A family Christmas tradition of time and magic — “Papa? How old are you?” He looked down at me and smiled. “How old do you think I am, Sam?” I listened to the crunch of the fresh snow under my snowshoes as Papa and I made our way along the trail to “Old Lake.” I had been to Old…

How did we get here & am I doing anything right? — Mild Epiphany: “Do you ever get the feeling that you have no clue what you’re doing with life?” This one is not from me but comes courtesy of a recent Tweet from our resident laugh factory lady, Preeti Ramachandran. “It’s one day after the other, one step at a time with no real aim or direction?” Then she answers her query. “Just me? Okay then.” In this case…

Shorten Your Scroll. New Releases and Compiled Lists! — Click on the Banners below “New this week” to see my writing by category for easier access. New Additions: Rate-a-Record Vol. 11 — Quatro vs. Jett Rocker-Chick love song releases a decade apartplethoraofpop.com Boiling Point — A Foodie Movie Review This single-shot movie of culinary chaos encapsulates the pressure cooker life of a professional chef.fanfare.pub

As a reward for a contest win, the… —

Rocker-Chick love song releases a decade apart — Today, the biggest names in music belong to women. Taylor Swift sold out her World Tour in minutes. Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII halftime show was a spectacle of fearless talent as she stood on platforms levitating her to new heights. …

This single-shot movie of culinary chaos encapsulates the pressure cooker life of a professional chef. — When I was a young man, I began my journey to becoming a professional chef in a kitchen run by an Austrian chef who makes Gordon Ramsey look like a lamb. Under his tutelage and tyranny, his screaming tirades, ego trips, and merciless stripping down of everyone from salespersons to…

Recent hiccups brought the lesson of learning to live with losing into the light — “What does that mean?” my 13-year-old child asked, “That I can rest peacefully knowing I will wake up with a clear conscience?” After supper on Sunday evening, a flurry of uncoordinated phone calls and texts invaded our devices. …

Following the timeless recipe of Beef Bourguignon or Boeuf a la Bourguignonne to stay legit, but with some joie de vivre! — Nothing compares to venison if you want clean, lean, organic red meat. And, if you want to dress that wild meat up in a manner deserving of its grandness, this historic recipe from the culinary traditions of France is a great choice. A good friend and excellent hunter stocked his…

A revelation of music and art brought a fierce reaction in more ways than one. — I was nearly convinced that Buddy Gott had reached the end of his musical prompt list until he propositioned us with this gem about music from movies that moved you. Movie Music Challenge: What Is Your Favorite Music From Movies? Let us know the movie music that you loveplethoraofpop.com It caught my attention straight away, and a few impactful selections immediately came to mind. But before I delve into…