Month: June 2017

Kali-Ma is one of the most popular Hindu goddesses in Kolkata, India, where Maria visited earlier this year.

She is the goddess of creation, preservation and destruction. She is perhaps the most complex of goddesses, feared by many for her bloodthirsty rampages (see the former lover’s heads, which hang around her neck.) She has many meanings.

She is the archetype of the birth-death spirit, the Gods intervened as she was devouring her consort’s entrails and she became a Mother and Protector figure. I admit I find her both admirable and disturbing and erotic, which says something about me, I suppose.

Kali-Ma is known as Mother-Kali in India, she is the shatterer of illusions, she represents to me the great dichotomy of all humanity, we are capable of such good, and such evil, both seem to reside in all of us. So many people are willing to hate, so many people are eager to do good, given the chance.

Even though Kali-Ma went on murderous rampages, she ended in a good place, she is protector of human beings, and this statue Maria bought me for our seventh wedding anniversary just arrived. I’m putting it on my desk next to my muse. Kali is seen alternately as the life-giver, preserver and destroyer.

She seems to embody the tortured schizophrenia of the human condition. I am happy to have her on my desk. She will inspire me and perhaps devour me if I don’t get to work on my book.

Angioo is a fiercely individualistic refugee from Southeast Asai, he wears red robes and hoods, he stands out. I challenged him to thumb wrestle, and he tickled me in the armpit and made me lose. He walked past me at dusk on the way to the campfire, I thought he had a great presence.

He is a spirit child, it is a pleasure to know him. I’m off to the retreat now, I will keep you posted.

I woke up awash in feelings of gratitude this morning, and not only for Gus, our newest gift from the fates. Every morning, I get up early, let him out of his crate where he has slept peacefully and quietly, feed him and the dogs, and then bring him up to Maria. Every morning, I am rewarded by the joy in Gus when he sees Maria, and the love on her face as he rushes to see her. After some squirming and excitement, he finds a place to curl up and sleep until we are ready to get up.

I am grateful for the refugee children today, who have come to be with us for several days. I am grateful to Helen, an angel in the Army of Good, for making this possible. I am grateful for the friendship of Ali, now a brother to me, and I have always wanted a brother.

I am grateful for the friendship of Scott and Lisa Carrino, who are so graciously sharing their beautiful farm and retreat with us. And for my dogs, who have so joyously entered into the spirit of the retreat and are such a big part of it. Maria is coming to the retreat to lead a hike this morning, and our friends in the community are coming to teach and participate in this welcome, for this loving and good-hearted children, come to America at a hard and sometimes hateful time.

Mostly, I am grateful for my life, and for this beautiful day the spirits have given us. I was going to read a gratitude prayer at breakfast, which I am going to help serve now, but Maria said I should just write and speak from the heart, so I will.

No bad news, no hateful and angry people shall every keep me from loving my life, or being grateful for every single day of it. I never expect a perfect life, only the grace and strength to live my life well and meaningfully. Today suggests I am on the path. I believe in small acts of love and kindness.

I am grateful for everyone reading this as well, especially the Army Of Good.

You make all of this possible.

Angoo and Lisa Carrino brought dessert from the Round House Bakery. Lisa, co-owner of the Round House Cafe and also Pompanuck Farms, brings her artistry to bear on muffins, cookies, cakes and cupcakes. Angoo helped her bring them from the bakery to the Round House where we were having dinner. Nice stuff. The kids are going to eat well on this retreat. More later.

When it got dark, it was my turn to tell scary stories by the campfire. These kids have seen a lot, and do not impress easily, but I found two stories I liked and read them aloud, and also told them the true story of Vlad The Impaler, the inspiration for the Dracula Legend.

I think that shook them up. Ali told ghost stories from Egypt, and Maria told ghost stories from Long Island. We sat there for two hours, I was cold and tired, they were just warming up. I think they will be up in their yurt for a long time.

This retreat was funded by the Army of Good, and I have  started a Children’s Refugee Fund to raise money for activities like this one, and also for scholarships for gifted refugee children seeking extra instruction in their passions – music, art, computing, whatever.

The Army Of Good has also funded a trip for some refugee children to the Great Escape Adventure Park at Lake George in less than a month.

So far, we have raised more than $1,500. I’ve opened a special bank account to keep the money separate and Ali will bring me ideas for meeting the many needs of these children, whose parents often come to our country with nothing. We are funding birthday parties, summer trips to lakes and parks, soccer uniforms, and hopefully, specially classes or tutoring as needed and desired.

If you wish to contribute, you can do so by donating to the Children’s Refugee Fund, c/o Jon Katz, Bedlam Farm, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y, 12816 or donating in any amount to Paypal Friends and Family, [email protected]. These children have suffered greatly and are in the midst of a sometimes traumatic and challenging adjustment to America.

I am told by my accountant and by RISSE, the refugee immigrant and support center,  that these donations are tax deductible.

They are worthy and deserving.

Thanks, and thanks again to the wonderful person who paid for the cost of this retreat. Tomorrow, a full day, I’ll be there and share the day with you.