9 August
Video: Mud Dog: Zinnia, The World’s Sweetest And DIrtiest Dog (A Lab, Of Course)
by Jon Katz
Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz
9 August
Birthday Jon: Guest Column Today By Maria Wulf, August 8
by Jon Katz
It’s a new thing, the way Jon looks at flowers. I like to watch him. I know he’s seeing something I don’t.
We’ll be eating breakfast or dinner, and he gets quiet. He stops eating and is gazing into one of the many bouquets of flowers that are now a regular thing on the already crowded table.
It’s a different look on his face, not the one he has when writing or taking pictures of the animals or a landscape. It’s more inward than looking out. As if he sees something of himself inside of the flowers.
Artists and athletes talk about it as being in the” zone.” I know what it feels like; sometimes I go there when I’m working.
Jon is a linear thinker. Stringing words together to make sense of his life and the world. It’s different with the flowers, more abstract. It’s about evoking emotion through colors, shapes and forms. About creating interior spaces. About looking so far in, what he finds is as vast as the universe.
Today is Jon’s 77th birthday.
We spent the morning at home, with me having a Zoom session with my therapist and then dashing off to Glens Falls for Jon to have his cataracts checked. We were there for four hours, long enough to be able to go to our favorite Thai restaurant when it opens at 4 p.m.
Funny kind of birthday, but the gift is seeing.
In a couple of weeks, Jon will have his first cataract surgery on one eye, then three weeks later on the other. Soon, he’ll be able to see his flowers through the glare of the midday sun. He might even experience the colors differently.
I can’t help but wonder what impact it will have on his photographs. Or perhaps the kind of seeing Jon is doing when he takes pictures comes from another place.
I got a gift of seeing, too. In the form of insight from my therapist.
We’ve had more relaxing birthdays, but the beauty of this one is that it makes it clear that it’s being together that matters more than being in a specific place. The things we did today were things we needed to do that will make our lives better individually and together.
I’m also finding that the more I learn about myself, the more I appreciate Jon. And the longer I share my life with Jon, the more I love him.
- by Maria Wulf, the best thing that ever happened to me.
9 August
News From The Art Room, No. 15, By Sue Silverstein. “I Do Not Rest Well..”(No Kidding)
by Jon Katz
Sue’s column appears on the blog every Friday. We are very fortunate to have her here, and thanks for supporting her program. In a few weeks, we’ll be posting an Amazon Arts Wish List for Sue and her art program. Your donations to her make her work possible. Jon
News from the Art Room 15-Summer Edition 12
Sometimes I go to the local shopping center for quick errands and spend a few hours talking to former students. I tease them sometimes when they are in my classes. I say, someday you will be the soccer parent with the minivan, and I willsmile. Students become family. Most teachers will tell you the same. It has been a strange summer for me, and I have been dealing with some health issues. I do not rest well. Ask my family; I drive them crazy. I like to be invincible. Your letters, emails, and donations have been a shining light this summer. Thank you so much. I am excited to start a new year.
After graduation, I give the kids my contact information. I know that the next two weeks are the time they will use it. The excitement, the joy, the absolute panic begin to set in. Most kids are just a week or two away from the next massive thing. You have supported them in so many ways. You fed them when they were hungry, sent materials to support and challenge their creativity, and sent warm clothing when they were cold. You have supported them, loved them and been a part of their success. I thought that before they go, it would be a fun time to wish them well from all of you. Their great big, loving, and supportive Army of Good family.
There are many who did not know she could. She is one of the most naturally talented kids I have taught. When special paints arrived in a donation box, I would often put some aside for her.
Mia, my all-around creative genius who can create a lovely jellyfish from donated fabric, trims, and cardboard.
Julia, who learned to sew on donated machines and materials. Making her own pajamas was something she did not know would be so amazing.
Kah-reem, turning old and discarded furniture into a wonderful new piece for his room.
Liz and Jordan, who knew they could make a scarecrow with donated clothing, wood, and papier-mâché?
Hser Nay, Killian, Mu Naw, and Jordan. Not only did they not know they could recreate furniture, but they did not know it would be so much fun and end up in the school fundraising event bringing in a nice amount in the silent auction.
Gio found out he could take amazing photos and has his own Instagram now to show them off.
Jasai sold a painting; he is still smiling about it!
They are all off to college soon. Thank you all for the support, generosity and love you have shown them. You all make a difference in the lives of so many kids.
As we get closer to being back in business full time, I am still seeking donations of everything you feel could be turned into art! Wire , gauze, plaster, shutters, glassware, paint, canvas, printing materials, maps, stamps, sandpaper, wood scraps and all the other amazing things you can think of would be so helpful.
An incredibly special Happy Birthday to Jon this week. He is truly our angel, and we love him dearly.
I love hearing from you. My email is [email protected]
Have a blessed day!
Sue
ND-BG
2600 Albany Street
Schenectady, New York 12304
8 August
Flower Arts, Thursday August 8, 2024. Walking In Dream Land: Here Come The Naked Ladies
by Jon Katz
Well, it was an unusual birthday. Maria drove me to an ophthalmologist in Glens Falls, who tested my eyes for four hours. He agreed to perform cataract surgery on my right eye first and my left second in two weeks. I’m relieved.
This is mostly about my photography; my eyes are okay otherwise, and I need to keep them that way.
I’ll be in eye drops, lens changes, and bandages for a couple of weeks, but I should be able to keep writing on the blog and taking pictures for a few weeks. I should be able to do it quickly and how I’ve always done it.
I feel good about it; the light was beginning to blind me and keep me from seeking the color as clearly as I would like.
Dr. Solomon said my eyes were otherwise in good shape, but I was over the blinding line, as he put it. The bright sun was making it complicated.
I’ve got to be proactive with that.
My desire to improve my photography was an excellent reason to have the surgery, which is always complicated for a person with diabetes.
The eye drops almost blinded me—he was pretty thorough. Insurance will mostly cover the surgery, but for an additional $3,000, he would do laser surgery, which would make glasses unnecessary for the rest of my life. It isn’t worth it to me. I’ve worn glasses for most of my life, and no one plans to put me in a beauty contest, so I said no.
Maria took me to a beautiful Thai restaurant, and we had a feast and a blast. This weekend, we’ll get into the swing of the birthday. She gave me a bouquet of freshly bloomed naked ladies today. I fell in love right away—floral eye candy. Since everything is fuzzy or in doubles, I got them, and I dont care to hear about any typos or corrections.
Thanks. There may be none, which is odd. I love the Naked Ladies; they are born to be in the sun. I got the photos early in the morning as the sun came up.
8 August
Birthday Morning, Bedlam Farm. Heading Out.
by Jon Katz
I’m off to see an eye doctor about a cataract surgery. It’s my birthday, and the Mafia is threatening to take me out to lunch or dinner to celebrate my birthday if my dilated eyes can see enough to eat the food. She’s enticing me into the birthday spirit; I was grumpy about it. I’m not sure I want to dwell on being 77, but I accept it and am ready to love along. See you later. Above photo, Maria checking Fannie’s hoof to be sure. Looks good. The last bandage came off.
Zip, the reigning King of the farm.
Kim, staying calm.
Isher and Ashicar are friends, maybe twins. They act like brothers.