Happy International Pillow Fight Day! While you are locked in a COVID-19 lockdown this is the very best and least dangerous way to take out your frustration. Pillows are the safest weapon to use on your locked up friends! And who knows, maybe the world could adopt such a conflict protocol. At that point we … Continue reading Happy International Pillow Fight Day!
Author: walterthinnes
More time at home
Happy April Fool's Day. I understand these measures taken to stop the spread of the virus are deadly serious, but freezing in place sometimes feels like one giant prank. Yes, most of us will be spending more time at home to stop the spread of COVID-19. New York State has extended orders to stay in … Continue reading More time at home
National Tater Day
Today's national day salutes the delicious, flexible potato. So many delicious options - crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside french fries; rich creamy mashed potatoes; loaded baked potatoes and of course irresistible Tater Tots; and so many more ways to make them. But my favorite by far is something I learned in a … Continue reading National Tater Day
National Take a Walk in the Park Day – but with social distancing, please…
Today is National Take a Walk in the Park Day and it is a good way to get out and experience some fresh air as so many of us are asked to stay in place. Even in New York we are allowed that luxury, though many National Parks have been closed down to reduce the … Continue reading National Take a Walk in the Park Day – but with social distancing, please…
A ramble about RNs & PPE
When I was going through my health issues last year I observed that there was a lot of churn in using and dumping plastics and personal protective equipment. Though I am a dedicated recycler, I recognized it to be a necessary precaution to protect everyone involved. Now it is more vital than ever to reduce … Continue reading A ramble about RNs & PPE
Concerns for World Theatre Day
Happy World Theatre Day at a very difficult time for theatre. During the current shutdown Broadway has been closed down, several shows won't reopen, others have been rescheduled for next season, and the Tony Awards have been postponed. But more than that, millions of theatre employees and related workers have been laid off with no … Continue reading Concerns for World Theatre Day
Finally – a crisis suited to my skills
I would be no good in case of a flood as I am not a great swimmer. I can't run that fast, so getting to a shelter when a tornado threatens would be a problem. But the current COVID-19 crisis simply calls for me to stay at home and do nothing. This I can do. … Continue reading Finally – a crisis suited to my skills
In Memoriam – Terrence McNally
Playwright Terrence McNally passed away from complications of COVID-19 yesterday in a hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He was in the target danger group as he was 81 and had COPD. He was a prolific writer I admired very much and still actively writing. A great loss to the theatre community. He wrote the book to … Continue reading In Memoriam – Terrence McNally
Patience and Fortitude
Like so much else, the New York Public Library is shut down. I miss going there to do my playwriting, especially the beautiful Rose Reading Room at the main branch. Flanking the entrance to that gorgeous building are two stone lions. During the Great Depression Mayor Fiorello La Guardia gave them names that he felt … Continue reading Patience and Fortitude
National Chips and Dip Day and a recipe for each!
With such a tasty national day and time on the hands of many people at home, why not make homemade chips AND a dip! Here's a couple of recipes to give you that option. ===============French Onion Dip INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons olive oil1 medium onion, finely chopped2 cloves of garlic, finely minced2 sprigs of thyme, stripped … Continue reading National Chips and Dip Day and a recipe for each!
What to do in isolation
The city sleeps tonight. We can't go out except for essentials. For me, going out to theater and museums is essential. But Governor Cuomo does not agree. Luckily there are many cultural institutions that are trying to help the shut-ins. They are streaming, usually for free, past performances or tours of their museums. I've listed … Continue reading What to do in isolation
Happy Spring 2020
The Spring Equinox happened last night at ten till midnight. That means that this morning, Friday, March 20, 2020, is the first sunrise of the spring (in the Northern Hemisphere) as this post is published. We need a new season and we need to get outside even as we shelter in place. Keep your social … Continue reading Happy Spring 2020
National Chocolate Caramel Day with a special Exposed! Edition
Today's National Day celebrates the great combination of chocolate and caramel. While looking for a way to celebrate I remembered a former feature of this blog called "Exposed!" where I explored or tore apart something to see what it is like inside. Now that we are all on isolation during the Coronavirus situation, I have … Continue reading National Chocolate Caramel Day with a special Exposed! Edition
A recipe for National Sloppy Joe Day
We could all use some comfort food right about now and just in time comes National Sloppy Joe Day and a recipe to go with it. Enjoy! ===============SLOPPY JOES INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons olive oil1 cup finely diced onion1 teaspoon minced garlic2 pounds lean ground beef1 cup tomato paste2 3/4 cups tomato puree1/2 teaspoon chili powder1/2 … Continue reading A recipe for National Sloppy Joe Day
Trying to keep our sense of humor
You may have heard that here in New York City all restaurants and bars are shut for dining in and only open for take-out and delivery. This action was chosen because too many New Yorkers ignored social distancing and crowded bars and restaurants all weekend. All evidence shows that this distancing and staying away from … Continue reading Trying to keep our sense of humor
A recipe for National Artichoke Hearts Day
According to the California Artichoke Advisory Board, artichokes are a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, folate, and magnesium. The antioxidants in artichokes are very good for your liver and help promote healthy skin. Artichokes are also high in fiber, calcium, and protein while low in calories. For all of these reasons, along with being … Continue reading A recipe for National Artichoke Hearts Day
New York Pandemic Shut Down Extra Credit
I was born in Florida and raised in Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio. I discovered New York City in my teens and fell in love right away. However, I did not move here until 1998. I discovered that native New Yorkers were disdainful of transplants like me. However, they reluctantly allowed us to call ourselves "New … Continue reading New York Pandemic Shut Down Extra Credit
National Pi Day
This is one of those national days based on reading the date. Thus March fourteen is also read as 3.14, the first three digits of the mathematical constant used to calculate the area of a circle. Handy thing. And, of course, in English a homophone of the delicious dessert pie. Thus a mania for baking … Continue reading National Pi Day
A whole new world
Exactly a week ago I fretted about what would happen if the spreading COVID19 infection hit the theatre industry. Yesterday it came true. Broadway has been shut down for at least a month. But it is much worse than that. Professional basketball and hockey have been suspended. College basketball playoffs, which at first was going … Continue reading A whole new world
Gary Larson Keeps on Keeping on(line)
When Gary Larson retired from writing "The Far Side" in the mid-nineties I was really bummed. I loved his warped sense of humor. Perhaps my favorite was a panel that had cows walking about on hind legs in a field when one of them calls out "Car!" They all get on four legs as the … Continue reading Gary Larson Keeps on Keeping on(line)
Footnotes #22 – The Return of Josephine
For the last eight months this blog has addressed, from time to time, my health challenges. No need to go over them again, you can revisit previous entries in the Footnotes series and other related posts. But as I have recovered strength and mobility one thing has been missing. Josephine. Josephine is the name of … Continue reading Footnotes #22 – The Return of Josephine
National Meatball Day and a recipe to go with…
Meatballs are so versatile - they can be used in a sauce or on their own; they can be an appetizer or main course; they can be lowbrow grub or haute cuisine fancy. I've made many recipes for meatballs and have recently settled on the one below. Works fine and tonight I plan to make … Continue reading National Meatball Day and a recipe to go with…
Spring ahead tonight
Stop complaining. Every year when we advance the clocks for Daylight Savings Time, I hear moaning and groaning from nearly everyone. Oh, you're going to lose an hour of sleep tonight like it is the very worst thing that can happen. Look, you owe it. You got an extra hour sleep last fall and now … Continue reading Spring ahead tonight
I’m Worried
Not that I might catch the COVID-19 virus. I understand the science and know the odds of me specifically becoming ill are very small (especially as I don't get out as much lately). I'm worried that the worries of the general public will harm the theatre business. Not just Broadway here in New York but … Continue reading I’m Worried
National Grammar Day
Today is National Grammar Day and it should be very important to everyone. Not everybody in the blogosphere are native English speakers. This is a difficult but rich language. It is hard to learn even by people born here. Be cautious about some common issues that will trip you up. Be especially careful about how … Continue reading National Grammar Day
