Episode 34: Short Summer

The very first crimson leaves start drifting down in late August in New England, although it takes until mid-October for the full-on foliage spectacular. It seemed a good time to commence a series of daytrips to take in the show. Ridgefield is showplace Connecticut, with a history harking to early Colonial times and boasting a grand main boulevard bordered by tasteful 19th Century mansions beneath towering spruce and oaks.
That building up there on the right started out in 1713 as a stagecoach inn, a stopover on the Boston-New York road. It was in the middle of a brief battle in the Revolutionary War, a fact attested by the cannonball still punched into one of its walls. The rebel force was led by
Benedict Arnold, not long before he defected to the British side.
Ridgefield's principal cultural attraction is the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum (258 Main St., 203-438-4519, www.aldrichart.org). Devoted to showcasing the work of young and mid-career artists, it recently completed construction of a new copper-roofed building housing twelve galleries. The art displayed inside and out on the lawn is always challenging, pushing every available boundary, but rarely unrewarding. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for seniors; 18 and under free.
There are close to a dozen decent to pretty good places to eat in town. Bernard's (20 West Lane, 203-438-8282) is essentially French, with a competent kitchen and candlelight and cocktail piano in the evenings. The Elms (500 Main St., 203-438-9206) has been around since 1799, with an atmospheric tavern to show for it. The chef-owner installed a New American menu back when that was a fresh idea, but his food retains an edge.
But every time I roll down Main Street into the business section, it takes a mighty effort of will to resist stopping in at Chez Lenard. That's it, on the left, the best hot dog stand in the western part of a state that claims some of the tastiest franks in New England. Toppings are various, imaginative, and maddeningly appetizing. And the boss doesn't close up just because it can get cold here - he's there in February.

*******************************************
"Sometimes I think war is God's way of teaching us geography."
-Paul Rodriguez

*******************************************

What's That Giant Sucking Sound?
Rove gone, and Gonzalez, and Snow, Larry Craig, Mark Foley, John Warner, and with a little luck, Ted Stevens. Now, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is quitting. That's kind of too bad, for those who would prefer that the G.O.P. keep a few token moderates (meaning "not deranged") in the fold. But the Dems get shots at grabbing four or five additional Senate seats in 2008, and maybe more: The Republicans must defend 22 seats in that election, the Democrats only 12. Anything that would render "Independent" Joe Lieberman irrelevant is a bonus.

*************************************************************************************
Where Did "ed" Go!
Geezer has acclimated to the disappearance of "is concerned" from the end of the common phrase "As far as (this or that)". But was he not paying attention when the directive came
down that "ed" was no longer necessary? The trend shows up in "oldfashion doughnuts", "middleage homeowner", "teenage athlete", and now... "they fought a pitch battle".
Really! It was in the Times.
************************************************************************************
Apple Fie 3
After suckering a few million gadget freaks into buying his grossly overpriced iPhone only a few weeks ago, Steve Jobs lowered the price for the gadget from $600 to $400. Faced with blizzards of protests, he announced a $100 store credit for the deceived customers. No refunds, but you can go in and buy something else. What a guy!
In the meantime, buyers noticed that the iPhone lacks a replaceable battery. When it dies, you have to send the phone to Apple! If it is out of warranty, a replacement costs $86, including shipping, not to mention you don't have a phone until they get around to mailing it back. They'll give you a loaner, for $20, but you'll have to put all your data into that one.
Care for an iChump?

***********************************************************************************
Call First
Before you show up at their door, give Mom and Dad a ring. "Most Americans remain sexually active into their sixties, and nearly half continue to have sex into their early seventies," according to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine.

************************************************************************************
Stop Press!
Dick Cheney admits he was full of it! Darth told Larry King that he was wrong two years ago when he told the talk show host that the Iraq insurgency was in its "last throes." He allowed that the statement "turned out to be incorrect. The insurgency turned out to be more robust."
************************************************************************************
Also Appearing in Duh! Magazine
Neuroscientists from N.Y.U. and U.C.L.A. have found that "liberals tolerate ambiguity and conflict better than conservatives because of how their brains work. Liberals can be expected to more readily accept new social, scientific, or religious ideas."

On the other hand, a poll by the nonpartisan First Amendment Center discovered that 55% of those polled believed that the founders wrote Christianity into the Constitution. Further, 58% say public school teachers should be allowed to lead prayers.
So, while it is official policy to establish a secular democracy in Iraq, evangelicals and way too many conservatives want to turn our country into a Christian state.
************************************************************************************
YouTube Alert
Go to YouTube.com.
Search for "drama prairie dog II".
Then search for "otters in love".
Aww!
*************************************************************************************
Winston Kicked Astor
Displeased with something Winston Churchill said at a dinner party, Lady Astor told him,
"Winston, if you were my husband, I would poison your coffee."
Churchill replied, "Madam, if I were your husband, I would drink it."

*************************************************************************************
Texting 101
Ever wonder what your grandchildren are so furiously thumbing away on their cellphones? It isn't as mysterious as it looks. Translate this:

"hw r u? lng tym no C. We must gt 2gtha. C U 18tr."

*************************************************************************************
Today's Recipe: Hummus
This Middle Eastern sauce requires repeated tasting as it is being prepared to reach the desired consistency and balance of flavors, so this recipe is simply a starting point.
About 8-12 servings

1 16oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
One-half cup tahini (sesame paste)
One-quarter cup olive oil
1 large clove garlic, peeled and crushed
Salt & freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
Juice of 1 lemon, plus more if needed
One-half cup water, plus more if needed

Optional, for garnish:
Half a tomato, chopped
One-half cup pine nuts or slivered almonds, lightly toasted
Tablespoon minced parsley or cilantro
One-quarter teaspoon cumin

Place all ingredients except the water in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add water as needed to make a smooth puree. Taste frequently, adding more garlic, salt, lemon juice, cumin, or olive oil, as needed. Consistency should be somewhere between Cream O'Wheat and oatmeal, not soupy. Pour into bowl. Garnish as desired. Serve with warmed pita triangles.