Missing Baltimore, Hon

I certainly don't miss the cold weather of the North, although this morning in Atlanta it is snowing . . . which means nothing. We could be wearing tshirts and running around barefoot in 70 degree temperatures by this afternoon. What I do miss is family — a generous spattering of them is in Baltimore and towns about and states abutting. I miss the ethnic pockets — Italian neighborhoods, German, Polish — all of them so rich in tradition and true to their roots.There's the food — Maryland blue crabs by the bushel to be enjoyed on a summer afternoon on wooden picnic tables, the sting of Old Bay seasoning on your fingers. And crab cakes, and soft-shell crabs. And I sorely miss the snowball stands (see this wonderful article to truly understand what a treasure this is). There's the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, marble stoops and painted screens. And that Baltimore accent, hon, is my first language. I've lost much of it now that I'm in the South, but when I go back, it spills out of my mouth and I am home.

This Christmas my dad and his wife sent a package that included this coffee. I have really enjoyed it and plan on ordering some, as I drank the last of it this morning. Again, another thing to love about Baltimore.