Dear Friends,

I seem to tell myself that I am going to make entries on a more regular basis and then time passes. Now I will catch you up, dear readers, with my latest activities.

First during from September 22 to October 28th I have had 50 images at The Basset Gallery at the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County, a wonderful gallery in Camden, South Carolina. I was chosen to open their season. My husband and I packed up our Prius and Drove stoping to see my Afghan American friend Fahima Vorgetts on the way catching up on her most recent visit to Afghanistan and a followup to Mir Taqui Shah where  together with Women Against War supported the construction of a clean drinking water and irrigation well (see a previous blog entry and more will follow).

As you enter the gallery.

One wall contained images dedicated to Tom Little, who was killed August 5, 2010, and his work for the National Organization for Opthalmic Rehabilitation.

Images of NOOR and Tom Little.

To give some additional ambiance to a sense of Afghanistan I included some dressed dolls and handcrafts made by Afghan women.

A section concerning women.

While I was in Camden I spoke at 5 different schools both middle and High school classes.

Camden High School entrance.

I talked of the culture and the people and my work sharing numbers of my images. The students expressed interest and asked many questions.

Stover Middle School

Camden Middle School showing the students a burka.

Back in Albany I went straight to editing and printing for an exhibition of images from Ghana Good Morning Teacher at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut Street, Albany, NY. These 41 photos will be on display for the African Family Night, Saturday November 5th from 5 to 8:30.  This is a fundraiser for the African projects that the church supports and there will be a diner of delicious African food. Please contact the church for more information at info@wpcalbany.org.

Opening panel.

Since all my frames where used for the exhibition in South Carolina, I decided to use Rare Earth Magnets and steel tacks to hang the unframed prints, which I think worked quite well for what has been basically a two night show.

The beautiful expressive children.

For the Albany first Friday event the church provided two wonderful musicians.

The press conference at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.

This weekend the banners were at the Opalka gallery.

The Opalka Gallery

On October 25 a Peace rally  1oth Anniversary of the US War in Afghanistan. How is the War Economy Working For you?  I read a poem of Nadai Anjumon an Afghan women poet concerning the plight of Afghan women which has not changed and in some areas is the worst that it has been for some time.

Maureen Aumand leading the Grannies for Peace procession.

Grannies for Peace procession.

We were also blessed to have Congressmen Paul Tonko speak and support the effort to end the War in Afghanistan and bring our Troops home.

Congressman Tonko speaking against the War in Afghansitan.

As a last comment I wish to tank my husband who has supported my incredibly involved life and who feeds me both my heart and my belly in between all these events.

Frank Houd and David Easter.

And my dear friend if you have made it to the end of this post I thank you.  Please look for a future entry concerning the progress in the village in Afghanistan which we support and I hope we can continue to support as well as my next exhibit in Elmira, New York in November — Afghan Portraits: Windows to the Soul.