Will Work for Tiramisu

There is an old American saying, "You don't miss your water 'til your well runs dry." A lot of people on both sides of the Atlantic, & elsewhere in the world, will be missing the presence of this quiet, remarkable woman. Yes, she was a carryover from times of the British Empire, and critics can certainly make some hay regarding the British role during those times (when many other European countries were establishing wide-flung empires, with all that goes with that). However, setting all that aside - she was not responsible for policies and actions that predated her ascension to being Queen. As a somewhat disinterested observer, (born in the year she became queen), I didn't have to be an authority in world history to see that this capable young woman - called to serve as an accident of birth - fully rose to the occasion, and aged into a highly respected member of the world community. In the many decades since, while the world was awash in stormy seas of war, revolution and an ever-increasing lack of civility, she has been a bastion of steady statespersonship, and the embodiment of common decency. No, you won't see her equal anytime soon. We all knew she wasn't long for this world, but I join all her subjects and fans around the world in saluting her long years of service to her country, and wishing her family and country the best during a sad time. Hail Britannia!!

Coolerists - I heartily concur that this very obscure little corner of the interwebs continues to be that rare thing - a place where people from all over the world can share a virtual pint and talk about everything and nothing. Without resorting to fisticuffs! I'm reminded of Jerry Seinfeld's description of his TV show as being a show about nothing. Nothing can be interesting. I read once that Leo Tolstoy belonged to an informal club, in his teenage years, to be a member of which you had to stand on a certain street corner in Moscow for an hour and not think about a white bear. I come to this corner and don't think about any of several unpleasant things, at least for a few minutes a day. When I'm tottering at the brink of my personal 6' deep hole, and thinking back about the covid times from early 2020 on, I will remember this forum as a rare bright spot in a darkening world. As they say, "Where are we going, and why am I in this hand basket??"

Ah, coffee. Over the years you read how it is declared unhealthy, then wonderful. We don't care - gotta have my cuppa joe, by cracky. As mentioned elsewhere above, we have a MoccaMaster drip pot, and their very nice grinder, for the morning slurp. We've had a lot of brands over the years, but these are well made and are holding up very well. If I really want to step it up a bit, there is always the French Press - I think that is nice when there is company, as the sort of ritual attendant thereto feels a bit like a tea ceremony - a way to make the friends feel "special". (And they make good coffee.) When last we updated ye olde kitchen, we installed the below espresso machine, by Gaggenau; a German brand, I think their stuff is made by Braun or Bosch, but does a fine job. You load it up with beans and water in respective containers, and it cranks out good espresso, does steaming, two cups at once, if so desired. Nice to have. There is a warming drawer below in photo, so not as big as appears. We buy better beans for this machine, but Mr Cheapo here springs for the big bags of Starbucks French Roast from Costco. We've had Gaggenau appliances since we built 35 years ago - wonderful stuff. A topic for another day.

But would I work for triceramisu? Hmmm, have to think about that....

The defendant was charged with Sleeping in Front of the AC Vent, but the Grand Jury forwarded a charge of Open Solicitation for a Belly Rub. I'd say guilty as charged.

Sorry to raise the alarm. I was strictly kidding about the bed bugs. We have never seen any, and would not expect to encounter them on a high end cruise line. However, I'm sure every line has a policy to control them, as they can be brought in on luggage. We have longstanding policy to never put luggage or clothes on the floor in hotels, no matter how nice they are. I know some people keep luggage in the tub in hotels, for this reason. It is a buggy world out there. Again, I didn't mean to plant any seeds of doubt amongst other readers of this forum. My bad.

After a hard day helping in the garden, Tiramisu (our OES pup) falls asleep on the water dish!!

There have been expressed some opinions that Silverseas appeals to an older, stodgier crowd than some other lines. I'm happy to report that SS Management has recently announced some new additions to the entertainment offerings, to help appeal to a younger crowd: *Loaner pogo sticks will be provided for use in the hallways accessing the suites, also, remote battery controlled miniature race cars will also be provided for use in the halls, making your pogo experience more challenging - a good exercise to keep that aging brain agile! *There will be wet T-shirt contests - sorry, ladies, participation limited to gentlemen over 60. Contestants will get wet by first competing in a cannonball contest, off the walking track into the hot tub at pool level. *There will be eating contests featuring caviar, champagne & avocado toast. *Waterskiing will be available off the stern, while the ship is underway. *Each evening there will be an "Elevator Stuffing" contest, similar to the phone booth stuffing events of your youth. *As a special treat, there will be Air Guitar contests poolside, with high volume death-metal "music" piped in though huge Marshall Amplifier stacks, all turned up to 11! A massive air drum kit will also be available. I hope all will enjoy these improvements.

There are times and places where a hot dog is the best thing you can possibly eat: On a boardwalk, at the beach, with maybe some over salted but perfect fries, and a almost frozen soda. At a baseball game, with maybe some sauerkraut and mustard, and a big cold beer. In Vienna, from a cart as you head out (from a late start!) from your hotel, for a day doing museums! Nothing better in those situations. (OK, maybe from a street vendor in NYC selling Nathans, before you walk on the wild side!

In 2018 my wife and I rented a car in Prague and with a friend spent a glorious three weeks touring through Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy. We wanted to see Lake Como, and after much internet sleuthing settled on Hotel du Lac, in Varenna (on eastern shore, a little north of Bellagio). The hotel is set at lake level, with lovely dining room and outdoor terraces. Had a tight but adequate car park. It is on the coastal path that leads into Varenna, and you can walk the short distance to the ferry pier. Our room was off the reception area, very quiet, with lovely view of the water. I'd go back in a minute, and would def spend more time ferrying around the lake. The ferry system works well, and we were able to get around handily. We ended the trip dropping car off in Milan, and enjoying Milan a great deal. Had last meal of the month long trip in a small restaurant overlooking Navigli canal - such nice memories!

Our dear dog, an Old English Sheepdog (4th in a series), finally came to her end, and we helped her to pass on in a humane way, with both of us holding her paws and stroking her head to the bitter end. Not a dry eye in the house. The picture as my avatar is of her in the cat bed, whilst sporting a proper coat during winter time. After a decent interval, I told my DW that probably, given our ages, we should let her be our last dog, as it would be unfortunate to have a pet that you couldn't take proper care of, were the health of one of us to go downhill. A most reasonable, sensible position, of course. Needless to say, within 30 days my DW informed me that there just happened to be a litter of OES puppies from the same line as our last dog (Lila van der Woof), that had been born in Portland, two hours to the north. I further expounded on my opinion that we should probably pass on another dog, despite how much we have enjoyed the previous ones, in the interest of acting responsibly and being logical and so forth. See attached photo of the new puppy. We're down to a few names, not settled yet, but including: Bianca Wagger, Josephine Bone Apart, Virginia Woof, Bundlejoy Cozysweet, Penelope Pennyfeather, and a few others.

If I were to have the pleasure of a return to London, I'd stay at the Covent Garden hotel (just off Shaftesbury, near Seven Dials), and just wander into the West End, which has many wonderful restaurants. I can't say we've had a bad one, other than a place associated with a hotel across the street from ME. Hope to be able to return some day - love that town!

Bubbles, anyone???

Coddiwomple: Embodies my usual comment to my wife when I'm driving: "I don't know where we're going, but I'm making good time!"

You do know they make IUD's for elephants, right??

Yakkity Sax might be appropriate. Or Honk-y Tonk Woman....

We've had a cold spell here in Oregon, and the idea of a nice Tagine sounded like a good idea for a cold night, with maybe a nice glass or three of Malbec. We broke out the Emile Henry clay Tagine cooker, and assembled this one with the usual N African/Moroccan spices, EVOO, chicken thighs & breasts, garlic, parsley, tomatoes & peppers from our garden, red onions, purple carrots, eggplant, kalamata olives, a little bit of honey from our bees, and dried (pitted) cherries. Started the cooking on the gas stovetop, and after adjusting seasonings, put in the oven to finish. The design of the cooker is such that it seals the moisture in around the rim, which rises and condenses in the center raised part. I don't know how scientific it is, but it makes some tasty food. We served it with couscous, chutney and fresh baked crusty sourdough. Every time my wife spots another Emile Henry clay cooking implement, she grabs it, or so it seems. I'm fascinated that you can put them on the stovetop - you just start low, and have some liquid or oil in there, and they do a great job. There is something about clay pot cooking.