An Abundant Life - Learning Anew

Last week I was planning to go to the Antiques and Jewelry show in Manhattan, but my schedule was very busy and when I finally was able to take some time to get there, when I arrived on Sunday afternoon just a little before 4pm, the Security Guard at the door told me, "I'm sorry but it's closed," when I said what I was there for. I had thought it was going on until 6pm and I said that, but he again said sorry. It seemed so strange to me because I could still see people inside, and I really had thought it was until 6pm, but when I looked more closely at my ticket, I saw the 4pm end time was true.

I had gone into the City specifically for that event, and so then I had to take a moment to think about what if anything I could do before heading home again. It seemed as if there must be something that I could do, or something that would be fun to do, and so I headed a block over to one of my favorite thrift stores, Housing Works, and after browsing and shopping there I crossed the street to Pippin Vintage Jewelry.

When I first found Pippin Vintage there were two shops, one with jewelry in the front and one with other vintage items in the back named Pippin Vintage Home. I loved them both, but usually went to the back one first and more often, and when I didn't have much time I'd only go to Pippin Vintage Home. I was feeling as if I shouldn't stop in that day because I knew my budget wouldn't afford any of the beautiful pieces there right now, but something drew me in and there I was walking in the door.

After looking around at all of the gorgeous things there, I stopped by one of the glass countertop cases to look at some of the higher end rings and jewelry. Many years ago I discovered a key to not feeling so sad when my budget wouldn't allow me to get everything I wanted, and that key is to try things on and look at them with the eye of let's see if I really love this on me as much as I do in the case or on the hanger. It's also lots of fun too, to play dress up and try on beautiful things, so I decided to ask about a few.

It was nearing the end of the day but it was still very busy, but for some wonderful reason one of the owners of the store, Stephen Cooper, who was working there that day decided to not only help me and indulge my wishes to try things on, but he also told me the stories behind the pieces and added all kinds of wonderful information about not only their history but about the stones and designs themselves.

At one point while we were talking and admiring the antique and vintage and newer works of art, he asked me if I'd ever used a jewelers loop. I hadn't and I told him that, and he started to show and teach me how to look through it at a multi stone diamond ring from the late 1800's. It took me some time to figure out how to do what he was trying to show me, but finally, after several attempts I was able to see what he described I would be able to see. It was so much fun to have this experience, and to learn so much about these stones and designs and their history. With so much gratitude to Stephen Cooper, this wonderful owner, for sharing his expertise and experience with me!

Pippin Vintage Jewelry

104 West 17th Street

New York City

https://pippinvintage.com

Photograph From My Blog Post

January 3, 2016

"Delicious And Delightful"

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Creating Art Space

Almost twenty years ago I had the opportunity to meet the Artist Duda Penteado who was introduced to me through someone I knew. We had a number of conversations and meetings and adventures together, discussing our various visions and projects and talking about possible ways we could collaborate, and then as time went on we both continued on our own paths that were very busy and filled with things that kept our paths from crossing. On occasion we'd see each other, and we always stayed in touch through emails and newsletters and invitations, but at one point he moved to Florida and began spending most of his time there and traveling to other places, so it had been quite a while since I had seen him.

A few weeks ago I received an invitation to a celebration for the opening of a new art space all the way over on the other side of Jersey City in a neighborhood I love to visit but that is so far away to walk to that I don't often go. I had a very early morning the next day, and at first I thought that maybe I wouldn't go after all because I wouldn't be able to stay for very long, but I had a deep feeling that it was important for me to make the journey over, even if it was just for a very short time to say hello.

I hadn't expected to see Duda there although the invitation came through one of his emails to me, because now that he lives in Florida it seemed that the travel to this location wouldn't be something that he would be able to take the time to do. But sure enough, when I arrived there he was, and it was wonderful to reconnect in this celebration of time and space.

The building where the celebration was being held was where 902 Brewing is, a place where I've long wanted to go and been invited to several times for other art events, but because of where it is and the lateness of the hours of some of the invitation, it had never been something I'd been able to do. This event started a bit earlier than some, and even though I knew it would go on longer into the evening, because of my own early next morning I needed to leave when it was still light out which made it very easy for me to plan and feel like I had some flexibility.

It was a wonderful time, and I saw so many other people who I knew there. The space is one I want to revisit again, and the rooftop that was open has a view that is really beautiful. I'm so blessed to know Artists like Duda who are involved with such special projects that bring me to such beautiful and inspiring spaces. Thank you to him and to you all for creating such beautiful art and places to enjoy it and for the invitation to join you there!

On The Rooftop

At 902 Brewing

For The Opening Celebration

Of Liberty Arts District

https://libertyartsdistrict.com

https://www.902brewing.com

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Scents And Time

A little over two weeks ago I was walking down Park Avenue after I'd been at a meeting for Pastors and Ministry Leaders much further uptown. It was such a beautiful day that I'd decided to walk a bit, and the meeting had been such an enjoyable one that I was just enjoying taking in the sights and sounds all around me and reflecting on my own time in New York City, and how over the years and through so many experiences, even when I didn't know where the path was leading me, God had been guiding my steps all along.

I had seen someone at the meeting who I've known almost since my earliest days in Ministry, and who I had begun to work with on some of the greatest projects that have continued to inform and inspire my work up to today, because of a conversation we had early on about my heart felt desire to bring the art and Artists I loved and knew to the youth on the lower east side of Manhattan. I will write more on that in another post, but I share that so you understand, dear reader, just how happy I was to be walking downtown and thinking about the past that had led me up to this present moment.

As I reached the corner of Park Avenue where the Waldorf Astoria Hotel is, I smelled the perfume Shalimar that is and has been one of my favorites for almost as long as I can remember. I don't know when I first experienced the scent, but it became such a personally well loved one that there was a time when I had it in lotions and powder puffs and a daily splash. In those days many of the finer perfumes would be found without sprays in all forms, and even with the eau de toilette I could just dab a little on and feel like a princess. I still have that old well loved bottle and also have a new bottle of it with a spray now, a gift from a Christmas a few years ago when they brought back the original bottle withe the blue stopper.

When I smelled Shalimar on Park Avenue, at first I couldn't understand where it could be coming from. It was strong but not overwhelming, just absolutely lovely. As I looked around I saw that there were large decorative bottles of it in the corner windows of the Waldorf, and that the name was all around in that area. I opened the doors and was greeted by the most charming and welcoming, kind people who explained that it was the 100th Anniversary and that Guerlain was celebrating by having a special experience for people who made an appointment. The schedule was completely booked and they were just finishing up for the day, but they told me that if I was able to come by on a week day they would be able to find a time to fit me in.

Last week was a busy one, and at times unexpectedly so, and though I had wanted to go on Tuesday, I had some very important things with time constraints that came up that I needed to do. Thursday was the next day that was possible, and even that day was very full, but I found some time to be able to go. It was later in the day and I didn't know if they would be able to accommodate me, but I decided to try and hope it was possible.

I arrived around 3:20pm, and they told me they could fit me in at 4:00pm with the next group, so I took a little walk and came back at around 3:45pm as they had asked, just in time to be registered. As I checked in, someone came in the door who I thought I recognized, but he was working there and seemed very busy so I didn't want to bother him. I mentioned it to one of the lovely women who was helping me and she said he was very nice and wouldn't mind if I spoke to him, so I walked over and he recognized me too! I hadn't seen him in several years, but he had been the Manager of one of the places where I always had such a beautiful experience, and it was delightful to see him again. He told me that after the experience I could come up with the group who would be visiting the Guerlain Wellness Spa upstairs for a tour.

The Guerlain Shalimar Experience was so beautiful and inspiring, and I learned so much about the history of Guerlain and this wonderful scent that I love that made me enjoy it even more. Seeing this wonderful person and being invited up to the spa afterward was a double blessing. I'll be writing more about the spa in a future post, but for now I'll just say once again how wonderful it is to have my every step planned to bring me to places and to meet people who make life so beautiful. Finding myself on a path in such a sweet place with such beautiful people and things all around me brought such a sense of calm and love and joy. The name of the Shalimar Experience is 100 Years Of Love, and I think there will be even more years ahead that will be filled with its joy.

At The Guerlain Shalimar Experience

At The Waldorf Astoria Hotel

New York City

https://www.guerlain.com/waldorf-astoria-shalimar-exhibit.html

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Experiments Of Sound And Music

A little over a week ago I went to see an Artist friend's opening show at a gallery, and while I was there I saw another Artist, Eric, who I had reconnected with a few weeks before that at another Art event in another area of the City. We had been talking at the other event only briefly, and when we saw each other again the conversation continued for much longer. He was with a Writer, Emily, and at one point they mentioned that they needed to find a friend of theirs who was available for some event they were going to the next night because they had an extra ticket, and when I asked what event it was they said it was for John Cale at Lincoln Center.

Lincoln Center is one of those places I love to go to for just about anything, and when I heard it was John Cale I said something along the lines of, "Wow, if you can't find anyone I'll go!" I absolutely love John Cale, and I didn't know he was still performing. If nothing else it would be an adventure and a historical event to experience, and I knew it would be much more than that because John Cale is one of those Artists who is always awesome.

Interestingly he had been on my mind because I had just posted a photograph a few weeks before that on Instagram, and when I was looking for a song to add to it, the song "The Dream" from the album "Songs For Drella" he created with Lou Reed had appeared, and I had used a clip from it for the post. Thinking about seeing him live at this point in time seemed like something that I wouldn't want to miss, but I also knew that although I had met Eric a while ago and have known him for a few years, there might be other friends they had already asked who would want to say yes.

Somehow or other, after reaching out to some of their friends and sending some messages, Eric came back  and asked if I wanted to go. I said of course and absolutely! But also said that if they still wanted to take some time to ask someone else I'd understand. But somehow the ticket ended up being mine, and on Sunday evening I met them at Lincoln Center for what turned out to be one of the highlights of my concert and performance going experiences.

The performance, titled John Cale's Steam on Glass, was in the Wu Tsai Theater in David Geffen Hall, and was part of the Krakow based Unsound Festival. The evening opened with Heinali and vocalist Andriana-Yaroslava Saienko, whose 2025 album Гільдеґарда (Hildergard) was described on the Lincoln Center website as "a striking decontextualization of the music of the pioneering 12th century composer Hildegard von Bingen." It was one of the most lovely and deeply meaningful sound and music experiences I've heard, and their presence and performance was breathtaking and mesmerizing. I performed in a play in college about the life and music of Hildegard von Bingen, and hearing their performance of her music also had that added echo from my own past.

The Lincoln Center website went on to say that "Unsound is co-organized and co-presented by Fundacja Tone – Muzyka i Nowe Formy Sztuki and the Polish Cultural Institute New York. This project is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland from the Culture Promotion Fund in partnership with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. The main partner of Unsound Web KRK – NYC is the Polish National Foundation."

When John Cale came out on stage I already was so filled with the wonder of the evening from the opening experience. Though I knew that I'd enjoy whatever he decided to do that night, I was not prepared for just how incredible the experience was from the first chords that rang out on his guitar and the wall of sound from his band. He had projections of films and art visions throughout, gorgeous, fun, joyful and so full of his creative energy that every moment was full of something to look at, hear, and take in, and smile, laugh, cheer, dance along to and celebrate. Everything was so memorable that I am still seeing the projections and the experiences of that evening in sound and vision.

Afterward, Eric and Emily and I were able to share some time together in the after hours of the hall at the reception. When we headed home it was very late, or rather very early in the morning, but I didn't even notice the time or question it until I arrived home and saw my clocks. Even then, I was so elated that though I couldn't believe the time, I didn't mind it, and I woke up the next morning feeling so jubilant and happy and full of a wonderful peace and joy.

With so much gratitude Eric and Emily for inviting me, to John Cale for all the years of amazingness, his band and other performers with him, to the opening performers, and to everyone who contributed their beautiful and inspiring gifts to make this evening of experimental sound and music such as wonderful experience!

At Lincoln Center

For John Cale's Steam On Glass

Wu Tsai Theater, Davd Geffen Hall

New York City

https://www.lincolncenter.org/john-calesteam-on-glass

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Living History

I was in Massachusetts a little over a week ago and when I heard from Bonny Smith, the Chairwoman of the Wilmington Historical Commission that she was attending a ceremony to commemorate the agreement of the town lines between Wilmington and Andover, I asked if I could be there to see it. I grew up in Wilmington, and was born and raised there, and though I've made New York and now New Jersey my home for many years, there is something in me that loves Massachusetts and Wilmington and the area all around my childhood home that has been growing stronger and stronger each time I return to this place.

The ceremony she was attending is called Perambulation, and though I'd never heard of it, it's been part of State Law since the 1600's when New England towns were first founded and given their new names and boundaries by English settlers. Every five years the Selectmen, and now Selectwomen too, were to gather together at the adjoining town lines to agree on where the town lines were. Over time, it seems, farmers might move a rock or a tree would come down that was adjacent to a hewn granite marker or its adjacent field stones and boulders, and so it was necessary to meet to make sure that everyone was in agreement about where the town lines actually were. By law, if the Selectmen did not meet to do this every five years, there would be a fine of $20. The more I heard about this event before it, during and after, the more I fell in love with the history of these wonderful towns.

On the day of the event, we met just before 9am, driving up to a place where I, for one, hadn't really noticed before that had a town line sign on a sign post and a historic granite marker in the wooded area across the street from it. As the beautiful morning progressed, we learned from the Chairman of the Selectmen of the Town of Andover about the details included in the law, including that after the Selectmen agreed on the town lines they'd share a toast of Champagne. For our purposes that day and because of the early hour we had sparkling cider, which seemed perfect on a beautiful fall morning.

After the Select Board members who were in attendance from both towns agreed on the town line, the two Chairmen, one from Wilmington and one from Andover, painted their respective town initials on the granite marker with black paint, a W for Wilmington and an A for Andover, along with the last two digits representing the year the agreement was being made. The last year visible on the marker looked to be 1970, so it seems there may be some $20 fees that could be collected if either town wanted to follow up on that part of the law.

We had a toast at the first marker and then "perambulated" or walked around to the next one a short way away through the woods. Once again, agreement was reached, the marker was painted, and a toast was enjoyed to celebrate.

In all of my time living anywhere I don't know if I've ever had such fun doing something so rooted in history and so much a part of my life today. Joining together with old friends who I've known for all or most of my life and new ones I've been meeting was a joy on this lovely October day with the leaves glowing and the beautiful light of autumn all around us. The people in attendance were Mike Linstrom, Andover Town Manager; Alexander Vispoli, Chair of the Andover Select Board and Ellen Townson and Kevin Coffey Andover Select Board Members; Frank West, Chair of the Wilmington Select Board and Captain of the Wilmington Minutemen and Gary DePalma, Wilmington Select Board Member; Bonny Smith, Chairwoman of the Wilmington Historical Commission; Mary Kelley and Karen West, Members of the Wilmington Minutemen; Frank West Jr., on call as needed by the Wilmington Minutemen; Kim Smith Hall, Owner of the John Howard Eames House in Wilmington's Buck's Corner Historic District; Andover Police Officer Brian Mackenzie; Wilmington Police Officer; Winslow Townson, Andover Photographer. With so much gratitude to you all for including me in such a very beautiful and very special experience!

Perambulation

A Historic Ceremony

Rooted In A Living History

Agreeing On The Town Line

Between Andover and Wilmington

Massachusetts

Frank West, Chair, Wilmington Select Board

And Captain Of The Wilmington Minutemen

And Alexander Vispoli, Chair, Andover Select Board

Agreeing On The Town Lines

Photograph By Winslow Townson

Courtesy Of Alexander Vispoli, Chair, Andover Select Board

Perambulating

Photograph By Winslow Townson

Courtesy Of Alexander Vispoli, Chair, Andover Select Board

Photograph By Winslow Townson

Courtesy Of Alexander Vispoli, Chair, Andover Select Board

Frank West, Chair, Wilmington Select Board

And Captain Of The Wilmington Minutemen

Painting The '25 To Commemorate The Date

Photograph By Winslow Townson

Courtesy Of Alexander Vispoli, Chair, Andover Select Board

Photograph By Winslow Townson

Courtesy Of Alexander Vispoli, Chair, Andover Select Board

Photograph Courtesy of Bonny Smith, Chair

Wilmington Historical Commission

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Inspiring Connecting

A little over a week ago I had the beautiful opportunity and blessing to attend a lunch at the wonderful Astek that I have written about in these pages before. Every event and gathering I attend there is always inspiring and beautiful and so enjoyable, and this lunch was all of those things combined with wonderful tapas and sangria and conversations and connections that continued afterward as we walked out of the space and continued onto other destinations.

Everyone who I met there that day added their own sparkle to the afternoon, and one of the Designers and I continued our conversation as we went to visit with one of the showrooms where she had planned to visit and look at items for a project she is working on, and then we spoke about all kinds of things as we walked outside into the city streets.

After we parted I had another event to attend and she did as well in another area, and then a bit later she sent me a message to invite me to an event a friend of hers was part of in a panel for that evening. My schedule was so busy that day, but it just seemed like a good thing to try to get to, and though I was at another event that coincided with it, I left a bit earlier than I'd planned and was able to get there a bit later.

It turned out that her friend, the Artist and Designer on the panel, is someone I had met before at another wonderful Design event in another place, and so the connection and meetings and inspiration seemed somehow to make a perfectly divine sense. On days like this when I allow myself to get into the flow of things without trying to make my own logic make sense of things, truly miraculous things can happen and I find the beautiful reminder that I need to allow the unexpected beauty of things to go their own way without wondering why or how or if or when. 

At Astek

In New York City

For A Beautiful Lunch

That Continued To Inspire

Into The After, Evening, And Beyond

200 Lexington Avenue

New York City

https://www.astek.com

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Art And Wellness

For a number of years now I've been developing community based projects and programs that bring Art and Health and Wellness together. It was something that just seemed to flow naturally together in so many ways, and over the years even when I didn't quite understand how it was going to work, I felt that God would keep opening doors and introducing me to people to keep me going in that direction.

When I received information a few months ago about and Arts and Well-Being Convening in Newark, New Jersey, it was so exciting to see that there were actually people around the country and on very high levels in their fields who saw the value in bringing these topics together. The cost of the three day convening and events and workshops, though well worth it, was higher than I could afford, though, and when I saw that there were scholarships that were being made available through partnering organizations, I decided to apply and see what might be possible.

I was so very greatly blessed to be awarded a scholarship to attend, and it made me feel so affirmed in my own professional life. It was so exciting to receive the news and it felt like a beautiful gift was being bestowed on me. I knew it would be an experience that would be a beautiful and inspiring one.

From the moment I arrived at NJPAC where it was being held, wonderful things began happening. I met someone as I was walking in the door who recognized me from YES Gallery, and she and I began speaking immediately about a project that I am just in the beginning stages of developing around this topic. Over the next days and hours so many wonderful people spoke on panels and shared inspiration in conversations, and the meetings that I had were filled with wonderful people sharing knowledge and resources and insights. Bringing people together in this way brought so many ideas and so much exciting inspiration all together, helping each one of us to share and expand our own vision of what healthy communities filled with art and design and beauty, healthy food, well being and sustainability can look like, and how we can come together to share our own journeys of creating spaces and places and projects overflowing with wellness and art.

At Nico At NJPAC

For The Opening Night Celebration

Of The Arts And Well-Being Convening

https://www.njpac.org/nico-kitchen-bar

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Neighborhood Makers

A number of years ago when I lived in New York City's SoHo, I met a beautiful creative woman, Danielle Nazinitsky, who put together fun community events in the area, in a similar but different way than I was at the time. I had been creating collaborative events with Artists, Designers, small business owners, restaurants, galleries, performers, Filmmakers, Writers and Actors, and she was bringing people around to different events on tours and meetings at galleries and in creative spaces. We connected on so many creative levels and one of the ways that I remember her the most was the fun and joy and generosity of spirit that she brought into every place she was.

A few weeks ago I received an email from her that she was hosting a luncheon and panel for creatives at what was described as a Design-rich loft in Dumbo, featuring women in a variety of different fields who were all juggling families and careers, motherhood and their creative lives. She titled it along the lines of having it all, and when I saw the description and name of this event and that she was hosting it, I knew I had to go. With everything that's been happening and so many things going on, an afternoon like this seemed like just the kind of joy filled time of inspiration and togetherness that I needed.

When wonderful spirits like Danielle bring people together, the combination of beautiful environments, creative inspiration, fun, and very heart felt, meaningful conversation make what could be just a nice time together into something memorable and life affirming. I'm so grateful to have known Danielle all these years and to have the opportunity to attend an event like this one that brought us together in community and reminded us that our neighborhoods are special because of the people around us who create and make times like this possible for all of us to enjoy.

A Gorgeous Afternoon

Lunch And Panel

Hosted By The Gorgeous

Danielle Nazinitsky

https://decodenyc.com/danielle-nazinitsky

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Encouraging Design

This past week I was blessed to attend an event at Lixil Water Experience Center in Manhattan celebrating the group of Designers who had been invited to join the ICFF Launch Pad. As described on the ICFF website, Launch Pad is "Where emerging designers shape their future, spark meaningful connections, and set the foundation for lasting careers". I had known the evening would be a lovely and inspiring one, but it was even more than that. The environment of the Lixil Water Experience Center is gorgeous and inspiring all on its own, filled with wonderful design and ideas from a variety of manufacturers, and the focus of the evening being on these wonderful emerging Designers and this wonderful program brought a feeling into the room of the promise of so much possibility and joy.

There was a baby in the room, a very young child who was with one of the attendees, and in at least one of the videos I created that evening in that beautiful space, the child's laughter and calls can be heard in playful sounds that somehow fit into this exuberant and fun filled evening. As I walked around within the space and later listened to the panelists as they discussed their work and the program, I found myself feeling congratulatory towards everyone in the room. It seemed as if we were all their together celebrating something so special, the history of creativity and design and innovation that leads each one of us forward in our own projects to create and learn and share and collaborate as we envision the way that we want to make things that are beautiful and inspiring for others and to share inspiring art and design in collaborations and individual works that illuminate and uplift and grow each one of us into a healthy and holistic community, knitting together our shared history, vision and inspiration for the future.

It's with so much gratitude to Lixil Water Experience Center, ICFF and Dwell Magazine that I thank you for including me in this truly special event, and I extend that gratitude to everyone who gave their time and gifts to us all that evening. Bravo to all of the emerging Designers and to all of the wonderful people involved in this beautiful program and heart felt thanks for this beautiful event that brought so much encouragement to the design world on every level.

ICFF Launch Pad

A Celebration

At Lixil Water Experience Center

155 Fifth Avenue

New York City

https://lixilwaterxnyc.com

https://icff.com/launch-pad

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Community Culture

I've know the Artist Mustart for some time now, and have posted photographs of his and sometimes written about him and the beautiful murals and artwork he creates. This past week I saw that he was curating an art show clear across the other side of Jersey City that would also have a hip hop dance battle with youth and adults that was part of it, and I made sure to make my way over to see him and enjoy what he was creating in the community on a beautiful still very warm fall afternoon.

The area where he was holding the show and events around it is near where I have visited other Artists in the past who I have written about in these pages before, and this space was new to me so it was an adventure that was filled with memories of when I had first met Artists whose studios and spaces were part of that community, and also some of the long walks I'd taken at different times over the years just for the fun and adventure of exploring.

The Artists who contributed their work to the show were all wonderful, and the dancing battles were impressive. There was beautiful artwork of all kinds all over the walls surrounding the area and t-shirts and jewelry and other designer pieces that added to the inspiration of the beautiful day.

Jersey City is such a gorgeous place, filled with communities like this that know so much that is so uniquely their own. During the day's highlights I kept hearing the Announcer and MC talking about Culture, and how this day's celebration was so beautifully representative of it. I'm so filled with admiration and gratitude and so honored that I know Artists like this who welcome me into their worlds. Being there was a gift and one that I will treasure in memory and reflection always.

JC Walls

Off Da Hook Jam

Curated By Mustart

Jersey City, New Jersey

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Art Walking

Almost ten years ago around this time of the year I was invited to a wonderful art show at the Cast Iron Lofts in New Jersey and I met an Artist there who took me on many adventures after that, around that place and also in other areas of New Jersey. One of the places where he showed me was right around the corner on Coles Street where there were murals painted all over the walls and structures near the embankment and the overpass, and I remember thinking every time he showed me some new place or space how awesome Jersey City is because of the wealth of art that is there to enjoy.

Yesterday when I was on a long walk to the other side of Jersey City to go to a favorite grocery store I don't often take the time to go to, I walked back on Brunswick Street and realized I was going to be walking right through another area filled with murals and graffiti art that I'd found near that first area I'd been shown on Coles Street. This other place is underneath the overpass, and I'd stumbled into it one day a number of years ago. I walk everywhere that I can and when I'm walking and I have the time, I just walk wherever the Spirit leads. On the day that I'd found this section under the overpass filled with murals and graffiti art I was in awe, and then later some of the Artists who I've met over the years started posting about their own visits to that place and the work that they and their friends were creating there.

On a beautiful September day when the weather still feels like summer is with us but the fall has begun with its golden light, walking with Art all around just feels right. Living and walking with Art all around always feels right to me actually, and taking this walk on this beautiful day to see what was new in this beautiful place hidden away where Artists meet and work together and alone, creating and inspiring and being inspired and making an outdoor place under the overpass that would usually seem dark be filled with light, is one of the things that makes me so excited about Jersey City and so happy that this is a place where I've come to know so well. With so much gratitude to the Artists I've met who have invited me into their worlds and have shown me the places to go, and to those who create in these places and spaces and bring so much unexpected and breathtaking, transporting beauty to us all.

Under The Overpass

For An Art Filled Walk

In Jersey City

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Gently Down The Stream

This past week I heard that Veuve Cliquot was celebrating the launch of a new vintage by making it possible for visitors to go rowing in Central Park at the Boat House for several days for free. I always love the Boat House, and Veuve Cliquot has long been a favorite, and the idea of having an afternoon row sounded like something that I'd at least like to see other people do if not do it myself. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it because, though I love sailing and used to sail often, it had been a while and I hadn't been rowing in many years.

When I arrived at the Boat House I saw that the line was long but not that long, so I decided to get into it and see what else was a part of the celebration. It turned out that free row boats was what they had planned, and the line was going very quickly, so I went ahead and stayed in line, and found myself getting into a row boat. I had thought I'd feel strange being by myself, but there were a few other solo rowers also, and after it was all done and even during it, I found myself grateful for the time to get my rowing skills back up to speed on my own. In retrospect, rowing can really only be done by one person, unless you've practiced as a team or a duo, and even if there is more than one person in a rowboat, it's often easier if each one takes their own turn.

Being on my own was a bit daunting at first because I had to remember and get used to the way the boat moves with the oars, but being on my own was also freeing because I could sit and experiment and glide and get my bearings, trying out different things to see what worked and what didn't work as well, and to take the time to be peaceful as I figured it all out. Rowing is somewhat like riding a bicycle I think, in that it all came back to me as I started. It didn't take very long for me to remember in my sense memory the different ways the oars helped move the rowboat and in what direction and way to use them to get to where I wanted to be.

It's really a wonderful thing to know that the body and mind can remember physics in this way, that we can remember how to do something that is actually very complicated if you try to explain it in words. Learning by doing is sometimes the best way for some things, and rowing was that way for me. As I found myself on the water in Central Park in New York City, I reflected on the extraordinary circumstances that had brought me to that place on that day. All the years of history, all the times in my life from summer camps up to the present, all the different ways that I had gotten to where I was just then to be able to go ahead and say yes to getting into a row boat in Central Park because why not? And then finding myself remembering after all how to row gently and surely out into the center, and then turn around and find my way back to shore.

An Afternoon In Central Park

Rowing At The Boathouse

With So Much Gratitude

To Veuve Cliquot

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Paper Dreams

This past week was the Art On Paper show in New York City, and I was invited by the gorgeous Linda Gerlach invited me to the opening night with a very special VIP exclusive ticket. I always enjoy going to this show, but having the opportunity to be with Linda as she photographed and created her wonderful images that would become her story and record of the show was enchanting. She is such a beautiful photographer and creative, and is so much fun to be with too. Being invited to join her on this very special evening was a true gift and blessing.

Art On Paper always inspires me because there are so many different ways that people are working with paper to create their art, and in some ways it seems there are endless possibilities when people focus on using this medium. Books and sculptures, paintings, drawings, collage, tiny boxes drawn on with even tinier pens and paint brushes, mobiles, structures, prints and even on at least one year a memorable paper dress and other paper clothing.

The VIP evenings are always a joyous time too, because it's the first night and everyone feels the excitement of being there. Joining Linda made this event that I always love attending become something even more special and beautiful, and with so much gratitude I thank her for thinking of me and extending her generous invitation to this night filled with stars and dreams.

At Art On Paper

With So Much Gratitude

To The Gorgeous Linda Gerlach

For Her Generous Invitation

To The VIP Exclusive Opening

Pier 36

299 South Street

New York City

https://ny.thepaperfair.com

Lane Sell

Printing Live With Shoestring Press

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - A Celebration of Community

I posted about the the Three Year Anniversary Celebration at YES Gallery two weeks ago, and shared a poem that I had written in May that had inspired the title of the event with a line from it that was written on the invitation. On the day itself, among all of the beautiful community members and Artists who shared their time and gifts there was one woman who I had met before when she'd come into the gallery and who offered to share some of her spoken word and sung poetry. I had always told her in the past that she'd be welcome to do that, and so when she arrived and after a little while offered to read a few things, I was delighted and said yes.

Her name is Carmen Vega, and she performs in other places all over Jersey City and the surrounding area. I've seen some of her posts and videos of her readings and of the poems she writes and sings, and it was wonderful to have her share her work at YES Gallery. I had asked her if I could videotape and post and when she said yes I was able to videotape one of her pieces in its entirety which I'll share here. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening, and having Carmen and her beautiful presence and words and song added some very special moments to this celebration of community.

Carmen Vega

In Performance

At The Three Year Anniversary Celebration

Of YES Gallery

408 6th Street

Hoboken, New Jersey

https://www.instagram.com/carm.envart 

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Taking A Wayside Walk

I was in Massachusetts for a visit recently, and a beautiful friend asked me if there was anything that I'd been wanting to do. The first thing that came into my heart was that I'd been wanting to visit the Wayside Inn, a place that has a wonderful restaurant and also a beautiful environment to walk and explore. My friend said yes, even though I found out afterward that she hadn't known at first what place I was talking about. She is a gem to have said yes without knowing, just because she knew I"d been wanting to visit.

On the day that we went, she asked me for the address, and when I looked it up for her she saw that it was the place where her daughter had gotten married. The grounds of the Wayside Inn have different areas, and I'd been talking about the historic home part of it, but her daughter had been married by the grist mill. On our way over as we drove, I saw so many reminders of places where I'd been over the years with my Mother, and it brought back so many beautiful memories. When we arrived, and I saw the sign on the house that showed the date it had been built, I realized that the reason I'd been wanting to return is that it was built around the same period as the house where I grew up. 

There is something very special about revisiting a place where you've loved to go that you haven't been to in a while, or at least there is for me. Our afternoon at the Wayside Inn was filled with so many beautiful moments, and I am so grateful to my friend for her willingness to bring me there. We had lunch after our walk around the grounds and after visiting the grist mill, and we took time to view the rooms upstairs where they have a museum and display before walking outside down the paths and roads and fields. One thing that I'd been wanting very much to have is Indian Pudding, something that I always loved to have there and that I'd learned to make because of how much I enjoyed it when I visited. It was still on the menu, and when I asked at the restaurant if they were still serving it, they were, and so I had a beautiful new memory reminding me of days gone by to cherish along with my meal.

One thing I found out this time that I hadn't known, thanks to reading some of the information at the mill and the lovely opportunity to speak with the Miller, is that Henry Ford was an important part of why the Wayside Inn exists. I had no idea all these years that he had walked these road and paths and created the mechanisms that kept things running into a new era, and that was an exciting thing to find out. As I plan for my own project that is part of another historic site, having the experience of walking along in the paths of memory helped me to see that all things are possible. Where once I had walked as a child, a teenager and a young adult, I can now walk and learn in a new way how to create an environment for and with the community that is as special as the places and spaces surrounding it.

A Beautiful Lunch

And A Wayside Inn Walk

Longfellow's Wayside Inn

72 Wayside Inn Road

Sudbury, Massachusetts

https://www.wayside.org

Indian Pudding

Bringing Back So Many Beautiful Memories

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Three Years

 This coming Saturday, August 23, is the three year Anniversary of YES Gallery. I was realizing as I thought about the date and the year, it is twenty years since I went through a very difficult time in my business that started because of a partnership I'd begun in 2003 to create an art and community center, in many ways the way that YES Gallery is today. All those long years and so many adventures with Jesus, so many twists and turns and miraculous appearances and happenings that it could be a Charles Dickens novel. I do want to write about it, and have wanted to, and I've started sometimes, but somehow the fact that each moment is unfolding in so many different faceted ways makes it difficult for me to just sit down and write because I'm living it.

A few months ago I wrote a poem that came to me when I was on my way home from a ver exciting evening during Design Week in Manhattan. I was thinking about a friend of mine who was so dear, someone who I wished was still around for me to share time with. He's in Heaven now, and I'm sure very happy there, but though I am happy that he's happy, and I also know his spirit is still here with me, there is a part of me that misses the physical him so much. We had so many raucously wonderful times together, and some very tender ones too. We loved each other in the way that only very special once in a blue moon friendships can be. 

I'll share the poem here, and will be sharing more about the three year Anniversary when I've experienced it, but for now here is the poem that the title of the Anniversary is from:

Walking At Twilight

I want you to live

Where you used to live

I want you to be 

Alive the way you used to be alive

I want us to go out

Like we used to go out

The way we used to be when we ruled this town

When you'd call me up

And just say Wolff

So much meaning in my name

The way you said it

Wolff and I'd come running

Or you'd come to me

Like that time I was so sick with the flu

And you brought me orange juice

And sat with me not smoking

Because you didn't want to make me worse

You always made everything better

So many memories you and I

So many places I love because of you

On nights like this

When champagne flows

When Spring is new

And everything is golden

I miss you

I miss the way we used to be

Before we knew

That life can change

When we thought

We knew it all

When we were certain

Because what we had was love

And that was all that ever mattered

© Jannie Wolff 05/2025

YES Gallery

Three Year Anniversary

August 23, 2025

Because What We Had Was Love

And That Was All That Ever Mattered

408 6th Street

Hoboken, New Jersey

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Sunset Walk

On my way on Summit Avenue in Jersey City Heights on Saturday evening I saw that the gate to the Historic Reservoir #3 was open. Before I saw the open gate I saw people walking on the path around the reservoir and so I looked for the gate that I'd gone into before. There used to be two entrances to the reservoir, but now it seems there's only one, and luckily the area near that one was where I decided to look for the entrance. When I had walked in the reservoir in years past, the entrance had been closer to the corner of Summit Avenue where the park drive through road is, but this time that entrance was closed and there was another just a little distance away, closer to the middle of the road that goes through the park.

The first time I'd discovered an open gate at the reservoir, I'd been enchanted by the way it was possible to walk through the areas and get very close to the water and the trees and wildflowers growing there. This time around the reservoir itself was closed off by fencing, but there were places where the fencing was more open and in those spaces it was possible to see the beautiful moss covered water in the center more clearly.

Places like this are such a blessing to have in communities, places where people can walk and see nature in a way that is very personal and close, and where you can hear the sound of the leaves on the trees as the wind blows through and ruffles them. The sun seems to shine and to set and to cast its light in a different way in spaces like this, as if nature itself were being dressed in its golden light. As I walked through at the end of the day, the sun had just begun to set, and it was golden hour with a very rosy hue.

There have been many people over the years who have worked hard to volunteer and to advocate for this space to be available for the public, and I thank them all that we can have this peaceful space in the community, and that we can walk there as I did on a chance summer evening as the sun is just setting, and we can see nature in all its lovely array.

A Sunset Walk

Through The Historic Reservoir #3

Jersey City Heights, New Jersey

A Canada Goose

Watching Over The Family

As They Forage In The Bushes

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

    

An Abundant Life - Stylist Star

I've written about the Hoboken Thrift store, or St. Mary Advocates Thrift Store as it's officially known, in these pages before, and about all of the wonderful people I've met there and the beautiful treasures and clothing I've found over the years. A while ago I'd heard from some of the gorgeous women who I know who volunteer there that one of the volunteers had opened her own store. I had missed seeing her at the Hoboken Thrift, because every time I was there when she was I had a smile on my face just listening to her talk about the clothing and decorative items and watching her showing things to people, helping them pick out outfits and finding the most wonderful combinations of things to share and encourage people to try on and wear. 

Over time I found out that her name was Joann, and it was so much fun when she was there. It's always fun at the Hoboken Thrift store because everyone who volunteers there has such a wonderful and uniquely kind and joyful way about them, and when Joann was there it always felt like I was shopping in a place where everything and everyone was being outfitted for the best days of their lives. 

There's something about people who love fashion and styling that makes every moment when you are around them and they are around clothing feel like a party. Playing dress up was always one of the things I loved to do, and it still is, so meeting someone like Joann at the Hoboken Thrift made one of my favorite places to go even more special. When I heard she'd opened her own store I knew it would be wonderful, and I planned to find a time to go there to see her and enjoy the new space where she was creating her own kind of sunshine.

The name of Joann's store is OliJon's and is named after Joann and her husband John's two children, Olivia and Jonpierre. Inside it is bright and airy, and filled with the gorgeous treasures Joann finds. As she has experienced the complications and challenges of treatments and surgeries due to a breast cancer diagnosis 15 years ago, Joann also wants to give back to the community, sharing time and donating, helping to give people a smile and encouragement with whatever issues they are facing. When I was visiting and speaking with her, I found out that during prom season she had shared items and styling with prom goers who were on limited budgets to make sure they could go to the Prom feeling special.

Knowing someone like Joann is a treat in so many ways. Her style sense and sense of fun are beautiful to experience, and she is also so strong and resilient underneath her natural beauty and easy glamour. There is a beauty that shines from within that makes a beautiful woman a star, and Joann is one of those beauties who stands so strong in the face of the challenges of her life that she gives others a light to help keep them going.

Joann Saitta

Owner and Stylist Extraordinaire

Of OliJon's Thrift Store

138 Park Avenue

Hoboken, New Jersey

https://www.instagram.com/olijonsthrift

A Seemingly Effortless

Style And Beauty

Photograph Courtesy Of Joann Saitta

A Corner Storefront

Shining A Light For The Community

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - A New York Neighborhood

A number of years ago I lived in SoHo, something that I've written about in these pages before, and something that always brings back beautiful memories whenever I visit a friend in that neighborhood or write about one of the people I know who lives there, works there, makes art there, shows art there, or one of the restaurants, boutiques, galleries or other wonderful places that make that part of the city so special.

I've written about the marvelous Photographer Benjamin Oliver in these pages before, and just a few months ago I wrote about him again because I'd happened to see him in SoHo when I was on my way to an art show that one of the Artists who has work at YES Gallery had his work in. That day was such a wonderful day, and it was such a beautiful time, and seeing Benjamin on the street almost right out front of where I used to live made it even more special.  

This past week Benjamin had an opening party for some of his work that was being shown at a very special and exclusive custom menswear store in SoHo, this time about a block away from where I used to live, and diagonally across the street. It's always so much fun to see Benjamin and his work is so beautiful and inspiring, and the store was really a wonderful place too. I saw some of Benjamin's friends that night that I'd met at his birthday party he'd invited me to on the day that I'd seen him in SoHo a few months ago. As I wrote at that time, they are all such wonderful people, and seeing them again in this place with Benjamin's photographs all around was a very special experience.

It's times like this when New York still feels like my neighborhood home, when I am reminded of how lovely the world can be when wonderful people gather together in wonderful places to celebrate art and design and fashion. That's the New York I always loved, and that I still love when I experience it. It's the place of dreams that is still a neighborhood, an exciting and inspiring adventure that can still be called home.

Benjamin Oliver

Sharing His Inspiration

And His Photographs

On A Very Special Evening

At The Very Inspiring Acustom Apparel

330 West Broadway

SoHo, New York City

https://acustom.com 

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Pizza Of Dreams

When I was a very little girl, my family used to go to a restaurant in Massachusetts called Kitty's for special occasions and sometimes just because we wanted to have pizza. I used to ask to go there all the time, and we didn't ever have much of the menu, our choices were always pretty much the same. We'd order two pies, one mushroom and onion and one other one, it's escaping me now but I don't think it was just a plain one. Maybe we'd try different things for the second pie and that's why I can't remember, but it was always at least one that was mushroom and onion. Along with the pizza we'd have an Antipasto, and to this day that's the only Antipasto I really ever want whenever I see it on any menu. Sometimes we'd get the pizzas to go and have them at home which was very nice to do too, but going to Kitty's and sitting at a table or in one of the booths was always the best.

Over the years as I grew up and went back to Kitty's on occasion I'd try other kinds of pizza and other things too. I've always loved onion rings, and I think I began my love for them there. Other places just don't know how to make onion rings like Kitty's does, and although I sometimes will order them in other places, it's always Kitty's that I really wish I was having.

I've had pizza in New York, New Haven, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Long Island and New Jersey. I think I may have even had it in Europe and possibly London. There are some wonderful pizzas I've had, don't get me wrong, but there is no place like Massachusetts for pizza. Any hole in the wall place you walk into, any bar, any place that is making pizza makes a wonderful one. Some are fancier than others, but they're all really wonderful. Kitty's is the creme de la creme, at least in my book, and in a way I'm very lucky that I don't live near there because I'd probably have it every day along with an Antipasto salad and some onion rings.

Last week I had some meetings in Massachusetts, and I shared some time with some old and new friends. We were all in the mood to get together with all of us at one point and decided that we'd have dinner. When I was talking to one of my friends about places we loved to go to, she mentioned Kitty's and I asked her if it was still open. I seemed to remember looking it up a while ago and seeing that it was closed, but she told me it had closed for a time and was now open again and just as good as ever. I said that all I ever really wanted when I went there was pizza, and she said that's what she liked to get too, along with an Antipasto and onion rings. I told her that was always my favorite choice and we decided that we'd check with the rest of our group to see if Kitty's would be all right with them. We laughed when we said there's lots on the menu so they could have something else if they wanted but we knew what we were having. I sent messages to the others and Kitty's it was.

When we arrived it looked exactly the same, as if no time had gone by at all. I remember it being darker inside at night, but perhaps that was just in my childhood memories. We all decided on the same things which made me smile that here we were after all these years and we all thought the idea of pizza, Antipasto salad and onion rings was a great one. So much fun to be there with these friends, and so wonderful to have these flavors and textures that I've dreamed about be with me as part of my life once again.

A Night With Friends

At Kitty's

123 Main Street

North Reading, Massachusetts

https://kittysrestaurant.com

Time Shared With Beautiful Friends

So Sweet

And An Antipasto

So Wonderful

I Forgot To Take A Photograph

Until The Salad Was Nearly Finished

Blessings,

Jannie Susan