"Please take me outside - I gotta go!" Today is National Dog Day. I haven't had a dog since I was a boy but plenty of people around me in New York City have a dog. Big ones, small ones, multiple ones, seemingly in every other small apartment in the vast metropolis. I have no … Continue reading National Dog Day
Holidays/National Days
National Tooth Fairy Day!
It has been a very long time since I have been visited by the tooth fairy and I am rather jealous. I happen to know of a couple of youngsters in this racket and I am told that teeth are now worth a dollar and sometimes even more. Folding money instead of coins for discarded … Continue reading National Tooth Fairy Day!
National Radio Day
Today is National Radio Day and this is a bit of a mish-mosh post. I've long enjoyed audio broadcasts, especially NPR. (Yes I am a member.) That was my early pull into podcasts where I could catch NPR programs when I wanted, not when broadcast, and then picked up other favorites as well. Radio is … Continue reading National Radio Day
National Soft (Serve) Ice Cream Day
Warning: do not let your children (or grandchildren) see this post. Ice Cream is always a delightful sweet treat during hot summer days. While my favorite will always be the Graeter's brand from Cincinnati, I also enjoy a nice soft-serve cone. The concept was born by a young fellow named Tom Carvel - you may … Continue reading National Soft (Serve) Ice Cream Day
National Tell-A-Joke Day
We all need to smile a little more now-a-days. Or more likely, if I am telling the joke, groan a bit. Here is my latest favorite joke to pass along: What is the difference between a cat and a comma? A cat has claws at the end of its paws and a comma is a … Continue reading National Tell-A-Joke Day
National Creamsicle Day
Today is National Creamsicle Day and while there are now many flavors the one I remember from my youth is the luscious orange and vanilla. There was nothing quite like an Orange Creamsicle on a hot summer day. That flavor combination can be recalled in a number of ways, but how about the delicious Creamsicle … Continue reading National Creamsicle Day
National Vinyl Record Day
In my youth I had a terrific vinyl record collection. I saved some notable items but most of my music is now digital, more than 50,000 songs from over the years. I was afraid for a while that the young'uns would only know vinyl records from the scritchity-scratching of that hippity-hop. Yes, I know I'm … Continue reading National Vinyl Record Day
A Fun National Day and related Recipe Link!
Today is National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day. If you have a garden you know that right about now you are reaping more zucchini than you can deal with. What a nice/sneaky idea to off load some of that extra bounty on an unsuspecting neighbor! Even if you don't have a garden, … Continue reading A Fun National Day and related Recipe Link!
National Lighthouse Day
Today is National Lighthouse Day and you can find a very cute little lighthouse very close to where I live in Upper Manhattan, not where you would think to find one. It is nestled under the George Washington Bridge and is rather famous. Below is a picture I snapped when I hiked down to see … Continue reading National Lighthouse Day
Footnotes #9 – it really is National Wiggle Your Toes Day
When I broke my ankle earlier this summer one of the first things the responding ambulance crew asked was whether I could wiggle my toes. The same question came early on in the emergency room and the first observation by an orthopedic specialist. Since that day I've been sure to wiggle my toes at least … Continue reading Footnotes #9 – it really is National Wiggle Your Toes Day
August is National Sandwich month in more ways than one
In 1952 August was designated "National Sandwich Month." In 1952 that meant: But in 2008 August was also designated "National Panini Month" which looks more like: A serious upgrade. Improve and expand your food choices to something tastier and more succulent. Heck, with the internet, food television and creative cuisine fusions, there is no reason … Continue reading August is National Sandwich month in more ways than one
National Water Balloon Day
The first Friday in August is National Water Balloon Day. Some may claim it is harmless fun and an easy way to cool off in the blistering summer heat. However, I am deadly afraid of today, especially when these weapons are in the hands of tiny terrorists like this one. I do believe I will … Continue reading National Water Balloon Day
National Chicken Wing Day
Hard to imagine now but before the mid-sixties, chicken wings were relegated to be used for making chicken stock or soup flavoring. With meager bits of meat and no popular cooking methods they were toss-away portions of the bird. But something happened in Buffalo, New York that made their city known for a new appetizer … Continue reading National Chicken Wing Day
National BagelFest Day – TryThis – Ess-A-Bagel
It is ironic that BagelFest Day was established by Lender's Bagels (those faux bagels found in your freezer case) as the really good bagels, found right here in New York City, are a far cry than those handy but very cardboard tasting treats. Real NYC bagels are reputedly best due to the city water and … Continue reading National BagelFest Day – TryThis – Ess-A-Bagel
National Chili Dog Day
I've said it before and will happily say it again. My favorite Chili Dog is known as a Cheese Coney in Cincinnati Chili Parlors. Bun, stripe of yellow mustard, hot dog, diced onions, Cincinnati Chili*, generous heap of mild cheddar cheese. Deeeeeeelicious treat. You can find one in Edward's restaurant this Monday (Cincinnati brands every … Continue reading National Chili Dog Day
National Cousins Day
Happy National Cousins Day and luckily, I have a few to celebrate. To mark the occasion, I am including my favorite family portrait of all time. It was the summer of 1967 (I think it was the Fourth of July). It was scanned by my cousin Gigi who is helping us preserve family memories. It … Continue reading National Cousins Day
National Hammock Day
It is perfect that National Hammock Day falls in the middle of the dog days of summer. Strung between two shade trees, there is nothing more relaxing than a (yawn) hammock. As you slowly rock back and forth and the sun gently dapples your eyes (yaaaawn) one gets so verrrrry rrrrrestful. Mmmmble. It's just perfect. … Continue reading National Hammock Day
National Caviar Day – TryThis – Taramasalata
We've all heard of the Sturgeon Roe (fish eggs) Caviar that is the classic and very expensive gourmet item we can't afford. But if you want a luxury taste for much cheaper, look for and try Taramasalata. It is a Greek dish (similar products are from the nearby Balkans and Turkey) that combine a salted … Continue reading National Caviar Day – TryThis – Taramasalata
World Emoji Day
Today is World Emoji Day and this calls for a Grumpy Old Man Rant. In ancient civilizations mankind used cave paintings, pictograms and hieroglyphics to express ourselves. About three millennia ago we created the alphabet and our ability to express ourselves soared and expanded with many different languages to choose from. However, with the growth … Continue reading World Emoji Day
National Tapioca Pudding Day
Tapioca pudding is a delicious and easy dessert option. My mom used to make it for me and my sister and brother when we were much younger. She would make a big double batch in a large bowl and keep it in the refrigerator. We all clamored for it and she allowed us to sample … Continue reading National Tapioca Pudding Day
Make travel plans to see Manhattanhenge
There are many reasons to come to Manhattan: to see a Broadway Play; to visit a world class museum; to experience maddening subway delays. Or maybe to take a picture of the sun perfectly framed in our concrete canyons. That phenomenon is known as Manhattanhenge, a name bestowed by our own Neil deGrasse Tyson (from … Continue reading Make travel plans to see Manhattanhenge
National 7-11 Day
This one is easy and a little silly. July 11 is 7-11 day. 7/11? Get it? I don't have much to say about it except that 7-11 has invaded and is beginning to colonize New York City. Just a decade ago we were quirky with little locally owned stores but are now being overrun by … Continue reading National 7-11 Day
July is National Hot Dog Month and National Grilling Month
Warning: you may wish to avoid information at the end of this post if you easily get queasy about the food you eat... You may learn something about hot dogs you already suspected but did not want details about... Summer is certainly the season to grill and hot dogs are a popular item to serve … Continue reading July is National Hot Dog Month and National Grilling Month
Wishing you a very happy American Independence Day
National Be Nice to New Jersey Week
New Jersey has a long history of cruel jokes and demeaning attitudes. For the next week, please refrain from slights about New Jersey. I live just across the river from New Jersey and often cross the busiest bridge in the world (George Washington Bridge across the Hudson River) to visit. Let's see, what can I … Continue reading National Be Nice to New Jersey Week
