Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

7 February

Video: The White Hen’s Struggle. But She Looks Better Than Yesterday. She’s Eating A Ton

by Jon Katz

We can’t be sure, but as close as we can figure it, the old White Hen either got chased out of the roos or got confused and wandered off. She was out in the storms, rain, snow, and ice for five days (we just counted), and yesterday, she looked as if she was finished.

She must have wandered somewhere and got lost and didn’t eat or get shelter in brutal cold for days.

She has a new roost in the barn and seems comfortable there. She won’t eat unless the food is handed to her by hand. She drinks enormous amounts of water but seems blind or deaf about food and its location. Given this, she is ravenous. She looks dramatically better than yesterday, but we aren’t kidding. She is very near the end.

A few years ago, I would have shot her if she had gotten this sick and old, but I guess I have changed. This feels better, but there are limits. She doesn’t seem to suffer and seems happy in her new hospice roost. Maria knows her very well, and the White Hen seems to trust both of us. She is sure to talk to us a lot.

It feels good to give her this restful way to go. She has been an excellent hen for over a decade, providing us with eggs and lovely photos. She deserves this consideration; it feels better than a rifle’s end. Maria took the video below.

 

 

 

 

7 February

Promise Of The Sun, And Light: A New Holding Pillow From Maria. (Sold)

by Jon Katz

My Promise of The Sun Holding Pillow is 7″x15″ . It is $75 + shipping.

If interested, you can e-mail Maria at [email protected]

The pillows are in high demand, and the idea is perfect for our times. Maria said she would make several more next week. This one sold minutes after she posted it on her blog. I’m urging her to make one for me, but I know customers come before husbands. I can’t think of anything better for a pillow to hold during meditation.

7 February

Sue Silverstein, The Art Of Winter, News From The Art Room

by Jon Katz

Sue has many skills; one is turning everything that happens – snow, cold, car crash – and art, to sound. These are lucky kids to have a teacher like that, and thanks again for supporting her work. Every day, she makes someone’s life better. – Jon Katz

 

News from the Art Room – A Snow Day

A snow day today! The first one, and it is February. All the storms to date have fallen on vacation days and weekends. There is something magical about a good old fashioned snow day. There were over 500 cancellations in this area today. The world slowed down, just for a few hours. It is above freezing now and melting already. Although some places nearby did get the dreadful ice and sleet, we got very pretty snow with big fat flakes. A huge shout out to all those who had to drive to work today and those who work all night and day to clear the roads. I am grateful.

The new classes have started this week, and they are so full of life it is amazing. Some of the kids who were not able to take an elective class last semester are back and I did not even realize just how much I missed some of their energy. They told me repeatedly that they were so happy to be back, and I told them repeatedly that I was thrilled to have them.

Advanced Painting and Drawing always starts with painting on a black canvas. It is a project that is like that dish you make for dinner when your favorite guests come by. It is fail proof. The students love it, and the results are always wonderful. The classes maxed out, so I had to paint a bunch of canvas black to accommodate the numbers. I do not mind the large group. They feed off each other and that feeds my soul! The mixed photography class is just as great. We talked a lot about editing software that is free and easily accessible online. The first assignment I give them is an adaptation of an assignment used in a class by Denis Defibaugh, a professor emeritus of photography at Rochester Institute of Technology, in Rochester, New York. The rules are simple, each student gets one piece of white printer paper, and they need to take a series of photographs to make me believe it is much more than that. They look at me like I am crazy and then they take the challenge. So fun to watch. The photo is of Thomas and Anthony hanging their papers from the ceiling lights to get a “better angle.” Soon they are using filters and editing and amazing results happen. The best thing is that they are excited. One student who is relatively new and I have not had the chance to get to know was not at all sure about art. I asked him to give it a day or two and if it wasn’t for him, he would not hurt my feelings. He has decided he likes it😊

My studio class is the only one that meets all year. I love that class too.  They are into mixed media fashion design and tenth grade Miskaela is creating with feathers. Some of them are making sports uniforms and comic book characters. A bit of everything.

The donations have been fabulous this week!

Kathy from MA sent such a lovely collection of art and craft supplies. I had mentioned how excited the middle school girls were about the pink glitter she’d sent recently. She sent more! So many immensely helpful things!

Laura from Ohio sent great calendars, supplies and so much more. Thank you, Laura.

Pat from NJ sent lovely warm clothing! Perfect timing with the weather this week!

Someone sent a box of new supplies that included canvas, sketchbooks, and clay. I am so incredibly grateful!

I read your letters to the students. They love to hear about the people who are helping them. We are so blessed to have every single one of you!

If anyone would be able to send basic cake/frosting mixes for cake decorating it would surely be appreciated.

We are still looking for baking supplies if you have anything you no longer use. We are always seeking donations for anything you feel could be made into something new! Rolled gauze, wire, glassware, canvas, art supplies, heavy foil, pinecones, glue sticks, glue guns, baking tools, seashells, sea glass, bottle corks, sandpaper, and wood. I love hearing from you. My email is [email protected] 

Have a blessed day! Happy New Year!

Sue

ND-BG

2600 Albany Street

Schenectady, New York 12304

7 February

Me And Zip, The First Winter Selfie. Quality Time

by Jon Katz

In the warmer weather, Zip and I made time to hang out in the afternoon. It’s more challenging now with all the snow, but I missed our sessions, went out on the porch, and came right over for a neck scratch, our first quality time of the winter. He is an independent creature but very affectionate. He’s a great pal.

6 February

The Cambridge Pantry: As I’m Turning Off The Computer In This Storm, I’m Haunted By The Diapers That Every Mother Ought To Have In A Just World And Wealthy Country

by Jon Katz

As I prepare to end my working day, I rest, read, and soak up some silence, which I need to do every day. I am a bit haunted by the image of these mothers at the Cambridge Food Pantry who can’t afford diapers for their babies. I also think of Sarah’s eagerness to help them.

So, I’m repeating a message I posted early in the day so I can sleep tonight. This is not pressure; it’s not for me to tell people what they should or should not do or can and can’t afford. For those of you who can and are inclined, please help these mothers get the diapers they urgently need. I suspect some are on the way.

Nobody should feel guilty for saying now we do our best for as long as possible.

I recall the meaning of changing my daughter’s diapers and never once thought we couldn’t buy her any.

What an awful situation, though. I’ll close tonight, and I’m hoping we can answer this call as usual. I’ll be sending off my diapers in a few minutes. Thanks for considering this. I know what it means for me to do good in this chaotic world, and I hope it means the same for you.

The pantry budget and resources, which are permanently slim, have taken a massive hit from reductions in government aid offered during the pandemic, which recently stopped. And that is not going to get better. It’s a constant need that has worsened the search for diapers.

This is one of the pantry’s most challenging problems. A Diaper Emergency. Here are the diapers Sarah says are popular and urgently needed (She also seeks help in getting some Diced Potatoes, see below:

Pull-up Boys’ Skin Essentials Potty Training Pants, Training Underwear 4T-5T (38-50 lbs,) 14 Count, $10.49.

Pull-up Girls’Potty Training Pants Size 3T-4T Training Underwear 32-40 labs 20 Count, $9.97.

Huggins Size Newborn Diapers, Skin Essentials Baby Diapers, 96-9lbs, 31 Count, $9.94.

Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Baby Wipes, Unscented, Hypoallergenic, 99 per cent Purified Water, 10 Flip-Top Packs (560 wipes today, $16.97.

 

Thanks for listening. I suspect I will sleep tonight. You almost always come through. This one is cheap and easy.

I look forward to seeing you in the morning.

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