1893

1893 was the year of Chicago's World Fair and when Crane self-published "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets." It is also the year our house was built. I have been mustering up every ounce of my love for the nineteenth century to deal with the repairs! It really hasn't been too bad, but our gas has been off for almost a week because of a leak. Brian cheerfully saying "just like in the nineteenth century!" every time we have to take a cold shower or try to fix something ourselves sometimes doesn't cut it.

I love our house and I am excited about gradually fixing it up. It is already in pretty good shape, but we have enjoyed making small improvements like creating a downstairs washer/dryer hook up. I am always torn about making cosmetic changes that aren't really necessary because that money could be spent to help many more people. We justified the new washer and dryer because the old one was broken and the energy efficient washers wouldn't make it downstairs. Still, we have made other choices regarding new floors and counters that aren't really necessary.

bell hooks writes about the importance of sharing material possessions and living simply in Where We Stand: Class Matters (2000). She tells the story of when she got a brand new car. She was committed to avoiding luxury items, but she always wanted a new car and got one for herself to celebrate some event. Suddenly, she was more cautious about letting people borrow her car. With her old car, it was not as big of a deal if someone dented or wrecked it, but now it would have much more serious consequences. She realized the danger of luxury and how it can distance us from helping those in need.

I've been thinking about hooks in relationship to our new washer and dryer, probably the biggest luxury item we have purchased in regards to the fact that they were much nicer and more expensive than we really needed, although we are committed to buying energy efficient when possible. I would love to have our friends in the neighborhood use the washer and dryer anytime, but suddenly I am even more reluctant to wash Junior (our homeless friend's) clothes. Granted, Brian and I decided awhile ago that it would be best to wash his clothes at a public cleaner because of some unfortunate findings in his laundry. Still, I wonder what the function of owning a washer and dryer is if not to use it in service of the community.