three things we love
Jane Goodall Interview
Portrait of Jane Goodall by Christina Chung
Goodall’s latest The Book of Hope
Krista Tippett's November 2021 interview with legendary primatologist Jane Goodall, one of my biggest heroes in the whole world, speaks for itself and since I am a little short on time this week, I will say no more and let you listen to this episode of On Being.
Elizabeth Gilbert Reminder
I hope that Elizabeth Gilbert doesn't mind me posting her reminder, which I thought was a good message to give out today...thanks to my friend who posted it on facebook.
“Some years ago, I was stuck on a crosstown bus in New York City during rush hour. Traffic was barely moving. The bus was filled with cold, tired people who were deeply irritated with one another, with the world itself. Two men barked at each other about a shove that might or might not have been intentional. A pregnant woman got on, and nobody offered her a seat. Rage was in the air; no mercy would be found here.
But as the bus approached Seventh Avenue, the driver got on the intercom."Folks," he said, "I know you have had a rough day and you are frustrated. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic, but here is what I can do. As each one of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you. As you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my hand, okay? Don’t take your problems home to your families tonight, just leave them with me. My route goes right by the Hudson River, and when I drive by there later, I will open the window and throw your troubles in the water." It was as if a spell had lifted. Everyone burst out laughing. Faces gleamed with surprised delight. People who had been pretending for the past hour not to notice each other’s existence were suddenly grinning at each other like, is this guy serious?
Oh, he was serious.
At the next stop, just as promised, the driver reached out his hand, palm up, and waited. One by one, all the exiting commuters placed their hand just above his and mimed the gesture of dropping something into his palm. Some people laughed as they did this, some teared up but everyone did it. The driver repeated the same lovely ritual at the next stop, too. And the next. All the way to the river.
We live in a hard world, my friends. Sometimes it is extra difficult to be a human being. Sometimes you have a bad day. Sometimes you have a bad day that lasts for several years. You struggle and fail. You lose jobs, money, friends, faith, and love. You witness horrible events unfolding in the news, and you become fearful and withdrawn. There are times when everything seems cloaked in darkness. You long for the light but don’t know where to find it.
But what if you are the light? What if you are the very agent of illumination that a dark situation begs for?. That’s what this bus driver taught me, that anyone can be the light, at any moment. This guy wasn’t some big power player. He wasn’t a spiritual leader. He wasn’t some media-savvy influencer. He was a bus driver, one of society’s most invisible workers. But he possessed real power, and he used it beautifully for our benefit.
When life feels especially grim, or when I feel particularly powerless in the face of the world’s troubles, I think of this man and ask myself, What can I do, right now, to be the light? Of course, I can’t personally end all wars, or solve global warming, or transform vexing people into entirely different creatures. I definitely can’t control traffic. But I do have some influence on everyone I brush up against, even if we never speak or learn each other’s name.
"No matter who you are, or where you are, or how mundane or tough your situation may seem, I believe you can illuminate your world. In fact, I believe this is the only way the world will ever be illuminated, one bright act of grace at a time, all the way to the river."
Elizabeth Gilbert
Best Salmon Recipe
This is hands down the best salmon recipe I have ever tasted...A man I know told me the other day he had another woman in his life (he is happily married) and her name was Melissa Clark. After tasting this salmon, I know why and rushed out to the bookstore to buy her cookbook Dinner.
Vietnamese Caramel Salmon
Ingredients
Sauce:
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1/3 cup Light Brown Sugar
3 tablespoons Fish Sauce
1 1/2 tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 teaspoon Ginger
1 Lime Zest
Juice of 1/2 Lime
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
4 skinless Salmon Fillets
Sliced Scallions, thinly sliced Jalapeños and Cilantro for Garnish
Set an oven rack 6 inches from broiler
Brush the salmon fillets all over with oil and season them lightly with salt
In a 12 inch oven safe skillet set to medium high heat, combine brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, ginger, lime zest and lime juice, black pepper and 1 tablespoon water and bring to a simmer
Place the fish, skin side up, in the skillet.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer, without moving it, until the fish is cooked through halfway, approx. 4-6 minutes.
Spoon the pan juices over the fish and transfer the skillet to the oven.
Broil until the fish is just cooked through and the skin is caramelized in spots, approx. 2-5 minutes for medium rare, depending on the thickness of the fish.
Transfer the fish to a serving plate and garnish with scallions, jalapeños, and cilantro.
Drizzle with the pan sauce and serve.
Charity of the Week
Top 6 Charities That Help Children at Christmas Time
45 Great Jones Street, New York, NY 10012 hours: 1-6pm
@SARPottery and Quilts by Susan Rosenfeld
I’ve decided to embrace the gray…
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...