Okay, I am having more fun this summer than I have in, at least, two years. Last year was fine, too, as was the summer before. But this year, I am pain-free, since I had my hip replacement on July 1. A couple of Sundays ago I went to our boules party and saw people I rarely see except during the summer and our Christmas party in early December. I am not on a team this year, … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Baby Carrot Soup is Best Served Chilled
Columnists
Reading Uncertainly? ‘Identity’ by Francis Fukuyama
Stanford University’s Francis Fukuyama always challenges our minds. From his The End of History and the Last Man, addressing our futures after the end of the Cold War (1992), and continuing with The Origins of Political Order (2011) and Political Order and Political Decay (2014), two monster 600+ page tomes, his newest, and briefest (a slim 183 pager!) is Identity. Who on … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘Identity’ by Francis Fukuyama
Reading Uncertainly? ‘The Soul of America’ by Jon Meacham
This is an engrossing reflection on past American leaders, elected and publicly acknowledged, and how they have shaped our peculiar, yet resilient, form of governance. Meacham leads us in a thorough review of our history: early (and conflicted) visions, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, its aftermath (Reconstruction, the Klu Klux Klan), Teddy Roosevelt, … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘The Soul of America’ by Jon Meacham
A la Carte: Corn Cacio e Pepe is a Perfect Summer Dish
Writing is a solitary pursuit, but, unless you write science fiction or fantasy stories, you become one with your protagonists, whether victims or predators. But if you write nonfiction, and I consider food writing nonfiction, you picture yourself with your readers and, in most cases, you have to go out to learn what you eat, what to shop for and what to cook. I have been … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Corn Cacio e Pepe is a Perfect Summer Dish
Reading Uncertainly? ‘Doing Justice’ by Preet Bharara
This is an entrancing, literate, and thought-provoking review of the experiences of the former U. S Attorney for the fabled Southern District of New York, now on the faculty of the NYU School of Law. “Justice is a broad and hazy subject”, he writes. “It is one of the most elusive and debatable concepts known to mankind, and disagreements over its meaning have spawned … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘Doing Justice’ by Preet Bharara
The Movie Man: ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ is Deemed an “Entertaining Delight”
New York City’s web-slinging superhero takes the stage all the way across the pond in Marvel’s newest installment, Spider-Man: Far from Home, and proves to be an entertaining delight. Following up on the events of Avengers: Endgame in which the half of universal life that disappeared in what is referred to as “the Blip” has returned, Peter Parker and his classmates venture on … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ is Deemed an “Entertaining Delight”
Talking Transportation: Airlines That Are No More
Rail fans call them “fallen flags”… railroads that are no more, like the original New Haven and New York Central Railroads. But before I start getting all misty-eyed, let’s also pay homage to airlines that have flown away into history. Like PEOPLExpress, the domestic discount airline ,which flew out of Newark’s grungy old North Terminal starting in 1981. Fares were dirt … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Airlines That Are No More
Talking Transportation: Summer Vacation … Fly or Drive?
Going on vacation this summer? If so, the question is … how to travel: drive, take the train or fly? (I’m eliminating the bus option because, well, life is too short to endure that kind of misery. I have no problems with commuting by bus, but a 10-hour ride is not going to happen!) In most cases, the choice depends on how far you’re traveling and what your budget allows. For … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Summer Vacation … Fly or Drive?
The Movie Man: We Really Didn’t Need ‘Toy Story 4’ … Pixar Should Have Stopped At Number Three
Corporate Disney has tossed away creative Disney’s masterpiece ending of Toy Story 3 and continued the series in a shameless attempt to rake in even higher profits. The third installment presented us with one of the most beautiful endings in movie history, in which grown-up Andy hands his boyhood toys to the next generation of children, and tearfully waves goodbye to his … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: We Really Didn’t Need ‘Toy Story 4’ … Pixar Should Have Stopped At Number Three
Legal News You Can Use: What is a Nonadversarial Divorce?
Sponsored Post from Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law If you are in a situation where you and your spouse agree that a divorce is the right path, then you may want to pursue a nonadversarial divorce. The nonadversarial divorce process takes only 35 days at most and doesn't require you to go before the judge. Typically, a divorce takes three or more months. What makes you … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: What is a Nonadversarial Divorce?
Reading Uncertainly: ‘The Sense of Style’ by Steven Pinker
Every day we use words to communicate, in voice, letters, emails, reports, and even tweets. But do others really understand us? Perhaps it is time to refresh our use of the English language. Steven Pinker, a renowned Harvard professor and author, suggests “the effective use of words to engage the human mind” (my italics), in his latest book. “Style still matters,” he argues. … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly: ‘The Sense of Style’ by Steven Pinker
A la Carte: Spice Up Summer With These Carb-Free Chicken Lettuce Wraps
My first visit to Stone Acres for my CSA [Community-Supported Agriculture] on a warm, pretty afternoon and it would have been perfect had not my old hip hurt. Fortunately, the parking lot is just a hop, skip and jump to the farmstand. As I walked to the stand, I saw Stonington First Selectman Rob Simmons and his wife take some visitors on a tour of the farm. Someday I would … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Spice Up Summer With These Carb-Free Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Talking Transportation: Why the Scorn for Bus Riders?
Why do many people have such scorn for those who take the bus? Forty-one million trips are taken on 12,000 public buses each year in Connecticut in communities across the state (not counting school buses.) Yet, those riders are regarded as losers, not by the transit operators, but by those who drive by car. When Southington was recently considering restoring bus service for … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Why the Scorn for Bus Riders?
Legal News You Can Use: Injured at Work? Should I Make a Worker’s Comp. Claim?
Sponsored Post from Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law Imagine that you're working at your desk. There are no significant hazards around you. You reach up and pick up a heavy box above you, and you suddenly feel a snap along your shoulder. You've been working in the same position for many hours, and combined with the strain of the weight of the box, you're now … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Injured at Work? Should I Make a Worker’s Comp. Claim?
Letter From Paris: Seeing “Red” at the Grand Palais
The year 1917 in Russia marked a unique moment of history when art and revolution fused together into a mutual source of inspiration. The creativity and energy fed on each other for a short few years, to eventually vanish under the brutal repression and purges of Stalin to become an official and bland art form called "Socialist Realism." The exhibit "Red - Art and Utopia in … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Seeing “Red” at the Grand Palais