the farm, in a nutshell

There is no way to explain the farm, but I think I gave an explanation of it, on this blog.

I have been here for almost a month and have already fallen back into the luxury of the the area. There are so many things that I missed about the Farm when I left, and some things that made me crazy 3 years ago (when I left), that still make me crazy. This is definitely no Utopia, but it is close enough to perfect for me (right now)...and that is all I can ask for in this lifetime.

I took a Staff position as a Kitchen Assistant, which means I help put out 4 meals each day. Breakfast, Lunch, Tea Snack ( a 96 year old tradition!) and Dinner. But, in putting out the meals every day, we staff lead a team of "guests," which is a term referring to our "patients" here at the Farm. The guests suffer from a wide array of mental illness; ranging from schizophrenic disorders to bi-polar disorder or depression, etc.

The purpose of guests coming to the Farm is not only to seek out treatment for their disorders, but also to be a part of Community in a world that can be very isolating, especially if you suffer from mental illnesses. The work program is also a means to teach "life skills," i.e. building up/or maintaining the ability to keep a job, while struggling with mental illness and also dealing with being med-compliant (that is to say, sticking with your medicine routine, which is VITAL!)

So, needless to say, Dear Readers, work is not always as simple as cooking; it involves a working awareness of all the people you work with, and a working relationship with all the other "teams" --Teams refers to what work you do at the Farm, i.e. I am on the Kitchen Team, there is also a Farm Team, Maintenance Team, Forestry & Grounds Team, Restaurant Team, Garden Team and Baking Barn Team--as well as maintaining open communication with the Social Workers who are the direct contact to all the guests.

The Farm is AMAZING in that this method has been working fairly successfully for nearly 100 years!! And though the world changes, and more directly, Community changes there is still a focus and desire to serve the mentally ill in a fashion that is respectful in a world where so many choices for the mentally ill can be so dehumanizing! I am so proud of the work I do and if I leave no mark on this world, at least I will leave it knowing that I did good, honest (sometimes exhausting!) work. I am unbelievably happy!

that's what's making us crazy...

My sister, A1 sent the following article. That in itself made me wonder if she is hinting at something? We have that kind of ambiguous, passive aggressive relationship (sometimes). I guess I should stop licking all my old children's books before I go to bed at night...

"JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Could a vintage, dog-eared copy of "The Cat in the Hat" or "Where the Wild Things Are" be hazardous to your children?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has raised that possibility in urging the nation's libraries to take children's books printed before 1986 off their shelves while the federal agency investigates whether the ink contains unsafe levels of lead.

Few, if any, libraries are complying, and many librarians are ridiculing the recommendation as alarmist. Even the nation's premier medical sleuths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, say any danger from lead in children's books is slight."

For the rest of the article click here.

a poor imitation of catching up

I am doing exactly what I said I wouldn't do...getting TOO busy to write about the wonderful life I have here in Massachusetts, at home again at the Farm.

This is just a short check in to promise a longer, explanatory blog either tomorrow or Saturday.

Things are great, busy busy and staying that way for a while. Now doing research for places to visit in Rhode Island (Newport). Going to visit my brother A2 next weekend for a day, then he may come back for a day to be spent at the Farm. Would be cool, as he has never been here, and also, I just love to show people the place that I love so much!!

Speaking of A2, wanted to send a huge HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY wish to my niece, Monster Niece G in California. Wish I could be there celebrating with my little monster! I am sending nothing but love and happiness to you, Monster Niece G!! Aunt Monster loves you so much!

And, since I am not leaving my beloved readers with much, let me at least share a beautiful poem that best friend Mummy Dearest shared with me. This goes out to C, who is going on vacation this week. Happy travels Friend!

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered

wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,

I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew -And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod

The high untresspassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

life is beautiful

This is going to be short AGAIN, I swear I will post a long and more explanatory post this weekend when I have time off. In short:

• California was RIDICULOUSY SUNNY! And yet I didn't get to enjoy it, as I spent the 5 days instead with a sinus cold due to the dry air and probably the germs I caught on the plane...which made for a crabby monster.
• Enjoyed time with my brothers family. My niece and nephew were so much fun--Monster niece G (4 years old this month) and Monster nephew N (2 years)--love to run around and get into mischief of all kinds, and love to laugh...too cute. I loved Monster niece G waking me up by standing next to me saying, "wake up, it's time to wake up Tita" ("Tia" is Spanish for aunt, and "Tita" is a more endearing form of that. CUTE!! Also, I love love love my sister-in-law L--she is full of piss and vinegar, which I appreciate!
• My brother A2 was commised as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. We are very proud of him! Very cool to be at the ceremony, which was held aboard the USS Midway. I was able to read the Invocation Prayer at the Ceremony--and very flattered that he asked me to do it!
• My Aunt R and Uncle T, who also went to CA for my bro's Commissioning, helped me move back to the Farm on Thursday (they left Saturday). I am still getting acclimated to life here (since I moved away 3 years ago and things change), and after work, instead of unpacking, have been hanging out and playing cards, etc. with old friends every night. Unpacking can wait until the weekend! The boxes won't run off... :)
• Otherwise, life is so BEAUTIFUL here right not, even with the snow! It is maple sapping season so the trees have buckets hanging on them and the sap house has a continual curl of smoke coming up from it! Pics to follow!! And details too!
• Welcome new Followers: Nejla, Elle Might and Sarah L. Not sure if I have been able to welcome any of you yet, so WELCOME to my humble online abode!

Also, and without further adieu, please not the name of my blog, it has changed to:

MISADVENTURES OF THE MONSTER FARMER-LIBRARIAN!

Thus begins a new age in middle earth.

HERE

I need to write about the whirlwind that has been life these past couple of week.

Don't have time now. Will write soon.

I made it safely to The Farm.

Details to follow!