Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

I had a ton of work to do today, from working at the food pantry and taking pictures there and then working hard to photograph a new and different arrangement of flowers and light; I call it “Do You Believe Flowers Have A Soul? I do.” I loved the work, but it requires a lot of focus and is sometimes hard to see in a bright sun. I thought it came out well.

I’m putting those photos up next.

The sun was out, and it was a warm day with a soft wind. My photography was all outside today, and I worked on and off a table on the back porch and into the garden bed, where I put flowers in the daytime only to catch the sun. Nights can still be frosty.

Zip comes alongside now, and we work together; I talk to him, stroke him, and he sits alongside me. I’ve always worked alone. Inside, Zinnia is always with me when I work.

When I take a break, he hops into my lap and often scoots off to pursue something he saw, the murderous friend that he is. I took this selfie during the rest period—he takes a nap, and I sleep for five or ten minutes, and so does he.

Then he goes off on his work, and I do mine. I admit I love having him around; we seem to be in sync, and he leaves me alone when I’m working. When I stop, he hops up for some attention.

While I’m busy, he watches me, at one point peering out from the wicker chair.

He loves to nap in the warm sun but stays close. When I move, he moves.

It was a beautiful day, and when the photography was done – I concentrated on it and didn’t want to be distracted – he hopped up on my chair and sat on the arm, keeping me company. His head turned when an Amish cart came into the driveway; Barbara, one of the Miller daughters,  was driving; she was asking me to get some dog food for Tina, their dog, and my friend I love.

We chatted with her for a while; she is sweet and kind, but Zip vanished into the barn when he saw the horse. We had a lovely few hours together. In nice weather, this is becoming a tradition I value.