I could spend days there

The Washington Post – to which we have a digital subscription – has been bought by Jeff Bezos. This is probably a good thing as it has been on a slippery financial slope for a while and it would be a shame to lose such a good newspaper.

We are fortunate that it was not acquired by someone like Rupert Murdoch - whereupon it would have become another right wing rag and not worthwhile reading.

We have now found – we think – all of the good food stores in Indianapolis.

Our first major find was Whole Foods – which we thought was terrific – with a wonderful range of fresh food and a vast array of groceries. We are still amazed by stores like this after five years in Vienna where almost no stores have an equivalent range – and are of course much more expensive. We will not even talk about my local Spar in Vienna - which was pitiful.

But then we found The Fresh Market which is even better than Whole Foods and is my new favorite place in Indianapolis – I could spend days there. This is only 30 blocks away – which is close for Indianapolis – being just 4.3 miles.

Next door to this is Locally Grown which sells fresh fruit and vegetables from Indiana and surrounding states.

This bounty has inspired me to become more adventurous with my cooking and I am scouring my collection of cookbooks for inspiration. But tonite is Risotto again – to make sure my last attempt was not a fluke. This is a special request from Cate – I hope I can live up to her expectations

Perhaps they will do a weekend supplement

I am filling out more forms so that we can continue to live in the USA.

In addition to testifying that we are not Communists or Nazis – do not practice polygamy - and do not intend to overthrow the government - we are required to list:

“your present and past membership in or affiliation with every organization, association, fund, foundation, party,  club society or similar group in the U.S. or in any other places since your 16^th birthday”.

Blimey – I will need to rack my brains over this.

But I am beginning to think that the USA is Detroit – but Detroit got there sooner.

Each day there are depressing stories about the crumbling infrastructure – long term unemployment – mind-boggling illiteracy - poverty on a scale which is difficult to comprehend in a country such as America – and a Congress which is so dysfunctional as to be a menace to society.

Today was better – the New York Times was not delivered so I contented myself with the Indianapolis Star where the main story was about the state fair.

They could not devote the usual amount of space to Obama bashing – but perhaps they will do a weekend supplement.

It's the year of popcorn!

We have been busy doing householder things. We had another rug delivered. The cats love our new rugs – they are so good for claw sharpening – and for sleeping on when they have done that.

The Indianapolis Star sent me a letter apologizing for the missed newspapers and enclosed two tickets to any Indianapolis Indians regular season game. The Indians play baseball. Cate thinks we should go but I am not too keen because I saw a baseball game on TV once and it did not excite me at all.

Still – it would be an experience – and as I cannot watch cricket any more perhaps I may just have to get used to baseball.

The Indiana State Fair has started and we almost cycled there on the weekend – it’s the year of popcorn and Indiana is America's second largest popcorn producer. 

We know exactly what will be at the fair - apart from popcorn - but should go for the experience – although the thought of the heat and all those people…….

Still – Cate is very fond of cows and other animals – having been raised on a farm -  so I am sure we will get there before it ends on 18 August.