three things we love

Philip Glass, Glass Pieces

I love dance and I love the music of Philip Glass. My cousin Joanne, a choreographer herself, reminded me recently of Philip Glass's Glass Pieces, an amazing dance piece choreographed by Jerome Robbins and performed for the first time by the New York City Ballet in 1983. I saw it many years ago but it remained vivid in my mind. I am amazed at how wonderful it was to see again, this time only on my computer screen, but totally enjoyable nonetheless...Enjoy!. And for a description of how it is to be a dancer dancing this difficult piece that is reminiscent of Grand Central at rush hour, listen to Russell Jansen's description and that of Justin Peck

Poem by Billy Collins

Introduction to Poetry
BY BILLY COLLINS

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide
or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem’s room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author’s name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.

I feel the same way when someone asks me about my paintings

Heather Cox Richardson, Again

Those who are familiar with my blog know that I have featured historian and Boston College professor Heather Cox Richardson a number of times because I think so highly of her. She is a national treasure--educating us and giving us insight and context to all the ins and outs of our complicated political landscape. This end of the year political chat that she does on facebook regularly is a must listen to anyone who wants a clear, concise description of where we are in the United States today and what we should expect in the next year politically before the midterm elections. By the way, this is not totally depressing...

Charity of the Week: City Harvest

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow We See Trees: Homage to Maira Kalman mixed media on canvas 50” x 80”

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...