Lately I have been thinking a lot about heroes. For one thing, I have been listening to an audiobook biography of Fred Rogers, Mr. Rogers of Children's TV fame. He was always a hero of mine because of the courage it takes in our society for a man to be soft and gentle. Just listening to his voice was soothing to me when my daughter watched his show, and I still laugh at the ego fallibility of people when I think of the response to King Friday, "Right as usual King Friday!"
But we have many many homegrown heroes both famous and obscure. One that is on my mind right now is Peach Pilgrim. A friend with whom I had lunch recently brought me the winter 2019 copy of the newsletter dedicated to her memory. Peace Pilgrim was born in Egg Harbor where she lived until she received a revelation and took to the open road to spread the word of peace. Here is her message:
"Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, hatred with love."
As relevant today as at any time in the history of humankind. She walked the world day in and day out spreading her message and people everywhere she went responded with gratitude, hospitality,
and appreciation.
Peace Pilgrim traveled with a belt baby carrying a toothbrush and a comb and a letter or two, that's all. Everywhere she went she was fed and given a bed for the night, and if she didn't have one she slept where she found shelter. She died July 5, 1981, when, as was entirely unusual for her, she accepted a ride from a supporter to her next church lecture appearance and was killed in a head-on-collision. She must have had a presentiment that her time was due because in the appearance just before she left by automobile on that fateful ride, she kept looking up towards the sky and she said a person-to-person farewell to the people in the audience in Knox, Indiana.
There are people who remember Peace Pilgrim all over the world and there are monuments to her in various places including Peace Park in Egg Harbor.
I can't remember now how I first found out about her, whether I stumbled on the park and the statue and did some research or whether someone told me about her, but a friend, Barb Solem, and I went to a memorial event one year in her honor and Barb got on the mailing list and has received the newsletter ever since.
If you would like to know more about Peace Pilgrim, the radio archivist of KRAB fm, Seattle Washington, donated a copy of an interview that ran in 1976 and 1978. The link for that is -
https://bit/ly/2LWf2Eu (sorry - I tried this link and no server found)
On the 100th anniversary of her birth, there was a big celebration in Egg Harbor City, in 2008 (which must have been the event my friend and I attended) and again more informal event have been held in her memory at Peace Pilgrim Park, as recently as 2017 and 2018. You can sign up for the newsletter to find out about events such as the Appalachian Trail Retreat which will be held Sept. 20-22, 2019. Peace Pilgrim's sister, Helene Young is 103 and was the special guest at a vegetarian pot luck held in June 2018.
There are other walking pilgrims in this great tradition such as Geoff Dalglish who walks to promote conservation and a loving respect for our earth. Recently he completed a "Walk for Water" and the latest newsletter gives a valuable sidebar on Geoff's tips on the "ART" of Walking for a cause.
A couple, William and Alexandra, have been bicycling and singing for twelve years over 33,000 miles and 48 countries to promote understanding between peoples. You can find their message, their music and Alexandra's art at -
https://sites.google.com/site/wayofpilgrims/
There are many publications, dads and resources available through the website:
www.peacepilgrim.org
contact information:
Friends of Peace Pilgrim
P.O. Box 2207
Shelton, Ct 06484
call 203-926-1581
email - friends@peacepilgrim.org
Some final words of advice from the peace pilgrim via her newsletter:
"Live in the Present. Do the things that need to be done. Do all the good you can each day. The future will unfold."
In her own words, Peace Pilgrim described her mission:
"My appointed work is to awaken the divine nature that is within. This is my calling to open doors of truth and make people think, to arouse others from their apathy and lethargy and get them to seek out for themselves the peace which dwells within This is the extent of my undertaking. I can do no more. The rest I leave to a higher power."
Peace Pilgrim is an inspiration to all who have come in contact with her legacy!
Happy Trails,
Jo Ann
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
Oscars and Grandmothers
Just a little note because soon it will be March, Women's History Month, and grandmothers have been on my mind a lot lately.
Spike Lee won his oscar for best adaptation of a screenplay for BlackkKlansman. I didn't see this yet, but hopefully I will get to see it on amazon on netflix at some point. I do admire Spike Lee's work and I agree with him that he should have won something for "Do the Right Thing" which I consider to have been a movie masterpiece.
In a comments section I ran across while opening my e-mail, Spike Lee mentioned that his grandmother saved all of her social security checks for many years so she could pay for his way through film school! I wish he had said her name as well, so I could praise her by name, but since he did not, let me simply praise GRANDMOTHERS!
My grandmothers, Lavinia Lyons, and Mabel Wright, were the kindest, most staunch, interesting women in my childhood (after my MOTHER - Mary Lavinia Wright) and they provided me with a view of a life that has sustained me for all of mine, quiet, orderly, humble and fulfilling lives, lived independently. Especially my grandmother Mabel, who also was a quilter, there was a joy and beauty in her life that I have carried all through mine. When I think of her I think of the sea air of Ocean City where she lived, and the coziness of her little apartment, and how with her sewing skills she made it charming and warm and beautiful!
Mabel Wright used her sewing skills to support herself and her children after she was widowed in her early thirties. Along with her mother, Catherine Sandman Young, the daughter of German immigrants, Mabel sewed uniforms for the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia. Both women supported themselves through sewing over the toughest decades. Later, after she moved to Ocean City to take care of her mother who had suffered a catastrophic stroke, Mabel worked on the boardwalk, in summer, as a ticket seller, and at Stainton's Department store, in winter. She was a member of the Democratic Women's Club, and a movie club that went to the Village theater, and that brings us full circle back to the movies!
The only Oscar winner I saw was "Bohemian Rhapsody" with my daughter at Mother's Day, and I loved it. I am happy that it won some acclaim and that the struggle from youthful suffering to success that Freddy Mercury lived, is recounted and his triumph is celebrated.
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
Spike Lee won his oscar for best adaptation of a screenplay for BlackkKlansman. I didn't see this yet, but hopefully I will get to see it on amazon on netflix at some point. I do admire Spike Lee's work and I agree with him that he should have won something for "Do the Right Thing" which I consider to have been a movie masterpiece.
In a comments section I ran across while opening my e-mail, Spike Lee mentioned that his grandmother saved all of her social security checks for many years so she could pay for his way through film school! I wish he had said her name as well, so I could praise her by name, but since he did not, let me simply praise GRANDMOTHERS!
My grandmothers, Lavinia Lyons, and Mabel Wright, were the kindest, most staunch, interesting women in my childhood (after my MOTHER - Mary Lavinia Wright) and they provided me with a view of a life that has sustained me for all of mine, quiet, orderly, humble and fulfilling lives, lived independently. Especially my grandmother Mabel, who also was a quilter, there was a joy and beauty in her life that I have carried all through mine. When I think of her I think of the sea air of Ocean City where she lived, and the coziness of her little apartment, and how with her sewing skills she made it charming and warm and beautiful!
Mabel Wright used her sewing skills to support herself and her children after she was widowed in her early thirties. Along with her mother, Catherine Sandman Young, the daughter of German immigrants, Mabel sewed uniforms for the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia. Both women supported themselves through sewing over the toughest decades. Later, after she moved to Ocean City to take care of her mother who had suffered a catastrophic stroke, Mabel worked on the boardwalk, in summer, as a ticket seller, and at Stainton's Department store, in winter. She was a member of the Democratic Women's Club, and a movie club that went to the Village theater, and that brings us full circle back to the movies!
The only Oscar winner I saw was "Bohemian Rhapsody" with my daughter at Mother's Day, and I loved it. I am happy that it won some acclaim and that the struggle from youthful suffering to success that Freddy Mercury lived, is recounted and his triumph is celebrated.
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
Thursday, February 21, 2019
From Visit South Jersey, 15 Antique shops!
15 Antique Shops in South Jersey
February 15, 2019
Whether you are looking for a mid-century favorite or estate jewelry, shop like a professional and head to one of these eclectic antique shops in South Jersey! You’ll be sure to find exactly what you’re looking for!
15 N. Black Horse Pike, Runnemede, NJ
Antiques and Coins Unlimited has been in business since 1983. They specialize in helping you find the piece you’re looking for that will add that extra something to your home. Whether it’s vintage jewelry, antique clocks, or the vast collection of antique furniture, there is something that will surely catch your eye.
220 Ganttown Road, Turnersville, NJ
Antiques Only opened its doors in 2001. They renovated a hay and horse barn and created two levels of rustic charm that includes furniture, primitives, glassware, and many new and old items. 14 dealers compliment the store with their unusual and exciting merchandise.
529 NJ-49, Salem, NJ
The size of this shop can be very deceiving! Cawman’s Mall covers over 11,000 square feet! Their 31 vendors have searched out and brought in only the best for all of the collectors, recyclers, upcyclers, historians, and eclectic clientele.
41 King Street, Mount Holly, NJ
Shop from Center Stage’s 18,000 square foot showroom and warehouse to find a large selection of quality pre-owned estate home furnishings at a fraction of their original cost. They sell top name brands such as Ethan Allen, Harden, Thomasville, Kittinger, Henredon, Hickory Chair, Pennsylvania House, Hitchcock, and more. Plus they have thousands of new piece arriving each month.
697 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ
Looking for unusual and affordable vintage and handmade treasures? Then Clutter Vintage is your new destination for unique and re-imagined artifacts, home decor and furniture. Their inventory is constantly changing, so they will have new items to see every time you visit.
812 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ
Ellis Antiques is more than just an antique shop; they are a special and unique shop that features objets d’art shown in a lovely hip gallery setting. They carry a broad line of antique and vintage, carved and inlaid furniture, dining, and bedroom suites and pieces, as well as all types of fine jewelry from vintage costume to fine gold and silver. They also carry framed art, oil paintings, dolls, toys, lighting and lamps, sculpture, pottery, sterling silver flatware sets, tea sets and more.
531 Clements Bridge Road, Haddon Heights, NJ
Haddon Heights Antique Center is a multi-dealer shop that has an ever-changing inventory. The shop offers many styles and price points for both the seasoned collector, as well as the shopper just looking for a unique find. They have two floors jam-packed with timeless treasures and memorabilia from the more recent past.
424 High Street, Burlington, NJ
There are over 65 antique and collectible dealers under one roof at the Historic Burlington Antiques Emporium. You’ll find furniture, primitives, toys, glass, pottery, trains, books, military collectables, radios, paintings, photographs, china, dolls, clocks, jewelry and so much more. The shop is open seven days a week.
1 South Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ
Browse from over 23 booths featuring an eclectic variety of antiques and collectibles at Old Mill Antique Mall. Open 7 days a week, this shop has two huge floors filled with unique wares that you are sure to love!
13 Market Street, Salem, NJ
Royal Port Antiques is the largest single owner shop in South Jersey. The shop carries early American antiques and architectural elements. They are always finding fun and unusual things to add to their ever-changing vignettes throughout the shop.
11. Shoppe 202
202 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown
Shoppe 202 is a gift antique shop located in the heart of Downtown Bordentown. The shop features unique gifts, old and new, in addition to specializing in custom picture framing.
1366 NJ-38, Hainesport, NJ
A visit to The Browse Around Shop is unlike any other antique shop you’ve ever seen – it’s like a walk into history! The store features 8,500 square feet of antiques and contemporary home furnishings and accessories displayed in a dramatic fashion. The shop is open Wednesday through Sunday.
13. The Find Shops
1207 Route 40, Woodstown, NJ
The Find is pleased to house over 30 vendors providing visitors with an array of antiques, collectibles, and vintage rare finds. The shop offers an eclectic collection of new and used furniture and home decor. As the new home of Wine Barrel Designs and the Napa East Collection, you know you will always find quality handcrafted furniture that will bring lasting beauty to your home.
66 S. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ
Voted as the 2018 Best of Gloucester County Antique Shop, Woodbury Antiques offers a fresh, new selection of inventory every day. They have a variety of beautiful pieces for every style. Their fabulous 17,000 square foot showroom features over 40 vendors.
30 Repaupo Station Road, Swedesboro, NJ
Z Brothers features name brands such as Ethan Allen, Henredon, Pennsylvania House, Thomasville, Baker and more. They stock furniture to fit your decorating style and needs. As their inventory is constantly changing, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love. From mid-century modern and traditional to French and Italian regency, you never know what you are going to find at Z Brothers!
Tips for BRAIN HEALTH
Today, after I returned from walking my dog her morning mile in bright sunshine and a frisky breeze, and ran a few errands locally including (Oh JOY) buying more ART supplies at A. C. Moore, I sat on the sofa to enjoy what is probably my final copy of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. I only subscribed in the first place as a birthday gift for my sister who was a BIG M.S. fan. Personally, although I admire her ability to have made a fortune from housework, the domestic sphere has rarely held any interest for me. I am more literature, ART, and nature oriented. I don't cook, never re-decorate, and don't garden.
Nonetheless, I like the pictures and the dip into a different world. What I did NOT like however, was finding out that without my knowledge or permission the magazine had somehow switched from annual renewal by check to access to my credit card and automatic renewal - something I NEVER do! I would have assumed I made a mistake somehow except it had happened to a few of my friends with other magazines and subscriptions, so I see it is a trend Anyhow once I was onto the con, I contacted both the magazine and my bank and shut down the automatic annual renewal and the subscription.
Anyway, warning aside, this issue had an article on brain health. I am interested in all kinds of health and particularly brain health and even if you are already aware of these tips, as I am, a reminder is often helpful!
1.Connect with People -SOCIALIZE! Every article I have ever read has put socializing up at the top of the list for brain health. We are social animals and need interaction to maintain brain and emotional health. Find a Senior Center, a Library, join a club (I joined with some old college friends to form an art club that meets once a month in winter indoors, and twice a month in summer outdoors in Knight Park, Collingswood in the picnic shelter), look around and find some place to meet up with others. I have gym buddies and lunch pals and I just started a SENIORS MEET-Up in my hometown, Mt. Ephraim, Monday, March 4 at 1:00 is our first meeting, topic: Family History - Join us! Join a book club, all towns have them, ask at your library! Also a friend recently joined the Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill which has a multitude of educational programs, art programs and ways to enrich your life.
2.STOP MULTI-TASKING! This was a new one for me. I didn't know multi-tasking was bad for your brain and if you had asked me I probably would have thought it was good for you, however, I don't do it. Since I am retired it isn't required of me and most of the things I do demand single minded devotion - like painting, reading or writing. Even walking my dog, I NEVER wear headphones because I like the ambient sound of the outdoors. The article said it was like driving your car with your foot on the brake and the gas at the same time.
3.EAT for brain Health. The DASH Diet in modified form is called the MIND diet and as you might guess, it is vegetables, berries, fish, olive oil, leafy greens, nuts. So, think of an omelette with fresh spinach, feta cheese, and a salad of greens with carrot shavings, broccoli florets, olives, and snacks of lightly salted almonds always on hand, also almond butter on whole grain crackers or bread (my favored breakfast!) Also, blueberries in cereal and pancakes. I try to eat this way as much as possible.
4.EXERCISE: I walk the dog a mile in the morning and another in afternoon and i try to get to my gym with my gym buddies Joanne and Aldona three times a week. Joanne and I buddied up three years ago when the gym opened near us. By the way, with an AARP membership card, you can get the basic price reduced from $10 a month to $5!!!! Even if you only go 3 times a week, which we shoot for, you are doing your cardiovascular system and your brain a world of good!
5.PRIORITIZE DEEP SLEEP - My advice would be NO TV in the bedroom. I live alone so that one is easy, but back in the day, I had partners and we sometimes had arguments over tv in the bedroom. I am serious about my sleep. I have a routine - I got to bed early, usually around 10:30, read for an hour, then the lights go out and I sleep like a baby until 8 a.m. Anything less and I feel groggy and out of sorts. I LOVE my sleep - it is a big luxury to me.
6.EXPLORE NEW TERRITORY: Take up a new hobby or interest, learn to play chess, or ukulele! Hone your skills in something you already do. For example, I am a painter, and recently I began to do a series of figure studies since I am not particularly skilled at figure and need the practice. My first attempts were less than satisfying but I have found as I moved on, my work is getting better by leaps and bounds, each study is much much better than the one before. There are a lot of places to take lessons, many art places such as Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood and Moorestown, and Eiland Arts Center in Merchantville at the train station where you can take up playing an instrument. Wasn't there something you always wanted to try? Do it now! Don't mind if you aren't skillful at first, everything worth doing takes time and practice and if you put in the effort you will get the rewards!
There is an e-mail that I get called Visit South Jersey, and it is filled with tips for places to go and things to do - check it out! Oh yes, I almost forgot, there is always volunteer work - every historic site needs volunteers, and another thing you can join is the Outdoor Club of South Jersey. Not all their hikes are 6 milers, a hike leader named David Bickings does 2 and 3 milers in the area. Look up their website and get more information! Also, take up Yoga! You don't need to be an athlete to learn this fabulous way to exercise, stay limber and learn meditation. You can try chair yoga if you have back and knee problems. Go my library Haddon Twp. off Cuthbert Blvd., and get their magazine bulletin of events. They have Chair Yoga beginning again in March. I try to go all the time, I find it very refreshing and helpful. My knees and back do not permit floor yoga anymore.
Hope all of this is helpful to you! I am off to walk the dog now while the sun still shines!
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
Nonetheless, I like the pictures and the dip into a different world. What I did NOT like however, was finding out that without my knowledge or permission the magazine had somehow switched from annual renewal by check to access to my credit card and automatic renewal - something I NEVER do! I would have assumed I made a mistake somehow except it had happened to a few of my friends with other magazines and subscriptions, so I see it is a trend Anyhow once I was onto the con, I contacted both the magazine and my bank and shut down the automatic annual renewal and the subscription.
Anyway, warning aside, this issue had an article on brain health. I am interested in all kinds of health and particularly brain health and even if you are already aware of these tips, as I am, a reminder is often helpful!
1.Connect with People -SOCIALIZE! Every article I have ever read has put socializing up at the top of the list for brain health. We are social animals and need interaction to maintain brain and emotional health. Find a Senior Center, a Library, join a club (I joined with some old college friends to form an art club that meets once a month in winter indoors, and twice a month in summer outdoors in Knight Park, Collingswood in the picnic shelter), look around and find some place to meet up with others. I have gym buddies and lunch pals and I just started a SENIORS MEET-Up in my hometown, Mt. Ephraim, Monday, March 4 at 1:00 is our first meeting, topic: Family History - Join us! Join a book club, all towns have them, ask at your library! Also a friend recently joined the Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill which has a multitude of educational programs, art programs and ways to enrich your life.
2.STOP MULTI-TASKING! This was a new one for me. I didn't know multi-tasking was bad for your brain and if you had asked me I probably would have thought it was good for you, however, I don't do it. Since I am retired it isn't required of me and most of the things I do demand single minded devotion - like painting, reading or writing. Even walking my dog, I NEVER wear headphones because I like the ambient sound of the outdoors. The article said it was like driving your car with your foot on the brake and the gas at the same time.
3.EAT for brain Health. The DASH Diet in modified form is called the MIND diet and as you might guess, it is vegetables, berries, fish, olive oil, leafy greens, nuts. So, think of an omelette with fresh spinach, feta cheese, and a salad of greens with carrot shavings, broccoli florets, olives, and snacks of lightly salted almonds always on hand, also almond butter on whole grain crackers or bread (my favored breakfast!) Also, blueberries in cereal and pancakes. I try to eat this way as much as possible.
4.EXERCISE: I walk the dog a mile in the morning and another in afternoon and i try to get to my gym with my gym buddies Joanne and Aldona three times a week. Joanne and I buddied up three years ago when the gym opened near us. By the way, with an AARP membership card, you can get the basic price reduced from $10 a month to $5!!!! Even if you only go 3 times a week, which we shoot for, you are doing your cardiovascular system and your brain a world of good!
5.PRIORITIZE DEEP SLEEP - My advice would be NO TV in the bedroom. I live alone so that one is easy, but back in the day, I had partners and we sometimes had arguments over tv in the bedroom. I am serious about my sleep. I have a routine - I got to bed early, usually around 10:30, read for an hour, then the lights go out and I sleep like a baby until 8 a.m. Anything less and I feel groggy and out of sorts. I LOVE my sleep - it is a big luxury to me.
6.EXPLORE NEW TERRITORY: Take up a new hobby or interest, learn to play chess, or ukulele! Hone your skills in something you already do. For example, I am a painter, and recently I began to do a series of figure studies since I am not particularly skilled at figure and need the practice. My first attempts were less than satisfying but I have found as I moved on, my work is getting better by leaps and bounds, each study is much much better than the one before. There are a lot of places to take lessons, many art places such as Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood and Moorestown, and Eiland Arts Center in Merchantville at the train station where you can take up playing an instrument. Wasn't there something you always wanted to try? Do it now! Don't mind if you aren't skillful at first, everything worth doing takes time and practice and if you put in the effort you will get the rewards!
There is an e-mail that I get called Visit South Jersey, and it is filled with tips for places to go and things to do - check it out! Oh yes, I almost forgot, there is always volunteer work - every historic site needs volunteers, and another thing you can join is the Outdoor Club of South Jersey. Not all their hikes are 6 milers, a hike leader named David Bickings does 2 and 3 milers in the area. Look up their website and get more information! Also, take up Yoga! You don't need to be an athlete to learn this fabulous way to exercise, stay limber and learn meditation. You can try chair yoga if you have back and knee problems. Go my library Haddon Twp. off Cuthbert Blvd., and get their magazine bulletin of events. They have Chair Yoga beginning again in March. I try to go all the time, I find it very refreshing and helpful. My knees and back do not permit floor yoga anymore.
Hope all of this is helpful to you! I am off to walk the dog now while the sun still shines!
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Expanded Consciousness and Loving the PLANET - 9 things you can do
Recently two friends of mine went on a protest demonstration against a "Family Fun Squirrel Shoot" at a local hunting club.
There are so many reasons why my friends and I think this is WRONG: 1.To teach your children to get fun from killing other creatures? 2.Expansion of guns as entertainment in our culture?
And even though in an earlier post I may have talked to you about the winter invasion of my roof by squirrels, I have no animosity towards them, and in fact, I admire their genius as problem solvers. A group of MIT inventors held a contest to see who could design a squirrel proof bird feeder. Bird feeders are especially angry with squirrels, a friend of mine is a backyard bird watcher, and her husband actually built a kitchen annex with a picture window/window seat so my friend could watch the backyard birds at the feeder and the bird bath they installed. My friend's husband spent many years trapping and removing squirrels from their yard as punishment for their depredations at the bird feeder. He is now sadly passed away but the squirrels remain. And, in case you wondered, NO, the genius inventors could not make a feeder squirrels couldn't solve.
Often I have wondered why so many of my friends and I have feelings of affection, admiration and shared consciousness with animals and others do not. In my case, perhaps it was being raised on books by Beatrix Potter, whom you may know for Peter Rabbit, but who published dozens of books about little woodland creatures besides rabbits, squirrels, hedgehogs, frogs, ducks (Jemima Puddleduck to name one) and kittens and cats. Perhaps it was because I was raised with cats and dogs rescued from the mean brick canyons of South Philadelphia, my childhood home. I have always felt as though my animal companions were people in another form. I feel affection for them and treat them with respect, and I have feelings of respect for other animals I encounter in the woods or other places as well.
Once when I was hiking in the Dolly Sods, in West Virginia where my parents moved after retirement, I stopped to do some yoga stretching after a few miles. I was sitting on a rocky outcrop over a vast and beautiful overlook (for which the Dolly Sods are rightly famous). I reached down to grasp the edge of the rocks to pull myself up, and to my astonishment, I was looking into the eyes of a sunny rattlesnake! He was about a foot or two below me on his shale ledge. I simply slowly sat back down and quietly slid back several feet before I rose. I had a good book at him, before I stood though, and I took a photo of him. He watched me peacefully and sleepily and did' shake his rattles which I counted - there were nine!
I was so lucky because we were a good 4 or 5 hours into the woods and it would have taken too long for help to arrive should the snake have decided to attack, but we were both peaceful.
In fact, I have encountered a great many animals in my ramblings in the woods in West Virginia, on the Appalachian trail in New York (I met a moose), and in Acadia in Maine and other Forest Preserves. My feeling has always been of comradeship in this process of life, enjoyment of the sunshine, the fragrance of clean woods pine scent, the warmth of family and our nests and shelters. I have no doubt about their deep pleasure in a patch of sunshine on a spring day in the woods, and I have delighted to see fawns frolicking in the Pine woods around Pakim Pond. Equally, I have felt dread at the sign of armed men along the road beside Pakim Pond, waiting to kill the deer I had watched frolicking in joy in the weeks before hunting season began.
I will never comprehend joy in destruction. Once I saw a little boy walk up and kick a wooden block castle carefully and cleverly built by another little boy in nursery school. He destroyed it. And that mentality is beyond my understanding. I am a builder and appreciator not a killer or destroyer. An animal is a miracle of flesh and blood engineering, a wonder of life. To turn it into dead flesh and bone is abhorrent to me.
Well enough of that. I promised you 9 simple ways you could help the planet and here they are from the Sunday New York Times.
1. This is my favorite and the easiest: Buy and use re-usable oilcloth shopping bags. I have ten I have bought at ShopRite but you can also get them for $1 at Dollar Store. Stop the plastic which is polluting the ocean.
2.Use glass and metal jars for storage. In fact, my friends and I have taken to bringing our own glass microwaveable containers when we go out to eat, so that we can bring home the food we have left to eat later. We used to take it home in styrofoam, but that is so wasteful because you need to move the food into glass to heat it anyhow, so put it in glass in the first place!
3.Use aluminum water bottles instead of plastic ones.
4.Buy in bulk
5.Buy used items. Many of my friends and I shop at 2nd hand and vintage stores such as Urban Promise in Maple Shade. You can get good clothes, coats, sweaters, jeans, all sorts of household items there at a very reduced rate. I buy picture frames there for my paintings!
6.Recycle properly: clear glass, yoghurt containers NO BAGS - they clog the machinery at recycle plants. Your supermarket may take bags for recycling. my brother suggested using brown paper if you don't have your reusable bags with you, brown paper bags are recyclable!
7.Try to buy in cardboard containers or glass whenever you can.
8.Don't use straws. If you have dental sensitivity and need a straw you can buy reusable aluminum ones and carry it with you.
9. If you do everything else and want to go further, do your research and find out what others are doing to cut back on waste and pollution. I would like to find dog scooping bags made from something other than plastic, maybe hemp?
I love my home, my town, my country and my planet, and the creatures who are it. What I can do to live consciously and responsibly, I do, and I can do more and I will. Along with these things, I have had all my rescued animals spayed or neutered so that they don't reproduce should they ever run away (they don't - they love it here!) I wish I could feed them vegetarian but all my research to do insists they must have carnivorous diets to stay healthy. Also I donate to charitable groups helping animals as well, my favorites are: Alley Cat Allies, Best Friends Animal Shelter, and Farm Sanctuary to name just three. I also contribute to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and Green Peace.
It is all part of what I think of as an ethical life, period.
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
There are so many reasons why my friends and I think this is WRONG: 1.To teach your children to get fun from killing other creatures? 2.Expansion of guns as entertainment in our culture?
And even though in an earlier post I may have talked to you about the winter invasion of my roof by squirrels, I have no animosity towards them, and in fact, I admire their genius as problem solvers. A group of MIT inventors held a contest to see who could design a squirrel proof bird feeder. Bird feeders are especially angry with squirrels, a friend of mine is a backyard bird watcher, and her husband actually built a kitchen annex with a picture window/window seat so my friend could watch the backyard birds at the feeder and the bird bath they installed. My friend's husband spent many years trapping and removing squirrels from their yard as punishment for their depredations at the bird feeder. He is now sadly passed away but the squirrels remain. And, in case you wondered, NO, the genius inventors could not make a feeder squirrels couldn't solve.
Often I have wondered why so many of my friends and I have feelings of affection, admiration and shared consciousness with animals and others do not. In my case, perhaps it was being raised on books by Beatrix Potter, whom you may know for Peter Rabbit, but who published dozens of books about little woodland creatures besides rabbits, squirrels, hedgehogs, frogs, ducks (Jemima Puddleduck to name one) and kittens and cats. Perhaps it was because I was raised with cats and dogs rescued from the mean brick canyons of South Philadelphia, my childhood home. I have always felt as though my animal companions were people in another form. I feel affection for them and treat them with respect, and I have feelings of respect for other animals I encounter in the woods or other places as well.
Once when I was hiking in the Dolly Sods, in West Virginia where my parents moved after retirement, I stopped to do some yoga stretching after a few miles. I was sitting on a rocky outcrop over a vast and beautiful overlook (for which the Dolly Sods are rightly famous). I reached down to grasp the edge of the rocks to pull myself up, and to my astonishment, I was looking into the eyes of a sunny rattlesnake! He was about a foot or two below me on his shale ledge. I simply slowly sat back down and quietly slid back several feet before I rose. I had a good book at him, before I stood though, and I took a photo of him. He watched me peacefully and sleepily and did' shake his rattles which I counted - there were nine!
I was so lucky because we were a good 4 or 5 hours into the woods and it would have taken too long for help to arrive should the snake have decided to attack, but we were both peaceful.
In fact, I have encountered a great many animals in my ramblings in the woods in West Virginia, on the Appalachian trail in New York (I met a moose), and in Acadia in Maine and other Forest Preserves. My feeling has always been of comradeship in this process of life, enjoyment of the sunshine, the fragrance of clean woods pine scent, the warmth of family and our nests and shelters. I have no doubt about their deep pleasure in a patch of sunshine on a spring day in the woods, and I have delighted to see fawns frolicking in the Pine woods around Pakim Pond. Equally, I have felt dread at the sign of armed men along the road beside Pakim Pond, waiting to kill the deer I had watched frolicking in joy in the weeks before hunting season began.
I will never comprehend joy in destruction. Once I saw a little boy walk up and kick a wooden block castle carefully and cleverly built by another little boy in nursery school. He destroyed it. And that mentality is beyond my understanding. I am a builder and appreciator not a killer or destroyer. An animal is a miracle of flesh and blood engineering, a wonder of life. To turn it into dead flesh and bone is abhorrent to me.
Well enough of that. I promised you 9 simple ways you could help the planet and here they are from the Sunday New York Times.
1. This is my favorite and the easiest: Buy and use re-usable oilcloth shopping bags. I have ten I have bought at ShopRite but you can also get them for $1 at Dollar Store. Stop the plastic which is polluting the ocean.
2.Use glass and metal jars for storage. In fact, my friends and I have taken to bringing our own glass microwaveable containers when we go out to eat, so that we can bring home the food we have left to eat later. We used to take it home in styrofoam, but that is so wasteful because you need to move the food into glass to heat it anyhow, so put it in glass in the first place!
3.Use aluminum water bottles instead of plastic ones.
4.Buy in bulk
5.Buy used items. Many of my friends and I shop at 2nd hand and vintage stores such as Urban Promise in Maple Shade. You can get good clothes, coats, sweaters, jeans, all sorts of household items there at a very reduced rate. I buy picture frames there for my paintings!
6.Recycle properly: clear glass, yoghurt containers NO BAGS - they clog the machinery at recycle plants. Your supermarket may take bags for recycling. my brother suggested using brown paper if you don't have your reusable bags with you, brown paper bags are recyclable!
7.Try to buy in cardboard containers or glass whenever you can.
8.Don't use straws. If you have dental sensitivity and need a straw you can buy reusable aluminum ones and carry it with you.
9. If you do everything else and want to go further, do your research and find out what others are doing to cut back on waste and pollution. I would like to find dog scooping bags made from something other than plastic, maybe hemp?
I love my home, my town, my country and my planet, and the creatures who are it. What I can do to live consciously and responsibly, I do, and I can do more and I will. Along with these things, I have had all my rescued animals spayed or neutered so that they don't reproduce should they ever run away (they don't - they love it here!) I wish I could feed them vegetarian but all my research to do insists they must have carnivorous diets to stay healthy. Also I donate to charitable groups helping animals as well, my favorites are: Alley Cat Allies, Best Friends Animal Shelter, and Farm Sanctuary to name just three. I also contribute to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and Green Peace.
It is all part of what I think of as an ethical life, period.
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Still time for these fun events - Saturday
For several years right after I retired, I was a volunteer docent at Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield. It was an honor to work in such a beautiful house and to know the equally beautiful Meghan Giordano, who passed away at a far far too early age.
Eventually, my knees and back forced me to give up my volunteer work at all the places where I used to spend my days, and I had to find new activities that didn't involve standing too long, or sitting at a computer.
Still, though, the Colonial period has remained an interest of mine and Colonial period crafts in particular. I no longer think I will find the time to learn to spin and weave as I had once hoped, but there is a chance to learn a different craft at the Whitall House this Saturday:
Eventually, my knees and back forced me to give up my volunteer work at all the places where I used to spend my days, and I had to find new activities that didn't involve standing too long, or sitting at a computer.
Still, though, the Colonial period has remained an interest of mine and Colonial period crafts in particular. I no longer think I will find the time to learn to spin and weave as I had once hoped, but there is a chance to learn a different craft at the Whitall House this Saturday:
Colonial Crafts: Rag Rug
Saturday, February 16 | 10 AM - 12 PM
Red Bank Battlefield Park, National Park
Join the Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield Park for their Colonial Crafts Series! This two hour course will teach you the art of creating rag rugs! Reservations are required and the class cost is $10 per person. For more information or to make your reservation call (856) 307-6456.
Another place where I was once a volunteer is offering this event:
The Shannachie of Glendunbunn Ballybegg (The Storyteller of the
Little Town of Glendunbunn)
Saturday, February 16 | 2 PM - 3 PM
Indian King Tavern Museum, Haddonfield
The wit and wisdom, humor and horror, hubris and humanity of a people are found in their traditional stories. Compelling story teller and performer David Emerson, spins tale through the eyes of a person of the past. He retells and embroiders the colorful and ancient stories of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall the home of the first tavern keeper. The presentation will "warm, tickle, and maybe chill the heart."
AS I had visited Ireland with my daughter years ago, the birthplace of my mother's ancestors, I would love to be able to year this presentation. It will be hard to choose between these two events!
Enjoy - Happy Valentine's Day!
Jo Ann
|
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
As Promised - 10 Art Galleries!
Photography 38 Opening Reception
Saturday, February 2 | 1 PM - 4 PM
Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown
Perkins Center for the Arts invites the public to its 38th annual photography exhibition opening reception at its Moorestown campus. Photography 38 exemplifies the best and most innovative work by photographers from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. The exhibit will remain open to the public for acquisition and enjoyment through March 24th. MORE >2. Camden FireWorks
1813 South Broadway, Camden, NJ
Camden Fireworks serves as a sanctuary for people yearning for imagination and grace by providing a space to make, celebrate and learn about art. This arts and social change organization brings artists and neighbors together in a hospitable place that awakens the creative capacity of the community and serves as a model for sustainable cooperation.
709 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ
Galerie Marie has paintings, sculptures, dolls, prints, drawings, photography, jewelry, and other crafts by artists from around the nation. The gallery features paintings and dolls by Kimberly Camp, whose work has appeared in over 100 exhibitions around the world. With over 55 artists, Galerie Marie believes people should be able to buy original affordable art from everywhere!
104 Walnut Street, Haddonfield, NJ
Situated just a few blocks from downtown Haddonfield, Market is one of Haddonfield’s greatest jewels! Since the arts are an expression of a community, the goal of the Haddonfield Arts and Crafts League has been to promote the creation and enjoyment of the visual arts. Now over 60 years later, the renovation of the gallery and development of expanded programs and services for artists ensures that the Markeim Arts Center will continue to fulfill its commitment to the community.
30 Irvin Avenue, Collingswood, NJ
& 395 Kings Highway, Moorestown, NJ
& 395 Kings Highway, Moorestown, NJ
Perkins Center for the Arts strives to enrich lives, inspire learning, collaboration, interdisciplinary and intercultural experiences through the arts with programs and services that include: a conservatory of music, visual and performing arts classes, exhibitions, concerts, artist-led school residency programs, a scholarship and fee-based camp for urban and suburban youth, folklife center, and community enrichment projects throughout South Jersey.
59 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ
The Pitman Gallery and Art Center’s mission is to cultivate the power of the arts – inspiring individuals and strengthening the community alike. The Gallery and Art Center supports its mission through rotating exhibitions of local, regional, and national contemporary artists, art education, and classes for all ages, studio space rental, and public/private events. They offer a full calendar of inviting and interesting programs, workshops, and events that make art accessible to all.
301 West High Street, Glassboro, NJ
The Rowan University Art Gallery serves as a premier cultural destination in South Jersey and the surrounding region. Their mission is to provide a platform for discourse on best practices in contemporary art by professional artists, curators, and scholars through the presentation of interdisciplinary art exhibitions, panel discussions, guest curatorial projects, and other public programming.
803 Smithville Road, Mount Holly, NJ
The Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery features juried art and photography exhibitions, artist and art organizations, teen arts shows, and themed exhibitions in addition to workshops. Stop by now and see their Winter Art Exhibit that includes all kinds of wonderful art from paintings to photography all with a winter theme.
142 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, NJ
The Artful Deposit represents artists with international, national, and local reputations. They offer original fine art with a wide range of pricing available for the art novice as well as the fine art collector.
432 High Street, Burlington, NJ
Through exciting art programming, performances, exhibitions and education, the Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts seeks to inspire and motivate the individual and the community to imagine, create, experience, and enjoy!
Not too late - a February history experience!
Saturday and Sunday
February 23rd and 24th
1pm till 4pm
Visit Glassboro’s historic train depot for a book signing by local educator, historian and author, Robert P. Tucker.
The book is on Elsmere, Glamssboro's historic African American community!
I am not sure where the historic train depot is but my search revealed this:
1pm till 4pm
Visit Glassboro’s historic train depot for a book signing by local educator, historian and author, Robert P. Tucker.
The book is on Elsmere, Glamssboro's historic African American community!
I am not sure where the historic train depot is but my search revealed this:
Mar 8, 2015 - Glassboro's old commuter train station was marked with graffiti, its windows broken by vandals and its exterior walls rotted.
Doctor, Calligrapher/Artist
This may be my first post from the obituaries, however, it deserves to be here in places to go, things to do, and South Jersey history for three reasons: 1. African American History month, 2. South Jersey History, and 3. Women's History month coming up.
Dr Doris Wether, broke so many barriers and saved so many lives. Fortunately for her, she also lived a long life. She died in January at the age of 91. In her career, she broke barriers by being one of the few African American women admitted to medical school, and she rose to positions of prominence at every hospital where she worked. Also, at every hospital, she opened sickle cell anemia centers to do research, education, and screening. The Sunday New York Times obituary section said she raised the life expectancy of hundreds if not thousands of children from 18 years of age to 50. One of the MANY benefits of the Women's Movement has been the inclusion of women of note in newspaper accounts.
My second obituary blog entry is about Lili Wronger, who died at age 94, here in New Jersey where she lived. She was a resident of Medford after living in London as a refugee from Germany during the second World War. Lili is another woman who overcame immense obstacles to achieve fame and success in her fields of calligraphy and illustration. After Kristalnacht, in Germany, a night in November 1938, when Lily was 14 years old, when Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogs were violently attacked and destroyed by Nazis, Lily's parents decided to send her and her sister to boarding school in England for their safety. Later, Dr. Cassel and his wife Lili's mother, joined their daughters in England before emigrating to the United States. Lily illustrated books, designed book covers and throughout her life studied calligraphy, in particular the history of Hebrew calligraphy, a field in which she acquired great respect and acclaim. Lily married a printer she met at the United Nations, and together they had two small presses in their apartment in New York. They had two children, a son and a daughter, and a grandson. Lily's husband pre-deceased her in 1996.
Perhaps I never mentioned it before, but when I studied Art at Rutgers, the State University, I also studied calligraphy with John Giannotti, a renowned professor, sculptor and calligrapher, whose father had been a sign maker and calligrapher. I have always loved both calligraphy and illustration, and I enjoyed reading that Lily Wronger had left an unfulfilling job to pursue her love of calligraphy and illustration and had made a satisfying, long and happy life following her dream.
Although I have been very active lately painting, I have always felt that I should have pursued drawing more. Like Lily, I have kept journals all my life, but I have rarely illustrated them, mostly in my college days, but not in the past thirty or so years. I don't draw enough and my art has suffered as a result. Often over the years, I have thought that perhaps I should have studied illustration, but I must say during my years as an adjunct professor at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the level of achievement and talent of the illustration majors was daunting to say the least! Maybe I wouldn't have loved it so much if I had to do it all the time. Who knows, anyhow, now I can do it for fun and when I feel like it. I had an excellent career as a teacher, did a lot of good, and now that I am retired, I have time to do anything I want to do!
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
Dr Doris Wether, broke so many barriers and saved so many lives. Fortunately for her, she also lived a long life. She died in January at the age of 91. In her career, she broke barriers by being one of the few African American women admitted to medical school, and she rose to positions of prominence at every hospital where she worked. Also, at every hospital, she opened sickle cell anemia centers to do research, education, and screening. The Sunday New York Times obituary section said she raised the life expectancy of hundreds if not thousands of children from 18 years of age to 50. One of the MANY benefits of the Women's Movement has been the inclusion of women of note in newspaper accounts.
My second obituary blog entry is about Lili Wronger, who died at age 94, here in New Jersey where she lived. She was a resident of Medford after living in London as a refugee from Germany during the second World War. Lili is another woman who overcame immense obstacles to achieve fame and success in her fields of calligraphy and illustration. After Kristalnacht, in Germany, a night in November 1938, when Lily was 14 years old, when Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogs were violently attacked and destroyed by Nazis, Lily's parents decided to send her and her sister to boarding school in England for their safety. Later, Dr. Cassel and his wife Lili's mother, joined their daughters in England before emigrating to the United States. Lily illustrated books, designed book covers and throughout her life studied calligraphy, in particular the history of Hebrew calligraphy, a field in which she acquired great respect and acclaim. Lily married a printer she met at the United Nations, and together they had two small presses in their apartment in New York. They had two children, a son and a daughter, and a grandson. Lily's husband pre-deceased her in 1996.
Perhaps I never mentioned it before, but when I studied Art at Rutgers, the State University, I also studied calligraphy with John Giannotti, a renowned professor, sculptor and calligrapher, whose father had been a sign maker and calligrapher. I have always loved both calligraphy and illustration, and I enjoyed reading that Lily Wronger had left an unfulfilling job to pursue her love of calligraphy and illustration and had made a satisfying, long and happy life following her dream.
Although I have been very active lately painting, I have always felt that I should have pursued drawing more. Like Lily, I have kept journals all my life, but I have rarely illustrated them, mostly in my college days, but not in the past thirty or so years. I don't draw enough and my art has suffered as a result. Often over the years, I have thought that perhaps I should have studied illustration, but I must say during my years as an adjunct professor at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the level of achievement and talent of the illustration majors was daunting to say the least! Maybe I wouldn't have loved it so much if I had to do it all the time. Who knows, anyhow, now I can do it for fun and when I feel like it. I had an excellent career as a teacher, did a lot of good, and now that I am retired, I have time to do anything I want to do!
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
Monday, February 11, 2019
Art Talk, and talk about LOVE, February 11, 2019
If you have visited my blog before, you may be aware that I am a painter as well as a writer. My books have been published independently, but I have shown paintings at a number of places, most recently locally at Eiland Arts Center, Merchantville, NJ and Main Street Art, Maple Shade, NJ (now sadly moved to a new location). I have not pursued showing work since I left my job as an adjunct professor at the University of the Arts, in Philadelphia in 2011, because it is a LOT of work, but since I LOVE railroad depots and hence I love Eiland Arts located in the old railroad station in Merchantville, I was enticed back into the gallery world. Also, I put work at Main Street Art Gallery because the curator was my old college pal, Diane Paul.
Anyway, talking about LOVE, Eiland Arts is inviting artists to submit work based on the theme: LOVE. At first, I was at a loss, then, an idea came to me, well, more of an image. Many years ago, when I lived in Collingswood and had just recently separated from my then husband, I was putting together a family heirloom chair. My parents had moved to West Virginia and my father was so tired from moving enormous truck loads of stuff from their very large Colonial, then he was on the brink of discarding a family heirloom a black mahogany deck chair that had belonged to his father, a Merchant seaman. The chair had been in our family for as long as I could remember. It was disassembled and stored in the attic because it had an ungainly shape that made it impossible to move from room to room. It didn't fit through conventional doorways, so it had to be disassembled, moved and then assembled again. Anyhow, I loved that old chair and I took it to my temporary apartment over a drug store on Haddon Ave.
Finding it impossible to re-assemble, I walked down to the family owned hardware store and was chatting with a young man who worked there, Chris. I told him my dilemma, that no matter how I worked it, I couldn't get the chair together. Intrigued, he agreed to come and have a look at it. Mystery solved, a piece was missing! Too late! The old family home was sold and emptied so the piece was gone forever. Fortunately, Chris, an enterprising man, was able and willing to fabricate the appropriate piece. He even stained it for me, the whole thing an act of such kindness and generosity, I am still warmed by the memory of it. He put the chair together and it has been with me ever since.
That makes me meditate as I often do, on how things remain with families over the generations, and how they get lost when people move and can't carry any more stuff, so they have to leave it behind. It makes me think of voyages crossing the Atlantic from their European homelands like my paternal German ancestors and my maternal Scots/Irish ones. What did they leave behind?
Back to Art and Love: In those days I didn't have air-conditioning, so Chris worked without a shirt, and as I was already a fledgling artist who had minored in Art when I took my first college degree in English, I saw the Classical Greek reference in the way Chris looked without his shirt, a young Michelangelo's David! So I took a photo. I am also a photograph maniac. I have one entire wall of albums of photographs taken over the many decades. So I searched through those albums for the years 1960-1970 and found the photo of Chris that I had taken so many decades ago.
During the search I came across some other photographs of men I had known and loved who were shirtless, not an unusual thing in those un-airconditioned days!
Eiland Arts new show, LOVE, had given me inspiration to do a series of portraits of men I had loved and to work on figure study while I was at it. It is easy to continue with things that you are good at and that come easily. I needed a challenge. It was time to leave my comfort zone and work on representational figure study, not something that I have done very much in painting, and not something for which I have developed any skill - as good a reason as any to accept the challenge.
For a week I had been working on a painting of an abandoned factory in Millville. Yesterday, I finished it so today, I worked on a painting based on the photo I had taken of Chris.
My usual practice is to draw out the image I am working on. Then, I paint in the major areas. Third, I start detailing. Finally, I look at it for a day or two and then I make corrections and fine tune it. Generally, it takes about a week for me to do a painting, now that I work small. When I worked on larger canvas, it took me several weeks to finish a painting.
I have my first figure study for the series "Men I once loved" which will have three portraits entered in the Eiland Arts show. Entries are accepted March 1st. I am not sure when the show goes up, but I will most certainly let you know!
For my next post, I will give you a list of other Art Galleries you may like to visit, or if you are an artist, you may wish to get on the mailing list and start entering their calls for work!
Happy Trails, if you like my paintings, you may contact me to buy them - wrightj45@yahoo.com. My 8x10 works sell for $100. Since I finish them more quickly, I can afford to sell them for less than people usually charge for original acrylic paintings on canvas.
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
Anyway, talking about LOVE, Eiland Arts is inviting artists to submit work based on the theme: LOVE. At first, I was at a loss, then, an idea came to me, well, more of an image. Many years ago, when I lived in Collingswood and had just recently separated from my then husband, I was putting together a family heirloom chair. My parents had moved to West Virginia and my father was so tired from moving enormous truck loads of stuff from their very large Colonial, then he was on the brink of discarding a family heirloom a black mahogany deck chair that had belonged to his father, a Merchant seaman. The chair had been in our family for as long as I could remember. It was disassembled and stored in the attic because it had an ungainly shape that made it impossible to move from room to room. It didn't fit through conventional doorways, so it had to be disassembled, moved and then assembled again. Anyhow, I loved that old chair and I took it to my temporary apartment over a drug store on Haddon Ave.
Finding it impossible to re-assemble, I walked down to the family owned hardware store and was chatting with a young man who worked there, Chris. I told him my dilemma, that no matter how I worked it, I couldn't get the chair together. Intrigued, he agreed to come and have a look at it. Mystery solved, a piece was missing! Too late! The old family home was sold and emptied so the piece was gone forever. Fortunately, Chris, an enterprising man, was able and willing to fabricate the appropriate piece. He even stained it for me, the whole thing an act of such kindness and generosity, I am still warmed by the memory of it. He put the chair together and it has been with me ever since.
That makes me meditate as I often do, on how things remain with families over the generations, and how they get lost when people move and can't carry any more stuff, so they have to leave it behind. It makes me think of voyages crossing the Atlantic from their European homelands like my paternal German ancestors and my maternal Scots/Irish ones. What did they leave behind?
Back to Art and Love: In those days I didn't have air-conditioning, so Chris worked without a shirt, and as I was already a fledgling artist who had minored in Art when I took my first college degree in English, I saw the Classical Greek reference in the way Chris looked without his shirt, a young Michelangelo's David! So I took a photo. I am also a photograph maniac. I have one entire wall of albums of photographs taken over the many decades. So I searched through those albums for the years 1960-1970 and found the photo of Chris that I had taken so many decades ago.
During the search I came across some other photographs of men I had known and loved who were shirtless, not an unusual thing in those un-airconditioned days!
Eiland Arts new show, LOVE, had given me inspiration to do a series of portraits of men I had loved and to work on figure study while I was at it. It is easy to continue with things that you are good at and that come easily. I needed a challenge. It was time to leave my comfort zone and work on representational figure study, not something that I have done very much in painting, and not something for which I have developed any skill - as good a reason as any to accept the challenge.
For a week I had been working on a painting of an abandoned factory in Millville. Yesterday, I finished it so today, I worked on a painting based on the photo I had taken of Chris.
My usual practice is to draw out the image I am working on. Then, I paint in the major areas. Third, I start detailing. Finally, I look at it for a day or two and then I make corrections and fine tune it. Generally, it takes about a week for me to do a painting, now that I work small. When I worked on larger canvas, it took me several weeks to finish a painting.
I have my first figure study for the series "Men I once loved" which will have three portraits entered in the Eiland Arts show. Entries are accepted March 1st. I am not sure when the show goes up, but I will most certainly let you know!
For my next post, I will give you a list of other Art Galleries you may like to visit, or if you are an artist, you may wish to get on the mailing list and start entering their calls for work!
Happy Trails, if you like my paintings, you may contact me to buy them - wrightj45@yahoo.com. My 8x10 works sell for $100. Since I finish them more quickly, I can afford to sell them for less than people usually charge for original acrylic paintings on canvas.
Happy Trails!
Jo Ann
Saturday, February 9, 2019
West Jersey Depot
Robert Tucker, educator, author and historian will present on Elsementer, February 23rd and 24th from 1-4 at the West Jersey Depot in Glamssboro. It is a book signing by the author. Learn about South Jersey's Glassboro African American community during the month dedicated to that subject and visit the historic Depot! I know nothing about Elsemere or the Glassworks in the Woods, so I would love to go and will start trying to make arrangements!
Happy Trails,
Jo Ann
(as always you can reach me at 2rightj45@yahoo.com, if you wish to discuss any blog entry. Sadly the comments section doesn't offer an opportunity to return comments to anyone who posts there.)
Happy Trails,
Jo Ann
(as always you can reach me at 2rightj45@yahoo.com, if you wish to discuss any blog entry. Sadly the comments section doesn't offer an opportunity to return comments to anyone who posts there.)
Friday, February 8, 2019
Something for Feb., Mar. & Apr. 2019
If you have, as I have had, an interest in the American Revolution, you may know the American Revolutionary Roundtable and their events. On the 12th, Steve Elliot will present on "Provisioning the Continental Army" at the Burlington County Lyceum on 307 High St., Mt. Holly. I would love to go but my eyesight has canceled night driving for me unfortunately.
In March, you can learn to make a gourd bird house at the Whittal House at Red Bank Battlefield thanks to the Master Gardeners. The workshop is from 10:00 am to noon on March 30th and you should send your $13.00 check and registration info to Gloucester County Certified Gardeners, 1200 North Delsea Drive, Bldg. E, Clayton, NJ 08012
Also at that address for Certified Garedeners is a Symposium o April 23rd. Call 856-397-6456 for more information.
Today actually felt a little bit like spring once the sun came out, so thoughts of gardening might be entering the minds of those inclined. I have enough work keeping my yard from returning to the briar English Ivy overrun jungle it wants to become, so I don't do much gardening any longer. Mostly I buy some large pots of spring flowers from the garden shop on the Black Horse Pike near Blackwood, or from Platt's Farm on Cohawkin Rd. in Mickleton.
I put them into two large concrete planters on my path into the porch and then just try to keep them watered. The yard looks pretty desperate right now, as a matter of fact, littered with the debris of our winter so far, dead brown leaves, and broken branches.
Well, I am sorry I haven't posted anything for Valentine's Day, I did get some e-mail from Visit New Jersey on places to go for music, theater or wine, but I was too lazy to copy the information by pen and type it in here since I don't drink, eat chocolate or go out at night. I couldn't just copy and paste the info as the stuff sent that way disables my blog somehow. By now you probably already have something in mind if you have a Valentine. As for me, I sent out 30 valentines to friends. I have always loved postal communication and it lets people know I was thinking of them.
Have a happy Valentine's Day!
Jo Ann
In March, you can learn to make a gourd bird house at the Whittal House at Red Bank Battlefield thanks to the Master Gardeners. The workshop is from 10:00 am to noon on March 30th and you should send your $13.00 check and registration info to Gloucester County Certified Gardeners, 1200 North Delsea Drive, Bldg. E, Clayton, NJ 08012
Also at that address for Certified Garedeners is a Symposium o April 23rd. Call 856-397-6456 for more information.
Today actually felt a little bit like spring once the sun came out, so thoughts of gardening might be entering the minds of those inclined. I have enough work keeping my yard from returning to the briar English Ivy overrun jungle it wants to become, so I don't do much gardening any longer. Mostly I buy some large pots of spring flowers from the garden shop on the Black Horse Pike near Blackwood, or from Platt's Farm on Cohawkin Rd. in Mickleton.
I put them into two large concrete planters on my path into the porch and then just try to keep them watered. The yard looks pretty desperate right now, as a matter of fact, littered with the debris of our winter so far, dead brown leaves, and broken branches.
Well, I am sorry I haven't posted anything for Valentine's Day, I did get some e-mail from Visit New Jersey on places to go for music, theater or wine, but I was too lazy to copy the information by pen and type it in here since I don't drink, eat chocolate or go out at night. I couldn't just copy and paste the info as the stuff sent that way disables my blog somehow. By now you probably already have something in mind if you have a Valentine. As for me, I sent out 30 valentines to friends. I have always loved postal communication and it lets people know I was thinking of them.
Have a happy Valentine's Day!
Jo Ann
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