Pictures of the Floating World

Living only for the moment, turning our full attention to the pleasures of the moon, the snow, the cherry blossoms and the maple leaves; singing songs, drinking wine, diverting ourselves in just floating, floating; ... refusing to be disheartened, like a gourd floating along with the river current: this is what we call the floating world--Japanese novelist Asai Ryōi

Ukiyo-e is commonly translated into English as "pictures in the floating world" which is very poetic. Decidedly unpoetic are the images coming out of Japan now. Please help by visiting the International Red Cross link & donate what you can. As always, don't worry if you cannot donate a lot of money. Five dollars (or 5 pounds or 5 euros) adds up. Read more on Ukiyo-e here. Also here about Van Gogh's admiration of Japanese art. (images above are by Hiroshige on left and Van Gogh on right)

ciao-subdued-meow/GG Central

Through the Sapphire Sky to Japan

Best wishes & concerned thoughts to all in Japan, including our nephew & his wife (who is having a baby next month). Also to our friendly fellow blogger Sapphire, intrepid chronicler of Japanese culture in Through the Sapphire Sky. Much love.

PS: To find out how to help, please see here. This will be updated over the weekend.

(woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige via Life)

Chile - País de poetas

Isla Negra: Neruda's house Bell.. , originally uploaded by B'Rob.

Mexican peasant, our homeland, Ameríca, has magnificent mountains,/rivers, deserts and mines rich in minerals. Yet the inhabitants of this/generous land live in great poverty. What then should be the poet’s duty?”- Pablo Neruda

We hope that you will help this wonderful country & its people in whatever way you can. Here is a list of highly-rated humanitarian organizations working in Chile via Charity Navigator. Here is the Chilean Embassy's link with additional information. We know it is easy to become fatigued by so much bad news, but a small donation goes a long way--just make sure it goes to an organization that uses money wisely. Here is a link about Chilean poets.

ciao-subdued-meow/GG & her editor

Yéle Haiti - Week's End

Yéle Haiti has announced a partnership among several organizations, including AmeriCares, called Haiti Earthquake Alliance. This is to avoid duplication of effort. Here is text from today's website (Friday, 15 January):

"Yéle Haiti has pulled together a group of like minded organizations and first responders in order to help coordinate the delivery of emergency services and materials needed by victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Each or the organizations will undertake their own fundraising and on-the-ground operations, but have agreed to share resources, collaborate when it makes sense and avoid duplication....Just formed in the last day, the Alliance has already pulled together four airlifts of medical supplies, food and other emergency supplies – along with teams of doctors. These airlifts will go out beginning Saturday. Keep checking back to this website for details."

GG Central asks that you continue to support your favorite organizations. Do not fall prey to scams. Do not open e-mail from sources you do not know. Doctors Without Borders is a good place to start as well; more on them next week. Today they are expanding surgical facilities on-the-ground.

We like to highlight Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti because it is very important that Haitian citizens are involved in development & rebuilding--real rebuilding-of their country. There were concrete efforts, planning, & progress being made. Many people do not know this fact. We are already hearing uninformed people criticizing Haiti. Not helpful, people. If you want to be involved for the long haul, please visit the William J. Clinton Foundation.

[GG collage from photographs courtesy of Mia Farrow & Haitian paintings by P. Brantle & Valmidor via American University & MedaliaArt--also raising money for earthquake aid]

Help for Haiti

Here is a release from the White House a few moments ago with regard to Haiti. [Vintage photograph in Haiti, via LIFE Archives. By John Leonard] THURSDAY UPDATE: Thank you to Maria Caterina for a Red Cross e-card:

Ciao
Susanna and Giulia,
I was inspired by your posting and have made a donation for the relief effort. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
xoxo

Help Haiti

Many of our friends around the world will awake to news of the major earthquake in Haiti on Tuesday, late afternoon. News is still trickling out & there are few photographs yet. This photo was sent out from the AP, via Twitpic. Please go to World Vision, the Red Cross to see what you might do to help. More organization links as things become more organized. Here is the latest BBC link, & the latest New York Times link. UPDATE: Yéle Haiti Foundation now has a donation page.

Abruzzo, L'Aquila

Things are quite frantic, of course, since early a.m. in L'Aquila & surrounding areas. These are a few of the less-graphic photographs. Italian bloggers on behalf of Darfur have been hugely active. We can only hope that others return their thoughts & prayers to the good people of this beautiful area. (photos collected by La Corriere della Sera by various agencies)