Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

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.

 

 

7 May

Flower Art, Dusk, Tuesday, May 1, 2024, Signing Off For Tonight. Hydrangeas and Tulips Fight For The Sky…

by Jon Katz

The Hydrangeas are coming; the tulips are going. They bare their souls and say goodbye. I’m checking out for the night. I’m cooking and need to get started. We had an excellent mourning with the poached eggs; photo tomorrow.

Hydrangeas come, Tulips go, and flowers are beautiful from beginning to end. My weekly Zoom is tomorrow morning; if not sooner, I’ll check in after that.

 

 

I love how the light changes these flowers in many ways. I always look for the light.

 

 

Hydrangeas take many forms and touch the sun in many ways.

 

7 May

The Daily Jon And Zip Selfie

by Jon Katz

Zip is punctual. Around 4 p.m., I go out to the chair for an afternoon blogging break. I like to watch the birds in the marsh, and Zip always appears. Today, he stuck his head out of a chipmunk hole (it had a lot of dirt), jumped up on my lap, and went to sleep. I wiped off his head and stroked his fur (I’ve finally brushed it shiny and clean.)

He stayed curled up like that for about 20 minutes, put his head in my head for some scratching, and then the chipmunk popped out of her hole—I suspect she was taunting him—and squeaked. Zip was off like a shot (no log this time) and went after her. I had to go; I had more writing to do.

 

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