Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

We have one more morning to spend with  Emma and Robin. Robin ended dinner by asking if Maria and I could come and visit her in New York. I said we would love to if it was possible.

Emma told her about my impending decision to amputate my big toe; she wanted to know more about it. I said I’d let her know what was decided. They leave just after lunch tomorrow, taking the train back to New York City.

We blew paper straws at each other for an hour after dinner. She’s getting quite good at it.

This visit had a lot of firsts for Robin – a snowman, sledding, animal rock sculptures, Laotion food, plus making art with me and with Maria. Robin took a lot of tumbles on her sled down the back pasture; she took it like a champ, like a Willa Cather woman.

I’m posting the photos in separate chunks.

I’m saving all the animal stuff for tomorrow. Some of it was very touching.

I’m losing the ability to think clearly, or stay awake, let alone type. I think Robin has some supernatural power somehow; she simply never tires.

I wasn’t like that when I was 6 or any age. I don’t know how Emma does it with so much humor and grace.

Maria and I admitted to being exhausted, we went to take a 20-minute nap, and I bow to Emma; I forgot what it’s like to have a bright, active, and independent child. And I have one.

Zinnia ran alongside Robin every step of the way. We just never ran out of things she wanted to do, we only ran out of time to do them.

The sheep hardly believed it, it was like going to the movies for them, they watched the whole sledding in bewildered but were fascinated.

Robin had some spectacular falls; she laughed through everyone. I almost got run over by a sled twice. Zinnia went running along with her every time.

She slipped off the sled half the time; she went down smiling.

Robin has the idea of giving the snowman (dissolving in the warmth) some hair taken from fungus and moss growing on the side of trees.

Snowman with hair made mostly of moss. Robin stopped at sideburns.

The two artists spent an hour or so painting together and discussing art. I joined in. I got some valuable instructions. Robin asked me how I became a photographer.

We went out for lunch at a brewery that makes and sells Laotian food, a first for Robin and Emma. Robin wasn’t crazy about it; Emma was.

I invited Maria, Emma, and Robin to a Schuylerville store selling rocks and crystals. Maria bought me a stone, and I bought her one. Robin chose two small animal rock sculptures: a dinosaur and a dog. Emma got some bath soap.

I am exhausted. I’m making a pasta dinner and will pass out or sleep. More photos in the morning. I loved this assignment, a challenge, and a task of love.

I took two portraits of Robin to share.

Maria and Emma both say Robin has the same look as I do when I’m plotting something. I see that this is true. I’ve got a lot of photos of Robin; I’ll post them in chunks.

It was one of the most exciting moments of Saturday.

My granddaughter Robin has never seen or built a snowman; she lives in the heart of every urban Brooklyn. Maria said, “let’s do it,” and Robin jumped at the idea.

So did Zinnia, who loves kids and loves hanging out with them. She watched every second closely.

Maria showed Robin how to roll the snow, and they both had a great time.

Robin’s First Snow Man. She had never seen one. Carrot for a noise, raisin for the eyes.

There was a lot of time spent shaping the Snow Man’s head. It was a small one; the snow was hard and icy. Zinnia ate the first carrot and raisin.  I told her to stop and she did.

They did a lot of designing, scraping, and planning; Zinnia was fascinated. At one point, Maria looked at me and said, “Grandpa, do you want to help build the snowman?” Grandpa did not hesitate. “No,” he said.

After all, somebody needs to record this milestone event. After building the snowman, the two went off to throw some rocks over the fence and into the pasture. They had a great time with much laughter.