Eddie and I find ourselves on the water once again. We have come to Portland, Oregon for a few days and have made our way to a magical place called Cannon Beach.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
by the sea
Eddie and I find ourselves on the water once again. We have come to Portland, Oregon for a few days and have made our way to a magical place called Cannon Beach.
Monday, April 28, 2008
signs of spring
Tulips, dogwoods, magnolias, jonquils, robins, prom! Max came in for the weekend from LA to don a pink bow tie and take his girlfriend to the big dance. It was great to see him.
jewelry
It is always so exciting when a letter or package arrives from Uganda. This morning I received a thick envelope chock full of beaded paper bracelets, earrings and necklaces made by the older children at the orphanage. You can purchase these at the "store" on the Change the Truth website or wait until our event on June 12th. They're so beautiful.
Friday, April 25, 2008
change the truth update
I recently received an email from Rosemary updating me on what our money has been doing to help change the truth for the children at the orphanage. I am asked, from time to time, how I can be sure the contributions that are made do indeed go where we think they’re going. The good news is: I have complete faith and trust in Rosemary, director of St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Motherhood, AND she is faithful about forwarding detailed receipts for each purchase or payment made with Change the Truth funds.
In response to my question about the money we have sent for food purchases and the continuation of therapy started by Ann and Melissa during our mission trip in December.
“There is now a visible difference in the children’s feeding and well being.”
As far as the children who are now attending secondary school because of our assistance:
“School fees have been paid in April for the next term for 16 pupils. Rosette, Emma Vincent and Edward are interested in vocational school instead of secondary school. We will explore this and get back to you.”
I asked about Douglas, the young man we met (and fell in love with!) in December who had expressed interest in attending nursing school. Since some very generous friends of Change the Truth have offered to pay his school fees, I wanted to make sure that Douglas was absolute in his desire to become a nurse. Rosemary agreed and instructed him to do his research.
“Douglas considered other options open to him like –Music/Dance/Drama Diploma; Teaching at Primary school level; further academic studies up to University, etc. He still prefers Nursing. Douglas researched at least six nursing training options (Hospital General ward duties; Psychiatric; Dental; Midwifery; Old People's Homes, etc). He prefers Surgical Nursing, as an assistant to doctors in the Operating Theatre.”
With regard to the sustainable projects we are helping support, Rosemary filled me in on the latest in that arena, as well.
“The projects are progressing well. Pigs – 9 adults, plus 25 new piglets. Brick making project – net profits have assisted with teachers' salaries. Beaded jewelry – net proceeds used to buy school uniforms for orphans.”
As we prepare for the Change the Truth friendraiser/fundraiser , we have made an appeal for patron support. Many of you have received such a letter. The event is free and open to the public; the money we raise will come in the form of sales from the silent auction, the “store” and donations from friends. If you would like more information about this, please email me.
As is evident from Rosemary’s correspondence, the assistance we are providing is doing some very good things. Thank you! Let’s keep up the good work.
In response to my question about the money we have sent for food purchases and the continuation of therapy started by Ann and Melissa during our mission trip in December.
“There is now a visible difference in the children’s feeding and well being.”
As far as the children who are now attending secondary school because of our assistance:
“School fees have been paid in April for the next term for 16 pupils. Rosette, Emma Vincent and Edward are interested in vocational school instead of secondary school. We will explore this and get back to you.”
I asked about Douglas, the young man we met (and fell in love with!) in December who had expressed interest in attending nursing school. Since some very generous friends of Change the Truth have offered to pay his school fees, I wanted to make sure that Douglas was absolute in his desire to become a nurse. Rosemary agreed and instructed him to do his research.
“Douglas considered other options open to him like –Music/Dance/Drama Diploma; Teaching at Primary school level; further academic studies up to University, etc. He still prefers Nursing. Douglas researched at least six nursing training options (Hospital General ward duties; Psychiatric; Dental; Midwifery; Old People's Homes, etc). He prefers Surgical Nursing, as an assistant to doctors in the Operating Theatre.”
With regard to the sustainable projects we are helping support, Rosemary filled me in on the latest in that arena, as well.
“The projects are progressing well. Pigs – 9 adults, plus 25 new piglets. Brick making project – net profits have assisted with teachers' salaries. Beaded jewelry – net proceeds used to buy school uniforms for orphans.”
As we prepare for the Change the Truth friendraiser/fundraiser , we have made an appeal for patron support. Many of you have received such a letter. The event is free and open to the public; the money we raise will come in the form of sales from the silent auction, the “store” and donations from friends. If you would like more information about this, please email me.
As is evident from Rosemary’s correspondence, the assistance we are providing is doing some very good things. Thank you! Let’s keep up the good work.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
87th birthday
Happy Birthday to one of my most avid blog readers and one of my most very favorite people in the world - my dad! This picture was taken when I was eleven and he was forty-four. That was the summer the Beatles did their second big US tour, starting with a sold out performance at Shea stadium. Way back in time..
This is a picture taken of my dad at a track meet. (He's the one in the middle of the frame,) He was seventeen. That was one year before Germany invaded Poland. Way, way back in time...
Both pictures were taken in Kentucky, the place my father has called home since the day he was born. Happy Birthday, Dad!
This is a picture taken of my dad at a track meet. (He's the one in the middle of the frame,) He was seventeen. That was one year before Germany invaded Poland. Way, way back in time...
Both pictures were taken in Kentucky, the place my father has called home since the day he was born. Happy Birthday, Dad!
Monday, April 21, 2008
poster
This poster is going to be available for purchase at the June 12th event. For those of you who are out of town, who won't be able to attend, let me know if you'd like to buy one. I am printing it on 13" x 19" Museo Portfolio Rag, one ink jet print at a time! The cost is $25.00. I can ship it right to your doorstep! Of course, all proceeds will go to the children at St. Mary Kevin's.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
sunset
Yesterday we drove down to Key West, strolled around town, tasted their margaritas, had a great dinner (roosters at our feet) and then headed over to Mallory Square for the sunset celebration.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
exercising a different muscle
I think some of these may actually be worth printing when I get back home. For now, they are more like work in a sketch book. I am limiting myself to the lens baby (for the most part) just so I can try out a new shade of charcoal/a new stipple paper, if you will. In the old days, I would tape these new pictures up in the darkroom or scatter them around the house on various tables (so I could catch a glance as I walked by) to see if they have any staying power OR lessons to learn that might help get me to a new level. Now, with the blog, I can return to them with a click of a few keys and study them in an easier fashion. Sharing them with others at such an early stage is always kind of scary, but as I get older, I definitely feel braver in that regard!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
more florida
Watching other people swim. Watching the birds as they stand along the shore. Sharpening my watching skills. Being on vacation.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
fish
We are spending the week in Islamorada, part of the chain of Keys in south Florida. If people are not eating fish, they are fishing for fish.
It's perfect here. The sun with just a slight, constant breeze always in tow and pure "island style" relaxation is just what yours truly needed.
It's perfect here. The sun with just a slight, constant breeze always in tow and pure "island style" relaxation is just what yours truly needed.
Monday, April 14, 2008
water
Now that I am swimming more, I am beginning to rediscover the love I used to have (when I was a kid) of how everything looked under water.
If you have been familiar with my work over the years, you know that I have always been drawn to images of water… the surface of it, the way it reshapes whatever is in it, the mystery of it, the possibilities of it looking like something completely other than what it is… the way a figure can be pulled into it, taken over by it or, even freed by it.
I am in Florida this week, spending time looking at and being in the water. I have started to make some new pictures about it, and this time it feels like I’m underneath it again – as I so enjoyed being as a little girl, swimming around in my Aunt Evelyn’s pool. Imagining what things above the surface might look like underneath it - as well as considering that intriguing place where water and sky meet - seem to be capturing my attention at the moment.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
sam and abbie
Sam and Abbie's song "Chemistry" is going to be included on a new CD - a compilation of emerging singer/songwriters. It's a beautiful song, and I'm so thrilled that others will get to enjoy it. You can, too, by clicking on this widget below.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
life before death
Remember the "dialogue" we had about pictures of the dying/dead? Abbie recently sent me a link to a series of portraits that dives head into this issue. These are portraits made by German photographer Walter Schels of people who knew they were dying (they were all in hospice) and who had agreed to be photographed as they were critically ill and after they had passed on. They were also interviewed by Schel's partner. It's kind of tough to view, so beware. Personally, I think it 's an incredibly powerful, dignified, intriguing and courageous body of work. It's clear that the subjects were pretty amazing themselves.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
framing party
Today the Change the Truth Friendraiser/Fundraiser committee was busy framing the artwork made by the children at St. Mary Kevin’s. It is amazing to see the artwork come to life in their white museum mats and beautiful frames. The children would be so proud to see their paintings and drawings presented this way!
There will be approximately sixty pieces available for purchase at the silent auction on June 12th. Don’t miss the chance to bid on these precious gems.
Friday, April 04, 2008
camp
I was really lucky as a kid to get to go to summer camp. I went to a girl’s camp in northern Wisconsin – one that has been there since the 1950’s – for two months each summer for three years. I was in my early teens. I still dream about those years, those girls, that place.
I learned, among other things, how to set up a tent, build a camp fire and cook on it, sling bows and arrows, run rapids in a canoe, tye-dye and make really good friends.
The camp is getting ready for it’s 50th reunion and has dug out of various basements, drawers and closets thousands of old photos of campers over the years. I’ve been going through them online. I want to share two of my favorites.
If you have ever been swimming with me, you know that I do this awful imitation of synchronized swimmers doing a maneuver I think is called “ballet leg.” I learned it at camp. I am most certainly not in this photo, but this is the move. Well, I could possibly be the girl second from left in the water, because that’s pretty close to what my “ballet leg” looks like. At any rate, I love the photo.
The next one sent chills down my spine when I saw it. Yes, I learned how to print in the darkroom at summer camp! And here is the very darkroom. Again, not me in the photo, but to see a picture of the place where I first dipped my fingers in the developer – well, that was a thrill!
I learned, among other things, how to set up a tent, build a camp fire and cook on it, sling bows and arrows, run rapids in a canoe, tye-dye and make really good friends.
The camp is getting ready for it’s 50th reunion and has dug out of various basements, drawers and closets thousands of old photos of campers over the years. I’ve been going through them online. I want to share two of my favorites.
If you have ever been swimming with me, you know that I do this awful imitation of synchronized swimmers doing a maneuver I think is called “ballet leg.” I learned it at camp. I am most certainly not in this photo, but this is the move. Well, I could possibly be the girl second from left in the water, because that’s pretty close to what my “ballet leg” looks like. At any rate, I love the photo.
The next one sent chills down my spine when I saw it. Yes, I learned how to print in the darkroom at summer camp! And here is the very darkroom. Again, not me in the photo, but to see a picture of the place where I first dipped my fingers in the developer – well, that was a thrill!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
only in new york
My good friend from New York sent me this photo. Couldn't resist sharing. Thanks, Carol!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
bronia
I have written about my friend Bronia before. You may recall that she is Holocaust survivor. (Please read my post from December 24, 2006 for her story.) But she is so much more than that.
At four and a half feet tall (give or take an inch or two), she is a giant of a woman. Bronia has been through it all. She endured the murder of most of her family in Europe, was imprisoned in several concentration camps and was eventually sent on a death march. She relocated to America as a young woman lacking money, connections or a good grip on the English language. She has been a wife, mother, business owner, grandmother, community volunteer, public (and “motivational”) speaker and beloved friend.
She called yesterday to say her car had broken down and asked if I’d take her to the grocery. As we strolled up and down the aisles, I was struck by her sense of determination, dignity and pride. It was obvious she wasn’t feeling well, but she kept on moving. It was clear she was down, but she kept on smiling - greeting a beloved friend or fan by the produce counter, again in dairy, again in the check-out line and once more in the parking lot. I was sure she would run out of steam, but she seemed to brighten with each and every encounter. After shopping, she invited me into her home (along with my friend Sandy who had accompanied us.) With much animation, she delivered one of her legendary spontaneous lectures. Sandy and I, held captive by her charm, commitment and compassion, heard about the importance of being strong, even in the face of adversity.
Bronia loves to sing a song (it’s in Yiddush) that has a chorus with the following English translation: “I’m gonna LIVE, LIVE, LIVE [she puts full blown emphasis on these words] until I die, die, die.”
I don’t know anyone who does “living” better than Bronia.
At four and a half feet tall (give or take an inch or two), she is a giant of a woman. Bronia has been through it all. She endured the murder of most of her family in Europe, was imprisoned in several concentration camps and was eventually sent on a death march. She relocated to America as a young woman lacking money, connections or a good grip on the English language. She has been a wife, mother, business owner, grandmother, community volunteer, public (and “motivational”) speaker and beloved friend.
She called yesterday to say her car had broken down and asked if I’d take her to the grocery. As we strolled up and down the aisles, I was struck by her sense of determination, dignity and pride. It was obvious she wasn’t feeling well, but she kept on moving. It was clear she was down, but she kept on smiling - greeting a beloved friend or fan by the produce counter, again in dairy, again in the check-out line and once more in the parking lot. I was sure she would run out of steam, but she seemed to brighten with each and every encounter. After shopping, she invited me into her home (along with my friend Sandy who had accompanied us.) With much animation, she delivered one of her legendary spontaneous lectures. Sandy and I, held captive by her charm, commitment and compassion, heard about the importance of being strong, even in the face of adversity.
Bronia loves to sing a song (it’s in Yiddush) that has a chorus with the following English translation: “I’m gonna LIVE, LIVE, LIVE [she puts full blown emphasis on these words] until I die, die, die.”
I don’t know anyone who does “living” better than Bronia.
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