Catching my first trout at Bennett Spring State Park. Photo by Notley Hawkins.

Welcome to this edition of Dimanche (That Means Sunday), a roundup of things that caught my eye this past week.

This week was an exciting one because I had my first story published in Missouri Life Magazine. Back in June, I went to Bennett Spring State Park in southern Missouri to catch a trout and write about it for the magazine. The only problem was, I had never caught a trout before in my life. Lucky for me, my boyfriend Jim is a semi-expert fisherman, so he helped me navigate the (somewhat tumultuous) waters. Notley Hawkins, a Missouri photographer, captured the wonderful photo above, and many more including two that were published with the story.

Having the story published brought the experience trout fishing to the forefront of my mind. You’ll have to read the article to find out what happened, but suffice it to say, it took a lot of time and effort to try to catch a trout. There were multiple points throughout the day (including the morning when it started raining, I was waist-high in water, and got a fly bait caught on my neck) when I thought that it might be easier to give up.

I guess the lesson I learned that day was one of patience and determination. I didn’t want to leave the river without a fish, partly because I was worried about how the story would turn out, partly because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. It’s not easy to try something new, but if you persevere, you’re usually rewarded.

Without further ado, here is Dimanche:

This great article came to me late last week from my friend and local chef Rob Connoley. I sent Rob a picture on Twitter of some strange, sharp fruit on a tree by my house, and he offered a few ideas of what it was. He also sent me this story about a man who singlehandedly is trying to bring back an almost extinct tree, chinquapin, in the Ozarks. Check out the full story in National Geographic.

Anyone who wants to pursue an internship at a French restaurant should read this story first. Eater write Samuel Ashworth talks about his time working in a Michelin-starred French restaurant, or “staging,” and how this experience broke him. As a result of the rigorous training in France, many cooks are choosing to go elsewhere for their culinary education. Read more about it in this Eater story.

As I mentioned before, I had my first story published in Missouri Life and I’m pretty excited about it. Here’s a link to the article. You can also pick up the magazine at stores and newsstands in Missouri including Barnes & Noble.

Anyone who eats brunch in St. Louis knows about Winslow’s Home, a favorite haunt for local food and pastries. Now, the restaurant is changing ownership. “Winslow’s Table,” as the restaurant will soon be called, is now owned by Michael and Tara Gallina of Vicia, a vegetarian-centric restaurant that exploded onto the St. Louis dining scene a few years ago. Read more about the upcoming changes to Winslow’s Home in this Feast story.

I really enjoyed this review of a Los Angeles Cheesecake Factory. Yes, you read that correctly. I actually worked at the Cheesecake Factory to earn money the summer before I moved to France, so I have an insider’s perspective on the restaurant. I thought the writer nailed the vibe and food. I’m not sure if I agree though that the Cheesecake Factory “is also America, with all its promise and flaws.” Decide for yourself after reading this Los Angeles Times article.

I’m about to leave for New Orleans to attend the Online News Association conference, so it was fun to see this first-person narrative from Rick Bragg. Bragg loves New Orleans so much that he’s drifted in and out of the city for years, sometimes staying permanently. Read more about his experience in this Garden & Gun piece.

Can we talk about how good the morning bun is at Carte Blanche? I just got one from the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market yesterday morning and it hit the spot. If you’re in St. Louis next Saturday, I’d highly recommend getting one for breakfast.

This story about barking dogs in Washington, DC, is truly horrifying. But it makes sense, given what I know about Chevy Chase, Maryland. Basically, a bunch of residents of the village outside DC, where the average income is $460,000 a year, want to shut down the dog park because the pets are making too much noise. It’s hard for me to write about it, so I’ll just leave you the Washington Post story. Also, A+ to the writer for the dog puns.

This advice column from my St. Louis Magazine editor, George Mahe, made me feel a little better about some of my restaurant habits, especially the week before payday. I don’t necessarily try to order the cheapest thing on the menu. In fact, I often sway in the other direction, for better or worse. But we’ve all had times when we purposely get the least expensive item. Apparently, restaurant owners believe that it’s still better to have a small check than an empty seat. Read more in this op-ed.

Last but certainly not least, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she’s feeling okay after cancer treatment, which comes as a huge relief. Ginsburg in a recent appearance said that the Supreme Court has kept her going through radiation treatments, and that she’s “on my way to being very well.” I think I speak for everyone when I say, hold on, Justice Ginsburg. Read more in this Washington Post piece.

Enjoy your week! Here’s a song to get you started.