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We forget all too soon the things
we thought
we could never forget.
We forget the loves
and the betrayals alike,
forget what we
whispered and what we screamed,
forget who we were.
-- Joan Didion
Photography by Denise Blasor
TIT FOR TAT
Call it barter or trade or swap.
Exchanging something for something else is popular these days.
Here in Puerto Rico, what with the busted economy and
high unemployment, such exchanges of goods are
gaining ground as a way to save money and as an
alternative to simplify life by getting rid of things one
no longer wants or uses but may be reluctant to consign
to the garbage heap. Swapping is a form of recycling:
you've had something for a while and now you pass it
on for someone else to enjoy.
high unemployment, such exchanges of goods are
gaining ground as a way to save money and as an
alternative to simplify life by getting rid of things one
no longer wants or uses but may be reluctant to consign
to the garbage heap. Swapping is a form of recycling:
you've had something for a while and now you pass it
on for someone else to enjoy.
One way of swapping goods currently in vogue is via
a Facebook group. Starting one is as simple as clicking
the "start a group" option on the Facebook page and
choosing whether you want the group to be open,
closed or secret. You might also include a brief
description of the group with a list of suggested rules
The Puerto Rico Book Exchange, which Isabel
Batteria recently started in San Juan, offers such tips
as don't offer books that are damaged or have loose
pages; follow up on your posts; let the group know
when the books have been sold; no pirating; courtesy
at all times; and last, but not least, "let's have a good
time!"
Once these details are taken care of, invite like-minded
friends to participate. They, in turn, can ask their friends
and acquaintances to join in.
Next: start swapping away!
the "start a group" option on the Facebook page and
choosing whether you want the group to be open,
closed or secret. You might also include a brief
description of the group with a list of suggested rules
The Puerto Rico Book Exchange, which Isabel
Batteria recently started in San Juan, offers such tips
as don't offer books that are damaged or have loose
pages; follow up on your posts; let the group know
when the books have been sold; no pirating; courtesy
at all times; and last, but not least, "let's have a good
time!"
Once these details are taken care of, invite like-minded
friends to participate. They, in turn, can ask their friends
and acquaintances to join in.
Next: start swapping away!
Of course, a group purely devoted to swapping is hard
to do since sooner than later people will want to sell
things. That's the case of Recicla, Regala, Recibe
Gratis (Recycle, Give away, Obtain for Free) which
Zoraida Lopez started in March of 2012 to promote
the concept of the giveaway. If there was to be any
selling, it would be secondary and at bargain prices.
to do since sooner than later people will want to sell
things. That's the case of Recicla, Regala, Recibe
Gratis (Recycle, Give away, Obtain for Free) which
Zoraida Lopez started in March of 2012 to promote
the concept of the giveaway. If there was to be any
selling, it would be secondary and at bargain prices.
Lopez is a familiar sight bicycling around San Juan
while doing deliveries for businesses and private
clients (her company, Bici Resuelve, was featured
in a post published last Sept. 17). She said the
inspiration for Recicla came from the Freecycle network,
a grassroots, nonprofit movement of people who live in
cities around the world and give stuff for free to fellow
while doing deliveries for businesses and private
clients (her company, Bici Resuelve, was featured
in a post published last Sept. 17). She said the
inspiration for Recicla came from the Freecycle network,
a grassroots, nonprofit movement of people who live in
cities around the world and give stuff for free to fellow
citizens.
Giving away stuff is a good way to break that hoarding
habit that causes so many people to cling to
possessions. Lopez said she realized she would never
have enough time to read all her books a second time
around.So why keep them with so many new books
to read?
habit that causes so many people to cling to
possessions. Lopez said she realized she would never
have enough time to read all her books a second time
around.So why keep them with so many new books
to read?
Similarly, she added, "I have things that I value but
use no longer and I didn't want to give them away to
just anyone." Instead, giving them to friends on
Facebook seemed a more agreable option.
The Recicla group, currently up to 978 members
(the number changes all the time), is pretty active
in terms of daily postings. A lot of the activity
revolves around people exchanging a particular
item for other things like fruit, or plants or
products needed around the house such as
(the number changes all the time), is pretty active
in terms of daily postings. A lot of the activity
revolves around people exchanging a particular
item for other things like fruit, or plants or
products needed around the house such as
toilet paper or a food processor. Recent postings
have included requests for cement blocks, lint
from washing machines, even dreamcatchers.
have included requests for cement blocks, lint
from washing machines, even dreamcatchers.
But the site also includes for-sale items although
Lopez encourages the group to keep the lid on
prices.
As she emphasized, "The intention was to create a
freecyle and to interchange and sell second-hand
(though selling is promoted less)."
Lopez encourages the group to keep the lid on
prices.
As she emphasized, "The intention was to create a
freecyle and to interchange and sell second-hand
(though selling is promoted less)."
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| Mural by Juan Salgado Let your capital be simplicity and contentment. Henry David Thoreau |
SIMPLE TIPs:
✿ ONE way to grow herbs is to use already-cut grocery
store herbs. Just cut off the ends of herbs like basil and
mint, put them in water, and when they start sprouting
roots, plant them in a potting mix.
✰ WANT to save on laundry energy costs? All you
have to do is flip the dial to cold water.
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| Photography by Denise Blasor When I clap my hands they echo with the summer dawn's moon. --Matsuo Basho |
☛ EYE ON PRODUCTS
The jewelry and home accessories currently on sale at
Love Is Your And Me, on Del Parque St., are a study in contrasts.
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| Filili collection at Love Is You & Me |
For example, necklaces created by Luiny Rivera for her Filili
jewelry line juxtapose delicate elements with the strong look of
metal. The simplest ones feature words stamped on small rectangles
of brass hanging from a delicate chain, also of brass. The words
evoke feelings and states of being: suave, rawer, love hurts,
taken, glad all over, never enough ($40).
A sumptuous statement necklace combines leather, brass,
beads, and a semi-precious blue stone. It features a cascade
of brass chains, some ending in little round disks, and a
handsome turquoise pendant ($150).
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| Rogelio Baez lamp |
and sophistication. Its striking elliptical design
(the sophisticated element) and exposed wiring (its
raw counterpart) creates a strong visual statement.
Baez is a member of Constructo, an exciting design
collective based in Palmas St. in Santurce, The lamp,
which retails for $1,000, may be modified according to
the taste of the buyer.
Other Baez designs at the store include lovely wood
benches incorporating a small cement planter ($250)
and wooden stools ($55 and $65, depending on size).
LOVE IS YOU & ME
110 Del Parque St. (787) 503.3003
© 2013 LORRAINE BLASOR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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