Last weekend found me in Mineral Point, Wisconsin for some book events. This was my first time in Mineral Point, which is a fabulously delightful town with a fascinating history. In the 1800s, Mineral Point was settled by Cornish miners, as evidenced by the adorable historic Cornish cottages scattered throughout the community, and the restaurants in town that still serve Cornish pasties, and my new obsession, Figgy Hobbin.

Figgy Hobbin is kind of like a cinnamon roll filled with raisins, but the pastry is a bit heavier and also flakier. It’s rich and buttery and sweet and delicious. We got one at the Red Rooster Cafe in Mineral Point, where they also sell Cornish pasties, saffron bread, and Cornish tea biscuits, as well as shirts that read “There’s Always Room for Figgy Hobbin.” (I also highly recommend their Apple Bread French Toast & Bacon.)

Mineral Point absolutely charmed me. Cornish immigrants moved there to mine lead and zinc in the early 1800s, but the mining industry eventually collapsed. The town would have vanished completely but for Robert Neal and Edgar Hellum, a gay couple who bought and refurbished several historic Cornish cottages in the 1930s, opened a restaurant, and attracted other gay folks and other artists to the area. This impossibly charming, utterly picturesque thriving Wisconsin town simply would not exist without immigrants and LGBT people.

Last weekend, I led a recipe comics workshop at Republic of Letters and the Book Kitchen, followed up with a fun evening of cocktails and music at Eliza’s Lounge. We bought fancy pens and pencils at May Day Press, delicious chocolates from High Street Sweets and Night Shift, we had excellent beer and cheese curds at Commerce Street Brewpub. Mineral Point was a delight and a treasure, and I can’t wait to return someday and eat some more Figgy Hobbin.

Shameless Self Promotion:

This is your periodic reminder that I have an online shop where you can get signed copies of my books, short run minicomics, art prints and original art pieces. Check it out! There are some nice things there.

What I’m Into Lately:

While traveling over the last few weeks, I picked up a few graphic novels I’d been wanting to read for a while. One was Lee Lai’s Cannon, which absolutely blew me away. The art is absolutely gorgeous: simple, effortlessly evocative linework, beautiful shading, dramatic blacks. The story is heartbreakingly beautiful too, about navigating difficult family and difficult jobs and early adulthood; and enduring, evolving friendships and found family. It’s beautiful and it made me cry on an airplane, and I can’t recommend it enough.

What Toki’s Into Lately:

He’s 100% done with me traveling. I think this cat is literally trying to hold me down in the armchair.

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