Beekeeping in Zimbabwe
Click image to see a short video on Charles Hamilton's bee project...
So here's a wonderful person for you that I read about on instagram, published by his son. He didn't share his father's exact identity but I did some digging and his name is Charles Hamilton, a man that lives in the middle of nowhere in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe in a simple, modest house with no internet and just enough solar energy to power his lights and charge his phone...and he builds beehives. He doesn't just build them for himself--he builds them to distribute free of charge to anyone in the surrounding communities who wants to learn beekeeping--and he makes them the following promise: if you let me teach you how to keep bees ethically and sustainably and you don't spray pesticide, you can bring me your honey production and I will process it and buy it from you (above market value at a very fair price) and sell it in the capital city of Harare.
He’s not doing it for money. Celebrating the beauty of his dad, his son explains that he is doing it because "he believes in helping people. He believes in protecting nature. He believes that communities should look after each other. He believes in the goodness of human beings. Because that is the kind of person his parents raised him to be. And I’m privileged to say that it’s the kind of person my dad raised me to be."
His son, a filmmaker, has put together a go fund me for his dad and his beekeeping project. Details here if you would like to contribute.
Excerpt from Mark Nepo's Book of Awakening
In an Eagle's Eye
The vastness of this endless sky
is reflected in the corner of an eagle's eye.
In just this way, the heart
when lifted up, reflects the universe."
As the moon brings sun to those turned away from the light, the opened heart brings love to those struggling through darkness. It is important to remember here that the moon is not the source of light but a reflection; and likewise, as magnificent as the heart is, it is not the source of love, but a conveyor of forces often out of view when we are struggling.
I have come to realize that the people I've admired throughout my life, the ones I've tried to emulate, were all like the moon appearing in the night, and though I secretly wanted to be like these wonderful people, it was their openness that allowed them to shine in the middle of my darkness, an openness I didn't need to copy or envy, just uncover in myself..."
Carol Hancuh's Voting Line
The exhibit couldn't come at a better time, especially now when we are reminded of how fragile democracy is and how important it is to exercise our ability to vote. Thank you Carol Hancuh for that important reminder!
Paintings of the Week
Tree of Life Series, mixed media on paper mounted on canvas, private collection Ketchum Idaho...
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.
