Editor’s Note: This is a previously unplanned third of three parts of a highly topical essay titled, “A Primer on Vaccines,” by Thomas D. Gotowka. Part 2.5 reviews Connecticut’s readiness to distribute the vaccine, identifies some of the side effects that may be experienced, and considers the acquisition of individual immunity. Read the previous parts of the essay at these … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: A Primer on Vaccines, Part 2.5: Where Are We With Vaccines? CT’s Distribution Plan, Immunity Questions & More
Columnists
A la Carte: Lee Shares a New, Fun, Easy and ‘Craggy’ Recipe for Scones
It was a bit of a sad holiday season. I shared Thanksgiving with my neighbors. They are the only people who have been invited into my condo during the pandemic, other than my daughter, the physical therapist, visiting nurses or a few minutes from friends. I lit the candles on my menorah each of the holiday’s eight days and Sue and Bob and I decided not to spend Christmas dinner … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Lee Shares a New, Fun, Easy and ‘Craggy’ Recipe for Scones
Legal News You Can Use: Understanding CT’s New Paid Family & Medical Leave Act
Happy New Year! Welcome 2021! As Connecticut employers bid farewell to the year of “unprecedented times,” not so fast, I say. This New Year ushers in a significant change in employment law for Connecticut employers of all sizes. Connecticut has joined a handful of other states in creating a Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) that drastically changes the landscape … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Understanding CT’s New Paid Family & Medical Leave Act
Senior Moments: A New Year’s Message from our California Correspondent
Happy New Year, my Friends! Yes, I'm late, I know. Good intentions sometimes go wrong. But still I want to wish each and every one of you a happy and prosperous and satisfying New Year! For more than 99 percent of you this is already 2021, though a tiny number of you are living in far-off lands on a different time clock. As always, I've made my New Year's resolutions … [Read more...] about Senior Moments: A New Year’s Message from our California Correspondent
Letter From Paris: After 47 Years, UK Leaves EU with ‘Thin’ Post-Brexit Deal
After 47 years of co-habitation, the UK has left the European Union (EU) with a "thin" post-Brexit deal. An end-of-year need for holiday food delicacies, such as caviar, lobster or foie gras, panic about running short of fresh produce -- such as lettuce, combined with the Covid-19 procedure slowing down the traffic, caused spectacular chaos with thousands of trucks lining up … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: After 47 Years, UK Leaves EU with ‘Thin’ Post-Brexit Deal
A la Carte: Lee’s Last Recipe for 2020, Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon
I have a good kitchen in my condo although not as nice as the one I had in Old Lyme, where my husband knocked down walls between two rooms, then got rid of a hallway. When he was done, and with help from a carpenter neighbor, that kitchen was 24 ft. by 17 ft., the center island could hold 10 people, my 42-inch gas stove had six burners and there was a separate pantry that held … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Lee’s Last Recipe for 2020, Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon
A la Carte: All About Apricots … in a Pie … for Christmas
With Christmas just around the corner, we are probably looking toward another different holiday. In my heart of heart, I believe that our next festive holiday, if not Easter, will be Memorial Day weekend with backyard barbecues and parades with marching bands. I really do believe this. In the meantime, many of us have been cooking and baking for Christmas. Perhaps dinner … [Read more...] about A la Carte: All About Apricots … in a Pie … for Christmas
Gardening with The English Lady for December: “The Last Month so be the Best One”
Hello everyone; so much to do and so little time in this holiday season. Remember to breathe, stretch and take time out for yourself each day. On a pleasant December day, you can be in the garden and you can still plant your spring bulbs. The earth is still workable so enjoy the fresh air and the gentle exercise to work off your Thanksgiving feast and before you indulge in … [Read more...] about Gardening with The English Lady for December: “The Last Month so be the Best One”
Reading Uncertainly? Need a Little Light Reading for These Strange Times? Then Consider ‘Aunts Aren’t Gentlemen’ by P. G. Wodehouse
What can we do when we are besieged by a pandemic, offspring reluctant to visit, political chaos, advancing old age, and weather that no longer permits porch luncheons in a toasty sun? Bertram "Bertie" Wooster, the English gentleman hero of many of P. G. Wodehouse’s novels about life in England many years back, had the answer: Try “the early dinner, the restful spell with a … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? Need a Little Light Reading for These Strange Times? Then Consider ‘Aunts Aren’t Gentlemen’ by P. G. Wodehouse
A View from My Porch — A Primer on Vaccines: Part 2; “Approaching Daylight”
Editor's Note: This is the second of two parts of a highly topical essay titled, "A Primer on Vaccines," by Thomas D. Gotowka. Part 2 considers the complexities of reaching vaccine distribution. The author's goal is that the reader obtains a fundamental understanding of the vaccine approval process, and recognizes that Americans will be provided a vaccine that is safe and … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch — A Primer on Vaccines: Part 2; “Approaching Daylight”
A la Carte: Happy Hanukkah! Enjoy Latkes with Lee
It could be old age, or COVID, or rehabilitation with my new hip or nothing at all. But it feels as if my wonderful daughter was here for two days instead of two weeks. In any case, my new hip is perfect. My hip has given me a new lease on life. I was on my walker for a few days, onto my cane the next week and driving on the third. Thanksgiving was as perfect as that … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Happy Hanukkah! Enjoy Latkes with Lee
The Movie Man: ‘Jingle Jangle, A Christmas Journey – Perhaps a ‘Cult Classic,’ But No Way a ‘True Classic’
While Jingle Jangle A Christmas Journey provides spectacular visual effects, catchy songs, and lovable characters, I fear it will go down in film history as only a cult classic that is adequate at best. The reason for this being just another Christmas film is the plot: Journey Jangle, granddaughter of legendary toymaker/inventor Jeronicus Jangle, seeks to restore faith in … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Jingle Jangle, A Christmas Journey – Perhaps a ‘Cult Classic,’ But No Way a ‘True Classic’
A View from My Porch: A Primer on Vaccines: Part 1; “Still Running to Daylight”
This essay begins an examination of the development and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. Part 1 reviews the key terminology that one may encounter in the media; and the intense evaluation and approval process that is required for these vaccines before they can be used on Americans. I also identify the important developers and discuss their … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: A Primer on Vaccines: Part 1; “Still Running to Daylight”
The Movie Man: ‘The Christmas Chronicles 2’ Misses its Mark
As somebody who looks for originality in nearly every aspect of life, I go into Christmas movies with a great deal of hesitation. And thus I approached The Christmas Chronicles 2. My concern was justified. Should anybody seek a Christmas-themed movie with an original take, The Christmas Chronicles 2 does not deliver ... even for a sequel. With an abundance of unoriginal, … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘The Christmas Chronicles 2’ Misses its Mark
A la Carte: Welcome December With a Wonderful Winter Entrée
Many decades ago, we spent a New Jersey weekend with my husband’s friend, a radiologist. I call him my husband’s friend because, once my husband died, I exited that friendship because I basically detested him. In any case, this man talked about his radiologic partner and noted that he couldn’t stand the partner’s wife. Always curious, I asked what his wife was like. “A … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Welcome December With a Wonderful Winter Entrée