31 July

Taking Advice: New Bedlam Farm

by Jon Katz
How to take advice

As some of you know, I have mixed feelings about taking advice. In fact, I hate advice. If you participate in the new digital community, as I do, you get a ton of advice that is good and an equal amount that is patronizing and annoying.  I get annoyed when people tell me that there is a Salvation Army and you can recycle  things. Or that donkeys can wear fly masks in the summer (Lulu and Fanny have eaten about a dozen of them), or that foxes will eat chickens if they get the chance. Or that dogs should be trained.  I get annoyed when I get advice I don’t seek, or when I get advice that presumes I am stupid. After eight years on Bedlam Farm, I could give plenty of advice about farming and animals, but I think it’s obnoxious to give unsought advice. After all, fools won’t take advice and smart people don’t need it. This is an old issue because when I was a kid just about everyone in my life told me I was stupid. My grandmother was the first person to suggest otherwise.

Yesterday, I came to a new understanding about advice. I posted a photo of our new living room and I said I was thinking about painting over the old wallpaper. I was a day or so from getting some paint and going at it.  Some people asked if I wanted advice and I said yes, I did, and I got a flood of great advice. Really useful advice. Not patronizing at all, useful and very helpful. I was warned about paint, heat, old wallpaper and plaster, about curling and blistering, seams and caulking. I read the advice and was not annoyed. I was quickly convinced to get the wallpaper taken off and have a pro do it (Maria, one of the world’s great obsessives,  is obsessed about the kitchen right now and has momentarily ceded the living room to me.) I realize I need advice about this room and I welcome it, and I decided I am going to regularly post photos and updates about the beautiful old living room (I am sanding the ugly old windowsills next, then polishing them and staining them.) And get some feedback.

I want to learn to take constructive advice in a more constructive way. But thoughtfully. Carefully, and with boundaries.  I believe in the Thoreau idea of self-determination. I want to make my own decisions, my own mistakes. I don’t want the entire world pouring advice on me that I do not want or need. I want to learn.

I owe it to Florence and this great room to do it right. And I do  need help. This is the upside of the virtual community, the Internet at its best, a chance to share an experience I can learn from. Maybe others too.

What makes it okay?

I am growing up.

I set boundaries.

I know I am not stupid, just crazy.

I asked for the advice.

I am listening.

Restoring an old farmhouse living room is not something I know about, but I want to know about it.

So I’m happy to do it together with any of you who wish to join in. One woman (and two men) suggested we take the curtains down and leave them down.

They are gone. Stay tuned.

31 July

First Two Books: New Bedlam Farm

by Jon Katz
First Two Books

I bought a vase by a local artist, Chung-Ah Park to bring to our new home. I brought two books, “One Hundred Years Of Solitude,” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and “Enos” by my friend George Forss, a meditation on alien life, science and philosophy. Two geniuses, side by side. Seems right. Both men dabble in the mystical, both believe in spirits, both teach us that the people we often think to be mad are the only sane people around.

31 July

My girl and her pony

by Jon Katz
My girl and her pony

Maria spends some time with Rocky every day, in his stall when it is hot. Rocky is in the stall much of the day now, especially in mid-day. He escapes the flies there and the punishing sun as well. He is calmer, easier, more affectionate. He is clever, amazingly aware of movement and sound. Maria brings him grain each day, or I do, and she loves to stand and watch him, talk to him. We are hoping to move to the new farm before winter.

31 July

Monday. “The Story Of Rose.” Battenkill Books.

by Jon Katz
“The Story Of Rose”

At 6 p.m. next Monday, Connie Brooks of Battenkill Books, me, Maria, Red and Lenore will be at  Battenkill Books, Main St. Cambridge (518 854-9094) to talk about “The Story Of Rose: A Man And His Dog,” my first e-book original. The book’s publication date is Monday. You can order the e-book through Connie on the Battenkill site. It is also available at Amazon, Bn.Com, Ibooks, on Kindle’s and Ipads, most computers and smartphones (the regular edition is $2.99, the enhanced edition with videos, including some footage from Rose’s last day, is $3.99). Other purchasing options are here.

Connie will also have my paper books available for purchase and signing. We are planning for a discussion between an author and an independent bookstore on the impact of e-books and digital publishing on bookstores, writing, publishing and reading. Audience questions will be welcomed. Please don’t bring dogs.

This is something I have wanted to do for years, and I believe “The Story Of Rose” is one of the most creative risks I have ever taken. Can’t wait to see how it turns out. I’m also eager to talk about it. Many of my readers have expressed disappointment at their not being given an option to buy a paper version of this book, but there are many good reasons for that, I think. I’ll talk about them on Monday. I will also be talking about “Dancing Dogs,” my first short story collection, out on September 25. Connie is taking pre-orders for “Dancing Dogs” and my next children’s book, out in September.

I’m excited to mark the publication of this book in a bookstore, my favorite bookstore. I would encourage all of you to support this independent bookstore or your own. In fact, Monday’s conversation could only take place in an independent bookstore.

Email SignupFree Email Signup