In the next few weeks I will be offering a giveaway of a large painting, in honor of the holidays and my 100th blog post. Stay tuned for details…
Human Composting: Return Home
Click to see how the process works
Micah way back when I babysat for him. He was super intelligent and very personable, even then!
I bequeath myself to the earth to grow from the grass I love
If you want me again, look for me under your boot-soles
--Walt Whitman
The idea of human composting, an alternative to human burial and cremation, is gaining steam these days across the country. It is a way to gently transform human remains into fertile soil, give back to the earth and complete the life cycle in a non-polluting gift to the earth kind of way. You might have heard mention of it as it has been in the news a lot lately--it is legal in several states (California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont and Washington and is being considered in New York State right now) and that number is growing.
Micah Truman the founder and owner of the largest human composting facility in the world, Return Home, a new type of funeral home (based in Auburn, Washington just outside of Seattle) has won numerous awards including Best Funeral Home in Washington State and one of three Best of the Best worldwide. It just so happens that I used to babysit for Micah (and his brother Sean) when he was a young boy.
If you would like to learn more about this method of burial, which actually gives back rich fertile soil to the earth, listen to Micah talk about his passion and business: Return Home.
Lopez Island Library (and Ramen Shop nearby)
Lopez Library, Lopez Island, WA
Darren Hoerner, Librarian, Lopez Island, WA
For me, libraries are magical places and I try and make it a rule to visit them whenever I go into a new town. I just love being around books in general, as if the knowledge one can get from them literally feels like it is leaping off the pages...
On a recent visit to the greater Seattle area, my friend Lexi proudly took me on a field trip to her local library--a pure gem of one on Lopez Island. If the librarian is creative and visionary, as Darren Hoerner is, it can become a central hub of the locality, a place to gather and much vaster than just a place to house and borrow books. The quality of these institutions says a lot about the values of a community--how much effort and vision they are willing to put into these centers. If the montly newsletter is any indication, the Lopez Library is bustling with all kinds of activities, from lectures, knitting circles, game nights, holiday card making, open mike evenings, etc. They lend all sorts of musical instruments including large drums and bongos, board games, music, movies, and they have a fully stocked arts and crafts room where people can come, use the supplies and make art, often with intergenerations interacting. The library is inviting, filled with art and multiple large comfortable chairs and seating arrangements which give it a feeling of home and "hygge."
The Lopez library has been awarded "Star Library" status several times over (out of 7049 American public librarires, only 259 reach this distinction) and has also been selected as one of 15 public libraries in the nation to participate in the “Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces” grant project led by the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) in partnership with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).
And if you are hungry afterwards, go check out another gem of the Lopez community, the Setsunai Noodle Bar just nearby, where Josh Ratza and his family Michelle and Noah cook up and serve delectable healthy, locally sourced and organic Japanese inspired dishes including rice bowls, ramen and udon noodle soups, kimchi and other delicious creative inventions. As good quality as any other top quality ramen shop I have encountered...
Top notch Japanese inspired noodle bar Setsunainoodle on Lopez Island, Washington
Chef Josh Ratza, photo courtesy Mikaela Judd, who writes a monthly blog https://www.mikaelajudd.com/
Sheila Metcalf, Weaver
Midnight and Moonlight, my new vest woven by Sheila Metcalf
One of the best things about being an artist is you get to trade with other artists and artisans for some really cool stuff. I was especially lucky this trip to find the wonderful Lopez Island weaver, Sheila Metcalf, willing to exchange with me. The great thing about this type of transaction I find is that both parties end up feeling like they made off like bandits. I defintely felt that way with the vest below and another beautiful light blue indigo shibori longer version. If you are in the market for beautiful woven and hand-sewn one of a kind garments with hints of Japanese influence, please check out Sheila's work on her website: sheilametcalf.com. It is wonderful and very reasonably priced.
Unique Gifts for the Holidays
For unique gifts, visit our artShop: www.pamelasmilow.com/shop-all
Charity of the Week:
This is the charity closest to my heart in New York City. My daughter Morgan was part of this wonderful dance program in the NYC public schools in fifth grade and then went on to dance with them every Saturday as part of their SWAT Celebrations Team for the following four years. As a young deaf boy, Jon Hine, (pictured here), was an incredible dancer who lit up the stage and has gone on to do wonderful things with his life…This is defintely a charity worth supporting as it literally changes kids’ lives…
New York, NY 2022
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.