Day: July 11, 2013

On July 21, we are welcoming visitors to the New Bedlam Farm to see some art work, heard some talks and readings, see Red work with Zelda and the other sheep. Watching Red and Zelda this morning – each day they challenge one another, neither backing down an inch – I realize my own pleasure at showing Red work. Red has his troubles in Ireland, but he is the product of a wonderful breeder who understood instinct, agility and temperament.

I love rescuing and re-homing animals, but I have the greatest respect for good breeders, they keep the best traits in dogs alive. If no ever bought a dog from a good breeder, there would be no Red or Lenore. Something to think about. There are several good ways to get a dog – rescue groups, shelters and the great dogs of great breeders.

Visitors will get to meet Simon, Lulu and Fanny – the barn cats will probably vanish – and I will be doing several herding demonstrations with Red and people can meet him (and me) and see this amazing creature and great work he has been trained to do. The farm is open from noon to four on Sunday, July 21. We will not be able to open the farmhouse up to visitors, but people can eat at nearby Momma’s or the Round House Cafe in Cambridge (where Scott Carrino, future donkey owner, presides). Maria’s studio will be open for people to see, and her wonderful scarves, potholders, quilts and pillows will be available for sale, as will the work of other artists. Details on her website. No dogs, please.

A second open house will be held on Sunday, September 1, also noon to four p.m.

Some new ideas for the blog. I’m dropping the idea of contributions and donations and switching to subscriptions. The blog isn’t a good works project, it’s a new kind of book, an important shift in terminology. I’m considering offering a $3 subscription option in response to the many people who have contacted me and who are under financial pressure. They want to subscribe and pay me for the work here and are struggling to it. The new option should help. The other subscription options will remain – $5 a month, $60 a year. I’m scrapping the one-time payment option. Doesn’t fit with subscriptions or the new notion of a blog, although many people have contributed in that way, and I am grateful. This will help people who are struggling and also help pay me for the work here.

The blog will remain free to those who don’t wish to subscribe or can’t.

Mannix Marketing is also re-building the blog to offer a special version of bedlamfarm.com for smartphone users. The interface will be simpler, the navigation tools larger and easier to manage. People who access the blog on their cellphones or tablets will automatically receive the new smartphone-friendly version. Studies show that by the end of this year, nearly half of blog subscribers and website browsers will be receiving blogs like this one on smart phones. I’ll be ready. Keeping this blog current is a challenge, and an exciting one, keeps me very much in touch with the world.

I hope these changes are helpful and relevant. What really drives the blog is content, not technology, and I will work hard to keep up my end of that.