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
COVID-19
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?
I tried Mississippi Roast
During these lock down times I am trying recipes I may not have tried in other circumstances. Recently I tried an internet favorite slow cooker recipe called Mississippi Roast. It is simple, delicious and has several variations you can try. Basically you take an inexpensive cut of beef (try chuck roast or sirloin roast) and … Continue reading I tried Mississippi Roast
A surprised thank you to Korea
I've already lamented the delayed start to Major League Baseball and my Cincinnati Reds season and it is very depressing. On a lark I caught up with the opening of professional baseball in South Korea this week being broadcast on ESPN. There are only ten teams in this small nation's league but they started playing … Continue reading A surprised thank you to Korea
Another Epicenter Dispatch
You may be aware of the ancient curse: May you live in interesting times. That is exactly where we find ourselves in New York. The numbers are coming down, too slowly, but reducing. Governor Cuomo has become must watch television. We are hunkering down but many in our city are itching to get out and … Continue reading Another Epicenter Dispatch
National Hospital Week
This year National Hospital Week comes at a particularly appropriate time. The real battle ground against COVID-19 is in the world's hospitals where a daily war is fought to save people from this rapacious virus. Time to salute and thank all the hospital workers who are fighting valiantly to save lives and help families. Help … Continue reading National Hospital Week
An audio version of one of my plays online
During our city wide stay at home order the theatrical studio co-op I am a member of is posting virtual performances on their Facebook page. I contributed a radio version of one of my most popular short plays "Happy Birthday, Leonard." It was chosen to be broadcast by a Spokane, Washington station several years ago. … Continue reading An audio version of one of my plays online
National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
As warm weather returns, May is designated National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. If you are out and about on the roads, please watch out for motorcycles and let them ride safely. I wish I could get out but cannot currently. Ironic as it is one of my favorite ways to socially distance myself. While still … Continue reading National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
National Superhero Day in the Age of Pandemic
National Superhero Day was actually founded by Marvel Comics but today it has an entirely new cast. Our superheroes today are our doctors, hospital staff, nurses, first responders, pharmacists, police, fire fighters, EMTs, delivery drivers, restaurant workers, grocery store workers, and truck drivers. They are saving our butts today. Thank you. As always you can … Continue reading National Superhero Day in the Age of Pandemic
Upstate Manhattan is in bloom
All New Yorkers are directed to stay at home except for necessary trips for groceries and medicine. We are permitted to step outside for short trips to get air as long as we wear a mask and safely social distance. But that can be difficult in the most dense population center in the country. I … Continue reading Upstate Manhattan is in bloom
National Telephone Day in the age of COVID-19
During this lockdown period it is likely your screen time is increasing tremendously. Wonder how that played back in 1918 for the last pandemic when the telephone technology was relatively new. Take a look at this ad: A new way to stay in touch even in that early day. But not every home had a … Continue reading National Telephone Day in the age of COVID-19
National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Today is National Take Our - and whoops - what bad timing. With schools and many jobs shut down everyone is in the same place already - home! Need to rethink this one and see if the home school monitor will write an excuse letter to let the kids move from the kitchen table to … Continue reading National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Happy Odd Earth Day
Happy 50th anniversary of Earth Day in a most unusual time. With much of the world on stay at home orders for the last month research shows marked reductions in pollution all around the globe. We've always known that Earth's real problem is people. It took the current pandemic to make it demonstrably apparent. How … Continue reading Happy Odd Earth Day
New York Fashion Face Masks
New York now requires everyone to wear a mask when they are in public and can't safely socially distance. To be safe (considering my own susceptibility after my recent health issues) I have been wearing a mask and gloves in an abundance of caution. Here is an N95 mask I had laying about from a … Continue reading New York Fashion Face Masks
A comprehensive New York Times look at COVID-19 – and a couple of cute takes
Stuck inside, one of my obsessions has been reading about the global pandemic to find meaning and thoughtful insights about our future, instead of the noise and conspiracy theories that abound. The New York Times this weekend published a thoughtful and detailed look at next steps. If you are not a subscriber you should still … Continue reading A comprehensive New York Times look at COVID-19 – and a couple of cute takes
National Garlic Day – now go roast it!
Garlic is such an integral part of our cooking it is hard to imagine how we would do without it. But the most useful and delightful way to use it is to simply roast it. You can do a few heads at a time in your toaster oven or a whole sheet pan full in … Continue reading National Garlic Day – now go roast it!
Memes of our times…
Without comment, hope you enjoy some memes found this week regarding our situation. Some seem darker this week than previously... Remember to be kind to each other, to check on your neighbors, friends and family. But most importantly, be kind to yourself. We'll get through this and we need you with us when we do. … Continue reading Memes of our times…
National Pecan Day and a make at home snack
Mmmm. I love pecans, in waffles, in gooey pie, in just about any way. As you are sequestered at home it would be nice to have a tasty snack high protein way to enjoy them. Lucky you, here is a simple recipe I have adapted from Southern Living magazine that I know you will enjoy! … Continue reading National Pecan Day and a make at home snack
Easter 2020 in the age of COVID-19
Long before Twitter there was a pithy way to express important sentiments with a limited character set, church signs had limited real estate and they became very adept at getting their point across in few words. And just think, they didn't have the chance to make multiple (1/?) messages. And so it is this interrupted … Continue reading Easter 2020 in the age of COVID-19
More reflections on New York in Lockdown
New York is downright eerie right about now. Streets are downright empty but the air is filled with the sounds of sirens, echoing off our concrete canyons. In my upper Manhattan neighborhood people are out and walking but keeping respectful distances and most wearing mouth coverings of some kind. Grocery stores limit the number of … Continue reading More reflections on New York in Lockdown
Dispatch from the Epicenter
Hope you are well and taking care of yourself and your family. Here in New York we are praying for the week ahead. It will be tough as we approach the predicted apex. We hope it will not be as bad as the experts say but we must be prepared for the potential number of … Continue reading Dispatch from the Epicenter
Walter Thinnes 
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