Wednesday, September 23, 2015

The seasons shift


Today the Autumn Equinox marks the beginning of Fall.  The daylight hours will dwindle until we reach the Winter Solstice in December, the shortest day of the year.  Fall happens every year, but the transition is always a bit surprising.  For summer lovers, certain things help.  The purchase of a new sweater or a seasonal drink, for example.


The Pope got the national news share this morning, but did you know Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Everett yesterday to kick off a week-long visit to America?  Anyone who has to drive anywhere in the Puget Sound region is painfully aware of the fact.  As a visiting of head of state, the freeways are closed without advance warning for his giant motorcade, as he criss-crosses the area visiting important companies and people.  

It looks like a grueling schedule, but he brought along an entourage of 1,000 to attend his needs. I wonder if anyone will buy him a pumpkin spice latte?  Starbucks is planning a massive expansion in China and they're altering their stores and products to adapt to Chinese tastes.  

For example, the Chinese Starbucks sells mooncakes, a "must eat" treat during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In case you didn't know, a mooncake is a round pastry, usually made from a combination of sweet and savory ingredients.  For example, bean paste with a tasty center of salted duck egg.  

Everyone should try a moon cake-- once. But leave it to Starbucks!  They've developed a Coffee Verona and a Lychee and Raspberry Mooncake that don't sound half bad.



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