NEW YORK

“Apparitions of the Death and Co.”, a photographic exhibition by Jackie Neale Chadwick.

May 14-19 /The Gallery at Astor Center

June 9-23/PAC Exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of NY

more info: http://www.jackiephoto.com/2010/05/12/apparitions-blog-invite/

Jackie is smart and talented.

TENNESSEE

 Hosted by founder Kim Bushore-Maki.  To take a peek, and Kim’s contact info see: http://www.shaktimountains.com/

MINNESOTA

Carol Connolly (Poet Laureate of St. Paul) Hosts Readings by Writers

May 18, 7:30 PM/Mystery Night (4 Mystery Authors) 

University Club of Saint Paul 420 Summit Avenue, Dinner at 5:00 – optional – not connected to the reading.                                                         

Club members and non-members welcome. Make dinner reservations at 651-222-1751.  Not a member? Simply say you are attending Poetry Night.

To benefit the Saint Paul Sidewalk Poetry project (event is free) as seen in the NYTimes…and we are back to NY.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/books/15arts-SIDEWALKVERS_BRF.html

http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=2820

Y’all come back now.

“An invention with intention to inspire connection among women independent thinkers, doers, artists, inventors, entrepreneurs, educators, business owners, cultural creatives, etcetera.”

There will be music, drumming, dress-up, conversation, chocolate, comedy, art, and ….well, so much more!  Please check your calendar and if you are free, junp in the car (or on a bike) and join us. 

http://windiefest.weebly.com/index.html

What is the most recent book I finished?  Glad you asked.  Willa Cather’s “Death Comes for the Archbishop” (1927); evocative for quiet + vivid  portrait of Southwest Natives’ (particularly Navajo) internal + external landscape.  Within the story’s focus of the lives of two French Catholic priests in the 19th century, she connects words that describe the indescribable – the enigmatic and highly-evolved human psyche of those native to the desert Southwest. 

The takeaway is being reminded of how much I do not know, nor understand, about the humans that preceded us on this continent, and kept it’s story intact.  So, to the library we must go.   To learn, to ponder, to  be uncomfortable with historical facts and present-day reality.   To be a little bit in awe.

Julie

Solstice may be several days past;  however, witty, smart women are always in season.  Thank you, Mrs. Gatty for collecting (over 100 years ago in Britain) thousands of sundial mottos…including personal favorite: 

Thanks to Mary Mark Ockerbloom (Celebration of Women Writer’s) for another great read, the following is courtesy of Mary’s website.

Mrs. Gatty’s “Book of Sun-Dials” is an indispensible source for anyone researching old British sundials. It is full of fascinating information about the history, construction and function of dials. The collection of mottoes which Margaret Gatty began as a small girl numbered in the thousands by the time the fourth edition of her book appeared in print.

The mottoes are extremely varied. Religious feeling and awareness of the passage of time are the most frequent themes, but there are also witty puns, advertisements for public houses, and personal and familial messages. As people dashed about preparing for Christmas, I could not help wryly reflecting on motto # 1044: QUI RODIT RODITUR. “The consumer is consumed.” How much wiser to follow the course of the sun-dial in motto 443: HORAS NON NUMERO NISI SERENAS. “I count the bright hours only.”

The styles of sun-dials described in the book are incredibly varied. There was even a moon-dial! something which I had not known existed. Its motto reads in part (1019) “Everything under the sun is subject to the moon. All things ebb and flow. They pass away to appear again.”

Two of my favorite dials in Gatty’s book are those erected by the celebrated Anne Clifford, Countess of Pembroke. That able and excellent lady could discourse on every subject, “from predestination to slea’ silk.” The heiress of the great house of Clifford, she had to fight in the courts for her vast estates against opponents including James I. She erected a tall pillar dial at Appleby with the motto (1093): “RETAIN YOUR LOYALTY, PRESERVE YOUR RIGHTS.” Another pillar dial, between Brougham and Appleby, reads:

THIS PILLAR WAS ERECTED, ANNO 1656,
BY THE RIGHT HON. ANN COUNTESS DOWAGER OF
PEMBROKE, AND SOLE HEIR OF THE RIGHT
HONOURABLE GEORGE, EARL OF CUMBERLAND ETC.,
FOR A MEMORIAL OF HER LAST PARTING IN THIS PLACE.
WITH HER GOOD AND PIOUS MOTHER, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MARGARET COUNTESS DOWAGER OF CUMBERLAND,
THE SECOND OF APRIL, 1616. IN MEMORY WHEREOF
SHE ALSO LEFT AN ANNUITY OF FOUR POUNDS
TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE POOR WITHIN THIS
PARISH OF BROUGHAM, EVERY SECOND DAY OF APRIL
FOR EVER UPON THIS STONE TABLE.
LAUS DEO.

I cannot help but wonder whether her annuity is still paid as she intended!

Amusingly, as I’ve worked on completing the book over the last few months, I seemed to find sun-dials wherever I went! While travelling in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada during the summer, we walked past a huge street dial! While vacationing in the area of Rochester, New York, we saw a dial made entirely of clear glass. A highlight of the fall was visiting a Galileo exhibit in Philadelphia, and seeing not only one of the earliest telescopes made, but also a selection of intricate and truly fabulous dials. Some of them may even have been ones mentioned by Mrs. Gatty in her book.

Best wishes for 2010!
Mary Mark Ockerbloom, Editor, A Celebration of Women Writers

FROM Mary’s wonderful website http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/ ’A Celebration of Women Writers’.  Thanks, Mary, for illuminating women’s words with such thoughtfulness, scholarship and glee.

Julie Hellwich

Become a Fan of Smart Women Company on Facebook, and keep updated on the latest products, specials, and notes from the blog. It’s fun, it’s informative and best of all it’s FREE!

A good friend, Liz Lacey-Gotz writes for Land’o’lakes blog which regularly includes all sorts of wonderful recipes. Here’s a quick one called “Double Chocolate Snack Cake.” Pair these with our Smart Women Recipe Cards or perhaps the Goodie Bags and share with friends!

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

*Substitute 1/2 cup real semi-sweet chocolate chips.