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
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Me, Incorporated
Last year a multi-national corporation purchased the small company where I worked for more than a decade. This year, as part of a ongoing effort to centralize their management, they eliminated my position and I lost my job. Several opportunities arose but the best was a company who needed my expertise but did not have … Continue reading Me, Incorporated
Review – Hillbilly Elegy
It has been a while since I finished reading Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance but I needed time to reflect on it before I commented on it. Surprising to me, much in it was familiar. I too spent some of my life growing up between Dayton and Cincinnati and had neighbors (very nice people) who … Continue reading Review – Hillbilly Elegy
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
My first published play
I have been writing plays for about eleven years and have had more than 100 productions, readings and awards for my scripts. I have had the opportunity to "vanity publish" my works but have resisted. I have just signed a contract with ArtAge: The Senior Theatre Resource Center to publish one of my short works. … Continue reading My first published play
Review – A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Last week Pamela and I had the opportunity to take in a community theater production of A Man For All Seasons. It was staged, quite credibly, by The Heights Players, a long standing and very active amateur group in Brooklyn Heights. It has long been one of my favorite scripts of the 1960's canon and … Continue reading Review – A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Happy Birthday, Leonard is a semi-finalist
Thrilled to announce that my ten-minute play "Happy Birthday, Leonard" is a semi-finalist in the Still Crazy After All These Years festival by the Stray Kats Theatre Company in Newton, Connecticut. It is one of 34 plays selected from 224 submissions. They will further winnow their selections to arrive at 8 to 10 scripts to … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Leonard is a semi-finalist
Review – THE CHILDREN on Broadway
The Manhattan Theatre Club is introducing playwright Lucy Kirkwood to our shores in a transfer of the successful British production of her play The Children in their Broadway space The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. This is one of those reviews I hate to write. The performers Francesca Annis, Ron Cook and Deborah Findlay are terrific. … Continue reading Review – THE CHILDREN on Broadway
Graeter’s for the Holidays!
OK, I admit it. I caved and had some Graeter's ice cream delivered for the holidays. Those from Cincinnati know what this means and everyone else should learn. No exaggeration - it is the best ice cream in the world. The process for making it has remained the same since 1870. It is made and … Continue reading Graeter’s for the Holidays!
Another endorsement of meal kits
It's been a while since I sang the praises of home delivered meal kits. We prefer Home Chef, though you have several options in the market. The concept is that each week you are given a choice of menu options on their website. You pick the ones you want and they deliver a recipe card … Continue reading Another endorsement of meal kits
Review – JUNK on Broadway
The Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center has become my go to place to have complicated concepts explained in riveting theater pieces. On my last visit I was thrilled by J.T. Roger's play OSLO which captivated me as it led me through the now doomed negotiations toward the two state solution between Israel and Palestine. … Continue reading Review – JUNK on Broadway
Terrorist Attack
Thanks for those who have reached out to check on me after yesterday's terrorist attack in Manhattan. I am fine. Yes, that is a tunnel I have walked many times and in my previous job I passed through that station every day. Where I am working now I don't travel through that station. We are … Continue reading Terrorist Attack
First Snow of the Season
On Saturday New York got the first snow of the winter season. It was the perfect introduction. About 5 or 6 inches in my neighborhood, gently building through the day and ready to melt away over the next couple of days. A nice start to what will hopefully not be too disruptive of a weather … Continue reading First Snow of the Season
Review – Who’s Holiday
If you wonder what became of Cindy Lou Who, There is something that you simply must do. Save all of your pennies so you can pay to see the new comedy "Who's Holiday!" Not a surprise that the estate of Seuss the creator doesn't want you to see the show at Westside Theatre.* While the … Continue reading Review – Who’s Holiday
Aaron Boone
The New York Yankees have named Aaron Boone as their new manager. I will always associate Aaron as a member of the Cincinnati Reds as they drafted him and he premiered in Riverfront Stadium. He also hit the final home run in that stadium and was a sterling (and fiery) presence on the team. He … Continue reading Aaron Boone
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!
Review – The Parisian Woman
Uma Thurman is a luminous presence on stage who draws your interest without fail and without limit. She is an amazing performer who should return to Broadway on a regular basis. Sorry, that's all the good news. I had looked forward to this production because the playwright is Beau Willimon. He is the originator of … Continue reading Review – The Parisian Woman
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
Meanwhile in Lobster Village
I am going to be pretty busy this weekend and if you are in New York City I hope you can stop by Polaris North to see the show listed below. Grant Machan is a talented playwright who is showcasing three short plays on a related theme. I will be doing lights and sound for … Continue reading Meanwhile in Lobster Village
The Diamond as Big as the Ritz
This is not a review. Recently I saw an "industry reading" of a work in progress. It is a musical based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald novella. I had seen early drafts in reading group as the writing team developed the work and it was thrilling to see it being presented in one piece to … Continue reading The Diamond as Big as the Ritz
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
Walter Thinnes 
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