May 25, 2012

WhiteWeekend

Memorial Day weekend. Official start to Summer. Get out your white shoes, pocket books (geezer purses), and belts. Do people still do that? Or did the tradition die with leisure suits? Can’t even bring myself to wear white Keds. Scuff ‘em up. I’ll never take a cruise or retire to Florida. Gin Rickies are white. White sailor suits, Fleet Week.

Three days to do home projects, take side treks, read the sequel to Wolf Hall. Hot dogs, hamburgers. No frills. Happy Birthday PithyV. 16 dyslexic candles to you! Frister for near 50 years. Congrats NellieD. MastersEd. Anita Abuelita. Enjoy your Lilly time in Philly. Happy long weekend to all!

Rhubarb RecipeContest- Vegan Panna Cotta or Grilled Pork Chops?

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May 24, 2012

PuppMitt

TeaParty’s Norquist says they just want a President who can hold a pen to sign every tax cut put in front of him. Colin Powell worries that a flimsy-spined Romney has surrounded himself with NeoCons. Mitt’s spouting their Cold War notion that Russia is our biggest threat. He’d string-dance us into invading Iran.

PuppMitt should stick to Bain Street. This he understands. Facebook deal slipped by regulators. Too little too late. Why is anybody still surprised? Insiders and underwriters always reap most of the profits long before an IPO hits the market.

Greece bails. Yerp out.

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May 22, 2012

CapitolSteps

Connecticut’s capitol is at the heart of major fords. Congrats to Will, UConn Law School grad, moving on to Greener Skies. Colby will soon be creating huskie compositions at Storrs. 

mAdBen’s commute from 11th Ave will often extend to a landmark headquarters in the insurance hub.

Steps away from Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe abodes, Max’s Downtown gets a recent NYTimes restaurant nod. JeanJean&Co. rave about la cucina Italiana at Treva in West Hartford. Charter Oaks to all.

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May 21, 2012

MadJag

SNL Wiiged out, won’t be the same. Mick killed it. He missed his calling. Quick wit, comedic takes, perfect. He’s no LiLo. MadMen is hurtling through time, it’s Christmas ’66. After ZooBeeZoo Megan breaks Don’s heart and Lane financially craters the agency, will Joan and Peggy be the ones to pick up the pieces?

Newark Mayor Booker stepped in it. But, his point was correct. Main Street did benefit from Bain Streets. Campaigns will necessarily dwell on distractions, avoiding real issues. Austerity vs. Growth. Bring on a discussion with teeth.

Who is Dicky Pride?

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May 18, 2012

WeekendSol

Lots of sun, son this weekend. Ben Piccata. RecipeDetours.com.

Taking time out from Facebook, still think it has jumped the shark. How to monetize the advertise to thirteen year-olds? Any money to be made has been. Spanish banks out of pesos. Uh, Euros. Jamie Dimon cannot intervene in every trade. Get real. They take like a nano- second. Joshua voted out, finally. Could never stand his screeching. Love Phillip ‘Cocker’. Philadelphia’s Barnes Foundation collection has moved to rave reviews. 

Elaine’s landmark on Manhattan’s Upper East Side is sorely missed and no replacement has yet been found. Wish I could buy it. Those were the days.

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May 17, 2012

RainyRead

Lazed by a cozy fire on the porch during a stormy evening deluge to finish Anne Korkeakivi’s An Unexpected Guest. This short novel takes place on one day in the life of Clare, the American wife of a British diplomat. They are living in Paris at the end of his posting there. A successful dinner party on this particular night will be vital to his next promotion. Clare’s past clashes with a series of sudden surprises during this 24 hours as she prepares for the all-important event. Her obsessions with an old boyfriend and youthful sins are out of balance with compelling priorities of her family in the present. Worth a sunny read. 3 Stars.

What’s in your cupboard? Recipes from Carol’s kitchen. Hadley Grass. 

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May 15, 2012

WeekDayTrek

On a respite before the next rain, enjoyed a weekday side trek. Meandering up Route 5, we happened upon School Street in Hatfield, Massachusetts, where we found an Old Mill Inn and Pioneer Valley Vineyard. Little vineyards are cropping up along the Connecticut River. Will it be the next Napa? Not with our typical winter weather. Some varietals can do well here as in upper New York State.

We continued southeast past our Atkins Farm fave to Andrew’s Nurseries in South Amherst. Lots of garden goodies. In search of a sundial or artwork for our old oak stump as a pedestal. This photo in Hatfield, too. Not bad for a Monday.

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