Remarks....

Several things currently on my mind...
• One of the things that I find most difficult about living in Memphis is the challenge of finding the foods I eat at all one store. I'll be the first to admit that I am quite picky and do tend to latch onto particular things (specific brands, etc.) and then buy them constantly. But, it's not like I need hand-picked, organic, can-only-get-them-in-one-part-of-the-world, only growing for 2 weeks a year vegetables or something. I don't even eat vegetables. (I'll speak about my aversion to green foods at some other time). These are the simple things I like which require me to go to at least 5 different stores:
1. Skyline Chili-Everyone who knows me knows this is my very favorite food. It hails from Cincinnati and has been made according to secret receipe since 1949. If you are unfamiliar with this product I'd urge you to check out their site. Now, when I moved to TN I had to write all kinds of letters to Kroger (the only grocery down here that can order Skyline) to get them to carry it in at least ONE of their Memphis locations.
2. Bigelow Earl Grey Green Tea-For some reason, Bigelow is the only brand I know of that makes Earl Grey in a Green Tea variety. It smells amazing and is a great thing to unwind with. Currently only available at Kroger.
3. Alexis Organic Oven Fries (olive oil and sea salt variety)-Ok, yes, they are organic. But, I don't really care about that. What I like about these fries is that they can be cooked in the oven (as the name implies) and they actually taste like potatos. I owe Sheri thanks for introducing me to this, and for getting me hooked on them. Target used to carry this variety (they still carry the brand) but now I have to go to a place called Fresh Market (upscale fancy expensive grocery like West Point Market for those Ohioans)
4. Pete's Summer Brew (beer)-for domestic, mass-produced beer, this stuff is good. Actually unfiltered (as all beer should be) with real beer taste. Unfortunately it's only seasonal, but I'm trying to enjoy it while its around. Usually available at Target, sometimes Kroger.
5. Twinings Darjeeling Tea-Ok, yes, I am a tea freak. I drink tea in some form or fashion almost exclusively. Almost every store I go to carries the Twinings brand. Yet, for some reason you can only get the Darjeeling variety at Fresh Market or World Market. I have no idea why.
So, to sum up, for ALL my groceries I usually have to go to at least 4-5 stores which is more than aggrivating given the current gas prices. Today however, I happened to stop by a Kroger near my work and found (to my surprise) numbers 1, 2 and 4 on my list! So, while this doesn't solve all of my grocery shopping issues, it at least elimitates a few stops.
• It absolutely refuses to rain here. It has not rained any significant amount in almost a month. Today is the closest we have come and the rain gods have done nothing more than torture us with humidity so thick you could cut it with a knife, clouds, and some wind. Every time the radar shows a spot of rain coming close, it somehow manages to jump over or avert our poor, drying out, withering city. It really sucks.
• And finally, a big thanks to all those who have "quoted" my blog entry entitled "Inventory". You make me feel loved! Thanks for reading!