CONFUSION

Years ago, when SWMBO and I lived in Mexico, I had a little problem.

I would forget what day it was.

I think it happens to people in retirement and since we were enjoying a little early retirement maybe that's what caused it.

The odd thing about it was that I would always ask Judy what day it was and she always answered the same thing: "It's Thursday!"

Now I have no idea why I had a problem with Thursdays but that was always the day I'd forget.

Tell me, Gentle Readers, I know we all have problems with our memory as we get older but do you have some weird recurrent memory problems that are always the same?

I'd really like to know.

BITTERS

I was reading an article yesterday about the strange custom among residents of Wisconsin of drinking bitters by the shot.

It is so popular that bars get $4.50 per shot and one bar even has a deal with a distributor to buy 20 gallon kegs of the stuff so he can have the bitters on tap.

Now I knew that Angostura bitters were a tiny component of various cocktails.

My research showed they are absolutely necessary for a good Manhattan.

But I learned that a combination of Angostura and Peychaud bitters, as well as a number of other things make for a Sazerac cocktail - a New Orleans favorite.

I don't think I've ever had a Manhattan and I've never been to New Orleans or had a Sazerac and I don't think I'd ever tasted bitters by themselves.

So I went and found the bottle of Angostura bitters tucked away in our pantry and shook a few drops into a glass and tasted it.

Not bad, though I can't imagine drinking a shotglass full of it.

It tasted to me like a combination of sweet and bitter.

One of the Wisconsin drinkers said it tasted "like Christmas."

I'm not sure what I'll use them for.

I looked up "cooking with bitters" and learned that they don't react well to heat and that some recommended uses include a few drops in salad dressings or whipped creams or on ice cream.

I guess I'll experiment.

I'll let you know if I come up with anything sensational.

And if any of you Gentle Readers know of something to use them for, let me know.

EAT ITALIANO!

Today is Columbus Day in much of the country.

But several states and more and more cities are celebrating the second Monday in October as Indigenous People's Day, honoring the first people to discover what became America.

Whatever your feelings are I hope you won't give up the excellent food and wine the Italians have taught us to enjoy.

SHHHHH.

(Mum's the word)

STAR MAP

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

At last it is here.  

The end of another brutal week.

And what will the vote be?

I vote . . . . for the WEEKEND!

That reminds me - I'm due for a shower.

So, Gentle Readers, I will leave you with whimsical wishes for a weightless weekend, wending away the hours with weisenheimers and watchamacallits.

And never, ever forget to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

IT'S THERE, IN BLACK AND WHITE

One sunny day, at the San Diego Zoo.

Did you see them?

Look closer.