Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 to October 15, is an annual celebration of the history, culture and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded to a thirty day event by President Reagan in 1988.
As Summer segues into Fall our thoughts and attention turn from beach reads to weightier subjects. September is inextricably linked to “return to school anticipation,” even for those of us decades removed from the classroom. Thoughts of academia combined with the brisker Fall weather can energize us into expanding our horizons, particularly in these atypical times when our daily routines seem to be on a loop.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18, 2020 at the age of 87. The Brooklyn born Justice, affectionately known to many of her fans as the “Notorious RBG,” was one of just nine women in a class of 500 at Harvard Law School and went on to graduate first in her class from Columbia Law School. She was the first woman tenured professor at Columbia Law School, she founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union and, in 1993, was the second woman ever to be appointed a Supreme Court Justice.
Welcome to the “Dog Days,” the time of year synonymous with the “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.” The name conjures images of dappled dogs dozing in the sun but have you ever wondered where the term originated and what it actually means? The “Dog Days,” which officially begin on July 3 and end on August 11, coincide with Sirius, the Dog Star, rising and setting with the sun. Known as the Dog Star because it is part of the constellation Canis Major, Latin for “Greater Dog,” Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky.
Do you ever go through the produce isle and see those cucumbers wrapped in plastic? If so, I have the answer to your “is it to avoid the virus??” Question you may be asking yourself. Ok, actually I don’t, BUT I can say that these particular cucumbers are known as English cucumbers. They also can be interchangeably called Greenhouse, European, or Seedless cucumbers. I can also assure you that they’re absolutely delicious! The skin on these cucumbers are very thin, making them ideal for slicing into salads and garnishing for appetizers.
It is inconceivable that just a scant few months ago we had never heard of Zoom and now it is an integral part of our lives, both for maintaining business and personal relationships and for experiencing cultural activities in the virtual realm. While Zoom is essential these days, it can be somewhat daunting. Attached are some basic instructions for attending Zoom events and some videos that should prove helpful.
Urban Fantasy is a sub-genre of Fantasy in which the real world collides with the supernatural or magical. Simply put, an urban fantasy is any fantasy book with supernatural elements set in our world during modern times. When you think of urban fantasy your first thought may be vampires and werewolves. Most urban fantasies do include magical creatures of some sort, of which vampires are by far the most popular. Werewolves, fairies / the fey, and witches are also common.
Berry season is in full swing around here! The blueberry is one of the most tasty (although sometimes tart) fruits native to North America. They are grown commercially throughout the U.S & Europe, but can also be found within several gardens.
Rasta Pasta is a dish made with a variety of bell peppers (red, green, and yellow), creamy sauce and lots of Jamaican seasoning. This dish was inspired from an original Italian recipe, but is pushed to the next level by all the traditional Jamaican ingredients. Rasta is the abbreviation for “Rastafarianism” a social movement
developed in Jamaica in the 1930’s. We all are familiar with the most well known Rastafarian, Bob Marley. I’m sure that we all mentally sing the words to his famous song “One loveeee..”, no? Ok, maybe just me!
What is LitRPG?
Book vs. movie – which do you prefer?
In recognition of Juneteenth I thought it would be interesting to look at the history of African American science fiction and fantasy.
The word shrimp comes from the Middle English shrimpe, meaning “pygmy” or a reference to the crustacean itself. In the 7th century, shrimp and other seafood composed the majority of the Chinese diet, and still does today.
It is the month of June,
The month of leaves and roses,
When pleasant sights salute the eyes,
And pleasant scents the noses.
N.P. Willis (1807-67)