Again, full disclosure, ChatGPT wrote this post. Would never hide it from you, but then you can tell the well formed format gives it away. But I added the pictures. Every year on April 19, food lovers across the country celebrate National Garlic Day, a tribute to one of the most powerful and beloved ingredients in … Continue reading National Garlic Day: Celebrating the Bold Flavor That Changed the World
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Looking ahead to next weekend’s performances
Recently I posted that my play HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEONARD would be performed by the Fargo/Moorhead Community Theatre (on the North Dakota/Minnesota border). I just received the final schedule and the YouTube links so that you can watch them remotely if you wish. I'm looking forward to the performances. Below you will find the live YouTube links for … Continue reading Looking ahead to next weekend’s performances
Book Review – 1968 by Mark Kurlansky
Mark Kurlansky is one of my favorite authors and I would highly recommend any book written by him. Recently I completed his book 1968 - The Year That Rocked The World. I am especially interested in this period because it was in that year that I became interested in politics and the wider world as … Continue reading Book Review – 1968 by Mark Kurlansky
Celebrating National Peach Cobbler Day: A Sweet Slice of Tradition
Turned again to ChatGPT to write today's post. There is clearly a standard template in use for these posts, not my usually snarky comments. I have supplied the illustrations as usual. There are few desserts that capture the essence of comfort quite like peach cobbler—and that’s exactly why National Peach Cobbler Day, celebrated each year on … Continue reading Celebrating National Peach Cobbler Day: A Sweet Slice of Tradition
The Cozy Magic of Cheese Fondue: A Timeless Comfort Food
Been a bit busy lately so asked Chat GP to write a guest post inspired by National Cheese Fondue Day. I supplied the graphics. Enjoy! There’s something undeniably special about gathering around a pot of warm, melted cheese. Cheese fondue isn’t just a dish—it’s an experience. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, planning a romantic … Continue reading The Cozy Magic of Cheese Fondue: A Timeless Comfort Food
Reminder about upcoming performance
A quick reminder that my play "Happy Birthday Leonard" will be performed in Fargo, North Dakota on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 as part of the 6th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival. If you can't make it to North Dakota that weekend, I am told they will offer a live stream option. I will … Continue reading Reminder about upcoming performance
Sweeping Guide to Professional Curling League
Many of us in America look forward to the Winter Olympics every four years to get our curiosity fulfilled in what is to us the odd sport of curling. One person pushes a heavy stone along an icy course and others sweep the ice path as the rock heads for a target, possibly nudging a … Continue reading Sweeping Guide to Professional Curling League
Today’s Date is 4×4 so it must be Jeep Day!
You may note an obsession on this blog about "National Days." They're fun and often innocuous little diversions. Because today is April 4 (4/4 or 4x4) today is called Jeep Day. I've owned a couple of different Jeeps in my life, my favorite being a Jeep Wrangler soft top in the late 1990's. I really … Continue reading Today’s Date is 4×4 so it must be Jeep Day!
International Fact Checking Day
The day after April Fools Day is International Fact Checking Day. Todays media landscape if filled with deliberate lies, falsehoods, exaggerations, and misinformation. Yes, I listen to some social media but always try to back it up with my own research and other reading. I can't tell you who to trust (though I highly recommend … Continue reading International Fact Checking Day
Review of “Death by Lightning” – I’ve been here before.
Back in 2020 I read the book "Destiny of the Republic" by Candice Millard and reviewed it on my blog (yep, you can search my blog to find that review if you really wish to). As a history buff I was entranced by the work and enjoyed it tremendously, heaping it with praise. Well recently … Continue reading Review of “Death by Lightning” – I’ve been here before.
Live Life Like a Florida Man
Back for the third year is the Florida entertainment event of the year - The Florida Man Games. The long standing joke is that many headlines here start with "Florida Man [does some crazy, usually drunken, incredibly stupid stunt]". The Meme has been place a very long time and now you can watch contestants compete … Continue reading Live Life Like a Florida Man
New Jersey has a (lack of) Groundhog Crisis
German immigrants brought their winter ceremonies from the old country in the 1800's to the United States that eventually morphed into our current Groundhog Day festivities. The 1993 eponymously named movie revived interest, based on hijinks and minor frustrating time travel in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania. Countless other small communities have developed their own versions with their … Continue reading New Jersey has a (lack of) Groundhog Crisis
92nd anniversary of the longest gun battle in FBI history (and a link to an original post about a tour of the site)
Today is the 92nd anniversary of the longest shoot-out in FBI history and it all happened not far from on the shores of Lake Weir, Florida. If you are interested in more here is a link to replay of a previous post regarding to tour of the house where it happened. Enjoy! https://walterthinnes.blog/2023/01/20/a-tour-of-the-ma-barker-house/
In Memoriam – Erich von Daniken and his contributions to the decline of critical thinking skills
I am an avid reader of the New York Times Obituary section and I use this series to comment on notable passings, not always in a laudatory manner. Writer Erich von Daniken, writer of several best sellers including "Chariots of the Gods" recently passed away at 90 years old. It posited that space aliens visited … Continue reading In Memoriam – Erich von Daniken and his contributions to the decline of critical thinking skills
FINALLY – My Cincinnati Reds are back in the Post Season!
It is about time. My Reds have not been in any post season since 2020 when the playoffs were expanded for the pandemic and were icky bounced out. Before that it was in 2012 and we were also blanked out. Needless to say, my club has been hungry for a long time. Especially because the … Continue reading FINALLY – My Cincinnati Reds are back in the Post Season!
Have a minute? Read a Play!
People's attention spans are shrinking. William Shakespeare wrote plays in five acts. Henrik Ibsen wrote plays in three acts. Most modern plays are performed with just one intermission or sometimes no intermission at all. There are, of course, many great scripts that are classified as one acts not meant to be a full evening's entertainment. … Continue reading Have a minute? Read a Play!
Now it is time for a Florida Woman Story!
Yeah, I've been away a while. Sorry about that. Lots going on. No time to explain. Now on the story. The FLORIDA MAN meme has been around for a while and I have featured several stories about it on this blog (you can search for some if you wish). The meme is based the many … Continue reading Now it is time for a Florida Woman Story!
The Recipe I use for National Creme Brûlée Day
Creme Brûlée is a rich and extravagant dessert and one of my favorite treats. I even own my own kitchen torch to crisp the top. I also own special ramekins that are broad and have low sides to maximize the crisp surface. It has been a long time since I last made it and here … Continue reading The Recipe I use for National Creme Brûlée Day
One week from opening and Parkway Playhouse has Released Cast interviews on their Blog
My excitement grows as the opening of my play BLOODLETTING IN THESE HILLS will open one week from tonight at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, North Caroline. The theatre has recently published interviews with all of the cast members as well as the director, the fight choreographer, and intimacy choreographer. (Yes, there is both fighting … Continue reading One week from opening and Parkway Playhouse has Released Cast interviews on their Blog
“Happy Birthday Leonard” can now be found in a new anthology
Way back in June 2022 I attended a production of my short play HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEONARD at the Seventeenth Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival by Theatre Odyssey in Sarasota, Florida. It was directed by Amanda Schlachter and featuring Jenny Aldrich Walker and Julee Breehne. It is one of my most produced scripts and I have seen … Continue reading “Happy Birthday Leonard” can now be found in a new anthology
A Decade with Josephine
Riding Josephine to the 2021 Leesburg Bikefest Ten years ago today I adopted my Can-Am Spyder Roadster RT and we have been a happy couple ever since. She acquired her name because the Bombardier Recreational Products company called her paint color "Cognac." My favorite Cognac is Courvoisier and it features an image of Napoleon and … Continue reading A Decade with Josephine
An article about the production of my play BLOODLETTING IN THESE HILLS
I found an article in advance of the production of my play at the Parkway Playhouse coming in August. I've included a link to here if you are interested in reading it and forwarding it to anyone in North Carolina who may wish to see it... https://www.ourlocalcommunityonline.com/2025/07/07/history-comes-alive-at-the-parkway-playhouse
A Sweet Symphony: Celebrating National Chocolate Covered Almonds Day!
Once again I turn to Artificial Intelligence Gemini Generator to create a full blog post about a Nationa Day with my own twist at the end... A Sweet Celebration Awaits! Get ready to mark calendars for a truly delightful occasion! July 8th is National Chocolate Covered Almonds Day, a special moment dedicated to one of … Continue reading A Sweet Symphony: Celebrating National Chocolate Covered Almonds Day!
Bloodletting In these Hills has started rehearsals
In September 2024 my script BLOODLETTING IN THESE HILLS won the Appalachian Playwriting Festival at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, North Carolina. Part of that prize included a production in their 2025 summer season. It is scheduled to be mounted on August 1-3 and 8-10. I've had the pleasure to speaking with the director Elizabeth … Continue reading Bloodletting In these Hills has started rehearsals
National Rocky Road Day
Today is National Rocky Road Day and I have to say, I love them and hate them all at the same time; let me explain. Take this example of a Rocky Road. While it is obviously a road to a wild and lovely destination, it is also a hazard for most motorcyclists. Actually the two … Continue reading National Rocky Road Day
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