Houston Has What it Takes to Tackle Anything
Dang, it’s been a steamy, sweaty summer! It was challenging to be outside, doing the things I normally love to do: garden, paddle with my husband, and jog in the afternoon to clear my head. The heat and humidity drove me inside, and I’m lucky to have that option. The weather is really hard on people who have to work outside, like farmers.
Talking to vendors at the farmers markets, it’s striking to hear a shining sense of optimism, even as they share their challenges. Farmers, in particular, seem to have optimism built into their DNA. Now, they might be relying on the “fake it till you make it” mantra, but I don’t think so. There really seems to be an overarching sense of optimism for the future—with the caveat that things would be so much better if everyone, who was able, would just get vaccinated already! We can’t control the weather, but we can have an impact on our social conditions.
Back to the weather… The only things that seemed unfazed by the summer weather were okra, water spinach, and mosquitos. Move over, okra, today we’re dreaming about persimmons, prickly pear, roselle, sweet Gulf shrimp and fall tomatoes!
In this issue, with the theme “Recover,” Houstonians demonstrate that we can take the heat, and we’ll fight like the dickens to move onward and upward! Layne van Vranken talks to farmer Van Weldon of Wood Duck Farms, who is fighting big business to keep his farm sustainable. David Leftwich checks in with Asian restaurants to learn how they are doing. Our Editor Francine Spiering shares her fabulous “use what you have” recipes. And, Hannah Heine, our new newsletter editor, is working to share content you’ll definitely want to read.
I’m optimistic about Edible Houston’s future. You, our faithful readers, are our biggest fans, and the people our advertisers are most eager to reach. I hope you’ll support our advertisers by doing business with them—they are the reason you’re reading this magazine. We’re working on a series of “Best of Local” Guides that will be a great resource for you and our local businesses. And, I’m encouraged by more of our occasional readers subscribing. Thank you! If you’re not yet a subscriber, I’d love to welcome you to the family! Subscribe HERE.
