UFOs aka UAPs

The idea that UFOs may not be so far-fetched after all is just now coming into the mainstream, after being dismissed as quackery in the past. Just ask investigative reporter Leslie Kean, who way back in 2010, came out with a very comprehensive book on the subject entitled UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go on the Record which was basically ignored by the powers that be (or so they said). Now, greater transparency is being called for and thirteen years later, a congressional oversight subcommittee just held a hearing on the subject, which was aired live on CNN, featuring three retired military veterans, retired United States Air Force officer and former intelligence official (David Grusch, former Navy fighter pilot Ryan Graves, and retired Cmdr. David Fravor) who were willing to testify, amidst past threats of stigmatization (and even death) about the existence of these unidentified foreign objects as seen over the years by military and civilian pilots alike. If you are curious and want to learn more, Leslie Kean spent an hour sitting down with Ezra Klein on his podcast about a month ago talking about the subject. P.S. It looks like Kean's book was optioned by Lasse Hallstrom, another of my favorites, so stay tuned for a movie coming out hopefully one of these days soon...

Let's just hope, that if indeed we do discover alien life, that we don't immediately assume them as enemies and start shooting in typical human fashion...

Quilts

Noah’s Ark Quilt, 1890-1910, Nova Scotia or Quebec, Canada

Whenever I am in the area of Lincoln Center, I always like to stop in at the Folk Art Museum, which aside from wonderful exhibitions, also has a great museum shop. Yesterday was no exception and I came upon a very cool quilt show. There was even a live music concert going on in the background to accompany the visit.

Often constructed of leftover scraps of material and clothing, quilts are an example of the people's form of art, all about reinvention and regeneration. I have never felt comfortable with the differentiation between art and craft. The way I see it, functionality does not lessen the creative spirit. I disagree with the idea that craft is of lesser value than the luxury status that art has. "Craftspeople traditionally made items that have a domestic function; This distinction gave the crafts a lower status, and craftspeople were considered working class, while artists often moved in high society circles." Snobbism at its best.

This small show is a great representation of the variety of these treasures, often past down through generations. Here is a small selection for those who are not here to see it in person.

Greek Mythology Quilt by Raymond Bellamy

This modern day “quilt” by Geri Farkner is made of junk mail, paper and cardboard packaging, holiday cards and old tickets.

And here are a few more of my favorite quilts not included in this show:

***Work-Clothes Quilt with Center Medallion of Strips by Annie Mae Young (born 1928). Click image for a slide show.***

Roasted Swordfish with Caesar Dressing

I avoided swordfish for a long time because of its high mercury content. But once and a while can't hurt I guess...and this recipe makes it worth it.

INGREDIENTS
For the sauce:
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 T anchovy paste (comes in a tube)
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 cup mayo
1 T grated lemon zest
3 T lemon juice
salt and pepper

6-8oz swordfish per person
A couple of stems of green onion, chopped
1 T olive oil
2 T capers
lemon wedges for garnish

Blend the garlic, parsley, anchovy paste and Dijon mustard first in a food processor, then add the mayo, lemon zest, lemon juice and 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and pulse it again a few times to combine.

Pre-heat oven to 500 degrees. With roasting it needs to be cranked up! Cover a sheet pan with foil, place your swordfish steaks on the foil and Salt and pepper. Add a tablespoon of the sauce over both sides of the fish and sprinkle some minced green onion over the top. Let them sit for about 10 minutes.

Once you're ready to cook just slide them in the oven and set your timer for 12 minutes. When the time is up, remove the pan from the oven, cover the fish with a piece of foil and set the timer for 10 additional minutes.

While the fish is resting, heat the olive oil in a small pan over medium high heat and toss in the capers. (This it totally optional, but a nice touch with flavor and texture.) Let them sizzle in the oil until they get crispy and a little browned (the cookbook says this takes 30 to 45 seconds but in my kitchen it was more like 4-5 minutes... I don't like oil splatter everywhere so maybe my oil wasn't as piping hot as the professionals get it...)

Serve the fish with a few of the crispy capers sprinkled over the top and a fresh cob of corn - this dish was everything I was hoping it would be, and was well loved by the entire family. Enjoy!

Photo of the Week

My musician friend Eddie Holm took this out of my window one night when I was still up in Maine. I think it is such a beautiful photograph and thought it was perfect to go with the otherworldliness of this week’s blog post…

Paintings of the Week

I love making these tree pieces…on my studio wall today. 60” x 22” each, mixed media on paper (to be mounted on canvas), $4000 each

Charity of the Week:
National Coalition for the Homeless

About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.