Buying second hand is growing in popularity these days. In fact, there are numerous very good reasons for buying second hand. In this blog post I will attempt to explain some of them. Of greatest importance is the fact that we are actually bordering on a global crisis that needs a permanent antidote not just a booster for a passing phase.
Discover the Apple Certified Refurbished promise from apple.com
Economy is one of the main reasons to buy second hand. Actually many people cannot afford to pay their bills and buy necessary things. As a result, second hand options can be a lifesaver as far as cost goes. For example refurbished products like computers are significantly less expensive than new ones. But the quality can be almost like new.
New cars specifically are known to lose thousands of dollars in value the moment they are driven off the lot. Thus economy is a great reason to buy a ‘previously owned’ product. In fact, in the movie Driving Miss Daisy, every time Jessica Tandy got a new car, her chauffer played by Morgan Freeman would purchase the car her son traded in for her new one.
Ecology is another reason to buy second hand. The United States for example is known for its garbage. Things are disposed of long before it is necessary. Quality items are needlessly replaced with the latest (often poorly produced) items. In fact there is so much garbage that the planet is choking with it.
Actually, there is almost nothing that man has made that cannot have a second life either in whole or in part. In other words, we are unnecessarily creating mountain of garbage and trash instead of practicing reduce-reuse-recycle.
Garbage: The Back End of the Renewable Economy from huffpost.com
The Production/Consumption Cycle
Ending the Over-Production/Over-Consumption Cycle Our economy runs on a very toxic system known as the production/consumption cycle. In other words people have to produce and people have to consume to keep our current economic cycle going. Unfortunately this system involves overproduction and overconsumption. Gluttony, too much garbage, and national debt are the result.
madaleinehome.blogspot.com/2019/11/yellow-car-cartoon-pictures.html
New products may seem preferable, even justified conspicuous consumption. But are they worth it? In fact, they are often poorly made. The result may well be a flashy but short-lived ride to the garbage dump.
Both necessity and over-consumption may lead consumers into debt. Thus, we need to incorporate additional components into our current production/consumption cycle for economic solvency. One of these additions is called ‘buying second hand’. As a result, this can be part of a permanent cure, not just a temporary band aid to our current broken system.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle-Inspire Health and Spirit from Inspire Health and Spirit.com
Challenges and Solutions There are items to buy second hand and other things to stay away from.
What to Buy Second Hand There are some great second hand suggestions from buying second hand from Best Second-Hand Deals on Buzzfeed.com.
Buying second hand from Best Second-Hand Deals on BuzzFeed.com
What Not to Buy Second Hand Stay away from non-perishable packaged and canned items with expired dates on them, the same with OTC medicine, etc.
7 Tips for Eco-Conscious Living Without Sacrificing Comfort and Style
On the whole though there is much more that does fit into the reduce, reuse, and recycle cycle. Therefore do everything possible to to participate in this system by buying second hand. As a result, it will help you and the planet.
Since 1937, the NYC Public Retail Markets serve as culinary gathering places. Originally a 10-market system, these markets were constructed by the City of New York itself. The continued goal is to provide the public with an affordable supply of fresh food. Today, six remaining markets serve as a thriving testament to the food history that enriches New York City.
(Left) Typical scene of Lower East Side St peddlers and (Right) Mayor LaGuardia opens the First Avenue Retail Market, 1938 (Museum of the City of New York).
Mission At NYC Public Retail Markets, the central mission is to foster shared prosperity, equity, and empowerment across the city. In doing so, this strengthens neighborhoods and creates entrepreneurial job opportunities as well.
the Arthur Avenue Market in the Bronx and La Marqueta in East Harlem
Commitment Actually, the commitment is to make these markets not only world-class destinations. But it is also to provide access to affordable, healthy food—all as well. In addition to that preserving each market’s cultural heritage is also crucial.
Gourmet Glatt in Brooklyn and Moore Street in Brooklyn
The Merrell Encore Breeze Clogs color story offers an idea of what colors were most popular at what times in fashion color trends.
Their Appeal I attribute this to the prolific amount of Merrell Encore Breeze clog colors over the years. In fact this is confirmed by the fact that the only other shoe might be the Converse brand. In fact, I think I have an even number of both. For preference sake I am using The Merrell clogs as my time/color/detail litmus test.
Standard colors For simplicity, I have limited all the Merrell Encore Breeze clogs to the same pattern, fabric, and trim. To start here are the standard/basic colors.
The Merrell Encore Breeze clog history has an immense variety of colors dating them like a timeline. Shoe here are two standards, Black and tan.
Patriotic colors Built upon that in the last 10-20 years, Merrell Encore breeze shoes came in patriotic colors such as red and royal blue.
The Merrell Encore Breeze clog history has an immense variety of colors dating them like a timeline. Shoe here are two patriotic colors, red and royal blue.
Neon colors Besides the patriotic colors, Merrell stepped into the neons. For example came magenta and orange. When these became available, I loved them. Of course, I had to buy them. They may have even been full retail price.
The Merrell Encore Breeze clog history has an immense variety of colors dating them like a timeline. Shoe here are two neon colors, orange, and magenta.
Nearly Neon Merrell had a toned down phase to nearly neon But. I am not certain if it came before or after full neon. Either way, they are great colors as well.
The Merrell Encore Breeze clog history has an immense variety of colors dating them like a timeline. Shoe here are two nearly neon colors, turquoise, and lime.
Sprinkled in Time and Current Subtle Tones There are so many additional colors and themes that it is not possible to know where they have been sprinkled in time. But one thing is for sure. There is nothing like them. From then, now or the future. The current subtle tones are exhibited below.
The Merrell Encore Breeze clog history has an immense variety of colors dating them like a timeline. Shoes shown here are current, subtle tones.
Researching a general history of pencils reveals how long this story is but also how recent it has become to its ending as a primary writing tool. Especially now that we have access to personal computers of all shapes and sizes for just about every task, pencils have become somewhat archaic for everyday use. But there is an exception to this rule.
Writing TabletsDouble Sided Old School Slate/Chalkboard-EbayLet’s go back a bit in the history of writing before pencils were available. I refer in fact primarily two types of writing systems.
Chalkboard One was only a few centuries ago using chalk as the writing instrument over slate as the surface. (Left)
Ancient Tablet Then the other was from ancient Rome using wax covered wood as the writing surface with a stylus as the writing instrument. (Below)
History of the Pencil This section is quoted from Wikipedia.
Special Pencils For everyday use the pencil is somewhat of a dinosaur. As mentioned earlier, the primary system is once again a tablet or a pad. But now it is a computer not slate, wood, wax or clay.
But in one situation, there is still a need and use for the pencil. This is in the area of drawing also known as art or illustration. In this area there are some very special pencils. For example, there is the Blackwing. The original ones are shown below costing $1,520 for a dozen.
1Dozen Brand New – Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 Pencils with Original Box Perfect Brand New $1,520.00 Extra 5% off with coupon or Best Offer + $8.00 shipping on Ebay
Today is an ‘I like red’ day. In fact I have been having lots of those days, lately. If there is something I have in red, I wear it. If I like something but don’t have it, then I like to find a photo and write about it. Therefore here is how I do it.
wiki color wheel on yahoo.com
Merrell Clogs It just so happens that there are two items on Poshmark that I love. In fact both are red. One is a pair of shoes and one is a purse. Right now I can neither afford nor find them in the right size or an affordable price. So here is the next best thing.
For example Merrell Encore Breeze clogs are one of my favorite pairs of shoes. They actually used to come in all sorts of bright colors. But no more. So I did find the perfect color on the account of filli58 on Poshmark. Unfortunately, they are too small. Therefore, they are part of my ‘I like red day’ blog post list.
Merrell Encore Breeze Red Rose Mesh Mules Clogs Womens Size 5.5 on Poshmark
In another situation, I found an Arcadia bag in the color I like. In fact, I know that I like it because I have one in another color just like it. But again, it’s a no go. At over $100. it can only be a dream for now. Therefore it goes into the I’ll write about it category. So here it is, gorgeous for all to see.
Arcadia Handbag This beauty comes from the Poshmark account of ‘nmartinyuk’. In fact, I know it would coordinate perfectly with the Merrell Encore Breeze red clogs as well as anything else I’d need it to.
Arcadia red tan trim satchel shoulder bag on Poshmark
So I am going to head off to my real and imaginary closet. Actually, that is where I will find just what I want to complete an I like red day outfit. You are welcome to join me.
My Real and Imaginary Closet
The magic of what is behind these closet doors is the real as well as the imagined. Between what is really in my wardrobe in addition to what I wish could be behind these closet doors is the complete wardrobe of whatever I imagine.
For example, the Merrell clogs are the right size in addition to the gorgeous Arcadia bag is the right price. When I open the doors, my completed ensemble is complete, real as well as imaginary.
magic folding doors from deviant.com
Pre computer drafting tools are the precursor to what the computer came to be able to produce. In fact several great manual tool companies existed during this pre computer time. One happens to be, Keuffel & Esser.
History of Keuffel & Esser History of K & E from Wikipediaa metal tool box with a USC School of Architecture sticker on it
My Interest in K & E In 1966 when I entered the School of Architecture & Fine Arts at the University of Southern California, personal computers were not yet available. At that time, everything had to be drawn by hand in other words with pre computer drafting tools. This meant that tools such as a drafting set were particularly essential. As a result, I bought what I could collecting the best.
my K & E drafting set bought in the Los Angeles K & E store in 1966 when I majored in Architecture at the University of Southern California
The Charrette Corporation
Decades later, I worked for the West Side Highway Project in Lower Manhattan. That was just about the time that the dynasty of K & E pre computer drafting tools ceased. Meanwhile another great company was born, the Charrette Corporation. Read all about the Charrette Corporation in a series of blog posts that I wrote.
The Charrette Red Van Equally unique to Charrette was the red van that made trips every evening between the Boston (Woburn) warehouse and NYC for its high end clients. Quality was as much a part of Charrette’s service as it was of the products themselves.
Pencils There were several kinds of pencils considered highly functional during the pre computer time continuing to the present. Specifically, they ranged from wooden to metal mechanical. Currently there is one brand of pencil that is highly prized, the Eberhard Faber Blackwing.
The Eberhard Faber Blackwing Pencil available for $920.
T-squares, Triangles, and . . . When I began this post it never occurred to me how much there would be to write about. Therefore there will be more on this topic. But at another time.
Elif the Socialite with her star crossed lover Omer the ‘cop’ from Black Money Love
I believe that Black Money Love, the present day Turkish Netflix series was inspired by the 1944 Academy Award winning American film classic Laura.
In fact my husband and I used to wonder who would make a good cast for a remake of one of our favorite film noir movies. Perhaps Ashley Judd and a younger Harrison Ford? Maybe, but not really.
Laura Redux And then it came to me, like a sudden spark in a quiet moment as I dove off to sleep. There is already a remake so to speak. Actually, it may be with a broad interpretive brush, not a tight translation. But nonetheless, a Turkish series on Netflix, Black Money Love shares enough of a resemblance to fit the inspirational bill.
Dana Andrews, the ‘cop’ interrogating Gene Tierney, the Socialite from Laura.
THE PLOT
Primarily the storyline targets the on-again-off-again love affair between a socialite and a cop. In fact this is one of the major themes where the two productions share their stories and what joins them as original theme and remake.
How The Lovers Meet The second coincidence is that both sets of lovers meet over the death of someone they knew. In fact, the peculiarity of such a meeting ties both stories closely together in their similarities as reflections of each other.
Subplots Then going into the detail of their subplots, there are more similarities. For example, the story pits good against evil, love versus greed, themes that further reflect each other.
THE CAST OF CHARACTERS
In case this all seems to far fetched, one can just compare the characters in each production. I wish to leave this exercise to the reader. Again it is uncanny the number of similarities to draw from this task.
CONCLUSION
We may never know if Laura was in the minds of the creators of Black Money Love when the latter was made. The refrain from overt violence in Laura is exploited in Black Money Love. But that is typical of present day cinema.
However that difference does not separate them. It is merely expletive style. Whether one of these series was based on the brilliance of the other may never be actually documented. Nonetheless, the similarities that clearly exist leave plenty of room for speculation as well as ample entertainment.
The Hudson Bay Blanket is an historical item that actually fascinates me.
In fact, not only does it have its own history but it also has a background that has interested me for many decades. Eventually this item went on to become used for outerwear in addition to the original blankets. Foremost, this blanket and the clothing that came from it are part of my half century learning and sharing passion or my ikigai.
Vintage Rare Hudson Bay 4 point blanket from Etsy.com with inset of 1936 ad for Mackinaw jacket
“The classic Hudson Bay Point blanket. This is a 4 point Beacon blanket. Has gold tag. Wonderful wool blanket with the iconic stripes. Blanket is in fantastic shape. No moth holes or big issues. There is one faint blemish as pictured. Otherwise in near perfect shape. Great for winter as these blankets are excellent and a great piece for the collector as these don’t come around too often in this shape.” Etsy
Hudson’s Bay point blanket from Wikipedia.org
Origin Paraphrased from The Canadian Encyclopedia: The first point blankets were created by French weavers who developed a “point system” — a way to specify the finished size of a blanket — sometime in the 17th century. (See also Weaving.)
The term “point,” in this case, originates from the French word empointer, which means “to make threaded stitches on cloth.” The points were simply a series of thin black lines on one of the corners of the blanket, which were used to identify the size of the blanket.
Even though the points on the blankets did not have an inherent value, merchants during the fur trade often priced point blankets according to the number of points on the blanket, with one point assigned for small blankets and four points designated for very large blankets.
Mackinaw Jacket When all hope failed that a shipment of military greatcoats would arrive from Britain, alternatives named Mackinaw jackets were made from these blankets. Their shorter length jacket was more fitting for travel between Montreal and Mackinaw with its deep snow drifts. In other words, two uses not just one came from the Hudson Bay point blankets. In addition, the Mackinaw jackets were of a superior quality to the British Greatcoats.
Trading with the Indians There is in fact a very controversial side to the story of trading with the Indians. Reference is made to it in the podcast above. It is not my intention to ignore this aspect of the history. But it is my preference to focus on the positive aspects of the Hudson Bay Blanket as an historical rather than politically motivated chronicle.
Favorite food shopping is very easy and convenient for me.
That is because the stores I love that carry the foods I love are right in my neighborhood. Otherwise, I can always get most things on Amazon.com, quickly and at a discount like my favorite Frankies 457 Court St (Brooklyn) olive oil. But let’s stay in my neighborhood, for now.
Google map of the locations of the stores highlighted in this blog post
Ethnic Food Is My Preference. In fact, I prefer it to most American food. Fortunately there is enough of what I like. Therefore I can minimize my intake of the Standard American Diet. Instead, I can indulge in international, gourmet products I love at a discount.
Gala Fresh Farms
There are so many delicacies right here at Gala Fresh Farms in Baldwin that I can’t name them all. So I will focus on two of my most favorites. In fact, here’s a picture of them. My favorite Vantia Food Products imported from Italy and available at @GalaFreshFarms
Anchovies and Cheese Both are so mouth wateringly delicious. The anchovies are actually only lightly salted, even sweet. Therefore, I can enjoy their flavor without getting a mouthful of salt.
In contrast with their wonderful mild flavor is the spicy Italian Primo Sale Fantasia sheep cheese. Olives, arugula, and red pepper are a great addition to the robust flavor of this cheese gem. By the way, the store carries fresh semolina bread to make these choices a complete meal.
Home Goods
This addition to the neighborhood has been a spectacular success. Actually before it become HomeGoods, Rockville Centre NY, there was a less than successful supermarket. How grateful everyone is for the upgrade. In fact, it has made a world of difference to shopping in town.
Cerignola Olives and Lupini Beans Here are two set of my favorite treats from Home Goods. That is to say, first my favorite Italian salty vegetable snacks. In fact, there is nothing healthier when I am in the mood for a salty even astringent taste. Actually the border of this post is a row of bowls of red and green cerignola olives.
A jar of my favorite Bella Contadina cerignola olives and a jar of the same brand of lupini beans
Baklava and Turkish Delight Next I present my favorite Greek sweet treats. Baklava is nutty and sweetened by honey so it it not too sweet. In addition, turkish delight is chewy, tasty but not to sweet either.
My two favorite Greek sweets both available at Home Goods.
Your appetite must certainly be wetted by now. In fact, this was just a very brief introduction. So take a gastronomic tour of Rockville Centre/Oceanside/Baldwin Long Island or your own neighborhood. What was once homogenous middle class neighborhoods have become much more gastronomically diverse and delicious. In conclusion living in the suburbs can include favorite food shopping experiences.
Definition Global Blue zones are regions in the world where people are anticipated to live longer than the average lifespan. In fact, Gianni Pes, Michel Poulain and Dan Buettner did a study that specifically identified five such global zones within the last few decades.
Within the identified areas, there are actually greater than normal numbers of people living healthfully to over 100. Initially each person who qualified became identified by a blue marks on a world map. As a result these accumulated blue marks became solid blue areas. Consequently they were named blue zones.
Locations In other words, the study identified five Global Blue Zones in 2004. They are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California, United States.
A map of the 5 documented world blue zones published on WisdomofHeart.com
Barbagia region of Sardinia – Mountainous highlands of inner Sardinia with the world’s highest concentration of male centenarians.
Ikaria, Greece – Aegean Island with one of the world’s lowest rates of middle age mortality and the lowest rates of dementia.
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica – World’s lowest rates of middle age mortality, second highest concentration of male centenarians.
Seventh Day Adventists – Highest concentration is around Loma Linda, California. They live 10 years longer than their North American counterparts.
Okinawa, Japan – Females over 70 are the longest-lived population in the world. Power 9® – Reverse Engineering Longevity By Dan Buettner
OVERALL COMMON DENOMINATORS
“We then assembled a team of medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers, and epidemiologists to search for evidence-based common denominators among all places. We found nine.” Power 9 – Blue Zones. They are displayed by the above infographic and the table below.
For clarification, here is a verbal translation of Power 9® – Reverse Engineering Longevity By Dan Buettner. Power 9® – Reverse Engineering Longevity By Dan Buettner transformed into a table format by Alison D. Gilbert
Blue zone community certification
Are the number of blue zones increasing? Yes. In fact, these two articles reveal how things are in the works to increase the number of blue zones as well as work towards more blue zones.
Why Are The Numbers Increasing? Two possibilities factor into the current situation. For example, we are identifying more existing blue zones because we have the criteria. Secondly, we are creating more blue zones because we have the knowledge. As the consciousness continues to increase about what contributes to an area becoming a blue zones, the more the number of zones can increase.
In Conclusion There is no question that we clearly have a long way to go. But at least we are learning what we need to do to improve. Perhaps one day the entire planet will be covered in blue (zones). Wouldn’t that be amazing?!
1Dozen Brand New – Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 Pencils with Original Box Perfect Brand New $1,520.00 Extra 5% off with coupon or Best Offer + $8.00 shipping on Ebay
“Pioneer at Fort Garry 1861” from 
