Q&A
(Some of) Your Questions, Answered (Sort of)
Q: Shall we begin?
A: Why not?
SUMMERTIME NATURE QUESTIONS!
Q: Where can you find hummingbirds?
A Part 1: Not in our yard, sadly. Oh, we bought a bright-colored feeder and made some of that sugar syrup, but have spotted nary a hummer.
A Part 2: These remarkable tiny birds are only found in the Americas. I recall the flowering hibiscus were alive with them in Costa Rica. Here are more fascinating facts, courtesy of Cornell Lab:
Q: How do fireflies light up?
A: Soon it’ll be time for our annual magical backyard light show! Here’s the science behind the magic (thanks, National Geographic!)
THE BOOK AND THE COOK
Q: What are some really good cooking memoirs?
A: Well, I’ve written about (and highly recommend) Laurie Colwin’s Home Cooking, and Search by Michelle Huneven. Here are some of my other favorites:
KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN
Tony Bourdain’s first, brilliantly funny (and kinda disturbing) book about working in restaurant kitchens (wow, do I miss him!)
TENDER AT THE BONE BY RUTH REICHL
From the longtime editor of Gourmet, a fabulous reminiscence of food in her life —you’ll never forget her bizarre mother (“The Queen of Mold”).
CRYING IN H-MART BY MICHELLE ZAUNER
A sweet and tender memoir of love, loss, and noodles, by a Korean-American daughter (who also happens to be an amazing rock musician (her indie band is Japanese Breakfast). PS The H-Mart in the book title is in nearby Elkins Park (Ya-Jhu shops there often!)
And last, but certainly not least…
MIDNIGHT CHICKEN BY ELLA RISBRIDGER
This was a Mother’s Day gift from our Ashlyn, and I couldn’t put it down. Risbridger struggled with severe depression, and the love of cooking literally saved her life. A brave and hopeful read!
NOW, ABOUT THAT ANNOYING AD THAT KEEPS POPPING UP IN MY FEED…
Q: Will buying that dress from that Facebook advertisement really be “life-changing"?”
A: Yes. It will. Here’s my humor essay…
"I Am Your New Favorite Dress From That Facebook Ad, and I WILL Change Your Life!”
THE UNANSWERED QUESTION (A MUSICAL EXPLORATION)
Q: What is that beautiful short piece by Charles Ives, and can you share what Lenny had to say about it?
A: Sure!!
THIS IS A BIG ONE (QUESTION, THAT IS)
Q: What is Heaven like?
A: Talk about The Unanswered Question! But here is a gorgeous song tackling the subject, from the heartbreaking musical Floyd Collins:
BLOG PREVIEW: Y.I.M.B.Y. (YES, IN MY BACKYARD)
Q: What’s on the blog this week, E?
A: Well, if you were lucky enough to attend last week’s Rufus Wainwright concert, you’d understand that I just HAD to write about it:-)
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
This week, let’s try not to worry too much about finding the perfect answers, my friends. Let’s focus instead (and I’m saying this to myself too) on the wonder of wondering…