If you happen to be on the island of Manhattan this evening you will see the setting sun framed perfectly in the concrete canyons lining our cross streets. You can find many previous posts on this site explaining the science but the real thrill is the experience. Get to a crosstown street and today you … Continue reading Here we go again with another Manhattanhenge
Holidays/National Days
How to keep all the cookies for yourself
It is no secret that I love cookies. I love making cookies but I especially love eating cookies. Today is National Sugar Cookie day but I am not publishing a recipe today. I have done that in past posts and you can find them scattered around my blog. Instead I am helping you keep them … Continue reading How to keep all the cookies for yourself
Making my birthday cake
Yep, it's that day. Often on this day I enjoy a slice of my favorite, Black Forest Cake from a good bakery. For today, I found a new interesting recipe that I wanted to try. You can find a link to it here. https://bakeitafterall.com/cherry-chocolate-cheesecake-bundt-cake/ This Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake Bundt Cake is a little easier to … Continue reading Making my birthday cake
Ramble on Independence Day
Happy 4th of July, Happy American Independence Day. This is a nation still being born. The Founding Fathers had a fascinating concept that is still not fully realized. We're getting there but it is slow going, especially for citizens who still do not benefit from all the grand ideas. I have faith we'll get there, … Continue reading Ramble on Independence Day
National Social Media Day
Today's National Day celebrates the rise of social media in our lives. The good news is that social media provides a platform and outlet for everyone without limit. The bad news is that social media provides a platform for everyone without filter. I'm old enough to remember the days when there were three television networks … Continue reading National Social Media Day
National Ice Cream Cake Day
Summertime is the perfect time for an ice cream cake. And when I think of that I think of Carvel. If you lived in an eastern state you were familiar with the television commercials with founder Tom Carvel. By the time I saw them he was a crusty older guy who was quirky and endearing. … Continue reading National Ice Cream Cake Day
Global Beatles Day
When I was growing up people often split into two camps, either The Rolling Stones or The Beatles. I liked both but if forced to choose one, it would be The Beatles. The global sensation that was The Beatles is hard to imagine today and those Lads from Liverpool truly changed music as we know … Continue reading Global Beatles Day
National Pecan Sandies Day and a product endorsement
I do love cookies and most especially the delicious variation called Pecan Sandies. This shortbread goodie with delicious nuts just hits my sweet spot. But my sweet spot is the problem. I have my Type II Diabetes under control but I still love some sugary goodness. Hard to resist. For the most part sugar free … Continue reading National Pecan Sandies Day and a product endorsement
Welcome Summer Solstice
This post is being published at the exact moment of the 2020 northern hemisphere summer solstice. Welcome to a new season and a new tilt on the old earth. May it bring good fortune, new outlooks and better times. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
Happy Juneteenth and a note about Federal Holidays
155 years ago today, on June 19th, 1865, a contingent of Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas and advised local enslaved African Americans that they were free. This was a year and a half after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued and almost two months after the surrender of Lee's army, effectively ending the American Civil … Continue reading Happy Juneteenth and a note about Federal Holidays
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Two National Days that go well together with a recipe that blends them!
Today is both National Oatmeal Cookie Day and National Raisin Day. You can already see where I'm going with this. Put them together and bake up a great batch of soft gooey oatmeal raisin cookies. Try the recipe link below for a terrific option. And send me a few by mail if you do. Yummy! … Continue reading Two National Days that go well together with a recipe that blends them!
