While visiting Cork, Ireland, an Irish friend introduced me to the Crawford Art Gallery. They were having an exhibit of the work of Mary Swanzy, an Irish painter (1882-1978) of the 20th Century. According to Wikipedia, Swanzy was noted for painting in many styles, including cubism, and was one of Ireland's first abstract painters. Even … Continue reading Have you heard of Irish painter Mary Swanzy?
Ireland, My Love
I am in Ireland now to see old friends and to attend the International Choral Festival in Cork, May 1st to 5th. Even though it rains entirely too much in this country, there's no place I have been in the world where all the people are so friendly! Everything is "grand" or at least people … Continue reading Ireland, My Love
Lorca, Spain Easter Parade
One of the many floats in the parade I thought I knew about parades. As an American, I had seen many Fourth of July parades. And living in Chicagoland, an area chock full of Irish people, I had seen many a St. Patrick's Day parade. Chicago turns its river green in honor of this event. … Continue reading Lorca, Spain Easter Parade
Spanish Civil War 80th Anniversary Memorial Museum
These thoughts were posted in the museum in remembrance ofthe 80th anniversary of the end of the Spanish Civil War I went to Alicante, Spain, recently to a new museum commemorating the 80th anniversary of the fall of this port city to Franco and the Nationalist forces. One of the main events depicted at the … Continue reading Spanish Civil War 80th Anniversary Memorial Museum
Thought for the Day
"There is not a single adult who has not suffered loss or felt despair about living or wondered how to find the strength to go on. If we truly understand this, we might find compassion for others as well as ourselves, for each of us is fragile and in need of solace." From Awakening the … Continue reading Thought for the Day
Lesson Nine: Explore your roots to understand who you are
“Behind every appearance of diversity there is an interdependent unity of all things.” —George de Benneville. Are you interested in genealogy? If so, dear reader, I have an amazing story to tell you that might seem unbelievable. But it’s true and it affirms the adage that we are all connected. Once there were two sisters, … Continue reading Lesson Nine: Explore your roots to understand who you are
Lesson Eight: We are all connected
“All things are connected like the blood that unites us. We do not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.” – Chief Seattle Baby birds sitting in the nest on top of palm leaf The other day, I got to … Continue reading Lesson Eight: We are all connected
The Beauty of Spain
I went on a 13 kilometer hike with members of the Costa Blanca U3A (University of the Third Age) this weekend to Sierra del Ferriol, near Elche, in southeastern Spain. Up on the top of one of the mountains in this region are sculptures by Mariano Ros Martinez, a Spanish goat-herder turned artist. He died … Continue reading The Beauty of Spain
Lesson Seven: Be a Good Listener
“Listening is an art that requires attention over talent, spirit over ego, others over self.” Dean Jackson, author of The Poetry of Oneness: Illuminating Awareness of the True Self. Have you ever noticed that most people aren’t very good listeners? Typically, when I am at a party or other social gathering, the people I meet … Continue reading Lesson Seven: Be a Good Listener
Lesson Six: Educate yourself until you find meaning
Education is not just about going to school and getting a degree. It's about widening your knowledge and absorbing the truth about life. Shakuntala Devi, an Indian woman who wrote novels and texts about math, puzzles and astrology. She was known as “the human computer” because of her ability to do complex math calculations in … Continue reading Lesson Six: Educate yourself until you find meaning
US Author Nancy Klein in Spain 