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.MORE »
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 MORE »
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 MORE »
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.MORE »
Easter mornings
This season and this week is always one of the magical times.MORE »
"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.MORE »
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.MORE »
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. MORE »
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.MORE »
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.MORE »
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