For the first time in my life, I am a sports fan. (Maybe not a great one, because this post is actually about ice cream.) I’ve watched sports and enjoyed watching them, even rooting for one side to win. But I had never attached myself to one team before moving to Portland, when losses feel personal, when you start saying “we.” The Portland Timbers are my team. (See “Opening Night” for a little background on my soccer career, which lasted one day back in 1978.)
The Timbers had a strong preseason this year. They won the home opener. And then they went into a slump, losing even at home. Last year, they were the expansion team, anything they did would be great. It was easy to be a fan.
This year the expectations are high. I was worried I might be a bandwagon fan, this being my first time as a fan. Even with the Timbers currently in the cellar, I can’t wait to put on my jersey (my first ever sports jersey) on game day. I watch the away games on TV. I read the sports section of the newspaper – I’ve never done that before. I defend my team. RCTID!
And I finally got Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You” out of my head by chanting “Bury Me in Timbers Green,” one of the Timbers Army chants:
BURY ME IN TIMBERS GREEN
And when I go (x2)
And when I go make sure I’m wearing green and gold
Bury me in Timbers Green, Ohh-ohh
Bury me in Timbers Gold, Ahh-ahh
Bury me in Timbers Green, Ohh-ohh
Bury me in Timbers Gold, Ahh-ahh
So when I was at Salt & Straw the other day and saw “Bury Me in Green & Gold” on the menu, I had no choice but to go back (besides, a portion of the proceeds goes to support youth programs in Portland, so I’m really performing a community service).
“Bury Me in Green & Gold” is fresh Oregon mint, chocolate flakes and candied lemon zest.
I have to stop saying I don’t like mint. I like peppermint mochas, I like Peppermint Patties, I like crème de menthe cake, and the list kind of keeps going.
Make it fresh mint and it’s another level of taste sensations altogether. The mint flavor becomes complex, not just a one note flavor. Then the candied lemon zest melds perfectly with the mint. Yet another great flavor combination, but its the ingredients Salt & Straw uses that sets them apart – fresh and local.
(My jersey is gonna be snug.)
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I can support a sports fan who shows his colors when making his dairy choices. Not everyone is so loyal. The Timbers are lucky to have you rooting for them.