24 May

Transition: After The Storms

by Jon Katz
Transition
Transition

It’s time for me to make a transition back to the center. I generally faithfully follow my instincts never to argue my writings or feelings on the Internet, but there were a number of things that came up this week that I felt strongly about, and so I did some arguing, much of it healthy. But on the Web, it can also be a trap, an endless cycle of people telling me what to say, write, think and do. The idea that we can simply each make our own decisions – the Thoreau idea – seems to be vanishing in America. Many people feel they have to argue or push others into doing what they do, there is not a universal notion that we each must find our own way, and that is all right. But sometimes it is necessary, even cleansing, to speak your truth and stand behind it.

There is this idea that if we do something or believe something, everyone else needs to. I don’t care for it but I am going to work to stay grounded and open next week, “Listening To Dogs” is a big step for me, and I am eager to see the book come out. Taking images of peace and light and beauty helps me to be centered.

Next week, “Listening To Dogs” will be published (Tuesday) and I am sure – I hope- there will be intense discussions to it and reactions. My job as a writer is to get people thinking and talking and feeling, that is the goal, the point. But for tonight and tomorrow, back to the center, to my farm, my wife, the dogs, my meditation, my Tai Chi, my reading. We have friends coming for dinner and I’ve made two pizzas – one roasted asparagus and cauliflower, the other spinach on tomato sauce and Ricotta cheese with pumpkin seeds. The muck in the oven caught fire on the first one and the house filled with smoke. We got it cleaned up for the second. Hope the Easy Off didn’t stick to the pizza. Tomorrow Maria and I will be going to the 3Pears Gallery from one to 4 p.m. The new gallery, opening in Pawlet, Vt. is showing and selling Maria’s potholders and pillows, and they are offering six of my photographs for $65, a good deal. It’s neat gallery with an emphasis on art and home decor and the people running it are sharp and have collected 30 of the most interesting artists in the area. Good thing to do on a rainy day. I will be visiting the bookstore as Recommender-In-Chief briefly around 11 a.m.

24 May

A Timeless Ritual

by Jon Katz
Morning Chores
Morning Chores

When the vet came to treat Ma, the sheep all clustered around her. One nibbled on her hair, the others came close and sniffed her. You can always tell loved animals, she said, by the way they react to her. It is true, our sheep have woven themselves into the peaceable kingdom. Maria is closer to them than I am, they always seem with the dog, and they are alert around me, looking for Red. Maria comes and talks to them, sometimes brings them treats, they are at ease with her, and so, every morning, I see this timeless ritual enacted again and again, animals who are well cared for and calm, co-existing with people. This can happen with pets, of course, but on a farm, when we live together, it takes on a special healing and nourishing quality. I am grateful for it.

24 May

Bullfighter Hanky

by Jon Katz
Vintage Hankies
Vintage Hankies

People from all over the country are sending Maria some wonderful vintage handkerchiefs that she is using to make her scarves. It’s quite touching to see the community that has sprung up around the work she does and other people do. This seems something women do that is very powerful, not something men often do. I love seeing them coming in. She has one wonderful handkerchief called “How To Keep Your Man,” and I can’t wait to see what she does with it. This one obviously came from Spain. I wonder what people did with them?

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