In the early 1970s, a group named Bread recorded a song called Diary. It begins, “I found your diary underneath the tree and started reading about me.” I had a similar experience. When I was in my early 20s, I was dating a girl who one day left her diary unattended. Cad that I am, […]

There’s something about a fourth movie in a series that tends to be dangerous for a franchise’s legacy. “Batman and Robin” led to the Caped Crusader being taken off the big screen for eight years. “Terminator: Salvation” is better remembered for its miserable production than anything in the finished film. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom […]

Lithium used to be known primarily as a drug with a calming effect. Today, it seems to be among the issues that provoke distress: “There won’t be enough! Mining will be so destructive!” It might be useful to try to analyze these fears in the context of the looming environmental challenges humanity faces. Such analysis […]

Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Bake This works anytime you want some nourishing comfort food. Like a cold, rainy, not yet spring day! Ingredients servings as a side dish: 1 cup (6½ oz.) uncooked wild rice blend 1 ¾ cups vegetable broth 1 pound butternut squash (about 3½ cups), chopped into 1-inch pieces 1 yellow […]

Whether because of the pandemic, the constant comings-and-goings of the DC Extended Universe, or the first movie from 2019 simply not being that memorable, “Shazam!” seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. I’m going to be pointing out a number of similarities between this character and Ant-Man from the rival Marvel Cinematic Universe, but […]

Brussels Sprouts Salad A make-ahead salad perfect for entertaining or to munch on all week for lunch! Ingredients: 6-8 servings 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1.5 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1/2 cup olive oil 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced 2 cups thinly sliced radicchio (from […]

People are busy trying to tidy up the past, instead of owning up to it. Some books are either being banned altogether or edited into bland palatability. A textbook publisher (in a state far to the south of Maine) made some chicken-hearted changes to a paragraph about Rosa Parks. Parks helped spark the Montgomery Bus […]