National Cherry Turnover Day

 National Cherry Turnover Day

National Cherry Turnover Day (in the USA) is celebrated on August 28 every year.

This day commemorates the creation of the cherry turnover, a pastry made with puff pastry and filled with sweetened cherries. The cherry turnover is believed to have originated in the United States in the 19th century.

Creation dates, in my opinion are hard to nail down. However, today is a good excuse to pick up a turnover on my weekly trip to the supermarket. 

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

I Grow Old

 Rolled trousers?

An Old Man: photo by Cliff Hutson

I Grow Old

I grow old ... I grow old ... 

I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. 

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach? 

I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. 

I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. 

I do not think that they will sing to me. 

"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" 

by: T. S. Elliot 

Peaches: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am not sure that this is what the poet had in mind, but today is my birthday.  A good time to wonder how much time is left for me and what will I do with it?

World Lizard Day

World Lizard Day is celebrated on August 14 every year:

Outside My Front Door: photo by Cliff Hutson

This day celebrates the diverse and often misunderstood world of lizards, and raises awareness for conservation efforts for the reptiles.

The name "lizard" doesn't correspond to a single scientific group. Lizards belong to the order Squamata, which they share with snakes. There are several subgroups within Squamata that are commonly called lizards, including geckos, iguanas, worm lizards and Autarchoglossa, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), a partnership of North American agencies, organizations and taxonomists that provides taxonomic information. All lizards are sometimes grouped under the suborders Lacertilia or Sauria, but ITIS doesn't consider these to be valid scientific groups. 

While I like to think of myself as somewhat of a naturalist, I more into plants than animals and must admit that I have not make the effort to identify any of the lizards that show up in my yard or on my patio - including the little one (see above) that was hanging out on my front screen door. 

Nor do I give them names. And, it seem that a lizard, with a name, which I looked forward to seeing on a weekly basis was not at all real.

 

Reading Log: July 2023

 It was a very slow month -

July 2023 Book: photo by Cliff Hutson

"The Empty Copper Sea," John D. MacDonald

Cliff's Note:

I finished just one book in the month of July.  A meager defense is that I have been reading a couple of literally dense books, both in size and subject matter. It will probably take another couple of months before I will be able to tick those off.

A lamer excuse is that I have got caught up in streaming such shows as "Ted Lasso", "Hijack", and "The Afterparty". Not to mention Major League Soccer and FIFA Women's World Cup games.

Anyway, "Copper Sea" was a fun read. A mystery story with a lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous that I picked up after reading a review by David Allen (my favorite local writer and inspiration for my posts about books).