Blog No. 239: Between the Mountain and the Sky Documentary, The Legacy Danish TV Series, David Gittens: Renaissance Man

July 19, 2025

For those in NYC, my friend Tom DiMenna is reappearing at City Winery on Sunday July 27th at 7:30pm for another round of Story Songs of the 70s—this time with an expanded list of covers including the music of Jim Croce, John Prine, Leonard Cohen along with all time favorites Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot and Harry Chapin..Everyone who came last time enjoyed a wonderful evening with this talented musician and his band. Hope you will join me. For Tickets: https://citywinery.com/new-york-city/ticket-selection?eventId=story-songs-of-the-70s-04li6a

Between the Mountain and the Sky Documentary

Don’t ever say one person can’t make a difference. Meet Maggie Doyne!

My friend Karen Mulvaney introduced me to the documentary Between the Mountain and The Sky (a Duplass Brothers Production), and in fact, I found out in the credits that she and her husband Tom were the producers of this beautiful film. It is well worth watching--will have you laughing and crying and realizing that yes, one person (and a Jersey girl at that) can make a difference, and in this case, impact in a huge "love" way the life of 50+ orphans in Nepal. Not to mention so many others who she has reached, like me, who are left deeply inspired...

Meet Maggie Doyne, a young woman who during her gap year between high school and college decided to participate in a program volunteering with children in India. One thing led to the next and the next thing you know, Doyne, together with her program partner, Top Malla, now runs a school, children's home, women's center, and girls' safe house in Surkhet, Nepal. There are many steps in between which the film documents, taking us on an exciting, inspiring and heartwarming story about "Mommy" Doyne and her kids. With the founding of the foundation Blink Now, a non-profit organization founded by Doyne in 2007 that provides financial support and management oversight to the Kopila Valley School, Children’s Home, Women’s Center, Health Clinic, Big Sisters' Home, and New Campus in Surkhet, Nepal, Doyne has cemented her humanitarianism in Nepal in a huge way...

Hurry up and watch this film--looks like it is about to be taken down very soon from online...and then will be available in film festivals and theatres and for rent...Click here to watch...

I highly recommend it! And so does CNN, who awarded Maggie Doyne the CNN 2015 Hero of the Year.

Danish TV Series
The Legacy

I recommend The TV series The Legacy (Arvingerne), now on PBS. It is a soap opera but a Danish and smart one at that. It tells the story of an artist Veronika at the end of her life and the legacy she left to her husband and children, all of whom you get to know very well throughout the series (three seasons).

I don't think this series could have been made in the United States--it is much more intelligent than your normal run of the mill soap opera with layers upon layers of truths about greed, fame, family and familial ties, loyalty, societal norms, the art world, child rearing, selfishness, infidelities, love...you name it, the series covers the full range of human emotions and foibles. It is wacky, weird, and unconventional, and the characters are in many ways Danish to the bone and definitely not American characters. The acting and writing are of very high quality...depicting real characters having complex, flawed, real relationships, that are allowed time to grow, and that inevitably lead you to ponder your own family and your own experiences...

According to one reviewer, "this was one of the wildest, craziest and most fascinating foreign series I've ever watched!... completely unique and original, compared to 99% of what we see in Canada and the U.S...

Another reviewer described the writing, acting, directing, etc., to "show a level of artistic merit that puts the great majority of UK and American shows to shame." I really enjoyed the series and binge watched a lot of it. Maybe you will enjoy it too...

David Gittens: Inventor, Artist, Humanitarian

David Gittens, inventor of this amazing car, the Ikenga, envisioned out of a session with the Spiritualist Society in London in the 1960s.

David Gittens is a remarkable man! I met him as a kid--he was my cool Uncle Stan's friend and colleague and he recently reached out to me, looking to find his old friend, my 95+ year old Uncle... When I looked him up to remind myself of who he was, I knew instantly that I wanted to include him in a blog post as I had discovered an absolute treasure trove! This guy has done everything! In fact, so much so that I have been having a hard time writing this because he has accomplished and done so many interesting things, I didn't know where to start and what to include--way too much for one brief column.

Let's start by saying he is an designer and an auto and aviation pioneer--creator of the 1967-69 Ikenga motorcar, the 1977 Ikenga Catamaran, and the 1986-92 Ikenga Autogyro aircraft--all of which are today still considered utterly futuristic.

The Ikenga Motorcar, 1967-69. Gittens “channeled” the design of the car.

**Ikenga 530Z Autogiro, i1958-1965, featured n the collection of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.**

Growing up an African American kid in Brooklyn, David Gittens, now in his late 80's, can claim so many additional titles to his name: commercial photographer (freelance, staff for Car and Driver for many years), videographer, musician, interfaith worker, leader of seminars at the Smithsonian, painter, creator of a solar heated shower in collaboration with Unicef, creator of an incredible 23 string guitar, spiritualist--I could go on and on...

Here is a wonderful, very personal interview with Shahzad Sheikh, AKA the BrownCarGuy that covers much more than just cars. Through the course of the interview, Gittens talks about his life story and it is really fascinating and inspiring...And now, at 86, he is still at it, continuing work with kids on his humanitarian Art/Peace/Heart Project he founded in 1999 celebrating love and kindness.

I am so happy to be reacquainted with this amazing person. Here are some additional links if you want to explore more:

David is also a musician and invented and built this 23 string guitar. Click image to hear him play this amazing instrument—a song called You Are Love—You Are Loved.

**Click to read more about his online, free-to-download, Arts/Peace Project for students of all ages.**

An article about him in the Sarasota Herald Tribune
Email: dwij@aol.com
Music/videos:https://vimeo.com/
user9399249/videos
Inspirational/Visionary Art: http://dwij.org/dwij/gallery.html

Music on my 23-string creation with soundscape artist Edward Cosla: https://youtu.be/CzIr_ndIIJ0

Aircraft design segment:http://dwij.org/dwij/aircraft.htm

Rare first flight film: The 1988 Ikenga 530Z Autogiro:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65GTibxR2hY

The Ikenga Story:
http://dwij.org/dwij/530Z_history.html

Automobile design segment: http://dwij.org/dwij/ikenga.htm

Rare film: The 1968 Ikenga MK II GT:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK7rCTfU06o

Painting of the Week

They glow! Painting by Pam Smilow, turntable by Brian Eno…

Charity of the Week: BlinkNow Foundation

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.

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 238: Hands, Time Magazine Top Digital Creators, Strawberry Shortcakes

July 11, 2025

Beautiful Hands

Courtesy Sean Alonzo Harris—click image to see more of his photography.

Courtesy Sean Alonzo Harris—click image to see more of his photos.

Time Magazine List of Top Digital Creators

Time Magazine just came out with their first list of Top Digital Creators 2025. I think it is a terrific resource for those of us that might want to learn more about what is going on on TikTok and other social media platforms we are not so accustomed to. Start small, and explore a few of them at a time--it's a good way to keep current and abreast of what is journalism online these days...And for us older generation, you might want to skip down to the leader section first--some (not all) in the entertainment section seem a little inane for my taste...

Strawberry Shortcakes

It is the last hurrah of fresh strawberry season and I am a big fan of strawberry shortcake. So here goes: a great recipe from Alexander Robert of substack's Alexander Bakes

For the shortcakes:
 1 1/2 cups (190g) all purpose flour
 1/4 cup (30g) almond flour
 1/4 cup (35g) medium grind cornmeal
 3 tbsp (38g) granulated sugar
 1 tbsp (9g) baking powder
 1/2 tsp kosher salt
 1/2 cup (114g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
 1 cup buttermilk (or cream)
 Turbinado sugar (or more granulated), for topping (optional)
  For the strawberries:
 2 cups strawberries, halved or quartered
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  For the whipped cream:
 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
 3 tbsp granulated sugar
 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 400º F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the biscuits: Add the all purpose flour, almond flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl. Whisk together, then add the butter and pinch it into the dry mixture until it’s broken down to the consistency of breadcrumbs (no big chunks).
3. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Stir together just until no dry clumps remain and a soft, wet dough forms. Scoop 1/3 cup portions onto the baking sheet, about 2 inches apart each— I divided the mixture into 8 biscuits (if you want smaller servings, do 10-12 instead). Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top of each biscuit, then bake them for 18-20 minutes. They won’t gain too much color, but the edges will be golden brown. cool completely.
4. Macerate the strawberries: While the biscuits are baking, add the strawberries and granulated sugar to a small bowl. Stir every 5-10 minutes. The juices will begin releasing and the strawberries will soften slightly.
5. Make the whipped cream: add the cream, sugar, and vanilla bean paste to a large measuring cup. Use a hand blender to whizz the mixture together on high speed, until it turns into a thick whipped cream (you can also just do this in a stand mixer instead, but this way is really fast).
6. Assemble: Pair the biscuits with their twins. Place a bottom biscuit (I use the less cute ones) on a plate and top with a good scoop of whipped cream. Spoon some of the macerated strawberries and their sauce over the whipped cream, then top with another biscuit. Repeat for remaining biscuits and serve immediately!

And another of my favorite fruits is watermelon. Look at this masterpiece, also by AlexBakes. Looks like cubed cucumbers, feta and watermelon with some herbs thrown on top. So gorgeous and creative!

Painting of the Week

Thiese paintings found a good home in a beautiful apartment in Forest Hills, New York.

Charity of the Week: Unicef

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 237: Good Advice from Heather Cox Richardson, Ariel Stachel, Mistranslations

July 5, 2025

I try and flood this newsletter with joy, good will and love to counter and fight against the dark, sad mood of mourning I am sure many of us are feeling right now. We cannot give up but we also can't let them bring us down and take away our joy. I am reminded of the scene in the Brazilian film I'm Still Here where, upon having their picture taken, the mom insists that they all smile...watch the trailer to the end to see what I mean and if you have a chance, this is an amazing and timely film that mirrors what is happening to our country, just as it did in Brazil in the 1970s.

Good Advice from Heather Cox Richardson

Heather Cox Richardson gave what I consider a pep talk on her instagram Political Talk of June 26th.  

In it she stated: "There is joy in creation and joy in hard work and where we are right now is really miserable in a lot of ways  but now is also a time for us to 
meet new people, try new things, to reach out and make your own life the most creative it can be...I keep reiterating that authoritarianism cannot thrive in a land where people are making community connections and are doing so with joy. So I urge you to keep on doing whatever it is that makes you want to keep on."  

Thank you Heather Cox Richardson!  I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly and if ever there was a national treasure, you are it!

If you are looking to start some kind of creative practice in art, hit me up.  I can help you jump start it and give you practical advice and encouragement to get going...

Ariel Stachel

Actor Ariel Stachel (The Band's Visit, Law and Order SVU) was born in Berkeley California to a Yemini Jewish father and a New York Ashkenazi mom...and has struggled with identity his whole life, being both Arab and Jew. He is currently at work for the past six years on a play about his experiences and has put some of it on instagram. In this day in age, where anti-semitism is on the rise (with many thanks to Benjamin Netanyahu, in my humble opinion), I share with you one of Stachels's talks on the subject-- I think what he says is important and worth a listen...

Mistranslations to Make You Laugh

These mistranslated signs made me laugh outloud over my morning coffee on the day we got the reults of the Senate vote (the one that Murkowski caved on).  If something could make me laugh that day, it must be funny, right? I hope it gets at least a few chuckles out of you too. 

AIRLINE TICKET OFFICE: "We take your bags and send them in all directions"

HOTEL LOBBY: "The lift is being fixed for the next day.  During that time we regret that you will be unbearable."

HOTEL ELEVATOR, PARIS: "Please leave your values at the front desk."

SIGN IN MEN'S RESTROOM IN JAPAN: "To stop leak, turn cock to the right."

HOTEL JAPAN: "You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid."

THE LOBBY OF A MOSCOW HOTEL ACROSS FROM A MONASTERY: "You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except Thursday."

HOTEL FOR SKIERS, AUSTRIA: "Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension."

TOURIST AGENCY, CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Take one of our horse-driven city tours.  We guarantee no miscarriages."

AD FOR DONKEY RIDES, THAILAND: "Would you like to ride on your own ass?"

LAUNDRY IN ROME: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time."

HOTEL IN ZURICH: Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose"

COCKTAIL LOUNGE, NORWAY: "Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar."

CITY RESTAURANT: "Open Seven days a week, and weekends too."

IN A PUMWANI MATERNITY WARD: "No Children Allowed."

IN A CEMETERY: Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but their own graves."

IN A SWISS RESTAURANT: "Our wines leave you nothing to hope for>"

IN A NAIROBI RESTAURANT: "Customers who find our waitresses rude ought to see the manager." 

Oh, how we all need a good deep laugh right now!

Painting of the Week

This painting found a good home in a beautiful house outside of Chicago.

Charity of the Week: Unicef

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 236: Carl Jung Self Discovery, Artist Oladimeji Alibi, Two Refreshing Cold Summer Soups

June 29, 2025

Carl Jung and the Journey of Self Discovery

Illustration from Jung’s The Red Book—Click image to see the pdf of the whole book

Illustration from Jung’s The Red Book. Click image to see more of Jung’s art.

I have long been fascinated by Carl Jung and his holistic approach to psychology. His concept includes a much broader sense of the term to include aspects of the unknown, the intangible and the spiritual. That makes a lot more sense to me and in fact is the source of his conflicts with Freud, who believed everything had its source in sexuality. In addition to our own experiences, thoughts, memories, Jung believed that we were also influenced by the history of our civilization, what he termed the collective unconscious, and how cultures across the globe share similar versions of the same story.

This short documentary (less than twenty minutes), one in a series of educational films by George Lucas and Lucas Films serves as a primer to Jung's life and work, his theories on the unconscious, his relationship and eventual split with his original mentor Sigmund Freud, and even addresses, head on, the claims that Jung was an anti-semite. If you, like me, are interested in learning more about Jung, this is a great place to start...So many of Jung's ideas and contributions, a figure who was very far ahead of his time, are now deeply woven into our lives in more ways than we realize....

Artist Oladimeji Alibi

I recently had the pleasure of meeting the Nigerian artist Oladimeji Alibi, introduced to me by Prince Mapp, a co-worker of my daughter Morgan.

Olademeji met and married an American of Nigerian descent and moved to the States about a year go. He came to visit me in my studio a couple days ago just to talk and compare notes. He, like me, works in a variety of different media including painting, sculpture, textile design and clothing. An incredibly versatile artist, I thought I would share some of his art here and point you in his direction (instagram: ) if you are interested in learning more about him and his work. One thing I found amazing was the affinity he had to my husband, the late Danish artist Gert Mathiesen's work, as seen in his textile patterns and designs. Whether in Denmark, Nigeria, Australia, or anywhere in the world (Keith Haring also comes to mind), we all seem to share similar references and a collective consciousness.

Two Refreshing Cold Summer Soups

CHILLED CUCUMBER SOUP 
2 to 4 servings
Courtesy Melissa Clark and the NYTimes Cooking App

INGREDIENTS



1 pound cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise and seeded

2 cups buttermilk (or use 1½ cups plain yogurt plus ¼ cup water)

1 large garlic clove, peeled and smashed

2 anchovy fillets (optional)

2 small whole scallions, trimmed

½ jalapeño, seeded, deveined and chopped

½ cup packed mixed fresh herbs (like mint, parsley, dill, tarragon, basil and cilantro)

½ teaspoon sherry or white wine vinegar, more to taste

¾ teaspoon kosher sea salt, plus more to taste

4 slices baguette or other bread, toasted

1 avocado, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced

2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

½ lemon

Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

Freshly ground black pepper

1 ear of corn, shucked, kernels sliced off

Fresh dill, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine cucumber, buttermilk, garlic, anchovy, scallions, jalapeño, fresh herbs, sherry vinegar and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and adjust seasoning as needed.



On the toasted bread, smash the avocado slices. Sprinkle with crumbled feta, squeeze the juice of the lemon half over the top and finish each with a drizzle of olive oil and some pepper. Transfer to a plate and set aside.


 Distribute soup between 4 bowls and garnish with raw corn kernels and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve avocado toast on the side.

GAZPACHO SOUP 
(with one surprising ingredient*) 
serves 8-10
 INGREDIENTS
combine 3 garlic cloves, pressed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2-3 cups tomatoes, chopped (about 4 tomatoes)
2 cups cucumbers, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup onion,chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
1/3 cup veg oil, chopped (just kidding)
1-2 teaspoons salt
 1/2-1 teaspoon tabasco, depending on how spicy you want it
 *32 oz. bottle of clamato juice


Chill and enjoy. My dad really enjoyed this soup when my cousin Joanne Kahn would serve it at our annual family pool parties at her house in Westport--many moons ago.

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, mixed media on canvas, 80” 54” $8500

Charity of the Week:
National Dance Institute

Pet of the Week:
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
please send me photos of your favorite pets with a brief description and/or story

PIXOTE, rescue kitty soulmate, submitted by childhood friend Amy Hirsch

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 235: Picasso at the Gagosian Gallery in NYC, National Dance Institute Event of the Year, The Dogs Poundcake and Milkshare Revis (Copy)

June 27, 2025

National Dance Institute Event of the Year

Father's Day is not my favorite holiday since both my own dad and my daughter's and son's dad (my late husband Gert Mathiesen) are no longer with us but what makes up for it is the pure joy of experiencing National Dance Institute's Event of the Year performances at the Skirball Center of NYU, where over 200 kids from New York City public schools perform every Father's Day Weekend. This year's theme was The Evolution of Rock and Roll, complete with (loud) live music (my apple watch warned me I was way above the safe decibel level--I didn't mind). NDI's Event of the Year is always fabulous and a shot of real pure joy...Definitely a highlight of my year every year. I know it will not do it justice but here are a few clips to give you a taste so you are sure to attend next year's Father's Day weekend shows if you are in New York. Next year marks their 50th year--the best kids' organization in the New York City public school system. Not everyone goes on to be a dancer but they make lifelong arts lovers and confident kids out of anyone the program touches...To prove the point, many of the organization's teaching artists and administration (including their Executive Director Germaine Jones) are alumnae. Check out the NDI website for future events.

Picasso
at the Gagosian Gallery

The current Picasso exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery in NY includes art in the collection of Picasso's daughter Paloma Picasso--some of the pieces have never been shown before to the public.  The exhibit is not a large show but it includes some real gems, and represents the breath of Picasso's work--everything from painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics--he did it all...In every single one of those mediums, there is no other artist in my book that even comes close...

The Friendship of Pound Cake and Milkshake: Two Deaf Dogs

Everyone who has ever had a dog (and I have had four over the years) knows that deep feeling of love and joy that only a pet can bring.

I have been following my two favorite instagram dogs Pound Cake and Milkshake for a while now, featured on James Coburn's instagram @Make.Life.Happen--two deaf dog rescues who were adopted by a loving family and found not only a loving home but each other too!

I'd like to invite you to send me photos of your favorite dog (or any other pet you love) and I will share some of the images in a future newsletter...And Let me start the chain by introducing you to Frenchy, my daughter Morgan's and her boyfriend Danny's rescue from Tennessee who I get to take care of quite often (or she takes care of me, more like it)..

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, mixed media on paper 12” x 15”

Charity of the Week:
National Dance Institute

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...