Fresh Thyme Farmers Market opens to rave reviews in Ypsilanti.

Fresh Thyme Market held its grand opening on Wednesday, and as of 9:00am Thursday, customers continued to flock into the brand new store on Washtenaw in Ypsilanti.

 Thursday things were hopping inside the attractively adorned, well-stocked and friendly market. Upon entering the market the first thing customers will notice is the wide open and comfortable store layout. No long rows of crowded isles to navigate at Fresh Thyme. Enjoy the wide open, airy space!

Immediately apparent was the large produce department which features a wide variety of produce, from fresh blueberries to organic red bell peppers. Also appealing is that Fresh Thyme features produce from local farms and certified organic growers. 25% of the market is devoted to produce.

Besides the very healthy grocery department, the market features large vitamin, and natural body care sections that competes well with any of the other markets in the area.

I spoke to several customers inside the store Thursday, and they were all thrilled that the market opened a store in Ypsilanti. The local consensus in Ypsilanti is that residents are very glad to have a market with this product selection so close to home. Fresh Thyme Market is a fantastic addition to Ypsilanti, and residents are very pleased.

Jeff Brown

Fresh walnut raisin bread at Fresh Thyme. Purple Walrus Press photo.

Eastern Michigan loses at home to tenacious Kent State in B-Ball

Our Eastern Michigan Eagles lost a tough one at the Covocation Center in Ypsilanti to an unrelenting Kent State team. Although Eastern lost, fans were treated to one of the closest match-ups of the season for the 13-9 Eagles as the lead see-sawed back and fourth throughout the entirety of the game.

The 12-10 Golden Flashes of Kent State jumped to an early 9-0 lead that set the tone for a tight and tense contest that wasn't decided until the final 2 minutes of the game.

EMU shot 21 of 57 from the field, while notching six from three point range. Eastern's league dominating defensive play created 23 turnovers.

Senior Willie Magnum was EMU's high scorer with an impressive 22 points.

Next up for our EMU Eagles will be the Northern Illinois Huskies in DeKalb with a 3:30 tip off.

Jeff Brown
Purple Walrus Press.

EMU guard Tim Bond takes it to the paint against KSU. Purple Walrus Press photo.

The Power of the Pen.

By Bob Resch: Purple Walrus Press.

In my lifetime I've never spent much time thinking about a ball point
pen.  For me, it always had just one function.  Writing.  Pure and
simple.   It was either blue or black ink,  and I carried one
throughout all my school and working years.  No big deal.  But, as I
watched President Donald Trump signing his executive orders recently,
a whole new level of interest in the pen came to mind.

History tells us that ancient Egyptians in 3150 BC discovered that
they could convert bamboo stems into a primitive form of a fountain
pen.  They formed a nub on one end and pushed a writing fluid through
the stem and were able to communicate.  In 1888 Jon Loud, a American
leather tanner patented a roller tip marking pen that had too many
problems for it to be mass produced.  In 1935, The Biro brothers from
Hungry hit on the idea that would become the modern day marking pen.
Today the "Ball Point" pen is about 5 1/2 inches in length and comes
in a wide variety of makes and models with tons of colors to boot. The
"feel" of a pen is a function of it's weight, thickness, length and
balance.  A "Technical Pen" is used by an engineer, architect or
drafter because lines have to be consistent.  Back in the day we all
remember the fabled "Fountain Pen".  God forbid it leaked in one's
pocket!

President Obama used a black lacquer Cross Townshend rolling ball pen
when signing official documents into law.  He used 22 of them to sign
the Affordable Care Act in 2010.  He used so many because he would
give them away to members of Congress or Foreign Dignitaries.  George
W. Bush, however, never used more than one pen, and it appears that
President Trump is a one pen man as well.

So, now we have this innocent looking little instrument.  How could
something so small have such a powerful impact on all our lives?  Glad
you asked.  We can't buy a house, a car or get married without the
Power of the Pen to sign the contract.  Great songs have been "penned'
by Lennon and McCartney, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Ashford and Simpson,
Bob Dylan and the list goes on.  In the hands of a screen-writer,  the
Power of the Pen brings us classic Movies like The Wizard of OZ,
Citizen Kane, Star Wars, and a host of others.

But, without a doubt, the pen IS mightier than the sword.  More lethal
than an AK-47.  More powerful than a B2 Bomber.  Faster than a rocket
ship.  More devastating than a nuclear bomb.  WHY??   Because In the
hands of a thinned skinned, impatient, defiant leader of a country,
the Power of the Pen can start wars that kill and devastate. It can
build walls.  It can separate families.  It can prosecute and
persecute.  It can bring pain and suffering. So Sad!!

However, it's nice to know that on the other hand, a respectful,
fair-minded, tolerant and benevolent leader can use the Power of the
Pen to bring Peace, Prosperity, Hope, Salvation as well as Love and
Kindness.  A simple signature can unleash The Power of the Pen tearing
down walls and building bridges.  It can bring enemies together.  Yes,
The Power of the Pen can create a bright future where there's plenty
of Harmony, Joy, and Happiness!!  Awesome!!

Good things DO come in small packages.  This little writing instrument
called a pen represents far more than just ink on paper.  The pen
creates an expression of words and ideas that leave an impression.
The Pen can reveal heart and soul.  Good or bad intentions.  When one
places his/her signature on a document, it represents approval or
disapproval.  For most of us when we sign on the dotted line it's for
just us or our family.  But, when a President of a country signs on
the dotted line, he/she is knowingly stating that this order or law
will affect millions of people.  Getting it right is of great
importance!

The Pen will continue to be one of the most powerful instruments on
this earth. With that in mind, we can only hope that this generation
and the ones to follow will learn to use it prudently.

Bob Resch Purple Walrus Press.

The Ugly Mug Cafe in Ypsilanti is now Cross Street Coffee.

Last week several people in Ypsilanti contacted me with questions about their favorite coffee place The Ugly Mug Cafe, located on 317 W. Cross Street. Folks wanted to know what was going on at their favorite cafe. The buzz was that the interior was looking different as some of the artwork that had been on the walls had been removed according to one person who contacted me. There was also word that The Ugly Mug decided to change their name to Cross Street Coffee.

I contacted The Ugly Mug, I mean Cross Street Coffee, over the weekend to see if I could come in and take a few photos for an article. After the woman who answered the phone spoke to a manager I was politely told that they would would rather I come to take photos in about a week or so as they were transitioning the interior and working on new signage.

Here is what I do know. As of January 25, Ugly Mug Cafe located at 317 W. Cross Street in Ypsilanti, has changed its name and is now calling itself Cross Street Coffee. The coffee shop has been a local favorite for several years.

According to a post on the Cross Street Coffee facebook page the coffee shop remains under the same management and is serving the same coffee. According to the post the name change will allow the business to grow and set themselves apart from other Ugly Mugs throughout the nation. Certainly sounds reasonable to me!

The coffee shop is also proudly displaying art work by local artist Dora Diaspora.

Jeff Brown
Founder/Publisher
Purple Walrus Press.

America: The inconvenient truth!! By PWP contributor Bob Resch.

We as a nation have stepped into a new era.  This is uncommon ground.
This is shaky ground.  The feeling like a ground swell of an impeding
earthquake.  This does not feel good.  And too many, this is not the
America they signed up for.

We're in an era of 'Alternate Facts' that attempt to cover up the
inconvenient truth.  Where border agents defy judges orders on travel
bans. Where US citizens are handcuffed and detained at airports.  It's
an era where potentially millions could lose their health insurance.
Where Russia can get away with meddling in the American election. An
era where some feel we must build walls.  Where nothing has been
mentioned about the deficit.  Where conflict of interest for the
President and high ranking officials in the White House is no big
deal.  Neither is nepotism.  Many are dazed.  Many are confused.  But
one person can still look you in the eye and say  "everything is going
beautifully!!

Welcome to the WACKY,  WILD & CRAZY  WORLD of The President of the
United States Donald Trump.

In his haste to sign executive orders, Mr. Trump forgets that he and
his staff are suppose to notify the authorities that will enact his
orders, so they know what is expected from them.  Oopps!!  Is that
part of the job??  If Mr. Trump would just step back and nominate more
candidates for his cabinet that have had SOME experience, life would
be so much better.

Folks, no matter which side of the aisle you're on, what we are seeing
here is a person elected POTUS who has ZERO experience governing and
Good God Almighty, does it ever show.

Buckle up!  Hold on tight!!   The first 100 days is going to be a
terrifying ride.  One thing for sure, Mr.Trump will have to continue
using training wheels in his new position.  We can only hope he is a
fast learner because we are all on the same bus.

Purple Walrus Press contributor Bob Resch.

Image created by Dan Percival.