Well....

It has been a couple weeks since I have made my last post. I guess sometimes these late August months can mean that the summer laziness sets in as we all try to enjoy our last couple weeks of true summer weather. That, or I have just gotten inexcusably lazy. Hmm. It could be a solid combination of both scenarios.  I am going to live up these last few weeks of summer with bells on. 90 degree heat and all. I mean come on.... we can't ALWAYS be complaining about the weather. So, I will be sweating through the next few weeks with a smile on my face.

Last weekend Scott and I went to a wonderful wedding up at the Homestead in Glen Arbor.  On Saturday, while Scott was hitting the links, I had a chance to check out my friend, Emily, family's farm. Emily's cousin and his family started the business, Food For Thought. It was cool to see behind the scenes of what it takes to produce some absolutely delicious jams, preserves, mustards and honey. All organic. I have been savoring my jar of strawberry basil jam and cannot wait to open the variety of products I brought home (blueberry/lavender, apricot/chardonnay, cherry mustard… oh my!). Food For Thought is stocked on gourmet grocery shelves throughout Michigan and beyond. Lately, I have been trying to make a conscious effort to buy local and organic and this is a wonderful Michigan company to support both these needs!

A few other photos from the weekend...

Dream On

This entire week has been the "unofficial" start to the Dream Cruise, a 16 year tradition that defines everything "motor city". Starting Monday evening people, armed with folding chairs, began to line Woodward Avenue to look at the spectacle of cars cruisin' the M-1. Beginning from modest roots, the Cruise is a tribute to the days of drive-ins, Motown and obviously the cars that made Detroit, well, Detroit.  For years I have listened to my Dad talk about the days of Ted's drive-in and imagine all the kids hanging out in letter sweaters and saddle shoes munching on burgers while listening to the beats of the Temptations.

For many locals the Cruise can mean one of two things: 1. Hop in your hot rod and relive the glory years, or 2. Get the heck outta town. I have never been one to fully participate in the cruise, except for the years of 2000-2002 when my friends and I sold good humor bars and cotton candy in Birmingham's Shain Park. Now, those were the days! This year, however, I was feeling kind of revved up seeing all the cars and enthusiasts line the street. I began to realize, it is re energizing to see people bonding and coming together over a common interest. Armed with my camera and my hot rod lovin' friend, Jenny, I hit the streets tonight to soak in some of the excitement. We didn't get very far, but I was suprised to find that the energy was contagious. I think, with an oreo flurry in hand, I could have stayed out there all night.  There were some amazinnngg cars.  Since many of them were crusin' it was hard to snap pictures, but I did manage to capture some shots of the parked cars on display. Hands down my favorite car was an old woody wagon with authentic vintage surf boards and luggage strapped to the top. Legit! A close second was a pink Cadillac, dune buggy, Model T and of course a "Ghost Buster" mobile. Jenny, on the other hand, was attracted to everything that defined muscle. The more "badass" cars of the '60s, if you will. She was into the racing stripes and fuzzy dice. 

I was left with a great feeling. A greater hometown pride. We are people who make things and do things. While our future may not be as rooted in the automobile, I have no doubt that we will be able to carry on the passion for what we do, who we are and where we come from. It may not be glitzy, but this is America.

 Photos: Anne Strickland

Same Voice, New Name

As you may notice (or may not notice) I am here blogging under a new title. Just as Puff Daddy evolved into Diddy, I am reemerging as "The Revivalry". Dig it, Dog.

The Revivalry will encompass all that inspires me. I have always engaged the past into my present. I was probably the only kid in my second grade class to have seen every Katharine Hepburn movie and Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney film.  I also had all the biographies and Life magazines to support both of the above. In addition, I have Katharine Hepburn and Mickey Rooney's autographs. They finally caved after receiving about 15 fan mail letters from an oddly enthusiastic eight year old. For Judy Garland, I have a nicely framed, signed portrait of Liza Minelli. Obviously her closest link circa 1993. 

As my interest evolved, I rushed to every flea market, antique show and estate sale that represented a world seemed would be lost without my immediate attention.  I loved how the treasures I found uniquely embodied aspects of previous generations. It is through learning from the past I have learned to more greatly appreciate my present and anticipate my future. I look forward to sharing what invigorates my spirit.


You want to talk invigorate? Let's talk Michigan. For a state that gets a lot of shihtzu talked about it, I will be the first person to vouch for it's beauty and quality of people. For me, I see this place as a place where friends become family and the scenery cannot be beat. To kick off this home-state spirit, I am going to include a few photos of a recent Michigan Summer  weekend...