THOSE MUSICAL NEWMANS PART 1
I WATCH A LOT of Turner Classic Movies and the name “Newman” often appears in music credits. I also enjoy the music of Randy Newman and recall he’s related to … Continue reading
TIME WARPS
THE INSIDER WEBSITE offered an interesting example of time warp: “Cleopatra lived closer in time to the building of the first Pizza Hut than to the building of the pyramids.” … Continue reading
CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK-WRAPTER
I DIDN’T HAVE a word for it, but I now believe I’m a book-wrapter. I learned this from Julie Lasky’s article in The New York Times, December 24, 2021, “How … Continue reading
A NEW YEAR—TWO BOOKS AND AN OLD MOVIE
TWO BOOKS, NEW to my shelves, offer tidbits about a classic movie, oft (and recently) enjoyed. One of the books is a collection of movie reviews; the other, a newly … Continue reading
HIGH HOLIDAYS
THE CESTA DE NAVIDAD, Christmas Basket, is a traditional Spanish gift consisting of wine, liquor, sweets, other treats, and cured ham. The Guardian, December 21, 2021, offers a variation of … Continue reading
DATING “THE CAPTAIN’S TABLE” MENU
WIFE DOTTIE LED an adventurous lile. Japan to Brazil to the Arctic Circle to La Cienega near 3rd Street in Los Angeles. In sifting through her treasures, I have proof … Continue reading
BIRD: BIOLOGICAL INTELLIGENT RECONNAISSANCE DRONE
MISINFORMATION IS RIFE. Wacko antivaxxers believe that Covid vaccines contain government-installed chips that monitor our movements. Only slightly more rational antivaxxers seem to know people who have died from a … Continue reading
MY FAVORITE SONDHEIM—ILLUSTRATED BY HIRSCHFELD
I THANK BEN BRANTLEY for “These Hirschfeld Drawings Capture Sondheim’s Shows Better Than Any Photo.” The New York Times, December 9, 2021. Brantley writes, “Ever since Stephen Sondheim died last … Continue reading
A PLATE OF THAT HAUTE CUISINE, MACK
THERE’S A DIRECT LINE from peasant fare to bourgeoise cooking to haute cuisine. There are also fascinating societal aspects, as described by Ligaya Mishan in The Humble Beginnings of Today’s … Continue reading
MEDIEVAL CHURCHING
NICHOLAS ORME SPECIALIZES in the religious and social history of England. He has written a recent book on Going to Church In Medieval England, has a BBC History Podcast on … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 