Blog No. 249: KINDNESS!, Mountain Climber Sheroze Kashif, Martin Niemöller Quote

September 27, 2025

KINDNESS!

In all the 4+ years that I have been writing this newsletter, I want to encourage you to watch this video (click here) and share it far and wide and with everyone you know.

It's a compilation of acts of kindness put together from Steve Hartman's CBS Evening News "On The Road" series.

How is it that I have not heard of him before--his show has aired for a long time now. If it has the same effect on you as it did on me, it will make your face hurt from smiling.

I do believe kind people are the majority.

Hartman won two well deserved 2013 Edward R. Murrow Awards (presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association) for the CBS Evening News. Three of Hartman's stories won in the Best Writing category.

Please share with me your comments on the video--I'd love to know if it had the same effect on you that it did on me...

Mountain Climber Shehroze Kashif

You never know who you are going to meet in Maine--so many interesting people--and you never know who you are going to run into in, a sauna of all places! But since I talk to everyone, this is actually the second blog post I have dedicated to someone I met in that way, in this case in a YMCA in Boothbay.

This time I happened to be sitting next to a guy from Pakistan, which was already a little unusual in lily white Maine, and this was definitely no usual guy. Shehroze Kashif aka the "Broad Boy" holds the world record for being the youngest person to summit all fourteen 8000+ meter mountains.

I have always been fascinated by people who climb mountains and in awe of their ambition, although I could never imagine myself being that driven to do something like that. But Shehroze fell in love with the mountains on his first visit when he was 11, and one can say he fell in love and it was almost that he was born to climb...

Here is a short documentary entitled Above the Sleeping Giants about this young mountaineer who became Pakistan's youngest to climb all fourteen 8000+ meter mountains--fascinating and definitely as close as I will ever get to these sleeping giants...

Quote from Martin Niemöller

QUOTE FROM MARTIN NIEMÖLLER

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

—This quote was attributed to Martin Niemöller (1892–1984), a prominent Lutheran pastor in Germany.

My Studio this Week

Charity of the Week:
Indivisible

Please show up on October 18th! and click image to donate and find a march near you…

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 Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 248: Pep Talk from Bernie Sanders, Ian Volkov Speaks His Truth, No Kings Day Protest

September 19, 2025

Pep Talk from Bernie Sanders

This is the speech we all need to hear right now. It is short but will give us courage to keep going...

Please listen and allow him to be our fuel...What would we do without Bernie?

If there are numbers in the street, the media is forced to pay attention…

And while we are on the subject of pep talks, here is another one from the national treasure Heather Cox Richardson, spoken on September 18th. She is so wise, so calm, and we are lucky to have her as one of the most important voices in America right today, America's history teacher and one of our fearless leaders...

Truth Speaker Conductor Ilan Volkov

Click image above to hear Ilan Volkov’s impassioned speech to his audience at the BBC proms.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up and stand out, to stick your neck out even when others deem it is inappropriate to say something at that particular day or time. Ilan Volkov, prominent and renowned Israeli conductor, used the opportunity he had in front of a serious classical music audience at BBC Proms to speak his truth when he had the opportunity to reach a lot of people. And as he responded to a heckler, "You can go if you don't want politics--politics is part of life." I beg you to do whatever is in your power to stop this madness--every little action matters...

The pain he expresses in his heart, I feel it too...

Nationwide Demonstration October 18th

SO SHOW UP! Click image above to find a protest near you.

As many of you know, I usually like to focus on positive, optimistic stories in this blog and to steer clear of the news of the day. God knows we have enough of the darkness in our daily lives and I think it is imperative that we try and stay steadfast in preserving hope and not letting them take away our joy. But sometimes I just can't avoid trying to rally the masses, especially when I feel that we all have to get active and not just gripe.

On October 18th, there will be a mass nationwide protest (nokings.org) and I would like to urge you, whether you have protested before or not, to get out there on October 18th--plan ahead now to be free that day and recruit some of your friends to join you. Here is the link for you to find a local protest near you (zoom in to find your location).

The truth of the matter is that those who remain silent, whether they like it or not, are complicit. Please realize that it is so important that we have numbers in the street that day--to demonstrate to our lawmakers that we do not agree with the attack on our democracy and the desecration of the U.S. constitution and human rights. We need desperately, as one of the most effective tools right now, to show that we are not going along with this administration before it is too late. And while you are at it, get involved in other ways as well--on the local level, through boycotts (look at how successful the Tesla boycott has been--and think back to the United Farmworks Union strike in the 1960s).

I have been impressed with so many people in Maine who are out there on the bridges of their towns week after week with signs of protest but we need more of us. It is energizing to participate and it also shows the public, many of them honking in support as they drive by, that we are out there trying to resist and that they should join us... My mother was a victim of Nazi Germany and there were many that were against the regime but kept their mouths shut. We cannot make that same mistake over and over again...I believe we are the majority...so let's go! For the sake of all of us...

Born during the AIDS crisis, this pink triangle poster refers back to the symbol known for its association with the persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s.

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, mixed media on paper, 30” x 22” $1500

Charity of the Week:
Indivisible

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 247: Gabor Mate on Joy and Play, Growing a Sweet Potato Indoors, Crispy Rice Salad

September 14, 2025

Gabor Mate on Joy and Play

The original Christopher Robin stuffed animals, now living at the New York Public Library. Click image to read more about them.

I loved Winnie the Pooh. My daughter loved Winnie the Pooh. Who didn't love this treasure of a book called Winnie the Pooh! Generation after generation is familiar with this classic and it's characters: Milne's real son Christopher Robin's stuffed animals: the loveable Winnie (named for a brown bear in the London Zoo), Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo and Tigger.

The Hungarian-born Canadian physician and addiction expert is no exception. Gabor Maté expounds on one of his favorite children's book and why it means so much to him. His explanation contains a lesson for all of us. Have a quick listen--it's an important reminder for all of us.

Click on this image above to hear Gabor Maté’s important lesson…

Growing a Sweet Potato Vine

I just moved into a new place that is somewhat lacking in light and greenery. Came across this "How to grow a sweet potato" online and thought I would give it a try. I always loved the intense green of the sweet potato vine leaves you see growing in planters all around NYC and have heard they couldn't be easier to grow. And if you get the right shape potato, the sweet potato itself looks beautiful and almost like some exotic mini African tree trunk. Follow this youtube video to find out how easy it is.

Crispy Rice Salad

CRISPY RICE SALAD
From Sivan's Kitchen on Instagram

INGREDIENTS FOR SALAD🥗
🥬1/2 of a savoy cabbage
💚about 4 green onions
🫛about 2 cups sugar snap peas chopped
🌿1/2 bunch fresh mint
🌿1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
🫛1 cup shelled edamame
🥑1 avocado

or for variation:
•4 Persian cucumbers
•1/2 bunch fresh mint
•1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
•about 5 scallions
•1 cup shelled edamame
•1 avocado
•1/2 cup chopped peanuts

INGREDIENTS FOR DRESSING:
🫙1/4 cup soy sauce
🫙1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar (it’s a bit sweeter)
🛢️2 tbsp. Oil
🫙1 tbsp. brown sugar
🍋‍🟩1/2 lime
🧄1 garlic clove

INGREDIENTS FOR CRISPY RICE:
•2 cups of white raw rice cooked and cooled
•1 heaping tbsp. chili paste
•3 tbsp. Oil

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. PREPARE THE CRISPY RICE:
* Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
* Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and in a large bowl, combine the cooked white rice, chili paste, and vegetable oil. Mix well.
* Spread the rice mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes, tossing the rice every 10 minutes to ensure even baking. Watch closely to avoid burning.
* Once crispy and golden, remove from the oven and let cool. This can be done ahead of time.

2. PREPARE THE VEGETABLES:
* Chop all your vegetables and place them in a large bowl.
* Add the edamame and diced avocado to the bowl.

3. MAKE THE DRESSING:
* In a small bowl, combine the ingredients.
* Whisk together until well mixed.

4. ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:
* Add the chopped roasted peanuts and the cooled crispy rice to the bowl with the vegetables.
* Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
* Serve immediately and enjoy!

Note: If preparing this salad ahead of time, add the avocado, crispy rice, and peanuts just before serving to maintain their texture. The crispy rice will become slightly soggy if it sits in the salad for too long.

Painting of the Week

Tree of Life Series, mixed media on paper, 60” x 22” $4000

Charity of the Week:
Southern Poverty Law Center

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 245: No Place Like Maine, About Bees, Crumble Recipe (Copy)

September 5, 2025

There's No Place Like Maine

Nothing like a family vacation in our favorite vacation spot in the state of Maine, "the way life should be!"  I am not sure all vacation places are like this but Maine seems to attract generation upon generation of summer people who continue to carry on the family tradition...our family included.  Our special spot is mid-coast.  

This year there are sixteen of us in a huge house and you could say it is a bit of a United Nations--we have two Chinese, two Danes, one Brit, a Greek, two Puerto Ricans and the rest of us mundane Americans (although many of us hold multiple European passports)...Feel so lucky to be able to gather and that everyone wants to come time and again...so many beautiful memories over the years.  Blessed...

My nephew Aaron Schoenfelder has documented much of his experiences in the state with these wonderful paintings--creativity does flourish in our breed...

About Bees

click image above to see more animal prints by Pam Smilow and Gert Mathiesen

My friend Regina is one of the foremost beekeepers in Maine and she has mentored many newcomers to the field.  I had the good fortune of suiting up with her one day and going into one of her four hives and having a look.  Totally fascinating!  I was a little nervous at first but realized I was totally protected by the suit and the bees weren't interested in me anyway...

We all love honey.  Here is a crash course on the wonder of bees and that sweet divine nectar they produce:

Click to watch a brief video, courtesy Flow Hive US, honeyflow.com

Click to watch how beeswax is made, courtesy Flow Hive US, honeyflow.com

And on my travels across bee-land, I came across this cool Australian company called Flow who have invented a new kind of beehive, easier on the beekeeper and easier on the bees.

Courtesy honeyflow.com. “With our new invention it was now possible to harvest honey from a beehive quickly and easily, without disturbing the bees and without requiring a honey shed or special extraction equipment. We were convinced that our invention could change beekeeping forever. Now it was time to introduce the Flow Hive to the world.”

Click image to shop all these innovative beehives by Flow Hives

Steve and Maia's Famous Crumble Recipe

My beautiful mom and daughter, many moons ago!

MAIA AND STEVE'S CRUMBLE

Topping: 
mix together 

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

Filling: 
mix together 

3 cups fruit #1

2-3 cups fruit #2

1/4 cup flour
 
2 tbsp brown or white sugar 

Spices (cinnamon or vanilla etc)
Bake at 375 degrees for approx. 40 minutes

Painting of the Week

Painting by my very talented nephew Aaron Schoenfelder. Click image to see more of his work.

Charity of the Week:
Unicef Aid to Gaza

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 246: Child Prodigy Identifies Music, Tennis and Boris Becker, Billy Collins Poem

August 31, 2025

Toddler Identifies Classical Music

Not much to say about this one except click here and take a listen. How does one explain this! Isn't it wonderful that there is mystery and magic in the world...

Tennis and Boris Becker

It is U.S. Open Tennis time right now--it has been going on for two weeks now and the finals are this weekend. This is one of the sports I really enjoy watching (and in the past, playing) so I always look forward to this time of year. It reminds me of my Dad too--he was a big tennis player and took my sister and I to some of the U.S. Open tournaments, even way back when when it was still held at Forest Hills.

I recently met the filmmaker Alex Gibney and his wife Anne DeBevoise and decided to have a look at his documentary on Boris Becker entitled Boom Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker since I've been in the tennis mood. I remember Becker pretty well--he was of my era--a very exciting time in tennis--and the film brought me back to the primary players of that period. It was fun seeing some of the more recent interviews in the film, all these men players all grown up and looking older. My favorites were Bjorn Borg (I think everyone's favorite) and Guillermo Vilas and my least favorites were John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors (America's sore sport, poorly behaved players in my humble opinion) ...

Boris Becker was a German wunderkind, the youngest player to win Wimbledon--he already had two of those titles by the time he was 19. Aside from his stunning sports prowess and his sheer power, he also had a colorful underside when he ended up in jail for tax evasion a bunch of years later...Becker has a very interesting story and this film does a good, thorough job of covering it as well as showing an insider's look at the sport and what it takes psychologically as well as physically to be a champion. Gibney is a great storyteller and I highly recommend this documentary, available on Apple TV

Forgetfulness by Poet Laureate Billy Collins

FORGETFULNESS
BY Billy Collins

The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of,

as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.

Long ago you kissed the names of the nine muses goodbye
and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag,
and even now as you memorize the order of the planets,

something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps,
the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay.

Whatever it is you are struggling to remember,
it is not poised on the tip of your tongue
or even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen.

It has floated away down a dark mythological river
whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall

well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those
who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle.

No wonder you rise in the middle of the night
to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war.
No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted
out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.

Painting of the Week

Charity of the Week:
Unicef Aid to Gaza

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 244: Michael Singer LIVING UNTETHERED, The Secret Life of Four, Five and Six Year Olds and the Documentary CHASING CHILDHOOD, My Mother Edith Smilow's Prized LINZER TORTE

August 24, 2025

I’ve had a busy few week and not much time to write so I decided to launch my very first ever BEST OF from past Things We Love entries…Hope you enjoy revisiting them or seeing them for the first time if you missed them before.

Michael Singer Living Untethered

Click image to see a review of this book.

Just finished Michael Singer's book Living Untethered--it made a really big impression on me. If I had to summarize it (and I might massacre it, I am warning you), I would say that it is very clear account of what it is to be inside of you, why the mind does what it does, how the heart opens and closes and why we have such trouble "being here now." When we encounter an interaction that is uncomfortable, we push it away in order to protect ourselves instead of letting the experience come in and go out again--i.e, if we have a bad encounter with a snake, we then associate every time we see something snakelike (i.e., a piece of rope, a big worm) to that bad experience and it brings up the past trauma over and over again even though it is not the reality in front of us. When we store up these past experiences, they compound and become a mess of blockages that inhibit our energy flow, prohibit us from our natural state of wellbeing and affect our spiritual growth. Singer attempts to shed light on this by illustrating how the moment in front of us is not bothering us but we are bothering us. He shows us that we have the capability of freeing ourselves from this scenario, leaning away from the noisy mind and changing our focus to what is right in front of us, the reality as seen clearly in the stillness. Away from worldliness into spirituality. A lot to work on but being clear and aware is the first step...

The Secret Life of Four, Five and Six Year Olds and the Documentary Chasing Childhood

Click image to see the very important documentary Chasing Childhood: a must see for any parent of young children…

So much for me these days is trying to find some distraction from what is going on in politics and the world...and it is a struggle because I know that looking the other way is what enables the status quo to exist--I suppose there must be some kind of balance between burying my head in the sand and seeking joy in other things.

This entry is in the category of seeking joy: The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds is a heartwarming and often humorous, sometimes distressing, British television show that gives us amazing insight into the emotional and social development of children. A specially designed playroom is the setting of the show where we can observe, through hidden cameras, a group of children in the midst of their free play. As viewers, we have the opportunity of watching them make friends, communicate with each other, juggle leadership roles and behave and navigate life in a group setting... The show's expert psychologists offer commentary on the children's behaviour, providing insights into how they are developing and offering advice for parents and educators. This is one of many episodes of The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds which can be found on youtube.

This is a good follow up to my recent post on Chasing Childhood, the documentary I recently wrote about in a previous blog post and one no parent of young kids should miss-- it accentuates the importance of free play in childhood.

My Mother's Prized Linzer Torte

This recipe is my mom’s crown jewel. She made it for every special occasion and it was anticipated and beloved by every member of our extended family and friends alike. It is my great pleasure to share it with you right now. She would be happy to spread the word…

EDITH SMILOW'S LINZER TORTE

1 stick and 1 tbsp. butter

2/3 cup sugar

2 egg yolks

1 cup all purpose flour

1 1/3 cups ground almonds

2 squares semi-sweet or unsweetened chocolate, grated

Dash of Kirsch (optional)

Dash of cinammon

Three types of jam mixed together (for later)

Mix/Beat sugar, butter, egg yolks together--can be done in a food processor. 
Add the rest of the ingredients except for the jam until everything is mixed together. 
Place dough in refrigerator for 1 hour or more wrapped in plastic wrap.

Divide dough in two parts, one slightly bigger than the other. 
Roll out each part between two pieces of lightly floured wax paper. 
Place the bigger half of the dough in a greased spring formed pan about an inch up the sides as well. 
Spread a layer of the (mixed together) three jams on top (my mom used raspberry, strawberry and blackberry but the type of jam is your choice). 
Use the other smaller half of the rolled dough for the lattice work by cutting into 1 inch wide strips and arrange in a lattice design over jam layer. Don't worry if it breaks--you can just press it together. 
You can also fill the spaces between the lattice strips with a little more jam if you would like. 
 Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly and crust is browned. 
Cool completely. 
Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

Painting of the Week

My latest commission for a wonderful couple in New Harbor, Maine.

Charity of the Week:
Unicef Aid to Gaza

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 243 : William Kentridge, Animal Telepath Sharon Loy, Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton Music

August 15, 2025

Artist William Kentridge

I'm still hitting myself that I missed this William Kentridge exhibition in NYC by one day...Painful... South African William Kentridge (born 1955) is, in my humble opinion, one of the most interesting artists alive today...a real artist's artist. Some people have even deemed him the Picasso of South Africa. Kentridge is most known for his large works in charcoal and his animation, although he does not limit himself to just that--with chalk, with film, with charcoal, with metal, he crafts his drawings, paintings, sculpture, operas and film.

His latest exhibition centered around the idea of studio as self portrait--how does one make sense of the world with the tools and techniques of the studio. According to his artist statement, "I have never been able to escape Johannesburg, and in the end, all my work is rooted in this rather desperate provincial city. I have never tried to make illustrations of apartheid, but the drawings and the films are certainly spawned by, and feed off, the brutalised society left in its wake."..."I am interested in a political art, that is to say an art of ambiguity, contradiction, uncompleted gestures and uncertain ending - an art (and a politics) in which optimism is kept in check, and nihilism at bay." And on his drawings: "The drawings don't start with 'a beautiful mark'. It has to be a mark of something out there in the world. It doesn't have to be an accurate drawing, but it has to stand for an observation, not something that is abstract, like an emotion."

The Hauser & Wirth Gallery website shows a big selection of the works in this show--have a look and let me know your thoughts in the comments...

Animal Telepath Sharon Loy

Do you ever have the impression that so much of what we have been taught is wrong...Take animals for example. So many of us have just accepted the paradigm that humans are superior beings, the only conscious ones, the only ones capable of evolving, the only ones with feelings, the only ones who are able to use tools... Animal telepath Sharon Loy knew all that was not true ever since she was a little girl--acutely aware that our spirits bloom when we are connected with animals.

I hope you will take the time to watch this inspiring mini documentary about Sharon Loy and the animals (and humans) whose lives she has touched...Guaranteed to cheer up your day, no matter what state you are in...Magic does exist in the world!

Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton Music

Click the image above to hear the album Live at the Legion

Spent the early morning hours lying in bed listening to Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton's relatively new album Live at the Legion, suggested by David Kowalski, aka vinyljunky by his own admission, owner of Deep Groove Records in Brunswick Maine. It's a great record store and the go to place if you are looking for absolutely anything vinyl. The red white and blue vinyl version of this album is one of their very many offerings.

William Lee Apostol aka Billy Strings (the name given to him for his prowess in that arena) and Bryan Sutton have put together their spin on a mix of traditional bluegrass and folk influences including the work of Doc Watson, Norman Blake and Tony Rice and have even included a number written by Bob Dylan. They have made these traditional tunes alive again, "innovating on and carrying their songs to new heights for a new generation of listeners."--Henry Carrigan of Folk Alley.

Rolling Stone wrote an interesting article on Strings a few years back if you want to take a deeper look at his tumultuous and wondrous life.

Painting of the Week

One of my all time favorite pieces of Gert Mathiesen (1951-2013) which if it hasn’t moved hangs in the home of a wonderful family in Berkeley, California.

Charity of the Week:
Unicef Aid to Gaza

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...