Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

20 April

We Put The Old White Hen Down Today. Life Makes It’s Own Plans

by Jon Katz

I learned again that life makes its plans. Yesterday, we were surprised and delighted to see the White Hen walking around, and even sitting in her old favorite spot by the apple tree. It seemed like a miracle; she was waiting by the barn door when we got up, and she and Maria went for a walk about the farm, fending off the other two hens, who were not accepting her.

This morning, we held her and broke her neck.

(Above, we were surprised to see her out walking yesterday, for the first time in memory. She wanted to sit in the sun.)

She was covered in mites, and the maggots were not far behind, a clear signal that she was finally dying.

Maria and I share the primary obligation of the animal steward – we don’t let them suffer, then we end their life quickly and humanely.

We don’t keep them alive and suffering for us. We’re going to let her die an awful death, getting picked by the cruel side of nature.

The farm is a great teacher. Death is a part of life. If you want the one, you must accept the other.

The most humane way to kill a chicken is to hold it, pull at its neck, and twist it. They die instantly and painlessly. Maria held her; I broke her neck. Maria took her out into the woods; she wanted the animals out there to be able to get some food. Her last gift.

 

On her last time outside of her stall, she went right to the base of the apple tree, her favorite place to sit and soak up the sun.

We became very attached to the White Hen; she had a good month to leave peacefully without suffering. Yesterday, I saw a beautiful thing.

For me, the beauty and meaning were in watching the extraordinary relationship between Maria and the White Hen. When the other hens came after her yesterday, chickens don’t like to be around sick chickens, it draws predators – the White Hen ran to Maria and hid between her ankles. The trust and connection between them were powerful; I won’t forget it. She knew where to go to be safe.

Maria has an extraordinary connection to animals. I am in awe of it. It was a dance of love and kindness. She trusted Maria to the end.

I loved watching them sing to each other; I’ve never seen a chicken trust a person that way.

Seeing her walking around the farm yesterday was a miracle; it helped her leave the world in peace and without further suffering. We never thought she would come out of the barn again. She was a gift all around.

The White Hen became a hero to us and a symbol of enduring grace. She taught us acceptance and empathy in a sometimes cruel world. I won’t forget that when people tell me how bad things are.

She wanted to live to the very end. But we draw the line at suffering for dogs, donkeys, cats, and chickens.

These days, it feels very good to do good for the White Hen. She had a good death. This felt good.

I won’t mourn the White Hen, as connected as we were. I will give thanks for her time with us, and for the chance to give her a peaceful and comfortable death. There is nothing to mourn, only to give thanks for. She had a great life and a good death.

You had a significant presence, old bird. Godspeed.

 

 

19 April

Abstract Flower Art: The Little Way – Small Acts Of Great Beauty And Kindness

by Jon Katz

(Small things: a poem by William Blake. – jk)

He who would do good to another must do it in Minute Particulars; general Good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite, and flatterer, for Art and Science cannot exist but in minutely organized particulars…

___  William Blake.

(Photo above, my flower photography assistant, Zip.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19 April

Joy, Joy, Joy This Afternoon, The Baking Goods (And Diapers) Started Pouring In. Thank You. We’ll Do It Again Tomorrow.

by Jon Katz

 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing.” (Matthew 25:35-37).  

I’m not a Christian or even very religious in the conventional way, but when I think of the Army of Good, I can’t help but bless the hearts of people who support the poor. I hope they will be rewarded in Heaven because that’s where they belong. This was the plea of Jesus Christ, who brought the idea of empathy to the world.

Above, Pantry Volunteer Barb opens the first deliveries of baking goods, which are just in time for their distribution tomorrow. The baking shelves are filling up quickly, and more are coming. Thanks for protecting love and preserving good and kindness.

He was pleased to be at the Cambridge Food Pantry Today. Many large boxes of baking goods and diapers arrived at the pantry, and they are being unpacked and rushed onto the shelves for tomorrow’s large serving.

You can read about this support effort right here. It’s still underway.

We can only offer gratitude, and if there is a God, he will do the rest. I wish I had more than thanks to give you. I can only offer love,  thanks, and gratitude; there is much of that. Love too. Those boxes often make me cry. They come on the wings of angels.

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. We’ll do it again every day.

Volunteer Dan is unpacking the diapers that are so urgently needed.

—-

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the disabled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous”   (Luke 4.13.14). I was starting to think these were lost words, and then I encountered the Army of Good.

19 April

SOS. Cambridge Pantry Baking Support Day Two. Seeking Baking Goods Urgently. Thank You

by Jon Katz

Thanks so much, today is part two of the Baking Crisis. The Regional Food Bank couldn’t send their usual shipment of baking goods, and Sarah is frantically trying to get enough to the pantry in the next few days to make up for it. It’s not clear if more is coming.

“Yes!” she wrote, “I got enough baking soda and sugar cookie mix. I took those off. I also got some pizza and cake mix, but we could use some more. Thanks to the Army Of Good Again. We could use some more of the pizza mixes and some other baking goods. They are on the list now.

 

 

Today, Sarah asks for Brownies, cookies, pudding, salt, and baking powder. If we all pick one or two items, we can get there. Thank you more than I have words for.

Here is a list of what she is seeking and hoping for:

Amazon Fresh, Baking Powder, Pack of 2, $3.90.

Sugar Free Chocolate Fudge Pudding Mix, Pack of 6, $8.88.

Morton Iodized Salt, All Purpose, 2-Pack, $3.58.

Betty Crocker Delights Supreme Chunk Brownie, Pack of two, 18.0 oz, $10.

Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, 12 2-Inch cookies, Pack of 9, $13.41.

Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Butter Recipe, Cake Mix, $1.35.

Sarah asked for these items yesterday. Thank you for sending some of them. She hopes to stockpile more as the Regional Bank may not be able to send more, as this is their usual supplier. Many of these families dont have normal-sized stoves, so they can easily make these foods where they live.

__________

Yesterday’s Items Below. Many of these items are very inexpensive bargains. Thanks for sending what you did; she’s hoping for more.

 

Jiffy Pizza Crust Mix, 6.5 Ounce, (Pack of 6), $14.90.

Amazon Fresh, Baking Soda, 16 oz, (Pack of 3), $2.85.

Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Butter Recipe Fudge Cake Mix, 6.5 Ounce (Pack of 6), $14.90.

Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix, Makes twelve (12)  Cookies, 6.25 oz, Pack of 9) $12.30.

_____

The  Amazon Cambridge Pantry Urgent Wish List is accessible anytime, day or night. Click on the links here or use the green button at the bottom of every blog post.

Every item on the wish list is urgent and updated several times daily.  Some people are adopting favored items and sending them when they can. Thanks for the messages; the pantry volunteers greatly appreciate them. Baking items will be added to the blog in the morning; I’ll post them here.

It’s beautiful to help people who have nowhere else to go. Your support means the world to them.  This generosity has never been more needed; thanks for helping protect love.  Helping the pantry gives significant meaning to me and, clearly, to you. Today and tomorrow are about baking goods. Thanks many times.

Your baking support is very much appreciated. It means a lot to the families and the volunteers.

19 April

Morning At Bedlam Farm, Zip, As Often Happens, Steals The Show. He Loves The Camera. First Flowers, The Pied Pier

by Jon Katz

It’s poor Fate’s fate to be ignored by every animal she’d love to push around. She loves to startle Zip as if she might frighten him; he reliably ignores her, or if she gets too close, he swats her on the nose, and she runs. Perhaps she thinks she is frightening or startling. The sheep ignore her completely, which must be a little unsettling for a champion line border collie from England..

Peeking out, Kim is a peeker, our shyest sheep.

The first flowers are popping up in Maria’s garden.

 

Zip loves these King of the Farm poses. So do I. It’s all his now.

 

 

He has found a mouse hole and guards it closely.

I love watching Maria and the animals. She is the farm’s Pied Piper; wherever she is, they gather.

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