Sometimes I can be pretty naive. I became politically aware at a relatively young age in 1968. The riots, the war, the losses of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. hit me pretty hard and made me wonder about how we could ever move forward. But I found hope in the fact that times … Continue reading Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Holidays/National Days
WBAB Cold Finger Run – not this year
On New Years Day for most of the last decade I have participated in the WBAB Cold Finger Run - an organized ride for motorcycles of all types, ages and expertise to cruise the highways and byways of Long Island. Each entrant pays a fee of $20 which all goes to various children's charities and … Continue reading WBAB Cold Finger Run – not this year
National Marzipan Day
Today, January 12, is National Marzipan Day. This almond based sweet is one of my favorite flavors in the world. I get the love of this treat from my father, for whom it was also a favorite. I have found that people seem to either love marzipan or hate it. I am happy to take … Continue reading National Marzipan Day
Manhattanhenge
Today is one of the four Manhattanhenge days on the calendar where the sun aligns with the New York City street grid layout. The term "Manhattanhenge" was popularized by Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History and a native New Yorker. It is a reference to Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument … Continue reading Manhattanhenge
National Spaghetti Day
Today is National Spaghetti Day and definitely my go to comfort food. Whether topped with a bolognese, puttanesca, Ameritriciana or four way Cincinnati Chili (with onions, not beans, which are an abomination on Cincy Chili, but that is fodder for a different blog post), I love it. Fortunately options for American pasta have improved exponentially … Continue reading National Spaghetti Day
National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
Today is National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day. If offered a shot at a box of mixed chocolates I will always shoot for the chocolate covered cherry option first. Definitely a pairing made in heaven. Ironically I am just writing about it now but this was a long standing go-to gift that Pamela would always buy … Continue reading National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
Welcome to 2018
Here we are, 2018. I don't make New Years Resolutions, I'm too busy catching up with all the To Do lists I am making everyday. As the saying goes, "I was put on this earth to accomplish certain things, I am so far behind I will never die." Well, I suspect I will die someday … Continue reading Welcome to 2018
Farewell 2017, Hello 2018
In our relatively random way we mark this as the end of one year of measure and the start of another. It has certainly been an interesting and challenging year. I hope yours has been positive and that you are looking forward to another turn of the calendar. Two million people are predicted to gather … Continue reading Farewell 2017, Hello 2018
National Bacon Day
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 30, is National Bacon Day. Sorry vegetarians. The smell of bacon on the stove is one of my all time favorites. Today it is fashionable to add bacon to all matter of things including delicious candy - the sweet and salty mix perfectly. But there is nothing like pure delicious bacon, whether … Continue reading National Bacon Day
Post-Christmas Blues
I'm not really blue, just thinking back on the holiday. I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas yourself American culture tends to sweep everyone into it regardless. I celebrated the day with Pamela's grandchildren and family in Virginia. It is wonderful to see a Christmas morning through the … Continue reading Post-Christmas Blues
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas. No wisecracks from me today, no reviews, no recipes, no obscure references. Just wishing you peace, health and happiness for you and your family - whether they are gathered near or far away. Merry Christmas. As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes TOMORROW: Post Christmas Blues
And all through the house…
Shhh. What are you doing awake at this time? Don't you know it is Christmas Eve? Put the little ones to bed, explain to them what the heck a sugarplum is (and tell me while you are at it) and get those blessed sugarplums dancing in their heads. Sounds a little crazy. When they fall … Continue reading And all through the house…
National Eggnog Day
Sunday, December 24 is National Eggnog Day. Not surprising as it is also Christmas Eve. Fresh eggnog shows up in our grocery stores only between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. I once tried what was purported to be an eggnog recipe from the writings of George Washington. I cannot tell a lie, it was OK. … Continue reading National Eggnog Day
National Gazpacho Day!
Odd that as winter closes in someone would name today National Gazpacho day. This fresh vegetable cold tomato soup is something I associate more with summer days. But since someone went to all this trouble here is my favorite recipe: In a large bowl, mix the following: 4 cups ripe tomatoes (about 2 pounds), chopped … Continue reading National Gazpacho Day!
National Cookie Day!
Today is National Cookie Day. To many this means a chocolate chip cookie celebration. For me it is a celebration of my favorite - Snickerdoodles! I use the recipe I got from my Aunt Priscilla. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. In your mixer bowl cream: 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 … Continue reading National Cookie Day!
National Pie Day
Today is National Pie Day. A sublime pie crust separates truly great pies from average pies. It must be flakey, not soggy - stand up to the filling but not be tough or chewy. People spend years mastering the technique to create the perfect pie crust. My favorite story of this comes from my ex-wife. … Continue reading National Pie Day
Thanksgiving with family and a visit to Naples, Florida
Last week I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, visiting my mom in Central Florida for a sumptuous meal. We had turkey, ham, risotto, deviled eggs, sweet potato casserole, delicious roast vegetables, cheese rolls, lovely dressing and so much more. My mom will live off the left overs and share them with her neighbors for some time … Continue reading Thanksgiving with family and a visit to Naples, Florida
Alternate Side Parking
The city of New York recently released the ASP calendar for 2018. In this town street parking is highly regulated and quirkily assigned. From the calendar: "All of NYC was designated a Tow Away Zone under the State’s Vehicle & Traffic law in 1959. This means that any vehicle parked or operated illegally, or with … Continue reading Alternate Side Parking
Evacuation Day
Tomorrow, Saturday, November 25, is Evacuation Day here in New York. It commemorates the day in 1783 when the British left Manhattan after the American Revolutionary War when General George Washington returned in a triumphant parade. He had left the city, starting a long strategic retreat, when he abandoned Fort Washington (in my part of … Continue reading Evacuation Day
Happy Thanksgiving
In America we celebrate Thanksgiving Day today with parades, sumptuous dinners and sporting events. I hope that you are getting the Thanksgiving you desire. Usually I go to my favorite steak house in New York to gorge myself in my own quirky manner but today I choose to celebrate more traditionally with my mom in … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving
Review – Home for the Holidays
Two caveats for this review: I do not watch TV reality singing contests at all and so have no idea who these people are (old-timer Danny Aiello was a minor part of the evening and the only face I recognized). The other is that I saw the first preview and the sound mix was not … Continue reading Review – Home for the Holidays
Election Day 2017
I often prep blog entries in advance and then edit up until the morning posting. This version I have completely re-written at least a dozen times with various quotes, facts and observations. I steer clear of political postings as there is enough bloviating in this environment. This blog is intended to highlight the theatre I … Continue reading Election Day 2017
National Nachos Day
Today is National Nachos Day. Nachos are one of the most abused and misunderstood foods in our canon. Too often they are sloppily and carelessly prepared. Ballparks slather runny cheese over stale chips, dump them in a souvenir batting helmet bowl and overcharge horribly for the privilege. All over New York you will find Tex-Mex … Continue reading National Nachos Day
I take a stand on Daylight Saving Time
This Sunday (November 5, 2017) you are advised to turn your clocks back one hour to stay faithful to Daylight Saving Time. This practice was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin and has been in effect in our world on and off with changing rules for the last century. Those in favor claim better access to … Continue reading I take a stand on Daylight Saving Time
An Atrocious National Day
If you read this blog on a regular basis you know that I periodically feature National Days where certain items or topics are celebrated. Recently we've had National Taco Day, National Coffee Day, National Pancake Day and National Waffle Day. I covered all of them on this blog. Soon we'll have National Nachos Day and … Continue reading An Atrocious National Day
Walter Thinnes 
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