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
Summer Broadway Spotlight – Clearing the Boards
It is common that Broadway shows that were not winners at the Tony Awards shut down or close early. That certainly happened again this year but this summer feels a tad different. Yes, open end run musicals such as "Be More Chill," "The Prom," "The Cher Show," "King Kong," and "Pretty Woman" all could not … Continue reading Summer Broadway Spotlight – Clearing the Boards
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
FootNotes #6 – TMI Tuesdays?
There is a trend on social media to overshare online with the tag line "TMI (Too Much Information) Tuesday." Do not go looking for it if you are faint of heart. I've seen some pretty weird things I can't unlearn on other TMI Tuesday blogs. But I tend not to overshare. One follower of my … Continue reading FootNotes #6 – TMI Tuesdays?
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
EXPOSED! – Tootsie Roll Pops!
My Exposed! Series tackles a vexing subject each month and scientifically dismantles it. We've done Chapstick tubes and Pez Candy Dispensers so far. This month we tackle the age old question of "How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?" You know the genesis of this … Continue reading EXPOSED! – Tootsie Roll Pops!
FootNotes #5 – The Healing continues
My broken ankle is coming along. The doctors believe the best course is to let it heal naturally and that will take a few more weeks. There is not much pain involved, simply lots of boredom and impatience on my part. See, I'm not permitted to place any weight on it at all and that … Continue reading FootNotes #5 – The Healing continues
Mid-Season #ATOBTTR Update
Here we are just before the All-Star Game (where we Cincinnati Reds are woefully under-represented) and just past the numerical middle of the season. I've been rooting for my favorite team all year, convinced that a confluence of factors would lead us to a Championship Season. We're still under 500%, bottom of the division and … Continue reading Mid-Season #ATOBTTR Update
Start of the Long Reach Long Riders 2019 adventure
Today is the start of the Long Reach Long Riders 2019 Altimeter Tour, plying the twisties and scenic routes of Colorado. This is a group of theatre technicians and motorcycle enthusiasts that gather annually to tour different parts of the country each summer. I joined them for the tail end of their New England ride … Continue reading Start of the Long Reach Long Riders 2019 adventure
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
FootNotes #4 – Next Steps…or no steps at all for a while!
Good news about my ankle break is that it is coming along nicely with slow progress. The doctors have chosen not to operate for a variety of reasons but assure me that with their care and binding that it will heal just fine. Just as well with me as surgery can always pose other risks. … Continue reading FootNotes #4 – Next Steps…or no steps at all for a while!
National Gingersnap Day
Today I will take a perfectly innocent cookie recipe and turn it carnivorous. I didn't invent this but also don't remember where I saw it. It is simply unusual and delicious. Do you save the grease created when cooking bacon? It is good to fry up other meats, and now to use in a cookie! … Continue reading National Gingersnap Day
TryThis – Smokey Tomato Sauce
If you have a smoker you are likely using it to season meats. Try vegetables too. Here is a terrific recipe I made recently you might like. Preparation for smoking the tomatoes can be found at the end of the post. Our tasty test serving choice. Heat about 4 Tablespoons olive oil in large saucepan … Continue reading TryThis – Smokey Tomato Sauce
Some Broadway Musings
My recent ankle injury will keep me from getting to the theatre for a while but that doesn't stop me from paying attention. This is not encyclopedic but a few comments... The shakeout from the recent Tony awards did not reward "Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus" and "Hillary and Clinton" and quickly closed. Unfortunate, … Continue reading Some Broadway Musings
FootNotes #3 – Gettin’ Around
Regular readers know I often post about Theatre (always preceded by Review - ), National Days and food, food and food. With my recent broken ankle I won't be going to much theatre any time soon and work in the kitchen is highly limited. Because of some complications, surgery is delayed for the moment so … Continue reading FootNotes #3 – Gettin’ Around
National Strawberry Parfait Day
If Strawberries aren't the fruit of summer, some marketing firm has sure been working hard to make it so. When I went looking for recipes for todays special day I found lots with ice cream, various crumbled cookies, rich whipped cream, frozen strawberries, even canned strawberry pie filling. Yuck. You can make it much more … Continue reading National Strawberry Parfait Day
National Selfie Day
I guess it was inevitable but since 2014 June 19 has been National Selfie Day. Don't look down your nose at this day, look up, it makes a better selfie. Think of it as a natural evolution to art's time honored self portraits, and much faster and more spreadable thanks to social media. Indeed, you … Continue reading National Selfie Day
National Ice Cream Soda Day
On a hot summer day there is nothing more refreshing than an Ice Cream Soda. Simple treat, just pour some soda (or pop or Coke or whatever your region of the US calls it) over a scoop or two of ice cream in a glass. The soda blends slightly with the ice cream and bubbles … Continue reading National Ice Cream Soda Day
Review – Hillary and Clinton
Playwright Lucas Hnath is on a bit of a "what if" kick lately, following his recent "A Doll's House, Part 2" with a look into two of our most famous political figures. While I shied from his multiple universe framing device, he nails the insight inside one of the most famous marriages of all time. … Continue reading Review – Hillary and Clinton
FootNotes #2 – A terrific advantage with a broken ankle!
I am always an optimistic sort and just figured out the great advantage I have with my broken ankle. I only wear one sock at a time. Thus less wear, less laundry, less carbon footprint, better results for climate change. It does make it more difficult to track pairs after laundry, but hey, I'll take … Continue reading FootNotes #2 – A terrific advantage with a broken ankle!
