bedlam farm

A New (Green) Friend Joins Joyful Pause Cottage Studio

Posted by Barbara Techel
Baby ric rac cactus

She made the trip all the way from upstate New York. A sweet offering from Maria Wulf of Bedlam Farm. 

It was about a week before we were set to leave Arizona and head back home to Wisconsin that I read a post on Maria’s blog about her ric rac cactus. 

It was a year ago that she received a cutting from a ric rac cactus that her friend Emily has. Look how that cutting has grown in one year!

Photo credit: Maria Wulf

I commented on her post how much I loved it and thought perhaps I could find one in Arizona – since after all, we were in the cactus state! I’d never heard of this type of cactus and it brought me back to childhood and how my mom used to sew many outfits for me and my sister. I can’t say as I recall specifically any rick rack on the outfits she made for us, but seeing the shape of the appropriately named cactus brought to my mind cherished memories of my mom sewing.

It was about a day later I received an email from Maria offering me a cutting of her ric rac cactus if I couldn’t find one. Well, I jumped at the chance and the kind offer.

Not only do I admire Maria herself, and her artwork, but I love how she shares about the dogs, cats, and animals on Bedlam Farm. She definitely is also a Nurturer extraordinaire!

So to have a cutting from her of the cactus that came from her farmhouse at Bedlam Farm, that came from Emily, who is a collage artist and a baker, and I enjoy reading her blog too, well, it feels like a lovely trio of online connections that for years have brought me joy.

And now I have the ric rac cactus to remind me not only of the kindness of others I’ve never met in person, but also a reminder of the special connection we share all because of the internet and our love of animals, writing, and art. Plus the special memories of my mom sewing when I was a little girl are what I will think of every time also when I look at this sweet cactus.

XO

Barb

    

On Knowing When It’s the Right Dog for You

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I’ve been watching with great interest as my favorite author, Jon Katz and his dear artist wife, Maria of Bedlam Farm have been searching for a new dog to bring into their lives.

The breeder they hoped to get a pup from was taking longer than usual, the dog not going into heat when they’d hoped. They considered adopting, but had a bad experience visiting a shelter over the weekend.

But then something prompted Jon to reach out to the woman who had given him his border collie, Red. As fate would have it and the stars aligned, they knew when they saw the pup with one blue eye that she was the one.

And get this….her name is Fate. I think they need no other clearer signs than this. It was meant to be.

It brought up the times this has happened to me. How it is when you just know. While at times I’ve been anxious for a new dog after one has passed, I believe that it has to feel right—that there is this connection that is undeniable.

At least this is how it works for me. It made me think again about Gidget and how I found her. Or perhaps I should say she found me? But likely once again everything aligned and we were supposed to be together.

When I saw her face and those telling eyes, after looking at hundreds of dachshunds, I felt that familiar tingle in my heart. She was the one.

While I had passed over many sweet and adorable, and most likely great dogs, I couldn’t stop looking at Gidget and found myself getting lost in her eyes. She drew me into her being. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

It just brings me back to how connection is so important—for both you and your new dog.

Each day our love for each other deepens. I learn new things because of Gidget. I’m learning to step into and own more of my belief’s.

She is the one. And while I don’t know what the future holds, I take one day at a time, soaking in all the love that she is. And I thank all the stars in the universe for lining up in just the right way that brought her to me.

—

Jon’s post about what happened during a shelter visit in Vermont is worth reading. I was saddened to learn that some animal shelters are now using a process for adopting pets out that seems cold and impersonal for both the person and the dog.

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I Want to Be the Female Version of Jon Katz

Posted by Barbara Techel

Kylie on the path behind our house

As many of you know who follow me here on my blog, my all time favorite blog and author is Jon Katz– no kidding, right?

Sometimes I wish I were him. But in a way I guess I am.  We both like to write. We both like dogs and animals.  We both enjoy trying to just enjoy the simple moments and joys of life. He is (well) known as Bedlam Farm.  I am (not as well) known as Joyful Paws.

So let’s see.  He lives on a farm in NY. I live in a little cottage style home in WI. He has three dogs. I currently have one. He has three donkeys, many chickens, a few barn cats, and sheep.  I’m really short in all those departments I’m afraid to say.  But I do have wild birds and hummingbirds.  Lots of bunnies.  Some squirrels and the occasional woodchuck.  Even had a Sand hill Crane family in my backyard last summer.

Everyday he walks his three dogs on a path on his property. Though that will soon change and a new path will be forged at his new farm house. I walk Kylie on the path behind our house when it is not too hot– which hot it has been most of the summer so far– so not much path walking has gotten done.  And to this day she still is not the most enthusiastic walker- never was, and I suspect she never will be.  I’ve accepted that about her.

I may not have all the animals and life that Jon Katz has, but I know enough to find happiness in what I do have. It is all a matter of choice, afterall. It is where I am in this moment at this time and I’m pretty happy and content.  When I need a donkey or farm fix, I get lost in Jon’s blog.  But for the most part I really do give thanks for the simple, sweet life I’ve carved out here with my supportive and loving husband, John. I feel a wee bit short in the dog department right now, too, but that will hopefully change as I continue to move forward.  Though as promised to John, not until after our fall trip to Vermont.  Hey, maybe I’ll run into Jon Katz and his wife, Maria there as I know they like to escape there, too.  Now wouldn’t that be something?

So I’ve decided, yes, Jon is great and I love learning from him about his writing and his life. I take it and sift it and adapt to what is right for me. So I guess this then means I would just rather stay me. Yup- I like me and I like my life.  It has been something I’ve worked hard on the past ten years and wouldn’t trade where I’ve come to the place of mostly peace and acceptance about who I am and what I do have. Life is good.