British Sandwich Week (18–24 May 2026)

 Seven Days, Seven Sandwiches

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

National Eat What You Want Day

A Day of Indulgence

Observed annually on May 11th, in the USA, National Eat What You Want Day is a day of indulgence. It is all about setting aside dietary restraint to enjoy the foods you crave. Though, for many of us it is a day much like any other day. I try to  make wise choices, but I don't always succeed. 

Poking around the Internet I found out that it was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy who have invented at least 80 American "holiday" observances. 

I also came across a list, created by a Vancouver marketing agency, of the foods Americans would mostly eat everyday if they were not worried about the consequences. The list of these foods accompanied by photographs I took - because of course I would have at least one of each - is as follows:

#1: Pizza (13%)

#2: Pasta (12%)

#3: Burgers (11%)

#4: Ice cream (11%)

#5: Tacos or burritos (9%)

#6: Chocolate (9%)

#7: French fries (9%)

#8: Donuts (7%)

#9: Cake (6%)

#10: Chips (5%)

#11: Cheese (4%)

#12: Cookies (4%)

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

Reading Log: April 2026

 The books that I finished reading in April 2026:

April 2026 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“Extremely Happy Holidays,” Devin C. B. McEwan

“The Spy Coast,” Tess Gerritsen

“The Summer Guests,” Tess Gerritsen 

“Smiley’s People,” John le Carré 

“Casino Royale,” Ian Fleming 

Soap Opera

 I try my hand at product photography:

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

En transition

 Les feuilles vertes deviennent brunes

En transition: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Et les feuilles vertes deviennent brunes,

Et elles se flétrissent au gré du vent,

Et elles s'effritent entre tes mains."

- Paul Simon

Artemis II / Trombones

Moon Watches

MoonSwatch: photo by Cliff Hutson

My father was born in 1889 and passed away just about a month short of his 99th birthday. One of the things he enjoyed most about his long life was that he could remember reading about the Wright brothers' first flight and that he lived to watch men walk on the moon when he was eighty years of age. I will turn eighty in a few months and am not sure that I will mark my life with such momentous events.

But, it was with some eagerness that I watched the lift off and splashdown of the Artemis II mission as humankind once again ventures into the further reaches of space. I wore my MoonSwatch "Mission to the Moon" watch for the ten day duration of its journey to the moon and back as an admittedly silly way to commemorate the occasion. 

Some readers might realize that this watch is a nod to the Omega Speedmaster that was so essential to the successful return of Apollo 13 after it ran into trouble on its voyage. There were Omegas onboard Artemis II as well. But, some of the technology has changed over the years. One can find what is old and what is new here and here. 

There is other big news this week:

International Trombone Week

This year’s official International Trombone Week is April 12-19. Find out more about it at the International Trombone Association site.

Reading Log: March 2026

 The books I finished reading in March 2026

March 2026 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“Culpability,” Bruce Holsinger 

“Crown City,” Naomi Hirahara

“See No Evil,” Robert Baer

“James,” Percival Everett 

“The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning,” Margareta Magnusson 

Take a Walk in the Park Day

 Celebrate National Take a Walk in the Park Day

Take a Walk: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Take a Walk in the Park Day" is observed every year on March 30. So, today may be special. However, any day is a good day to take a walk in a park, Research suggests that walking in natural settings offers added benefits compared with more built‑up environments.

Moonrise, Los Angeles, California

 Good Artists Copy; Great Artists Steal

Moonrise - Los Angeles, California: photo by Cliff Hutson

*The expression "Good artists copy; great artists steal" has been attributed  to many people. Most famously, perhaps, to Pablo Picasso, but also Steve Jobs among others. I mention this in a vain attempt to compare myself to Ansel Adams. 

While I certainly was not thinking about it at the moment I took this photograph when I looked at at it a few days later I realized that it reminded me of a photograph that many many of us have seen over the years. So, that title became the inspiration for mine. Any other resemblance is nearly accidental, ,though it could be said that all creative work builds on what came before.

Lunatique

 Ne crains pas la Faucheuse

We all want to do something worthwhile with the time we have left.

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

A Simple Query

 A Fruitless Search  

A Simple Query: photo by Cliff Hutson

While downsizing this weekend, I came upon a t-shirt that I wore back in the day.

Reading Log: February 2026

 The books that I finished reading in the month of February 2026

February 2026 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

“Fair Play: the Moral Dilemmas of Spying,” James M. Olson

“Clown Town,” Mick Herron

“Damascus Station,” David McCloskey 

Save the date!

National Toast Day is celebrated on the last Thursday in February:

You can check it out here.

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

A Long Weekend

 Bookended by two holidays:

It is a long weekend here in the USA and it includes two holidays. Last Saturday was Valentine's Day and today is Presidents'  Day, which gives us an extra day off.  I can't recall ever having written about the first. However, what I wrote about the second last year works just as well this year. So, I am going to leave it at that.

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