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

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

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

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. 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...

Blog No. 230: Jacques D'Amboise Teaching Dance, The Collections of John and Ellen Whalley, Two Rumi Poems

May 17, 2025

Jacques D'Amboise
Teaching Dance

Click Image to watch Jacques D’Amboise teach dance on a rootop in New York City early on.

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Jacques d'Amboise (1934-2021) and his vision of dance and art education. The video above is a film released in 1983 that documents his teaching methodology, the kids and their ultimate performance at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in the early 1980s. NDI has been going strong ever since and next year his baby, National Dance Institute, will turn 50.

Jacques was a visionary who firmly believed that the arts should be part of every school's curriculum, equal to math and science. Beginning with a class of boys, teaching kid-friendly dance moves with rigor and joy, accompanied always by live music, fifty years later this wonderful program is thriving in 42 schools in NYC, 13 affiliate programs across the United States and internationally in Shanghai and Beirut, Lebanon.

Look for all kinds of festivities in the next coming year and in the meantime, if you are in New York, their much beloved Event of the Year is taking place on Father's Day weekend--June 14, 15 and 16, 2025--if you want to be infused with a shot of pure inspiration and joy. This is no typical kid's dance performance--come see for yourself. I know that Jacques will be watching down with a big smile.

The Collections of John and Ellen Whalley

This is not the first time I have been enchanted by artist John Whalley. I fell in love with his art about 15 years ago and have wanted to meet him ever since.

Today was the day! I made a 10am appointment to visit his studio in Nobleboro, Maine and had the pleasure of not only meeting him and his wonderful wife Ellen, but also getting a tour of his studio, his art and the extensive collections he has of just about everything. I am not a fan of clutter and tend to be more on the minimalist side (my daughter would laugh at that!) but John and Ellen have assembled a curated collection of objects they have picked up at tag sales and flea markets that make me salivate, even just thinking about it. Everything is carefully arranged in sections and what might be a jumble of a mess looks like art itself... John clearly gets his inspiration from these objects and Ellen collaborates by styling these curios into wonderful compositions for John to paint in oils or draw in graphite. These objects take on a life of their own. Below are photos of just a small seletion of their collections in his studio and home.

I have written about John Whalley before in blog no. 40 where you can see his I am sure you would like to view his incredible photo realist paintings and drawings on steroids...

Two Rumi Poems

Jalaluddin Rumi, 1207 - 1273. click image above to read about him

THE BEAUTY OF THE HEART


The beauty of the heart
 is the lasting beauty:
 its lips give to drink
 of the water of life.
 Truly it is the water,
 that which pours,
 and the one who drinks.
 All three become one when
 your talisman is shattered.
 That oneness you can’t know
 by reasoning.



LET GO OF YOUR WORRIES

Let go of your worries
 and be completely clear-hearted,
 like the face of a mirror
 that contains no images.
 If you want a clear mirror,
 behold yourself
 and see the shameless truth,
 which the mirror reflects.
 If metal can be polished
 to a mirror-like finish,
 what polishing might the mirror
 of the heart require?
 Between the mirror and the heart
 is this single difference:
 the heart conceals secrets,
 while the mirror does not.

Come Visit our Products in our artShop

Scarves, Tea Towels, Charcuteria/Cutting Boards, Backpacks, Travel Cups, Table Runners, Phone Cases, etc. etc.

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: pez-candy-i-like-the-ones-who-see-things-d...

Blog No. 229: I Like the Ones Who See Thinks Differently Animation, Pez Candy, Mediterranean Spinach Feta Crisps

May 10, 2025

I Like the Ones Who See Things Differently Animation

This beautiful animation above that starts by "I like the weird ones, the black sheep...," created by Brooke Boeding from instagram @the_zen:_honeybadger/ speaks for itself...

If you enjoyed that video and want another, click here for a different animation by the same woman based on an old Japanese legend about the sun and the moon, also amazing.

Pez Candy

Click for the history of Pez, dating back to the 1920s in Austria.

The highest consumption of candy per capita in the world is (who would have guessed it!) Scandinavia. Sweden leads the way with the other Scandinavian countries not far behind...Could that be why they are considered the happiest people in the world?

I remember my husband Gert telling me that for his generation, in Denmark the dentist would visit and treat children in their schools and those days were the most dreaded...Dentistry in Denmark was terrible in his opinion. He was once at an art event where he met the mayor of Copenhagen and what he noticed was that "even the mayor had bad teeth!". Could that have something to do with their love of candy?...

I recently came across this Pez dispenser and it reminded me of my favorite candy growing up. I simply liked everything about PEZ. I loved the taste of those sweet little colored brick of compressed sugar as well as the variety of dispensers that they popped out of. Well into adulthood I had a collection of them lined up on my windowsill. You can't taste them through this newsletter but you can admire the cast of characters of these plastic figurines and perhaps you too remember the candy of our past and have your favorites...Put a comment below of the ones you liked the best...

There aren't too many of these penny candy stores left. In 2018 The New Yorker wrote about a Swedish candy store called Bon Bon, now expanded to three locations in New York City. And then there is the store my family loved the best: Granite Hall in Round Pond Maine is a legend to all of us who love mid-coast Maine. It is an old school penny candy store and gift shop and I can just picture my kids, standing just at eye level at the counter, choosing one by one "two pieces of this, one of that" and the person behind the counter patiently and lovingly fulfilling their orders...Thank you Granite Hall, not only for the sweets, but for those wonderful memories!

Click to take a virtual visit to the Pez Museum in Orange, CT

The original Pez was a peppermint candy created by Eduard Haas III in Austria in the 1920s. The name PEZ comes from the German word for peppermint, "Pfefferminz" taking the P from the first letter, E from the middle letter and Z from the last letter to form the now iconic brand name PEZ

Mediterranean Spinach and Feta Crisps

I came across this Gordon Ramsay quick recipe somewhere on the internet and since I love everything in pancake form, I thought I would try it and share it here:

MEDITERRANEAN SPINACH AND FETA CRISPS courtesy Gordon Ramsay

INGREDIENTS
1 cup fresh spinach, washed and chopped
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat Oven to 375 degrees (190 Centigrade)
On parchment paper, spray lightly with olive oil spray.
In large bowl mix all ingredients, pour in egg mixture and combine and mix well. 
With small spoonfuls, place on parchment paper on baking sheet in small circles and flatten lightly with back of spoon. Spray lightly the tops with olive oil. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown and crisp. Let them cool slightly before serving.  Yield 12-15 crisps.  

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow Mandala Series Blue Tree mixed media on canvas 56” x 56” $7500

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: pez-candy-i-like-the-ones-who-see-things-d...

Blog No. 228: The Penguin Lessons, Keith Lissner: Art is an Illusion, Don't Take it Personally

May 3, 2025

The Penguin Lessons

Click image above for a conversation between actor Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, director Peter Cattaneo and author Tom Michell,

The Penguin Lessons is a heartwarming and inspiring movie that I absolutely loved!

Based on an autobiography by Englishman Tom Michell, it is a true story that functions on many levels. Not only is it a heartfelt tale about the relationship between a man and a penguin, it is also laced with humor while exploring the themes of education and teaching in shaping political and moral values. It takes place in the setting of an elite private school in 1976 Argentina, just as the military dictatorship is taking hold in that South American country.

The Penguin Lessons has particular relevance today given the political situation in the United States, forcing us to face our personal and moral responsibilities, as the main character did, in light of the rise of fascism in Argentina and the U.S.

Keith Lissner: Art is an Illusion

Click image for the Art Tour of the Metropolitan Museum in NYC

Click image for the Art Tour of the Louvre in Paris

Keith Lissner is a real creative talent! As a designer, he has worn many hats in the fashion industry and his creative spirit shines through in many other ways as well. These two imaginative videos illustrate his love of art, his sense of humor and his pure creative playfulness and joy. Click theses links to take a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre in Paris, witnessing the art there like you have not seen before.

Lissner has taken to heart Edgar Degas' quote, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” And at the same time, he gives a nod to Marcel Duchamp's thought "all art is an illusion."

Thanks to my friend Barb Murphy, a real creative talent herself, for bringing these to my attention.

Don't Take It Personally

A friend shared this quote with me last week that has something to say about human relationships of all types.  It falls in the category of "not taking things personally" and helps manage "hurt" and "expectation" when one is not met.  Hope the sentiment of this quote speaks to you too...

No matter how open, peaceful or loving you are, others can only connect with you at the depth they've reached within themselves.  As Carl Jung once said: "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."  People's capacity to meet you with understanding, compassion and vulnerability is limited by the inner work they've done on their own soul.  You can offer all the light and love in the world, but if someone hasn't ventured into their own shadows they will only be able to meet you on the surface.  This is a profound truth about human relationships, whether it be about friendship, romance, or just our everyday interactions.  The depth of connection is not just about what you bring but about how deeply the other person has explored their own heart.  It is the essence of clarity; understanding that, while you may strive for connection, others can only offer what they found in themselves.  Accepting this can bring peace, for you realize that everyone's journey is their own and sometimes they simply haven't gone deep enough to meet you where you stand."

Silkscreen of the Week

Pam Smilow Mandala Series: Red Bird silkscreen and mixed media on paper 30” x 22” $1500 Giclee Print: $350

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: franz-hofmeester-mark-morris-dance-company...

Blog No. 227: Father/Daughter Over 20 Years, Mark Morris Dance Company, Jeffrey Sachs Primer on Tariffs

April 26, 2025

Father Photographs Daughter Every Week for 20 Years

What a creative mind to come up with this idea of documenting a life so extensively and to stick with it, every week, for twenty years. After some digging, I found out the name of the father, Dutch filmmaker and visual artist Frans Hofmeester. This video project is really amazing. Hope you interests you too!

In Franz Hofmeester's own words, "I wanted to document the growing up process and create an artistic project we could all enjoy forever,"
"When Lotte was born, she was changing at such a rapid pace, and I was desperate to keep the memories intact. As any parent knows, the difference between a child at two days old and two months old is startling.
"One of the reasons that the project has had such an impact, I think, is because it's very moving," Hofmeester wrote. "People are touched by it because it conveys a feeling of the soul. They've written to me about their own children. The film makes you realise what life is about, in a direct way."

Mark Morris Dance Company

The Mark Morris Dance Group in “Spring, Spring, Spring,” an adaptation of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.”Credit...Ken Friedman

Mark Morris is a master choreographer and his dance company is one of my favorites. In honor of spring, which has (finally!) arrived in Maine, here is an excerpt from his lovely dance Spring Spring Spring which I think so aptly captures the sense of the season.

And here is a overview of Mark Morris over the years and gives you a taste of him, his company and several of his pieces. If you happen to be lucky enough to be in any of the following cities during their upcoming tour, I would highly recommend it!

Economist Jeffrey Sachs Primer on Tariffs

Jeffrey Sachs, Professor of Economics at Columbia University and president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a well respected economist with a long list of credentials and accomplishments in the field of economic development, global macroeconomics, and the fight against poverty. This video provides us with a a primer on tariffs--I found it very clearly stated and informative--it should provide us with everything one needs to know about world trade and our current economic policies.

Silkscreen of the Week

Pam Smilow Overcoat Series silkscreen and mixed media on paper 30” x 22” $1500

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: franz-hofmeester-mark-morris-dance-company...

Blog No. 226: David Hockney Paris Exhibit, Mary Oliver Poem, Delicious Hummus Recipe

April 19, 2025

David Hockney Retrospective

**The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire, 2011, iPad Drawing, Copyright The Artist**

We Two Boys Together Clinging, early painting . Copyright David Hockney. Photograph courtesy Prudence Cuming Associates

David Hockney, *Mulholland* Drive, June 1986 Copyright David Hockney

The David Hockney retrospective exhibition opened at the spectacular Frank Gehry designed Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris last week. I for one wish I could beam myself there--but alas, I can't be in two places at once so this video (courtesy Judith Benhamouhuet) will have to suffice. Although I can't say I love absolutely everything Hockney has done, there is so much that resonates with me and I definitely respect him as an important, amazingly prolific artist who definitely has something to say. I love the variety of his work, beginning with his early paintings and I have been especially inspired by his ipad drawings of later years..

Here is an interesting interview for those who want to read more about him, his motivations and inspirations: The Colorful Life of David Hockney (courtesy Hochhedel).

Mary Oliver Poem

Finally, signs of spring on my walk this morning…

WITH THANKS TO THE FIELD SPARROW, WHOSE VOICE IS SO DELICATE AND HUMBLE 
by Mary Oliver

I do not live happily or comfortably
with the cleverness of our times.
The talk is all about computers,
the news is all about bombs and blood.
This morning, in the fresh field,
I came upon a hidden nest.
It held four warm, speckled eggs.
I touched them.
Then went away softly,
having felt something more wonderful
than all the electricity of New York City.

Delicious Carrot Hummus

**Photo courtesy Tony Cenicola/The New York Times**

I recently attended a great three day workshop with the talented artist Rebecca Chappell at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Edgecomb, Maine. On top of loving having my hands in clay again, we were also fed some awesome meals during our time there. That included this delicious carrot hummus made by chef Henning Vagtborg of Straw's Farm. Henning has been a chef in many restaurants around Boston, Portland and Damariscotta and I can attest to his talent, judging from the meals he served us during the workshop. Thank you Henning for sharing this delicious Carrot Hummus recipe.

CARROT HUMMUS
5 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 1” pieces
1/4 c olive oil
2 T cumin seed
1 t red pepper flake
1 T salt
1 clove garlic
Juice of one lemon
1/4 c honey
1 t sesame oil

1. Toss carrots with olive oil, cumin seed, red pepper flake, and salt. Roast in a preheated 400 oven for 15 minutes or until softened and caramelized. Let cool for 5 minutes.
2. Place carrots and remaining ingredients in blender or food processor with 1/4 c of water and blend until smooth, pushing down with a rubber spatula and adding more water as necessary.

Silkscreen of the Week

Overcoat Silkscreen, mixed media 30” x 22” $1500

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: david-hockney-louis-vuitton-foundation-car...

Blog No. 225: Infused Joy: PS 22 Chorus, David Hogg Speech, Insects in Flight

April 12, 2025

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Infused Joy:
PS 22 Choir

This is not the first time I have written about these beautiful singers but I think it is time to return to this Staten Island chorus of 4th and 5th graders for a little touch of magic and infused joy. We all need it right now! If you can take a few minutes, I encourage you to take it in--it will bring you a big smile.

Here are a few of my favorite songs they sing but you can also go and discover more of them on your own on youtube...

Andy Grammar
Don't Give Up On Me

Paul Simon
Still Crazy After All These Years

Cold Play
Viva La Vida

Look at all those beautiful kids in every shape and form...the beauty of New York City, the wonder of music and the power of an arts curriculum in the schools...If you want to see more, there is a documentary about them entitled Once in a Lullaby that includes their performance at the Academy Awards--well worth watching.

Gen-Z Youth Leader David Hogg

If you haven't heard of David Hogg, I would like to introduce you. David was a senior at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida when a shooter shot up the school and killed 17 people and wounded 18 others in 2018...After the school shooting, Hogg emerged as a leader in the gun violence protests. He subsequently founded a youth organization called Leaders We Deserve which has done a great deal to involve young people in politics.

In February 2025 Hogg became a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, after winning his race for one of those positions, becoming the first gen-z member to take on a national leadership role within the DNC.

Last week he spoke at the Woman's National Democratic Club and I share with you his compelling speech here. He is defintely one to keep an eye on as a rising star... .

Insects in Flight

Thanks to biologist Dr. Adrian Smith, of the Evolutionary Biology & Behavior Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Assistant Research Professor at North Carolina State University, here is some amazing close-up video of insects in flight. I've never seen anything like it: the intricacy of nature is beyond words...

And thanks to my friend Susan Baum Moyer for sending me this video...

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow Mittens Series: Red with Flower silkscreen and mixed media on paper $1500

Charity of the Week: American Civil Liberties Union

Source: PS22-Chorus-david-Hogg-dr-adrian-smith-ins...

Blog No. 224: The Telepathy Tapes Interview, Leza Lowitz Yoga Poem, Philadelphia Playlist

April 5, 2025

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The Telepathy Tapes Follow Up

For those of you that were as blown away as I was about the telepathy tapes (featured in my No. 216 previous substack, here is an interview that Harvard Scientist Jesse Michaels conducted with documentary filmmaker Ky Dickens, creator of the Telepathy Tapes and a follow up from the ten segment podcast. Watch both the original podcast as well as this interview at your own risk--if you believe what you see and hear (and I do), it will change your whole view of the world...

Uttanasana
Poem by Leza Lowitz

I took my first chair yoga class this week and although it sounds lame, I found it to be a surprisingly good workout without the angst. Our nice teacher Ann included some aromatherapy with an oil called neroli--something she deemed "happy oil" and I loved the scent. Towards the end of the class, she read us the following "Yoga Poem" which hit the spot. In fact, almost like a symchronicity, it related to a series of paintings (see in the paintings of the week section below) that I am working on right now.

UTTANASANA
by Leza Lowitz

Mind, mind
am I doing it right?
can I stay here long enough
or even a second longer
can I eat an ice cream sandwich
after class,
or, but will class ever end?
Mind,
will you ever shut up?
will my legs stop shaking?
will my head reach lower?
Will I
can I
should I
could I
let go of my mind
listen to my breath
let it move through this body
reach out to this moment,
this world,
this life
& let it go?

Philadelphia Playlist

I spent a lot of October in Philadelphia canvassing for Biden and Harris and had my first Philly Cheese Steak--it was decadent and very delicious. So I chose the following songs that feature the City of Brotherly Love (Greek for love (phileo) and brother (adelphos) for my blog this week:

Bruce Springsteen,
Streets of Philadelphia

Neil Young,
Philadelphia

Mark Knopfler
Flying to Philadelphia

Philadelphia Freedom
Elton John

Hall & Oates
Fall in Philadelphia

Paintings of the Week

Pam Smilow The Path (Ledger Paper) mixed media on paper $1500

Pam Smilow The Path: Brown Bird mixed media on paper $150

Charity of the Week: American Civil Liberties Union

Source: Telepathy-tapes-interview-yoga-poem-philad...

Blog No. 223: 42: T.S. Eliot The Hollow Men, Animal Communicator Laïla Del Monte, Kakatsitsi Drummers

March 29, 2025

The powers that be say we have about two months to turn this thing around and it all depends on us showing up in the street en masse…Wherever you go (there will be protests across the country) , please go! So important to show numbers…
And in the words of Robert Hubbell, “If you are feeling anxious and helpless, the single most important thing you can do is to exercise the First Amendment right of every American to “*assemble peaceably and to petition their government.*” The time is now!

T.S. Eliot,
The Hollow Men

THE HOLLOW MEN by T.S. Eliot 



I was introduced to this poem fifty years ago by my first boyfriend, who is the one who turned me onto poetry in the first place.  This poem stuck with me and I came across it recently and thought it particularly apt today...


Here goes...


The Hollow Men


T. S. Eliot (1888 –1965)

I

We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men 
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when 
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass 
Or rats’ feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar

Shape without form, shade without colour. 
Paralysed force, gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death’s other Kingdom
Remember us—if at all—not as lost 
Violent souls, but only 
As the hollow men

 
                              II

Eyes I dare not meet in dreams 
In death’s dream kingdom 
These do not appear:
There, the eyes are 
Sunlight on a broken column 
There, is a tree swinging
And voices are
In the wind’s singing
More distant and more solemn 
Than a fading star.

Let me be no nearer 
In death’s dream kingdom
Let me also wear
Such deliberate disguises
Rat’s coat, crowskin, crossed staves
In a field
Behaving as the wind behaves 
No nearer—

Not that final meeting
In the twilight kingdom


                              III

This is the dead land
This is cactus land
Here the stone images
Are raised, here they receive
The supplication of a dead man’s hand
Under the twinkle of a fading star.

Is it like this
In death’s other kingdom
Waking alone
At the hour when we are 
Trembling with tenderness 
Lips that would kiss
Form prayers to broken stone.


                              IV

The eyes are not here 
There are no eyes here 
In this valley of dying stars
In this hollow valley
This broken jaw of our lost kingdoms

In this last of meeting places 
We grope together
And avoid speech
Gathered on this beach of the tumid river

Sightless, unless 
The eyes reappear 
As the perpetual star
Multifoliate rose 
Of death’s twilight kingdom 
The hope only
Of empty men.


                              V

Here we go round the prickly pear 
Prickly pear prickly pear 
Here we go round the prickly pear 
At five o’clock in the morning.

Between the idea 
And the reality 
Between the motion 
And the act 
Falls the Shadow

     For Thine is the Kingdom

Between the conception 
And the creation
Between the emotion 
And the response 
Falls the Shadow

     Life is very long

Between the desire 
And the spasm 
Between the potency 
And the existence 
Between the essence
And the descent 
Falls the Shadow

     For Thine is the Kingdom

For Thine is 
Life is
For Thine is the

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends 
This is the way the world ends 
Not with a bang but a whimper.


This poem is in the public domain.

Animal Communicator
Laïla Del Monte

Meet Laila Del Monte, animal communicator, better known in France and Spain for her ability to communicate with animals as well as to heal them. She has worked with birds cats, dogs, ferrets, goats, hamsters, horses, parrots, rabbits, rats, and turtles. Although she recognizes that she has a gift, she also believes that everyone is capable of what she does. For that reason, in addition to being the author of six books, she also teaches. To see a full 50 minute documentary about this fascinating woman and the work she does, click here.

Kakatsitsi Drummers

There are certain sounds that I find soothing and energizing at the same time--the beat of these African drums does just that for me. As a little interlude and respite from all the turmoil of our day, listen to the power of this group of traditional drummers, dancers and singers called Kakatsitsi, from the Ga tribe of Southern Ghana. They have their roots in the fishing community of Jamestown, Ghana and combine traditional rhythms and chants from their own Ga tradition while also mixing in a variety of other Western African cultural traditions.

Bulletin Board: You are Invited

A friend of mine, Pessi Margulies, is hosting an initial free zoom session on Tuesday, April 1st at 7:30pm. Entitled PRACTICAL MINDFULNESS WRITING, It promises to be a transformative, simple and yet powerful method that can bring clarity and peace to one's life. To learn more about it, click here to sign up with your email and a link will be sent to you on the day of.
You're Invited! ✨ Come curious, leave inspired!

Painting of the Week

Gert Mathiesen’s self portrait—it would have been his 73rd birthday this week!

Charity of the Week: American Civil Liberties Union

Source: T-s-eliot-the-hollow-men-kakatsitsi-drumme...

Blog No. 222: 42: Jackie Robinson, Guts, Update on Spirit, the Black Leopard

March 26, 2025

42: Jackie Robinson

So many times I find myself on a plane with good intentions of getting a lot done: cleaning out old emails, getting rid of duplicate photos, writing this blog... but most of the time I find myself doing absolutely nothing but sitting there as if I am in a trance. This last trip, I decided instead of just sitting there, to investigate the movies--something I rarely do. And I came across this film, 42, about Jackie Robinson, which I had heard of, but somehow missed in 2013 when it came out in the theatres. My dad was a big Brooklyn Dodger fan so the story interested me by osmosis.

Of course I had heard of Jackie Robinson and how he broke the color bar in baseball in the 1940s, but I didn't know any of the details. This film fills it all in. Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020) did a brilliant job of portraying Jackie Robinson, as did Harrison Ford as the courageous Branch Rickey, president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who dared to sign the first Afro-American player into major league baseball.

When asked by Robinson why he did decided to go out on a limb to integrate baseball, Rickey explained that he loved the sport but was haunted by something he did many years previous, as a college player at Ohio Wesleyan. He felt he didn't do his part and stand up enough for a black teammate, Charlie Thomas, who was attacked for the color of his skin. From that day on, his love of baseball was tainted by that feeling of shame that he didn't do enough. Fighting for Jackie Robinson and breaking the color barrier allowed him to love baseball again, untainted. I found these letters between Rickey and Robinson that touched my heart, showing the depth of their love and respect for each other.

Can you believe we are really here again? Jackie Robinson’s Army career was just wiped from a military website this week in another of the DEI purges. It has since been reinstated in at least one website, but this attempt at rewriting history will hopefully not work in the end...Each one of us, like Branch Rickey, has a role to play...

Guts

Representatives Keith Self and Sarah McBride

Once and a while I am going to feature someone that stands out like a beacon of light during these incredibly troubled times--someone who has the guts to stand up and fight for human decency, respect and kindness.

In this case, it is a small act but in light of what is going on in congress, it stands out. I am celebrating Congressman Bill Keating of Massachusetts, who had the courage to stand up to Texas representative Keith Self, punk that he is, who refused to recognize his fellow congressperson, the first transgender member of the house of representatives, Sarah McBride, by the correct gender title. Watch here to see how acts of resistance, no matter how small, can make a difference, serving as an example for us all...

Update on Spirit, the Black Leopard

Photo courtesy of Larry Linton and Happy Tails Magazine

I often wondered what became of Spirit, the black leopard Anna Breytenbach made famous many years ago when she connected with him at the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Jukani is a rare animal park that is truly ethical, providing lifetime care for animals on their own terms. This is where Spirit lived out her 20+ years, happily living life on his own terms as explained in this short youtube video

Painting of the Week

Flashback from the past, Pam Smilow/Gert Mathiesen Collaboration, Vessels, mixed media on canvas, approx. 72” x 130”

Charity of the Week: American Civil Liberties Union

Source: jackie-robinson-guts-spirit-black-leopard-...

Blog No. 221: Hope Sandoval Music, Laser Painting, Coming for Social Security

March 15, 2025

Hope Sandoval

Hope Sandoval and Colm Ó Ciosóig of Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions

Hope Sandoval has one of the most hypnotic, mesmerizing, and beautiful voices you might never have heard of in the music world. Originally lead singer of the LA group along with the late David Roback called Mazzy Star, Sandoval went on to play with a variety of bands including her own band Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions along with Colm Ó Cíosóig . Here is a selection of some of my favorite songs beginning with perhaps the most famous from Mazzy Star: the ethereal
Fade Into You

Quiet the Winter Harbor

Flowers in December

Blue Flower

The Peasant

"The Jesus and Mary Chain

"Wild Horses (cover)

If you want to hear more from Sandoval herself, here is an interview that goes back to 2017 on New York's WFUV Fordham University radio program

Laser Painting Program

I had the privilege of meeting Deborah Dawson at Rancho La Puerta a week ago and hear about her amazing work with children and young adults with multiple disabilities and the laser painting program she facilitates with them.  Through a laser that they wear on a headband or somewhere on their body, those with limited physical mobility are able to give direction to Deborah, the facilitator, and complete large scale abstract paintings using the red laser dot as an indicator of how to apply the paint.  The choices are theirs and she is just the conduit for their expression.  Here is a video that shows the process, bringing joy and a sense of accomplishment to all those involved in creating these large scale paintings. 

Georgios. We use a hand rig for Georgios, play Greek music and he chooses the largest of brushes.

Chelsea. Delightful disposition. Also non verbal with multiple disabilities. We get loud and messy. She also wears a head laser.

Hazel is in a wheelchair with limited hand use. Her sessions are exploratory and therapeutic.

Vicky. age 21. She is non-verbal has multiple disabilities. She wears a head laser and is very clear about her color choices, brush sizes and when she's done with a painting.

Coming for Social Security

I have tried to stay away from politics in this newsletter, instead publishing upbeat inspirational entries to keep our spirits up during these incredibly hard and perilous times. But avoiding the subject is increasingly hard these days when the outrage keeps coming, assaulting the very heart of democracy and our country to the core.

But here is a story where pushback seems to be working, at least for the moment. Listen to representative John Larson delivering an outcry and appeal to his fellow committee members in Congress as it relates to social security. And the subsequent effect it seems to have had...Public outcry does work. Keep it coming!

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, Childhood’s End Series, mixed media on paper, 22” x 30”

Charity of the Week: American Civil Liberties Union

Source: hope-sandoval-the-warm-inventions-mazzy-st...