such sweet and wholesome hours

How well the skillful gard’ner drew
Of flow’rs and herbs this dial new,
Where from above the milder sun
Does through a fragrant zodiac run;
And as it works, th’ industrious bee
Computes its time as well as we.
How could such sweet and wholesome hours
Be reckon’d but with herbs and flow’rs!

The Garden by Andrew Marvell

We were driving home last night from the Seward neighborhood Pizza Luce when we were overtaken by a police car on 25th Street, a block from the Clicquot Club Cafe. And in quick succession, three more police cars and a paramedic van sped down the quiet streets and avenues. We decided it was best that we read about it in the newspaper tomorrow and promptly took an alternate street.

And read about it we did: a pickup truck drove into the sidewalk tables packed with diners, sending 13 to the hospital. That this is a supper spot we’ve often enjoyed (and I’ve occasionally photographed) was more than a little disturbing (like a certain bridge that we often drove on to get to Target…).

Our thoughts are with the injured, and with the folks at the Clicquot Club, and with the driver of the pickup, who apparently lost consciousness while driving to the cafe to pick up an order.

If you’re casting about for something to do on this Sunday, August 19, have I got the event for you: my friend Arthur Ruckle has organized a benefit concert for Cate Cooper, who is in Arizona to have a pontine vascular malformation repaired. It will be held at Merlin’s Rest, the best pub on Lake Street, starting at 4 PM. For more details, download this PDF version of the Friends of Cate’s Brain flyer. And heck, while you’re at it, post it around your favorite coffee shops and tattoo parlors to help bring in a few more fans of music and brains.