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
New York City
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
In Memoriam – Brian Dennehy
We lost a great actor yesterday. I've seen Brian Dennehy in lots of screen roles but I am blessed also to have seen his Tony winning Broadway performances. In 1999 he led an amazing cast in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and I also saw him lead an astounding production of one of my … Continue reading In Memoriam – Brian Dennehy
National Eggs Benedict Day
While there are competing stories of who originated Eggs Benedict, it is widely agreed it was here in New York City in the latter half of the 19th Century. Makes sense it was first devised in a city that celebrates a brunch culture. As you know it is an English Muffin, topped with bacon, poached … Continue reading National Eggs Benedict Day
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
Footnotes #23 – Arizona Boot
I have tried not to focus on my health issues when my entire city is getting sick around me, but it does go on. As a matter of fact, it has been delayed and detoured as hospitals are turned entirely into COVID-19 treatment centers. But recently I was fitted for something called an Arizona Boot. … Continue reading Footnotes #23 – Arizona Boot
More time at home
Happy April Fool's Day. I understand these measures taken to stop the spread of the virus are deadly serious, but freezing in place sometimes feels like one giant prank. Yes, most of us will be spending more time at home to stop the spread of COVID-19. New York State has extended orders to stay in … Continue reading More time at home
National Take a Walk in the Park Day – but with social distancing, please…
Today is National Take a Walk in the Park Day and it is a good way to get out and experience some fresh air as so many of us are asked to stay in place. Even in New York we are allowed that luxury, though many National Parks have been closed down to reduce the … Continue reading National Take a Walk in the Park Day – but with social distancing, please…
Concerns for World Theatre Day
Happy World Theatre Day at a very difficult time for theatre. During the current shutdown Broadway has been closed down, several shows won't reopen, others have been rescheduled for next season, and the Tony Awards have been postponed. But more than that, millions of theatre employees and related workers have been laid off with no … Continue reading Concerns for World Theatre Day
In Memoriam – Terrence McNally
Playwright Terrence McNally passed away from complications of COVID-19 yesterday in a hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He was in the target danger group as he was 81 and had COPD. He was a prolific writer I admired very much and still actively writing. A great loss to the theatre community. He wrote the book to … Continue reading In Memoriam – Terrence McNally
Patience and Fortitude
Like so much else, the New York Public Library is shut down. I miss going there to do my playwriting, especially the beautiful Rose Reading Room at the main branch. Flanking the entrance to that gorgeous building are two stone lions. During the Great Depression Mayor Fiorello La Guardia gave them names that he felt … Continue reading Patience and Fortitude
Walter Thinnes 
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