Feeding small groups of people during the pandemic is a problem. For our fundraiser for Democratic candidates (you knew I was a Democrat, didn’t you?), I decided to make meatballs and red sauce. As I learned long ago, everyone’s favorite “ethnic” food is Italian and, even though I have not a whit of Italian blood, I make lots of foods from Italy. So, the question was: … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Meatballs are Perfect for (Small) Pandemic Gatherings
Columnists
A View from My Porch: Great Leaders, Great Speeches; The Finale: Collapse of the Soviet Union.
Editor’s Note: This the sixth and final part of Thomas Gotowka’s series titled “Great Leaders and Great Speeches.’ The previous four parts can be found at these links: A View from My Porch: Great Leaders and Great Speeches, Part 1: Washington’s Farewell through Theodore Roosevelt A View from My Porch: Great Leaders and Great Speeches, Part 2: Nazi Aggression through “A Rain … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: Great Leaders, Great Speeches; The Finale: Collapse of the Soviet Union.
A la Carte: Hold on to Summer, Make Your Own Luscious Ice Cream, Sorbets
Last week I missed getting the last peaches available at Whittle’s. This made me sad because, even though it is late September, I guess I am not ready for fall. In any case, I did find delicious peaches at Big Y and made two crisps (like cobblers but made with nuts, oat, butter, flour and sugar). Of course, I gave the desserts away because, once I have a portion at home, … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Hold on to Summer, Make Your Own Luscious Ice Cream, Sorbets
Gardening with The English Lady: Tips for September, the Month of ‘Warmth, Depth and Color’ (Patience Strong)
Rain through August has been quite plentiful. The weeds continue to grow but I have been able to keep a handle on them with the use of natural Bradfield Organics corn gluten-based weed pre-emergent, which can be purchased at any reputable garden center. HYDRANGEAS ... AND THEIR PRUNING The reason that Hydrangeas do not bloom is that gardeners prune them at the wrong … [Read more...] about Gardening with The English Lady: Tips for September, the Month of ‘Warmth, Depth and Color’ (Patience Strong)
Reading Uncertainly? ‘The Youngest Science: Notes of a Medicine Watcher’ by Lewis Thomas
There is nothing quite like reading about the advances in medicine in the middle of a pandemic, especially when those advances were first reported to me some 37 years ago. Lewis Thomas wrote his fluid, literate, and candid autobiography back in 1983, when I first read it. It is his personal story of curiosity, experimentation, failures, and successes. He confirms how much we … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘The Youngest Science: Notes of a Medicine Watcher’ by Lewis Thomas
Legal News You Can Use: Understanding the Importance of Title Searches
Many people fail to acknowledge the many steps required to purchase a home. Real estate transactions involve far more than touring a property, making an offer and closing on it. For one, you will likely want a mortgage pre-approval before submitting an offer. Once you’ve signed a real estate contract for the home you’re buying, you will need to have it inspected to ensure … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Understanding the Importance of Title Searches
Nibbles: Gotta Love ‘The Apple Lover’s Cookbook’!
As I drive around our beautiful shoreline, I think about what is inland rather than the seashore. Apples will be everywhere, along with cider and cider donuts. I opened Yankee magazine last week and saw that Amy Traverso, Yankee’s senior food editor, has written a new edition of The Apple Lover’s Cookbook, replete with more sweet and savory recipes, more festival venues and … [Read more...] about Nibbles: Gotta Love ‘The Apple Lover’s Cookbook’!
A la Carte: Need a Quick, No-Cook, Hearty Salad? Tuna Panzanella is the Answer!
My eating patterns have changed over the past six months. It began with the shelter-in-place pandemic, during which I looked at my freezers and pantry (the latter is half my hall closet in the condo), and began using many of the shelf-stable groceries of which I had double and triple amounts.) But once the summer harvest became available, I began allowing my meals to be … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Need a Quick, No-Cook, Hearty Salad? Tuna Panzanella is the Answer!
The Movie Man: Positive Thoughts on Dealing With the “Ambiguous Loss” of a Night at the Movies
Around the start of 2019, I published a piece lamenting the rise of A-list movies being released through direct-streaming services such as Netflix. I figuratively begged the cinematic geniuses to never go down this path and always stick to theatrical releases. I was frustrated to learn that my favorite filmmaker, Martin Scorsese, was releasing his highly anticipated … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Positive Thoughts on Dealing With the “Ambiguous Loss” of a Night at the Movies
A View From My Porch: Great Leaders and Great Speeches. Part 5: Cold War “Visual Aids”
Editor’s Note: This the fifth part of Thomas Gotowka’s series titled “Great Leaders and Great Speeches.’ The previous four parts can be found at these links: A View from My Porch: Great Leaders and Great Speeches, Part 1: Washington’s Farewell through Theodore Roosevelt A View from My Porch: Great Leaders and Great Speeches, Part 2: Nazi Aggression through “A Rain of Ruin … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: Great Leaders and Great Speeches. Part 5: Cold War “Visual Aids”
A la Carte: It’s Almost Labor Day, But There’s Still Time for ‘Summer Vegetable Stew’
Last weekend, between cooking (more basil pesto and Coca Cola chocolate cake), reading (finally finished Scott Turow’s The Last Trial) or watching television (not much left now except MSNBC and the third season of The Good Fight.) I also spent some time on Facebook. My south-of-the-Baldwin-Bridge editor, Pem McNerney, who is no slouch when it comes to cooking, made … [Read more...] about A la Carte: It’s Almost Labor Day, But There’s Still Time for ‘Summer Vegetable Stew’
Reading Uncertainly: ‘Talking to Strangers’ by Malcolm Gladwell
I admit that I am easily drawn to the words of Malcolm Gladwell, having already absorbed his The Tipping Point (2002), Blink (2007), and Outliers (2011). I was not disappointed!. This is yet another intriguing and challenging mental exercise about the way in which our brains tend to mislead us, Consider meeting someone new and engaging in conversation: afterwards, we … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly: ‘Talking to Strangers’ by Malcolm Gladwell
A la Carte: You Deserve Something Special! Triple-Ginger Pound Cake Beckons
Last week I made the most delicious dinner I’d ever made. And the easiest. And so satisfying that no dessert—ice cream, cookies, cheesecake or crème brulee—was necessary. Here's what it was: a T-bone steak I’d bought and frozen when they were on sale, three sliced tomatoes. mashed potatoes from 20 tiny ones I’d purchased from Stone Acres in Stonington and two ears of sweet … [Read more...] about A la Carte: You Deserve Something Special! Triple-Ginger Pound Cake Beckons
Letter From Paris: Back to Normal in France? Not Quite …
A Cannes Film Festival turned virtual, the Roland Garros tennis tournament and Tour de France bicycle race both postponed until September? France will definitely not be the same this summer! Tourism and culture are two of the main sectors of French economy and the pandemic has inflicted a direct blow on both of them. Hundreds of festivals, sport events, art … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Back to Normal in France? Not Quite …
Gardening with ‘The English Lady’: Tips for August, “The Sunday of Summer”
August has always been one of my least favorite months in the garden; but plentiful spring has resulted in bountiful fragrance, bloom and foliage. We have such a short blooming and growing season here in New England that any extra time to have a good-looking border is much appreciated. However, by this time in the season, there are always a few gaps to fill in with annuals … [Read more...] about Gardening with ‘The English Lady’: Tips for August, “The Sunday of Summer”