This blog is focused on theatrical experiences, personal notes, food adventures and celebrations of National Days. I seldom lapse into political commentary, but will make a brief exception today. President Trump and various members of his administration are currently embroiled in an impeachment fight that I have followed closely. I'm not predicting what the outcome … Continue reading Rare Political Commentary
National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day
Many of the National Days I feature on my blog were founded years and even decades ago. Many of them have mysterious origins and exist traditionally from year to year. But today's was established by a Brooklyn based chocolate covered pretzel empire and this year, October 7, 2019, is the very first day this National … Continue reading National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day
October is National Sarcastic Awareness Month
In actuality sarcasm is the body's natural reaction to stupidity. However, if overused you could be shunned by family and friends. So if you find yourself being over-sarcastic (duh, is that even possible?) you may wish to explore how modern medicine can help, details below... As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on … Continue reading October is National Sarcastic Awareness Month
National Coffee With A Cop Day
In 2011 Hawthorne, California established the first Wednesday in October as Have a Coffee with a Cop Day to enhance the rapport between police officers and their community. Of course, a donut usually accompanies each cup of coffee. Hawthorne isn't that big of a town so maybe that works. But I'm guessing if we try … Continue reading National Coffee With A Cop Day
Surprise! I got to go to the festival!
A few days ago I urged you to attend the Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park here in Manhattan but bemoaned the fact I could not attend due to my situation trapped in the rehab center. To my absolute delight Pamela arranged for our friend Hannah and her friend Rose to help us out by … Continue reading Surprise! I got to go to the festival!
Final #ATOBTTR Update
Another Cincinnati Reds season has come to a close without a playoff berth. My predictions of glory in the 150th year of the team, in the final career year of great broadcaster Marty Brennaman, were wrong. There is no joy in Mudville. But the team showed unusual resilience and spark with lots of possibilities and … Continue reading Final #ATOBTTR Update
National Coffee Day
Today is National Coffee Day and many chains are offering deals and discounts. At Krispy Kreme you can get a free brewed coffee and one original glazed donut. At Wawa you get a free coffee if you sign up for their rewards program. At Dunkin' if you buy a brewed coffee you can get an … Continue reading National Coffee Day
In Memoriam – Robert Hunter
As a writer of scripts I admire the crafter of great lyrics. We lost an amazing and prolific lyricist this week when Robert Hunter passed away at 78. If you, like me, enjoyed the music of "The Grateful Dead" you understand his importance to the band. He was one of the most influential and prolific … Continue reading In Memoriam – Robert Hunter
Take the ‘A’ Train to the 35th Annual Medieval Festival!
One day each year Fort Tryon Park in Northern Manhattan is transformed into a festival celebrating Medieval Times with jousting, attractions, performances, crafts, fair food and more. In 2019, it is scheduled for this Sunday, September 29 from 11:30 AM to 6 PM. It is literally next door to where I live and I have … Continue reading Take the ‘A’ Train to the 35th Annual Medieval Festival!
Unexpected Glimpses of Olde New-York
Live in this city long enough and you know the feeling of seeing the past layered in the present. Maybe it is the unexpected revealing of an old painted sign when a neighboring building is turned down. Maybe it is an archeological dig where shards unearthed reveal an old clay pipe or tavern plate. As … Continue reading Unexpected Glimpses of Olde New-York
National Punctuation Day
With today's fragmented and truncated communication methods, it is important to remember that punctuation still plays an important role in understanding meaning in the English language. Add a comma, save a life... As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes
Happy Autumn
Today, September 23, 2019 at 7:50 AM, exactly as this post was published, the season turned to autumn. The seasons change, time passes, we continue whirling through space on this amazing planet of ours. Treasure it, treasure your time here, treasure tomorrow. We are blessed to experience any small part of it. May God bless … Continue reading Happy Autumn
National Hobbit Day
I know, I know. Now-a-days we have Harry Potter and Game of Thrones and every category of sorcery and fantasy programs. We even have the great Peter Jackson movies of J.R.R. Tolkien's classics. But if you have not read the original books, do yourself a favor and pick one up today. They are worth it … Continue reading National Hobbit Day
National Pecan Cookie Day
Today is National Pecan Cookie Day and there is only one that satisfies me - try this recipe for a copycat version and hope you enjoy. Combine and set aside 1 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Cream 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, 1/2 cup white sugar, and 1/2 … Continue reading National Pecan Cookie Day
Footnotes #12 – getting stronger every day
Just a quick update as I rehab after the recent encounter with sepsis and multiple operations to set it straight. I am getting stronger everyday and am working on a comeback. I have heard lots of stories at the hospital and where I am doing my rehab about others with sepsis and the truth is … Continue reading Footnotes #12 – getting stronger every day
September is Sepsis Awareness Month
Please pardon me for not being in touch for the last couple of weeks. If you know anything about sepsis you know it can be a devastating energy draining event that can rob you of any ability to do anything. If you don't know much about it, don't choose to go deep within it around … Continue reading September is Sepsis Awareness Month
Footnotes #10 – better but still a ways to go
Quick update on my broken ankle, saw the orthopedics doctor again this week. Bone is healing well, more to go. Now I need to work on the muscles and tendons that have atrophied when I was putting no weight on the foot. That was frustrating and now need to get it back in shape. That … Continue reading Footnotes #10 – better but still a ways to go
National Dog Day
"Please take me outside - I gotta go!" Today is National Dog Day. I haven't had a dog since I was a boy but plenty of people around me in New York City have a dog. Big ones, small ones, multiple ones, seemingly in every other small apartment in the vast metropolis. I have no … Continue reading National Dog Day
Quick Quiet Post
Things have been tough for me lately. But I am going to use this day to turn it around. This day has significance internationally and personally, though I won't list them here. I'll use the day to lift me into a new era in my life. If you can spare a bit of shared energy … Continue reading Quick Quiet Post
The Return of “Good Eats”
I've been a big fan of Alton Brown and his "Good Eats" series from the beginning. While I had been a dedicated baker for most of my life I was just warming to cooking beyond the grill and pots of chili when the original show came on. It was perfect. Focus on a single iconic … Continue reading The Return of “Good Eats”
National Tooth Fairy Day!
It has been a very long time since I have been visited by the tooth fairy and I am rather jealous. I happen to know of a couple of youngsters in this racket and I am told that teeth are now worth a dollar and sometimes even more. Folding money instead of coins for discarded … Continue reading National Tooth Fairy Day!
National Radio Day
Today is National Radio Day and this is a bit of a mish-mosh post. I've long enjoyed audio broadcasts, especially NPR. (Yes I am a member.) That was my early pull into podcasts where I could catch NPR programs when I wanted, not when broadcast, and then picked up other favorites as well. Radio is … Continue reading National Radio Day
National Soft (Serve) Ice Cream Day
Warning: do not let your children (or grandchildren) see this post. Ice Cream is always a delightful sweet treat during hot summer days. While my favorite will always be the Graeter's brand from Cincinnati, I also enjoy a nice soft-serve cone. The concept was born by a young fellow named Tom Carvel - you may … Continue reading National Soft (Serve) Ice Cream Day
National Tell-A-Joke Day
We all need to smile a little more now-a-days. Or more likely, if I am telling the joke, groan a bit. Here is my latest favorite joke to pass along: What is the difference between a cat and a comma? A cat has claws at the end of its paws and a comma is a … Continue reading National Tell-A-Joke Day
We need more than #SneakOnIn
#ATOBTTR update - As my Cincinnati Reds have flirted with a playoff run in the second half of the season a new hashtag has emerged from a phrase by our superstar first baseman, Joey Votto. His strategy is to "sneak" into the playoffs while other teams are focused on someone else. After getting swept by … Continue reading We need more than #SneakOnIn
