From the Past

7 Sep at 5:43 pm

A Cinematographer to Keep an Eye on

We are over the moon exultant at the news of cinematographer Christopher Ripley’s achievement in the Venice Film Festival. Chris is boon companion of our granddaughter, James Francis Whelan IV. Last year, young Chris spent months in the Kalahari Desert–pure…

3 Sep at 4:57 pm

Comfort In Case You’ve Just Suffered A Big Disappointment, Too~

In the Kitchen, at the Table, Musings

Department of Misery Loves Company…Mayhap… ~By Sylvia Thompson, A Cook Who’s Been Working in A Kitchen 82 Years… So a special bunch was coming for supper—three of Bill’s grandsons plus two extra gents, one from Paris! A wowzer occasion. Had…

30 Aug at 5:18 pm

Checking In ~ End of Summer 2025

In the Kitchen, at the Table, Musings

Yesterday I wrote my children asking if they remembered where they were forty years ago on that day… We all were en route to Galveston, Texas, to celebrate the first wedding in our family—eldest daughter to the treasure she…

22 Aug at 5:07 pm

My Nights with Harry Bosch

Musings, News

Husband Bill—Professor Emeritus of Eighteenth Century English Literature, American Literature, and Film Studies—loves detective stories. The author of What is Film Noir?* is a particular devotee of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler—Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe transcribe wonderfully to the…

15 Aug at 12:51 am

Have You Tasted Sublime Fresh Spinach Lately?

In the Kitchen, at the Table

Decades ago (in my previous lifetime) I was privileged to have dinner in London at Manzi’s. Known for fine seafood, a lovely dish of fish was what I ordered… Did the waiter ask, “Fresh spinach with that, Madam?” I’ve no…

6 Aug at 1:53 am

Time to Wake up!

Taking Stock

Old Sleeping Beauty here, rousing from her slumbers… Looking around and about…shaking her head at her DUMBNESS in taking so long to open her eyes. I didn’t wake up on my own. Jim Dodge—the great one, America’s Baker—did it. Saturday,…

30 Jul at 1:13 am

The Sad Inevitable Jolt ~ When?

Musings

Last Wednesday, after our early gym time then a special massage appointment for me (addressing a rascally hip), since we were close by, Bill and I decided to treat ourselves to Eggs Benedict at the Silver Spur in Capitola. That’s…

20 Jul at 8:53 pm

You Need to Know About This!

News, Taking Stock

Headline in theatlantic.com July 14, 2025 as well as many other news organizations: “The Trump Administration Is About to Incinerate 500 Tons of Emergency Food”* In its zeal to prevent waste and—I’ve blocked the other jargon words—the Trump Administration has…

17 Jul at 7:40 pm

Lavender Lady

Becoming My Own Best Self

“Love your eyeshadow!” “Thank you!” “…I like your lavender eyes…” “Thank you very much…” “Hey, nice purple—your—” “Thanks, appreciate it…” And so out and about in a day—rounds of the gym…the bakery…farmers’ market…the pharmacy…somebody’s office…I receive random compliments from perfect…

14 Jul at 12:31 am

My Stolen Hour

Around and About, Musings

For a wonder, for a mercy, my dear Swiss-German ex-Marine-Corps self-abnegating husband has agreed to have a weekly massage. Did you catch that weekly? It took my most persuasive argumenting to get Bill to agree that a regular and frequent…