April 2020 Donations

Grounds for Sculpture

I became a member last summer but only was able to go once and then Corona came to town and shut everything down. I worried about my favourite places going belly up and having to close, GFS being one of them. I decided to renew and do my part to hopefully keep them afloat during this crazy, uncertain times. Here's a little info on them:

GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE IS A MUSEUM, SCULPTURE GARDEN, AND ARBORETUM WHERE ART AND NATURE ARE ALWAYS AT PLAY.

Outdoors, nearly 300 contemporary sculptures are sited across 42 landscaped acres. Indoors, temporary exhibitions from established  and emerging artists are featured in six galleries. Engaging and educational programs for all ages are offered year-round, and may include lectures from top minds, hands-on workshops, tours, concerts, and performances.

Grounds For Sculpture was founded by artist and philanthropist Seward Johnson. It opened in 1992 on the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds and was a natural extension of its predecessor, The Johnson Atelier. Hundreds of artists studied and produced work at the Atelier, and Johnson saw the potential of the neighboring bygone fairgrounds as a place where artwork could be sited within the landscape, and visitors could delight in discovering contemporary sculpture.

More than 700 artists have had their work on view here. The collection contains sculpture by 150 artists, including Clement Meadmore, Anthony Caro, Beverly Pepper, Kiki Smith, George Segal, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Isaac Witkin, Joyce J. Scott, Willie Cole, and founder Seward Johnson. Many sculptors attribute their roots here, and each year, more artists are offered the unique opportunity to create new site-specific work for the galleries or outdoors.

Grounds For Sculpture is a public not-for-profit organization governed by a Board of Trustees who oversee the successful operation of the sculpture park and museum. As a nonprofit public institution, Grounds For Sculpture relies on the support of visitors, art patrons, donations and grants to offer its rich programs and activities each year.

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

April 2020 Books

April was a fab month for celebrity memoirs!

♥ Lady In Waiting ¹ by Anne Glenconner - After seeing Lady Anne Glenconner on The Graham Norton Show discussing her life and promoting her memoir I instantly bought a hardcover copy from Amazon UK. When Audible finally released the audiobook version in the States I snapped it right up. This woman's life is completely riveting and this is one of the best books I've read in a while.

* Inside Out ¹ by Demi Moore - This autobiography was available for free from the library and since Demi Moore read it, I had to give it a listen. I really admired how honest and open Ms. Moore was about the decisions she's made - good, not so good, and everything in between.

♥ In Pieces ¹ by Sally Field - Sally Field's memoir read like poetry. It's deep and beautifully written. She describes her life in such exquisite detail that it paints an image in your mind's eye and draws out sounds that aren't heard outside of it's home in your thoughts. When she described so perfectly a moment of clothes being pulled from a clothesline, I immediately felt transported as I saw the clean clothes flapping, heard the snap of the clothespin as the cotton shirt was torn from its jaws, smelled the freshly cut lawn, and felt the whirl of wind around me. An absolutely divine execution of drawing the reader in and allowing them to witness Sally Field's life, rather than hearing about it.

* Sula ¹ by Toni Morrison - Another knock-out from Toni Morrison. Next up from this brilliant author is Beloved or maybe Song of Solomon...

* Funny, You Don't Look Autistic ¹ by Michael McCreary - I saw this on Libby, my library audiobook app, and decided to give it a try. I needed something light after Sula and this was funny and charming.

♥ Steve & Me by Terri Irwin - Terri Irwin's book on her life and particularly her life with husband Steve Irwin was spectacular. I kept expecting a happy ending, even though I knew it was not to be. It was the only think I didn't like about this book. The world needed Steve Irwin for far longer than we had him.
* Alien Superstar ¹ by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver - I needed some Henry Winkler silliness and his most recent book with Lin Oliver was such fun! An alien that lands on earth and becomes a huge Hollywood star. Completely delightful - I hope this is a new series!!
♥ A Story Told Lately ¹ by Anjelica Huston - Anjelica Huston is one of those names and faces that I've known my whole life, although I didn't really know much about her. Hearing her tell tales of her early life was so engrossing that I instantly dove in to her follow up.

♥ Watch Me ¹ by Anjelica Huston - Watch Me was as good as Ms. Huston's first memoir. This one though left me just really loving Jack Nicholson. I always had the impression that he was full of himself, very self centered and aloof. From everything Ms. Huston says he is a funny, warm, compassionate, and caring man. Flawed, but wonderful to the core. I was so happy reading of her romance and marriage to artist Robert Graham only to be devastated a few hours later when he passed away. I had no idea and it was so heartbreaking. But Anjelica Huston goes on and I hope she has many more adventures and experiences which leads her to write a third memoir.

¹ - audiobook
² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

The Farm on Dark Moon

Today I drove up to North Jersey to Amy and Don's farm. They had a surplus of eggs they were unable to sell and so I went to pick up 13 dozen for friends and family in South Jersey. I got to see the house for the first time and meet all the feather and fur babies, plus friends and farmhands, Matt and MC.

There was a pretty big rat snake in the rabbit hutch. Matt went in to remove it and the sweet lil' baby took a liking to him. The snake's tail went through the hammer notch on his overalls and wrapped itself around his thigh. Amy immediately chimed in, "it's not a constricting snake" and Matt immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

This little beauty reminded me of Belinda from Return to Oz, even though they look nothing alike. It was her personality and cluckity clucking.

Then it was time to meet the newest editions - baby bunnies!! I didn't hold them, though. They were very skittish and I didn't want to scare them or accidentally drop them. But look at those wee lil' ears!!

Here is a random deer skeleton that was outside the rabbit area.

And check out Mister Fluffy Pants!!! (I think Amy and Don call him Mr. Precious, but he looks like he's wearing big poofy pants and he's just the cutest!!)

Here's just a few of the eggs from Amy's fab farm. Delish and cruelty free!

POST SCRIPT:

Check out Anne's perfectly poached egg on toast using Amy's eggs:

And here's my attempt at a massive omelette that ended up becoming scrambled eggs. Still delish!

Keanu Makes Life Better

Saw an old pic of Mr. Reeves on Instagram and had to send it to Bishop:

The House on Jericho Road

Found this photo of the paining of my beloved grandparents' home in Pennsylvania. Coming across this picture that Nana Irma took back in 2011 was a real find!

Larry Kramer

Today the world lost a fighter. With words and rage he could outbox anyone and often did. A true fighter has to not need to be liked or loved or admired. They must do whatever it takes to get the results they demand. Larry Kramer began his fight, and it was a true battle, to save the lives of those dying around him of AIDS in the very early 80s. At that time no one cared that gay men were dying at an unbelievable rate and in hideous, horrible ways. AIDS has never been pretty; it has always been cruel. Larry was furious that no one gave a damn because it was just a bunch of faggots and who cares? Good riddance. Larry Kramer is personally responsible for saving the lives of countless people due to his never backing down or giving up, for pushing to have AIDS be a part of the discussion and not remain in the cupboard under the stairs. He raised his voice and made people hear him, to recognise that those that are dying are human beings, that they matter, and they must be saved. Now that Larry Kramer is gone from this earth, whose voice will ever match his? Who is left to fight for us?

(photo of Larry Kramer kidnapped from nytimes - additional info: Sara Krulwich/New York Times Co./Getty Images)

Privilege

(kidnapped from @the_female_lead's Instagram page)

Memorial Day

Today is the day when we as Americans honour and remember those who lost their lives defending the nation. Today is the day that I remember Glenn Andreotta, who I think of every day.

(photo taken in Vietnam, Fall 1966, during his first tour - kidnapped from Trent Angers' book The Forgotten Hero of My Lai)

I wrote about him in March of 2010 and want to re-post it here.

 A hero is defined as a person of great bravery who carries out extraordinary deeds. It is by this definition that Glenn Andreotta can indeed be called a hero.

While reading about the massacre at My Lai and the surrounding areas on March 16th, 1968, I learned of the three courageous men who stood up against their peers and did their best to save lives and end the brutal and senseless slaughter of unarmed women, children, and the elderly. It is without a doubt one of the most embarrassing, tragic, and despicable acts in American history. But that clearly goes without saying.

While reading Trent Angers book The Forgotten Hero of My Lai - The Hugh Thompson Story, I immediately admired those three men - Hugh Thompson, Larry Colburn, & Glenn Andreotta. It was one particular moment that I read describing Andreotta's act of heroism that touched me the most. It is as follows:

"They flew over the ditch at a low altitude and got a long, hard look at the most awful scene any of them had ever witnessed...'Boss, something's moving down there,' Andreotta said. 'Can you swing back around?'

The helicopter looped around then set down quickly near the edge of the ditch. Andreotta had maintained visual contact with the spot where he saw the movement, and he darted out of the aircraft as soon as it touched the ground...Andreotta had to walk on several badly mangled bodies to get to where he was going. He lifted a corpse with several bullet holes in the torso and there, lying under it, was a child, age five or six, covered in blood and obviously in a state of shock.

As he lifted the tiny girl's head...he picked her up and tried to climb out of the ditch but was unable to get his footing...He was inching his way toward the edge of the ditch when a dying woman reached up and grasped the outside seam of his pants...Holding the child with his left arm, he leaned down and felt the woman's pulse with his right hand.

Observing that Andreotta was having trouble getting out of the ditch, Colburn went over to help him. He could see that Andreotta was in distress from the look on his face. Still, Andreotta was looking around to see if there was anyone else he could save. He checked the pulse of three or four people who didn't seem to be dead yet. He bent over and put his ear near the face of a woman who was desperately trying to say something to him. He held her hand as she spoke."

There are few things in this world as truly awesome and beautiful as compassion. This is why I admire this young man; for his overwhelming compassion in a whirlwind of chaos, fear, and heartbreak. He was a fine, fine man.

Corona Graffiti

Lisa snapped this back in early April while walking around Philly and the sentiment has not changed.

My Biggest Fan

A few days after receiving my Cameo vid from Ms. Hanna, I got an email from Tees 4 Togo that had a little clip of Kathleen Hanna saying thank you. It was sent out to those that had purchased a shirt and therefore helped to send a girl to school in Togo. The email asked to send a photo of me in my shirt. I normally wouldn't, but I really love what Peace Sisters and Tees 4 Togo are doing and thought it might help someone who isn't super skinny see how the shirts fit on normal to overweight gals. So I sent in a pic and seven minutes later got a reply from Kathleen herself! Our correspondence was nothing short of wonderful.

Murder, She Wrote

Back when this show was on the air (was it Sunday nights??) I caught a few episodes and always thought the series was good but I was into other things and never faithfully watched it with my parents. Then I saw it on Amazon Prime for freesies (with ads, which isn't bad at all) and decided to check it out. Oh my goodness! It's a solid show and (season one at least) is a smorgasbord of familiar faces from The Rockford Files, TattleTales, and Hart to Hart. It's another great escape from feeling useless and constantly disrespected at my job.

(photo kidnapped from craftivism- it's a great post with zero ads, so please check it out!)

Seen In Medford

A Rambler!!

Social Distancing Selfie with Bishop

It was so nice to stop over and chat with Bish for a bit. I dropped off some fruit for him and Hazel Scott's 'Round Midnight cd. He in turn gave me a small bowl of the yummiest guac ever! Great to see eachother but makes me long for the time when we can spend an afternoon or evening together.

Things We Are Good At

This is from my Friends Listography book, with most of them filled out in 2012.

Me, Bishop, Mum, Amy, Xavier, Marina, Karen, Donna, and Wayne.

Movies You Walked Out On

Taken from my Film Listography book by Lisa Nola:

- Star Trek 2: Wrath of Khan (I was actually carried out by my mother. Three times. This film traumatised me from the worms going in people's ears, to when they came out, and then finally when Spock sort of died. Saw it once when I was six and never plan on seeing it again.)
- Seven (I spent most of the film looking at my feet. When the body tied to the bed gasped so we knew they were alive I turned to my friend and said "Wake up, Winnie, we're leaving." I even demanded my money back. I was never so disgusted by a film in my life.)
- Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End
- Once Upon a Time in Mexico
- Stepmom (Robert and I saw this and we left more than once for a smoke - why did we go back in?!)
- Mr. Turner (Technically I think I only left for a smoke break but had to go back b/c I was there with Anne - I hated this movie.)
- The Ref (Absolutely beyond believable. We left when Spacey suddenly was on Leary's side and helped him to escape. Mega lame.)
- Saving Silverman

Jake and Elwood

Growing up my bestie Amy and I loved The Blues Brothers. Recently she sent me this pic from a post on @bluesbrothersofficial Instagram page. As of now it says that the artist is unknown but isn't it the coolest?

Springtime Cutie

Ashlee and Sean put together a little swingset for the girls and seeing this pic of Miss Avery Rose that her Mama took is just too sweet not to share.

IG Stalker Find!

Scrolling through Instagram late, late last night I found Autumn's account. Scrolling through all her old posts, which I realise is borderline creepy but I own my creepiness, I saw that she posted the Taco Bell Biv DeVoe postcard I sent her in March. I bought it at Atomic Books last year and only just got around to sending it. I felt all gooey inside reading what she wrote, never expecting me to find it.

Paris Is Burning

Snapped these photos last Summer when Paris Is Burning was playing at The Colonial Theatre. I love that of all the people on all the posters for this film, lovely Venus Xtravaganza was the one the theatre displayed. Her scenes are the ones that have always stood out for me. 

Random Self Portrait

Because why not?

(Kristen Schaal t-shirt available at tees4togo - it's forty bucks and all the cash goes to send a girl to school in Togo, West Africa.)