George Forss and Donna Wynbrandt and Maria and I had a our delayed Valentine’s lunch today at the Round House Cafe, a lunch with our lovers heightened by our photo show which graced all of the walls around us. You could write five or six books about George’s life, but one of the most compelling would be the story of George and Donna, a story of love triumphant.

Donna is a gifted artist, she spent many years of her life as a street person in New York, she has also dealt with schizophrenia. Donna has just had a frightening experience with some of her medications,  it happens from time to time, she handles it with grace and bravery. Her strong connection to Buddhism always helps ground her and steady her. It is always poignant to see the commitment and tenderness she and George have to one another, she is recovering, getting back to normal.

These two have been through a half-dozen lifetimes together, always with grace and commitment.

This is a love that has endured, Donna and George have a creative connection, much as Maria and I do, theirs is a story of commitment, understanding and the purest kind of love, how wonderful that these two fierce individuals found each other. They met in New York City, she is he subject of some of George’s most famous photographs, she and George are my subject now,  I try and capture portraits of them whenever I can. They are an inspiration to me, a reminder that love is powerful, healing and can also be intensely creative.

We were happy to celebrate Valentine’s Day with these two remarkable people. George and I are both going to be at the Round House Cafe reception for “Looking At Our World,” to be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday February 20th at the Round House Cafe, 1 Washington Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. If Scott has time, he may sing a song inspired by my “Divine Old Dog” poems. We will be showing video of interviews with George by the BBC, the Today Show and Entertainment tonight.. The Round House will be serving light fare for dinner, their nice pizza,  cookies and desserts. I’ll be talking a bit, Red will be on hand greeting his fans.

I am so grateful to know George and Donna, and to have George as a friend.