This I Believe

I am finally reading, “This I Believe” that I received for my birthday. As I’m reading these eloquently written essays that people like John McCain, Newt Gingrich, Bill Gates, Helen Keller and Colin Powell wrote, I can’t help thinking about the things that I believe in. The list is long. I believe in so many things that it's hard to think about writing an essay on one thing. These are just a few of the things that I strongly believe in.

Lake Erie

I believe in Lake Erie that I have the privilege of living close to. I run along the shore and gaze in amazement this beautiful body of water that we depend on. It’s our lifeline. Without water, no one can survive. I adore the lake in summer and winter when I saw up close waves frozen in time during our below zero temperatures last year. I just stared; how can it freeze so quickly. 

This morning I saw a father and son carrying fishing poles, anxiously heading to the stream. During the summer months, many people hit the pier to catch some fish. So, I find it hard to comprehend that the same people litter Lake Erie with various items: plastic juice bottles, glass beer bottles, empty potato chip bags and broken fold-up chairs.

I try not to look and pretend this litter is not here. I constantly scratch my head and scream to myself as I pick the litter up and deposit it to the nearest recycle bin. Seriously! Don’t these people realize what they’re doing to this vital body of water? Choking our fish and other creatures that inhabit the lake. I find this act of ignorance so distressing. I try not to let it get to me but it’s difficult. 

Viktor Schreckengost's signature that I will treasure always

Books

I believe in books where I spend my workout time reading. I have dispensed with my iPod and find myself immersed in story after story as my breathing accelerates on the cross trainer. Admittedly, this is the only time that I “pencil-in” to read. 

My favorite books are nonfiction where I’ve read about politics, “The New, New Deal” to Mary Roach’s, “Gulp” and “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai the 2014 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize where I’ve written some reviews on this blog post. I also have photography and art books where I enjoy looking at artwork by Rodin, Picasso and local artist Viktor Schreckengost where I remember standing in line at the Cleveland Museum of Art for him to sign my book. I will never forget that “firm handshake.”

I value the few books that I have signed: Scott Simon, “Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other” and Christo & Jeanne-Claude, “On the Way to The Gates.”  I love all books where I can learn and experience something new.

As long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed reading. From the Dick and Jane books to “James and the Giant Peach.” It was my way to explore new adventures and escape my isolation. I let my mind wander and think. 

One summer when I was only seven, my family and I went to Greece. I completely forgot that I had a few books from the library sitting at home. I was frantic that I forgot to return the books before we left. When we got back home, I explained the situation and the librarian understood. “Phew,” I thought I would have to pay tons of money in overdue fines. I’m not sure why I didn’t bring the books with me.

As a child, I remember reading on the floor in our small dinning room overlooking the tiny backyard. I laid on my stomach reading for hours large picture books, turning the pages anxiously. I couldn’t wait to go back to the library and get more. 

I’m dumbfounded where my passion for books came from, neither my parents read. My dad looked at the newspaper and that’s about the extent of it.

As an Adult educator and book lover, I believe in life long learning and books.

Biking

I believe in my bike where I depend on my own power to get from point a to point b. I find it exhilarating to abandon my car when I volunteer at the Transformer Station on W 29 Street that is about an hour from my house. I pack a change of clothes in my backpack and bring plenty of water for my trek. I get excited when I breath the fresh air into my lungs and view the nearby landscape – trees, beautiful Bratenhal homes and the Urban Lambscape off East 55th as animals graze in the grass. 

I get a workout in and avoid racking up the miles in my car. I’ve saved miles and miles on my car as I pedal through the downtown streets. Sustainability is my mantra as SUV’s pass me by honking obnoxiously and giving me a dirty look. I’m wearing my helmet therefore, I can be on this road. Get over it!

I’ve been so inspired by reading, “This I Believe” that it gives me hope with all the ideas that people have put into words and verbalized on NPR. I’ve thought about doing an essay but have yet to do it. Maybe this is the push I need to get my ideas written.

I’m happy that I received this book for my birthday. If you can’t find a great idea for a gift, I’m always grateful to receive a book. 

Book:

This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

Web site: thisibelieve.org

Book Review Last year on "Gulp"

And The Mountains Echoed - Book Review

Khaled Hosseini’s new novel “And the Mountains Echoed” was not the “Kite Runner.” I wanted to love this book like I loved the “Kite Runner” but didn’t. The chapters were long and characters came into the story in one chapter and you never heard from them again as in Chapter Three, for example. Hosseini, however, kept the same intensity as his other two books where tragedy occurs then you’re left speechless when it happens. Overall the novel was enjoyable but wasn’t a “page-turner” like many other books I’ve read.

The first chapter begins with a father telling his small children a fable where the theme of the novel emerges – family and making hard decisions that will affect the rest of your life. In that respect, Chapter Three is about two sisters where one is envious of the other. Hosseini shocks the reader with an ending that digs deep into your psyche; I was disturbed what transpired reading those last words. 

Perhaps Hosseini wants you to make connections as you read each chapter with your own hard choices. Maybe you didn’t want to make these decisions but in retrospect, it was the right choice. I related to both Pari characters where they both seemed lost subconsciously and a past that was forgotten. A brother continues to grieve for his sister by keeping her treasures safe for his entire lifetime. It seems every character can’t find their way in the world, regret and an agonizing feeling that can’t seem to go away.  

Another chapter that was a stretch as a cohesive story was Chapter Five. Two characters appear in Kabul where a doctor becomes attached to a sick child and he ultimately regrets the lies that he tells when he goes back to the US. The doctor is successful and remembers his trip where war is a reality and people are struggling to get by. Just like Hosseini’s other novels, I enjoy reading the details about the countries the characters are emerged into and how they deal with their environment. The descriptions are so vivid that you get a good representation of what it’s like.

My favorite chapters, however, were the last two where you finally get the back story of Mr. Markos (he was mentioned in the beginning of the novel); it’s set in the tiny Greek Island of Tinos and it brings me back to when I visited the beautiful islands – a clean breeze, a clear aqua sea and homemade, fresh food. Markos’ mother is just like every other Greek woman, strong willed and won’t take any nonsense from anyone. “She was —is—a woman of enormous will, a woman without apology, and not a woman with whom you want to have a dispute . . .” Yes, this describes my Greek mother perfectly. 

I appreciate Hosseini’s descriptions phonetically spelled out in Greek, “ . . . a cup of ellinikós kafés” meaning, Greek coffee. I felt nostalgic as I thought of my own Greek mother anxiously reading the coffee sediment of the coffee cup (the cup is turned upside down and the sediment is read like tea leaves).

Markos grows up quickly when he has to deal with a disfigured visitor at his home – he’s uncomfortable as any young child would be as he calls her a “monster” but his Greek Mother sets him straight. ‘“She’s a person who has had a terrible thing happen to her. Call her that name again, I’d like to see you. Say it and see what happens.”’ Strong willed mother who respects everyone and treats them with respect. Markos and the visitor, Thalia form a bond that continues throughout his adult life. That is the other common theme in this novel: bonding. When a bond is formed, it continues throughout the life of the character. That is clear with Nabi and Mr. Wahdati; Pari and Abdulluh (sister and brother then father and daughter); Idris and Roshi; Adel and Gholam.

The other theme was how characters interact with a difference in class systems – the rich versus the poor. This was reflected in the relationship with Nabi and Mr. Wahdati where Nabi did everything for his master even when he had a stroke. His wife and child left and Nabi, indebted to his master, continues on when he’s thought about quitting. Nabi’s entire life revolved around Mr. Wahdati – he never left the house. Reality or fiction? There are many times you continue on out of loyalty even though other people might tell you to move on. 

Love and regret is what happens in life and Hosseini’s novel gives many examples of this theme. Everyone does their best to have a fulfilling life; mistakes and regrets just happen. The novel was an okay read where I’m glad I read it. The story came full circle as I read the last pages, even shedding a tear. I definitely recommend it but don’t expect a duplicate of “The Kite Runner.”

Hosseini, Khaled, “And the Mountains Echoed,” (2013), The Penguin Group Inc., New York, New York. 

Our Consumption on Cheap Fashion - Book Review

As I scanned through a garment rack at the Larchmere Festival, I was surprised to find a beautifully crafted jacket made in the U.S.A. However, the price tag was over$200.00 that most will not pay given our current economy. I, unlike many, understand how good quality garments are made; if I had the currency, I would gladly pay it to give our struggling economy a jolt. Our fashion today is inundated with cheaply made garments that many don’t pay more than $20.00 a pop. This is our new garment economy - fast fashion gone amok.

I recently finished Elizabeth Cline’s book, “Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion” that opened my eyes to our addiction to cheap goods. Cheap fashion in my eyes is crap that is stockpiled in our closets and under our beds. Cline honestly describes the clothing that she bought that was never worn, clogged her closets and open spaces; it was bought only because it was on sale. She took all of her clothes out of storage and did a quick inventory of what she owned: “sixty-one tops, sixty T-shirts, thirty-four tank tops, twenty-one skirts, twenty-four dresses, twenty pairs of shoes, twenty sweaters, eighteen belts, fifteen cardigans and hooded sweatshirts, fourteen pairs of shorts, fourteen jackets, thirteen pairs of jeans, . . . I owned 354 pieces of clothing. Americans buy an average of sixty-four items of clothing a year, a little more than one piece of clothing per week.” Seriously! This is crazy, I thought when I read these statistics.

The above numbers is normal expense. I remember when I worked retail, Macy’s had sales every week. Customers expect sales; moreover, they will not pay full price. Macy’s or Cleveland’s May Company department stores had coupon sales so often that I had customers yell at me “This isn’t on sale or how can I get a coupon?” Our retail establishment has conditioned consumers to buy sale items only. This is nonnegotiable! Quite frankly, why would anyone buy an item at full price when they know it will be marked down next week. What I heard most often was, “We’ll come back next week, it will be on sale.” That’s how confident consumers are.

Cline eloquently described the fashion industry as a “copy cat” outfit where designers and/or manufacturers stake out runways and produce cheap “knock offs.” The new normal to cheap or “fast fashion.” Until I read this book, I didn’t realize there was a term for today’s fashion as “fast fashion.” Because of the quick turn around needed for new, trendy outfits that everyone must have, manufacturers are producing low quality and low grade fabrics. They pill; they fall apart where today’s consumers might wear them a few times then throw them out. No big deal, right! Our land fills are inundated with yesterday’s trends. I wish people would just think before they throw out clothes. At least, everyone should give items to Goodwill.

After reading this book, I found out that Thrift shops have protocol too. Meaning, when you shop at a thrift shop (now I am taking this route), they only keep clothing for a certain amount of time. The tags are color coded; then after a few weeks, the items are pulled from the racks and are baled. These bales are either sold to other countries such as Africa or to companies that take the items and create other uses such as rags. Whatever is not sold is ultimately thrown into landfills. I was dumbstruck. You mean the clothing that I donate for the greater good will accumulate in a landfill? Sometimes other countries such as Africa don’t want these lower grade items because now their residents are having more disposable incomes. They want new fashions like the United States.  

Man made fabrics that are not sustainable and are produced using more fuel and resources. Cline’s research stated that if every man, woman, and child in China bought two pair of wool socks, there would be no more wool left in the world (Chapter 7, p. 172). I am worried how or with what materials our products will be made if resources become limited - higher prices! What other resources will be sacrificed to feed our addiction?

Lastly, Cline does give the reader a positive direction for fashion - slow fashion where designers and small boutiques are creating fashions by "repurposing" as “one-of-a-kind” pieces. They are focusing on quality not quantity where you pay a little more but your clothing will last much longer. As a benefit, your clothing will not look like everyone else. I feel there is hope that fast-fashion will become “out” and consumer will embrace items that is made in the U.S. as I described earlier.

Unlike everyone else, I will not go to Walmart to buy cheap products. Once during my lunch hour, I attempted to shop at Walmart thinking I can run in quickly. I stood in my tracks as the crowds filled the aisles. “That’s it,” I thought. It’s not worth saving a few extra dollars by wasting an entire lunch hour in the check out line.

These are the type of decisions we all must do. Look to new outlets for our consumables. Until people decide NOT to shop at these cheap stores will we force retailers to buy and manufacturers to make higher quality products similar to the local food movement. This has empowered farmers to produce and sell accessible food.  Furthermore as a society, we become healthier and buying locally helps producers survive well above paycheck to paycheck. This is a win-win.

I definitely recommend this book as an educational tool by informing us about our fashion consumption. I enjoyed the rich statistical analysis on this important issue but it was a little dry where it took me longer to read than normal. I don’t want to dissuade anyone on its importance.

Elizabeth Cline, 2012, “Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion,” (p. 4 & 5, 172).

Larchmere Festival
http://www.larchmere.com/