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

August 31, 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

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. 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...

Blog No. 242 : One Red Lego, Adama Bakery, Zucchini Tots

August 9, 2025

One Red Lego

If you believe that we can receive signs from our loved ones who have crossed over, here is an amazing story that will confirm your belief. And if you are not a believer that our souls survive our body, this might just make you think again...

I love Laura Lynne Jackson for writing her book Signs and for being our guide into the world of psychic abilities and mediumship and for disseminating this One Red Lego story of Tara Stilwell and the sign she received from her son Wilder.

Tara, thank you for sharing your beautiful story of connection with Laura Lynne and the world and for having so much grace, beauty and strength...

Share

The Adama Bakery and Foundation

Women baking bread at the Oruchinga Settlement Camp.

The ADAMÂ Foundation is dedicated to baking bread and building community in refugee camps. My friend and college roommate Claudia has been trying to put them on my radar for quite a while now and I finally took it off the back burner and had a look.

Founder of the Adama Foundation, Israeli Ayelet Berman-Cohen has had a long time interest in indigenous cultures and the plight of people who have lost their homes and family due to war. Berman-Cohen also relies heavily on her dreams and has used them throughout her life as her guides. In one of her dreams, she dreamt that women, whom she had long considered her “enemy,” would bake their native bread, and share it with her.

Who said dreams cannot come true...

The Adama Foundation grew out of this dream inspiration, building its first bakery in the Oruchinga Settlement Camp in Southern Uganda in 2020. The camp is home to over 9000 refugees from Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, and other parts of East Africa.

Adama set out to train and empower the refugees, especially women, with skills that will enable them to earn a livelihood; to become a focal point for the community; and to feed the most vulnerable refugees – the children, on a regular basis." I was immediately impressed by their mission, their success and the real help they are giving to women and children in the refugee camp of Oruchinga Click here to explore more about them and their current projects.

Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton Music

ZUCCHINI TOTS
Courtesy Market Grow

Ingredients:
* 2 grated medium zucchinis
* 1 large egg
* ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
* ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (optional)
* 1 clove of garlic, minced
* ½ tsp. onion powder
* ¼ tsp. salt
* ¼ tsp. black pepper
* Olive oil spray (for baking)

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Grate the zucchinis.
Squeeze the liquid out of the zucchini on a cheese cloth or clean kitchen towel.

3. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well and shape the mixture into small, oval-shaped tots and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Lightly spray the tops of the tots with olive oil spray to help them crisp up.

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy on the outside.

6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.

Enjoy!

My favorite Maine August joke about zucchini:
"Why do people lock their cars in Maine in August?
To ensure that people don't put zucchini in it..."

Painting of the Week

Charity of the Week: Adama Foundation

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

Blog No. 241: Carl Jung on Human Connection, Stanley & Astrid Samuelsen Tribute to George Harrison, Peter Beinart on Gaza

August 1, 2025

Carl Jung Wisdom

There is so much of Carl Jung's wisdom in this 43 minute youtube video and the more I know about this Swiss psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and psychologist, the more I embrace his philosophy and school of analytical psychology.   

For me, the most important things in my life are my art and the connections I have with my family, friends, and people in general whose paths cross mine.  According to Jung, there are no accidents and people don’t just show up by chance—-they come to us as guides and messengers.  Jung believes every human interaction is sacred data, every relationship a spiritual classroom and every heartbreak is a syllabus for transformation.  But people come into your life to reflect the very thing you are not willing to see, your fears, your wounds, your worth...It is your soul calling in whatever is needed, not what your ego wanted but what your evolution demanded...that is the way we grow...and  

Tribute to George Harrison by Stanley and Astrid Samuelsen

I have shared music with you before from my Danish/Faroese musician friend Stanley Samuelsen and here I present to you a full tribute album to George Harrison he made with his talented daughter Astrid Samuelsen. I love their choice of the five songs--sit back and enjoy this beautiful and touching music by my favorite Beatle, played with loving care by this father/daughter duo...

"Stanley Samuelsen is one of the most highly praised Faroese songwriters. His melodic and beautifully haunting songs are accompanied by his impeccable fingerstyle guitar playing, which some might hear is influenced by esteemed guitarists such as Stephen Stills and John Renbourn."

"As the daughter of beloved Faroese musician Stanley Samuelsen, Astrid Samuelsen has been rooted in music since birth. Together, they have performed countless times and, with Astrid contributing to several of Stanley Samuelsen’s releases. In 2014 they released the critically acclaimed tribute EP Long, Long, Long, featuring interpretations of songs by George Harrison. Astrid has been nominated for two Danish Music Awards: first in 2014 as Talent of the Year at the Danish Music Awards Folk, and again in 2016 when she, together with De Underjordiske, was nominated for Live Act of the Year."

Peter Beinart on Gaza

This entry falls into anything but the upbeat category but I think it is a very important discussion to listen to. It might make me some enemies because this is not an easy subject to talk about, and in so many ways, this critical issue is way overdue to address, but please take the time to hear journalist and political commentator Peter Beinart have a serious conversation with Jeremy Ben-Ami, President of J Street (the political home of pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans) on the subject of Gaza, Israel, October 7th, Hamas, and the future of the Middle East.

Peter Beinart is is a contributing Opinion writer for The New York Times and a professor of journalism and political science at at the City University of New York.

And since we are talking about the tragedy that is Gaza, I will also include Mandy Patinkin's comments on the same subject.

Product of the Week: Botanical Tea Towels

check out these and other products based on our art on our website

Tea Towels: 6 different design, cotton/linen blend. Shop this and other products based on our art in the artSHOP section of my website: www.pamelasmilow.com/shop-all

Charity of the Week: Doctors Without Borders

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

Blog No. 240: Andrea Gibson, Debbi DiMaggio Podcast with Me, Obama Sings Amazing Grace

July 26, 2025

Tom DiMenna tonight is at City Winery in NYC: 7:30pm Story Songs of the 70s: Music of Jim Croce, John Prine, Leonard Cohen along with all time favorites Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot and Harry Chapin…Tickets still available

Andrea Gibson (1975-2025), Poet Laureate of Colorado

Photo Courtesy Boulder Library Foundation. Click image to read more about them.

So many tributes right now to this obviously incredible person, Andrea Gibson, poet laureate of Colorado, who recently left this planet after living with ovarian cancer for four years. I wish I had known more about them before. In honor of their beautiful poetry and their well-lived life, here is one of their poems that speaks to me and to the content of my newsletter as well:

A List of Things I Love

I love. That could be the end of the sentence, but I love sentences. I love words huddled together like strangers trying to survive a frigid night. I love rock sculptures built in windstorms. I love sandcastles crafted inches from the waves. I love the drama of an 80’s ballad. I love grandparents holding hands in rocking chairs on the porches of old houses in northern Maine. I love penguins, though I’ve never met one. I love how shocked I was when I realized my Superman cape couldn’t lift me into the sky. I love that all these decades later, I can still be that exact same kind of surprised.

I love cucumbers straight from the garden. I love old typewriters even if they don’t work. I love imagining I am a bird who is imagining what it’s like to be human in the dead of winter, wearing an upside-down nest made of yarn atop the head. I love wishing wells and the dreams that fill them.

I love scared rescue dogs who can’t live in homes with small children. I love the kids in junior high talent contests who always forget their lines. I love the nervous love in their parents’ chests. I love mother starlings racing home to their babies’ open and rowdy beaks. I love the perfect smiles of people with crooked teeth. I love daydreaming about the pep talks butterflies give to depressed caterpillars. I love that bumblebees taste with their feet. I love when it’s so cold out I can walk atop the sparkling snow. I love tiny libraries. I love stained glass windows in people’s homes.

I love how my partner takes karaoke far too seriously. I love my very first crush in the 4th grade, wherever he is, whoever he became. I love phone booths in London. I love ketchup chips from Canada. I love Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. I love the six perfect holes in my most worn pair of boots. I love that pigeons can recognize themselves in photographs. I love that laughter is more contagious than the flu. I love thank-you letters mailed to teachers twenty years after they graduate. I love the romance of merge signs.

I love watching people pull over on the side of the road to take pictures of a rainbow. I love that I can fix almost anything with shoelaces or duct tape. I love listening to my partner yell, “Andrea! Where did my shoelaces go this time!?” I love pointing out the window at our singing wind chime.

I love listening for the quietest notes of the loudest songs. I love carnivals in the parking lots of tiny towns. I love paper planes with love notes written inside. I love watching children realize that the seashells on the beach are free. I love the perfect contentment of a kite caught in a tree.

I love coffee shops on Saturday mornings. I love the kind kids who have hard lives. I love the mean kids who haven’t yet learned a better way to survive. I love that after chemotherapy, my straight hair grew back in curls. I love the tiny hurt that makes each pearl. I love trying to jump over puddles and failing.

I love that cows have best friends. I love that fleeting moment of annoyance while deep in writing a poem, someone interrupts to ask me to come look at the sunset. I love the instant that follows, when I recognize that to be a true poet, I must abandon every poem for every pink sky.

I love the pink sky and the sound of my grumpy neighbor opening his door at the same time that I do. I love both of us peeling off the husks of our minds to taste the sweetness of the world’s truth. I love what I have in common with people I have nothing in common with.

I love that my best friends kiss me on the forehead whenever I am sick. I love the baristas in fancy coffee shops who never ever smile. I love old diners with signs that say, “Stay A While.” I love the desert. I love the sea.

I love how much longer this list would be if the sunset were not, in this very second, calling me.

And I love all of you, friends, for caring about what I love. What are you loving today?

Love, Andrea

Debbi DiMaggio Podcast Interview with Me

Debbi DiMaggio Interviews Me: Click image for the whole podcast

Wonderful podcast on much more than real estate with Debbi DiMaggio

I usually don't like sharing this kind of thing because it feels like I am showing off and I get nervous when I do interviews and end up sounding like an idiot. Furthermore I don't usually like the way I look on camera but this time it actually went off without a hitch and I am actually proud of the interview.

I took a pitstop in Portland Maine on my way to New York City and the Press Hotel in Portland Maine was kind enough to let me find a quiet place in their lobby to tape the podcast. Debbi DiMaggio, a client of mine who has become a friend is a great interviewer, aside from being a California real estate broker par excellence. She put me totally at ease, prompted me with good questions and I definitely know the material since it is my life...

Many of you know a lot about me already but if you don't, have a listen--it's a good way of getting to know my background, my approach to my art and some of what I have been up to all these 68 years...

Amazing Grace sung by President Barak Obama

I think we all need to hear this again. Obama sings Amazing Grace.

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A PRESIDENT!

Painting of the Week

Metallic Flower Power Series mixed media on paper 44” x 90” $9000

Charity of the Week: Doctors Without Borders

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

Blog No. 239: Between the Mountain and the Sky Documentary, The Legacy Danish TV Series, David Gittens: Renaissance Man

July 19, 2025

For those in NYC, my friend Tom DiMenna is reappearing at City Winery on Sunday July 27th at 7:30pm for another round of Story Songs of the 70s—this time with an expanded list of covers including the music of Jim Croce, John Prine, Leonard Cohen along with all time favorites Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot and Harry Chapin..Everyone who came last time enjoyed a wonderful evening with this talented musician and his band. Hope you will join me. For Tickets: https://citywinery.com/new-york-city/ticket-selection?eventId=story-songs-of-the-70s-04li6a

Between the Mountain and the Sky Documentary

Don’t ever say one person can’t make a difference. Meet Maggie Doyne!

My friend Karen Mulvaney introduced me to the documentary Between the Mountain and The Sky (a Duplass Brothers Production), and in fact, I found out in the credits that she and her husband Tom were the producers of this beautiful film. It is well worth watching--will have you laughing and crying and realizing that yes, one person (and a Jersey girl at that) can make a difference, and in this case, impact in a huge "love" way the life of 50+ orphans in Nepal. Not to mention so many others who she has reached, like me, who are left deeply inspired...

Meet Maggie Doyne, a young woman who during her gap year between high school and college decided to participate in a program volunteering with children in India. One thing led to the next and the next thing you know, Doyne, together with her program partner, Top Malla, now runs a school, children's home, women's center, and girls' safe house in Surkhet, Nepal. There are many steps in between which the film documents, taking us on an exciting, inspiring and heartwarming story about "Mommy" Doyne and her kids. With the founding of the foundation Blink Now, a non-profit organization founded by Doyne in 2007 that provides financial support and management oversight to the Kopila Valley School, Children’s Home, Women’s Center, Health Clinic, Big Sisters' Home, and New Campus in Surkhet, Nepal, Doyne has cemented her humanitarianism in Nepal in a huge way...

Hurry up and watch this film--looks like it is about to be taken down very soon from online...and then will be available in film festivals and theatres and for rent...Click here to watch...

I highly recommend it! And so does CNN, who awarded Maggie Doyne the CNN 2015 Hero of the Year.

Danish TV Series
The Legacy

I recommend The TV series The Legacy (Arvingerne), now on PBS. It is a soap opera but a Danish and smart one at that. It tells the story of an artist Veronika at the end of her life and the legacy she left to her husband and children, all of whom you get to know very well throughout the series (three seasons).

I don't think this series could have been made in the United States--it is much more intelligent than your normal run of the mill soap opera with layers upon layers of truths about greed, fame, family and familial ties, loyalty, societal norms, the art world, child rearing, selfishness, infidelities, love...you name it, the series covers the full range of human emotions and foibles. It is wacky, weird, and unconventional, and the characters are in many ways Danish to the bone and definitely not American characters. The acting and writing are of very high quality...depicting real characters having complex, flawed, real relationships, that are allowed time to grow, and that inevitably lead you to ponder your own family and your own experiences...

According to one reviewer, "this was one of the wildest, craziest and most fascinating foreign series I've ever watched!... completely unique and original, compared to 99% of what we see in Canada and the U.S...

Another reviewer described the writing, acting, directing, etc., to "show a level of artistic merit that puts the great majority of UK and American shows to shame." I really enjoyed the series and binge watched a lot of it. Maybe you will enjoy it too...

David Gittens: Inventor, Artist, Humanitarian

David Gittens, inventor of this amazing car, the Ikenga, envisioned out of a session with the Spiritualist Society in London in the 1960s.

David Gittens is a remarkable man! I met him as a kid--he was my cool Uncle Stan's friend and colleague and he recently reached out to me, looking to find his old friend, my 95+ year old Uncle... When I looked him up to remind myself of who he was, I knew instantly that I wanted to include him in a blog post as I had discovered an absolute treasure trove! This guy has done everything! In fact, so much so that I have been having a hard time writing this because he has accomplished and done so many interesting things, I didn't know where to start and what to include--way too much for one brief column.

Let's start by saying he is an designer and an auto and aviation pioneer--creator of the 1967-69 Ikenga motorcar, the 1977 Ikenga Catamaran, and the 1986-92 Ikenga Autogyro aircraft--all of which are today still considered utterly futuristic.

The Ikenga Motorcar, 1967-69. Gittens “channeled” the design of the car.

**Ikenga 530Z Autogiro, i1958-1965, featured n the collection of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.**

Growing up an African American kid in Brooklyn, David Gittens, now in his late 80's, can claim so many additional titles to his name: commercial photographer (freelance, staff for Car and Driver for many years), videographer, musician, interfaith worker, leader of seminars at the Smithsonian, painter, creator of a solar heated shower in collaboration with Unicef, creator of an incredible 23 string guitar, spiritualist--I could go on and on...

Here is a wonderful, very personal interview with Shahzad Sheikh, AKA the BrownCarGuy that covers much more than just cars. Through the course of the interview, Gittens talks about his life story and it is really fascinating and inspiring...And now, at 86, he is still at it, continuing work with kids on his humanitarian Art/Peace/Heart Project he founded in 1999 celebrating love and kindness.

I am so happy to be reacquainted with this amazing person. Here are some additional links if you want to explore more:

David is also a musician and invented and built this 23 string guitar. Click image to hear him play this amazing instrument—a song called You Are Love—You Are Loved.

**Click to read more about his online, free-to-download, Arts/Peace Project for students of all ages.**

An article about him in the Sarasota Herald Tribune
Email: dwij@aol.com
Music/videos:https://vimeo.com/
user9399249/videos
Inspirational/Visionary Art: http://dwij.org/dwij/gallery.html

Music on my 23-string creation with soundscape artist Edward Cosla: https://youtu.be/CzIr_ndIIJ0

Aircraft design segment:http://dwij.org/dwij/aircraft.htm

Rare first flight film: The 1988 Ikenga 530Z Autogiro:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65GTibxR2hY

The Ikenga Story:
http://dwij.org/dwij/530Z_history.html

Automobile design segment: http://dwij.org/dwij/ikenga.htm

Rare film: The 1968 Ikenga MK II GT:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK7rCTfU06o

Painting of the Week

They glow! Painting by Pam Smilow, turntable by Brian Eno…

Charity of the Week: BlinkNow Foundation

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

Blog No. 238: Hands, Time Magazine Top Digital Creators, Strawberry Shortcakes

July 11, 2025

Beautiful Hands

Courtesy Sean Alonzo Harris—click image to see more of his photography.

Courtesy Sean Alonzo Harris—click image to see more of his photos.

Time Magazine List of Top Digital Creators

Time Magazine just came out with their first list of Top Digital Creators 2025. I think it is a terrific resource for those of us that might want to learn more about what is going on on TikTok and other social media platforms we are not so accustomed to. Start small, and explore a few of them at a time--it's a good way to keep current and abreast of what is journalism online these days...And for us older generation, you might want to skip down to the leader section first--some (not all) in the entertainment section seem a little inane for my taste...

Strawberry Shortcakes

It is the last hurrah of fresh strawberry season and I am a big fan of strawberry shortcake. So here goes: a great recipe from Alexander Robert of substack's Alexander Bakes

For the shortcakes:
 1 1/2 cups (190g) all purpose flour
 1/4 cup (30g) almond flour
 1/4 cup (35g) medium grind cornmeal
 3 tbsp (38g) granulated sugar
 1 tbsp (9g) baking powder
 1/2 tsp kosher salt
 1/2 cup (114g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
 1 cup buttermilk (or cream)
 Turbinado sugar (or more granulated), for topping (optional)
  For the strawberries:
 2 cups strawberries, halved or quartered
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  For the whipped cream:
 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
 3 tbsp granulated sugar
 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 400º F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the biscuits: Add the all purpose flour, almond flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl. Whisk together, then add the butter and pinch it into the dry mixture until it’s broken down to the consistency of breadcrumbs (no big chunks).
3. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Stir together just until no dry clumps remain and a soft, wet dough forms. Scoop 1/3 cup portions onto the baking sheet, about 2 inches apart each— I divided the mixture into 8 biscuits (if you want smaller servings, do 10-12 instead). Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top of each biscuit, then bake them for 18-20 minutes. They won’t gain too much color, but the edges will be golden brown. cool completely.
4. Macerate the strawberries: While the biscuits are baking, add the strawberries and granulated sugar to a small bowl. Stir every 5-10 minutes. The juices will begin releasing and the strawberries will soften slightly.
5. Make the whipped cream: add the cream, sugar, and vanilla bean paste to a large measuring cup. Use a hand blender to whizz the mixture together on high speed, until it turns into a thick whipped cream (you can also just do this in a stand mixer instead, but this way is really fast).
6. Assemble: Pair the biscuits with their twins. Place a bottom biscuit (I use the less cute ones) on a plate and top with a good scoop of whipped cream. Spoon some of the macerated strawberries and their sauce over the whipped cream, then top with another biscuit. Repeat for remaining biscuits and serve immediately!

And another of my favorite fruits is watermelon. Look at this masterpiece, also by AlexBakes. Looks like cubed cucumbers, feta and watermelon with some herbs thrown on top. So gorgeous and creative!

Painting of the Week

Thiese paintings found a good home in a beautiful apartment in Forest Hills, New York.

Charity of the Week: Unicef

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

Blog No. 237: Good Advice from Heather Cox Richardson, Ariel Stachel, Mistranslations

July 5, 2025

I try and flood this newsletter with joy, good will and love to counter and fight against the dark, sad mood of mourning I am sure many of us are feeling right now. We cannot give up but we also can't let them bring us down and take away our joy. I am reminded of the scene in the Brazilian film I'm Still Here where, upon having their picture taken, the mom insists that they all smile...watch the trailer to the end to see what I mean and if you have a chance, this is an amazing and timely film that mirrors what is happening to our country, just as it did in Brazil in the 1970s.

Good Advice from Heather Cox Richardson

Heather Cox Richardson gave what I consider a pep talk on her instagram Political Talk of June 26th.  

In it she stated: "There is joy in creation and joy in hard work and where we are right now is really miserable in a lot of ways  but now is also a time for us to 
meet new people, try new things, to reach out and make your own life the most creative it can be...I keep reiterating that authoritarianism cannot thrive in a land where people are making community connections and are doing so with joy. So I urge you to keep on doing whatever it is that makes you want to keep on."  

Thank you Heather Cox Richardson!  I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly and if ever there was a national treasure, you are it!

If you are looking to start some kind of creative practice in art, hit me up.  I can help you jump start it and give you practical advice and encouragement to get going...

Ariel Stachel

Actor Ariel Stachel (The Band's Visit, Law and Order SVU) was born in Berkeley California to a Yemini Jewish father and a New York Ashkenazi mom...and has struggled with identity his whole life, being both Arab and Jew. He is currently at work for the past six years on a play about his experiences and has put some of it on instagram. In this day in age, where anti-semitism is on the rise (with many thanks to Benjamin Netanyahu, in my humble opinion), I share with you one of Stachels's talks on the subject-- I think what he says is important and worth a listen...

Mistranslations to Make You Laugh

These mistranslated signs made me laugh outloud over my morning coffee on the day we got the reults of the Senate vote (the one that Murkowski caved on).  If something could make me laugh that day, it must be funny, right? I hope it gets at least a few chuckles out of you too. 

AIRLINE TICKET OFFICE: "We take your bags and send them in all directions"

HOTEL LOBBY: "The lift is being fixed for the next day.  During that time we regret that you will be unbearable."

HOTEL ELEVATOR, PARIS: "Please leave your values at the front desk."

SIGN IN MEN'S RESTROOM IN JAPAN: "To stop leak, turn cock to the right."

HOTEL JAPAN: "You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid."

THE LOBBY OF A MOSCOW HOTEL ACROSS FROM A MONASTERY: "You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except Thursday."

HOTEL FOR SKIERS, AUSTRIA: "Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension."

TOURIST AGENCY, CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Take one of our horse-driven city tours.  We guarantee no miscarriages."

AD FOR DONKEY RIDES, THAILAND: "Would you like to ride on your own ass?"

LAUNDRY IN ROME: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time."

HOTEL IN ZURICH: Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose"

COCKTAIL LOUNGE, NORWAY: "Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar."

CITY RESTAURANT: "Open Seven days a week, and weekends too."

IN A PUMWANI MATERNITY WARD: "No Children Allowed."

IN A CEMETERY: Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but their own graves."

IN A SWISS RESTAURANT: "Our wines leave you nothing to hope for>"

IN A NAIROBI RESTAURANT: "Customers who find our waitresses rude ought to see the manager." 

Oh, how we all need a good deep laugh right now!

Painting of the Week

This painting found a good home in a beautiful house outside of Chicago.

Charity of the Week: Unicef

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

Blog No. 236: Carl Jung Self Discovery, Artist Oladimeji Alibi, Two Refreshing Cold Summer Soups

June 29, 2025

Carl Jung and the Journey of Self Discovery

Illustration from Jung’s The Red Book—Click image to see the pdf of the whole book

Illustration from Jung’s The Red Book. Click image to see more of Jung’s art.

I have long been fascinated by Carl Jung and his holistic approach to psychology. His concept includes a much broader sense of the term to include aspects of the unknown, the intangible and the spiritual. That makes a lot more sense to me and in fact is the source of his conflicts with Freud, who believed everything had its source in sexuality. In addition to our own experiences, thoughts, memories, Jung believed that we were also influenced by the history of our civilization, what he termed the collective unconscious, and how cultures across the globe share similar versions of the same story.

This short documentary (less than twenty minutes), one in a series of educational films by George Lucas and Lucas Films serves as a primer to Jung's life and work, his theories on the unconscious, his relationship and eventual split with his original mentor Sigmund Freud, and even addresses, head on, the claims that Jung was an anti-semite. If you, like me, are interested in learning more about Jung, this is a great place to start...So many of Jung's ideas and contributions, a figure who was very far ahead of his time, are now deeply woven into our lives in more ways than we realize....

Artist Oladimeji Alibi

I recently had the pleasure of meeting the Nigerian artist Oladimeji Alibi, introduced to me by Prince Mapp, a co-worker of my daughter Morgan.

Olademeji met and married an American of Nigerian descent and moved to the States about a year go. He came to visit me in my studio a couple days ago just to talk and compare notes. He, like me, works in a variety of different media including painting, sculpture, textile design and clothing. An incredibly versatile artist, I thought I would share some of his art here and point you in his direction (instagram: ) if you are interested in learning more about him and his work. One thing I found amazing was the affinity he had to my husband, the late Danish artist Gert Mathiesen's work, as seen in his textile patterns and designs. Whether in Denmark, Nigeria, Australia, or anywhere in the world (Keith Haring also comes to mind), we all seem to share similar references and a collective consciousness.

Two Refreshing Cold Summer Soups

CHILLED CUCUMBER SOUP 
2 to 4 servings
Courtesy Melissa Clark and the NYTimes Cooking App

INGREDIENTS



1 pound cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise and seeded

2 cups buttermilk (or use 1½ cups plain yogurt plus ¼ cup water)

1 large garlic clove, peeled and smashed

2 anchovy fillets (optional)

2 small whole scallions, trimmed

½ jalapeño, seeded, deveined and chopped

½ cup packed mixed fresh herbs (like mint, parsley, dill, tarragon, basil and cilantro)

½ teaspoon sherry or white wine vinegar, more to taste

¾ teaspoon kosher sea salt, plus more to taste

4 slices baguette or other bread, toasted

1 avocado, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced

2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

½ lemon

Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

Freshly ground black pepper

1 ear of corn, shucked, kernels sliced off

Fresh dill, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine cucumber, buttermilk, garlic, anchovy, scallions, jalapeño, fresh herbs, sherry vinegar and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and adjust seasoning as needed.



On the toasted bread, smash the avocado slices. Sprinkle with crumbled feta, squeeze the juice of the lemon half over the top and finish each with a drizzle of olive oil and some pepper. Transfer to a plate and set aside.


 Distribute soup between 4 bowls and garnish with raw corn kernels and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve avocado toast on the side.

GAZPACHO SOUP 
(with one surprising ingredient*) 
serves 8-10
 INGREDIENTS
combine 3 garlic cloves, pressed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2-3 cups tomatoes, chopped (about 4 tomatoes)
2 cups cucumbers, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup onion,chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
1/3 cup veg oil, chopped (just kidding)
1-2 teaspoons salt
 1/2-1 teaspoon tabasco, depending on how spicy you want it
 *32 oz. bottle of clamato juice


Chill and enjoy. My dad really enjoyed this soup when my cousin Joanne Kahn would serve it at our annual family pool parties at her house in Westport--many moons ago.

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, mixed media on canvas, 80” 54” $8500

Charity of the Week:
National Dance Institute

Pet of the Week:
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
please send me photos of your favorite pets with a brief description and/or story

PIXOTE, rescue kitty soulmate, submitted by childhood friend Amy Hirsch

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

Blog No. 235: Picasso at the Gagosian Gallery in NYC, National Dance Institute Event of the Year, The Dogs Poundcake and Milkshare Revis (Copy)

June 27, 2025

National Dance Institute Event of the Year

Father's Day is not my favorite holiday since both my own dad and my daughter's and son's dad (my late husband Gert Mathiesen) are no longer with us but what makes up for it is the pure joy of experiencing National Dance Institute's Event of the Year performances at the Skirball Center of NYU, where over 200 kids from New York City public schools perform every Father's Day Weekend. This year's theme was The Evolution of Rock and Roll, complete with (loud) live music (my apple watch warned me I was way above the safe decibel level--I didn't mind). NDI's Event of the Year is always fabulous and a shot of real pure joy...Definitely a highlight of my year every year. I know it will not do it justice but here are a few clips to give you a taste so you are sure to attend next year's Father's Day weekend shows if you are in New York. Next year marks their 50th year--the best kids' organization in the New York City public school system. Not everyone goes on to be a dancer but they make lifelong arts lovers and confident kids out of anyone the program touches...To prove the point, many of the organization's teaching artists and administration (including their Executive Director Germaine Jones) are alumnae. Check out the NDI website for future events.

Picasso
at the Gagosian Gallery

The current Picasso exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery in NY includes art in the collection of Picasso's daughter Paloma Picasso--some of the pieces have never been shown before to the public.  The exhibit is not a large show but it includes some real gems, and represents the breath of Picasso's work--everything from painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics--he did it all...In every single one of those mediums, there is no other artist in my book that even comes close...

The Friendship of Pound Cake and Milkshake: Two Deaf Dogs

Everyone who has ever had a dog (and I have had four over the years) knows that deep feeling of love and joy that only a pet can bring.

I have been following my two favorite instagram dogs Pound Cake and Milkshake for a while now, featured on James Coburn's instagram @Make.Life.Happen--two deaf dog rescues who were adopted by a loving family and found not only a loving home but each other too!

I'd like to invite you to send me photos of your favorite dog (or any other pet you love) and I will share some of the images in a future newsletter...And Let me start the chain by introducing you to Frenchy, my daughter Morgan's and her boyfriend Danny's rescue from Tennessee who I get to take care of quite often (or she takes care of me, more like it)..

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, mixed media on paper 12” x 15”

Charity of the Week:
National Dance Institute

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

Blog No. 234: Brave Souls in the Military, Immigrants Make Us Great, Rice Paper Recipe

June 14, 2025

Special note: As I handed each police officer a flower today at the demonstration down Fifth Avenue in New York City, I said: “With this flower I’d like to show that we are peaceful protesters and I want to thank you for your service. We’re all in this together and I hope that your allegiance will be to the United States Constitution and not to the one person in the White House. Thanks again for being our partners in this. As I pointed around us, I said: “look at us—so beautiful—a nationa of immigrants!” We need to work together and we need the police force and the military to be with us. America does not believe in kings…

I have been to many demonstrations in my 60+ years and never before did I feel that the police force was actually on our side in this. Great feeling! I gave out probably thirty flowers and aside from smiles and thank yous from almost every single officer, I even got myself a warm hug from one of them.

Brave Souls in the Military

Who would have ever thought we would be here, in America, in 2025! My dad did! I often think back to him, who became politicized in the army durng World War II, was active in left wing politics and civil rights during his whole life, lived through Joe McCarthy times, and who warned me many moons ago to keep myself off lists, to give money but do it anonymously, and generally be aware that fascism is lurking right around the corner...

Today I feature a few very brave souls in the military who are daring to speak out, in the face of real life consequences, in order to make the point that as military people, they have sworn an oath to the consitution, not to one man...Call me an optimist, but I am hoping that there are many more people like them, who are not interested in entering into combat with their own fellow citizens...
Click this link to hear from another courageous soul standing up for freedom.
And Congressman Mike Levin calls attention to some more military personnel standing up-- Here's another hero he has highlighted on his website.

This is a very important part of our work in the future to counter the weaponization of our own military against us...

Immigrants Make America Beautiful

Illustration by Elizabeth Jabar of Hinge Collective, Waterville, Maine Click images to see more of her work.

Illustration by Elizabeth Jabar of Hinge Collective, Waterville, Maine

What makes America great? I would argue that a lot of it is because of our diversity. Thank you Jimmy Kimmel (and so many of our previous presidents) for speaking out and reminding us of what makes America so beautiful...

And here is an organization that reminds us of why people come to the United States. "NEW AMERICAN STORY PROJECT's current project, Welcome Children: Voices of the Central American Refugee Crisis focuses on unaccompanied Central American minors who journeyed thousands of miles to reach the U.S. They tell their stories in their own words while legal, social science and policy experts provide perspective, up-to-date data and detailed context. We hope to foster greater understanding about the ongoing humanitarian crises in Central America." To read their stories in person, click here.

Click here to download a free poster by artist Micah Bazant

Crispy Rice Paper Rolls

CRISPY RICE PAPER ROLLS
as seen on instagram @tastyiri_en

INGREDIENTS
10-15 rice paper sheets
3 cups shredded cabbage (approx. 9 0z)
1 medium carrot, grated
1 1/2 cups slided mushrooms
7 oz cooked shredded chicken
1 tbsp soy sauce

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all the ingredients and cook in a skillet on medium-high heat.
Place ingredients on rice paper, fold it in four, repeat the process and cook in a pan on both sides...Watch Iri's video here for complete illustrated instructions...

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, mixed media on paper 52” x 52” sold

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

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

Blog No. 233: Old Age: Anything but Boring, Meditation for Beginners, Mark Nepo Poe

June 7, 2025

Old Age: Anything But Boring Young at Heart Chorus

Who says we are too old--too old to dance, too old to sing, too old to enjoy hard-core music? I've written about the Young at Heart Chorus before--out of Northampton, Massachusetts, since 1982 this soulful and anything but boring chorus of 70+ year olds have been entertaining crowds around the entire world with their versions of hard rock and punk rock tunes. I love their rendition of David Bowie's Let's Dance, their version of the classic Led Zeppelin tune Stairway to Heaven and their wild interpretation of the Ramones famous I Want To Be Sedated. You will never think of those three songs in the same way again! If you want to see more of them, there is a whole documentary on them from quite a few years ago but it is still available on Amazon.

And while we are on the same subject, here are a few photos of my friend Carolyn Doelling, who after a full career in philanthropy, became a model at the age of 73 determined to show that older women can be passionate, colorful, beautiful and proud rather than ignored and invisible...She is succeeding!

Click image to read an article about Carolyn

Meditation for Beginners

Click iimage to access this free 21 day meditation journey

I do not at all claim to be an aficionado of mediation--I come relatively new to the practice but I thought i would share this Deepak Chopra/Oprah Winfrey 21 Day Journey to Perfect Health Series that I listen to on youtube. I am not one that likes a guided meditation--I prefer the silence and I think their series' are good for beginners because they walk you through and take the mystery out of the practice. It starts with Oprah saying a few words, introducing the theme of the day, and then Oprah passes it on to Deepak, who goes deeper into a brief lesson. And then he shares a mantra and guides you in reciting it a bit and then leaves you in silence for 10-15 minutes, beginning and ending with a soft bell. There are many other of their series available on youtube as well of various themes such as "Get Unstuck: Creating a Limitless Life"and Creating Peace From The Inside Out. Emptying your mind is always a good thing, especially these days! I try and do it at least once, if not twice a day...

Mark Nepo Poem

Click image to read more about Mark Nepo’s new book

This Slow Quick Dance. by Mark Nepo

After everything has gone wrong,

after what we believed would never

break has broken, something gives
 
way and, against all despair, a sliver 

of light reaches us like dawn through

the night window to lift our sorry face.

No one knows how this works, but 

we are stirred to step out of our story
 
and reach beyond all the warnings 

to ask for love one more time.

This can happen in a second: when
 
I pick up the book you dropped, or 

as a stranger asks if I’m ok when 

she finds me staring into traffic.

This excerpt is from Mark Nepo's new book of poems, The Fifth Season due to be released on July 15, 2025you can You can pre-order your copy today through the retailer of Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, etc. using this link here.

Painting of the Week

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

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

Blog No. 232: Matisse's La Chapelle du Rosaire, Birds, Two Thai Salads,

May 31, 2025

Matisse's Chapel of the Rosary

I have my own list of "wonders of the world" and Matisse's La Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence France is definitely near the top of my list.  A small structure, its architecture, stained-glass windows, interior murals, ceramics, liturgical furnishings, and priests' vestments were the focus of Henri Matisse's life in his later years (1947-1951) and by his own admission, "his masterpiece, the crowning achievement of his career."  I love everything Matisse did--his paintings, his sculptures and bas reliefs, his collage, but I have to agree--this is a crown jewel...  

This chapel in southern France is small and open very limited hours to the public.  I was lucky enough to show up when they had visiting hours (it is a working church) and my reaction upon entering was one of utter awe.  My jaw fell and I gasped!  The beauty of it, the simplicity, using just a few saturated colors: blue, green, yellow, black and white.  It recalls the Japanese word shibui for me--a concept we don't have a single word for in English (and one of my dad's favorite words) which describes a combination of simplicity and beauty.  If you are ever in southern France, this chapel is a must see!

Courtesy The Robert Capa and Cornell Capa Archive, Gift of Cornell and Edith Capa, 2010

Birds

Click image for Xavi Bou’s website. Photo courtesy of this Catalan photographer and Fog and Moss

Going to be heading back to the City in a few days and what I am going to miss most about these delicious Maine mornings is sitting out on my deck, listening to the waves and enjoying the birdsong.

I've had the app BirdNet for a while now and can walk around, hear a song and record and idenitify the species. But recently my friend and yoga teacher Anne DeBevoise would come into class and recite a long list of all the birds she heard that morning. She told me about another app which is far superior to the one I had--it's called MERLIN. Who knew I too had this long list of birds as neighbors: Blue-Headed Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Purple Finch, Yellow Warbler, Black-Capped Chickadee, Red-Eyed Vireo, Yellow-Rumped Warbler Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, House Finch, American Goldfinch, American Robin, American Crow, Double-Crested Cormorant, Common Eider, Tennessee, Warbler, Dark-Eyed Junco, American Herring Gull, Common Loon, Osprey, Mourning Dove, Mallard, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Bald Eagle, Song Sparrow, Laughing Gull!!!! All ithis in the last day or two...

And then this morning, speaking of synchronicities, an email from my friend, astrologer Leslie McGuirk appeared in my inbox, sharing with me an entry from Moss and Fog, an amazing website with a story about an artist, Xavi Bou, who photographs bird flight. These cool images arrived at the perfect moment!

Have a look at Moss and Fog's story (courtesy the Audubon Society) and some of Bou's photos. And while you are at it, explore the amazing site Fog and Moss and about its founder Ben VanderVeen. They are kindred souls seeking, like me, to spread more inspiration and beauty in the world. I spoke to its founder Ben this morning and told him how impressed I was at what he has been putting together since 2009...

Photo courtesy Catalan photographer Xavi Bou

Photo courtesy Catalan photographer Xavi Bou. Click image for more info

Click image above to read more about Ben VanderVeen, founder of Fog and Moss.

Two Great Thai Salads

Photo: David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

CRUNCHY THAI STYLE SALAD
courtesy Kay Chun and the New York Times
Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp minced shallot
½ tsp minced garlic
1 serrano chile, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and pepper
8 oz asparagus, trimmed, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced at an angle
4 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cups thinly sliced mixed vegetables (Your choice incl carrots, radishes and cucumbers)
½ cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves

INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine oil, lime juice, fish sauce, shallot, garlic and chile; season with salt and pepper. Whisk well.

2. Add the asparagus, tomatoes and other mixed vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Toss to evenly coat and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally.

3. Fold in cilantro and serve.

BEEF PAPAYA SALAD
Courtesy Feast at Home

Marinade: Place garlic, chile, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and oil in a mini food processor and process until smooth.
Place beef in a small baking dish, pour the marinade over, and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. BR> Preheat the grill to medium-high or cook stovetop.
Veg Remove the beef from the marinade and season it with salt and pepper. Grill meat until charred and cooked to medium-rare doneness, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes before slicing into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Papaya Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the shallot, chiles, mint, vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce. Set aside.
In another bowl, toss the lettuce leaves and watercress together and then arrange the mixture on a platter.
Combine the papaya and carrots in a medium bowl. Evenly distribute the papaya mixture over the lettuce. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of the dressing.
Arrange the steak on top and drizzle steak with some more dressing.
Garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro.

Painting of the Week

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

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: la-chapelle-du-rosaire-matisse-chapel-venc...

Blog No. 231: The Quilters Documentary, What I am Listening to These Days, Some Helpful Tips

May 23, 2025

The Quilters Documentary

For anyone who has ever made a quilt (or not), this is an inspiring story about a group of inmates in the South Central correctional Center in Licking, Missouri, a small town two hours south of St. Louis, who spend their days sewing beautiful quilts to give away to foster children in the area.   Meet Ricky, Jimmy, Chill, Fred and Potter, five men who have been incarcerated for many years now, who are now participants in a Restorative Justice Organization (RJO) project.    They have found purpose, community, and a way to give their life meaning through working with their hands and creating beautiful quilts to give away.  This uplifting documentary, directed by Jenifer McShane, has been the recipient of many awards and was a contender for best short documentary at the Oscars.   

What I am Listening to These Days

Turning off the news for now and trying to listen to more music. I am still out on the streets but need to take a break from the blow by blow details of American politics right now for my own mental health.

Chris Smithers Link of Chain

David Gray Babylon

Jim Sullivan Whistle Stop

Mojave 3 Bluebird of Happiness

John Prine/Steve Goodman Souvenirs

Mark Knopfler/Emmylou Harris Romeo and Juliet

Some Helpful Tips

Occasionally I will come across some life tips that seem helpful for every day living.--little tricks that can make our lives easier. Here I share a few of them with you thanks to Katrinalechuga616 on instagram.

And here are a few more useful hacks for issues that may come up in any household...

Painting of the Week

Pink House with Butterflies mixed media on canvas 52” x 80” $8500

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: the-quilters-documentary-what-I-am-listeni...