23 September

Cathedral Of Love And Family

by Jon Katz
Cathedral Of Love And Family
Cathedral Of Love And Family

Maria and I took Emma and Robin out to lunch, like all New Yorkers, Robin is getting used to eating out, she sleeps or sits quietly, even in noisy and crowded restaurants. Emma seems somewhat transformed by the arrival of her first child, I remember that it does alter one’s life and perspective, sometimes quite dramatically.

In a month or so, she has to return to work, work is a central part of Emma’s life, but she wishes she had more time with the baby. Most women in America get no paid child leave, Emma does get some.

The restaurant we were in had a kind of spiritual and cathedral feel to it, dark inside, colored glass all around.  It seemed to me to be a cathedral of love and family.

We talked so warmly and easily through lunch, my daughter is changing before my eyes.

It was starting to sit there across from my daughter looking so lovingly at her daughter. Life is rich and mysterious.

23 September

Editorial Conference: My Editor. Life Is Good.

by Jon Katz
My Editor
My Editor

I meet with Peter Borland, my editor and the boss of Atria books, my imprint at Simon and Schuster, my publisher. We talked for about two hours, about my new book “Talking To Animals,” about how we could try and sell it, and we talked about my next book, my 30th, ‘Lessons Of Bedlam Farm,” just getting underway.

It means a lot to me to talk to an editor about my book, I love editing and need it, and it always makes my work better. Editors are also business people these days, and marketing is a much a part of the process as writing. Peter urged me to let “Lessons” breathe, to step back and provide mood and detail, he wants it to have a gentle and literary feel. I told him the sub-theme of the book, which is about what animals have taught me on the farm, is that life is good.

A timely message.

Peter had the first proofs of “Talking To Animals,” and I was excited to browse through it on the train home.

One of these days, in a few months, the actual book will arrive. You can pre-order it anytime through my independent bookstore, Battenkill Books.

Battenkill is my local bookstore and a wonderful one, they are deserving of your support.

I will sign and customize an book sold there. The book is selling for $26 and we are working on gifts to send back with the books – we are considering post cards with photos or tote bags. You can pre-order here.

23 September

Street Food: Life In The City. Meet A Family Of Rats.

by Jon Katz
Life In The City
Life In The City

After my meeting with my editor, Maria and I sat on a bench at 6th Avenue and 48th st. and we watched the color and range and vividness of the street stands and street food that line the streets of Manhattan. New Yorkers tell me that the immigrants who have come to the city bring enormous energy and diversity to the city, and there is no better show anywhere that just watching people walk by on the streets of New York.

The food vendors are also compelling, they move with incredible speed and sureness, there are many different things to eat.

Maria took a walk in Central Park by herself and she took a video of a busy family of rats moving around right in front of her. Nature is nature, art is art.

Maria does not discriminate.  She is not like the other children, I am not sure I know anyone else who would be so delighted by a rat encounter.

When we met up, she told me proudly that she had just filmed a rat family in Central Park and it was fascinating. Come and meet a family of rats.

23 September

Grandfather Chronicles: Learning To Smile. What Is Cute?

by Jon Katz
What Does It Mean To Be Cute?
What Does It Mean To Be Cute?

The dictionary definition of “cute,” according to Merriam-Webster, is to have a youthful and pleasing countenance, and I suppose by that standard, my granddaughter is “cute.”

I’m not into the cute grandfather-baby thing, it is a strange way to judge or label an infant. I just don’t think of that when I look at her. I see the intensity of her eyes, she is beginning to lift her head up and take in the world.

I can’t say “cute” matters much to me, or if I really know what is. Smiles do matter.

Maria and I went to New York City today, she had things to see and I met with my editor. Then we went to Brooklyn to take Robin and Emma out to lunch. Both of us were sick this week, so we didn’t hold or touch the baby. I drank a bottle of cough suppressant and felt like a prune.

I can see a distinct change in Robin, she has a distinct smile now, and she turned it on me several times. I much appreciate seeing the connection she and Emma already have with one another. I don’t know if she and I have a connection yet, unless it is simply biological. I did like to be smiled at.

I’m not sure when I will see Robin again. Emma is talking about renting a car and bringing her up to the farm, I think she is eager for Robin to see the animals and breathe some country air. Things are intense there, but settling down a bit, everybody is getting some sleep.

I am happy to be a photographer, it is fun to take these photos. We got up at 4 a.m. to make an early train, and the two hours at my publisher were productive and exhausting. We talked about how to promote “Talking to Animals” and also about how to write “Lessons From Bedlam Farm.’

Strange to be back doing the New York publishing thing, but also nice.  I hope the coughing subsides tonight, if not, I will have to have it checked out. I am the same age as Hillary Clinton, and she reminds me to not bull my way through things.

23 September

Thanks For Sharing Our Lives

by Jon Katz
Thanks For Sharing Our Lives
Thanks For Sharing Our Lives

In a guarded world, we choose to share our lives.

In a fearful world, we choose to live openly.

In a cautious world, we seek authenticity.

In a polarized world, we seek to connect, to heal

and inspire. And be inspired.

In a sometimes disconnected world, we live in nature,

connected to the world of animals, to the trees

and mist and flowers and woods.

Our journey is to do good, to be fulfilled,

and answer the call of the creative spark.

To heal ourselves, and stand in our own truth.

We are not afraid to make sparks,

and be disagreed with,

the world does not screech to a halt

if people have different ideas.

Every day, we are thanked for sharing our lives

Every day, we are grateful to you for sharing our lives.

We believe that people are good, again and again,

whenever given the chance.

We believe life is precious, and we strive to never

waste a single day.

We believe that love is the point.

So thanks to you,

for making so much of this,

possible.

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