S&S, I did go to Friese’s talk and intend to blog about it. Alas, I’ve been so busy I have a backlog. Watch this space!

Right now, we’re being impressed by Connecticut, which is supporting its farmers and its farmlands with energy, appetite, intelligence and websites. The Department of Agriculture Website (http://tinyurl.com/46cc5z) proudly displays a link to the Connecticut Farms Map (http://www.ctfarms.uconn.edu/), where visitors are invited to “map an agricultural adventure”. We’re all about slow, languid food and supporting small producers (and we’re aware of our responsibilities to the small coffee farmer in Uganda, as well as to the guy growing apples down the road), and it’s exciting to see support for local farms. May it become an international pattern, and not a passing trend.

On the subject of slow food, we’re ordering Friese’s book. We may even give a few copies as gifts, during the upcoming holidays. Let the slowness spread.

As a consolation prize, we’re ordering a copy of Friese’s book, which we’ll probably read swiftly.

Lawrence Originals should be fabulous. That’s very exciting. Is there anything you’re particularly eager to see (smell, taste . . . ) there?

Connecticut is doing more and more to support its farmers. At all levels, the enthusiasm is not just encouraging; it’s enough to instill optimism in the most dour. It isn’t only fiscal. Online, there’s a farm map (http://www.ctfarms.uconn.edu/) with an invitation to “plan an agricultural adventure”). If you go to the state’s Department of Agriculture site (http://tinyurl.com/46cc5z), the same map is proudly displayed. Farmers’ markets are increasing in size and number, chefs are making more and more sustainable choices, and consumers are (for want of a better phrase) wising up. It’s a trend we’d love to see in every state.

Neither of us is from Connecticut, by the bye. What’s happening there makes us happy, and happiness is something we like to share.