Around our small townhouse these days, simplicity looks like this:
Eliminate an entire set of dishes. Just because retailers and manufacturers try to get us to buy entire sets of dinnerware doesn’t mean we have to. Buy only those dishes that work for you. We have discovered that using these plain, white, porcelain low bowls replaces dinner plates, salad plates and soup bowls. At 10″ diameter, they are durable and inexpensive at $2 to $3 each. You can find them at IKEA, Pottery Barn, West Elm or Crate & Barrel. This clears out an entire shelf in my kitchen cabinet. There is an added benefit. If we eat in the living room or serve many buffet style, the scooped edges keep food and sauces in the bowl and off your lap or napkin. We stack six of them in the corner of our kitchen counter for easy access. This corner is otherwise wasted space. Best of all, because they are inexpensive, if one breaks it’s not a disaster. Simply buy one more.
Right now I am looking for thick-walled clear glass tumblers to use for both hot and cold drinks. Hopefully with a wider base than the picture above so they won’t tip easily. This would eliminate a miriad of mugs, wine glasses, cold drink glasses, etc. If you use cups with saucers, it would eliminate those too. Again one item, many uses. Kitchen shelves with space here we come!
Similar to this picture, we are using three tall glasses to hold forks, spoons and knives for quick use on our counter top. This makes our ONE large kitchen drawer available for knives and other utensils. Of course jam jars, canning jars or even antique tea tins could serve the same purpose.
These sturdy, but beautiful cotton dish towels in bright, seasonal colors function as kitchen towels but also as cloth dinner napkins. Look for a flat weave or jacquard weave. One item, two uses. They are often on sale this time of year.
Live electric cables at the feet of children in Juarez, Mx
Dublin and Paris are nice. But they give us a very limited view of the world. Not the world as it really is. The fact is that two thirds of the world lives in unimaginable poverty. We have a moral obligation to educate ourselves about what this means for the lives of others. We are all connected.
In 2004 I made my first trip to Juarez, Mexico. The purpose of this trip was to enter into the economic reality of the people living in Juarez, Mexico. Juarez is a city of 1.5 million people just across the border from El Paso, Texas. If it wasn’t for the U.S./Mexico border, the communities of Juarez and El Paso, Texas would appear to be one single community, much like my hometown of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Often it is difficult to tell where Minneapolis ends and St. Paul begins. However, in Juarez, because of the border they are not one community. Economically they are worlds apart.
The juncture of El Paso and Juarez is marketed as “the only place in the Western Hemisphere where the first world and the third world meet.” Although I avoid the use of the term “third world” which implies “third rate” or somehow “less than” and likewise implies that the “first world” is better or more than. I prefer the terms “global south” or “two thirds world.”
Upon arriving in El Paso, we noticed the nice middle class homes, manicured lawns, parks, and schools. In many ways it is similar to towns elsewhere in the United States. But when we crossed the border into Juarez things changed. The streets became gravel and the houses became corrugated metal and cardboard. People lived without electricity and plumbing. There were very few middle class neighborhoods and wide, green boulevards existed only in the industrial and commercial areas. Over the few days we visited, we spoke with many of the people living in Juarez. We came to learn that they work at the 350 U.S. and European factories there, that produce many of the name brand products and appliances that we use in the United States. The migrant house we stayed in, for example, was across the street from the Proctor Silex factory. People work in these factories for $4 a day. You read it correctly – not $40 a day, but $4 a day!
You might wonder if the cost of living is less in Juarez. So did we. So we made a trip to the local grocery store. Surprisingly the prices were the same or even higher than the prices at home. So, on $4 a day one can barely afford one meal much less attempt to feed an entire family and pay for housing, clothing etc. In Juarez, both parents work as well as any children over 12 years of age. For a family of four, this means they are trying to feed themselves on about $12 a day and pay for all other living expenses. It is an impossible task. That is why they are living in cardboard boxes with no electricity. And this is why our coffee makers, TV’s and clothing are so inexpensive. Components are shipped from the U.S. to Juarez. The cheap labor of the Mexican workers assembles the products and they are transported back to the U.S. for sale in our stores.
Death at the border, Juarez, Mx
The border between the U.S. and Mexico was supposed to be opened with the signing of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). Inherent in this agreement was the opening of the border to the free movement of people and goods. However, only Americans and their goods are moving freely across the border. The border is most definitely closed to Mexicans. Prior to the agreement Mexicans were able to move a little more freely between Mexico and the U.S. They often worked in El Paso during the day and returned to their homes and families at night. Now they cannot cross the border without risking being picked up or shot by the border patrol. Also, a 2,000-mile fence was installed just prior to NAFTA. I believe the factories in Juarez feared losing their cheap labor with the opening of the border and so pressured the Clinton administration to erect the fence. The border was further tightened in the Bush administration. We were informed that the U.S. spends around $2 billion each year to guard this border.
The fact is that Mexicans prefer to stay in Mexico. They do not want to move to the U.S. Like any of us they prefer to live in their own homeland. But they do need jobs that can support them and the jobs that pay better are in the U.S. Eliminating the border barriers would go a long way to raising wages in Mexico. With an open border, jobs in Juarez would need to pay more in order to compete with jobs paying minimum wage in El Paso. But corporations who own the factories in Juarez would prefer that the border remain closed and the wages remain immorally low and product prices remain cheaper than they truly should be.
Furthermore, this situation exists in factories around the world, for example in China and other Asian countries too. At bottom, this means we are living our lifestyles on the backs of other people. Someone mentioned that, nevertheless, it was generous for Americans to give up their paid vacations to visit Juarez. But this shows a lack of understanding of this entire economic situation. Companies can afford to provide us with “paid vacations” (ultimately paid for by whom?) and other benefits because the expenses for other items are so much less due to this cheap labor. Truly, everything we have (including paid vacations) is subsidized by this tragically cheap labor.
We spent our Easter Week in the colonias or neighborhoods of Juarez and talked with the people there. This was “mission in reverse.” We didn’t offer to do anything for them or build anything for them. How could we? It would have been arrogant for us to assume that we could possibly know what they might need. In truth, they are excellent builders and many worked in construction jobs here in the U.S. before the border was closed. Rather, we went to listen, and to hear their story. They wanted us to bring their story back and to share it with others here in the U.S. This situation (and others like it), can change only when many people in North America begin to understand this political and economic interdependence. This one situation illustrates the stark reality that everything from the clothes we wear to the many gadgets and appliances we use are very political. Our lifestyle choices and national trade policies have real consequences for others. We are crucifying others every day with our choices and policies.
What can you do? Educate yourself. Share what you learn with others. To learn more –
Click the video link below to see reality as it really is for many around the world, in order to support our North American lifestyle:
“All I need” video comparing lifestyles of typical U.S. kid and Global South kids.
World poverty ‘more widespread’ **
In this article the World Bank says there are more poor people in the world than previously thought, with one in four in poverty.
What does it mean to earn a living wage ? Notice how little is included in this calculation.
read journalist Mark Kramer’s fascinating journey to 7 of the world’s urban slums in his book, Dispossessed. If your library doesn’t have this book, change their selection. Ask that they order it for you.
Happiness is a choice and a habit. I have learned that how I feel on the inside does not depend on my exterior circumstances. Individuals like Ghandi and Etty Hillesum are well-known people who have demonstrated this for us. Be inspired. Read Etty Hillesum’s diary, An Interrupted Life.
Whether we are married or not, have children or not, are rich or not, has no bearing on our ability to be happy. Once our basic needs are met, if we choose happiness, life will open itself to us. Enjoy life fully and then, regardless of your circumstances, you will have had a wonderful life. If marriage, children, the job we want, etc. occur – then that is merely icing on the cake – is it not? If those things don’t happen, life is still good.
Since happiness is a choice why wouldn’t we choose it? Like learning to play the piano, choosing a life of happiness requires daily practice that keeps us healthy in body and mind.
How do we choose happiness habits? We choose them – or not – a thousand times each day. Here are some choices for happiness we can make today:
Play, skip, volunteer, exercise, stretch, build deeper relationships, read what inspires you, use your imagination, dance, cook for yourself, cook for others, sit and just listen, do nothing, listen to music, meet new people, smile, laugh, sing, enjoy nature, pray, meditate, find awe in the ordinary, be willing to be surprised, breathe deeply, discover yourself, enjoy time alone.
All that is required to choose happiness is to have our most basic needs met. That is why it is important to work for change so others’ basic needs are met – then they will have the ability to choose happiness too.
Choose happiness habits today!
Coming soon . . .
Recently this blog visited Paris and Dublin. Next time we are off to Juarez, Mexico. Join me.
On this eve of the day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a post on white privilege is appropriate. White privilege and racism are recent social constructs. The idea of differentiating between people based on skin color only begins the16th century as a way to justify chattel slavery in the New World.
It is difficult for those of lighter skin color to understand the devastating effects of racism in our culture. As a person of Northern European descent I will never know first hand what the experience of racism is like.
But I do know what the experience of white privilege is like. Those of us with light skin have very different everyday experiences. We are treated differently (meaning “better”) at the grocery store, at the bank or when we apply to a college for example. In addition, those of European descent benefit from wealth (primarily through land ownership which until recently in our history was prohibited to others) and other privileges that are unearned. The benefits of this unearned wealth can and does impact us for generations. Yet our society remains blind to these privileges. Education is the key to removing the blindness.
Removing the blindness is only the first step however. White privilege is embedded in our governmental, legal, educational, economic, religious and social structures. Structures and laws must be changed in order provide fair access for all.
What can we do? Learn more.
1. View the PowerPoint on White Privilege by Dr. Wing Sue – available on Google.
2. Listen to educator Tim Wise talk about the long term effects of white privilege on YouTube.
4. Be swept away into the Deep South, New Orleans in the 18th Century. My good friend J recommended writer Barbara Hambly’s series starting with A Free Man Of Color. Main character Benjamin January, an educated free person of color, deals with the reality of his life and times. He also solves mysteries. The series is entertaining while providing excellent socio-historical information on the evolution of white privilege and racism from the practice of chattel slavery. I have enjoyed all of her novels immensely.
In the end it is about remembering that we are all interconnected and interdependent. It’s not about teaching others “to fish.” People know how to fish. It’s about giving everyone equal access to the pond.
When everyone has equal access to the resources of our society, all of us will be better off.
Babette’s Feast (same name as the film) came about when I and two friends decided to prepare an autumn feast. One of us (not me;-))lived in a large, old, Victorian home in Hyde Park, Chicago.
We invited family and friends. I remember that my brother and his kids were visiting Chicago and joined us. We created a menu of autumn foods. Everyone was asked to bring one ingredient. No one knew what their ingredient would be used for.
When everyone arrived, guests were asked to help chop, slice, and prepare the food. People who had never met found themselves sharing a cutting board and cooking together. Apples were peeled. Pies were assembled. Chickens and vegetables were roasted with garlic, lemons and herbs. Rolls were baked.
Layers and layers of linens draped the table. Squashes, pumpkins, and if I recall, wheat, candles and bread decorated the center of the table. We even found Limoges china in a hidden cabinet in the dining room! We used it. Cloth napkins and wine glasses were carefully placed.
We all gathered. Candles were lit. Wine was poured. Thanksgiving was offered. Food was shared. Incense was burned. Cello, voice and piano entertained everyone afterward. It was an amazing dinner. An amazing evening.
Photo Babette's Feast
Over the years I continued to plan Babette’s Feasts. I have organized dozens of Babette’s Feasts with many diverse groups of people. The menu has been completely different each time. Seasonal and local food is used whenever possible.
People come, prepare, share a meal, celebrate and are changed. Many experience the healing of being with a healthy community for the first time in their lives. It is always a powerful experience.
It is lavish. It is extravagant. It is elegant. It is simple. It is not expensive. But it is eucharist, thanksgiving, hospitality experienced in a very profound way. It nourishes the body, refreshes the spirit and renews the soul. God is made present and She is smiling!
Photo Red Couch Recipes
Some of the best ways to get the feeling of Babette’s Feast is to watch the movies: Babette’s Feast, Chocolate, Amelie or Like Water for Chocolate. Some books that are fun and uplifting to read along the same line are The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister and the classic, Like Water for Chocolate.
Around our small townhouse these days, simplicity looks like this:
Right now I am looking for thick-walled clear glass tumblers to use for both hot and cold drinks. Hopefully with a wider base than the picture above so they won’t tip easily. This would eliminate a miriad of mugs, wine glasses, cold drink glasses, etc. If you use cups with saucers, it would eliminate those too. Again one item, many uses. Kitchen shelves with space here we come!
Similar to this picture, we are using three tall glasses to hold forks, spoons and knives for quick use on our counter top. This makes our ONE large kitchen drawer available for knives and other utensils. Of course jam jars, canning jars or even antique tea tins could serve the same purpose.
These sturdy, but beautiful cotton dish towels in bright, seasonal colors function as kitchen towels but also as cloth dinner napkins. Look for a flat weave or jacquard weave. One item, two uses. They are often on sale this time of year.
