blowing on my back. I got up at 3 a.m. this morning, my head spinning and spinning.

I’ll head out into the living room and listen to some music. I’m waiting for Maria to get home so I can make some dinner for her. Otherwise, she would need to remember to eat.

I look forward to seeing you in the morning. There may be more rain, but maybe more sun. Belly dancing helped her discover who she really was.

A soul trip into a flower.

 

Tulip rising

The community of flowers.

 

Soul Search, a Golden Tulip

Emotions. A Reverie

8 May

Potpourri, Dusk, Bedlam Farm. Beauty All Around Me

by Jon Katz

On the way into the farmhouse this afternoon, I passed by three beautiful images. I had been looking for a bird to photograph for an hour. I heard a song above and saw a beautiful bird in the trees. My wildlife lens worked for me.

I was sitting in the apple tree, looking up, and saw a beautiful blossom that was absent yesterday.

 

Maria brought me these beautiful wildflowers from the woods. She knows how much I love wildflowers, and tomorrow, I’ll use my macro lens on them. They look beautiful. It was a very nice walk back to the farmhouse, and I’m glad to share it with you.

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