New Book

Why:

The existence of Oases is an age-long notion.

It has long been associated with fresh water in the desert, providing vital resources for Bedouin nomads. It also represents small town squares in Mediterranean countries, like France and Italy, where people gather to play games such as “boules” or “bocce” played in the Roman Empire and spread by Italians throughout the world. The town store with a stove or now coffee shops in America. These spaces are where individuals come together to relax, share laughter, and tell stories from their week.

An oasis can even be a family garden where everyone congregates for a leisurely afternoon meal, fostering camaraderie and strengthening family ties—an enduring tradition in many households.

In my childhood, on special holidays we would walk to a garden just outside our small town. On the porch of an old log house, we would enjoy large fruit pies that my mother had baked while sitting around a long table with my grandparents, aunts, and uncles. For my husband, Moe, Christmas was the true oasis, filled with gatherings of uncles, aunts, and cousins who would sing and dance together. These joyful memories remain with us throughout our lives and inspire us to recreate them, they were a calling for both of us.