• Steak and cheese sandwich

    To bite or not to bite

    May 19, 2024 / No Comments

    When is a sandwich not a sandwich? Are two slices of bread required? Is a bun allowed? What about tortillas? Well, last week, an Indiana judge ruled that tacos and burritos are, in fact, “Mexican-style sandwiches.”

    The ruling was in direct contrast to one made by a Massachusetts judge, who in 2006, determined that burritos, quesadillas and tacos were not sandwiches. That case inspired the brilliant headline in the Cape Cod Times: “Panera’s battle vs. burrito is toast.”

    Thanks to my 2020 fainting spell — and the damage it caused to my face — I haven’t been able to bite into many foods for three and a half years. Now that the extensive, painful and expensive dental work is nearly complete, I’ll soon be able to do so. Apples, cheeseburgers, bananas, tacos, corn on the cob, pizza, ribs, chicken and, of course, sandwiches are all going to be featured prominently on my future menus.

    As for sandwiches, here are my top 10s:

    Hot:

    Steak and tons of mozzarella cheese
    Grilled cheese (American or cheddar, sometimes with ham)
    Moon over my hammy
    French dip
    Breakfast sandwich (egg, cheese and either sausage or bacon on a roll or croissant)
    Meatball and tons of mozzarella cheese
    Montreal smoked meat and cheddar cheese
    Pulled pork
    Subway melt (turkey, ham, bacon, extra cheese and extra lettuce)
    Patty melt

    Cold:

    Ice cream sandwich (h/t Ryan Gosling)
    TLC (tuna, lettuce and cheese)
    PBJ (Peter Pan creamy and apple jelly or grape jam)
    Hard salami with cheddar with lettuce
    Roasted turkey with cheddar and lettuce
    Black forest ham with cheddar and lettuce
    Peanut butter with banana and cinnamon
    Egg salad
    Ham, cheddar and apple
    Victoria sandwich

    What are your favorite sandwiches?

  • Skeleton at a typewriter

    Quote of the Day

    May 7, 2024 / 2 Comments

    “Tuesday. The day you realize that nothing can stop you, because you are a magic skeleton packed with meat and animated with electricity and imagination. You have a cave in your face full of sharp bones and five tentacles at the end of each arm. You can do anything, magic skeleton.” –Chuck Wendig

  • Vermont landscape in autumn, as seen from a hot air balloon.

    Got my head in the clouds

    May 6, 2024 / 4 Comments

    My bucket list is long and full of adventures. But like writing, the process of generating ideas for future activities always begins the same way: Dreaming.

    One of my dreams is to ride in a hot air balloon. Preferably when the leaves are in peak color.

    In my imaginings, M and I climb into the basket, clasp hands and kiss as the balloon gently departs terra firma. The quiet of the dawn is punctuated by the occasional hiss and roar of the heated air that encourages the balloon to soar. Once in the sky, we’ll enjoy the unique experience of seeing the land that we love (Vermont) during our favorite time of year (autumn) from an entirely new perspective (way up there). Although we might take a photo or two, I expect we will spend the majority of the flight just seeing the sights and making a memory.

    This trip would have come true long ago if not for the cost. A private balloon ride for two people is more than $1,200, which is a lot of dough for an hour in the air. Why for that same price, I could take a plane to Scotland (you know, if I still flew in planes). However, I remain hopeful that one day we’ll come into a bit of mad money and splurge on such a excursion. Also, that’s it everything I always dreamed and more.

  • good news typewriter

    My preferred title and an investment in positivity

    April 8, 2024 / 2 Comments

    I was once described in a newspaper profile as the Bloggess of Death, due to the many obituaries I penned for HuffPost and The Blog of Death. But now I’d like to be known as the Grande Dame of Good News. (Or Mrs. Claus, especially at Christmastime.)

    When I finish work each morning, I try to unstress by reading, baking, gardening, watching TV, listening to podcasts and lovin’ on my cats. I also ease my mind by writing. Fiction. Poetry. Blog entries like this one. And A Bit of Good News.

    For those of you who are unfamiliar, A Bit of Good News is a weekly newsletter that I publish via Substack to remind folks that the entire world hasn’t gone to hell. In fact, amidst the madness of our current news-cycle, there are actually uplifting stories out there. And I take great pleasure in highlighting them.

    In addition to these features, A Bit of Good News also shares inspiring quotes, fun facts about history, tips on how to spread joy and kindness and reminders to focus on the simple pleasures of life. Here’s what just a few of my readers have to say about it:

    “Love this!” —D. Staszak

    “You rock; thanks for the positive news.” —J. Corpening

    “Thank you for bringing a squirt of sunshine and a beam of brightness into my news feed.” —J. King

    Best of all, A Bit of Good News is a reader-supported newsletter. Although anyone may sign up and read it for free, folks are wholeheartedly encouraged to forward issues to friends and recommend that they sign up.

    For those who wish to support my efforts — and make an investment in positivity — paid subscriptions are only $5/month or $50/year. Everyone who purchases a subscription gains access to the entire back-issue archive and is automatically entered into a monthly giveaway for books, gift certificates and other prizes. They also have my eternal appreciation.

    For more information, click here. Thank you!

  • Average woman, blonde with glasses, pink blouse, blue jacket

    How average are you?

    March 13, 2024 / No Comments

    Author/vlogbrother John Green recently fell down a rabbit hole while researching the attributes of an average American, and the results were fascinating:

     

     

    So how much like Jessica are you? I’m only about 43% like her.