A Care Package From Milwaukee

It would be a long ride back to DC from Milwaukee, and we wanted to get an early start. So we would be skipping breakfast and get right down to it. We generally try to return in a day, rather than stay at a motel along the way. Going out is one thing, but coming back is another. We lived in Milwaukee for thirty years and whenever we visit, we stay at our old next door neighbor's place, right next to our old home. That had advantages and disadvantages, but it's always a very nice time. Since we were leaving early, our hosts made up a surprise care package for us. It included two coffee mugs filled with coffee, cinnamon buns, and fruit. We ended up having coffee there before leaving, and took along the rest of the treats. It was a very thoughtful thing to do and we took full advantage of the contents, including the napkins and hand wipes, not long after we left. The fruit hit the spot somewhere in Indiana, and we sparingly finished off the cinnamon buns right before our arrival home around midnight. Whenever we visit Milwaukee and visit our friends and colleagues it makes us wonder why we moved. I suppose as long as we are able to travel about back and forth it's a nice getaway for all concerned. But I don't know how many care packages any one else would get. It's nice to know folks for long periods of time. It's the small things that matter most.  

Hay, Blueberries, Farms and Gators

We've been driving to Florida more than usual lately. My dad died in June and we visit my mom as often as we can. I grew up in Florida and every time we go, things look familiar but also unexpectedly not. As a family we probably drove around most of the state. And I spent four years driving back and forth from Florida State University in Tallahassee to our home. But this path takes us through the central part of the state where there are a lot of farms, which I didn't really know existed - Cattle, horses, and the familiar citrus. But it is a side of Florida that looks very different from the Gulf of Mexico, beaches, Tampa bay, Dolphins, and Pelicans that I am more used to. Nevertheless my husband and I enjoy the ride from DC - especially since we got our new Subaru Forester that sure beats our eleven year old forester that we recently traded in. So we'll keep coming as long as possible - and I hope it's for a long time more to come! 

The Orange Tree

Aside from being known as the Sunshine State, Florida also has citrus - and a lot of it. We used to have both grapefruit and orange trees in our back yard. Now there is a single orange tree left and it is a lot bigger than I can remember. So we went out there this afternoon so my husband could pick a few. Of course, he wanted the ones on the higher branches. There are so many oranges on this tree that a lot of them have ready already fallen off. So he found a long branch on the side of the house and started whacking at them - but no luck. We then heard a voice come from over the fence. The backyard neighbor was asking us if we wanted an orange picker. He must have seen and heard our plight. So the pole came sliding across the top of the fence. We snatched four oranges from the higher branches and returned the handy tool to the owner. Now my husband has a few to keep him busy in the next day or two. He just needs a big bottle of salt. The oranges are really heavy and juicy - just the way he likes them. We'll probably try to get a few more before leave. It's a great reminder of where I grew up and so different from where I live now. Oh - and did I mention the sunshine?

 

Cuties Are Made For Kids?

We always had fruit in the house. Watermelon is one of my favorites. Every afternoon I have a sliced apple after lunch and every evening we have some sort of fruit to munch on while watching TV. It usually consists of at least three different varieties - melon, cherries, grapes, strawberries... Once in a while we have oranges. But not just any kind of orange. I really don't care for the big ones because it's too much and too messy. But what I really like are the tiny little ones that are easy to peal, are juicy, and very tasty. When we went to Costco last week we found some "small quantities" of some things - including the oranges. But when I got home and had the first one, I noticed the sticky tag on one. It said "cuties are for kids." When I looked at some of the other tags, they all had different pictures with the Internet address of cutieskids.com. I haven't looked at the website but only know that you don't have to be a kid to enjoy these little treats. Yes, it's a gimmick as is everything else. But it's a cute one. 

The Clouds and Signs of Florida - and Big Dandy Don Garlits

Big Dandy Don Garlits doesn't mean anything to me. But growing up in Florida it was a name you always heard. We passed by the drag racing museum on our return road trip heading back to DC. Along the way, the clouds and signs are very unique to the sunshine state, and all too familiar. The baby alligators are still advertised along with pecans, and citrus, and taxidermy. I never really noticed both the cattle and horse farms. It's not unusual to see truckloads of watermelon. And of course it rains with the sun out.   We left my parents this morning. They both encountered medical emergencies at the same time so we started this unexpected road trip a week ago. Now we are moving on to the next phase and are hopeful things will go well. I'm very glad I have siblings, friends, well wishers and digital devices around. Florida looks better and better every time we visit. Maybe my dad had it right when we moved there 55 years ago. 

Whole Foods

After breakfast this afternoon at McLean Family Restaurant, our usual place every Saturday, my husband wanted to get some bread at the grocery store. There is a Safeway right across the street from the restaurant, but he wanted to try a Whole Foods store. We have been to the one in Alexandria, and have seen the one across from Crate and Barrel in Arlington, and another on Wisconsin Avenue on the way to Bethesda. So I punched in Whole Foods in google maps and one popped up in McLean. It took about fifteen minutes to get there and the parking lot was jammed. We drove around a few times before finding a spot by the left over snow pile. When he returned my husband was all happy about the selections of fruits, breads, cheese, and just about everything else. He said everything looked fresher and was cheaper than the Harris Teeter in our neighborhood. Since he does all the grocery shopping and loves to cook I am the last person to advise him where to go. It just so happens a Whole Foods store will be coming to our neighborhood, but not until 2017. It might be worth a trip there now and again...the strawberry shortcake was simply delicious the last time we got a piece. It's hard to imagine how things will be in 2017. This neighborhood has really changed since we moved, and it keeps getting better all the time. So it can snow on Monday because we have everything we need for breakfast, lunch and dinner.