Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

24 May

Laid Up: Three Images To Brighten A Day. Yes, I’m In A Bad Mood…They Call It Negative Energy, I Call It Something I Can’t Publish On My Blog

by Jon Katz

The spiritual people like to call it Negative Energy, while I like to call it being grumpy or in a foul mood. I wasn’t expecting some insect to bite my leg this week, infect me, ground me, and mess up my leg, which looks like a map of the Amazon jungle. So I’m in a bad mood. When that happens, the best thing for me to do is recognize that I’m in a bad mood and stay away from people.

I’m supposed to stay inside all day while the bites stop swelling and spreading, but that puts me in a worse mood.

Yes, I know it comes from early trauma, but who cares? I want it to be better. I can’t promise to be nice to the strange people who often send me annoying messages, like today when Dave messaged me to tell me I’m too close to the photos I take.

I started to say something nasty, but I caught myself and just messaged Dave, suggesting he wandered onto the wrong blog and should come back when he got some manners.

Then I knew I needed to pull back and tend to myself, so I am, along with my flowers and cameras, Maria is in her studio. They always make me feel good. I am chuckling at it now. But here are some photos, and yes, I was close, Dave, sorry. Blessings to you all.

So I stay away from people, keep to myself, and go outside for a few minutes to take photos and share them. Then I’m going to lie down a bit. I have to go to the pantry to take some pictures this afternoon, but I am unsure if I can. In the meantime, here are some images that will hopefully brighten your day and mine.

Wildflowers mingling with the ones I planted in my garden bed.

Donkeys make a great backdrop.

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24 May

As The Billionnaires Yachts Get Bigger, So Does The Cost Of Food: Pantry Food Requests Of The Day: Corned Beef Hash For $2.48, Pasta Sauce For $2.99

by Jon Katz

Every day, Sarah Harrington, our esteemed director at the Cambridge Food Pantry, tirelessly seeks ways for us to contribute easily, swiftly, and economically. She’s a master at spotting bargains in the vast realm of Amazon, ensuring the pantry shelves are stocked as the demand for food escalates.

At low cost, we can make an enormous difference in the work of the food pantry and the lives of the people who seek its help.

The number of families searching for food for their families is growing, and many families have large numbers of children. The shelves keep emptying.

Most of the food comes from the regional pantry food bank; some becomes unavailable, and the pantry doesn’t get to choose what they receive. We try to fill that cap through small acts of great kindness.

Both of today’s meals cost less than $3. That money can do a lot of good at the food pantry.

My understanding of deals on Amazon was deepened when I started building the wish lists for the Mansion and Sue Silverstein’s Art Program.

Sarah’s first choice for today, Friday, May 24, is Armour Star Corned Beef Hash, Hearty Homestyle, Canned Food, 14 Ox, which costs $2.48.

The Second Choice is Prego Traditional Pasta Sauce, 45 Oz Jar. $2.99.

We can do a lot of good for $5.47. These are the items the customers and children miss and ask for.

We prepare food backpacks for the children of the Pantry families in need. We try to give them enough food to last through the holiday or any weekend and beyond.

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General

24 May

Notes From The Art Room, By Sue Silverstein, A Friday Column. Saying Goodbye To Seniors

by Jon Katz

Sue Silverstein is a beloved friend and a teacher at Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, N.Y. I am proud to publish her weekly column (usually on Fridays) on my blog. She is a brilliant and loving teacher and runs the most creative and exciting art program I’ve ever heard of. Thanks for supporting her fantastic work. – Jon

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Notes from the Art Room

Tears this morning. He was one of my all-time favorites as we spoke on his last day of classes as a senior. I said, cherish the moments in your life that bring you to tears at the thought of leaving. They become part of you forever.

This special person is intensely creative, intelligent, hardworking, and kind. He has created exceptional artwork. One of the best and worst things about teaching art or anything else is saying goodbye.

It is best because of the pride and hopes for the future. It is worst because you must let them go and pray they will be safe, happy, and successful. We tie-dyed shirts this week; it is a custom here at ND-BG that graduates dye and sign their uniform shirts for the last day of class.

The photo of the shirts hanging on the fence outside brought back memories of other years’ classes and students. One of the other staff members stopped in the art room mid-tie-dye chaos, and I just said; it is a happy and joy-filled mess, at least.

Isaiah and Jordan are holding the latest in the found object painting series. The objects come from everywhere. The members of the Army of Good always succeed. There are some exciting projects in progress with glass and teacups. Stay tuned.

The clown painting is a response to a question I posed in painting class: How do you paint grief? 12th grade Jasai is the artist. I felt as if he nailed it. So many people hide their grief and paint on a happy face.

I am so grateful to the Army of Good. It amazes me every day. People are just so kind. I have a few special projects planned for June. I have been saving some of the things that you sent.

Thank you for the notes, canvas, and boxes of treasures this week! We could only do what we do with you.

I always seek donations of paint, canvas, stones, plaster cloth, wood scraps, and anything else you think would be amazing. My email is

[email protected]

The address is

ND-BG

2600 Albany Street

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24 May

Friday Morning, Farm Journal: Potato Chips All Around. Quarantined By (We Think) A Spider…

by Jon Katz

We had lunch at a local restaurant yesterday. They gave us a lot of potato chips with our sandwiches. Neither of us eats potato chips, but Maria loves to wrap them up, take them home, and feed them to the chickens and donkeys. Food never gets thrown out here.

Of course, we forgot about them. Zinnia rode with us this morning when we went to the post office.

On the way home, the wrapper blew out of the car. Zinnia picked it up and brought it to us; she didn’t eat a chip. Maria gave half of it to the hens, who love potato chips, and then to the donkeys, who also loved potato chips. It was a sweet start to the morning; it’s a beautiful Spring day today, cool and sunny with a gorgeous blue sky.

I’m quarantined today, trying to knock down the swelling and infection caused by some creature who feasted on my legs. The infection reached down to my ankle, and that is always a danger sign for a person with diabetes. I’m on antibiotics and prescription itch medicine. I had to stay inside, drink liquids, and put ice on the two bites all day. If it didn’t improve or the swelling worsened, I returned to the doctor or urgent care.

I got out for some pictures, and I’ll do some blogging. Then, I’ll rest for the rest of the day with an ice pack around my leg. It’s always exciting around here. I last slept two nights ago, so I’m grumpy today. I’ll lay low.

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Flower Art

23 May

Taking A Spin With The IPhone, Having Some Colorful Fun. Shades Of 2022, When It All Began.

by Jon Katz

I decided to take my Iphone 15 PRO Max out of my pocket and out to the fresh air this afternoon. I love shooting flowers in the morning, as I started doing two years ago; the Leica cameras have crowded the scene a bit. What hat works best is using all three: the Iphone, The Leica SLR, and the Leica G2 monochrome.

(As of 3 p.m., my two Leica cameras are fully insured.)

This exercise with the iPhone was a great find and reminded me to pay some attention to the Pro Max. It reflects color beautifully.

I love the photos it takes, especially in the morning light.

I think I am free tomorrow. We have a lot of chores to do to prepare for Memorial Day weekend. The Cambridge Food Pantry is hosting a float. I haven’t been invited to ride on that (I’d get dizzy up there), but I’d love to go and see it and cheer them on.

Sarah says (I love the sound of that) that the chosen food for Friday is corned beef hash and prego sauce, both already up on the Cambridge Pantry Wish List. Enjoy the photos.

The first photo shows the Salvia beneath the Iris in the background. The others each tell their own story of souls and hearts.