16 November

Rethinking bedlamfarm.com (Second Draft)

by Jon Katz
Re-thinking bedlamfarm.com Second Draft

 

The designers at Mannix came right back today with a wonderful second draft for the website re-design. I have some minor suggestions – eliminating a box or two, rounding the box corners, perhaps eliminating all the clutter on the right – but basically, I think it’s just wonderful, and I love it.

I have gotten a ton of feedback, ranging from joyous acceptance to suggestions and comments to angry demands for this or that (people who know me know that the best way to get me to do something is to demand that I not do it. I told the angry messengers to take their refund, and so long and may they find a blog they love).  Many of the comments – most, by far – were positive,  useful and helpful, and I am grateful for them. Mostly I am grateful to Chris and Brendan and Toby at Mannix Marketing for the wonderful job they have done at being so creative,  listening to me and challenging me as well.

The Second Draft eliminates the cursive “All Things Jon Katz” and makes the main photo much larger. Clears out the graphic background and selects one of the best colors – white. I have to admit I have been influenced by Steve Job’s mostly European notions of simple and clean design, which I have always loved  -less is more – and that is reflected here. A number of people pleaded for the Izzy-based graphic to stay, but I am clear on it’s going: doesn’t fit the current site, way too many changes since then. And it’s too cute.

At heart, I am passionately committed to thoughtful change. It is, for me, the essence of creativity. Moving forward. I think this design keeps the heart of the old site – The Farm Journal – unchanged, and yet reflects the new environment in which my work life, and media and creativity exist – writing, photo, video, social media. Media is dynamic, and I want the new site to reflect that.  All elements together, visible and accessible. One or two people argued that it looks too commercial, but I disagree. I would challenge anyone to find a commercial site this clean and content-driven. There is nothing for sale on the page.  The site also reflects what is now one of the core elements of my work, the daily photo, which will often be dogs, often something else.  And my writing, which is sometimes secondary to the images on the blog, I am coming to understand. It also reflects the rising importance of the videos, moving images, heading past 300,00 You Tube views in just six months. So this is my life, and the blog reflects my life. Wonderful experience collaborating with you all on it, and if there is a Third Draft, I’ll share it. Otherwise, look for the new bedlamfarm.com to pop up any day.

I’m thrilled with the re-design and hope to get it up shortly.  See what you think. Second Draft is right here.

16 November

Ticks. Ready To Walk?

by Jon Katz
Ticks. Ready to walk?

 

Every morning, I go to the fence and I say, “Ready to walk?” and my four lovely dogs gather by the gate, lie down and wait for me to say, “c’mon.” Then they rush ahead and we head out into the woods. It’s a bit of a tough decision these days, the unusually warm weather (do I really live in a country where most people do not believe in climate change?) has unleashed hordes of ticks. We pick about a dozen off of each dog each day. Few treatments – collars, home remedies – are effective, I find, but we’ve decided to talk our walks every day anyway. The crew seems to approve. Wouldn’t mind a sharp frost.

16 November

Izzy’s Gift. Maria’s Gift

by Jon Katz
Izzy's Gift, Maria's Gift

 

I have this unofficial rule, I don’t generally take photos inside the farmhouse, but sometimes, an image captures a moment, and I can’t really resist. Maria is a private person, poor thing, but also an artist, and she understands this compulsion to share images of light and beauty and meaning.  Izzy has a remarkable gift of connection, even for a dog, and so does Maria. All of the animals here love her dearly, and she is a loving and thoughtful advocate for them and has opened me up to the love I feel for them, and my connection with them. As she was reading, Izzy came over and you could almost feel the connection passing between them. I am grateful for these two remarkable creatures in our lives. Izzy and I are doing some unofficial hospice work, seeing an elderly woman down the road who is at the edge of life and who loves him. He will help her cross to the other side.

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