Ted Lasso
The new season of Ted Lasso (Season 3) just came out on March 15th. I actually was counting down the days until it aired-- I like it so much. If ever there was a feel good show, this is it--it's comedy and emotion and an antidote to our troubled times and just what the doctor ordered. Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, (who landed the role of a lifetime--he will always be beloved hereon in) plays a compassionate, humble, sensitive coach who values kindness and compassion above competition and teaches us a lesson or two about believing in oneself, teamwork and what is important in life... He is an example for us all...Most of the characters are lovable and their personalities are explored in interesting ways. The show also touches on the subject of mental health with finesse... For this blog, I looked up a few reviews and did I mention that I really am not fond of many critics. Look at what the New York Post wrote about the show: "Nauseatingly nice ‘Ted Lasso’ doesn’t work without COVID." Thank you critic Johnny Oleksinski--for showing us that the mean spirited era of Trump et al is still alive and well...why am I not surprised...
Near Death Experiences
To follow up on last week's reincarnation stories, I'm going to include another story about two near death
experiences--when consciousness seemingly survives your body--that also equally blew my mind. Again, I'll leave it to you to decide what you make of this...
Dr Mary Neal had her near death experience (NDE) while submerged in a river after a kayaking accident. Her story is very believable and I try to ignore the religious references that she assigns--we tend to try and fit our experiences into the framework of our belief systems but it doesn't negate her story to me. Where one person might assign meaning from Buddha, another might say Jesus Christ...
Another very interesting story is that of a near death experience of a migrant worker, Maria, who was brought to a hospital in Washington state with cardiac arrest, as told by social worker named Kimberly Clark Sharp.
Opera
I am no opera officianado--in fact I literally know nothing about the subject--and need to turn to my friend Molly for any insights into the genre. But over the years I realize it is an acquired taste that has caught my attention. Here are a few excerpts of various operas that have touched me and sometimes bring tears to my eyes...
Puccini's Turandot, Nessun Dorma Act III, sung by Luciano Pavarotti
Handel's Lascia Ch'io Pianga, sung by Deborah York
Puccini's O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi sung by three different singers: Montserrat Caballé, Maria Callas and 9 year old Amira Willighagen
George Bizet's Carmen, Agnes Baltsa as Carmen
Verdi, La Traviato, Libiamo, ne liet"i calici, sung by Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazón>
Satyagraha Act III by Philip Glass, Metropolitan Opera
Charity of the Week:
City Harvest
Painting of the Week
Just finished this 48” x 112” painting commission for a very nice family in Massachusetts. We started off by using my superimposing tool to decide what type of piece would look best in their home and then I created this painting especially for them using imagery and bits of collage that they chose to include. Really happy with the way it came out!
Boycott Walgreens
Walgreens confirmed to Politico last week it would not sell or ship mifepristone, which is used to terminate a pregnancy, in at least 21 states after Republican attorneys general had sent requests for the pharmacy not to—including in some states where abortion remains legal, such as Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Montana.
Walgreens is coming under an increasing amount of scrutiny and a boycott of all their stores (including Duane Reade) has been called. Boycotts are a very effective tool and I hope you will consider staying away until they decide to reverse their policy.
New York, NY 2022
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.