Monday: Hili dialogue

It’s Monday, July 24, 2017, it’s early, I have a crooked finger and a slowly healing but still aching shoulder and there’s but a single duck left in my pond. First World problems! Perhaps I’ll drown my sorrows, as it’s National Tequila Day!  In Poland it’s Police Day, Święto Policji, established in 1995. Perhaps the Polish […]

Saturday: Hili dialogue (and Leon monologue)

Good morning on a rainy Chicago Saturday; it’s July 22, 2017, and National Penuche Day. What’s that, you ask? It’s “a fudge-like candy made from brown sugar, butter, and milk, using no flavorings except for vanilla. Penuche often has a tannish color, and is lighter than regular fudge. It is formed by the caramelization of brown […]

Friday: Hili dialogue (and Leon monologue)

Good morning! It’s Friday again, July 21, 2017, and I’ve survived my cortisone shot (it wasn’t too bad). If the pain in my shoulder doesn’t abate in a week, it’s physical therapy for Professor Ceiling Cat (Emeritus). Still, it’s curable and I’ll live. It’s National Crème Brûlée Day, a dessert I find tasty but insubstantial. News today: […]

Monday: Hili dialogue

Here we are at the start of another week: it’s July 17, 2017, and National Peach Ice Cream Day, honoring a wonderful flavor (if made with fresh peaches). It’s also National Firgun Day and World Emoji Day. On July 17, 1717 (7/17/17 or 17/7/17, depending on where you live), King George I of England sailed […]

Friday: Hili dialogue

It’s Friday already? Indeed it is: on this 14th day of July, 2014 2017, we’re another week closer to crossing the Rainbow Bridge. That means that in France, it’s Bastille Day (I was in Paris on this day in 1989, the 200th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, and boy was that a party!) […]

Monday: Hili dialogue

“Grease the new day!”, as an old friend used to say. It’s Monday, July 10, 2017, and National Piña Colada Day, a drink I find unbearably sweet. But it always reminds me of the New York Times reporter Gina Kolata, who must have gotten many jibes in her life. It’s also Nikola Tesla Day everywhere. […]

Saturday: Hili dialogue

Good morning on a not-too-hot summer day in Chicago; it’s July 8, 2017. Is everyone having a good time? If not, it’s National Chocolate with Almonds Day, though I prefer mine plain, undiluted with nutmeats. On this day in 1497, Vasco da Gama set out from Lisbon, sailed around Africa, and landed in what is now […]

Thursday: Hili dialogue (and Leon monologue)

Happy Thursday, as it’s that day of the week, and also July 6, 2017.  It’s National Fried Chicken Day, one of the great contributions of America to world gastronomy. (I know other countries have equivalents, but I’m talking about good Southern fried chicken with biscuits, mashed potatoes, fresh tomatoes, collards, and all the trimmings).And in Ukraine, […]

Saturday: Hili dialogue

It’s July! July 1, 2017, to be exact, and all Americans, save your genial host, are celebrating the Fourth of July Holiday, which is on Tuesday. It’s National Gingersnap Day in the U.S. (I believe this cookie is not only called a “biscuit” in the UK, but also “Ginger Nuts”. Correct me if I’m wrong.) […]

Friday: Hili dialogue

Well, we’re already halfway through the year, at least in terms of months, as it’s June 30, 2017, and a Friday. (It’s actually only the 181st day of the year.) This is a holiday weekend in the U.S., as Independence Day (July 4) is on Tuesday, and Americans (not me!) will be taking both taking […]