It left a lasting impression when I walked up the stone steps and into the cavernous dark beauty of the century old St. Louis Public Library years ago. The lighting was very poor but you knew you were surrounded by something special. Most impactful was the smell, the old, old book smell. It was enveloping, and comforting. The author I was there to see, Linda Barry, was enthralled by it as well and spoke endearingly of it that night.

This past weekend I went to hear renowned author Kate DiCamillo speak in that recently refurbished grande dame of libraries. The smell was gone but the interior shone bright with greatness. The mosaics, stained glass, and stunning ceilings have been reborn. They do not make them like this anymore. Just a week earlier I went to see children's book author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klassen at a new library in a suburban outpost. This youthful duo's hip talent and playfulness played well in the slick modern setting. Libraries are a gift that just keep giving.

The autumn leaves have peaked. A front moves in tonight, and with the ensuing storms, the temperature and remaining leaves will fall. Times change, buildings change and we must look for the beauty in every season.

This summer I joined a CSA. With Autumn upon us it is nearing its end and I will miss it. The acronym stands for Community-Supported Agriculture and it is a system in which farmers sell directly to local consumers.   Every week participants pick up their produce from a designated pick-up point. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the CSA I joined provides house-made goods from the restaurant that is the point of retrieval.  These items have included giardiniera, jams, and mustard.

I have no say in the kinds of produce offered each week. Every Tuesday has been a grab bag of treasures. As a result I have had to learn a thing or two in the kitchen. Eggplant and butternut squash have become less foreboding.  I have blanched and frozen vegetables for winter soups and hit the internet for recipes--a lot.  Monk beans were a mystery to me, but no more.  Overall it has been an enlightening and tasty experience.  I recommend checking to see if a CSA is available in your area.

TIP: Did you know there are male and female eggplants?  A female eggplant has more seeds (that tend to be bitter) so if you would prefer to choose a male the illustration above shows how to tell the difference. Once you have your eggplant, a simple way to prepare it is to punch holes into it with a fork then bake for a little over an hour in the oven until tender.  When it cools, slice it open and scoop out the soft flesh.  It can be used in pasta sauces or even to top a pizza. Buon appetito!

 
I have designed a lot of t-shirts over the years.  Mostly for motorcycle rallies but there have been other events and causes too.  This morning one of my designs showed up on my television.  Gateway Pet Guardians is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization that concentrates on the streets of East St. Louis and surrounding communities.  Jamie Case, GPG Executive Director, wore the tee I designed while on the local program Show Me St. Louis spotlighting a dog currently available for adoption.  Omaha is an approximately year and a half old pittie mix that was found wandering the streets of East St. Louis, Illinois, with a chain around his neck.  Did I mention he is deaf and knows sign language?  Yea, that's right.  You can find more information on this charmer here.  If you are interested in purchasing a shirt to help this organization with their efforts, you can find that information here.  All profits from the sales of this shirt go to GPG.

You just never know what the day will bring.  Perhaps a new dog friend?

It's August and that means the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is on.  From the fourth until the tenth of this month, the small town of Sturgis, South Dakota, will host nearly a half a million people from all fifty states and abroad.  Some of the finest riding can be found in the area including: beautiful Spearfish Canyon outside Deadwood, the Black Hills with Mt. Rushmore, and the back roads to Devils Tower in Wyoming.  But people make the rally.  Riding with old friends, making new memories along the way, is what it is all about. 

This drawing was done for a friend in honor of her birthday.  It features her bike and Snoopy, her Great Dane.  Neither Snoopy nor I advocate taking your dog for a ride, but it is fun to imagine--and draw. 

If you are heading to Sturgis, RIDE SAFE.  And
leave your dog at home.

Every year a small, nearby municipality has a fireworks display.  It is usually on a day other than the fourth so it doesn't compete with larger celebrations. For a small village, they put on a bang up show.  We found a grassy hillside perch just off a grocery store parking lot where every year we toss a blanket and enjoy the show.  The dog and cat stay home, but I couldn't resist imagining their delight if the show were silent.

Have a safe and fun Fourth of July.

It's National Donut Day.  Enough said.

It is World Turtle Day!  Founded in 1990, it was started to help increase respect and knowledge for the world's oldest creature. 

Many a time the family car of my childhood stopped on a rural road to help a turtle get to the other side safely.  A time or two we took a turtle home for the weekend--something that is not recommended for the sake of the poor turtle.  We all know better now and our love of turtles endures.

Please celebrate the beauty of the Missouri box turtle, the Florida sea turtle, and the like.  Help preserve turtle and tortoise species throughout the world.  It would be a diminished world without them. Check out tortoise.com for more information.