So it has just come to my attention that the Boundary Waters in Minnesota/Canada are being threatened by a proposed mine. We cannot let this happen. The Boundary Waters is a majestic, beautiful place, filled with life. Mining in the area will damage if not kill that life. It will certainly impact the pristine nature of the place.
I went there two years ago on a canoe trip. At one point you make a portage and you are no longer near motor boats or any semblance of civilization. It is truly thrilling. In certain areas of the BW you can drink straight from the lakes, it is that pure. It is awesome. You are away from everything that modern man has created; sounds, smells, sights. You are immersed in nature. It is a spiritual experience. I had never seen a place like that before.
I fell in love with the Boundary Waters. It is a place I have dreamed of taking my kids for the last two years. They are still small and won't be able to completely appreciate it. I look forward when we can set out in a canoe and travel the wild, cold and clear lakes, to get in touch with nature and with ourselves.
If a mine is built, there's a good chance that the Boundary Waters will become polluted and ultimately will lose its magic. We cannot let that happen. Please follow these links to a petition to the Parks Service to deny further mine leases and this link to an article with more information on this.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Blue Plate Cafe
I have driven past this place for 16 years. I was always intrigued and always meant to stop by. Finally, the opportunity presented itself today to check this place out.
It's exceptionally bright in there. The walls are painted yellow. The tables have blue checkered tablecloths. It felt like I had stepped into the typical Southern Grandma's kitchen. Upon entering, I was bombarded by the warm smell of maple syrup and pancakes. The place was clean and bright.
The menus are pretty interesting. They look like old newspapers and have a wide variety. The whole place had a nostalgic feel to it. The coffee cups were the old fashioned, small cups of my grandparents'. It was enjoyable to sit in a place that was so nice and cheery while I drank coffee.
The food reminded me of what my mom and my grandma used to make. I had the meatloaf and while good, it was a bit different from what I was used to. They use a tomato sauce which is a bit different than ketchup. I enjoyed the tangy tomato sauce. The biscuits were awesome! They were fluffy and soft. Went well with the butter. Cornbread muffins were also pretty good. The food was overall really good and not super expensive. However, the portions were a bit on the small side. I wasn't completely satisfied and though the prices weren't too bad, the portions did not equal the price (in my opinion).
It was a great experience and I will try this place again and most likely will eat here fairly regularly.
It's exceptionally bright in there. The walls are painted yellow. The tables have blue checkered tablecloths. It felt like I had stepped into the typical Southern Grandma's kitchen. Upon entering, I was bombarded by the warm smell of maple syrup and pancakes. The place was clean and bright.
The menus are pretty interesting. They look like old newspapers and have a wide variety. The whole place had a nostalgic feel to it. The coffee cups were the old fashioned, small cups of my grandparents'. It was enjoyable to sit in a place that was so nice and cheery while I drank coffee.
The food reminded me of what my mom and my grandma used to make. I had the meatloaf and while good, it was a bit different from what I was used to. They use a tomato sauce which is a bit different than ketchup. I enjoyed the tangy tomato sauce. The biscuits were awesome! They were fluffy and soft. Went well with the butter. Cornbread muffins were also pretty good. The food was overall really good and not super expensive. However, the portions were a bit on the small side. I wasn't completely satisfied and though the prices weren't too bad, the portions did not equal the price (in my opinion).
It was a great experience and I will try this place again and most likely will eat here fairly regularly.
Italian Festival!
Just wanted to post about the upcoming Italy Festival this coming weekend. As always, it will be at Marquette Park on the corner of Park and Mendenhall/Mt. Moriah. I've listed the times and entrance fees below.
Thursday June 2nd 4pm-10:30pm Admission: $8
Friday June 3rd 11am-11:00pm Admission: $10
Saturday June 4th 11am-11:00pm Admission: $10 ($15 after 4pm)
For more details, follow this link.
I'll have a write up on it this weekend.
Thursday June 2nd 4pm-10:30pm Admission: $8
Friday June 3rd 11am-11:00pm Admission: $10
Saturday June 4th 11am-11:00pm Admission: $10 ($15 after 4pm)
For more details, follow this link.
I'll have a write up on it this weekend.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Too long
Man, it's been a year since I've posted. Unfortunately I've let some gold slip through my fingers. New Bass Pro opened and I'm not there. IKEA announces they are coming to Memphis and I say nothing. Well my friends, I am going to do better. I am going to start keeping a better blog for you all.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Memphis in May and other upcoming events
I'm a bit ashamed to say that I don't usually do Memphis in May. I'm usually "too busy" or "don't have enough money", but not this year. I'm going. I'm not going to all of it or even most of it, but I am going to BBQ Fest.
BBQ Fest is a utopian vision of Barbeque and fellowship. The roads are pave in ribs and beer flows freely. Choirs of angels fill the air with sweet song while the grills and cookers fill give it the sweet smell of savory meats. Enemies forget their issues with each other and everyone is filled brotherly love.
Well okay, maybe not quite like that, but BBQ fest is pretty awesome from what I've been told. Like I shamefully said earlier, I've never been. I'm changing that. With the decision to permanently make our home here in the Bluff City, my wife and I have decided to do more in the city. See more of it. Learn more of it and just generally become true Memphians.
Hopefully I'll see you out there.
BBQ Fest is actually only one of three events of the main, overarching event of Memphis in May. MIM also boasts an awesome outdoor concert and a symphony concert. All three events are said to be awesome. I'm speaking from experience about Beale Street Music Fest, I've been a couple times and it's been awesome each time I've gone.
Here is the link to MIM.
On top of the Memphis in May festivities, another great party is coming in May: The Memphis Greek Fest. Sponsored by Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on N. Highland Street, this festival highlights all things Greek. It's a wonderful time of dancing, singing, food and fun! This is one party not to be missed. This is a rain or shine event. $3 for adults, $1 for children 6 and up, and children 5 and under are free.
BBQ Fest is a utopian vision of Barbeque and fellowship. The roads are pave in ribs and beer flows freely. Choirs of angels fill the air with sweet song while the grills and cookers fill give it the sweet smell of savory meats. Enemies forget their issues with each other and everyone is filled brotherly love.
Well okay, maybe not quite like that, but BBQ fest is pretty awesome from what I've been told. Like I shamefully said earlier, I've never been. I'm changing that. With the decision to permanently make our home here in the Bluff City, my wife and I have decided to do more in the city. See more of it. Learn more of it and just generally become true Memphians.
Hopefully I'll see you out there.
BBQ Fest is actually only one of three events of the main, overarching event of Memphis in May. MIM also boasts an awesome outdoor concert and a symphony concert. All three events are said to be awesome. I'm speaking from experience about Beale Street Music Fest, I've been a couple times and it's been awesome each time I've gone.
Here is the link to MIM.
On top of the Memphis in May festivities, another great party is coming in May: The Memphis Greek Fest. Sponsored by Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on N. Highland Street, this festival highlights all things Greek. It's a wonderful time of dancing, singing, food and fun! This is one party not to be missed. This is a rain or shine event. $3 for adults, $1 for children 6 and up, and children 5 and under are free.
Friday, December 20, 2013
You learn something everyday
Awhile ago I was renewing my car tags. On my way out I casually remarked that I was going to put the new sticker on top of the old sticker. Quickly, the lady helping me out told me not to do so, stating that it is easier to steal if you stack sticker upon sticker. I hadn't thought about that before, but I guess it does make sense. So from now on you should put the sticker on a blank spot. If you don't have a blank spot, scrape an old sticker off and put the new one on.
Moving
Welp. I've done it. I've taken the plunge and decided to make Memphis my permanent home. Yes, I have purchased a house. After several years of hemming and hawing and trying to leave Memphis, I have decided to stay.
We spent about two months looking for the right house and the search spanned the greater Memphis area. Each house had something to offer, but either it was too small or the neighborhood looked too dingy or the kitchen wasn't big enough. There was always something that my wife and I disagreed with. It was pretty frustrating.
The worst part was that we actually found a house we loved early on, but it was a bit out of our price range and I turned it down. We regretted it almost immediately. But alas it was gone so we pushed on.
House after house we refused. For a bit we almost gave up. We were just tired of the continual disappointment. Then on a lark I asked our realtor to check out this house near my place of employment. She said that it was a normal sale and that it was indeed in our price range. I decided to have a look.
I met the realtor at the property the following day and was immediately taken with the place. It wasn't as big as my wife and I were hoping and there was no garage, but the house felt nice. It was big enough for our family and for the planned increase of family. I can't quite explain it, but there was just a certain something about this place that spoke to me.
The next night I brought my wife and son over to check it out and the wife approved! We drew up a contract that night at a local McDonald's.
The next couple weeks were a blur of running around, signing documents, meeting inspectors, tracking down banking documents and what not. I did not get much downtime during this period. It seemed like I was always on the move, doing something for the house. And on Friday, December 13, it paid off when we closed on the house!
It's a mid-century ranch near Sea Isle Park. It's got a few things that need repairing, but overall it's a nice place. We're still adjusting and settling in and trying to make the place ours. We enjoy being homeowners, but I know it's going to be a lot of work in the near future.
We spent about two months looking for the right house and the search spanned the greater Memphis area. Each house had something to offer, but either it was too small or the neighborhood looked too dingy or the kitchen wasn't big enough. There was always something that my wife and I disagreed with. It was pretty frustrating.
The worst part was that we actually found a house we loved early on, but it was a bit out of our price range and I turned it down. We regretted it almost immediately. But alas it was gone so we pushed on.
House after house we refused. For a bit we almost gave up. We were just tired of the continual disappointment. Then on a lark I asked our realtor to check out this house near my place of employment. She said that it was a normal sale and that it was indeed in our price range. I decided to have a look.
I met the realtor at the property the following day and was immediately taken with the place. It wasn't as big as my wife and I were hoping and there was no garage, but the house felt nice. It was big enough for our family and for the planned increase of family. I can't quite explain it, but there was just a certain something about this place that spoke to me.
The next night I brought my wife and son over to check it out and the wife approved! We drew up a contract that night at a local McDonald's.
The next couple weeks were a blur of running around, signing documents, meeting inspectors, tracking down banking documents and what not. I did not get much downtime during this period. It seemed like I was always on the move, doing something for the house. And on Friday, December 13, it paid off when we closed on the house!
It's a mid-century ranch near Sea Isle Park. It's got a few things that need repairing, but overall it's a nice place. We're still adjusting and settling in and trying to make the place ours. We enjoy being homeowners, but I know it's going to be a lot of work in the near future.
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