Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

8 May

Potpourri, Dusk, Bedlam Farm. Beauty All Around Me

by Jon Katz

On the way into the farmhouse this afternoon, I passed by three beautiful images. I had been looking for a bird to photograph for an hour. I heard a song above and saw a beautiful bird in the trees. My wildlife lens worked for me.

I was sitting in the apple tree, looking up, and saw a beautiful blossom that was absent yesterday.

 

Maria brought me these beautiful wildflowers from the woods. She knows how much I love wildflowers, and tomorrow, I’ll use my macro lens on them. They look beautiful. It was a very nice walk back to the farmhouse, and I’m glad to share it with you.

8 May

Zip Pictures Of Today: Zip And Me, My New Camera Assistant. Selfies And Photos

by Jon Katz

The day began with heavy rain and ended with a warm sun. It’s like that these days. I went to meet Zip at my usual time—between 4 and 4:30. I never see him, but he appears about 10 seconds after I sit down in the deep Adirondack chair my friend Mosie Miller, my Amish neighbor, built for me two years ago. I got my big wildlife/bird lens for outdoor shots, and I was waiting for a bird to show up to try out the camera outside.

(Above photo by Maria Wulf)

Zip has decided to be my camera assistant. He seems to grasp the idea of the camera—he should; he is in it enough—and curls up in my lap while leaving my camera hands-free. While I waited for birds (they did not come), I scratched and stroked Zip, as usual, and he purred and curled up in my lap. On her way to the barn, Maria was walking by and got the photo above.

The other two are selfies that I took.

The photos capture the reality: Zip watches with me when I point the camera, and I watch with him when he’s thinking of hunting. It’s a partnership of sorts, a new one for me. Some day, I’ll understand more about this creature who landed in my life like a drone from the sky and turned it around.

 


He took a short nap while I waited for the birds.  Then we sat together and watched for his nemesis, the chipmunk on the stone wall. I think he’s figured out the tunnels she uses but hasn’t figured out how to get into them.  He ought to team up with Bud (who is no longer allowed out of his yard; he loves to run off into the woods where some bobcats and coyotes would love to have him for lunch.)

Then, it was Zip’s turn. He stood in my lap and focused on the rock the chipmunk he’s hunting usually pops up in. I think it’s a she, and she’s clever. When she pops up, she looks for Zip, and he spots her. Their eyes lock for the longest time. At some point, he loses his excellence and jumps towards her – she is about 15 away – and vanishes in a flash.

He walks over to the stone wall, stares, and sniffs, but she has built a web of underground tunnels that she doesn’t reappear. I had to return to work, shaking my head about this dog and his impact on my life.

He is some partner and some kind of watch cat.

He never bothers me when I”m pointing a camera or photographing a flower. Our meeting always ends with Zip spotting something he wants to kill and setting off. In between, he is the most affectionate animal I’ve encountered, although I have to be honest. Zinnia is a close tie.

I still don’t know what to make of Zip, but I am grateful to have him as my outdoor photo assistant.

8 May

Bedlam Farm Journal: Enjoying A Few Minutes Of Nothing On A Beautiful Spring Day. Try It Out.

by Jon Katz

I’ve learned that if I can find a moment to sit wherever I am and think quietly, I can enjoy the exquisite pleasure of doing nothing. This is what I did for roughly 20 minutes this afternoon. I listened to the birds overhead and watched the flowers and plants explode in color; I heard my breath, felt my soul, and listened to the beat of my heart.

It feels incredible to do that; I wouldn’t dream of it for most of my life, but now I dream of it often.

I had to work hard to learn not to be distracted or carried away by the news, worries, money, bills,  projects, or obligations.

Not even my blog. I do bring my camera, as you can see.

I sat in the chair in the back with Zip and considered that I was alive and healthy enough to take 20 minutes and do nothing but sit and listen to the world. This is one of my most healing, nourishing, and peaceful things.  Zip is becoming a good companion for doing nothing. Zinnia was born knowing how to do it.

 

Barn window

8 May

Sarah’s Pantry Pick For Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Salad Dressing, Italian, Ranch Or Caesar, All Under $3 Of Good…”Be Sure To Thank These People…”

by Jon Katz

Good day. Pantry Executive Director Sarah Harrington’s message to me today is: “Jon, today’s Item is salad dressing—Italian, Ranch, or Ceasar.”  All three can be donated for under $3.

We appreciate your support in this critical work. This food dressing is crucial as it adds flavor to the meals of the Pantry families. It is often missing and only lasts for a short time on the shelves. The pantry families are eternally grateful.

Sarah is always conscious of the cost of things and looks for items that can be purchased inexpensively, if possible. It isn’t always possible to be this low, but it was yesterday, and it is today. I’m sending one of each of the salad dressings.

The three options were chosen because all salad dressings are different and have different tastes. They are in great demand, and the pantry is out of all of them.

The Pantry families rarely get to make a choice; we thought this would be an important addition for them and their children. All three are available for donation at the top of the Amazon Pantry Food Wish List and linked individually to the list below.

_____

Option One: Wish-Bone House Italian Salad Dressing Bottle, 15 Fl. Oz., $2.67.

Option Two:  Kraft Classic Ranch Salad Dressing (16 fl oz Bottle), $2.98.

Option Three:  Kraft Salad Dressing Ceasar, 16 Oz., Bottle, $2.98.

All three are less than 9 dollars.

 

I’ve met many non-profit volunteers over the past few years, but I can’t recall any who have worked as long and hard as the pantry volunteers. They were all soaked in sweat yesterday when they unloaded hundreds of heavy boxes and bottles from the Food Bank truck.

Thanks so much for making this work worthwhile, uplifting, and excellent for the morale of struggling and needy people. It’s not easy volunteering at the pantry, and it’s not easy to be unable to afford food for your family. “When I see this wonderful food coming  onto the shelves,  it makes me and my children feel human,” one of the Pantry family fathers told me in an e-mail, “be sure to thank these people for me.”

 

8 May

Bedlam Farm Journal, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Defying The Rain. A Deeper View Of Life, From WIldfowers To Poached Eggs.

by Jon Katz

It was pouring all morning. Creativity is about adapting, and I decided to take my pictures inside. I’m also on a wildflower (above) kick.. The flowers are gracious and beautiful.

It was an excellent morning to brood.

I woke up thinking about a deeper view of life and what life is. Life is impermanent, but that does not mean it is not work living. In my life, it is because of change that I have come to value life so profoundly and appreciate what I have. I have what I need; it is all around me. No politician or any amount of money could make me happier.

Spirituality is about happiness in the long run. I don’t think politics, left or right, makes anyone happy. Hating makes people unhappy; look at the news.

I am learning how to live each minute of my life profoundly, calmly, with consideration, and responsibly. In this way, I no longer feel regret or grievance. Hate, argument, and anger are heavy burdens and life without them is much lighter and more accessible.

Last week, someone I knew and liked very much and often worked with suddenly got angry and cruel. She insulted others and upset me, and I was furious and hurt. I decided to think about how I wanted to spend my time and just let it go. I didn’t complain, confront her, or tell anyone else about it.

I saw her the other day; she was back to normal, kind, and a pleasure to work with. Whatever it was, I am glad I didn’t make a scene or insist on talking to her or her boss. It wasn’t necessary. It is optional. I try to do nothing I will regret. In this way, I slowly but deliberately learn to care for those close to me and bring them happiness. That is a better way for me to think.

This is what I mean by a deeper view of life. I won’t be manipulated into anger, vengeance, or brooding when things decay, go wrong, or die. I can’t be at ease in the face of continuity and change, prosperity and decline, success and failure. They represent life itself. I like being in the now.

 

Tulips in black and white.

We’ve always wanted to make poached eggs but have never learned how. This week, we went to YouTube and followed some recipes.  It isn’t hard, but it isn’t simple either, and we finally figured out that the cooking time for us is two-and-a-half minutes (and not forgetting the small amount of vinegar.) Loose and creamy with a dash of Paprika.

The flavor differs from a hard-boiled egg; it goes well on toast and is delicious.

Poached eggs work well in a farm with fresh eggs every day. We’ll poach often.

 

 

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