Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

Zip
16 January

Zip And The Hens Blow Off The Cold

by Jon Katz

A severe cold wave is coming; I’m always surprised to see how adaptable our animals are. They are all given shelter and safety, but they never seem to mind as much as we do. Every morning, Zip appears at the door to work with me, but when it’s this cold, I can’t work outside.

He seems annoyed but doesn’t wait long.

After waiting five or ten minutes, he heads off to various hunting grounds. He’s doing well picking up some moles but doesn’t eat them; he leaves them on the porch.

The hens emerged from their roost yesterday and today and have found a new place to hang out, cold or not. They sit right below the board feeder at the side of the house and wait all day for seeds to fall or spill.

 


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The Cambridge Food Pantry
16 January

Healthy Day At The Pantry: Seeking Two Of The Healthiest Foods: Canned Potatoes And Green Peas

by Jon Katz

How it works: Food pantries and people who need food support cannot choose the food they receive from pantry banks (funded by the state or federal government). They can ask but usually have to take what they are given.

Sarah and I are conducting an experiment to determine whether she can find inexpensive, healthy foods and whether we can send some to her. Research below: (I love research.)

Today, two items requested by Sarah, Canned Potatoes, Green Split Peas.

This dramatically upgrades the food on the shelves and the food the families get to eat. Without us, they can rarely, if ever, get the best quality food, even though their food is always healthy.

The pantry never offers unhealthy food but can’t buy two first-rate family foods like green split peas and canned potatoes. When we can, we try to fill the gap.

Your support has made an enormous difference.

Del Monte Fresh Cut Diced Canned Potatoes, 12 Pack, 14.5 Oz Can, $19.08.

Gefen Green Split Peas, 16 Oz (3 Pack), Great in Salads, Soups, and Stews/Certified Kosher., $12.99.

My Research:

Green split peas are healthy because they are a good source of plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals. They can help prevent chronic diseases and support overall health.

They are a great folate, thiamin, iron, and potassium source. One cup of cooked split peas contains 33% of your recommended daily protein to build bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. 58% of your daily recommended value of dietary fiber to keep you full and help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
You can browse the Cambridge Pantry Amazon Wish List any time by going to any link here or the green link at the bottom of every post in my blog. Everything on the list is urgently needed, but some people have favorites to send.
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Animals
16 January

Wake Up Squad. There Are Worse Ways To Be Forced Out Of Bed.

by Jon Katz

It was cold this morning, and I was in a lazy mood, so I decided to lie in bed a little longer. I didn’t get to lie long. The bedroom door crashed open, and Zinnia, Zip, and Maria came in, demanding to know why I was still in bed. Zinnia is a portable shower machine for licking me, and Bud is more of a cuddler; he goes for the lap. There are worse ways to be awakened.

photo by Maria Wulf

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Beautiful World
16 January

My Strange New Friend, A Starling. I Think We’re Becoming Friends, Of Course

by Jon Katz
From my readers, I have learned that starlings are not nice birds. They steal nests, food, and suet and are known for bullying and intimidating smaller birds (like the finches below). I am getting to know Starlings as I learn to take my photos.
They came from Europe in the 1850s and judging from my e-mail, most bird lovers regret that day.
My Starlings—there are two—work hard to maintain their badboy reputation, but they get along with me. They are unafraid to come inches from me as I sit by the living room window with my camera.
This morning, I noticed that my small finches are not always quiet. They kept the Starlings from the bird seeds (above) and let them eat the suet. This is a fascinating new world for me, and I love it. It has also challenged my photography in the news as I search for the lenses and settings to capture them. None of them will sit still too long for a photo (except the fearless Starlings).
My camera likes the Starlings. They move slowly and seem to love a drama.
(Research: A starling is a black bird-sized bird with a short tail, triangular winds, and a long pointed beak.  They are known for being noisy, social, and excellent mimics.  They are even better known for being thieves and bullies.)
In the right light, Starlings can be beautiful. The camera likes them, which means I will come to like them, as a lifelong bad boy.
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Flower Art
15 January

Flower Art, The Angels Of Spiritual Reflection. I Often Failed The People Who Expected More Of Me. I Can Only Seem To Help Those Who Expected Nothing From Me. Life Is A Mystery.

by Jon Katz

This is the period of spiritual reflection, our last chance for spiritual renewal. Some aging people seek vengeance and power; some – me, for one – ask myself what kind of person I have become in this life. Do I like that person? Do I want to change? Can I leave the scars and regrets and choose to leave some good behind instead? It’s time for me to go down into the deepest parts of myself and come to peace, not with my antagonists and critics, but more importantly, with myself. This is the period of life when I can, if I choose, look into my own heart and soul for the answer to my problems and the sting of my mistakes. This is the time to bring me into the light. It’s a time of life to become a fuller human finally rather than look outside for the answers to my troubles and failings. This is a humbling time; I see that I spent much of my life procuring my innocence while my heart and soul sang a different song. How guilty was I

The flowers hold the key to my spiritual reflection. I hope to see you in the morning. I have nothing on my calendar except my therapist. I love my monthly hour with her.

I’ve been talking to my therapist for nearly 20 years; boy, does she know me well. I can get away with nothing, so I no longer try; I have learned a lot about myself, some of it good. I guess I am a hot mess.

They helped, in my case, save my life. Peggie says I did what I had to do to survive. It’s as simple and complex as that. I Speak to my therapist once a month. This is perfect for someone now my age. I’ve never been more open or less defensive. She has taught me many things, one being that I can no longer hope to undo so many things I still feel responsible for or guilty about.

I couldn’t put back a failed marriage or erase the years of neglect, indifference, or disregard for the people who had the right to expect more from me. I can only support or help people who expect nothing from me. It’s a head twister. I get something every time I speak to my therapist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These Starling birds are the bad boys of the flower world, or so I am told. I relate to them; I was often a bad boy, and nobody liked me.  These push birds are not the least afraid of me as I sit in my chair by the window with my camera on my shoulder. Sometimes, they glance over and spit a bit of suet on the window. I think they are telling me they are not afraid of me, that I can sit there as long as I want, and that they don’t care.

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