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Lost in Wonderland (or Wasting Time on Pinterest)

Ellen Shriner

July 28, 2016
I was not an early convert to Pinterest. Even when a friend helped me set it up, I dragged my feet. Messing around with it might be fun, but there were so many other things I needed to do. However, when we moved to a new house, I began to see why people like the app.

At first it was strictly business—a shopping tool and resource for household tips. Our new house needed shower curtains, porch furniture, light fixtures, and a stool for the kitchen counter. The app became a good place to save photos and links for furnishings that I wanted to show to my husband.

Next, I searched for advice on nontoxic ways to clean the shower. I was immediately bombarded with pins for shower cleaning tips along with photos of gross toilets that needed an intervention. I wanted to say, “Wait, no need! I’ve already know what to do about the shower, and God help me if my toilet ever looks like that!” But like most online apps, it’s programmed to show you more of whatever you searched for in the past.

The real magic happened when I followed a few friends. They like such cool stuff—who knew it even existed? I’d never have found such amazing ceramic sculptures or incredible fiber art if I hadn’t started following a sculptor friend and seeing her pins. That led to people across the world pinning my pins. Amazing.

My friends’ pins also led me to explore in a more playful way—not searching, just wandering in playland. That’s how I learned more about jadeite glass and how to grow fragrant lemon seedlings from lemon seeds . . . in case I ever want to.

Now Pinterest is my first stop for recipes, crafts, and garden ideas. I’m not a clever person who thinks up how to make Santa hat appetizers from strawberries and banana slices, but now I can impress my friends with that trick if I ever need to.

Messing around in the quilting and sewing pins gave me a zillion ideas for projects. And I never would have seen antique sewing scissors and sewing kits without Pinterest.

This year, when I started planning my flowerpots for the patio, I turned to Pinterest for inspiration.

What I’ve discovered is that at worst, Pinterest is harmless, but addicting, fun. I can collect eye candy and daydream (without obligation) about cool projects I might do. At best, it’s a good resource for inspiration.
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American Culture, Ceramics, Crafts, gardening, Humor, inspiration, Pinterest, resource, Social media
9 responses to “Lost in Wonderland (or Wasting Time on Pinterest)”
1. GlowinLight
  
  November 10, 2016
  
  I am on pinterest everyday
  I love the adventure I take myself on.
  Always a positive experience
  Free time no worries
2. Pam
  
  July 29, 2016
  
  I love Pinterest. It’s a fountain of ideas for jewelry designs, home remedies, and travel plans. I can spend an hour cruising before I know it. I like to see what others I know are pinning, especially if they’re friends. Pinterest has saved me time & money, too…well, let’s say that the time part is a draw.
  1. Ellen Shriner
    
    July 29, 2016
    
    You got me started!
3. bbachel
  
  July 28, 2016
  
  I am still a Pinterest neophyte. Have only pinned a few hairstyles that I think I might like. But do hope to get more into it one of these days…so many fun things to try and be inspired by.
  1. Ellen Shriner
    
    July 29, 2016
    
    As writers, there are so many kinds of social media we’re encouraged to use. But Pinterest can just be play.
4. Eliza Waters
  
  July 28, 2016
  
  I don’t even dare go there! But you make it sound intriguing…
  1. Ellen Shriner
    
    July 29, 2016
    
    A person definitely can spend/waste time on Pinterest. But it can be a visual treat.
    
    Eliza Waters
    
    July 29, 2016
    
    I know, that’s what I’m afraid of! ;-D
5. Ellen Shriner
  
  July 28, 2016
  
  Thought I’d spell it right this time … sigh
Living with Brown People

Elizabeth di Grazia

July 21, 2016
I don’t think about it mostly.

When Juan and Crystel were little I used to think I was brown. Brown was all I saw. It was reflected back to me in their brown skin, their dark-brown eyes set above strong cheekbones, and their wide smiles. They looked just like me, or so I thought.

Except when we traveled to Guatemala, their birth country. While packing for our trips, I would suddenly realize that I wasn’t brown, and would worry that the United States would think that I stole the children. When I packed to return to the United States, I would worry that the Guatemalans would think that I stole the children.

I carried a variety of documents to combat this worry: Passports, citizenship papers, Social Security cards, birth certificates, even family pictures.

On our last trip a few weeks ago, Juan and Crystel were 13 years old. I didn’t have to pull out any documents at all besides the passports. I realized that I wasn’t even worried. Maybe the authorities figured since they are teenagers they have a voice. And, I tell you, they have a voice.

I don’t think I’m brown any more. The children aren’t around enough for the mirror reflection. Now they are off playing the flute in parades, running cross country practice, even trying to find that darn Pokemon that’s floating around who knows where.

I’m white. These days, my conversations with my daughter lean towards – whether or not her tan foot and ankle will match her brown leg if she hangs it out the car. My son wants to know if he can have a girl over to do his eyebrows.

When I see my daughter in the parade I’m struck with how brown she is. She is so much browner than the other band members. All long slender legs and graceful arms. My son’s smile can stop me in my tracks. He’s so handsome.

Take care of them, won’t you?

They are my children.
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Family, race
A Change Is Gonna Come

Ellen Shriner

July 14, 2016
In 1967, when there were race riots in Detroit and Toledo, my hometown, I was 12. Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King were assassinated in 1968. Chicago policemen clubbed protesters who chanted, “The whole world is watching” at the Democratic National convention in 1968.

In 1970, when Ohio National Guardsmen killed four students and injured nine others on the Kent State University campus, I was 15. Vietnam War protests took place across the country. Students took over college campus buildings. Protesters stormed government buildings. Thousands marched in the streets.

The civil rights movement and war protests shook our country. The old ways—from entrenched institutions like segregation to how political parties worked, and what we wanted from authorities like police—were under siege and crumbling. As a teenager, I felt the turbulence. Anything could happen. Was happening. Although I was against segregation and the Vietnam War, the violence associated with ending those ills scared me.

However, I sensed the dawning of a new era and was hopeful that real change, as well as peace and justice, were possible.

Today, I have the same sense. Once again our country, and indeed, the Western world (Great Britain’s Brexit and the European union’s struggles with immigration and identity) is at a crossroads.

No matter what, change is gonna come. 10 years from now, our country is going to be different.

Decades have passed since I was a teenager who was bewildered by events and worried about our future. Today, I still worry about where our country is headed, and I don’t know what the coming changes will look like, but I’m hopeful.

I believe that people of good faith will work to end systemic racism.

I believe Americans will return to our core values: we’re a nation of immigrants who are committed to religious freedom.

I’m hopeful that despite our differences, we can redirect our political leaders so they once again work for all of us.

If you feel discouraged and hopeless about the possibility of change, click to this video set to Sam Cooke’s civil rights anthem “A Change Is Gonna Come” to be reminded of how many unbelievably hard changes have taken place since the late 1960’s.

None of the coming changes will be easy and they will certainly be imperfect. Nonetheless, I believe that Americans’ good sense and love of justice will prevail.

“I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will.”
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American Culture, Change, cultural shift, inspiration, urban life
8 responses to “A Change Is Gonna Come”
1. Pam
  
  July 14, 2016
  
  I hope you’re right, Ellen. You have a knack for that, and I need hope tonight.
  1. Ellen Shriner
    
    July 15, 2016
    
    I feel so discouraged sometimes. 40+years ago, I wouldn’t have predicted the changes in gay rights, the Berlin wall, civil rights. We have a long way yo go. but we have to keep insisting on change.
2. Eliza Waters
  
  July 14, 2016
  
  I love your optimism, Ellen, and I hope you are right!
  1. Ellen Shriner
    
    July 15, 2016
    
    Thanks. I think we’re reaching a turning point. So many people are just done with police treating people of color unfairly. And we’re just done with gun violence and mass shootings. I see people standing up and reacting (the sit-in in Congress led by John Lewis) and the reaction locally and nationally to the Philando Castile shooting.
3. bbachel
  
  July 14, 2016
  
  Thanks for the uplifting post…kudos to you and all those who raising our awareness and inspiring us to take action (even if only in small ways).
  1. Ellen Shriner
    
    July 15, 2016
    
    Thanks for the support. I often feel helpless and discouraged, but we have to keep pushing for change.
4. Cathy
  
  July 14, 2016
  
  An excellent reminder to keep perspective. The video inspires.
  1. Ellen Shriner
    
    July 15, 2016
    
    Thanks! These are tough times. I don’t have the answers, but I know we have to try to find them.