i am so fortunate to be a member of a wonderful artists co-op-not only is it great to be around so much talent-it can be very convienient & helpful. when i needed help with my new digital camera and new version of photoshop, i went straight to my photographer friend.  she was patient and gracious-explaining everything in simple terms for my simple mind.  her studio is beautiful-full of light with a killer view of santa monica- i noticed a photograph i had not seen before-she explained that it’s one in a series she is doing on auschwitz.  i have never been-although i have been to germany several times-i cannot bring myself to be in a place of such great pain and suffering, not a good excuse i know.  between my unitarian mother and my agnostic father (both world war II veterans) it was an intresting household.  growing up- this quote hung in our den:

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the  social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unions,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn’t a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

i remember asking my mom to explain what this meant when i was about 7 yrs old-her age appropriate answer was : treat others as you want them to treat you. 

i am happy to say that i have never forgotten her wise advise nor these very poignant words still hanging in my parents den.

xoxo   peace

this is lucy dove- desi, fred and ethel were too busy eating-not intrested in a photo op!