Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

12 April

Literary Stylists, Mystery Lovers, Amor Towles Has A Home Run in “Table For Two…”

by Jon Katz

I loved  A Gentleman in Moscow and the Lincoln Highway, two best sellers by literary stylist and mystery writer Amor Towles. I’m happy to report that his new book, Table For Two, is as good or better than either of them.

Towles is a literary writer whose works are also commercially successful, which is no small feat in modern publishing.

The New York Times says Table for Two is really a tale of two cities, New York and Los Angeles, our two cultural capitals on opposite ends of the country. The book is a bold departure from Towles, a socko collection of six short stories and a longer novella, something of a sequel (Rules Of Civility, his first novel), that unfolds during the filming of Gone With The Wind.

The short stories are surprising and enchanting. The novella “Eve in Hollywood” is a knockout. It’s one of the best books of the year, for me, at least so far. Check it out.

Featured photo: it’s pouring outside.

12 April

Where Zip Goes When It Rains: A Peek At Maria’s New “Meditation Tree” Wall Hanging

by Jon Katz

Maria got a photo of Bud in his barn tower where he goes to get out of the rain. He loves snow but doesn’t care for rain. I see that Maria put a pillow on the hay bales so he could be high up and keep his butt and belly dry and cozy. He is pleased up there.

 

Today, I got a peek at Maria’s almost finished “Meditation Tree” Wall Hanging.

It’s one of her most creative and striking creations; it is not done yet and not yet on sale. If anyone is interested in it, they can e-mail her at [email protected]. I love this one.

She says she has more work to do. The circle on the bottom represents an energy field. She gave a blue sky to this one.

It’s not a quilt or a potholder but a hanging piece. I almost hope no one buys it (shame on me) so it can hang on the wall here. That is not likely.

And I know she wants to sell it to someone other than me. She loves it most when her work enters the world to brighten someone else’s life or home.

12 April

Sarah’s Choice For The Food Pantry: Skippy Super Chunk Peanut Butter, Pack Of 12: $30

by Jon Katz

It is almost impossible to keep chunky peanut butter on the shelves at the Cambridge Food Pantry; it flies out almost as quickly as it arrives. I hope we can help.

Today’s idea of need is Skippter Super Chunk Peanut Butter, 16.3 Ounce Pack of 12, $30.

You can see all of the items on the Amazon Cambridge Food Pantry Wish List here. Everything on the list is needed and wanted. And Thanks

St. Terese – “The Little Flower” – used flowers as a calling card for her and her works – small acts – of love and compassion. Her “Little” ways of doing good inspired the Army of Good; I’m happy to continue this ancient tradition.

Support for the pantry is an ancient tradition; I’m proud to be a part of it. It is an act of love and compassion to help the needy and vulnerable get enough food for themselves and their families.

12 April

Flower Art, Friday April 12, 2024

by Jon Katz

In the daytime, I take flower photos. In the late afternoon and early evening, I make Floral art, an experiment with abstract colors and detail and the sense of flowers as part of communities, not as things that stand alone. It’s exciting, and every time I use the camera, I find a new way to take the picture.

I love this work; it has enriched my life. Thanks for supporting it.

This is the end of the day for me; I listen to music, read and meditate, and sometimes catch an excellent British mystery or read a book and sit and talk with Maria. Tonight, my dinner will be Asian dumplings; I’m loving them.

I’ll be around all weekend; we have much ot do around the farm, including the Farmer’s Market on  Sunday. The pantry work continues, and thanks.

 

 

 

 

12 April

Photo Journal: Zinnia At Memory Care, The Love Of A Therapy Dog. Faces Of Joy

by Jon Katz

Fewer events in my life are more pleasurable, meaningful, and significant than my visits with Zinnia to my Meditation Classes and the Mansion’s Memory Care Unit. Zinnia is a pleasure and joy machine; her appearance thrills and delights the people in the unit.

They laugh, brighten up, and remember their dogs and the memories of their lives. I decided to capture the experience in photos and let them speak for themselves when Zinnia comes. They all come out of their rooms to sit with her, touch her, and get some licks. It lifts my heart every time.

Zinnia does a lot of good there; I always leave feeling fulfilled and proud.  She knows exactly what to do and loves doing it. She doesn’t mind the attention either.

We are making the world better than when we found it.

Zinnia is a magnificent, loving, patient, and intuitive therapy dog. I’ve interspersed the photos of her with portraits of the people in Memory Care who love her the most. Thanks for reading and for supporting my work at the Mansion. If you wish, you can donate to the Mansion Fund via Paypal, [email protected], or Venmo, Jon-Katz-13. You can also send a check to Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Jane and I have the most beautiful hugs when we meet. What a sweet person and gifted artist.

Zinnia got a head pat and belly rub at the same time. She was in bliss.

Ellen is one of her biggest fans. She is wild about Zinnia.

Mary is shy, but Zinnia brings her out with love and attention.

Art came down from the Mansion to see Zinnia and get his hand licked.

I tell Zinnia to sit on the couch so the residents can come and see her. She sits there for a half hour before getting restless. We leave when everyone has had a chance to see and touch her. I supply the Mansion and the Memory Care unit with games and art supplies created for the elderly or those with dementia. The donated money goes for any personal needs some residents might have and not have the money to purchase.

Thanks for your support.

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