Jackie Alfonso's blog

Mourning a baby

Last month a 14-month-old baby was crushed by his father for crying. He was squeezed until the ends of his ribs poked out his back. No one in the extended family "noticed."

I was utterly floored, especially when I recalled that a similar horror happened a year ago in the same location.

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Vitamins for northern climates

Yesterday I finally picked what I hope may be the last of the redcurrants.

My little patch is tremendously rewarding, although it contains fewer than 10 plants.

The first picking, a week ago, yielded enough for 15 jars of beautiful jelly, and yesterday's picking was more than a gallon - so another 20-30 jars.

Redcurrants are perfectly hardy here, and may be increased by

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Rescued by Jacques and Julia

"You can leave out the butter if you want - but you'll be sorry."

A series of boringly complicated events burst upon me, and I was deeply grateful that Jacques and Julia were there, on screen, chipping off each other, the ideal father and mother, sparring good-naturedly, exploring variations, creating "architectural cooking," diving into the new way of doing a turkey.

What kind

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Mixed feelings

In the old days it was called shooting oneself in the foot.  I don't know what the current usage is, but the idiom still works in any case.

I am not a professional restaurant critic, thank goodness. However, I frequent restaurants, and I have some preferences along the lines of eptness.

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Easter mornings

This season and this week is always one of the magical times.

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"Alphabet Juice" and Edmund Crispin

Roy Blount Jr. has a wonderful book out that I recommend to anyone who writes or who enjoys the peculiarities of language. "Alphabet Juice" is a soaring and krinkley dance among the syllables and the ways they may be strung together.

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The joys of nostalgia

Perhaps it is necessary to reach "a certain age" for nostalgia to be openly allowed. Unrelated to the soupiness often found this time of year, I find myself with a faulty yearning for a way of life we will never again experience.

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Reading suggestions for language lovers

Roy Blount Jr. has a wonderful book out, "Alphabet Juice," that I recommend to anyone who writes or who enjoys the peculiarities of language. It is a soaring and crinkling dance among the syllables and the ways they may be strung together. 

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This isn't hunting, this is merely killing

This time of the year is poignant for many reasons, but a favorite for the shocking suddenness of change – from green to red and gold, from growth to death. It is also a time that is trying for anyone who enjoys pheasant, duck, venison.

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LEMONADE CHRONICLES: Lyndale Peace Park dedication scheduled

by Jackie Alfonso | September 10, 2009 • At long last the beautiful new bridge in Lyndale Peace Park will be dedicated on September 20.

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