Comfortable Shoes for a Cause

I tend to prefer a heel with my shoes, preferably in a good boot. Being one of the tallest girls in school when I was younger - as well as the shy, new kid with the funny accent - it took me until I was an adult to not only be proud of my height, but realize I'm more comfortable in heels. It's one of the things I admire about one of my nieces - she's 5'11" and has always celebrated her height, and worn shoes that make her even taller. 

But sometimes your feet need a break in a comfortable flat. The flats I found in a Marie Claire article (Feel-Good Fashion: Friends of Finn) are not only rather funky, they're for a good cause. Being a huge dog lover, of course I think the little doggie bones decorating the shoes are pretty cute as well.

When the author of the article, Amanda Hearst, found her Dachshund/Chihuahua mix, Finnegan, she was told he came from a loving breeder. After finding out that he actually came from a puppy mill, she worked with the Humane Society and formed the HSUS' Friends of Finn (FOF):

"Three years ago, I bought my dog, Finnegan, at a pet store in New York City. I know what you're thinking: Why not adopt from a shelter? It's true, adoption is ideal, but one glance at Finn and I was done—you can't help who, or what, you love. Sure, I'd heard the stats: More than 90 percent of pet store dogs are from puppy mills, those notorious facilities where female dogs are bred until they die and animals are forced to live in cramped, crippling crates. But the shopkeeper told me Finn was from a trusted, loving breeder, even giving me his family tree. Well, that was a lie. With help from the Human Society of the United States (HSUS), I did research into Finn's background and learned that he was, in fact, among that 90 percent. Even worse, his mother was still there and likely never to get out.

That's when I formed the HSUS' Friends of Finn (FOF), a group that raises money and awareness to end the billion-dollar puppy mill industry in this country. Two years, more than a half a million dollars raised, and several puppy mill raids later, I'm excited to debut our first fashion collaboration: special-edition Soludos espadrilles to benefit FOF. The one-of-a-kind pattern, which I helped design, consists of tiny dog bones, a nod to the cause. And they're unisex."

I applaud Amanda in her efforts. So why not wear something comfortable that's also for a good cause? Besides, it's a rather fun way to celebrate our furry friends in the process.

Hurricane Sandy

I do believe this is the longest I've gone without making a blog post - a little too long. As can be seen in the previous post, I was a bit busy for awhile...but, it's about time I got back to more regular writing again. It's also important to write about something as catastrophic as Hurricane Sandy - to acknowledge the unimaginable loss and devastation that so many in the northeast are experiencing.

Most of my family, and many friends, live all up and down the east coast. Of all the places I've lived, New England is home to me, but I also love New York, the mountains, and especially the ocean. But, a hurricane is a blunt reminder that although the sea is beautiful, it's also very powerful. Having experienced a few hurricanes myself, I know the damage they can cause. With one as huge as Hurricane Sandy, the destruction and loss is overwhelming. 

My heart goes out to everyone who is experiencing the brutal consequences of this storm. Remember you are on so many people's minds, and will be in so many prayers across the nation. May you have the strength and community to help you. And may God bless you all with relief, comfort, and speedy healing.

 

The flooded Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial (downtown 
 Annapolis, Maryland) after Hurricane Sandy, Oct. 30, 2012.
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh) 

Caretaking

For many years prior to her passing, my father was a caretaker for my mother. He helped her with everything, and stood by her for years. I've also seen some very good friends do the same with their significant others or a parent. It's a hard place to be.

In my former job, I took care of many clients with many different needs. We had to know how to do just about everything and I was able to teach them a lot, and learned a great deal myself in the process. It always seemed like I worked constantly - crisis after crisis, continuous phone calls...usually at the detriment of taking care of myself. When that finally ended a few months ago, and all the dust was settled, there was admittedly a sigh of relief.

And then I became a caretaker myself. And this one was 24/7. 

Often times we can't see why things happen the way they do. But, in my case, I never would have been available to help my fiance go through a horrible nine hour back surgery, overwhelming pain, a week in the hospital, and the work once he got home - for both of us. Now almost eight weeks post-op, his recovery has come a long way. He still needs help, but not the constant assistance he needed before. He is still unable to bend, lift, or twist for another four weeks or more, and continues to wear the back brace.

Frankly, I think he's brave, and strong, and determined. I am so glad to see him grow healthier and stronger every single day.

And the coolest thing is that after months of walking more and more bent over, he is once again looking me straight in the eye - and walking tall and proud. 

Was I overwhelmed at times? Yes. Am I still overtired? Yes. Would I change the fact that I have been able to care for him, help him get better, and be the one he relies on? Not for a minute.

In Honor of Fidel

There are many friends we meet throughout our lives...some come in and out, and some are lifelong friends. We lost one of the latter yesterday - and one of the best - in Fidel.

For three years we saw Fidel's struggle and determination to fight his way back, but he dealt with problems and complications that always seemed to set him back. But, a fighter he was.

A vibrant, interesting, intelligent, and genuinely sweet man, Fidel was also hilariously funny, loud, and outspoken - and he generally had most of the people around him laughing. With his Nigerian-English accent, his voice was as classy and unique as he was. I am so sad that such a larger-than-life, dynamic, spirited person with such a big heart was taken from us way too soon.

We will miss you, Fidel. That wonderful, hearty laugh. The teasing and the sarcasm - which was always quite entertaining - and the upbeat attitude. Your sense of humor was only surpassed by your courage. And the many, many people who spent so much time in the hospital with you was a real testament to not only the kind of person you were, but how much you were loved. 

The world will be a little less sunny without your light in it, and all your friends will always miss you. Rest in peace, dear friend.

 "May the Lord bless you and keep you..." (Num. 6:24)

A Tribute to Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak passed away last week at the age of 83. He was a beloved author known for his children's books with wonderful stories and illustrations...and an imagination that seemed to know no limitations.

In an interview with Stephen Colbert earlier this year, Mr. Sendak was asked why he wrote for children. He said:

"I don't write for children. I write, and somebody says, 'That's for children'… I like them as few and far between as I do adults."

But the writer is more than just a bone-picking curmudgeon: "There is something in this country that is so opposed to understanding the complexity of children," he said.

He also wrote very different, and much darker, material than most authors of children's books. Noted in an article by the New York Times:

In book after book, Mr. Sendak upended the staid, centuries-old tradition of American children’s literature, in which young heroes and heroines were typically well scrubbed and even better behaved; nothing really bad ever happened for very long; and everything was tied up at the end in a neat, moralistic bow.

Mr. Sendak’s characters, by contrast, are headstrong, bossy, even obnoxious. (In “Pierre,” “I don’t care!” is the response of the small eponymous hero to absolutely everything.) His pictures are often unsettling. His plots are fraught with rupture: children are kidnapped, parents disappear, a dog lights out from her comfortable home.

Perhaps that is why his books have been loved by children and adults for years. His sense of humor, creativity, and perspective was fresh, and very unique. 

His favorite book was "Higglety Pigglety Pop!: Or There Must Be More to Life," but his most famous was "Where the Wild Things Are." 

I found myself having to visit a little local bookstore in Linden Hills in South Minneapolis: Wild Rumpus. Although mainly for kids, it's a favorite store for many adults too. The store has a smaller front door within the regular door for children, and many real animals hanging out throughout the place. The entire atmosphere of the store is quite fitting to its name - you can't help but think of Maurice Sendak when you stop by. The store's name, after all, was taken from his most famous book, when Max was "dancing with the monsters in a wild rumpus."

Mr. Sendak will be greatly missed. But, fortunately, his legacy will remain in print to be enjoyed for many years to come. 

 

© Photograph by C.Y. Hunter

Some Fun Ways to Tie Scarves

I love wearing scarves all year round. A versatile accessory, a scarf can add color and style to an otherwise neutral outfit. Although there's nothing like the silkiest ones, even on the coldest winter day, there are many other soft, flowing fabrics. Whether wrapped around your neck in different ways, in your hair as a headband, tied around a high ponytail, used as a belt, or attached to a purse strap, scarves can be used in so many ways. I love to loop one around my black leather bag - it not only adds some color and a bit of style, it can also be pretty handy when I want to tie my hair back (anyone with long hair can attest to this one).

Found on Scarf Knots, this fun, well-done YouTube Video covers some great ways to tie scarves around your neck. There's a couple pretty creative ways I hadn't thought of...

The Joy of Books

As anyone can see from my ever growing list of books on this blog, I love to read. I go through phases with different types of books, but I always have at least one going at a time.

I always carry a large bag - it must fit a book, my camera, and a notebook or journal...it's important for writers to be able to jot down observations, after all.

A self-described Francophile (even more so after visiting France and feeling so at home there), I also love anything to do with Paris, Provence, and other wonderful towns in France. Well, pretty much anything French...the language, the fragrance of French Lavender, the food - the list goes on.

One of my favorite blogs is French Essence, for obvious reasons, but I particularly liked the writer's post near the end of March entitled The Joy of Reading. She talks about her love of reading like a true book lover:

"I have a feeling that you know how much I am smitten with books and reading. It got me thinking about why some are always close to the written word and why others aren't so inclined. I can't leave home without a book or my Kindle in the handbag, I can't catch a flight or board a train unless I am fully stocked with books... I carry enough print for all emergencies... delays, breakdowns, insomnia... I cannot be without my 'literary friends', ever. Perhaps some might consider this an eccentricity, I regard my attachment as essential... and I don't feel 'dressed' unless I have reading matter by my side. I have learned that life involves much waiting... waiting for appointments... waiting for children... waiting for friends... waiting at airports and train stations... just waiting. Reading helps pass the time and in a productive way... Reading can settle the nerves, lift the mood and most importantly teach. Reading can be a best friend and reading means you are never lonely..." 

"Our home in France is overflowing with books... coffee table tomes, fiction, non-fiction, dictionaries and encyclopedias... We might be seduced by our iPads and Kindles for on-the-move-convenience (and I would not want to live without either of these... they are an incredible luxury) but this has not and will not stop us collecting the hard copies... Books are about far more than content alone..."

 I have to say I agree wholeheartedly. What else can I possibly add to that except livres sont merveilleux!