My blog will remain free of charge but for those who can and are willing, I have decided to offer a paying version for $50/year. If you decide to go that route, thank you so much in advance--much appreciated! and I would like to reward you by sending you an 8" x 10" giclée print of your choice as a thank you.
You can find additional content by clicking many of the images and underlined links below.

Northern Bald Ibis

I caught this story on NPR as I was driving down from Maine a few days ago and decided to include it here in case you missed it.

It is a fascinating story about the Northern Bald Ibis, a large, incredible looking bird previously found in Europe and Africa that disappeared way back in the 17th century. What remained was only a tiny breeding population in captivity.

Along comes a man named Johannes Fritz, biologist and conservationist who was determined to save these birds from utter extinction and had the goal in mind of breeding and setting them free in the world. He has spent an entire career doing just that.

It turns out that large birds, like so many of us animals, need parents to teach them the ways of the land. And one of the most important components of that for the Northern Bald Ibis was how to instruct them to migrate to warmer climes in order to ensure their winter survival.

This project has taken a major amount of planning over time and culminated in Johannes Fritz as pilot of a microlight plane actually getting up in the air with these particular birds, leading them south, the latest of such voyages from Austria to Italy. It involves foster parents too (who spend much time preparing by bonding with the particular birds), shouting encouragement from the backseat through a megaphone...

If you are interested in learning more about this, here are a few other articles about Fritz's lifetime work:
New York Times
The Guardian

Ayelet Waldman Quilts

Ayelet Waldman is a fascinating figure by anyone's estimation. She has led a very full life as a prolific author, public defender lawyer, mother, adjunct law professor and collaborator with her husband, fellow writer Michael Chabon. Her books and essays cover a wide variety of subjects including mental health, motherhood, micro-dosing, mysteries and novels.

I met Ayelet very briefly many years ago when she was organizing a political event and I donated and dropped off one of my paintings at her home in California. I had no contact with her since but was recently attracted to her beautiful quilts that occasionally appeared on my feed on instagram. She seemed so passionate about this new found interest and I was curious what was driving this sudden burst of energy--she seemed to be producing a quilt a day! So I wrote and asked her if it would be okay to feature some of these creations on my blog.

Little did I know that there was a moving story behind the quilts, related to her upbringing, and the current state of affairs in Israel and Gaza. In fact, there was an article which appeared in The New Yorker Magazine back in March 2024 about this very subject and her motivation. Here is that complete article entitled Piecing for Cover.

But for those who just want to look, here are a few of the quilts that caught my eye...

Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen

Jon Bon Jovi is the 2024 MusiCares Person Of The Year for his philanthropic work. Photo: John Nacion/Getty Images

The Jon Bon Jovi Family Foundation's Soul Kitchens

Bon Jovi, known as one of New Jersey's most favorite sons, has earned that title not only by his musical prowess but also by his community-mindedness and philanthropy. Since 2006, The Bon Jovi Family Foundation has been active in trying to break the cycle of poverty, hunger and homelessness in New Jersey and across the entire United States. Their main focus at the start was with affordable housing: the JBJ Soul Foundation has helped provide support for almost 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in 12 states for thousands of people including youth and veterans.

In 2011 they expanded their mission to include a series of community restaurants to fight food insecurity, where those able to pay, do so, and those who can't eat for free (and volunteer in the restaurant if they are able). Diners sit alongside each other, fostering a sense of community that crosses economic lines. It's "Community Dining with Dignity" according to their website. "All are welcome at our table where locally-sourced ingredients, dignity and respect are always on the menu."

To date, there are four JBJ Soul Kitchens, one in Red Bank, one in Tom's River, both open to the public and two serving exclusively the Rutgers and New Jersey City University communities.

Living on a Prayer.

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, Mandala Series: Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night mixed media on canvas 68" x 48" $6500

Charity of the Week: The Innocence Project

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.