Saddam’s Hanging

That night, we were at my father in law’s house in LA.  I saw a streaming headline on the TV that said the hanging would take place, but I was still shocked when I went out to the living room to check on my DH, who had fallen asleep on the couch, and glanced up at the tv screen to see Saddam being fitted with the rope around his neck. 

Shia people danced in the street.  Sunnis rioted.  What will it all mean for Iraq?  For us?  I think that some likely hope that without Saddam, the violence will subside.  Others think the civil war was inevitable, anyway, so why not rid the world of him.  After all, the only reason Bush the first did not remove Saddam from power when he had the chance, was that nobody else on the horizon looked even remotely capable of holding that country together. And in the years since, Saddam was dead clever about murdering anybody who looked as though they could possibly lay claim to leadership, so he could keep it that way.   

 So now, by default, someone else will have to figure out what to do to hold Iraq together.  And the most astute comment I have read on that subject was from a San Diego barber who was being interviewed about troop deployment– there’s going to be another Saddam, or someone worse. 

Madeline Allbright and Bill Clinton knew that Iraq would fall apart into civil war without Saddam Hussein.  He was the devil we knew.  He was bad, but untold chaos was in store without him.  They chose not to go after him militarily, but sought to bring him to heel with the pressure of economic sanctions, which took a terrible toll on Iraq, but which kept the Iraqi military within its own borders.  But they understood very well what would happen without Saddam. 

Now, courtesy of George W., who conveniently ignored everyone who told him Iraq would devolve into chaos without Saddam, we will have the devil we don’t know.  Tony Blair once said about 500,000 people had been murdered or tortured to death by Saddam.  For all the people who suffered because of Saddam, I hope the hanging brings some sense of peace and the ability to move on in peace and dignity.   Saddam’s crimes were of historic proportion, and however chaotic the trial looked to our American eyes (although, with Judge Judy and her ilk, maybe it didn’t seem so odd)  the resulting sentence was predictable but fair.  And we shouldn’t be so shocked that the execution lacked decorum.  This hanging looked like the wild west because these people are living under wild west conditions.  At least they had the trial.   

But now how many more have suffered or died miserably because of Bush’s misadventure?  Has all our own sacrifice served to accomplish nothing more than to compound Saddam’s crimes?   And now, we face a new era of nuclear proliferation among Islamist nations.  We face the proliferation of incredibly nihilistic religious thought.   I know a lot of people who supported this war thought it would result in something good.  But that goal, if it ever was in reach, seems to have slipped from our grasp. Because the devil we don’t know may just actually have what Saddam lacked– real, functioning WMD’s, courtesy of Iran’s “peaceful and legitimate” nuclear program. 

Children and Myths

A few weeks ago, in the Goodwill store in downtown Oakland, I found a set of tapes of D’Aulaire’s Greek Myths.  One tape was missing, but the storytellers sounded good– Paul Newman, Matthew Broderick, Sidney Poitier, and Kathleen Turner. So I decided to drop the $1.49, and took the incomplete set home.  We had a couple of long car rides in the following weeks, and at this point, we have probably listened to all three tapes 20 times over.  I went to Walden Pond Books (simply the best book store in Oakland) and they ordered in the book for me, along with D’Aulaire’s Norse Mythology, recently reissued with a forward by Michael Chabon.  We have been immersed in Greek and Norse mythology ever since.  And man, Joseph Campbell was on to something– these stories are extremely powerful.  We have responded to them on many levels.  

Intellectually, I am amazed at the effect the stories have had on my childrens’ vocabularies.  For example among Athena’s attributes is the fact that she was a just goddess, although she could be very stern.  Last week, my 7 told someone that a certain teacher at her school was very fair, but also very stern.  She has recognized and internalized the attributes of Athena, so that she sees them in others.  And she hasn’t even read Bolen’s “Goddesses in Every Woman.” 

The stories thoroughly explore dark emotions in a way that is very accessible.  My 5 year-old son was very disturbed by Hades’s kidnaping of Persephone, remarking how mean it was to take her away from her mother, even if he was so in love with her.  My astute little children questioned me about the concept of jealousy, after listening to all the accounts of jealous, powerful Hera and her relentless persecution of Zeus’s other wives– “Mom, what would you do if Daddy married another wife?”  –”I would probably lose my temper just like Hera, dears.”–”Oh.”  Since we know children who have been weathering the storms of divorce, and seeing their parents pass through other relationships, I have to think it helps my little one ones to have an archetypal frame of reference, to try to fit all the pieces in the puzzle of life.  Jealousy, envy greed, pridefulness, perfidy and outright murder figure prominently in these stories. 

Religiously and spiritually, the Greek myths informed and enriched our celebration of Hannukah this year, in new and interesting ways.  We played a spontaneous game the kids dubbed “Maccabees Forever!” in which they, the religious freedom fighters, tried to reason with me about their right to worship their one G-d.  ” One G-d?”  I, the Greek despot, scoffed.  “What can just one little god do?  We have so many, and they are all powerful.  You had better worship and sacrifice to Zeus and all the gods and goddesses of Olympus, if you don’t want to go to jail!”

“I’ll tell you what one G-d can do!” my lttle warriors roared back at me “Everything! Your temples and statues are beautiful, but your gods are JUST STORIES!!!” 

“Zeus will strike you down with thunderbolts!”  I shouted.

They folded their arms and smiled.  “We’re waiting,” my daughter said calmly.  So, we talked about religious differences, and what a being so supreme as to create all of reality is really likely to care about.  And how religious beliefs differ, and everyone’s belief is sincere, and why we believe what we believe, and what it means to respect the beliefs of others.    Of course, my kids are only 5 and 7, so these discussions are brief and to the point and accented with a lot of silly comments.  But at least the seeds are planted in their little brains.

The stories also make them pay attention to the stars, and the constellations.  Both kids can find Orion, and know he staggers into the sea whenever Scorpio appears. 

All in all, I think I never spent a better $1.49.  I’m sure we will eventually return to obsessive listening to other books on tape.  Particularly when the next Harry Potter comes out.  And if someone has recorded the Norse myths, that one will be next on our list. 

Compassion

I’m reading a book called Field Notes on the Compassionate Life /A Search for the Soul of Kindness.  This is the time of year when I have the strongest urge to withdraw– to detach, to hunker down, to contract away from the growing darkness, the lengthening nights.   This book is like lighting candles at night– a good antidote to all the pain and negativity crowding in all around.  The author, Marc Ian Barasch, has loaded this book with religious takes on the subject, and also scientific notes on studies of compassionate behavior between animals, philosophy, and even practical advice, ranging from the Dalai Lama to Yoko Ono.  “Transform jealousy to admiration/and what you admire/will become part of your life. ”  That was Yoko.  He also quotes a 16th century rabbi as admonishing us to remember that everyone we meet is involved in a terrific struggle.  Everyone. We. Meet. It’s true, isn’t it?  Everyone has something going on. 

This week, I am practicing looking for the light in other people– seeking out their spark.  Even opposing counsel.  Even those who seem horribly clueless, possibly demented.  I wish I could do a better job at this– I tend to react poorly to the person who stops in the middle of the street for no reason, to the parking meter cop who insists on ticketing me even though I am standing right there (Right There!) at the meter, looking for change in my purse. I have to do a better job at this.  I need to practice what Barasch calls casting the Good Eye, instead of the evil one.   I’m no saint.  But then again, just because a candle only makes a little light, doesn’t mean it it isn’t worthwhile to light it, right? 

Wish me luck . . .

Shopping While Living

For a long time, I have been wanting to publish an article about shopping– how to keep it local,  how to benefit the community and how to keep it painless.  My last post sort of flowed from that idea– I dearly love taking my children to the Fire on the Mountain craft shows in Auburn and Sonora.  But there are some great small businesses in O akland, and I have made it my habit to shop as locally as possible.  So, here goes– I’m going to start publishing local  shopping recommendations.  Potpourri got us started– here are a couple more for your consideration:

 Some places have an unexpected array of merchandise.  For example, if you go downtown to old Oakland, a couple doors down from Ratto’s Italian grocery store, you find Legogo– it’s a small shop, unassuming on the outside, but on the inside, you can find a few surprises.  They carry Kirkland brand cashmere sweaters; cotton pajamas; undies; Prada handbags;  Waterford crystal goblets; Coach bags; Lalique perfume bottles; Levi’s jeans.  Huge bags of dog food.  Tables; chairs; desks and garden statuary.  Dishes.  Cooking ware.  Sometimes, a washer/dryer combo will show up at a bargain price.  It isn’t Macy’s– lord, it isn’t even Costco, but you can get some fancy stuff without having to brave BART or the downtown SF pickpocket brigades.  Then, you can sit down in Cafe 817 for some refreshment.  You may even sit in the same chair where I saw Bono sitting one morning. (I thought– that guy is sure handsome.  Why does he look so familiar?  He’s smiling at me!  No wait, he’s smiling at everybody.) I was halfway back to the office before I realized who he was.  He was probably waiting for Jerry Brown.  Anyway–

After coffee at 817, you can go next door to Ratto’s and put together gift baskets.  They have a nice little selection of things from Morocco– you can make a boudoir basket of slippers, a leather pouf, and tea glasses on a silver plated tray.  Or the standard pasta, wine cheese and sauce gift basket.  They have spices in bulk, so you can put together glass jars layered with peppercorns and rosebuds, or your own special spice blends.  Or a ravioli making kit.  You can stock up your supply of pesto and pasta sauce- you know it’s as good as you can make at home!  The point is, you can shop for everyone who likes food, and give them something special and unique from a little, woman-owned, family business in downtown Oakland.  And yes, Elena is the great- grand-daughter of the man who founded the store.  Hurray for her, for keeping such a wonderful family business alive.  If you get hungry, I highly recommend the Jenny sandwich– fresh mozzarella, tomato, pesto and onion on crunchy fresh french bread.  Yum.

I’ll give you some more shopping recommendations next time– Lakeshore and Grand Avenue await!

Shalom to us all.

Craft Show Weekend

We went to Sonora for the Thanksgiving weekend craft show put on by the wonderful, wonderful Fire on the Mountain folks.  This show is always rich with music, magic and the best crafts people of Northern California and beyond.  The kids loved Magic Mike. My daughter loved the freedom of wandering around the marketplace– the sweet, generous merchants gifted her with samples of their wares, like the rich chocolate English toffee, and she felt rich and grown-up.  My boy was fascinated with the juggling sticks sold by a nice man who patiently took a long time to help him get started, and actually took a hack- saw and cut one down to the right size for five-year old fingers.  This is the way to go shopping– delights for all senses.  The maker of the product before you.  The sky above, even if it starts to rain, and fresh air for all.  Even though I grew up in mall country, they frighten me now= plus, they have so little to offer in comparison.

Here in Oakland, we are lucky to have a number of  farmer’s markets featuring craft artisans, as well as local shops where you can find beautiful hand-made items.  The very best shop, in my book, is Potpourri, at the Lincoln shopping center.  They sell the very best Japanese incense sticks, Shoyeido, in different blends all calculated to stir, open, or soothe the mind and heart.  Right now, they have the most gorgeous handmade lamps and lamp shades I have ever seen– they look like something out of Alice in Wonderland, fanciful glass vase lamp bases and elongated, twinkling shades.  They have a wondrous collection of porcelains and ceramics, hand crafted pens and pencils– even a pencil, all in graphite, sculpted into a feather.  And jewel-bright suede leather pencil and drawing pad holders!  You can also find chimes in all price ranges, from a single, zen, mindfulness chime to a rich array of deep throated bells.  And loads of glittering jewelry– each piece unique, each piece lovely.  And, to get there, all you have to do is park in the FREE parking lot, and wander up the steps– or go around to the flat access in front of Long’s and wheel yourself right over.   They always play good music, and treat you to coffee and cookies.  You can shop for everyone, relax and have a good time, and never have a moment’s hassle. 

 So there you have it– my recommendations for holiday shopping.  Fire on the Mountain is over for this year, but next year, go to Auburn or Sonora, have a delicious Gold Country weekend, and do your shopping the old fashioned, marketplace way.  This year, you can almost re-create that experience with one stop at Potpourri, just off Highway 13 at Redwood Road, the Lincoln Shopping Center, tucked into a glittering shop to the right of the Safeway and Long’s.  I’m not affiliated with either, by the way.  Just wanted to share.  And don’t forget your neighborhood Farmer’s Market– a basket of fresh fruit and nuts is a holiday treasure, too!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

This was a beautiful Thanksgiving.  Yesterday, I cooked the turkey, stuffing on the side and gravy at home, then we took it along with some wine to my sister-in-law, who was doing the really hard work of entertaining Grandpa and his brother– great uncle. Eight decades of sibling rivalry, and counting, playing out in the living room.  It was less hot in my kitchen, with the turkey roasting.   

Roasting the turkey is a simple and straightforward task.  You make sure you have a fresh animal and roast it in the oven until it’s done.  So simple.  Why does it seem like so much work?  I only had three things to cook, and I was busy froom 7 am to noon.  But it really works to divide up the chores– My SIL had set the table at her house, put out appetizers, served wine– and I was able to relax once I got there, and her boys took over the job of dealing with carving up the dead bird.   

 The 18 lb. turkey started out looking rather pathetic and tragic– as I unwrapped it, its poor, slashed leg dropped to the side, and it made me feel a little fiendish, as though I should drop my eyes rather than look on its slashed and plucked indignity.  But I pushed my sensitive inner vegetarian aside and had at it.  It roasted up to a beautiful dark caramel color, and it was pretty good.  Yesterday Istewed the carcass into broth.  All the meat is gone.  It fed twelve people and gave up two  nice small  meals’ worth of leftovers.  The two brothers, Grandpa and Uncle,  have a combined age of around 175 years.  Two present were growing teeneagers, who need to eat a lot of protein.  And my two are growing.  So,  thank you bird.  You did a lot for us. 

Things to be thankful for:  I was not born a turkey this life time.  My little children.  My husband.  My job, which helps provide for us all.  My home– the heater works and the roof doesn’t leak.  Our pets are all in fairly good shape, including the guppies.  Bush can’t run again.  Cheney’s too old to run.  Nancy Pelosi is Speaker of the House!!  Jerry Brown  is Attorney General of California!!!  Celtic music.  My neighbors with dogs always carry bags– bless you all.  The redwood tree.  The apple tree.  The ability to free associate. Our pet rabbit and his soft fur.  Good health, relatively speaking, of all those loved ones still living.  The shining memories of our dear missing persons.

And so on.  A feeling today that just feeling thankful is its own reward. 

The Bright Side

We have a woman Speaker of the House of Representatives.  I had to laugh– I heard someone describe Nancy Pelosi as an inarticulate speaker.  Fair enough.  So is President Bush.  So she isn’t Ted Kennedy– but she won’t be driving off a bridge with her secretary, either.  And somehow, you get the feeling that Nancy Pelosi, inarticulate though she may be, has more genuine honesty and courage in her little fingertip than Bush, Rove, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Hastert and Condoleeza Rice all rolled up together.  Remember when she went to Beijing to commemorate the protest at Tienanmen Square?  This lady has some courage, and she has some principles.  I hope and pray she can help cut a new path. 

San Francisco Values

It’s the latest Republican attack dog call– “We don’t want San Francisco values leading the way, etc.!”

Well, no kidding.  I’m sure they don’t.  It’s much easier to be complacent and always convinced you are right, than to engage in the rigorous practice of tolerance.    The solid San Francisco values of respect, tolerance and hospitality are just plain hard work.  It’s much easier to deliver stupid put-downs, than it is to build up common ground.  San Francisco values are not for the weak or lazy-minded.  They take constant work.  I don’t meant to set myself up as a perfect example, because I’m not.  But here are a few of the San Francisco values I have picked up over the last 30 years or so, and hold, oh so dear:

Value Number 1:  Feed and clothe and care for the homeless.  No matter how hard it is.  No matter how many of them.  Even though the work is endless.  Even though people disagree over how best to take care of them.  Keep trying.

Value Number 2:   Respect other people.  Even though they look different.  Even though they strike you as odd.  They are people, they have dignity, and you can learn something from each of them. Respect leads to diversity, and diversity is good. 

Value Number 3:  Speak up for what you believe.  It may seem that no one is listening, but you may do more good than you will ever know.

Value Number 4:  Love is good. 

Value Number 5:  Parks are good.

Value Number 6:  Walking and taking the bus are good ways to get to where you’re going.

Value Number 7:   Whatever happens, if we help each other, we can rebuild better than ever. 

And those are only a few San Francisco values.  Can you think of any more?  Yes, it’s a crazy place.  No, it isn’t perfect.  But there are reasons why everyone wants to be there. 

Beginning to blog

Who would have thought it would be so simple to begin to blog?  And yet here we are.  I won’t be cooking my way through Julia Child.  I won’t be taking pictures of the kids’ lunches, like my friend the tiffin gal.  But I’ll try to think of things to say. Just for the sake of saying them.

Last book– My Year of Meats, by Ruth Ozeki, who is a genius.  She has now woven two very beautiful novels out of themes of genetically modified foods, hormones in agribusiness, the family farm, love and loss.  On the food theme, I am now reading Blessed are the Cheesemakers–which is also wonderful.  Have you ever had the experience of cheese not just turning bad, but evil?  This author has, and so have I. 

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!