Roen Reviews

Gray A Story of Loss ROEN REVIEWS

We love that the Igloo RECOOL is made entirely from biodegradable materials and when it comes to the end of its life, instead of going into the landfill to sit for many, many years, this cooler can be composted and can actually replenish the soil. It arrived in minimal, sustainable packaging. We applaud Igloo’s many philanthropic projects, but our reviewer was more concerned with the usability of the cooler. The RECOOL does not hold ice well and when the ice melts, it must be emptied quickly, or the cardboard starts to disintegrate. Our reviewer used an Igloo cooler of the same size, for a fair comparison and filled both on the same day at the same time with exactly the same amount of drinks and ice. A few hours later, most of the ice had melted in the biodegradable cooler. Our reviewer used a bungee cord to keep the lid from blowing off. If you factor in the additional cost for Igloo’s special lid holder, the reasonably priced cooler (under $10), costs almost as much as a sturdier model that will last for years.

Our reviewer said, “I have had the Igloo Playmate for about seven years, now, and have never had to replace it.”

We deducted a point for not living up to the hype, one for our reluctance to purchase. This cooler is a far better alternative to Styrofoam coolers, for those who don’t mind the risk of losing the lid or the extra care required to sustain the life of the cooler, and don’t want the expense or permanence of a regular cooler. igloocoolers.com • 8 ,

By Erica Stone ericastone.net 97810901501275, $12.99, amazonsmile.com

Erica Stone and her husband wanted to adopt a child from a third-world African nation. They had the best intentions for the child but were prevented for a long time in doing so, for many reasons, among them, a corrupt system. They were finally granted permission, after years of struggle. Erica and her husband then wanted to do the same for another child but, they were told the little girl had died. From then on, Erica made it her mission to change the unethical process. In fact, she started her own agency to further her cause, so that children were no longer pawns in a fraudulent practice. My only complaint is that this book is hard to follow, at times, with the way it is told. It jumps around, instead of being a straight progression from the beginning to the end. Otherwise Gray, A Story of Loss is a painful reminder of what any prospective parent goes through when adopting a child from another nation. Gray, A Story of Loss is a dark and sinister journey of one family's plight. It is also an uplifting story of what one person can do to change a terrible situation in the world.

b Uneke

MAGAZINE

.org 43 Gary Roen, is the author of Journey, Slotski’s World, The Forgotten

Father, Look at Me World, and is the co-author of Cats, Cats and More Cats. Contact him at gsroen@aol.com or on Facebook and LinkedIn.