You can find additional content by clicking many of the images and photos below as well as the underlined links.

Two Dogs:
Poundcake and Milkshake

Here is a sweet story about a beautiful rescue dog named Poundcake, who happens to also be deaf. Poundcake was finally adopted by a nice loving couple who gave her the proper attention she needed after living in a shelter for quite a while. The new owners even learned sign language and taught it to her so they were able to communicate with her that way. But there was something missing...And then along came Milkshake...

Heather Meder Wild Story

At the risk of being called crazy, I share with you here a story that defies logic yet is so intriguing that I thought I would share it with you in any case. Whether you believe something like this is possible or not, whether you take it as pure fiction or in the realm of possibility, it is a good story nonetheless as heard on the Jeff Mara youtube channel, a podcast that explores paranormal phenomena.

Meet Heather Meder, an artist/painter in her own right, who claims to have encountered and lived with a real life true extra-terrestrial alien. Sounds unbelievable. As she herself states, she is just a normal person who never thought anything like this could happen to her. If you stick to it, you might find this interview utterly fascinating as I did. Judge for yourself while watching the video...

Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens was such an important part of my teenage years and coming of age. His songs evoke so many memories and a friend just reminded me that I even went to see him in concert at the Westchester County Center when I was in middle school. She reminded me that we baked him some banana bread and left it on the stage for him (no recollection).

Born Steven Demetre Georgiou in London, England to a Greek Cypriot father and Swedish mom, and whether you call him Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam, simply Yusuf or his original stage name Steve Adams, the man has had a complicated history and illustrious life as seen through this video. One thing remains consistent—-his ability to play amazing music and write compelling songs that have stood up throughout the years…

Here are a few of my favorites:
How Can I Tell you

If I Laugh

Father and Son

Morning has Broken

The Wind

RubyLove

Photo of the Week

This painting found a good home with some nice people in the new Nordhavn waterfront section of Copenhagen, formerly an industrial area, now converted into a whole new neighborhood with apartment buildings and shops and sustainable innovative Danish architeture.

Charity of the Week:

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 the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.