14 March

Health Care: My Lunch

by Jon Katz
Health Care: My Lunch

Like many other things in my life, my ideas about health care have changed – radically. I have decided to make a turn, away from a health care system that emphasizes tests, medications and proceedures and towards a more varied and diverse notion of health care. This is not an argument for me, not something I debate with people, nor is it a statement about doctors, technology and medicine. Doctors do a lot of wonderful things, I know, and it isn’t about that, it’s about a choice about how I want to live, age and die.

I am very active on the farm and I walk up a steep hill at least once a day. I am getting regular massage, something that has profoundly altered the way I move and feel. I have given up all medications relating to sleep and am sleeping better. I got a vegetable juicer and am making amazing shakes and juices every day, mixing and experimenting with fruit and vegetables. Above is my lunch today, and I have felt an immediate rise in energy, focus, externally and internally and a general sense of health. I am also meditating two or three times a day, and am seeing a spiritual counselor, one of the healthier things I have ever done.

This is my health care system, not and for the foreseeable future. I will not be tested for illness, unless I feel ill or alarmed by something. I am learning to listen to my own body, and I am liking what I hear. I am not looking for a Fountain of Youth. I understand my body is changing and that, to me, is the way of life and there are somethings I will do to respond to that, and a growing list of things I won’t do. I love my new health care system.

14 March

Getting their reviews: “Meet The Dogs Of Bedlam Farm”

by Jon Katz
Dogs soaking up their reviews

Last week, Sara Frieda of SocialMomentum came to the farm to shoot a video of me reading the dogs some of the lovely and very humbling reviews that have been coming in for my first children’s book, “Meet The Dogs Of Bedlam Farm.” The reviewers love the story, the photos and of course the dogs.

Sara has been helping me understand and effectively use the new world of social media and she sparked my expansion into video. This week I am beginning lessons in video at DaveBiglerProductions in Saratoga Springs and I am taking lessons from a “Master Videographer.” Pretty cool. I hope to be a Master something myself one day.

The book is out at the end of April and is now available for pre-ordering. We picked the stone steps for the shoot. Too much snow everywhere else. The dogs were quite amazing. Each hopped up onto a different step and they listened quite avidly as Sara video’d them listening to me read the reviews. Definitely a new step for me in the marketing of my work, something writers are definitely having to learn about. And I am liking it, I’ve got to say.

We only needed one take. My dogs are media pros, even the wild dog, Frieda.

This was sweet, a lot of fun. Watching Rose, Izzy, Lenore and Frieda hear reviews about their story and their book, it was hard not to believe they grasped something of the moment. I couldn’t stop smiling.  Each paid attention to their names and seemed intent. If you had told me I’d be doing this a couple of years ago, I think I would have just smiled and shook my head. Isn’t life strange and wonderful?

So here goes. Come along and listen with Izzy, Lenore, Frieda and Rose to the first reviews for “Meet The Dogs of Bedlam Farm.” The book is available for pre-ordering.

Email SignupFree Email Signup