Another photo from Maine, taken with my Iphone 12.

three things we love

Many of the images above and below are clickable and lead to further information, so click away….

Boycott Koch

Koch Industries, one of the biggest multinational conglomerates in the world, is refusing to leave Russia. What can we do about it?

We don't hear much about BOYCOTTS these days. But they are effective tools if enough people do them. So if Koch Industries is insisting on staying in Russia, then if ever there was a time to boycott them, it is now (we had many reasons before the war in Ukraine to do so too). They are makers of a lot of products that we use in every day life under the umbrella Georgia Pacific. DON'T BUY:
Brawny
Angel Soft
Mardi Gras
Quilted Northern
Dixie
Sparkle and
Vanity Fair.
Please take a look at this complete list and think twice before purchasing these products. Spread the word.

When I was a kid, we didn't eat grapes and lettuce from 1965-1970 because we were BOYCOTTING companies that exploited farmworkers. Founded by Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong The United Farmworkers organized a successful nationwide fight against these growers and were finally able to unionize. To read more about the UFW story, click here. And here is a short video history about the five year Delano Grape Boycott.

In the words of Cesar Chavez, "we don't need perfect political systems; we need perfect participation."

Langston Hughes
3 Short Poems

American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist

As for Langston Hughes by Terrance Hayes Courtesy BOMB Magazine and Terrance Hayes

Three short poems
by Langston Hughes
(1901-1967)

DREAMS
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

THE DREAM KEEPER
Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamers,
Bring me all of your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world.

I, TOO
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

Trude's Orange Cake

Trude’s Passover Orange Cake

I always forget about this cake until Passover rolls around but I should remember it all year because it is delicious no matter what occasion and it is gluten free.
Passover is my favorite holiday hands down. It has deep significance for anyone who treasures freedom and democracy and it is particularly apt this year when we are under such threat. If you have never been to a seder, get yourself invited to one. You won't regret it...

Trude and Max Victor were friends of my mom's back in Heilbronn, Germany. They are the reason we moved to Usonia, the cooperative Frank Lloyd Wright community where I grew up. They were such lovely, cultured people who were definitely role models for me. In fact, I have modeled my life in many ways around the way they lived theirs. Aside from so many things, Trude was an amazing cook. Here's to her and one of my favorite recipes!

Ingredients
2 large navel oranges
6 eggs
1 and a half cups grated almonds
one cup sugar
1 teasp. baking powder
pinch salt

Boil the oranges whole (organic would be good) in water to cover for 30 minutes or so.
Let it cool for a while, and then process the whole oranges in a food processor.
Beat the whole eggs and then add the rest of the ingredients.

Bake in a greased form (I use a round springform- but I don't think you have to) at 400 degrees for one hour or maybe a bit shorter.
Let it cool.
Served with confectionary sugar on top. Yum...

Charity of the Week:
United Farmworkers Union

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow Tree of Life Series mixed media on paper 60” x 22” private collection

About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow created 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. And by the way, let me know in the comment section what you think of the new haircut...