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AmaZone

L Tryptophan lingering. It’s December? People are already putting up trees. Lights lining houses. Wreaths on doors. Hanukkah is over. Christmas shopping? Everyone is abuzz about Bezos’ drone delivery idea. NYTimes‘ Dowd says it’s faster to go to the store. I disagree. But, that’s always been me. A woman loathe to shop. Maybe it comes from years of working in Dad’s retail.

Here’s the thing. Called local bookstore for a particular title. Woman said computer down, call back. Did. Didn’t have it, could get it in 4 days. Amazon 2 days, cheaper. Same with clothes. Go to Brooks Brothers et al.  Lousy selection of inventory. Out of your size. Go online. Get your size, color, style. Hits your door in a week. Don’t like it? Free shipping back. No surly sales people, mall rats.

Bye bye bricks and mortar. Who needs headaches and overhead?

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Post Stuffington 2013

photo-44Turkey-kkah indeed. Chopped chicken livers from Goldberg’s deli to start. Dr.Husband performed the bris. Bird with all the fixin’s. Delish. Grandma sang the annual “I don’t want to be a turkey…they stuff you and bake you” song with the children.IMG_1359

IMG_2861Gorgeous vistas and perfectly set tableaux with gelt.
Grace Nardi’s ghost. Don’t ask.
Flaming Doritos. Outside in the firepit.
Family psychotherapy for dessert.
Another Thanksgiving in the books.  BaQtgcjCMAAFpgL.jpg-large

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Holiday Letter 2013

Dear Faux Amis,

Annual oversharing tidings! So much to tell. The year was mostly serene. Our carefully curated Facebook page filled with montages of selfies in canoes. Portraying our truly rich life. Then in August we all went Osage County.

Moonbeam joined the 21st Century and discovered Candy Crush game. No time for global causes now. Living in the basement, he clicks away all day while malevolent Mephistopheles the cat jumps on his head. Moonie only leaves his lair to meet me upstairs nightly for gluten-free snacks and quite a few high balls.

I’ve given up naked Pilates. Drugs seem more convenient. Purple pills, blue pills, pink pills. Pretty to look at every morning. And they go down easy with my protein shake. I have contracted tuberculosis, leprosy, and my head is falling off as the result of side-effects. But, there are pills for that, too. So.

Haven’t seen Zelda in a few months. Moonbeam and I get facetime calls periodically from Vegas. Her credit card seems to have gone dry. What with so many sparkly jumpsuits, it’s no surprise. Lots of zippers. But, she is off fulfilling a dream. Pole dancing for men in brocade vests and cowboy hats. You go, girl!

As Town Manager here in Silent H, Mass., I proudly succeeded in banning nuts from our schools. Nobody left in class. But, hey. Tomorrow is a latter day.

Happy Thanks Kristmakkah,
The Bidrights

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Hampshire Life

RomneyCare working in the BayState. Not nationally. Obama made the case for small government last week. Bloated bureaucracy of federal agencies cannot handle complex programs. Should have gone to private sector tech at the outset. Oops. Merry Christmas, Republicans.

Had dinner in newly renovated Lord Jeffrey Inn on the Amherst Green. Outdoor areas with fireplaces. Chic interior. Fun evening with great friends. Martin Sandler’s new book is an epistolary compilation which tells JFK’s story better than any bio. Sandler taught history at both Smith College and UMass.

Lady Gaga has talent. Too bad she squanders it with copycat twerky SNL stint. Homeland looks to be taking a more interesting turn tonight. Finally. Bon week.

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Quests de Cuisine

As holidays approach, a renewed interest in gift collectibles. Amazon is offering several ways to buy Table’s Edge. All hardcover with photos and illustrations. A nostalgic nod to Pioneer Valley’s culinary history. Tales of creative chefs who came to Paradise City from all over the world. CookBook, too. Their timeless recipes. For more information, check it out here at tablesedge.com.

Meanwhile, in Manhattan the dining scene continues to evolve. One of our faves, Ciano is now CucinaCiano, moved from Flatiron to Upper East Side. Over on York & 73rd, a hole-in-the-wall has become the hottest spot for fish flown in daily from Japan. Tanoshi has 10 seats, so plan ahead. Snow in NYC today. None here!

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Gotham – Thon

Quite the race. 2 hours 15 minutes. Northampton to West Side Highway. Parking space near the theater. Homemade hash at Gossip on 9th Ave. Climbed to second row mezz for Book of Mormon. Laughed so hard we cried. Genius concept, religulously hilarious, clever, sweet. Off to East Side. Parking space a block from Giraffe. Spots on the street best birthday present Dr.Husband could get.

Gotham B&G, 3 strikes. Out. 23 of 25 years it was best restaurant in Manhattan. Last couple. Not. But, we had fun and the crowd loved us. Staying downtown Sunday crossed back to West End. Space next to Betsey’s place. Walked to Arte Café near Columbus. Friendly, lively brunch. Not a runner in sight. We won! 

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Thorny Hallow

Hi. It’s me again. The Halloween-hater. It is over yet? A month of spooky plots on every show. Even the news. Women trolloping around in low-cut getups. Men strutting superhero suits. This is scary. A different kind of horror. Little zombies, goblins, witches. Fine. I’ll give you KitKats and KandyKorn. On Thursday.

Orange pumpkins can stay in the fields or on farm trucks. None at my house. They’d clash with resolute pink roses in our October garden. DSC_0016-1

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Fall Classics

Crisp afternoon football. Detroit’s Matthew Stafford the QB to watch at 25. Longmeadow High School alum, Dolphins’ Joe Philbin had a bad day as Pats dominated the second half. Again. London fans didn’t get much of a show, with a SanFran blowout over the hapless Jags. This year there will be a Limping Bowl. Everyone is hurt. Size, speed. A sport more punishing than ever.

Redskins should keep their name. Just change the others. Seattle Yellowskins. Baltimore Blackskins. Cleveland Brownskins. New England Whiteskins. No? So I rest my case. Another cold evening for Baseball Classic. World Series number 4 in St. Louis. Officials do seem to decide games for Boston teams lately.

NYTimes endorses DeBlasio for Mayor. Quel surprise. Mr. Bill should read Frank Bruni’s lament about Rome. Cautionary tale.