Aug 5, 2023·edited Aug 6, 2023Liked by Ruth Stroud
Fun to visit this old post Ruth! I like the style of your writing. I used to travel occasionally to Columbus and always enjoyed the German Village. The vibrancy of a land grant university can transform a city. I was surprised that Columbus was the 2nd largest city in the Midwest. Then I remembered that Jacksonville FL is the largest city in the US (land area -- Continental). Some cities incorporate many of their suburbs into a single entity. Loved the photos!
Thanks, Mark! I appreciate your checking out my older posts and your kind words. We were surprised at how much we really enjoyed visiting Columbus again after so many years. I didn't realize how a land grant university can make such a difference and that there's at least one in every state. I'll have to read more about this concept.
Aug 5, 2023·edited Aug 5, 2023Liked by Ruth Stroud
We try to incorporate University tours when we travel. They are always entertaining. Here is an old post of mine that is a bit about food which I think you will enjoy. It was inspired by walking around at a University. It was written in the early days of my SS when I was writing in obscurity. I think it is entertaining. https://markdolan.substack.com/p/the-norman-conquest
I think I might recommend a few of your posts to my readers -- at least the ones who enjoy when I go down the food rabbit hole :)
It's a fascinating post, Mark. You do have a way with statistics! I was also taken with your comments about the trendiness of gluten-free eating. I've certainly been struck by this and would like to investigate more. As you say, I think the percentage of folks with celiac disease is pretty small but there are far more that seem to be gluten-phobic. This may have more to do with the mass consumption of highly processed carb-rich foods, which simply aren't good for us and undoubtedly do make us sick--or at least fat. ... I'm always grateful for recommendations. I usually do write about food, but sometimes I do veer off into other subjects.
Thanks for the kind words. I learned a bit about celiac disease over the last 15 years in the Twin Cities. This has been a welcoming area for East Africans. They have a genuine genetic pre-disposition to celiac disease that emerged over millennia based on the food supply probably. I'm not a ranter and raver but I did transform my health when I changed my diet. I still eat whatever is on offer (I call myself an opportunarian) but largely am plant-based nowadays. I spent a portion of my career in a business adjacent to food. I saw a lot and learned a lot. It seems unlikely our monoculture diet and processing can be good for us. If nothing else it is simply not diverse enough to be healthy I think. I will read more of your backlog as time allows. I enjoy what I've seen so far.
Hi Ruth! Another great post. I know nothing about Ohio (I'm Australian) so it's all fascinating to me. I also love the idea of making your own ice cream, but have only done it once. My neighbour had an ice cream machine under her bed so I borrowed it for a few weeks, made ice cream like mad and gave it back.
Thanks so much, Marg! As I said in the piece, I bought the ice cream maker on a whim, then never took it out of the box, so we’ll see if I do it now. I think you had the better idea--borrow your neighbor’s machine rather than invest in another kitchen appliance you might only use a few times.
Lots of fun information Ruth! Love the photos of the old brick buildings and the ice cream sounds divine. I've only driven through Ohio on the way to visit family of my husband's in Indiana. It seems that we should delve deeper.
Thanks, Vicki! Indiana is where my husband’s family hails from (Indianapolis). It was more fun than I expected, but I’ve found that to be true of so many places we tend to dismiss or drive through.
Absolutely delightful post, Ruth! Hope you and Jeff come to Chicago at some point soon. Buckeyes look delicious and I loved Jeff’s tip about sunset photography! 📸
Thanks so much, Jolene! I definitely see Chicago on our To Visit list, though I don’t know when, but you’re the first person we’ll look up! The Buckeyes were a lot better than I thought they’d be. Had to give them away almost immediately so as not to polish them off!😆
Always such an enjoyable and informative read, Ruth , and written with such style that I feel I’m there with you as I read. Since I’m from the Midwest myself ( not Ohio, but Minnesota) and an area with German history, I especially relished the sausage and sauerkraut dish. Thanks for a great read on a Sunday morning.
Donna, such a lovely comment and so great to hear from you! I remember you mentioning the German heritage of the area where you grew up and would love to learn more about it! I hope all’s well and would love to talk soon!💕
What they need to do is paint the Ohio Statehouse so it is truly a Greek revival. Lots of bright colors, just like the ancient Greeks originally used. Rather than the bleached bones of white marble that long exposure to the elements has reduced them to!
Such a wonderful piece that really shows off the beauty of German Village! It's one of the great landmarks here and I'm so pleased you and Jeff got to experience it. Come back soon!
Thanks, Leslie! We really enjoyed it and our visit with you too! I hope we can return in the not too distant future and see more of the city and state--and, of course, see you again!🤗
this was such a fun read --- I grew up in Akron Oh., went to "THE" ; ) and after graduating stayed for a couple of years for a job. German Village (esp the Old Mohhawk) was like a second home to me. you captured the essence of one of my favorite cities perfectly xo
Wow, Beth, what a delightful comment! I’m happy if I captured a little of what we found so enjoyable about Columbus. We simply didn’t have enough time to see as much as we would have liked, but we loved what we saw, especially German Village. Thanks again for your comment!
This Brit long resident in the US (including in L.A.) long ago recognized the coastal bubble mentality, because it's akin to the joke that Londoners think civilization ends at Potter's Bar (see map to make sense of that one!) Drives me bonkers, honestly. It's, ironically, a kind of provincialism of its own. 😂 Thanks for the recipe. (P.S. I would suggest a sidetrip to see gorgeous Kenyon College, and Amish country. 😀)
Thanks for the comment, Annette. I did look up Potter’s Bar and get the reference, I think. Provincialism probably exists everywhere and has done since time immemorial, but it is good to fight its worst effects. Travel is a definitely a great antidote--or reading a lot.
I’d love to check out Kenyon College and Amish country. Thanks for the suggestions!
Fun to visit this old post Ruth! I like the style of your writing. I used to travel occasionally to Columbus and always enjoyed the German Village. The vibrancy of a land grant university can transform a city. I was surprised that Columbus was the 2nd largest city in the Midwest. Then I remembered that Jacksonville FL is the largest city in the US (land area -- Continental). Some cities incorporate many of their suburbs into a single entity. Loved the photos!
Thanks, Mark! I appreciate your checking out my older posts and your kind words. We were surprised at how much we really enjoyed visiting Columbus again after so many years. I didn't realize how a land grant university can make such a difference and that there's at least one in every state. I'll have to read more about this concept.
We try to incorporate University tours when we travel. They are always entertaining. Here is an old post of mine that is a bit about food which I think you will enjoy. It was inspired by walking around at a University. It was written in the early days of my SS when I was writing in obscurity. I think it is entertaining. https://markdolan.substack.com/p/the-norman-conquest
I think I might recommend a few of your posts to my readers -- at least the ones who enjoy when I go down the food rabbit hole :)
It's a fascinating post, Mark. You do have a way with statistics! I was also taken with your comments about the trendiness of gluten-free eating. I've certainly been struck by this and would like to investigate more. As you say, I think the percentage of folks with celiac disease is pretty small but there are far more that seem to be gluten-phobic. This may have more to do with the mass consumption of highly processed carb-rich foods, which simply aren't good for us and undoubtedly do make us sick--or at least fat. ... I'm always grateful for recommendations. I usually do write about food, but sometimes I do veer off into other subjects.
Thanks for the kind words. I learned a bit about celiac disease over the last 15 years in the Twin Cities. This has been a welcoming area for East Africans. They have a genuine genetic pre-disposition to celiac disease that emerged over millennia based on the food supply probably. I'm not a ranter and raver but I did transform my health when I changed my diet. I still eat whatever is on offer (I call myself an opportunarian) but largely am plant-based nowadays. I spent a portion of my career in a business adjacent to food. I saw a lot and learned a lot. It seems unlikely our monoculture diet and processing can be good for us. If nothing else it is simply not diverse enough to be healthy I think. I will read more of your backlog as time allows. I enjoy what I've seen so far.
Hi Ruth! Another great post. I know nothing about Ohio (I'm Australian) so it's all fascinating to me. I also love the idea of making your own ice cream, but have only done it once. My neighbour had an ice cream machine under her bed so I borrowed it for a few weeks, made ice cream like mad and gave it back.
Thanks so much, Marg! As I said in the piece, I bought the ice cream maker on a whim, then never took it out of the box, so we’ll see if I do it now. I think you had the better idea--borrow your neighbor’s machine rather than invest in another kitchen appliance you might only use a few times.
Oh wow, Jeni’s! My daughter and son in law’s favorite ice cream
Good choice! Never knew it was here!
looks like a great trip! how cool to visit the home of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream.
Thanks, Julia!
Lots of fun information Ruth! Love the photos of the old brick buildings and the ice cream sounds divine. I've only driven through Ohio on the way to visit family of my husband's in Indiana. It seems that we should delve deeper.
Thanks, Vicki! Indiana is where my husband’s family hails from (Indianapolis). It was more fun than I expected, but I’ve found that to be true of so many places we tend to dismiss or drive through.
It seems wherever you go you find good eats and architecture. Keep going, eating, and writing. Always interesting and informative.
Thanks, Judy! Undoubtedly, with your son as the Energizer Bunny, most likely I will keep going. Hopefully neither of us will run out of batteries!😅
Absolutely delightful post, Ruth! Hope you and Jeff come to Chicago at some point soon. Buckeyes look delicious and I loved Jeff’s tip about sunset photography! 📸
Thanks so much, Jolene! I definitely see Chicago on our To Visit list, though I don’t know when, but you’re the first person we’ll look up! The Buckeyes were a lot better than I thought they’d be. Had to give them away almost immediately so as not to polish them off!😆
😂
Thanks for sharing some thoughts on my hometown. Love the Book Loft!
Thanks, Christopher! We really loved the Book Loft and can’t wait to return to see more of your home town!
Brava! Beautiful job capturing the city
Thanks a million! I’m glad you liked the piece!
Always such an enjoyable and informative read, Ruth , and written with such style that I feel I’m there with you as I read. Since I’m from the Midwest myself ( not Ohio, but Minnesota) and an area with German history, I especially relished the sausage and sauerkraut dish. Thanks for a great read on a Sunday morning.
Donna, such a lovely comment and so great to hear from you! I remember you mentioning the German heritage of the area where you grew up and would love to learn more about it! I hope all’s well and would love to talk soon!💕
What they need to do is paint the Ohio Statehouse so it is truly a Greek revival. Lots of bright colors, just like the ancient Greeks originally used. Rather than the bleached bones of white marble that long exposure to the elements has reduced them to!
That would truly be a landmark to remember!
Such a wonderful piece that really shows off the beauty of German Village! It's one of the great landmarks here and I'm so pleased you and Jeff got to experience it. Come back soon!
Thanks, Leslie! We really enjoyed it and our visit with you too! I hope we can return in the not too distant future and see more of the city and state--and, of course, see you again!🤗
this was such a fun read --- I grew up in Akron Oh., went to "THE" ; ) and after graduating stayed for a couple of years for a job. German Village (esp the Old Mohhawk) was like a second home to me. you captured the essence of one of my favorite cities perfectly xo
Wow, Beth, what a delightful comment! I’m happy if I captured a little of what we found so enjoyable about Columbus. We simply didn’t have enough time to see as much as we would have liked, but we loved what we saw, especially German Village. Thanks again for your comment!
Love German Village!
This Brit long resident in the US (including in L.A.) long ago recognized the coastal bubble mentality, because it's akin to the joke that Londoners think civilization ends at Potter's Bar (see map to make sense of that one!) Drives me bonkers, honestly. It's, ironically, a kind of provincialism of its own. 😂 Thanks for the recipe. (P.S. I would suggest a sidetrip to see gorgeous Kenyon College, and Amish country. 😀)
Thanks for the comment, Annette. I did look up Potter’s Bar and get the reference, I think. Provincialism probably exists everywhere and has done since time immemorial, but it is good to fight its worst effects. Travel is a definitely a great antidote--or reading a lot.
I’d love to check out Kenyon College and Amish country. Thanks for the suggestions!