I have found it difficult to blithely post National Food Day entries lately with all that is going on. There will be more, but the gravity of issues before us will keep me distracted from time to time. It is wonderful that protests continue and that the pressure for reform is finally being felt across … Continue reading A Ramble on protests, expectations and reactions
Author: walterthinnes
Playwright pitch for “The Rally”
I've never tried to pitch an idea for a new play on my blog. So I'm hoping that lots of my readers are theatre or film producers. You are, right? I'm guessing this would work better as a cinema release than a theater script. The setup: Imagine a time when a populist politician has won … Continue reading Playwright pitch for “The Rally”
Manhattanhenge Marching
On this blog I have featured Manhattanhenge many times. How the New York City cross street grid perfectly frames the rising or setting sun four times a year because of the axial tilt of the earth. How the great Neil DeGrasse Tyson named it as a hat tip to the great Stonehenge of antiquity. The … Continue reading Manhattanhenge Marching
A change is gonna come
It's been too hard living, oh myAnd I'm afraid to dieI don't know what's up thereBeyond the cloudsIt's been a long, long time comingBut I know, but I know a change is gotta comeSam Cooke This is different. And that's a good thing. There are many factors that have made the current activism to address … Continue reading A change is gonna come
National Ballpoint Pen Day
National Ballpoint Pen Day is celebrated today to mark the filing of the patent for the revolutionary new device on June 10, 1943. We take it for granted today but before then you had to use a pencil or fountain pen. And that spotty device only came about in the 1800's. Before that came the … Continue reading National Ballpoint Pen Day
A Ramble on re-opening, protests and the steps forward
New York City today begins phase one of the re-opening after three months of stay at home orders. It will be a slow process with only a few people going back to work and very limited businesses starting up again. We are eager to get moving but it will be tense judging how mass transit … Continue reading A Ramble on re-opening, protests and the steps forward
National Drive-In Movie Theater Day
On this day in 1933 the very first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey. In the early 1950's there were more than 4,000 across America. That has steadily decreased since then until they are an oddity today. But they are enjoying a bit of a resurgence in interest as COVID-19 has closed indoor … Continue reading National Drive-In Movie Theater Day
I needed to stand up and be counted
I went down to the demonstrationTo get my fair share of abuseSinging, "We're gonna vent our frustrationIf we don't we're gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse""You Can't Always Get What You Want" - The Rolling Stones Because of my health issues, I have avoided crowds up until this point. After Monday's threat (or promise) to unleash … Continue reading I needed to stand up and be counted
National Rocky Road Day
Rocky Road is definitely one of my favorite flavor combinations bringing together chocolate, marshmallows and nuts, usually almonds. It can be found in candy bars, fudge, other desserts and especially ice cream! I am told that the ice cream was introduced as the Great Depression began and was a commentary on the rough days of … Continue reading National Rocky Road Day
National Olive Day
There are few things more versatile than olives. They come in so many different varieties, colors and flavors. They can be stuffed with so many different fillings. Squeeze them a bit and you get useful oil. But munching on them is the best options. A perfect snacking choice. In my family there used to be … Continue reading National Olive Day
An ancient curse: May you live in interesting times
I usually pursue trivial topics in this silly blog. National Days. Food. National Food Days. That sort of things. Sorry to digress but I must address what is happening now. Mob violence has been a threat to the authorities throughout time. The Romans famously used "Bread and Circuses" to keep the peace. Since the 1960's … Continue reading An ancient curse: May you live in interesting times
National Coq au Vin Day and a non-recipe for it
The seminal French dish Coq au Vin (rooster in wine) comes from an old farm house need to soften up an old rooster in a wine stew from whatever was on hand at the farm. Traditionally it includes carrots, pearl onions and mushrooms. Knowing this national day was coming I checked out many recipes. I … Continue reading National Coq au Vin Day and a non-recipe for it
National Brisket Day and I make it two ways
Recently Pamela came back from shopping with some of the few meat products available and one was a brisket. It was more than 7 pounds and I immediately knew I wanted to split it in two and make it two different ways. Please pardon the poor photographs because I was so eager to dig in … Continue reading National Brisket Day and I make it two ways
Social Distancing Sunset Manhattanhenge tomorrow
It is here again, (tomorrow, Thursday, May 28, 2020) that date when the setting sun aligns exactly with the east-west streets of the main grid in Manhattan. It has to do with the tilting of the earth on its axis that create our seasons. I've written about this before and you are welcome to look … Continue reading Social Distancing Sunset Manhattanhenge tomorrow
Celebrate Memorial Day
To all the service men and women who have given their last full measure of service to our nation. To all their families who grieved them. To all the service men and women who have served and who serve today. To all their families who support and miss them. Thank you. As always you can … Continue reading Celebrate Memorial Day
Wear a Mask PSA competition
Here in the state of New York we are required to wear a mask in public to stop the spread and protect other people. Governor Cuomo established a competition for New Yorkers to create a public service announcement to get the message across. More than 600 videos were submitted and the public gets to choose … Continue reading Wear a Mask PSA competition
Happy National Solitaire Day
During stay at home orders like we are working through in New York City one is always looking for things to wile away the lonely hours. The card game known as Klondike or any form of playing card Solitaire is one solution. But most people today are more familiar with the version found on your … Continue reading Happy National Solitaire Day
Fortune favors the streaming
If you are looking to find something interesting to stream during the lockdown you may find this interesting. Do you like history? Do you like all things Rome? Do you like quality museum exhibits? Then you will really enjoy the limited time streaming of a tour of the exhibit featuring items from the excavations of … Continue reading Fortune favors the streaming
In Memoriam – Fred Willard
I'm a little late to the party celebrating the life of the wonderful Fred Willard, but he wouldn't object. A genial satirist, talented actor and gentle personality he was always a welcome sight on the screen. I first came to know him from "Fernwood Tonight" and looked forward to his presence in so many mockumentaries … Continue reading In Memoriam – Fred Willard
National Emergency Medical Services Week
Emergency Medical Services are more important than ever during this pandemic. Here in New York, where commerce and entertainment are still silenced, the empty street canyons echo with ambulance sirens. Less lately, but regularly. It is haunting. During my recent health problems I was transported by emergency medical teams, always professionally, ultimately to save my … Continue reading National Emergency Medical Services Week
New York “Pause” update
We in New York City have been on "Pause" for about eight weeks now and keeping time has gotten foggy. Some parts of upstate have started reopening as are many other states. New York City will continue for another two weeks or so and that is tough. The lockdown has certainly taken a toll, including … Continue reading New York “Pause” update
Quarantine beard
There are many themes and memes being formed around our national #StayAtHome experience. For half of the population one of those projects is a quarantine beard. I'm in the process of letting my usual neatly trimmed goatee grow out (you can see how it used to be on my profile picture). I'm waiting for the … Continue reading Quarantine beard
Ramble on New York Theatre in the time of COVID
You may have heard that Broadway has just confirmed that The Great White Way will be closed at least until Labor Day and perhaps longer. While disappointing, it is entirely understandable at this point. Until we get this plague under control few people are clamoring to crowd shoulder to shoulder into a building with strangers. … Continue reading Ramble on New York Theatre in the time of COVID
Happy Social Distancing Mothers Day
Currently I live about 1,000 miles away from my mother so I can't just pop down to see here, especially in these pandemic days of states stopping New York license plates at the border. So I hope she got the card I sent in the mail. I sure hope she has a great Mother's Day … Continue reading Happy Social Distancing Mothers Day
How’s 2020 been for you so far?
So how has 2020 been for you so far? Really? Me too. Tough one so far. Hope you can find a reason for a little smile. In this tough time it is especially important to keep your perspective and keep your sense of humor. I know it is not easy but it will help you … Continue reading How’s 2020 been for you so far?
Walter Thinnes 
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