Another this and that

It’s so good to see men in blue and orange uniforms on a baseball diamond...so good to hear Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez in the broadcast booth...even if it’s only spring training.  Let’s Go Mets!

Last week there was a clue on Jeopardy! about a catcher discovered by Tommy Lasorda in 1989 who wound up in the Hall of Fame.  Drew and I both shouted “Mike Piazza” but none if the contestants knew the answer. How embarrassing for the contestant from Queens, NY...

There’s a new restaurant Drew has been dying to try, so on Saturday we ventured out to.  Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian churrasqueria.  You can order an entree from the regular menu, or you can go for the “experience”, an all-you-can-eat feast of flame grilled beef, lamb, pork and chicken.  The meats are brought to your table, and you also get the salad bar (which has an interesting array of fruits and vegetables: I tried star fruit for the first time), feijoada ( the Brazilian national dish, it’s a stew of black beans and pork or sausage, served over white rice), and interesting side dishes (we skipped the polenta and mashed potatoes, and got an order of caramelized bananas).  I drank Prosecco and Drew had sangria.  Maybe next time I’ll be brave enough to order a   Cachaca cocktail.  We were too full to even look at a dessert menu.

One of the reasons Brazilian food is high on Drew’s list...his Aunt P grew up in Rio, holds dual American and Brazilian citizenship.  Aunt P is the one who introduced us to Brazilian cuisine.  Years ago she’d take us to a Brazilian restaurant on Restaurant Row in Manhattan.  They served steaks so large they overhung the plate ...I learned to love feijoada at that restaurant.

It’s Mardi Gras!  I used to have a lot of business contacts in NOLA, and every year they’d send us King Cake.  Honestly, the cakes look pretty but ... they’re not bad, but I’d prefer other cakes or pastries.  Still, it was fun to look for the “baby” ....

The other day Drew found an old photo, from our honeymoon.  We had a great honeymoon, a four day cruise to the Bahamas on the Big Red Boat (remember Premier Cruises?) followed by three days at Walt Disney World.  We had our picture taken with the ship’s captain.

Look at that curly hair!  Perms were very popular in 1987.

I was 27 and Drew was 29, and we thought we knew everything.  We were so young.  Who would have imagined that 33 years later ...

Sigh ....

Music Monday —Allan Sherman

So what can you say about Allan Sherman?  A nice Jewish boy, a TV comedy writer/producer who hit it big in the 1960's with his very ethnic parody songs.

You've probably heard a few of his songs.  Even if you haven't, you should listen...you'll laugh.

Let's start with "Harvey and Sheila".




"My Zelda"






In his autobiography Sherman mentions that even JFK was singing this one:



And we close it out with his best-known work:

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. What is your favorite color?

Bet you can’t guess.

Hint, I’m using it right now.

Yes, I’m a purple girl.

2. If you could get on a plane tomorrow and travel anywhere, where would you go?

Oh, so many possibilities!  Spain.  Morocco.  Japan.  Jerusalem.  



3. Were you closer to your mother or to your father

Definitely my mother.  I loved my father dearly, may he Rest In Peace.  But I was always closer to my mom.  


4. What is your favorite meal (savory and dessert)

Again, so many choices.  Last night we went to a Brazilian churrasqueria, ate all sorts of barbecued meats, salads, etc.  I’m always happy to go out for Chinese, or Japanese, or Italian, or Greek ...

A good steak with a baked potato, shrimp cocktail for an appetizer, and I’m quite content.

Set me loose in my favorite bakery and I’m likely to bring home cheesecake or cannoli or rainbow cookies or chocolate mousse cake.


5. Can you wink with each eye?  (How about curl your tongue)

Yes, I can wink with either eye, but curling my tongue is difficult.
6. Beach or forest?

Either.  I live in a heavily wooded area and I love it, but I’m just a very short ride away from the beach,


7. City or farm?

Hmm.  I’m a suburban girl who loves the city.  I’d like to visit a farm, but I’m not sure I’d like to live there.


8. Would you rather be blind from birth or turn blind as a teenager?

I wish you hadn’t asked that.  It brings back a horrible memory.  Freshman year in college I participated in an experiment. It was to bring about disability awareness.   I had to go through an entire day wearing a blindfold.  I lasted about an hour.


9. Would you rather always be overdressed or underdressed?

Overdressed.


10. If you could pass alone one of your attributes to your children, which would it be?

I already see so much of myself in my daughters.


11. What are you most insecure about?

I don’t like confronting my insecurities...


12. What are you afraid people see when they look at you?

Again, don’t ask about my insecurities...


13. What is the saddest you’ve ever felt?

So many things have made me sad over the course of my life.  When my marriage fell apart I was so sad that I could barely function,
14. Would you rather have your own private island, or your own private jet?

You mean I can’t have both?  I’ll take the jet,



15. How do you think you will die?

Weird question.  I’ll probably die from an illness. 

Saturday 9 — buttons and bows

Buttons and Bows

Saturday 9: Buttons & Bows (1948)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
  
1) The lyrics extol the beauty of "rings and things and buttons and bows." When you're getting dressed, do you give much thought to accessorizing? 

I do like to wear jewelry.  I have some very good jewelry, but also a lot of costume pieces.  You’ll never see me without earrings.
2) Dinah Shore sings that she doesn't want to live where the cactus hurts her toes. Sam can sympathize, as she has a blister on one of her toes from where her winter boots rub. Do you have any aches and pains to report this morning?

You don’t want the full list.  Let’s just say My Stupid Knees are acting up.
3) Dinah was such a popular entertainer that people were surprised to learn she earned a degree in sociology from Vanderbilt University. What is something we'd be surprised to know about you?

I took a class in atmospheric science in college, and for a hot minute I wanted to change my major and become a meteorologist.

4) Dinah's was the best selling version of this song, which was introduced by Bob Hope in the movie The Paleface. Hope had success early in his career as a song-and-dance man on Broadway. Are you better at telling jokes, singing or dancing? 

I’d have to say jokes.  I love to sing, but people around me don’t like to listen.  And moving with grace has never been my forte.
5) Both Bob and Dinah donated their time to entertaining the troops in WWII. It was during a USO tour that Dinah met and fell in love with actor George Montgomery, who was serving in the Air Force. They were married for 20 years and had two children. Their daughter followed her parents into show business and became an actress. If a young person asked you for career advice, what would you tell them?

Choose something that interests you and that you’re good at.  Don’t allow other people’s expectations to make your decision for you.
6) Dinah was an avid golfer and even sponsored an LPGA tournament. She was also an excellent cook who hosted TV cooking segments. Which would you find more relaxing -- an afternoon on the golf course or in the kitchen?

I don’t play golf. But if we can substitute miniature golf, I’m there.
7) In 1948, the year this record was a hit, Scrabble was introduced. Do you prefer word games, card games, board games or jigsaw puzzles?

They’re all fun.  

8) Also in 1948, LPs (33 1/3 rpm records) were introduced. Do you have any vinyl records in your home?

Not anymore.  We held onto my dad’s extensive collection until the basement flooded and ruined all the records.
9) Random question -- Which of these would you consider the greatest insult: to be called boring, untrustworthy or stupid?

Do not call me stupid.

#skyatchfriday -- winter sunrise

#skywatchfriday

birthday aftermath

So my birthday has come and gone.  The big milestone birthday.  And you know what?  60 does not feel any different than 59. 

No, wait...it does feel a bit different.  We've been doing too much celebrating....far too many restaurant meals....

So let me introduce you to my new best friend:






Seriously, the honey vanilla is to die for. 

Wordless Wednesday

How I spent my time yesterday.