Abstract art by Kathleen Mooney inspired by quilting.
I love abstract art. You can do anything you want with it. Watch for a feature story for May, which is a mental health month. The featured blogger will be Robert Goldenstein.
I am very excited. I will be featuring fellow blogger Rob Goldenstein in my Emma Blogs May newsletter and a full feature story in May. An abstract by Rob Goldenstein titled, Mr. Anguish.
Rob Goldenstein’s abstract.
May is the mental health month. I’ve often reported on mental health issues for the print media, and as such I have received the Jim Neubacher award for reporting without bias.
I have no bias. I have a brother Vaclav Konecny who is a paranoid schizophrenic and mental health problems run in our family. My uncle took his own life in his early fifties. I often write about mental health issues in my memoir “Greenwich Meridian.”
I think surrealism as an art form fits many mental health disorders. I am naturally attracted to surrealism myself, because I feel it best express the turmoil inside.
Hello to all. I will be writing more about this in May since it is the mental health month, and anger management is important.
However, most recently I was angry at myself for totally dehydrating after I didn’t get up from the computer for eight hours because I was working on a newsletter project. My blood pressure skyrocketed and my heart rate flew to the sky. I forgot to eat or drink the whole day.
I’ve struggled with anger many times for entire weeks or months. Anger roots deeply and sprouts quickly. Sometimes, I think it originates in my past. No matter how hard I tried, I never got the results I wanted. The harder I tried the worse the results.
Anger isn’t a totally negative emotion. If you don’t get certain thoughts out in the open, you will stew inside. It’s a matter of targeting.and how you get it out. I find exercise helps and writing or journaling, and of course meditation.
Easter Monday traditions in Czech & Slovak villages
By Emma Palova
Stipa, Czech Republic- Emma & Ella Chavent get Easter whipping with custom home-made whips on Monday. For French girl Ella, it is the first time participating in an age-old tradition. She will tie a ribbon to the whips.
According to most, the lashing does not hurt.
On Easter Monday in Czech Republic, boys and men in villages head out to whip girls and women of the house. In turn for the whipping, they get shots of plum brandy, eggs and treats. The tradition resembles the whipping of the Christ. It is a holiday. Most men make their own braided whips from willow branches. The big whips have 12 willow branches, that have to be soaked overnight in hot water before braiding. They also have a braided handle. The girls tie ribbons to the whips.
At the end of the day, the groups walk the sidewalks with colorful whips. The whip with the most ribbons becomes a token of pride. The most popular girls run out of ribbons.
In neighboring country Slovakia, the men pour water on the women and girls, sort of like the “bucket challenge” here., as well as the whipping.
The cold water signifies health, beauty and purification.
Here is an excerpt from a Globe & Mail article by Slovak-Canadian writer Miriam Matejova:
“My Slovak Easter traditions mixed paganism with blatant gender inequality,” she wrote. “As a naturalized Canadian, I have treasured my ability to choose the traditions I find appealing and disregard those I detest. I have come to understand that it is fine to let go of some pieces of home and adopt a few new ways instead.”
In my memoir “Greenwich Meridian,” I write about Czech and Slovak traditions that I have witnessed while living in Czechoslovakia with a touch of nostalgia. Some of them disappeared along with the old regimes, but most have survived mainly in villages and small towns preserved by enthusiastic small groups of people. Festive costumes for the holidays and special events reflect these traditions, as well as music, dance, food, and customs specific to each village and town.
We lived in Zlin, Moravia, which is the central part of former Czechoslovakia embedded in traditions. Both as a child and an adult, I lived and visited with my grandparents in Vizovice, a treasure trove of traditions.
Cousin Bronislav Pink ready for “schmigrust”
Easter celebrations in Czech and some other European countries are longer by one day, and that is Monday.
We have always indulged in lavish preparations for the long Easter weekend. That meant having enough meat, desserts, eggs, and beverages for three days. There were long lines just like before any major holiday. I spent a lot of time standing in lines and listening to what the old broads had to say.
“I am not going to tell him how much I spent,” a woman wearing a scarf and a fluffy skirt shook her head defiantly.
The other one with an apron over her dress smelled of burnt dough.
I thought, she must have burnt her kolache, a traditional festive pastry with plum butter.
The broad leaned closer to the first one and whispered something into her ear. Then they both laughed, until their bellies and chests were heaving up and down. I learned a lot standing in lines. The longer the line, the more I learned.
So, the culmination of it all is Easter Monday known for its “schmigrust,” an old whipping custom.
Traditional Czech festive costumes.
On that day, early in the morning ,large groups of boys and young men head out into the streets with their braided knot-grass whips or oversized wooden spoons decorated with ribbons. The day before, they spent many hours skillfully braiding their whips out of willow twigs or scouring the house for the biggest wooden spoon.
The boys go door to door, reciting traditional Easter carols like “Hody, hody doprovody,” asking the lady of the house for painted eggs. Then, they whip all the present women in exchange for decorated eggs and ribbons. Single women, and girls tied ribbons on top of the whip. I always wondered about the whipping custom, long before I ever set my foot out into the world. One day, grandma Anna finally explained it to me.
“It is supposed to resemble the whipping of Christ before he died,” she said.
“But, grandma that’s evil,” I cried.
Grandma just shrugged, and turned away. Later in life, I knew better than to question a tradition.
Easter desserts
Women of the house offered shots of plum brandy, usually home-made or acquired through bartering to the “schmigrust” groups. Even family members took part in this ritual. Uncles and cousins visited for coffee, festive desserts such as kolache, shots and meaningful conversation.
On a good year, and especially when I was a teenager, we got anywhere around 100 passionate revelers. Sometimes, I ran out of ribbons. The boys and young men, competing against each other, took pride in the number of ribbons they got. The craft stores had to stock up with meters and meters of ribbons, plain or embroidered. The hens, of course, felt obligated to produce more eggs.
The last event in March is the local Lowell Expo on March 28th at the Lowell High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lowell Community Expo
The calendar gives you a preview of stories and themes coming from the end of March through June. It is not set in stone, I always make it as flexible and versatile as possible.
It also gives an idea for marketing around the themes relevant to each month. It doesn’t exclude anything.
That’s the beauty of the Internet compared to print media; the speed and the versatility, as well as the turnover of stories. You can make it weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually depending on your blog and business.
I prefer quarterly because it gives enough leeway yet it helps stay on track and up with tasks. The calendar also depends on the frequency of your postings and the format of them.
Overall, it is worth spending time working on it rather than haphazardly writing about anything at hand. The calendar also organizes your overall strategy and thoughts into more manageable segments.
This is one of my favorite writing themes. And that is Czech names in the calendar. Each day is dedicated to a different name. Of course some are more popular than others. Probably the most widely celebrated name day is March 19th which is Joseph’s/Josephine’s day.
Since Joseph is a very popular name in Czech, everybody celebrates much like Saint Pat’s here in the USA. It doesn’t mean that the day is an official holiday, but it is very similar to huge Saint Pat’s celebrations in Chicago and Canada.
And even though they don’t color their rivers green or march in parades, March 19th is still a big deal. Usually women bake for the day, and plum brandy known as slivovice flows freely, even at work.
The men sit in pubs and other public hospitality establishments. Other names like Emma have been incorporated into the Czech calendar from other countries. The name Emma originates in France.
A lot of names come from Russia like Sasha or Sergej or from other surrounding countries like Poland and Germany.
Czech calendar with name days.
In many cases, there are more than one name dedicated to each day because of the influence from the Western countries. There are cards for each name day. That’s a lot of cards.
Among the most popular modern names for men are Jakub and Luke, even though it keeps changing constantly. For women I have yet to find out. But it also could be Katerina and Marta.
Chicago river turns green on Saint Pat’s.
Also each church has a patron saint. The most popular ones are Saint Mary’s. They have their own feast celebrations such as Saint Mary’s in Stipa that celebrates the feast on September 12th which is Mary’s day.
The communities celebrate the patron saints with wakes, carnivals and fairs. Different carnival companies come to towns, and the feast is preceded by a dance.
Locally, in Parnell there is Saint Pat’s Church that celebrates the feast last weekend in June. It is a major fundraiser for Saint Pat’s School.
It usually features a polka band on Sundays and chicken dinners. The dinners are very popular, and people come from all over. The parish women bake desserts, and there is a display of old cars, 50:50 raffle and cards on Friday and Saturday nights.
Of course there is a beer tent and an auction. The patron feasts are important to all the parishes as a way to celebrate the saint.
Note: Kathleen Mooney is a Lowell-based abstract artist and a member of the International Society of Experimental artists. Her work is striking and inspiring both in subject and format. She has had many solo exhibits in West Michigan and beyond. Mooney also teaches art classes. Check out her personal story in the archives and on page About local entrepreneurs and artists.
Her recent work has been inspired by Gee’s Bend quilting tradition. I featured her abstract painting in most of the IW Inspiring Women series for its high quality and technique.
Kathleen Mooney inspires with her art.
March 2015 – Art News from Kathleen Mooney
The Rugs are IN, NEW gallery in Charleston SC, Reception and Art exhibit with my Rugs at Design Quest, NEW Clothing and Home decor designs…
Rugs by Kathleen Mooney
2015 by Kathleen Mooney: “Amergin” Runner, 6 of the 25 rugs by Kathleen Mooney produced by Foreign Accents Rugs, and “Inspiration” Rug by Kathleen Mooney
Kathleen Mooney’s rugs are now IN at Design Quest / D2 in Grand Rapids! Here is the contact info www.designquest.bz 800-944-3232 at 4181 28th Street SE Grand Rapids MI 49512sales@designquest.bz
RUGS, ART EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION — Design Quest is hosting an exhibit of Kathleen Mooney’s art from May 22, 2015 through July 12, 2015 in their Design Gallery with a Reception on May 31, 2015 from 2-4pm. We hope to have Molly Anderson from Foreign Accents Rugs there so we can tell you about how all this rug magic got started!
Kathleen Mooney’s abstracts.
Meanwhile, if you want to visit the rugs with me – just let me know and I will be happy to show them to you!
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Kathleen Mooney has been accepted to appear as a Guest Artist at a top gallery in Charleston SC – Lowcountry Artists.
19 of her multilayered acrylic on canvas paintings are beautifully displayed from March 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015 at this prestigious East Bay gallery. www.lowcountryartists.com
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Art of Where – just in case you have ever thought “Kathleen’s ART would be great to wear” – after yet another heart-felt request – I dedicated myself (once again) to finding a sweatshop free, eco conscious, sensitive company to work with for “art to wear”. Yes! Success! I found a wonderful company in Canada to produce my art in original hand-made creations… leggings, scarves,
pillow covers, baby leggings, skirts, capris and more.
Kathleen Mooney’s 30 x 30″ acrylic on canvas painting “Ignition” has been accepted in the ISEA Member’s Online Exhibit 2015. www.iseaartexhibit.org
Other locations to see my art –
44 of Kathleen Mooney’s paintings are featured at Flat River Cottage at 317 East Main Street, Lowell MI 49331 www.flatrivercottage.com
A FINE SELECTION of Kathleen Mooney’s paintings is available at Lansing Art Gallery at 119 North Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933 www.lansingartgallery.org
Spring 2015 – Kathleen Mooney’s Rugs are featured at D2 / Design Quest in Grand Rapids at 4181 28th Street SE Grand Rapids MI 49512 www.designquest.biz and national / international locations for her “Legends” series are listed on the Foreign Accents Rugs websitewww.foreignaccentsrugs.com
A selection of “small, tiny, mini” paintings by Kathleen Mooney and bronze jewelry by Marilyn Flaherty (Kathleen’s aunt) are on exhibit at Toadworks at 102 Main Street in Lowell.
The Houzz website is “The Largest” online source of decorating, design and remodeling inspiring ideas, services and products for the home. Gradually adding more of my art each week. www.houzz.com – search on “Kathleen Mooney Artist” in Shop.
Kathleen Mooney’s rugs and abstracts.
High Point Market Spring 2015 – Foreign Accents Rugs with Kathleen Mooney’s “Legends” Collection of Rugs and even more new designs in even more collections. High Point Market is open to “The Trade” two times each year. It is HUGE. www.highpointmarket.org
As usual – If you would like an appointment to view my art or have me bring some pieces to your home or business – just contact me via the website www.kathleenmooney.com or email! It would be great to see you!
Spring is in the air and we are boiling the first sap from the maple trees starting tonight! Kathleen
Note: This is the seventh installment in a feature series about Inspiring Women. It is dedicated to all women who are trying to make a difference and better other people’s lives, as well as their own.
In putting together this feature series, I was inspired by several moments in life that in particular stand out.
No.1 A dedication of a Relax, mind, body & soul book by Barbara Heller from my son Jake: “I dedicate this to my inspiring and motivational mother.” Kuba
No. 2 While on a story before Mother’s Day, I dropped in at Ace Bernard Hardware to talk about the prizes with owner Charlie Bernard. We talked also about the Lowell Area Chamber and its director Liz Baker.“You know what I like about Liz, she keeps re-inventing herself,” Bernard said.
No. 3 Again on a story for the International Women’s Day I talked to Sow Hope president Mary Dailey Brown.“If you want to make a difference in this world, seriously consider helping impoverished women. Helping women is the key to unlocking poverty.”
No. 4 At a parents teacher conference at Cherry Creek Elementary in Lowell in mid 1990s: “Mrs. Pala, we do not give up,” teacher Karen Latva said.
Rockford woman sows hope for women of Third World countries
Name: Mary Dailey Brown
Occupation: President of SowHope.org
GVSU non-profit management
Residence: Rockford
Husband: Douglas, two sons Alex & John
Hobbies & interests: golf, photography, video editing, getting together with friends
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Rockford, MI- “If you want to make a difference in this world, seriously consider helping impoverished women. Helping women is the key to unlocking poverty,” said SowHope president Mary Dailey Brown.
Sow Hope president Mary Dailey Brown.
There are hundreds of organizations helping children in the world, but minimum of those that help women get out of poverty.
Brown is working on several projects in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. These include a birthing clinic in Uganda, a micro-project in Congo, projects in India and Pakistan including vocational training and literacy programs in Nigeria and Kenya.
In order to start the SowHope organization, Brown sold the family inheritance farm in 2006. As she traveled around the Third World countries, she noticed the plight of women in Ethiopia.
“I noticed the imbalance of responsibilities,” she said. “Women do all the work, while men get out to the squares, chat and play games. Half of the world lives on less than $2 a day. One seventh of the world lives on less than a $1 a day.”
Brown said that women are suffering disproportionately to men.
“They’re up before sunrise,” she said. “Carrying wood, water, babies, growing food for the families. They use their own strength. Eighty percent of farmers are women, and 80 percent of food is produced by these farmers.”
So, what do men do?
Documentary screened last year in Grand Rapids to raise awareness and funds for IWD.
“They run the government,” she said. “They drive all the vehicles, they handle and run the markets. They sit around the village squares, drink tea, smoke hookahs and play board games.”
Brown uses a translator and she visits with people who are already helping others.
“We provide funds for them,” she said.
SowHope spends about $1.5 million on program costs and the organization has so far impacted directly 46,000 women.
Among the programs are: micro loans to start busineses,, birthing clinics and literacy classes by local teachers.
Many women have been raped and abused.
“We provide emotional care,” Brown said, “and training centers for the villages. We find local leaders and we have 100 teams in 30 countries.”
The success behind these projects is that SowHope already use capabilities in place.
“When we go there as Westerners, we’re imposing our ideas on the people,” Brown said.
She used an example of a female gynecologist in Cairo who goes out and educates women about sex.
“Sex is taboo in these countries,” Brown said. “You don’t talk about sex.”
The doctor gynecologist gives talks at churches.
“It’s very freeing and liberating for them,” Brown said. “A five minute lecture can change centuries of practice.”
The mission of SowHope is to empower the women and to identify their leaders, to give them resources like buying a knitting machine.
The women also face risk from terrorists. Brown spend the week in Nigeria, before the girls were kidnapped.
“Every night we were terrified,” she said. “It was the most terrifying week in my life. The only way to survive is to run.”
SowHope does have a system of criteria in place.
“It depends a lot on relationships and recommendations who we trust,” she said.
There are people like Josephine who helps AIDS widows.
“It’s the most efficient system,” Brown said. “They do the development work.”
What motivates Brown?
“It is the original sense of injustice,” she said.
Did she ever wanted to quit?
“Yes, but my husband told me go into the basement and tell these women why this is so hard for you to do,” he said.
Brown realized that the women were full of dignity and grateful for what SowHope does.
“We want to do holistic care,” she said. “Focus on the basic needs of the women. We want to make it so simple that people can copy us. Women in general are no recipients of sympathy.”
It took three years to get the organization going and to make it sustainable.
And who is Brown’s role model?
“My husband, he is the visionary,” she said. “He helps me stay focused and positive, and not to be discouraged.”
Brown says that the biggest lesson she has learned, is that helping women is the key to unlocking poverty.
Mary Dailey Brown-the woman behind the superwoman 1-What do you do for yourself?
Mary: I want to be a good leader and an inspirational speaker. I also have fund Fridays with Doug and friends. 2- What kind of tips do you have for other women?
Mary: It’s incredibly rewarding what I do. I have feelings of embarrassment that I have struggled. There’s nothing else I’d want to do. 3-What are your plans?
Mary: We would like to expand into other countries, and raise more revenues. We would like to open up affiliate offices around the world.
If you want to donate online contact Mary at SowHope.org
Featured photo by Kathleen Mooney has been inspired by Gee’s Bend quilting tradition. See her story in the archives.
Rob Goldenstein’s abstract. 
authoremmapalova 
