“The stars twinkle in the Milky Way and the wind sighs for songs across the empty fields of a planet a Galaxy away.” – L. Ron Hubbard, author The Tanabata was upon us. Not to be feared, it is no bug-eyed, slavering monstrosity. We had no need to draw swords to fight it off, merely… Read More Festival of Stars

Instead of a quote, a quiz… The Shadow, a.k.a. The Dark Eagle or The Black Eagle, was originally a figment of the pulp fiction genre, later the radio, and still later, television and cinema. His motives and methods were always a touch suspect, and, particularly in the early years of pulp and radio, he was… Read More In the Shadow of Dinner

“But my humble opinion is, I’m not quite sure where I stand on the legalization of drugs – though, if tequila is legal, pot should probably be legal.” – Ted Demme, Director Still catching up – I’m going to skip over last weekend’s private dinner, it was all dishes we’ve done before selected from amongst… Read More One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, Floor…

Little known facts about the great state of Georgia: When the colony of Georgia was founded in 1733, lawyers, hard liquor, and Catholics were banned. In Gainesville, the Chicken Capital of the World, it is illegal to eat chicken with a fork. The kazoo was invented (by a man from Alabama) and introduced at the… Read More Last of the Rebels

“The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for the rest of your life. And the most important thing is, it must be something you cannot possibly do. – Henry Moore, English sculptor Ideas I’ve been playing… Read More More “What’s for Dinner?”

The “Caprotinia”, or feasts of Juno Caprotina, were ancient Roman festivals which were celebrated on July 9, in favour of the female slaves. During this solemnity they ran about, beating themselves with their fists and with rods. None but women assisted in the sacrifices offered at this feast. Had I done my research a bit… Read More Juno in July

“You who after a few days here have called Siena “beautiful but rather dull”, have you not noticed a sudden change in the city? It seems to have come in a single night, and shows itself in a general air of agitation and excitement.” – from “The Palio“ I don’t know what it is about… Read More Horsing Around the Plaza

“One should either be sad or joyful. Contentment is a warm sty for eaters and sleepers.” – Eugene O’Neill While the origin of the Seven Sleepers myth is back in Roman and early Christian times, there is no major festival associated with the myth, with the exception of one country – Germany. Somehow, from a… Read More Sleepers Seven