The year was 2009. 

Were you living where you are today? In the same home? Or, living in the same town? Were you driving the same car to your same job at the same building? Were you married? Single? DINK? In middle school? 

Sixteen years ago, I was forty. 

Definitely not middle school.

Sixteen years ago, I was sitting in this very same spot, doing the very same thing. 

Now, before you gasp loudly and marvel about how boring I am, I actually made today happen on purpose. You see, sixteen years ago, I was sitting in Iron Horse Coffee in historic downtown Rogers, writing out my first blog post for nwafoodie.blogspot.com. 

Today, I deliberately went upstairs to daydream and think back over the past sixteen years. And ponder about my present. I ordered one of my old favorites, the Zeus Sandwich. Everything about this sandwich remained the same: the same sourdough bread topped with smoked turkey and pastrami, the same melty provolone, and the same crushed olive tapenade. Same tray. Same side of plain potato chips. Same napkin tucked to the side. Same books lining the walls.  

There is something incredibly comforting to know that you can go back and relive something in the present that was part of your past. 

As I glance to my left, I scan the titles on the bookshelf closest to me. Balzac, The Green Roads of England, The Clash, Fifty Dresses That Changed The World… all delightfully eclectic and perfectly the same.

Iron Horse Coffee was my go-to spot. When we moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1996, I worked in the old Harris Bakery Building on that same block. As my company grew, we built a new building in the empty space right next to, you guessed it, Iron Horse Coffee Co. My role at SC Johnson (A Family Company) was all about insights, ranging from business insights to consumer insights to shopper insights to retailer insights. Insights meant that I had lots of thick reports to glean. 

Gleaning is always best with a side of good food and drink. Amiright?

Next

I know some of you have been with me and this ancient blog of mine. What started as sharing local eats and exploring the foodie world of Northwest Arkansas evolved over the years. From name changes from nwafoodie.blogspot.com to nwafoodie.com to thejoyofeatingwell.com, and then finally to where we are today with simplejoyfulfood.com. So much has changed in these sixteen years.

Yet so much is still the same.

I still love sharing and exploring. And sharing what I’ve explored.

And while I may no longer be on top of every latest NWA food scene (there are sooo many), AND I may have retired after twenty wonderful years at SCJ, AND I may be smackdab in my current Second-Life as a pastor’s wife, some things still remain…

• I STILL am a foodie.
• I STILL love to share food and drink discoveries, with a side of simplicity.
• I STILL believe that gleaning through life’s ups and downs is always best with a side of good food and drink.

And now, sixteen years later, although my hair is definitely grayer, my muscles aren’t quite as toned, and I no longer live in the same place or work the same job, I’m still here.

Thank you for being here.

There is something incredibly comforting in knowing that you can experience the present with a nod to the past, while looking ahead. 

And now I wonder… where will we BOTH be sixteen years from now, in 2041?

Eat well, my friends.

Lyndi

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