DuBow Digest: A Rebirth!

From 2012 until 2021, I wrote and published a newsletter on matters of German and Jewish interest. The subject matter and the need for some sort of news link became apparent to me after I returned from my 2 1/2 years living in Berlin acting as the Founding Director of the American Jewish Committee’s Berlin Office. Two years ago, I gave it up because of illness and age. (I was approaching 90.) I let all my readers know that it was necessary for me to bring it to a close. Scroll ahead a year or so and my health took a turn for the better. I thought about bringing it back to life, but I became very involved with the Residents’ Council and felt that I did not have the time to dedicate to a newsletter.

Time has passed and I now feel that, given the changes going on in both Germany and the Jewish communities, a renewed DuBow Digest might serve a purpose, and I’ll find the time. I plan to do it monthly at the beginning. As in the past, it’s free and will come to readers by email.

One of the things I learned in my years doing my newsletter, is that it proved to be of interest to many people who were neither Jewish nor German. What takes place in both communities frequently has impacted the United States and, at times, the world, so reading about them can be a genuine learning experience. 
I really have to start at the beginning once again. My old mailing list no longer exists so I have to start over. I will continue reviewing the German and Jewish press and bring to you articles of interest along with some commentary from me. 


I hope you’ll get something from it. If you are interested, please drop me a note at: dubowdigestnewsletter@gmail.com

If you would like to see the September 2023 issue of DuBow Digest, please click on the button below:

The Things I Never Knew

This is what an eight-ton Orca jumping 20 feet out of the water looks like.

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

Kate Farrington has taught many a class at Kendal. Just last week, she wrapped up a course on Shakespeare in the modern ear. Whatever her subject is, each session is filled with enthusiasm, an amazing range of knowledge and thought, and a wonderful sense of humor. Martin Smolin’s photograph of Kate Farrington captures all of that. Kendalites will be awaiting the joy of learning what she will be teaching here next.

Aphorism, Aphorism, Who's Got the Aphorism...

An aphorism is a statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner. Such as:

America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote.

You know that tingly little feeling you get when you love someone? That's common sense leaving your body.

My therapist says I have a preoccupation with vengeance. We'll see about that!

I think my neighbor is stalking me as she's been Googling my name on her computer. I saw it through my telescope last night.

Preparing Problem Pears . . . and Peaches

Pear lovers may have tried — and been disappointed by — the pears in the Bistro. To say they are hard is to is like saying the Hudson River is dampish. One could wait months for those suckers to soften to edability. Marianne Bloomfeld has come up with a fast-and-easy way to rectify that situation.

MARIANNE’S SAME-DAY PEAR

 If you’re getting impatient waiting for your pear from the Bistro to ripen — who has six months to wait for a ripe pear? — try this recipe for (almost) instant gratification.

1. Peel and core the pear.

2. Cut it into quarter-inch slices.

3. Put slices in a dish with 2 tablespoons of water and sprinkle with cinnamon (sugar or honey, optional).

4. Microwave 2 or 3 minutes. 

Good warm or chilled.

Recipe and photo by Marianne Bloomfeld

As soon as Marianne’s recipe went out, we received the following picture from Gerry Mahoney, along with: “Marianne’s microwave tip works for peaches, too! Just under two minutes worked well.”

Special Observances, August 7 – 13

AUGUST 7: NATIONAL SEA SERPENT DAY

“Here there be monsters!” Thus the maps of yore warned men at sea of unchartered waters. National Sea Serpent Day commemorates the most common monster sightings: the sea serpent. Sea serpents, also known as sea dragons, were the stuff of ancient myths. They are mythological and legendary aquatic beasts that resembled gigantic snakes. The belief in enormous sea animals was common across the ancient world, possibly inspired by the enormous oarfish, which can grow to be 50 feet long and dwell thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface. Large water species such as whales, sharks, and sea lions have also been mistaken for sea serpents.

Sea serpents abound in folklore. Cetus is the name given to the sea creature in Greek mythology. The Vikings had the Kraken. One sea serpent was adopted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a time. A resident of the Chesapeake Bay, the horse-like sea creature named Chessie is reminiscent of another legendary serpent: Nessie of Loch Ness in Scotland. And then there are Pressie and Bessie, two Great Lake monsters. And for those who grew up watching cartoons in the late 1950s and early 1960s, there was Bennie and Cecil. Cecil was the sea monster (Bennie merely his good human friend).

AUGUST 8: NATIONAL FROZEN CUSTARD DAY

National Frozen Custard Day knows all about how to scoop up a delicious celebration. With its smooth texture and fresh flavor, frozen custard delights in many ways. Similar to ice cream, frozen custard is made with eggs in addition to cream and sugar. It’s the eggs that provide the smoother texture and keep it colder longer. The dessert comes in several flavors. Toppings include syrups, nuts, and fruits. Frozen custard is the cornerstone of many franchises and custard shops across the US, providing a satisfying version of ice cream. Because of the egg yolk, frozen custard must be carefully prepared, commonly fresh at the place of sale.

Ice cream vendors, Archie and Elton Kohr invented frozen on Coney Island in 1919. On their first weekend, the Kohr brothers sold 18,640 cones. Its popularity grew in 1933 when frozen custard found a market at the Chicago World’s Fair. While Coney Island and Chicago are key to the popularity of frozen custard, it is Milwaukee, Wisconsin that has become known as the (unofficial) frozen custard capital of the world. Go figure . . .

AUGUST 9: NATIONAL HAND HOLDING DAY

National Hand Holding Day was created to encourage people to — what else? — hold hands. It is a way to emphasize the importance of touch and encourage affection towards loved ones. Holding hands is not only limited to romantic relationships but is a warm gesture that happens between grandparents and their grandchildren, parents and their children, a way of reassuring and guiding the young through the world. It’s also a means of providing physical support to the elderly.

Although the origins of National Hand Holding Day are unknown, holding hands is common among most cultures. It can be done as a sign of love, friendship, or solidarity. Not restricted to lovers, it expresses affection for both siblings and friends. Scientific research has linked holding hands with the release of a hormone called oxytocin, a peptide hormone produced in the hypothalamus region of the human brain activated when neurons experience electrical activity, which results in the hormone being released into the bloodstream. Oxytocin plays a major role in the female reproductive system, especially during pregnancy and lactation. However, the hormone is also released during physical activities such as exercise and hugging. What does all this scientific discussion come down to? Short answer: stress reduction and decreased anxiety levels. Not bad for one little hormone.

AUGUST 10: NATIONAL LAZY DAY

National Lazy Day gives us license to relax and kick back. Where did National Lazy Day come from? Who cares? Could we research this? Sure, but no. The terrace and a good book calls. Add a cold drink, and, voila!, nirvana. The pool cries out for attention. Just float and relish the experience. Turn on a good movie in your apartment, add prepackaged popcorn (popping is just so exhausting), and wile away the time.

According to scientific research (done by others), some people are born with a “laziness gene.” This gene mutation is linked to dopamine receptors in the person’s brain. Since dopamine is intimately linked to a person’s willingness (or lack thereof) to perform physical activities, that can be a reason some people are lazy. Lucky them!

Laziness can lead to increased creativity, since when a person is working, the brain is consumed with solving the task at hand, blocking imaginative, creative thought. Only when the brain is at rest can its awesome imaginative powers be set free.

Take this test to prepare yourself for the day: Lazy people fact #72432143726413424. If you were too lazy to read that number, you’re ready to celebrate this day.

AUGUST 11: WORLD STEELPAN DAY (Year 1)

The steelpan — a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) — goes by more than one name: a pan, a steel drum, and, of course, a steelpan. When several steelpan musicians — known as “pannists” – come together to play, they’re called a steel band or a steel orchestra. Steelpans had their origin in the early-to-mid 1900s, but their roots go back much further to the talking drums of West African cultures. When French planters arrived in T&T in the 1700s, they brought the carnival tradition. Their West Africans slaves formed their own festival, incorporating the drum beats of their heritage. Their first instruments were tamboo bamboos. Hitting them on the ground made sound that could be tuned. In the 1930s, the tradition turned to the steelpan, originally made with metal objects, including car parts, paint pots, dustbins, oil drums, and cookie tins. A series of dents hammered into the metal surface create a different note according to its position and size. The 55-gallon oil drum was adapted to make steelpans in the late 1940s. The Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra (TASPO), formed to attend the Festival of Britain in 1951, was the first steel band whose instruments were all made from oil drums. With them, they introduced the steelpan and a new music genre to the world.

The steelpan’s tonal versatility can be used equally effectively to play soca, calypso, rapso, reggae, and jazz, as well as more complex compositions like the music of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. Such renditions have attracted audiences in the local “Panyards” — steelpan arenas in T&T — as well as in the most prestigious concert halls worldwide, such as Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Kennedy Center.

Steelpan Day was created by Pan Trinbago, the world’s steelpan governing body. In 2022, no less august body than the United Nations joined in, creating the first World Steelpan Day. 2023 is its first year. Randall Mitchell, T&T Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts introduced the resolution for its creation to the UN General Assembly, saying the steelpan represents more than musical versatility to the T&T people. “It is emblematic of artistic excellence, community empowerment, endurance, self-determination, community, culture, heritage and identity and not least of all national pride,” noting that the instrument has been adopted throughout the Caribbean.

Some universities in Europe, Canada, and the US have academic programs dedicated to steelpan music. It is also part of Sleepy Hollow history. The Philipse Manor Brute Force Steel Band was founded in 1965. Dis-banded in the late 1980s, it was rejuvenated by a group at Christ Church, Tarrytown.

AUGUST 12: TRUCK DRIVER DAY

Professional truck drivers are honored and celebrated with Truck Driver Day. Truck drivers carry all kinds of freight — livestock, food, canned goods, liquids, packages, vehicles — across the US and the world. They often must load and unload freight, as well as inspect their trucks before hitting the road. Long hours are not unusual. Some drivers have local routes close to home, while others have routes and schedules that often change, taking them away from home for a long time.

In the US, a truck driver drives a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight — the weight of the vehicle loaded — of at least 26,000 pounds. They must have a commercial driver's license. Employers often require drivers to take a safety training program, and some also require a high school degree or GED.

Trucks were hauling goods in and around the US before WWI. Trucks continued to be used and developed during the war, and by 1920 more than a million trucks were on US roads. Trucking continued to expand over the next decade, due to advancements like diesel engines, improved rural roads, the power brakes and steering, and standardization of truck and trailer sizes. In the 1930s, a number of trucking regulations were set, and the American Trucking Association was created. Trucking activity increased in the 1950s and '60s, in large part due to the creation of the Interstate Highway System.

The heyday of the truck driver came in the 1960s and '70s. The rise of "trucker culture" was signaled with the proliferation of trucker songs and films, the wearing of plaid shirts and trucker hats by the public, and the wide use of CB radios and CB slang. That subsided by the dawn of the 1980s.

The Motor Carrier Act of 1980 partially deregulated the industry. As a result, new trucking companies were started. Trucker union membership also declined, as did pay. But the deregulation also reduced consumer costs, and increased production and com-petition in the industry. By the 21st century, trucking dominated the freight industry. In 2006, there were 26 million trucks on America's roads, hauling about 70% of the country's freight. During the pandemic’s close-down, local and cross-country truckers were part of that very special group known as “essential workers.” Truckers continue to play a prominent role in keeping the wheels of the economy turning. And for the hard work they put in to make this happen, they are honored and celebrated today!

AUGUST 13: INTERNATIONAL LEFTHANDER’S DAY

Left-handers include Presidents Harry Truman, John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Many famous people in history are left-handed, including Julius Caesar, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Mahatma Gandhi, Leonardo de Vinci, Michelangelo, and Napoleon. Also count in King Charles, and Lady Gaga. Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix were the world’s greatest left-handed guitarists. In baseball, legendary “southpaws” include Babe Ruth and Sandy Koufax.

International Lefthanders Day 2021 celebrates the differences and distinctiveness of left handed individuals. It was first celebrated in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, founder of the Lefthanders International, Inc., to recognize all individuals who have mastered using their left hand in a right-handed world.

Approximately 10% of the population are southpaws. Why? Nobody knows. It’s more likely a child will be left-handed if one parent is. Parents of left-handed children used to force them to use their right hands. In their eyes, the predominant use of the left hand seemed evil. It didn’t help that the Latin word for “left” is “sinister.” During the 1600s, people thought left-handers were witches and war-locks. Parents feared their communities would shun their children. Today, we accept left-handedness more readily than in yore. 

In a world designed for right-handeders, lefties adapt well. It ain’t easy being a leftie. In school, left-handed desk don’t exist. Scissors are for right-handers. The computer mouse is designed for right-handed users, too. Lefties have certainly earned the right to a day dedicated to them.

Right-handed people operate from the left side of the brain. Left-handed people use the right side. Therefore, only left-handed people are in their right mind. Think about that . . .

In and Around Kendal

Is the Circus in Town?

Baby Green Elephant in Rockwood Park!

Photo by Aruna Raghavan

The Rockwood Goats . . . Need We Say More?

Friendly Dialog

Photo by Edward Kasinec

Naptime at the Rockwood Preschool

Photo by Aruna Raghavan

The Bender Balcony: A Continuing Saga

Under the rubber-tree leaf on the Bender Balcony, nature’s mystery continues. Eggs become baby birds! Ah, but how many? Stay tuned . . .

Photo by Ginny Bender

A Stroll Through Rockwood Park, by Edward Kasinec

Our Communal Back Forty . . .

A Timid Soul

Berries Rude . . .

In the Storm’s Wake

The Night of the Lobster

The Stars of the Show

Photo by Joe Bruno

Photo by Harry Bloomfeld

Caught in the Act, by Peter Roggemann

Last week, Harry Bloomfeld’s flora and fauna (and bug) pictures graced Res Web. This week, Peter Roggemann’s pictures of Harry Bloomfeld taking those flora and fauna pictures follow: The Artist at His Labors.

Life of a Sunset, by Jane Hart

My Favorite Things — AARP Style

There’s a story out there ( apocryphal — anyway, still good) that, to commemorate her birthday, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she was said to perform was “My Favorite Things” from the legendary movie The Sound Of Music.

Good story; not true. But the “version” still exists. Below are the lyrics. And if you have forgotten the music, click here. Then sing along . . .

My Favorite Things (AARP-style)
Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting, 
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings, 
Bundles of magazines tied up in string, 
These are a few of my favorite things. 
Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses, 
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses, 
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings, 
These are a few of my favorite things. 
When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, 
When the knees go bad, 
I simply remember my favorite things, 
And then I don't feel so bad. 
Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions, 
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions, 
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring, 
These are a few of my favorite things. 
Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin', 
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin', 
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames, 
When we remember our favorite things. 
When the joints ache, When the hips break, 
When the eyes grow dim, 
Then I remember the great life I've had, 
And then I don't feel so bad. 

Accessible Movies

Accessibility at the Jacob Burns

Movie-going used to be such fun. You got your popcorn — or whatever critical film food that called to you— settled down in your seat, and — presto, chango! — you were transported. Now, many have left movies behind because of hearing, seeing, or moving problems. Behold the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC)! To paraphrase a recent (February 4, 2023) blog:

The JBFC is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. When it comes to physical access within their buildings, all five theaters — as well as the Jane Peck Gallery — are wheelchair accessible. In addition, they have ADA compliant bathrooms and signage with braille included throughout our facilities.

For their theater seating, they offer wheelchair spaces, companion seats, and designated accessible seats for anyone with limited physical mobility and/or vision loss.

The JBFC also provides assistive devices for filmgoers with vision and hearing loss, including closed captioning glasses, headphone receivers, a hearing loop system, and weekly open captioned screenings.

Want to know more about all of the above? Click here and scroll down to get to this picture:

Then read on!

Aphorism, Aphorism, Who's Got the Aphorism...

An aphorism is a statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner.  Such as:

I read that 4,153,237 people were married last year.  Not to cause any trouble . . . but shouldn't that be an even number?

I find it ironic that the colors red, white and blue stand for freedom until they are flashing behind you.

When wearing a bikini, women reveal 90% of their bodies. Men are so polite they only look at the covered parts.

Relationships are a lot like algebra. Have you ever looked at your X and wondered Y?

Stay tune for more perspicacious precepts of personal perspectives . . .

Contributed by Barbara Bruno

Special Observances, July 31 – August 6

JULY 31: UNCOMMON INSTRUMENTS AWARENESS DAY

On Uncommon Instrument Awareness day, It’s time for a bit of music appreciation — only of the less-common variety. This unusual holiday motivates everyone to learn about — and try — a new and unusual musical instrument.

Music is integral to a society’s culture. Statues in ancient Cyprus show people playing the lyre. The ancient Cyprians also used animal-shaped rattles that might have been used to keep a beat, scare off evil spirits, or as a toy for young children. The ancient Romans invented the “hydraulis,” which worked when water pressure from a tank forced air up into the keys and pipes. Assistants worked the pumps, while it was played, to keep the water pressure high. Ancient Greeks were used the “auloi,” a pipe made of wood, bone, or metal with a reed inserted at its end to produce sound. In Asia, Buddhists used trumpets made of different materials — like conch shells — to call monks to services. The ancient Egyptians, too, had their own special musical instruments that looked like harps, lutes, and oboes.

Over the years, new and uncommon inventions have increased the wide variety of musical instruments. In the 12th century, a medieval instrument, called the “citole,” resembled a guitar, but was actually the precursor to the violin. In the 19th century, electric instruments started coming around. In the 20th century, the Soviet government sponsored research into “proximity sensors” which resulted in the theremin (named after its inventor), an electric instrument played without being touched. It has since been used in film scores, on television, and occasionally in pop and rock music.

AUGUST 1: NATIONAL PLANNER DAY

On National Planner Day planner lovers celebrate their devotion to these organizational tools, reflecting on how planners can change lives for the better. 2018 was the year National Planner Day launched. Not used to using a planner? National Planner Day can be the boost to starting to use one. Already a planner lover? Then you know its critical role in to stay organized and on track. National Planner Day is the best time to have well-prepared strategies written on a planner — about how to celebrate the day.

Planners have various formats, from digital to paper formats. The function is the same: to help keep track of things in your life. Planning is essential because, without it, life can get overwhelming. A planner serves a similar purpose as a personal assistant, helping you stay organized, focused, and motivated. (However, sadly, it will not bring you coffee.) If you’re not used to using a planner, start small, charting simple daily plans, leading up to more detailed plans for the year ahead. Having plans written down provides satisfaction as one thing is finished. It keeps you motivated to finish the others things on your list.

AUGUST 2: DINOSAURS DAY

Dinosaurs first appeared around 245 million years ago. It’s still a bit of a mystery why and how they became extinct. Dinosaurs Day is the day to remember them —and to note that human beings did not always rule the planet. The earliest known published record of dinosaur remains was in 1820. Dinosaur fossils have been found on all seven continents. The word Dinosauria was coined by Richard Owen, an English anatomist in 1842. The word comes from the Greek word “deinos”—meaning terrible or fearfully great—and “sauros,” meaning reptile or lizard. He applied the term to three animals whose fossilized bones had been found, both larger and with more vertebrae than any found before.

Dinosaurs first appeared at the beginning of the Middle Triassic Epoch, and existed for about 180 million years, going extinct about 66 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The period they lived in is called the Mesozoic Era. During this time, there were many changes. Various dinosaur species replaced other species. There were at least 700 species of dinosaurs, and possibly more than 1,000. Some were bipedal — they walked on two legs — some were quadrupedal — they walked on all fours. Some switched back and forth. Some had feathers, others had what was almost body armor. Some ran fast, others were slow. Most were herbivores, but some were carnivores.

At the end of the Cretaceous Period, big biotic changes occurred. Many other animals and plants died at that time. Theories abound as to why dinosaurs died out: disease, heat waves, cold spells, changing sea levels, terrific volcanic activity, the emergence of egg-eating mammals, X-rays from an exploding supernova. One common theory is that an asteroid smashed to earth, spread ash widely, and shifted the earth's climate. All dinosaurs did not die out at the same time. Scientists also believe that some dinosaurs may have evolved into birds.

AUGUST 3: NATIONAL WATERMELON DAY

On National Watermelon Day, we celebrate this ancient berry in a feast of juicy deliciousness.

The watermelon we enjoy today is the result of mutations over the course of a thousand years of cultivation. It — watermelons, that is — all started in Ancient Egypt. Watermelon cultivation began in the Nile Valley as early as the second millennium BC. Paintings of different types of watermelon have been found in ancient Egyptian inscriptions. Watermelon seeds were even found in King Tut’s tomb.

Watermelon seeds were sold to traders passing through the trade routes in the Kalahari Desert in Africa. From there, the cultivation of the watermelon spread across Africa, then onward into Mediterranean countries and other parts of Europe. By the end of the 9th century, watermelon cultivation became common in China and the rest of Asia.

The word “watermelon” first appeared in the English dictionary in 1615. The watermelon is commonly known as a type of melon, but it is not in the genus Cucumis. While the word “watermelon” refers to both the fruit and the plant, to botanists the plant is a “pepo.” The pepo is a berry — a really big berry — with a thick rind and fleshy center. Watermelons produce a juicy, sweet interior flesh ranging from deep red to pink. However, sometimes it comes in orange, yellow, or white. Over 300 varieties of watermelon are available in the US, ranging from red to white, and come in different shapes and sizes. With proper growing conditions, watermelons grow to enormous sizes — 92% of which is water. Around the world, competitions award prizes each year for the largest one. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the heaviest watermelon weighing in at 262 pounds.

AUGUST 4: INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY

Beer: one of the oldest drinks ever known. International Beer Day gives fans worldwide an extra reason to raise a mug to this refreshing beverage. Beer manages to do what politicians have tried to do for centuries: unite people in a common cause for good. With a frosty mug or stein, we relax, sit down and converse. Convivial or not, calm or animated, somehow beer makes it possible to agree to disagree and still walk away friends. Plenty of us have no doubt solved many of the world’s problems over a few pints of beer.

Humans throughout the globe have been fascinated with beer since the first fermeneted grains were accidentally discovered, producing a bubbly aromatic product someone dared to taste, then drink, felt a lovely buzz, smiled, and said, “More, please.” Mankind has been obsessed ever since with perfecting beer recipes and brewing processes.

The oldest evidence of brewing beer dates back to ancient Babylonia and Mesopotamia. Archaeologists have unearthed recipes for beer written on clay tablets in 4300 BC. Ceramic vessels from 3400 BC are still sticky with beer residue. Everyone drank beer in ancient Egypt as part of their everyday diet: pharaohs, peasants, priests, even children. By the Middle Ages, Christian monks introduced the use of hops. Until then, beers were brewed with local additives like dates and olive oils to add flavor. Today’s beers continue to be brewed with hops, herbs, or fruits. Macro, micro, or craft, the art of brewing beer today employs age-old techniques carefully perfected over centuries and millennium.

Jesse Avshalomov founded International Beer Day back in 2007. His reasons?

·      Gather with friends and enjoy the taste of beer

·      Celebrate those responsible for brewing and serving beer

·      Unite the world under the banner of beer by celebrating beers of all nations together on a single day

AUGUST 5: NATIONAL MUSTARD DAY

Ground from the seeds of the mustard plant, mustard is one of America’s favorite condiments. We can all celebrate this versatile topping on National Mustard Day. The National Mustard Museum (yes, there is one) started the observance and celebrates the day every first Saturday in August. Of course, you don’t have to go to the museum to take part. On your own you can try out as many mustards as possible: the standard yellow American style, French Dijon mustard, Bavarian sweet mustard, tangy beer mustard!

Mustard has been in the world for centuries. Believed to have originated in ancient Egypt, it was used for medicinal purposes as well as for a spice. The Greeks and Romans followed suit, using mustard for both flavoring and as an herbal remedy, a cure for a range of ailments, from snakebites to hysteria.

Next stop, Northern France, where it was cultivated by monks. The word “mustard” is derived from the word “mosto” or “grape muss,” a type of unfermented wine the monks mixed with mustard seeds. Monasteries started producing large amounts of mustard in the 9th century. It turned into quite a money-maker. Dijon, France, is the home of prepared mustard, or modern mustard as we know it, created in the 13th century. Pope John XXII of Avignon, who loved mustard, created a special post of Grand Moustardier du Pape or the Grand Mustard-Maker, to which he appointed his nephew.

At the beginning of the 19th century, mustard became an industrial-level food. The British were the first mustard millers, finely milling mustard into a powder. In 1904, the modern yellow mustard was introduced in Rochester, NY, paired with the classic American hot dog.

Depending on the kind of mustard, flavors and color vary. There’s white or yellow mustard known as Sinapis hirta. Brown or Indian mustard comes from Brassica juncea. And black mustard comes from Brassica nigra. The mustard seed can be used in cooking, too: whole, ground, cracked, or bruised. When mixed with liquids such as water, lemon juice, or broth, mustard produces different textures and flavors. As a paste, it is used as a sauce or even a marinade. And then there are dry rubs for roasts, chicken, or chops, made by mixing mustard with other seasoning.

AUGUST 6: WIGGLE YOUR TOES DAY

National Wiggle Your Toes Day, simply put, is a fun day for showing off your nether digits. Let your toes breathe in open sandals and indulge in some public wiggling adventures on this day. Toes simply don’t get the attention they deserve. After all, they’re responsible for helping us stand straight, provide gripping, and help make walking effortless. National Wiggle Your Toes Day offers us the chance to show off our toes, encouraging us to give our feet (and toes) a little extra attention. Go ahead: indulge in a pedicure to celebrate!

There seems to be no real information on who, how, or when National Wiggle Your Toes Day came into existence. Well, surprise, surprise. What we do know is that the easiest way to celebrate the day is by simply letting your “ten little piggies” see the light of day. The poem, “Ten Little Piggies” nursery rhyme dates back to 1728 when it was first featured in a medley known as “The Nurses’ Song.” The first full version was published in London in 1760.

So, take a walk in the fresh grass and give your phalanges a little vacation. Another thing naked toes like to do is dangle in the water. Take them for a swim. Afterward, give them a gentle massage. Can’t reach them? That’s what friends and spouses are for.

In and Around Kendal

Dining Rockwood Park Style, by Edward Kasinec

Free Salad Bar

Omelet, Anyone?

White caps after the rain

The Small World Around Us, by Harry Bloomfeld

Spotted Lanternfly

Swallowtail Butterfly

The Plant and Pollinator Garden seems to be working. The Swallowtail came a-callin’.

The Surprises Continue on the Bender Balcony

Update from the Benders: The nest beneath there balcony rubber tree leaf now has four tiny eggs. Stay tuned!

Hudson River Sunset, by Barbara Bruno

Food for Thought

Turns out that being a "senior" is mostly just googling how to do stuff. 

I want to be 18 again and ruin my life differently. I have new ideas 

I'm on two simultaneous diets. I wasn't getting enough food on one. 

I put my scale in the bathroom corner and that's where the little liar will stay until it apologizes. 

My mind is like an internet browser. At least 18 open tabs, 3 of them are frozen, and I have no clue where the music is coming from.

 Hard to believe I once had a phone attached to a wall, and when it rang, I picked it up without knowing who was calling.   

There is no such thing as a grouchy old person. The truth is that once you get old, you stop being polite and start being honest.

Contributed by Barbara Bruno

Thought About Food . . .

It was a Friday. Hot and swelter. Pizza Day in the Bistro. As we began to consume this most perfect of foods (grain, protein, dairy, vegetable), our thoughts turned to its lineage. Later in the day, we tripped over a New York Times article on just that subject that may shed a bit of light on the mystery of pizza’s history.

A Proto-Pizza Emerges from a Fresco on a Pompeii Wall

That doughy disc with delectable toppings seen in a 2,000-year-old painting is not a pizza, experts insist. But can we get one delivered anyway?

By Elisabetta Povoledo

It may have been no pepperoni with extra cheese, but it still caught the eye of archaeologists working on the ruins of Pompeii, and not because they were hungry.

The researchers were excavating the site earlier this year when they ran across a fresco depicting a silver platter laden with wine, fruit — and a flat, round piece of dough with toppings that looked remarkably like a pizza.

Proto-pizza might be more like it, given that the city of Pompeii was buried by a volcano in 79 A.D., nearly 2,000 years before anything modern civilization might recognize as a pie came into existence.

In a statement published on Tuesday, the archaeologists were insistent that the dish portrayed in the fresco did not mean that the History of Pizza is about to be rewritten. “Most of the characteristic ingredients are missing, namely tomatoes and mozzarella,” they said.

Originally published June 27, 2023, The New York Times; updated June 29, 2023

Contributed by Peter Sibley

Quotable Quotes

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Contributed by Marianne Bloomfeld

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