Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

8 April

Sarah’s Choice Today For The Food Pantry. Healthy Cranberry Juice With Vitamin C. $5.94.

by Jon Katz

Sarah’s choice for today is Cranberry Juice, one of the healthiest drinks for children and their families.  I vaguely remember my grandmother telling me it is one of the most nutritious juices, so I went to Web Md to look it up. She was right. It is also inexpensive.

They said, “Cranberry juice is rich in vitamin C, which helps keep your immune system healthy and functioning correctly. It fights against oxidative stress and helps kill harmful bacteria. Some studies also link low vitamin C intake to poor immune function—infection prevention.”

(The Cambridge Pantry volunteers are heroic. Many have worked at the pantry for years, working hard and often. It is not easy work.)

One of the challenging things about a food pantry like Cambridge is that they can only sometimes offer the healthiest food that parents want, just the food available to them from the Food Pantry Collectdive, supermarkets, farmers, and donors. None of it is dangerous or unhealthy, but juices like Cranberry Juice would be great for children. I like Sarah’s choice.

We can help fill the gap.

Any brand is OK

Details: Happy Belly Juice Cocktail, Cranberry, 64 fl. oz Bottle (Pack of 2) –  $5.9.

If you are purchasing Cranberry Juice or any other food from a source besides Amazon, the correct address is Sarah Harrington, Cambridge Food Pantry, 24 E. Main Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

If you wish to browse the Wish List and donate anything on it, the need is great and continuous. You can see the Amazon Cambridge Pantry Wish List here. Thanks. The list is updated daily.

Monday’s second delivery. The food keeps flowing. Thank you.

 

 

8 April

In Honor Of The Sun Today. Sunrise. I Look Down, Not Up

by Jon Katz

I understand that I’ve always been a bit odd and not in sync with most people, but I feel that today. I am a sun worshipper; the sun is essential to my idea of photography. The eclipse is fascinating, as things are once in a lifetime, and seeing so many people looking up together is nice. If Emma were still a child living with me, I would drive to Maine or Northern Vermont. But I always look straight ahead or down when it comes to the sun. I got this photo this morning at sunrise, just as the sun rose over Bedlam Farm.

I see the photo as celebrating the sun’s meaning in our world. My mood rises and falls with the sun. My best pictures come with the sun beaming at me.

To those of you looking up today, good luck. The sun has finally shown itself here, and I’ll be grateful for that.  Either way, the sun will be watching.

 

 

8 April

Sun On The Ground Day, 5/8/24: Spring Showed Up. Donkeys, Maria, Bud, Zip, Flowers

by Jon Katz

Today, I’m much more interested in seeing the sun on the ground than in space. I’m always happy to be out of sync with almost everyone; it’s my natural default position.

I’ll look forward to seeing the National Geographic photos. Maria will be out in the pasture, watching the animals react and determining whether their shadows on the ground change.

Spring finally showed up, and I was up at sunrise, welcoming it and taking my photos.

When the eclipse occurs, I’ll be in a dermatologist’s office, making sure my body is free of potential skin cancers.

I don’t have any so far.

The sun was gorgeous, and the farm just lit up. I got out quickly.

I hope you are also enjoying your Sun. The Internet is quiet, with millions on the roads. If it takes the sun to bring us together, so be it. We’ll take it.

The eclipse proves at least one thing: it’s possible for us to come together. I was beginning to wonder.

The sun catches our breath

Spreading the manure

Zip has his nose in everything, even the sun.

The sun is the flower photographer’s best friend.  Nothing brings out the color more than the sun.

 

7 April

Flower Art. Re-Imagining The Flower: Another Weekend, Another Monday. Today Was Beautiful

by Jon Katz

I’m reimagining flowers, looking for different ways to capture their beauty and meaning. I’m learning something new every day and am happy to share it with the people who wish to see it.

Today’s flower art photos so far.

There are no captions, titles, correct or incorrect spelling, or notes from the correctors. Just the flowers as I am working and learning to see them. I’m loving every minute of it. It makes me feel free.

Fortunately, I have a supportive partner; some would find me difficult. Maria has seen and talked to me about every photo I’ve ever taken. I do not have words to express my love for her.

To those of you chasing the sun, good luck. I’ll see you in the morning.

 

 

 

 

7 April

Photo Journal, 5/7/2024: Images Of Animal Love. They Teach Us Mercy And Compassion

by Jon Katz

Millions of people are heading to different places to see the mystical eclipse; I wish them well. When the eclipse comes,  I’ll be in a doctor’s office in Saratoga Springs getting a routine check-up.

I admit I have no real interest in the eclipse; I’ve read about it on National Geographic, and their photographers are lovely. I wish everyone luck in seeing it.

Maria will be out watching the shadows of animals when the eclipse comes.

Today was a day about sunshine and love. I thought a lot about the purity and innocence of animal love as opposed to human love.

I can’t say I prefer animals to people—I don’t—but I love them completely, with no conditions or complaints. Animal love is just simpler than human love, but no less for that. I took some photos of animal love today and want to share them with you.

There are no words to capture this, only feelings truly.

They are meant to show how much we love them.

First, above, I got a cat brush and have been brushing Zip.

His coat needed a brushing, and he hesitated momentarily, looked up at me, and decided to trust me. I haven’t hurt or frightened him so far; I loved caring for him this way. Maria took this picture.

He purrs all through it.

St. Aquinas was the first great Christian philosopher to write that treating animals with compassion and mercy is necessary because that might teach us people to be merciful to one another.

That has only sometimes worked with people, but it triggered the love of animals we see today. I have learned a lot in my love of animals, especially about how I could love and show mercy for people.

Zinnia is pure, sweet, and loving. She is always by my side and in my heart.

Fate worships Maria in the way border collies worship people who bring them to sheep. Even though Fate sees her role differently than other border collies I’ve had, I love her dearly; she is a remarkable creature and has been a wonderful dog for Maria. Their love for one another is pure and total. Fate is a one-of-a-kind dog, and she is loved for it.

Zip makes me laugh and has opened a deep vein in my heart. He is teaching me about trust and love. I’m grateful for his presence in my life.

Bud is not like any other dog I’ve had.

He is the first small dog, bursting with courage, affection, and determination. He came to us from a dog Hell and has found peace and love and given it as well. Another kind of dog and animal love.

He feels sadness but also much joy, peace, and love. We love one another. Getting him to trust me took almost three years.

I can no longer imagine taking a nap without Zinnia at my feet and  Bud in my lap.

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