Simanaitis Says

On cars, old, new and future; science & technology; vintage airplanes, computer flight simulation of them; Sherlockiana; our English language; travel; and other stuff

Category Archives: And Furthermore…

JANE’S WARTIME ADVENTURES

WINSTON CHURCHILL called her “Britain’s secret weapon” and, indeed, her marriage became one of World War II’s better kept secrets. I’m talking about Jane, the leggy, curvaceous blonde scatterbrain seen … Continue reading →

April 17, 2014 · Leave a comment

ROUND, BLACK, STICKY—AND ARTFUL

AUTOMOTIVE TIRES are said to be “round, black and sticky,” yet they’re also objet d’art, especially when portrayed by some of the world’s greatest poster artists. What’s more, Bruce Halle, … Continue reading →

April 7, 2014 · Leave a comment

IN PRAISE OF FILM AND ITALIAN CUISINE

A MOVIE can be inspiring. Wife Dottie and I enjoyed Turner Classic Movies showing of Big Night and, the next thing I knew, I was devising a new recipe for … Continue reading →

March 30, 2014 · 2 Comments

ON ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSES

IT’S GREAT fun watching the PBS series Downton Abbey. And one of my favorite mystery movies is Gosford Park. What’s more, through friendship with Rob Walker and his wife Betty, … Continue reading →

March 26, 2014 · 1 Comment

OPERA CHAOS IV

IT’S TIME—ta da!—to share more operatic madness. As Peter Ustinov noted, opera “rides the razor edge of absurdity,” and it’s good fun to read about the occasional hysterics of this … Continue reading →

March 15, 2014 · Leave a comment

JUDY AND THE SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CAR

FROM TIME to time, I have an image of a lovely Judy Garland hanging off a San Francisco cable car as she sings “The Trolley Song.” Ah, but the mind … Continue reading →

March 13, 2014 · 5 Comments

FOR SALE—WITH STORIES ATTACHED

ONE OF the high points of my career as an automotive journalist was enjoying Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks with friend and Grand Prix driver Innes Ireland as we … Continue reading →

March 11, 2014 · Leave a comment

LIZZIE BORDEN TOOK AN AXE—OR DID SHE?

ONE OF the most notorious crimes in American history has never been completely resolved. It has, however, given rise to a skipping-rope rhyme, a folk legend, a bevy of books, … Continue reading →

March 3, 2014 · 2 Comments

THE ULTIMATE SLEDDING MACHINE

THIS TITLE sounds like a sister slogan of a Bavarian automaker, but it’s completely appropriate: BMW plays an important role in the U.S. Olympic Team’s two-man and two-woman bobsled competition … Continue reading →

February 9, 2014 · 1 Comment

PRIDDY FINE ART

AUTOMOBILE SPY photographers have been known for stealth, but not particularly for artistry. Brenda Priddy, however, is an exception. Her spy photo credits have appeared in prestigious magazines such as … Continue reading →

February 7, 2014 · Leave a comment