Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

4 August

Beautiful Day Bedlam Farm, Storms, Sun, Rain, Some Wing. It Never Stops Being Beautiful. Baby Barn Swallows, Etc.

by Jon Katz

Barn swallows babies are in the barn. The barn swallow mothers and fathers are tough. Zip is afraid to go near the new babies. If he does, he is sky-bombed by an army of barn swallows. They stick together and put up with no nonsense from cats.

Ed Gulley’s Tin Man has found his bliss in the garden bed, surrounded by a riot of beautiful flowers. The vibrant colors and delicate petals create a serene environment, a perfect home for Tin Man. Ed would indeed be proud of this picturesque scene.

Hot in the barn.

Asher in the shade.

Maria’s Yes or No Dress is older than our marriage. It stands outside the studio door as a monument to independence. I’m so glad she finally said yes.

My garden bed when the sun came out.

4 August

Chronicles Of A Cat: Zips Day, My Assistant And Buddy Returns In Cooler Weather, I Was Happy To See Him.

by Jon Katz

The awful heat wave eased a bit, and Zip, my photographic assistant, showed up to keep me company while I worked. He did his usual charming twist to get a scratch, but I wasn’t having it.  I’m too busy today.

He pouted a bit, and then I told him to get lost, and he did. As usual, he showed up everywhere.

He did hop up onto the table and watched me while I worked.

This is Zip’s charming technique. He is sometimes irresistible, and he knows it.

Zip scratching his claws on Maria’s hay binding sculpture.

 

Peering out of our wood pile, his headquarters is in the pasture. He is safe, nearly invisible, and can see everything.

I was glad to have him back.

4 August

Only Two Of Maria’s Beautiful Vintage Summer Scarves Left. Green And Orange Summer, And The 1959 Iconic Calendar Scarf

by Jon Katz

Just a heads up, just two of Maria’s vintage and quite beautiful summer scares remain and are up for sale on her Etsy Page. They cost $65.00 plus shipping. The first, above, is the iconic and touching 1959 Calendar scarf, made out of vintage and dated 1959 hankies.

The second scarf below is also made from some beautiful and heartwarming hankies from that time. Seeing the wonderful work those women did lifts the soul; this is Maria’s way of honoring them. Artists had to find a way to do their art.

Both are for sale on Maria’s Etsy Page, the last one of 10 or 12 she made last week.

These scarves are not only special but also evocative, unique, and deeply relatable to the mothers, grandmothers, and friends of the past—to memories that ought not to be lost.

They are a creative tribute to the artists who came before us, many of whom were limited to sewing by a suffocating culture. This is a unique history. You can see them and buy them on Maria’s Etsy Page.

If you aren’t comfortable buying things online, you can e-mail Maria at [email protected]

 

4 August

Weekend Good, Sunday: Size One Diapers, For The Mothers Of The Pantry Children, $9.94.

by Jon Katz

In a time of angst and division, I have learned a magical and reliable way to stay grounded, optimistic, and at peace: that, as you may have guessed, is to do something good for someone else every day.

Note: we have gotten a bunch of size one diapers enough for the family who asked to have them for several months.

We’re going to leave it on the Wish List until morning and additional contributions will be welcome, but we have enough for now. A new new item will be up in the morning.

Thank you once again.

I feel good and meaningful every day in this way; this blocks out the negativity and anger around me. I do this now thanks to the Cambridge Food Pantry, which permits me and others to do something good for others as often as we want and can afford.

The pantry asks very little of us, in a way; everything they request is inexpensive and modest.

The politicians ask us for a lot more. This is where my extra money goes, and it is well spent.

It keeps me grounded and at ease. Try it, as so many of you are. And thanks for making my dreams come true as well—I get to leave the world in a better position than I found it and help other people in need. We are all in this together.

(You can access the Cambridge Pantry Amazon Wish List anytime, day or night. It is constantly being updated.)

As I wrote last night, the response to the requests for scalloped potatoes and evaporating baby milk came so quickly and in such numbers that Sarah removed them from the Wish List so that other items of need might be donated. You can access the constantly updated Wish List right here or by clicking on the green button at the bottom of every blog post on my blog. Thanks.

Sarah is not one for standing still; she quickly requests help for something else the pantry needs –  Size 1 diapers. Most people who come to the pantry are single mothers desperate to feed their children. One thing many mothers need is diapers. We got some last week but didn’t ask for Size 1. Here is our chance.

This is the only item requested for the weekend; tomorrow, we’ll try to send peanut butter, smooth and crunchy.  Stay tuned. Thanks for your help with the diaper; several mothers have asked if we could send some.

New Need: Huggies Size 1 Diapers, Little Snugglers Newborn Diapers, Size 1 (8-14 lbs, 32 Count, $9.94). These are in high demand, and your quick response can make a significant difference.

 

The green button is at the bottom right of this and every other blog post:

4 August

Message From Deirda. Stop And Feel. Surround Yourself With The Energy You Love…

by Jon Katz

Well, Jon,
While your body paid the price, your physical suffering revealed your raw beauty. Your inflection (is that a word)
causes me to stop and think. Your photographs cause me to stop and feel.
Thank you so much and do surround yourself with that same energy you surround everyone you love with.
Rest and recover.
Deidra”

 

I often discuss the cruel and hurtful messages unthinking people send on social media; I, too, rarely share the beautiful ones, the ones that make me feel good to do the work I do. I am grateful to know there are human beings who understand the meaning of humanity and empathy. In a time of anger, relentless hate, and cruelty, good hearts and good people stand out.

Deirda sent this message after I wrote that, as promised, taking my flower photos outside in the sun did make me sick. I am in quarantine today. I went to the farmer’s market with Maria to buy fish and Cindy’s soap. I got a brush and some shaving soap. No more shaving cream from big companies.

I loved Diedra’s message not only because it was so kind and generous – I did like that very much – but because it reminds me of the danger ignorant and angry people – we call them trolls – can do, and how messages like this are rare and often driven underground. Lots of good people don’t wish to get harmed or frightened. It’s a significant loss; Deirda’s beautiful thoughts and written messages teach us much about what is lost as well as what is gained.

I hope to hear from her often. I don’t know her, but I would like to.

Thanks, Deirda, for such a beautiful affirmation of my work. Small people can’t do that; they love correcting, suspecting, and disliking. You gave me a real life; you are the energy I love and strive to emulate.

(photo from the Williams College Museum.)

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