I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.
From The Waking by Theodore Roethke
Heading to Michigan, so here is a quote from a poem by Michigan-born Theodore Roethke
Whole lot of if here.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
‘ Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!
Sick Day
“Sick” By Shel Silverstein
‘I cannot go to school today, ‘
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
‘I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox
And there’s one more-that’s seventeen,
And don’t you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut-my eyes are blue-
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I’m sure that my left leg is broke-
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button’s caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle’s sprained,
My ‘pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is-what?
What’s that? What’s that you say?
You say today is…Saturday?
G’bye, I’m going out to play! ‘
Anyone try these guys out?
R&R Taqueria? Elkridge, MD.
Looks good, but pretty celeb.
French Donuts
I had to try them. Donuts in France. The French are so good at pastries that I figured they would have an interesting take on Donuts. (By the way, if you ever have the chance, be sure to try a Fougasse d’Aigues Mortes — pastry with some olive oil and orange blossoms — amazing!)
And the French do have an interesting take on donuts. But not really interesting in a great sense.
Donuts Du France
The donuts I tried near Nimes were more like mini-cakes than donuts. A bit too much chocolate for me. A very well-made cake-nut, but not fried like a donut.
Donuts in Nimes
Next time I’m in France, I intend to stick to beignets.
San Francisco Donuts — Dynamo Steals the Show
Looks as good as it tastes.
I have to admit I was worried. I was counting on San Francisco — a foodie town, if there ever was one — to produce some great donuts. Exquisite donuts, in fact. But I started out on the wrong foot. Pier 39. I know, how touristy can you get? But I had read somewhere that there were good donuts to be had, albeit mini donuts, on the pier. How wrong. How Sad!
Mini Donuts, Mega Grease!
I was sure that Bob’s Donuts would restore my faith.
Bob's Donuts -- If you're stoned, you'll love them
Alas, more greasy donuts.
Looked good, but tasted greasy.
I was almost ready to give up, but I was determined to find a good donut in San Francisco. So I headed up to the Mission and was rewarded by Dynamo Donuts.
For the adventurous -- A Bacon Maple Apple Dynamo
One great sign was when I told the folks here that I love donuts and sample them in every city I visit, one of the cooks suggested I try the Vanilla Bean — the “technical donut” he said. Yes! A good glazed donut is the test for every donut shop. It’s the foundation and Dynamo’s did not disappoint. Vanilla glazed. More doughy, accent flavors just right with the right amount of sweetness, not a sugar bomb.
Vanilla Bean Perfection
The coconut was rich, but rewarding — like eating a Mars Bar donut. Not a huge fan of Coconut, but this will do Pig.
Dynamo Donuts Coconut
The caramel donut was a light touch. I am not a huge caramel fan — at all — but this one was light enough. If you like a huge caramel taste, you might be a tad disappointed.
Finally, the most unusual donut I have ever had is the spice donut. Chocolate Star Anise. Yes, these are frou frou donuts. But low-key frou frou. Fun frou frou. And now I am a fan fan.
Donuts at work. Dynamo takes donuts seriously, but still has fun.
Sara Spearin, the dynamo behind the donuts, was even kind enough to pose for a picture — after getting up at 5am to cover for someone who called in sick. And she still smiled! That’s what you’d expect from a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute.
Sara Spearin, Owner, Dynamo Donuts
Sol
Last day of Janey’s summer internship, she headed out to Sol food truck and brought back the steak tacos. Have to say they are solid. Not in the top ranks of DC tacos, but a capable entry and worth seeking out if the truck is in your neighborhood. Close to authentic Mexican, but lacks punch of the real thing.
You can find them on Facebook here.
