National Novel Writing Month - 2013

It’s December 1, 2013, and National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is over. I wrote for 30 consecutive days meeting and exceeding my goal of 1667 words a day. 50,000 words sounds daunting but since this was my forth one, it’s almost business as usual. I won’t say that it was easy. Hence, there were times when I sat and stared at a blank screen for a few minutes not knowing where to go – writers block. Eventually you begin writing and something miraculous happens and you’re on your way to meeting your goal.

    Most of my days I spent at the library pecking away at the keys in isolation. Writing is a something you can only do alone. Therefore, I looked forward to participating in the write-ins where a group of us gather at a library or coffee shop and just write. It’s more like a cathartic environment where we all support each other without collaborating in the writing process. How many words did you write? Or, let’s see how many words you can write in twelve minutes - I got over 350; the winner over 500.

    One write-in, a few women sat around a table without any writing materials or computer. The organizer of the group was dumbfounded when they asked, how do you know what to write or where to begin? I instinctively thought about Regina Brett’s book, “God Never Blinks” one of the chapters talks about writing where she astutely says, if you want to write, just write. That is what I did for my first “so-called” book and into my fourth. I had a germ of an idea and just wrote - surprisingly my characters developed into something I never thought possible – the beauty of “NaNoWriMo. I think these individuals wanted someone to give them a quick fix, a formula – this is how it’s done, etc. It’s similar to writing a school paper, the teacher gives you the assignment but ultimately it is up to you to write it and what you’ve learned from the assignment.

    The best write-in was at the Cleveland Heights Library on Lee Road. The librarian brought out an entire shelf of books about “NaNoWriMo” and hand outs: how to develop a character (Character Worksheet) and scenes (Editing Review Sheet). I took a few of those handouts when I’m ready to go back through my “draft” and begin to edit; first, however, I need to finish it.

    Why am I apprehensive about finishing my first draft? Quite honestly, I’m not entirely sure. Perhaps the fear of the finished draft that says to me, what will I do with it now? I find it hard to edit blog posts let alone editing an entire book of well over 50,000 words.

    At another write-in, a few more women were there talking to a few of us about how we began our story. It was twenty questions about this or that; the woman was giving me a headache and she was becoming very annoying when she asked if she can read my work. I flatly said, “No!” She was so worried about all this research she needed to do that she was missing out what “NaNoWriMo” is all about – just write and develop your craft. For me at least, it is the discovery that I can write dialogue and build characters that hopefully makes sense. Moreover, it is putting together your experiences into a cohesive manner. To piggy back on what Regina Brett said, writing it down instead of procrastinating about what to write; you’re missing out on the experience. Just like I’m afraid of finishing, these women were afraid to start.
   
    I told another woman what Regina Brett mentioned in her book, “just write.” Oh, I can’t do that she said. I want to take a writing class with other writers. That is perfectly fine to do that but eventually you will need to put pen to paper or fingers to your computer keys. On the same vein, I do remember taking a writing workshop at, “The LIT” several years ago on Fairhill Road. I was extremely nervous because I never really wrote before where I needed to read for the class. I was intimidated when a girl read first and her work was so professional with hundred-dollar-words. We had an in class assignment and I wrote about my mother and the instructor really like it. Why, because I wrote from the heart. I wanted to type it out, and cherish it. I lost it!

     There was another girl at the write-in writing that I was very impressed with. She was in high school and was writing during the evenings. She was applying to colleges, doing her homework and writing during the wee hours of the night. That is what you do when you’re young – you try to do it all no matter how tired you are. I told her my story when I was a senior in high school, I wrote this term paper on F. Scott Fitzgerald on a typewriter where I needed to place the footnotes at the bottom of each page. Can I tell you, that process took me the entire night to finish? I remember my Dad coming down to the kitchen early in the morning to get ready for work and he looked at me surprisingly that I was still pecking away at the electric typewriter.
   
    At my last write-in, another girl wrote her book in long hand. I asked her how she knew she reached her goal? She estimated how many words she wrote per page. As I thought about her process, it might be the best way to write because you’re not editing as you go. During “NaNoWriMo” you shouldn’t be editing, but I do. I read the last paragraph I wrote the night before and edit a few words here and there. If I didn’t do that, I might have more words in my count. I ended 2013 with 58,100 words and some change. Not bad for not deciding until the last minute to do it again this year.

    I’m not entirely sure why I continue to write unfinished books; they are new when I begin and someday I will surprise myself and finish one of them. My characters are an amalgamation of people that I know and crazy experiences that I’ve witnessed. What I enjoy most is having a goal every night and reaching it; creating dynamic characters and dialogue that adds to the story and interweaving my experiences into something that hopefully will interest a reader. Perhaps I should set a goal of finishing.


National Novel Writing Month (November 1 - 30)
www.nanowrimo.org



Regina Brett
http://www.reginabrett.com

The LIT closes it doors in 2011
http://www.cleveland.com/books/index.ssf/2011/08/the_lit_clevelands_organizatio.html

Gulp. Book Review

My fascination with the human body led me to read, “Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal.” I learned about the amazing salivary gland (we generate two to three pints of saliva daily), flatus (gas), the stomach and the colon. This book is not for those individuals with a weak stomach; Mary Roach gets into the “gross” stuff with brilliance. You want to learn more even though it’s not pleasant at times. For example, one chapter she discusses how we in the U.S. eat the meaty (normal) parts of the animal but neglect the organ meats or “offal” or “glandular” meats that is loaded with essential Vitamins, A and C. It’s these little “tidbits” of knowledge that is told with humor and interest that sold me on this book.

The Alimentary Canal is an area of the body that a lot of people probably wouldn’t attempt research for a book. Bluntly, food is eaten, broken down then expelled. Every human body works the same if your squeamish or not; I’m even more amazed about my body as I finished this book. Here are just a few details I picked up.

Eating Prejudices

We don’t eat organ meat because by the time we are 10 years old, our prejudices are set and it is hard to change them; we eat what our parents cook for us. As I read this chapter, I remember thinking that when I was a child living in a Greek household, I loved spinach and I was embarrassed to tell anyone. Now, it’s in the grocery stores in clear cellophane packages that is rich in iron. My parents ate more obscure, organ delicacies: lamb’s brain that is made during the Easter Holiday. I am not usually fussy about food, but I didn’t attempt that wild fare. I did, however, eat tripe (stomach lining from farm animals) while my sister and I visited Italy. We both thought, why not! I must admit, it was terrific.

If people just tried stuff without scrutinizing everything, then we wouldn’t have to waste so much food. I remember sitting at a restaurant and the waiter mentioned they’re special “goat cheeks.” My friend nodded and said, “No thank you.” It didn’t sound bad to me. Several years ago, I visited a friend’s house and she had chilled tongue. She offered me a slice and I took it gladly. It was wonderful. I’ll try anything.

 

Saliva

“Saliva has anti-clumping properties, which discourage bacterial from forming colonies on the teeth and gums.” Moreover, I often use my saliva to clean a wound by sucking it. It has cleaning properties that can be done effectively if you spill something on your shirt.

Saliva breaks down food but interestingly it also balances the pH in your mouth. The author writes; if you taste vinegar or anything acidic, the saliva will increase until the mouth is regulated in a safe pH. Genius!

As a Greek, the end of the chapter talks about Greeks spitting to get rid of the evil eye. I do remember that growing up. They might not actually spit but go through the motions, by saying, “ftou ftou ftou,” which I thought was great that the author included this little bit of out-of-the-ordinary history. Another special feature of this book, researching other cultures that relates to “saliva” in a nontraditional way.

The Colon

This was probably the most interesting part of the book for me because I’m too familiar with bouts of constipation. Quite frankly, it’s not a laughing matter. You feel bloated and not comfortable because the food that you ate a few days ago is still “stuck” in your colon. Everyone’s heard that Elvis died on the toilet, but he had horrible problems with constipation. His doctor said, “His girth fluctuated between big and stupendous. He was pushing and pushing. Holding his breath” (p. 296-297). The author describes the “megacolon” that is a monstrosity that is on display at the Mütter Museum, in Philadelphia. If you think about it: if something is wrong with your body such as not being able to expel fecal matter, then it adjusts by increasing the size of the colon so the material stays in tact. The body adjusts when it has to survive. I also learned that you can die by struggling and straining in the bathroom or “defecation-associated sudden death.” Admittedly, I got a little nervous about that tidbit.

Research, and detailed notes about our bodies kept me reading. I was awestruck by it all. I can keep going about all the interesting facts and research that Mary Roach did for this book. So when you have gas in your system it’s called “flatus” for one; second, it’s methane build up where the body regulates what it needs to do to keep us on track. I am amazed with all the things that can go wrong with the body and it seems to work perfectly most of the time.

As 2013 is nearing the end, I give “Gulp,” an enthusiastic thumbs up as a good, factual read that stunned me and caused me pause at times.

 

Mary Roach, “Gulp. Adventures on the Alimentary Canal”

Science News - Book Review https://www.sciencenews.org/article/gulp

Local Cleveland Fun

Hello fall! You are not my favorite season for it begins to darken at 7 PM and the weather cools. However, I have been able to ride my bike to Edgewater Park and the Transformer Station with minimal extra clothing. My thinking is: if I wear more than a tank top and shorts, it’s too cold. To my surprise, this fall has been warm for Cleveland and I can still do summer-like activities.

Last week, I rode in the sun with temperatures in the 70’s - strange for Cleveland. I was in my glory, for sure. Suddenly, a big black cloud appeared and rain poured for at least 30-minutes. Luckily, I was able to seek refuge in a pavilion near by. I sat and waited until the rain quieted to a light mist. It was warm enough that I could ride through the wetness without getting chilled. It felt more like summer rain rather than fall that chills you down to the bone. You need to stand in the shower for several minutes before you are warm enough to get out.

Everyone loves fall for the bright orange, yellow and red leaves. I do too in some respects but my backyard is already accumulating bright orange and yellow leaves – very soon, however, my tree will be bare. Next, the white snowflakes will hang on the branches and drop to the ground. Beautiful for a day or two, then I will be hauling that darn shovel to clear my driveway. A task I should just, “Get-over-it” but it’s sometimes never ending. The way I look at it now, there are still plenty of “bike-riding” days to come. As time continues, I will be planting my garden soon.

Cleveland Flea

Linoleum Block done in School

If you like local vendors and anything Cleveland, I highly recommend attending the Cleveland Flea on East 55 Street. A diverse neighborhood that is finding its niche - buy local and help our community thrive. Some of the stands distributed: local honey; handmade soaps (Soap Alchemy http://www.soapalchemy.com ); soaking salts for your feet; dishtowels with simplified linoleum prints of birds and trees by “Tart Boutique” www.etsy.com/shop/clevelandtart (I remember doing those prints in grade school); vintage furniture repurposed into inventive coffee tables, a table that holds cold beer, bookshelves and knobs that you can hang your keys; vintage clothing that you will never see another person wear and endless jewelry vendors. Take your pick!

I was so overwhelmed by all the vendors that distributed their wares. I wondered around for a bit so I can get my bearings – what did I want to see and/or buy. Since I rode my bike, I didn’t have many options to buy anything big or breakable. I’ve heard about this flea on the radio and I was just curious by checking it out. In describing how crowded it was, a vendor told me that there was a long line at 8 AM just to set up your tent. I got there at 9:45 AM and the cars were already lined up along East 55. Bring it on . . . help Cleveland’s economy. A very positive event that many walked away with merchandise in their hands as they walked to their cars. I “bike-boxed” it.

As the holidays approach, I will consider bringing my car to hopefully take home some rare finds. I believe that people are looking for inventive gifts and creative household items to buy. I just heard on the radio that now, Macy’s is also going to open on Thanksgiving evening for the Holiday season. Seriously! How bad do you really want that “junk” made in China or Bangladesh? Unless someone is giving away a free iPad, I won’t even bother standing in those ridiculous lines. I’m outraged! Take a stand, Buy local!

Last year for the holidays, I bought local at the Holiday Fest on Superior Avenue and made a drawings as gifts. I rather have those items as gifts then something from Target that will far apart within a year.

Nothing in Cleveland to do!

The Cleveland Flea - Second Saturday of the month.
http://theclevelandflea.com/classes-events/

Third Friday at 78 Street Studios - Detroit-Shoreway
http://78thstreetstudios.com/maps

ArtCraft Holiday Show 2013 will be on Saturday, December 7 & Sunday, December 8, 2013!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ArtCraft-Holiday-Sale/151694151541624?hc_location=timeline

PechaKucha at Cleveland Museum of Art

Screen Capture from PechaKucha web site

It’s PechaKucha Night at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s MIX Event. What’s that, you might ask? It is creating a presentation using 20 slides that cycles every 20 seconds. The trick is to choreograph your presentation so the correct slide is in sync with your talk. I did it once but not in front of hundreds of people that normally attends PechaKucha.

I did a small version in front of 50 people that was just as stressful (Mine was about my artistic ability that could have been more focused instead of adding my education). The trick is to be interesting and have a focused theme to your presentation. Regardless if your presentation is fantastic or not, the crowd always claps and cheers. Nothing is worse than standing in front of a crowd and be engaging and entertaining.

I have seen good ones and fair ones; I hail the presenters for standing there and talking to strangers about their passion, business and artistic prowess. One of my favorite venue was in the Warehouse District’s Hoyt block on West 6 in an architectural hideaway - first event in ten years. I remember one guy talked about printing and Thomas Mulready of CoolCleveland delivered the best presentation. It was several years ago and I still remember his confident delivery. I was blown away as I listened among the discarded boulders, and broken-down seating. That was my first one.

The Cleveland Museum of Art’s atrium is a stellar place to have PechaKucha because it holds thousands of people. It always brings in the crowds for whatever reason.  Currently, the atrium has the Ai Weiwei Zodiac heads (huge bronze sculptures of the Chinese cyclical year) that is a wonderful backdrop. Moreover, your slides are viewed high above the audience on the old 1916 building – how cool is that? There isn’t a bad place where one can’t hear or see the slides.

Since I was volunteering, I was only able to see two presenters. Tom Lix from Cleveland Whiskey showed his new business venture – brewing whiskey in Cleveland. He said that Cleveland is the perfect place to start a business. Yeah! He boasted that he was selling 1000 bottles of whiskey when he first began shipping the product; now, it’s well beyond that. Moreover, Cleveland Whiskey will be selling a Christmas flavor that is currently being shipped. What I liked about Tom’s presentation: the photos with the fermentation tanks; his staff wearing Christmas hats that were eagerly packing the Christmas whiskey; and the product itself, a beautiful clear bottle with “Cleveland” typography printed vertically (I always notice graphically pleasing products); Tom exhibited humor when his slides didn’t coordinate exactly with what he was saying. He spoke casually and his passion was easily seen how much whiskey and Cleveland means to him.

Next, Jack Ricchiuto spoke about the meaning of happiness. One statistic struck me, Harvard graduates achieving professional success as it turns out, a good percentage weren’t happy. As Jack spoke, I thought what makes me happy. Obviously having money adds to the ability to afford things that can make you happy. For me that would be the ability to travel and spend money on frivolous stuff – an avant-garde, one-of-a-kind outfit, for example. However, I’ve also found out that you don’t have to spend much money to be creative and essentially be happy.

My joys as I’ve expressed on many blog posts stems from being in my garden and knowing how to grow flowers, plants and have a thriving garden. Many times I’ve planted a dried up plant that I didn’t know would survive. I’ll never forget, I bought this plant from Aldi’s consisting of two long sticks where the leaves had fallen off. Furthermore, it sat idle for the longest time; I firmly believed it was dead. My neighbor said, “Oh, just give it time, it’ll grow.” I’ll be damned; this plant not only survived but I have to trim it three times a year because it won’t stop growing. It is those little things that gives me purpose.

Volunteering at the homeless shelter’s computer lab where I can “make someone’s day” by being friendly and caring. Many times I have “topics of the day” where I get residents to discuss current events – what’s important to them. I believe that it gives them a few minutes to “forget” where they are and focus on something else.

Lastly, I enjoy attending events where I can be myself and meet new people. Interestingly, I am an introvert but I do get my energy by being with people for a short time. Hence, that is why I am currently volunteering at the Cleveland Museum of Art not listening to the majority of the presentations; I’m busy making sure visitors find what they’re looking for and just being friendly.

As a friend of mine eloquently stated, “When you are on your deathbed, the last thing on your mind is work!”

PechaKucha at Hoyt Block
http://www.pechakucha.org/cities/cleveland/events/50b3ff71f3b43bdb0b0006d4

Observing and Reacting Photographs by Angelo Merendino

This photo is not in exhibit but I liked the photo

I enthusiastically walk into The Cleveland Print Room gallery for their new photography show; I instantly see a walker in the middle of the room. My first thought was, did someone leave this or does it belong to somebody? No, on both accounts. It is part of the show. The show, “Observing and Reacting” is eloquent and touching; photographer Angelo Merendino takes the viewer through his wife’s battle with cancer in a dramatic way – large black-and-white photographs show people gazing at a young woman in a walker. Their expressions alone says it all – why is a young woman on a walker?

For me, this show instantly transported me back when my mother was also battling cancer. The hair loss, the lethargy, countless radiology and chemo treatments was my life for 15 months. In a bold statement I will say, I hate cancer. It withers people down to bare bones and a life where they can barely function. They can’t eat because food tastes like crap. The look on their face – why is this happening to me; what did I do to deserve this? My answer is absolutely Nothing!

I see this beautifully in photographer, Merendino’s work. You see people walking along living their lives; suddenly, they see a woman on a walker; they’re taken aback. Who is this person? Why is she struggling so in this walker? I also love the work that Merendino doesn’t show his wife in full view, just a glimpse – the edge of the walker and people’s gasp says it all. You can’t help but think, life is so incredibly short. You take for granted those simple pleasures – walking down the street and feeling the bright sun on your face without the aid of a walker.

I can’t help but also feel the courage of Menendino’s wife, Jennifer, walk those streets with so many people gawking, not understanding what cancer feels like. I don’t know either but many times I had to cajole my mother in getting out of bed and go to the doctor. Had I known that she would only live 15 months, I would have told her, “Stay in bed, relax and do what you want.” And, forget about those damn radiation treatments.

I saw her get thinner and thinner day after day. She was embarrassed that I saw her in her most vulnerable state – her lithe body where she could barely get in the tub for a shower. “Get out she would say; I don’t want you to see me like this.” I’m sure she thought, “I’m the mother and I should be taking care of you, not the reverse.”

I feel the same when I see these dramatic, large prints of Jennifer walking around the streets of New York City. I don’t need your pity; I’m just trying to get through the day. The prints are so meticulously clear and concise that I feel that I’m walking right along with her. I wish I was – perhaps holding her arm so she can cross the street. She was so young – but you can’t tell with her hairless head. I admire her courage that she tried her best to live life to the fullest, pain and all.

The beginning of the show, there is a photo of Jennifer in her walker (the only one in full view) in a stripped sun dress, so frail. These words are so moving, “Today I am sad. I feel like the girl who has cancer. The girl who doesn’t want to get out of bed . . . . the girl who people stare at because of my bald head.”

At first, I didn’t understand why a bald woman so young stood with a walker until I read those sad words. I understand somewhat the struggle she faced every day. I am compassionate with anyone whose day begins with a cancer pill or being dropped off at a chemo treatment. My heart goes out to each and everyone one of them.

Please see this show, for the strength of a young woman battling cancer. For the love and compassion of a spouse wanting to keep her memory alive by photographing her everyday no matter how mundane.

The show is available until October 27, 2013
www.clevelandprintroom.com

Food that’s Junk - Book Review

By Michael Moss

Diet Coke, Pepsi, boxed lunches and/or potato chips are so bad that I try not to consume them. Okay, at parties I will gravitate towards the chips but I try to work it off by the next day. I usually eat vegetables, salads and once a week I eat meat with water as my main drink. I don’t have an over-consumption problem but many do. What is it about “junk food” that many can’t resist the temptation to over eat?

I recently read, “Salt, Sugar, Fat” by Michael Moss that solidifies that obesity is a serious problem; manufacturers of “convenience” products add so much salt, sugar and fat that we can’t help ourselves but to continually eat more. Nothing in is this book was anything that I didn’t already know – how bad processed foods are but it was interesting to learn how manufacturers purposely “draw-us-in” to eating massive amounts of this food. Everyone should read this book and fight against manufacturers that produce food that really shouldn’t be eaten.

Now that I read this book, I look even closer to how much salt is in our products especially Italian sausage that I eat sporadically. I’m not a fake; I really do enjoy eating vegetables but I do crave meat sometimes. A package of five sausages and each link has 770 mg (32%) of salt with 24 g of fat (37%). I am now looking at the frozen package, which now I have to reevaluate if I will ever buy this again. Unbelievable! No wonder a high percentage of people are gaining weight. 

According to the author of “Salt, Sugar, Fat” we should only be getting 2300 mg per day and if you have diabetes, hypertension or kidney disease it should only be 1500 mg – less than a teaspoon a day. After I just ate that sausage, I’m pretty much done with my salt intake. If you eat all your meals from a box, it’s not hard to surpass that salt limit.

The author further discusses the difference between salt and sodium. Salt isn’t the real problem it is “sodium,” which is a chemical element in salt. Consequently, everyone needs salt in their diet to be healthy but as I described the sausage above, everyone consumes more than ten times the recommended dosage; hence, obesity and high blood pressure. You would think that all the salt shakers should be banned but during a study in the early 90’s the salt shaker was not the problem – adding sodium to packaged food was the culprit.

In the manufacturers defense, sodium is added so products won’t taste like cardboard. Cargill (largest supplier of salt and other grains) tested a new product that wasn’t as bad as sodium, potassium chloride. It’s salt without the bad properties of sodium. However, a few problems resulted: higher cost and research showed kidney problems for the elderly and children. With this new development, it wasn’t considered a good argument to switch.

Depending on the usage, as in chips or cereal, the salt is added differently. Salt is produced in grades: a light flake or heavy depending on its usage. The book discussed many scientific studies on the best practices in salt utilization along with sugar and fat.

What I learned that was interesting is that there is a “bliss point” or formula for products from sugary snacks and/or drinks to salty potato chips. This means that there is a point when a product becomes either too sugary or not sugary enough. Hence, manufacturers conduct studies on finding this “tipping point” on how much sugar is adequate for optimum consumption; again, it is all in the science. The author spoke with many scientists that perfected their “products” so we consumers will crave increasingly.

How did these “convenient” products hit the shelves anyway? It began when families got busy and the women entered the workforce. It became increasingly hard to cook all meals from scratch. Moreover, the “Leave it to Beaver” mother having the dinner on the table was becoming a thing of the past. Women didn’t have time for this arduous task.
My favorite story in the book is how a scientist (Al Clausi) began his career at General Foods creating instant pudding. He took the time down from hours to a mere 30 minutes –patented formula that took him over two years to perfect. Right before Clausi had his patent, a competitor perfected their instant pudding but the problem was it kept thickening (the chemical reaction wouldn’t stop), turning it to rubber. Clausi studied the coagulation of milk and thickening process that made him a legend at General Foods - Patent No. 2,801,924. Genius! Instant Jell-O pudding that we’ve taken for granted is now a product mainstay.

Stories such as these were interwoven into the book that created depth and understanding of the complex issues that is not easy to solve. How do we get manufacturers to create healthy products? I travel down the aisles to tons of varieties of cereal to some of the worse products – “Lunchables.” This product was created to entice consumers to eat boloney by making it fun. Marketing, commercials, fun packaging is over loading us as consumers to buy – convenience and ease.

Now that I’ve read this book, I am more conscious than ever about “salt,” my vice. Even my sugarless Whole Wheat Brand Flakes cereal has 170 mg of salt without the milk. And, I am avoiding Italian sausages with an overabundance of salt that I will need an extra bottle of water to flush out my system.

As I read books and watch documentaries, I remember what a nutritionist said – buy ingredients not food. Preparing your food is not only healthy and good for you but you know what’s in there – not ingredients that you can’t pronounce. For me, if food is in a box, I keep on going.

I highly recommend this book but it might be unsettling at times.

Moss, Michael (2013) Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us.
http://www.amazon.com/Salt-Sugar-Fat-Giants-Hooked/dp/1400069807

Summer Mode

I’m having the Fall Blues. I realize as I’m sitting here gazing out into the blazing hot sun that summer is practically over. It doesn’t seem so as the temperature will reach 90 degrees today on September 10. Even so, I crave the sunshine and activities that summer brought this year. It seems like I keep revisiting all the things I was able to do and some that I completely missed. Summer is the time of year that I wait for all year long. Summer is just too short.

This summer I tried to ride my bike to some events but I wasn’t as successful as I should have been. I rode to a few of my Transformer Station volunteer shifts on Saturdays, the Garden Walk and the Larchmere Arts Festival in early July. I could have done more to reduce my car emissions and get exercise to boot. I guess it was better than nothing. I find excuses that I need my car to transport my computer or I need to go to the grocery store. On a positive note, I am seeing more bike riders traveling to their destinations. I am also seeing more cars getting angry that cyclists are clogging their precious streets. Please share the road. Like it or not, there are more cyclists opting to pedal than operating a vehicle. Get over it!

I did walk down my street for the North Collinwood free concert series that began in early June until August 30. There was Eighty’s music and blues; there were local bands and some from New York. Local residents gathered along with others from other neighborhoods listening to fabulous tunes and gazing out along Lake Erie. The sunsets are different every time – the sky glows in brilliant orange and red; other times there is a thin pink line along the horizon. The clouds interrupted the sun. That is what makes living along the lake so special. These unexpected pleasures.


Transformer Station

The Transformer Station in July was the place to be. There were five fantastic concerts at the same caliber as the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Solstice Party. The first night, a husband and wife team (Amadou & Mariam) performed an Afro-pop sound that reached well beyond West 29 and Church. The first night was a hit-or-miss that maybe a few residents will patrol the street just to see what band will be performing. Some thought it would be some local talent. To everyone’s surprise, the performers were outside the U.S. playing on a giant stage. The word-of-mouth of these stellar performances got out that by July 31, people couldn’t wait to experience these concerts. I’m still thinking about them; I hope they will add more in 2014. Pencil it in!

Not only were there free concerts all over the city, but art. I mentioned the Transformer Station with Todd Hido’s, Silver Meadows retrospective that highlighted photos and characters that made you think – what is going on here? Winter scenes and women in stiletto heels. Every time I walked through the door, I saw something that sparked a new thought.

Cleveland Print Room

Recently, I headed out to Cleveland Print Room to view these beautiful black-and-white portraits that were amazing. The photographer used FILM and took the time to “look” at his subjects. I was struck by how clear his images were. I felt immediately immersed into the culture and country sides of Africa and Asia. One of my favorite images was an intimate view of a woman (the wrinkles and blemished skin) dressed in black where the hard work she endured was easily seen - her eyes a metaphor into her soul. She reminded me of Greek widows in Greece dressed head-to-toe in black. You can feel their every day struggles – their expressionless faces. Eyes piercing the photo paper. I didn’t know them but I can emphasize with them.



Carrie Mae Weems

The Cleveland Museum of Art has a retrospective of Carrie Mae Weems on view until September 29. Again, I love black-and-white photographs and Weems has a brilliant array that boldly addresses race, gender and class - the clarity alone transports you into the artists viewpoint. Her “coffee table” series makes you think: what it’s like to live in poverty; raising a child and reflecting on choices you’ve made. A woman is sitting at the “kitchen table” where everyday things happen – she is helping her daughter with homework; she is arguing with her husband or significant other. It’s mundane scenarios where discussions and “real life” happens at the kitchen table.

My favorite, however, is the black-and-white video titled: “Cornered.” There are two video screens that are hung in a corner where the 1960s Boston riots are happening. I like the concept of polarization where neither side is listening. The riots occurred because schools were forced to desegregate - forced busing. This continually happens today when everyone talks and/or shouts. You do feel “cornered” where you don’t know where to go.

Everyone can’t wait to wear their fall clothes consisting of turtlenecks, closed-toe shoes and wool pants. No thank you. Just give me my sandals and sundresses, please!

Fall Events

Ingenuity Festival - September 20, 21, and 22.

http://ingenuitycleveland.com

Sparx City Hop - Saturday September 21, 11am until 9PM

http://www.downtowncleveland.com/events/sparx-city-hop.aspx

Chalk Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art - Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22
http://www.clevelandart.org/

Cleveland Botanical RIPE Festival - September 21 and 22
www.cbgarden.org