Welcome to summer, dudes. It’s here, it’s freer, and I’m already used to it. The very groovy weather is perfect for indulging in my favorite new foodie trend: hyperlocal food!
 
People and restaurants in cities all over the world are growing their own produce, keeping hens, and even honeybees, all on the roofs of their buildings. What kind of a crazy hippie would keep bees on their roof, you wonder? You’re looking at her! Well, her words. My words. My words are like a little thought-stream, from the universe to my soul back to the universe, picking up golden specks of truth and love-
 
Wait, what were we talking about?
 
Oh, right.
 
Sorry, sometimes a poem just happens.
 
A few months ago I took a rooftop beekeeping class I found off a flyer at the local library. The guy told us all about how to get started, what equipment we’d need, and how to collect the honey. One helpful tip: don’t put the bees in the apiary before carrying it up to the roof. Duly noted, man! I set up, made sure there was a water source so they don't overheat, went through the whole complicated process of installing the queen and her bee-attendants, and looked after them every day in my trippy bee veil.

 
I’m super proud to say that after much strenuous labor, my little bee buddies have produced their first honey harvest this weekend! I called up my beekeeping sensei, and according to him, the harvest they produced was twice what he expected from newbies. He asked me if there was any mint plants nearby, since the bees are pretty into mint nectar, and there is! The dreamy guy one roof over keeps a mint garden for his line of homemade toothpastes. He's happy to have my bees, ahem, pollinating his garden, and I'm happy to have his, ahem, nectar for my hive. I’ve been into this cat since I moved in, and I finally had an excuse to shout over to him:
 
“Hey man, wanna do some experimenting?”
 
He smiled and said “Far out.”
 
Here’s what we came up with:
           
            Some honey
            Some olive oil
            A few sprigs of mint
            Orange zest or lemon zest
            A whole lot of crushed garlic
            Some yogurt
            Crushed ancho chile peppers
            Salt and pepper or whatever
 
Run it through a food processor until smooth and groovy! It’s a great marinade for Portobello mushrooms, lamb shanks, and blossoming relationships. We're gonna start a compost together, which if that's not domestic bliss then I don't know what is.

Needless to say, I highly recommend signing up for a beekeeping class. They’re taught all over the country; you should see if there’s one in your area!
 
Side bar on food trends: I tried out the whole vegan thing for 3 months. I felt pretty healthy and all that, but here’s the problem: no cheese! If I can’t eat cheese, I don’t wanna be a part of your revolution. So there’s a little bundle of recipe books on my stoop if anyone is interested, including Your Spelt And You, Seitan For Lovers, and Quin-wow! 365 Days of Quinoa. I only got to Day 15 before I had to call a plumber.
 
Thinking about that is totally harshing my bzzzzzz.

What do beach balls, gospel robes, and delirious optimism have in common? You can find them all in abundance at a typical college graduation.

I just got back from seeing Lil’ Sis walk across that stage this weekend, and I felt like I was watching some kind of cult initiation ceremony. Creepy ceremonial gowns: check. Medieval-looking scrolls: check. Outrageous promises of the world to come: check. Long line of old dudes wearing even creepier ceremonial gowns: double check. I mean, I get it: it’s exciting to celebrate four years of hard work with all your BFF’s and LYLAS’s. It’s just hard to relate since I don’t enjoy flashing a peace sign and doing kissy face nearly as much as she does, and from what I saw, that is now a requirement for all graduation photos.

Lil’ Sis and I had drastically different college experiences. She was in a sorority and on yearbook committee, I had dreadlocks and talked about the patriarchy a lot. She’s going pre-law, I double-majored in Photography and Paranormal Science. But I guess that’s how sisterhood works. You embarrass the hell out of each other, and it makes you both stronger people for it. Anyway I think we’re getting closer now that she’s old enough to have a glass of wine with me. For once, we agree on something.

Now if only I could get her to stop wearing pants that have words on the butt.

Middle Sister Wines Creates “Help a Sister Out.”

Middle Sister wines support charities that help women and families through its “Help a Sister Out” campaign. Middle Sister wines donates to Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Want to get involved?
Why not turn your next Girls’ Night Out into a closet exchange event to “Help a Sister Out”? Host a girlfriend gathering to collect career-appropriate accessories, shoes and business attire for your local Dress for Success affiliate. You can enjoy a glass or two of Middle Sister wine, a laugh or two with your friends—and support a worthy organization that empowers disadvantaged women to achieve financial independence by landing the job of their dreams.

Here’s what you can do:

• Contact your local Dress for Success affiliate. Check out www.dressforsuccess.org to find the affiliate in your area.
• Let your DFS affiliate know you want to throw a girlfriend get-together to gather needed donations. Inquire if there are any special needs, such as accessories, shoes or specific items or sizes.
• Pick a date and send out invitations to all your favorite gal pals. Let them know the occasion for celebration is a closet exchange and drive for Dress for Success.
• Click here for a digital EVITE you can customize and download.
• Ask each friend to go through her closet and gather up what Dress for Success currently needs.  
• Your friends probably have casual and fun accessories, shoes and attire that they no longer wear as well. Ask them to bring these along in order to exchange with each other.
• Suggest that your guests bring their favorite bottle of wine. (We recommend Middle Sister)!
• Plan on providing a simple spread of your favorite party foods.
• Send to your friends or post on Facebook or Twitter!