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"

My Lake Erie

Photo taken in North Collinwood - The Spectacular Sunsets

I live two minutes from Lake Erie and I can’t image living anywhere else. I constantly scratch my head; why do I have to live by the lake? This large body of water flowing to the horizon and beyond; the unbelievably gorgeous sunsets. Everyone who loves sunsets says the same thing – they look different every night. These are my main reasons I image for living in North Collinwood.

I am drawn to the water’s majestic, tranquil quality. Funny I say this for I am not really a swimmer nor beachcomber. I do, however, pick up a plastic bottle or two from the beach. Moreover, I don’t really hang out on the beach under an umbrella or wear a bathing suit – far from it. My activity stems from my weekly runs where I gaze out in the early morning wondering how it was back in the turn of the century when Euclid Beach was in its prime. Sometimes I can hear the crowds or Laughing Sal enters my consciousness – she scared the crap out of me when our family often visited the park. I remember turning my back away from the fun house and Laughing Sal’s eery laughter echoing throughout the park. She stood high above the crowd rocking back-and-forth, which made her laughter even more chilling

I went to a Euclid Beach lecture where a slide show unveiled all the attractions – the main hangout for teenagers and families. The park sold peanuts, popcorn, popcorn balls  (they are still sold, I saw them at Marc’s) and candy kisses in one flavor wrapped in yellow; the lecturer said this soft-serve ice cream, “Frozen Whip” invented in 1919 has never been duplicated. The taste was to die for, so he said. I don’t remember eating it, but I must have at some point.

There is the “Rocket Ship Car®” that you can rent where it’s easily recognizable with crazy lights and a sleek silver bullet look. I don’t remember the park ride but it screams “Euclid Beach” when it cruises down the street. Fortunately, I had an opportunity to ride it during a summer party. Fast and furious; it was cool to see people’s expressions as you whizzed by in this monstrosity.

As I’m reading an online article, I wish I remembered more about this park. The park had a pier constructed so downtown residents has easily patronize the facility by boarding a chartered steamship for twenty-five cents round trip. Enterprising idea! Now, I run down the truncated pier thinking about all the people who once stood there marveling the lake view. If there is one time that I would like to visit, it would be the heyday of Euclid Beach Park.

These ideas of shows, live bands and a dance hall, visitors from Akron and Mansfield traveled north to experience this place. I remember the girls who I used to work with spoke highly about Euclid Beach. They went every Friday night to the dance hall probably meet up with a bunch of guys. I instantly thought; they were hooking up. Too much.

Old Photo downloaded from - The Cleveland Memory Project

In grade school, we had to do an art project on Euclid Beach Park. All I remember was using tempera paint to illustrate “Over the Falls.” Before doing any research, I had no idea what “Over the Falls” looked like nor what it must of felt like riding it. After our group found some old photos, it looked very fun, unlike anything like it back then. A roller coaster going into water along the lake. Sounds like the perfect summer “stay-cation.”

A Card I bought - The Nostalgic Euclid Beach Park

When I run through Euclid Beach, I wish in a way I could run through the amusement park as the rides were moving at full throttle. I know they are currently restoring the carousel (named Carrousel) that will be housed at The Western Reserve Historical Society but it’s not the same if it remained along the lake. Euclid Beach only has a few remnants of the past: The iconic Euclid Beach Park arch; Near the apartments, a small bridgewhere the Turnpike Car ride went underneath; track for the Turnpike Cars; A few weathered ticket stands in the nearby trailer park. That is all that’s left on the premises of a very popular park.

As I think about Euclid Beach Park as we just had a Beach Blast Festival on Saturday, August 3. There was a photo-op where you can stand by the pier and put on some nostalgic glasses or hats. My understanding is more than 1500 people attended; fantastic patronage. Now that the Cleveland Metroparks has taken over the park, I hope soon more people will visit. The view and sunsets are spectacular. Nothing like it in Northeast Ohio.



Euclid Beach Blast, First Saturday in August
http://euclidbeachblast.tumblr.com


Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park (Last Sunday in September)
www.euclidbeach.org


History on Euclid Beach Park
http://www.grayco.com/cleveland/books/28892/sample.shtml#.Ug5mHIXDPV0


Laughing Sal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZcb74emOB4


Cleveland Memory Project - Over the Falls Ride
http://images.ulib.csuohio.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/postcards/id/266/rec/15