who and what and why

"We turn to stories and pictures and music because they show us who and what and why we are." –Madeline L'Engle (1918-2007)

water for schools

One photo shows a boy in Ethiopia. The other a boy in the USA. The bottles show the quality of water they have to drink. No prize for guessing whose bottle is whose. Half of all schools around the world, have no access to clean water. This autumn Charity: water is launching Water for Schools--a student-led campaign to bring clean safe drinking water to at least 100 schools in developing nations in the first year. It'll take $2M to get there so they'll need everyone's help to do it... find out how you can help here. Note: 100% of your donation goes to those in need.

Red and Orange Streak

"Red and Orange Streak" (1919), Georgia O'Keeffe (1887–1986) (from the exhibition "Abstraction" at the Whitney) As Holland Cotter in the NYT said, there are two Georgia O’Keeffes. The most familiar is the who does all those cow skulls and flower paintings. I am sure it reveals me as an ignoramus, but I've never much liked them. The other O'Keeffe is the abstract painter. Her abstract works are, to me, much more interesting. But they are mostly overlooked and it's the flowers that she's known for. But the flower paintings didn't start til the 20s. Before that she'd been working on abstract drawings and, as Cotter says, they were "among the most radical creations produced in the United States at that time." Abstraction was simply the only kind of art, she said, that let her express her deepest feelings. She couldn't describe them with words. “Words and I are not good friends.” She had to paint them. Draw them. Here's another of my favorites. One of her small vertical pictures inspired by New York. "Abstraction", 1926 The show is at the Witney through Jan 17th. More here.

coney island rides

PHOTO: polaroid transfer

wonder

"The World does not lack for wonders, but only for wonder." –G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

The last Welsh-born true Prince of Wales

Today, 16 September, in 1400, Owain Glyndwr, was proclaimed Prince of Wales. He was the last truly Welsh-born Prince of Wales... Here's part 1 of a great BBC documentary about this hero. An intellectual, cultured, Prince who reluctantly led his countrymen to war against England in the 15th century and came so close to achieving a remarkable transformation of his country. Makes a girl extra proud of her Welsh ancestry. But what I want to know is... why is he so NOT well known? When we've all heard of the famous Scot, William Wallace (Brave Heart)...? This guy seems to me to be just as heroic, if not more ...

Andrew Peterson's book: North or Be Eaten!

My friend Andrew Peterson has written a fantasy for children that is a page turner. North! Or Be Eaten: Wild escapes. A desperate journey. And the ghastly Fangs of Dang has everything: adventure, cliff hangers, fantastic names (what about "Helba Grounce-Miglatobe", just as a for instance?), great characters, a completely realized other world--and it's filled with truth and suffused with hope--and funny, too. What more could you want? Unless you want lyrical, musical language, do you? You're in luck. That too. Which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone familiar with his work--besides being a talented writer, he is also of course an uber talented award winning singer song writer. And I'm a huge fan. What a voice. You can listen here. How does he do it? I don't know. But I'm glad he does. (As I'm sure many children are too.) He's a gifted storyteller in his books and his songs... So get his album! buy his book! (It's volume two of his Wingfeather Saga. Volume one was On The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness: Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. And the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree.) More here and here.

Bomu Medical Center, Mombassa, Kenya

Recently my friend Naomi from the wonderful children's charity, Project Sunshine, visited Kenya and brought books to build the library of Bomu Medical Center in Mombasa, which serves over 2,300 children and families living with HIV. To help build their library, one of the books they brought along was Being a Pig is Nice (seen in this photo below with Project Sunshine volunteers in the Project Sunshine playroom). How cool is that? For me it's especially cool because I was born in East Africa and lived in Kenya (Nairobi and Mombassa) for several years. I hope one day to go back... Here's some more information: 'Prior to Project Sunshine’s arrival, 27 children were enrolled in HIV treatment and care at Bomu Medical Center. To date, because of Project Sunshine’s clinic‐based educational and recreational programming three times per week, community‐based programming twice weekly, safe water, hand washing and healthy living programs, over 2,028 pediatric clients are enrolled in our programs. Our services, which are provided five days per week, provide continual support, education and creative outlets to children and families living with HIV/AIDS. 'According to a nurse at Bomu Medical Center, “Project Sunshine’s programs are an essential part of the HIV treatment and therapy at Bomu. Families turn to Project Sunshine just as they turn to medical treatment ‐ they can’t have one without the other.” ' To support their latest fund raiser check out their fun fashion show or visit their site where you can be part of this amazing work.