I am happy to wish 2019 farewell. It has been a tough one for me. Luckily I did not die on the operating table after my body went into Severe Septic Shock back in late August. I emerged from three operations over an eight day period thanks to the prayers and positive thoughts of family … Continue reading Footnotes #20 – what a year it has been…
Month: December 2019
In Memoriam – Jerry Herman
A couple of days ago we lost one of our greatest musical theater writers - Jerry Herman. He will be missed but he gave us so many great nights in the theater. All of the remembrances note his greatest works - "Hello Dolly"; "Mame"; and "La Cage aux Folles." They are all amazing and enjoyable … Continue reading In Memoriam – Jerry Herman
Happy Kwanzaa
Merry Christmas
National Eggnog Day
Happy Christmas Eve. Don't you love how grocery stores are stocked with eggnog between Thanksgiving and New Years? Ever try to make your own? Well, here are three recipes. First be aware that drinking raw eggs have all kinds of risks so take care if you are pregnant or have auto-immune or other health issues. … Continue reading National Eggnog Day
Happy Hanukkah
Review – The Sound Inside
Playwright Adam Rapp has made an auspicious Broadway debut but in a house that is too large for the work. The delicate yet driving work centers on writer and writing teacher Bella Baird, brilliantly acted by Mary Louise-Parker. The quiet touches Rapp provides for Parker provide a moving and touching portrait of a character that … Continue reading Review – The Sound Inside
Winter Solstice
In the northern hemisphere today is the Winter Solstice. On the dark side it is the longest night and shortest day of the year. On the bright side it only gets sunnier from here through summer with lengths of day steadily increasing. It has been celebrated for many ages and often used for reflection of … Continue reading Winter Solstice
Review – Derren Brown: Secret
Derren Brown is many things, but foremost in his current show at the Cort Theatre is a consummate entertainer. His easy, warm and confident manner comfortably holds the audience in his sway for the entire evening. He can be called a mind reader, mentalist or "psychological illusionist" but at heart he is a magician. Each … Continue reading Review – Derren Brown: Secret
I want my symbols back
Sometimes it is easiest to use a shortcut hand symbol to react to something. The good old thumbs down or thumbs up sign is reputed to go all the way back to the Roman Empire in gladiator contests. Thus it is recognized universally. After Trump used it reflexively during his campaign it became inextricably tied … Continue reading I want my symbols back
National “Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf” Day
If you call someone today and they respond by answering with "What's your favorite color?" they are honoring the National Day. Clearly a marketing ploy by the producers of that classic 2003 Will Farrell Christmas movie "Elf." Be sure to add it to your list of must see seasonal movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" … Continue reading National “Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf” Day
Review – In a Dark Dark House
You have only one week left to catch the Knife Edge Productions performance of Neil LaBute's "In a Dark Dark House" at the A.R.T./New York Theatre at 53rd Street and 10th Avenue. Though it is a difficult subject, I recommend you get there to see it. The script is consistent with Mr. LaBute's reputation as … Continue reading Review – In a Dark Dark House
National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
Chocolate is such a malleable material. You can cover nearly everything in chocolate and today is a day to celebrate it. You can cover candy in chocolate. You can cover peanuts in chocolate. You can even cover peanut butter in chocolate. That is especially delicious. You can cover strawberries in chocolate. You can cover ice … Continue reading National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
Footnotes #19 – The Next Stage
Another visit to the surgeon and more progress. I can begin weaning myself off the compression boot and moving to a cane instead of crutches. Not all at once but steadily as I can tolerate it and immediately at home, which is a relief. He is thrilled with the progress and I start physical therapy … Continue reading Footnotes #19 – The Next Stage
National Cocoa Day
By which we mean Hot Cocoa! That delicious frothy topped warming beverage so loved as winter settles into the Northern Hemisphere. You could order it from your favorite coffee shop, but that can get expensive and requires a special trip. You can buy pre-packaged brands at the supermarket but it often contains chemical stabilizers, flavors … Continue reading National Cocoa Day
National Gingerbread House Day
Today is National Gingerbread House Day - that wholesome family traditional of assembling a dwelling made of gingerbread, icing, candies and especially gumdrops as part of the seasonal festivities. Much of the time this is assembled from a kit but it is still a lot of fun and creativity to assemble the structures, especially for … Continue reading National Gingerbread House Day
National Noodle Ring Day
Some of you may know of the actual source of this National Day. Apparently there is a tradition of making a casserole that includes egg noodles, sometimes vegetables, sometimes canned tuna, in a round shape like a bundt pan or similar. Sounds, um, interesting, but come on, you also thought of that canned American treat … Continue reading National Noodle Ring Day
Grab and go – an entire breakfast in one muffin!
I recently tried a breakfast muffin recipe found on http://www.purewow.com. It is a savory muffin and quite delicious. In the center is a full, peeled, hard-boiled egg (you can use your own method to hard boil instead of the recipe's method, but do be sure to peel it before inserting in the muffin!). In addition … Continue reading Grab and go – an entire breakfast in one muffin!
National Pastry Day
Today is National Pastry Day and I hope you get the chance to celebrate by partaking in a delicious pastry in celebration. I know I will. Mmmm. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
Footnotes #18 – Wonderment
The latter half of 2019 has been pretty rotten with the health issues I have faced but I am coming out much stronger now. I am getting around easier and feeling stronger than I have in a very long time. Next week is another visit with the surgeon and hopefully more progress. Now that I … Continue reading Footnotes #18 – Wonderment
National Miner’s Day
It seems almost anyone can name a National Day to hype their product, but today's was declared by Congress. It commemorates the worst mining disaster in US history when 362 coal miners lost their life in Monogah, West Virginia in 1907. One of my full length plays is based on the southwest West Virginia coal … Continue reading National Miner’s Day
National Cookie Day
As noted earlier this week, I no longer bake masses of Christmas Cookies because of my limited New York City kitchen. That doesn't mean I don't continue to collect interesting cookie recipes. When I did the massive bakeoff I always included my two favorites - Snickerdoodles and Ginger Snaps. What if someone combined those into … Continue reading National Cookie Day
National Cookie Cutter Day
As the December holidays speed toward us, it is time to start making preparations. For me that used to mean making a huge numbers of cookies to distribute to family and friends. Before moving to New York City I had houses and kitchens large enough to support the hobby. That scale of operations are not … Continue reading National Cookie Cutter Day
Walter Thinnes 
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