#best – Page 2 – All The Best

Presidents

Today two presidents are in my thoughts. Both represent the good perhaps even best impulses of our country.

Biden’s campaign motto to Build Back Better has been followed by a campaign to restore the nation’s infrastructure.

Today, President Biden joined Ukraine’s President Zelensky in a significant moment of solidarity.

He showed the Ukrainians our support for democracy by showing up in Kyiv this morning.

The other United States President in my thoughts is Jimmy Carter. He’s a gentleman who has literally been building America for some time through Habitat for Humanity.

This year Presidents Day is theirs!

New “things”

It’s become a thing to go out in punlic in our p.j.s- not just our sweats.

ET may well have to phone home but only if a UFO hasn’t blocked his signal.

Speaking of UFOs, the “cartoonist” in me envisions this: an alien real estate agent guides a group of alien clients through the earth’s atmosphere. “As you can see it’s a fixer-upper. The last owners really trashed the place.”

It’s World Hippo Day. Congrats to the hippopotamuses out there. Call me on Rhinoceros day (credit: Mr. Ionesco).

Ice cream again

It can be a poem or we can play it straight like we do here.

I lament the Ben-and-Jerryification of the creamy flavorful cold dessert most all of us love for its texture and its taste.

Ice cream should be smooth.

Ice cream should be velvety.

Lumps of candy bars and cookies complicate a straightforward treat.

I don’t want my tongue to encounter popcorn when I look for the excitement of a neutral flavor, simple chocolate.

Uninvited caramel candy bars or hard peppermint mar my experience. I turn to gelato for what I crave.

“You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream.” What’s your favorite flavor? A clever pun or a single origin like plain old vanilla or coffee?

Happy holiday

Holiday trees etc over the past week or so

My riches

For years, my attempt at keeping a plant in my home ended in brown leaves and disappointment.

I have finally found a plant that, starting as a small cutting, has done nothing but thrive. I missed my watering schedule a couple of weeks ago. It started to droop. Uh oh, that’s it, I thought, this looks familiar.

A little remedial watering and back to our schedule, a hubby who greets the perky little thing and look where we are now.

Speaking of the New Yorker*

*https://wp.me/paH8Mg-xw

It is with dread and delight that I welcome the weekly, weekly mind you, into my living room.

There is no keeping up with this magazine. I understand this is a favorite complaint of aficionados of the New Yorker.

It is relentless in bringing a stream of fascinating articles, cartoons, and reviews into the house. You can see me trailing behind this onslaught of the memorable.

To not feel like a failure under this barrage I have set myself strict guidelines in my approach.

As it comes in, I immediately peruse the back pages. Here are cartoon caption contests and impossible puzzles I won’t attempt. Working from back to front, I come upon the critics from whom I learn a great deal. They are a must even if only scanned.

Unfortunately as is the New Yorker’s wont I am not satisfied skimming and have to go on to read every word.

My next task is to be selective about which article or interview I follow. Then on to the front of the book. Here The Talk of the Town captivates.

Here’s the tricky part. I now have only 5 days to peruse this week’s issue, get a glimpse at an article or 2 from the pile of back issues before turning over the publication. My husband takes it from there, delivering a couple of old New Yorkers to the recycle bin.

This lessens my load and eases my conscience.

What shall we have?

News from the front lines [WW I] seems to be generously represented in Le Petit Parisien.

Le Petit Parisien looks to be a rather incendiary little publication. Our new Cafe shares its name. The decor is a simple reminder of that connection. Cappuccino, as I mentioned in an earlier post, is very satisfactory.

Missing from next door since the owners posted their “Gone Surfing” notice is the friendly Bar Coastal. Fear not; a pub awaits. Plug-Uglies looks all set for business.

Speaking of bars… these “convenience stores” like High-End Puff [above] appear to be ready to satisfy weed cravings.

This ice cream parlor has chosen to be a self-styled PAC. I would amend this or ***add*** to this: Teach Your Children What That 30% Tax Covers; Remind Them They Live Rent-free and Eat.

Miscellaneous photo scenes that are not food related follow below as part of the fro and to of getting to Le Petit Parisien or Plug Uglies or High-End Puff.

Adding on to small dogs

This one looks smaller than ***Parkable*** does. Could be the color.

Maybe not bigger than the little black car!

Parting thought for this morning: if the Yankees are so invincible, how come they never win anymore? This random ramble courtesy of a conversation with a Philly fan who was just happy they made it as far as they did!