24 August

Bedlam Farm Journal, Thursday, August 24, 2023; Flowers To Make One Smile, Clouds In The Sky, And A New Humidifier Is Coming. Some Politicians Think Climate Change Is A Hoax: Come To My Roof And My Basement

by Jon Katz

Climate change can be beautiful in the sky but expensive on the ground. Yesterday, I ordered a Vellgoo de-humidifier for $249 to deal with the moisture pooling up in the basement because of all the heavy rains. Maria does the installation; I do the research and ordering.

I’m learning to be a whiz at researching expensive things like solar panels, roofs,  generators,  de-humidifiers, and compost toilets. It’s tough on the bank account but good for the farmhouse and the world. One of the Amazon lessons I’ve learned is never to buy the cheapest or the most expensive. I stay in the middle.

Republican Presidential candidates may think climate change is a hoax; they should check out our new roof and very wet basement. It needs urgent attention.

The answer is almost always in the middle, and the Amazon reviews are much better than they used to be; they can be surprisingly helpful if you read many of them all the way through. The first reviews are almost always shills or people whining about the packaging. Some people just want to help and you can tell which is which after some time.

Our humidifier is supposed to be one of the best for damp basements, a growing problem due to flooding nationwide. The ground is so saturated here that the water in the basement is coming up ot of the land; we have a dirt cellar.

We like to think we can keep up, but the Bible suggests otherwise. God is ticked off. A minister friend tells me God is angry at humans for pulling his beautiful creation, the earth. The Jewish Kabbalah says God will destroy the earth of the people he created won’t take care of it. Hmmmm.

The humidifier comes with a long hose, and we are getting a big bucket for the water so we don’t have to go down and haul water out every six or eight hours. This isn’t something I can do any longer; it would fall on Maria, so we are working on getting a bigger tank. Once the de-humidifier starts, the moisture level will drop, and we won’t have to drain it several times daily.

We’ve covered the basement floors with heavy plastic sheeting to keep the water from coming up. We intend to be mold-free.

I’m on a creative high today, with many ideas and energy. Today, I’m ordering two new tablecloths for the resident’s dining room, one for Fall and one for Halloween. Thanks for your contributions. I’ll get these two now the rest in the Fall. And I had to go out and capture some color. It’s fuel for me now.

I’m on a color trip; my flowers are getting to me and demanding recognition. They tell me they are doing their part by growing; now, I need to do my part by taking excellent photographs. It’s a deal. Come and See, brighten your day.

I’m also beginning daily walks up and down the road to start. It still hurts my leg muscles are stiff from lack of walking, but in my new braces, it’s getting better every day.

The soul of a flower, as close as I can get, and not close enough for me.

I’m in love with this particular flower, the color, the dignity, the drama.

I love donkey/photo photos; they capture the true spirit of Bedlam Farm.

The Tin Man has found a home; he is art himself, a compelling flower and spirit

The Dahlia’s seem to celebrate life.

Chicken Art is a new thing that I like very much. There is a dignity and a sorrow to these creturess.

23 August

A Flower Art Show, Stretching The Boundaries: “Getting Closer…” Free Admission. Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

by Jon Katz

I sometimes fantasize about making art like Georgia O’Keeffe, Dorothea Lange, or Edward Hopper and having shows like they all had in New York and elsewhere. All have influenced me, but I know I am dreaming.

I’m not like them and accepted that long ago. But I haven’t taken stasis for granted; like all of them, I want to create images and words from the heart. Passion is written all over their paintings and photographs.

I never take a picture that doesn’t stir my emotions in one way or another. That includes my portraits.

The idea is to keep experimenting, pushing the envelope, trying new things, and taking the risk to fail. I used to think I was stupid; I don’t anymore.  But I want to do better.

Flower photography has lit me up like my first book did. I’m very fortunate to feel that joy at 76; more is to come. I’m still learning and sharing. Thanks for sharing with me.

Above, I was out when the sun simultaneously hit two of my flowers. It was breathtaking from the other side of the lends, but just as exciting when I looked at the computer.

Today, I had the idea of “getting close,” experimenting with the focus and the excellent glass my Leica camera has offered me. I had a lot of fun and felt a lot of joy. I hope you enjoy them. They are different in several ways, and I learned a lot from them.

The one above is much like a fainting. I am experimenting with photo painting; I like it a lot.

I’m only choosing three, saving the rest for tomorrow.

The sun gave me a hand this evening. I love that beautiful bud.

Purity with a touch of yellow. Something holy about this white.

23 August

Bedlam Farm, Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Beautiful Day, Country Fair, Minnie And The Peonies, Imperious Hens And Maria’s Shoes (And Stale Granola)

by Jon Katz

Today’s big news was our trip to the Washington County Fair to join the Mansion residents on a joyous and fascinating trip. We all had a blast; photos and a story to come later this afternoon.

This morning began beautifully with the sun lighting up Maria’s Coneflowers. When I went outside, it appeared the Imperious Hens were praying over Maria’s grungy sneakers, which she put out to dry. I think the Hens thought the were some God; they were fascinated by them and stood in a circle around them for a few hours.

Minnie fled from her cat house when Mike Conklin came to mow the lawn. She retreated to her safe place beneath the Peons, which is also an emergency tunnel leading under the front print. She was verbal again today, not eating,  drinking a little water. She is otherwise unchanged, shows feelings, and moves out when she sees us.

The chickens were fascinated by Maria’s shoes, they couldn’t figure out whether it was good or magic.

I went out to throw them some stale granola that was in the kitchen cabinet for too long. They forgot about the sneakers.

22 August

Bedlam Farm Journal, Tuesday August 22, 2023: The Shepherd In The Morning Sun, Come Along

by Jon Katz

I love the morning light as a photographer, as a human being, and as a person who loves Maria. She is a shepherd now; among other things, the sheep trust her and follow her in and out of the pastures. This morning, I followed her around a bit and took some photos that hopefully captured the feeling of the farm in sunlight, in the morning light.

It’s a unique, peaceful, beautiful time. Maria is a natural shepherd; the sheep know it, Fate knows it, and so do I. I love the sheep but mostly met them through my sheepherding with dogs. It’s different. From the first, she was their shepherd; they loved her back. It shows.

You are invited to come along. This morning, I go to the Mansion for my Meditation Class. Tomorrow, I’m going to the County Fair with some of the Mansion residents, and I will help and take some pictures. I pleaded with Maria yesterday to take a day off; she’s been working nonstop on the farm and in her study for weeks, and she worked especially hard on her Raven fiber work.

To my surprise, she agreed, and right after breakfast, she went off with Fate into the woods. You can’t badger Maria into doing anything. You can only make a suggestion and then back off. She’ll either do it or she won’t. I think we are similar in that regard.

 

 

Maria gets up, brushes the donkeys, opens the gate, and walks the sheep out to the pasture. I feel like seeing something people and sheep have done for thousands of years. And I am.

Thanks for coming along.

Bedlam Farm