Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

18 March

Suzy’s Gone

by Jon Katz

We knew this afternoon that Suzy was suffering.

She struggled to stand up, had stopped eating, and rolled onto her side, trembling. She died a few hours later, shot in the head.

She left a large hole in the farm’s life.  She was an important animal in our life on the farm.

We agreed a couple of days ago when Maria warned me she was fading to give her the chance to die naturally, as the last ewe who died did, and to intervene if she seemed to be suffering.

We picked a time. Maria and I agreed that this had to happen before any of our animals died. We each have a veto. She made the final call late this afternoon, asking me again if I thought it was right. She had no doubt, and neither did I.

Suzy was with us for 13 years, almost as long as we were married,  and she was one of Maria’s favorite sheep. She gave birth to Liam, our gentle wether. He died before her. Her life is woven deeply into our story.

In the afternoon, several sheep stood by her.

Suzy helped Maria understand sheep and care for them well.  She was gentle and calm.

She helped Maria gain the confidence to take over the care of the sheep; while I had a herding dog, I took care of them.

She visited with them at least once a day, counted them, brushed them, grained them when cold, gathered their wool, and sold it as yarn.

That relationship is born for intimacy, a unique way to love and learn about an animal. She helped Maria grow strong.

Having seen some large animal vets put sheep down – IVs and wrestling to the ground – we decided the most humane way for her to die was to be shot. I usually did the shooting, but I couldn’t shoot Suzy; it was too much like shooting family. I knew her for too long.

She followed Maria into the barn – we believe sheep know when it’s time – and sat down. She had surrendered.

She died instantly and without suffering. We didn’t want her to die out in the cold by herself.

We know someone, a friend, who does this and does it well. He shot Suzy on the back of her head between the ears.  I was behind her; Maria waited outside.

She moved her legs once or twice and never moved again. She no longer seemed aware of her surroundings. Take care, Suzy, and thanks; we are grateful for knowing you for so long. She’s gone out to a peaceful spot in the woods.

Life goes on. This spring, we have a lot of healthy sheep to shear and a lot of yarn to process.

18 March

Bedlam Farm Book Sales. Good Books, $10 Each Plus $5 Shipping

by Jon Katz

We have four good books for sale again. For additional book information, you can check out Maria’s website, fullmoonfiberart.com, for links to book reviews.

I’ve read two books, The Pawprints of History by the excellent dog psychologist Stanley Coren and The Revolutionary Sam Adams by Pulitzer Prize Winner Stacy Shift.

Pawprints Of History. I consider Stan Coren one of the best and most sensible people writing about books and how they feel. The book details how dogs have impacted history and culture over thousands of years.

The Revolutionary:  Only a little has been written about Samuel, John Adams’s brother, who was central in advancing the American Revolution against the British. It was a fascinating history I had not read before.

So Late In The Day by Claire Keegan is a collection of short stories about women and men. Maria read it and recommended it. I didn’t read this book, but I have read other Keegan books. They were all fine.

Jesmyn War’s Let Us Descend is the story of a woman sold into slavery and torn from her family in the Deep South. It’s a powerful and well-reviewed book.

It was considered one of the best books of the year last year.

If you are interested in any of these books, please get in touch with Maria, not me, and send any payments to her, not me. Her e-mail is [email protected], and her blog is fullmoonfiberart.com.

Please wait until she confirms the purchase before sending any money. And thanks. We only recommend books that one or all of us have liked. All books are $10 plus $5 shipping.

 

18 March

Experiment: Something New. My Macro Flowers

by Jon Katz

My Leica Akademie lesson on Sunday was tough but productive. The class focused on focusing on a Macro lens and experimenting with my idea of flowers as “dreams,” which is tricky. Macro photography requires enormous amounts of patience, exploration, and experimentation.

I like capturing the overall effect of flowers and their connection to other flowers. It takes me half an hour of focusing and moving back and forth to get the effect I want. You are invited to take a look at this show; it’s free. These photos take great care, lots of failure, and lots to remember.

 

I love the curves in the Calla photos; nothing is like them.

 

This picture evokes the sun for me.

 

 

I don’t know the names of these colors, but they are beautiful. They have the soul of a flower.

I love this color mix. All of these photos were taken with a 105 mm Sigma Macro lens on a Leica SLR-3 mirrorless camera.

18 March

Pantry Power. Clam Chowder Soup Is The Food Of The Day For The Cambridge Food Pantry

by Jon Katz

Our support plan for the Cambridge Food Pantry has been astounding, transformative, and so successful that every single item sent in the past two weeks was eagerly and instantly taken by the people who came to the pantry needing food. We are making an enormous difference; the pantry’s staff and users are shocked and grateful.

We asked for popcorn for the kids, which came by the truckload yesterday. Thank you; the kids will be thrilled.

I met with Sara Harrington this morning, and I suggested we choose the most in demand and try to focus on one a day or more if you wish. I’m going that route. I buy one every item every morning and send it to the pantry. It is a powerful grounding tool for me; doing good always feels good, and many days, I can feel good spending pennies or just a few dollars on my wish list.

I thought I was dreaming when I saw Campbell’s Chunky SoupClam Chowder,” said one of the customers. “It has clam chunks, something we love but can no longer afford. I can’t thank you enough, people.”

(Above are gift notes people sent from their Amazon orders. Most of the notes are from people as far away as Georgia, California, and even New Mexico, thanking us for letting them help. That’s what Americans are really like, not the hate-spewing losers on the news.

Sarah says she is getting so many boxes from Amazon that she’s leaving snacks for the drivers. Knowing its importance, it might be a good option for the Army Of Goods to pick several weekly items, one at a time.

So, let’s try out the new idea and see what happens. Sara says the item that disappeared the fastest was Campbell’s Chunky Soup Clam Chowder, 16.3 Oz Can (Case of 8). I sent two to the pantry via Amazon this morning. (If people wish to buy Clam Chowder from a different place, feel free to do so. The address to ship is The Cambridge Food Pantry, 24 East Main Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. The phone number is 518 677-7152.)

(Update: Another Amazon truckload of food arrived at the Cambridge Pantry this afternoon (Monday). Sara sent me a list of the most wanted and taken food. I suggested putting up a daily reminder on the blog so people can use that as a guide. They need all of the items on the wish list. These are the most sought-after items; these are the ones that go out the fastest: clam chowder, beef ravioli, parmesan cheese, toothpaste, prego spaghetti sauce, and baked beans.)

The rest of the list is essential also.

I just learned that everything we sent is being taken home immediately.  This means we are sending the right things. Toothpaste, formula, and diapers are also welcome but scarce. People went crazy over the clam chowder.

These are the things people miss the most and are the most eager to have. The pantry workers choose them all; they know what flies out of the pantry.

No supermarket will give chunky soup Clam Shower to a food pantry. It’s $14.43 a case. I like this idea of food of the day. We can ensure that what we send is what people most want and need. The toothpaste we sent was also a smash. People are also free to buy other things; these will all be scooped up.

You can view and buy items from the wish list here. The list will be constantly updated and always available. Thanks, and thanks.

 

18 March

This Morning, Monday, March 18, 2024. Guess Who’s Waiting Every Morning To Eat?

by Jon Katz

The first thing I see in the morning is Zip, sitting on the back porch, waiting for me. I thought at first he was waiting to see me, but it seems he’s waiting to be fed.

The second I come out, he shoots off to hide under the garden bed. When he feels safe, he takes off for the barn. He is alert and cautious, constantly checking his surroundings like good barn cats do.

He loves to eat, as many cats and dogs do. After eating, he came out looking for me, and we had some quality time together.

I love taking photos in the early morning. I went out this morning in my winter cap and new L.L. Bean Bathrobe. No more naked sun shots. The Amish go back and forth all morning from dawn out, and they wouldn’t like to see me with no clothes on. We are good neighbors.

When I return from some morning chores, I want to write about the rise of hate mail. I also have some exciting new Macro flower photos to share. Stay tuned, and thanks for the many lovely messages I got this morning. You are gems, good to me as well as everyone else.

 

Maria is the Pied Piper of Bedlam Farm. The animals love her and trust her. Sue was wobbly but okay this morning. We’re glad she might get to have a natural heath.

Morning flower, Macro lens.

Bud in the sun.

Bird watching, dawn, woodpecker

Bedroom mirror, catching the morning sun

 

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