Bare Feet and Lightning Bugs

Thursday, July 28, 2011

God's Good Rain

We've been hoping for rain around here for the past few weeks.

Temperatures have been in the 90's, and most of our lawns resemble farmer's hay.

I've learned that in weather this hot,

we can water our lawns each morning

but loose the battle of "greening" over time.

On the other hand,

we can get a good soaking of what my mother calls,

"God's Good Rain"

and our lawns green almost over night.

Last night "God's Good Rain" came in great torrents.

Lightning lit the sky and thunder boomed.

I loved it...great sleeping weather.

Morning's light, however,

revealed other effects of that rain.

Drivers navigated their vehicles through a foot of standing water on some local roads.

I swung into the driveway of a local shopping plaza for coffee from

Lake Caribou...

The usually calm portion of the river that runs through our city park

over ran it's banks and spilled onto

the walking and picnic areas.

Perhaps,

God chose to answer all of our prayers for rain

at one time!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Astro Coffee - You Gotta Eat Here #3

I tasted my first Flat White, a few years ago

at a Detroit coffee bar in Corktown.

It was wonderful.

I was hooked and happy until the bar closed shortly thereafter.

Since,

I've searched from Ann Arbor to Birmingham

for the illusive Flat White

only to find it again in,

of all places,

Corktown!

My daughter and I visited ASTRO coffee Saturday.

We opened the door to enter a space that was cool,

comfortable, and relaxed.

Can you guess our order?

When the owner handed me my Flat White,

the years since the last one melted away.

Uhm!

Just as I remembered.

I closed my eyes.

For a brief moment,

I was back at that cool coffee bar,

perched on one of it's window stools

until...

my daughter nudged me and said,

"Ooh, look at that sandwich!"

It was a beautiful long loaf with sliced beets and

a spread of creme fraiche with avocado and mint.

She ordered one.

I opted for the pork meatball with caramelized onions and aioli.

It was wonderful!

Later, we selected a desert from the counter display of

brownies, banana bread, cakes and cookies.

DELICIOUS!

We plan to return soon!

The staff is friendly.

The atmosphere is pleasant.

The food and coffee are wonderful.

Without a doubt,

You gotta eat here!

Check out ASTRO Coffee on Facebook

or read more about their story at:

http://astrocoffeedetroit.blogspot.com/

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year, New Life

Think before you speak,

even if it keeps you silent.

Lead your own life,

you were not born to follow.

Keep your word,

it makes you dependable.

Help others,

it heals your own heart.

Give,

just because!

...a more meaningful life!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food

Every spring my parents planted gardens.

It was a lesson in patience for me.

After long days under the West Virginia sun, tomatoes ripened on the vine.

Barefoot, with a small pile of salt in one hand, I walked the dusty rows until the reddest one caught my eye. I'd pluck it from the vine, shine it on my blouse, lift a small portion of peel, sprinkle it with salt, and bite into the warm juicy flesh.

When I turned nine, we moved to Michigan and bought tomatoes from the produce or canned food isles of grocery stores. No more gardens. No more dusty rows.

Fast forward to 2010.

Thanks to Slow Food Detroit, the idea of fresh, locally grown foods is making a comeback.

Slow Food Detroit, and it's many members, understand and advocate the importance of sustainable foods for our physical well being, and they are doing something about it.

My daughters and I attended the first annual "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" fundraiser at the Coach Insignia in Detroit.

It benefited the Slow Food Detroit resource fund for farmers and continuing education regarding the local and sustainable food movement.

We were greeted with champagne...