________________________________________________________________________
Capsule
Friday, September 27, 2019
Saints Cosmas and Damian were two Arab physicians, reputedly twin brothers, and early Christian martyrs.
____________________________________________________________________________
Lead Picture (Story below in Thumbnail)
Friday, September 27, 2019
This picture is an icon of Saints Cosmas and Damian, painted by French miniature painter and manuscript illuminator Jean Bourdichon for the Grandes Heures of Anne of Brittany, a book of hours produced in the early 16th century. Cosmas (left) is depicted with a urine bottle, while Damian (right) holds a medicine box.
Icon credit: Jean Bourdichon
Read more on the blog www.existentialautotrip.com
The blog? A daily three to four-minute excursion into photos and short texts to regale the curious with an ever-changing and diverting view of a world rich in gastronomy, visual art, ideas, chuckles, stories, people, diversions, science, homespun, and enlightenment.
Observing with wit and wisdom, Dom Capossela, an experienced leader, guides his team of contributors and followers through that world, an amusing and edifying conversation to join.
Note that the blog is also the first place that posts the "Hey, Dom!" videos.
___________________________________________________________
Commentary
Friday, September 27, 2019
We had a most enjoyable dinner party last night with excellent conversations.
It ended with promises for a redo.
We talked about souffles.
Decades ago Toni-Lee and I went to Montreal for a weekend.
We ordered a Grand Marnier souffle, a first for us.
It came to our table perfectly formed, a huge dome rising out of the souffle pan.
The most confident waiter, armed with an appropriately sized knife, severed the head, set it on a large plate, and filled the base with an orange pieces enhanced whipped cream, spiked with a shot of Grand Marnier.
He returned the dome to its rightful place atop the souffle and then, using a very large spoon, cut through the top and scooped up the luscious insides, depositing a giant portion onto each of our plates.
We instantly decided that Dom’s, our restaurant, had to serve this outrageously theatrical opulent concoction.
Toni-Lee developed the recipe, collaborating with the needs and abilities of our staff.
In the event, it was brilliant.
Souffles and their attendant drama became a hallmark of the restauran
_________________________________________
Tuesday’s Dinner posted on
Friday, September 27, 2019
Wednesday night we had a dinner party. The menu:
Pickings: vinaigrette and garlic toast with a Macon-villages
Linguini with shrimp sauce
Roast Chicken w asparagus and mashed turnip/potato with mascarpone cheese with a St Estephe
Cheeseboard
Individual lime tarts and chocolate mousse cups
So much fun.
____________________________________________________________
Chuckle of the day:
September 27, 2019
Two men are drinking in a bar at the top of the Empire State Building. One turns to the other and says: "You know last week I discovered that if you jump from the top of this building- by the time you fall to the 10th floor, the winds around the building are so intense that they carry you around the building and back into the window." The bartender just shakes his head in disapproval while wiping the bar.
The 2nd Man: "What are you a nut? There is no way in heck that could happen."
1st Man: "No, it's true let me prove it to you."
So he gets up from the bar and jumps over the balcony.
When he passes the 10th floor the 2nd man watches as his descent stops and he’s whipped around the building and sucked into an open window on the 10th floor.
He takes the elevator back up to the bar.
The 2nd Man tells him: "You know I saw that with my own eyes, but I still can’t believe it.
That must have been a one-time fluke."
1st Man: "No, I'll do it again."
He jumps off the balcony and the same thing happens.
On his return he recounts the thrill of it and excites the second man who wants to enjoy such a thrill.
He climbs over the railing and jumps, plunging downward, and, without the least slowing, passes the 11th, 10th, 9th, 8th and remaining floors until he hits the sidewalk with a 'splat.'
Back upstairs the Bartender, shaking his head in disapproval, turns to the first man: "You know, when you’ drink you can be a real jerk, Superman.
_____________________________________________________________
A “Hey, Dom!” video.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Yellow Submarine: Great to watch with children.
A sixty-second spot.
__________________________________________
We love getting mail.
Contact me at domcapossela@hotmail.com
Friday, September 27, 2019
This from Tommie Toner:
Your description of the seasons mirrors my own.
The only good things about winter are a good fireplace with a good fire, soups and stews, and long handles.
Fall is my favorite - it is predictable and the colors are magnificent even in the South (if we get some rain).
Spring is fickle - and the pollen is unbearable - usually, we have two or more springs with two or more onslaughts of the yellow stuff.
Summer - oh, summer.
Predictable, dependable.
Hot as hell but one doesn't have to be bothered with a lot of clothes.
A cold glass of wine, an ocean breeze, walking barefoot in the sand.
Dancing the "shag."
Sitting on the porch listening to the rain.
Summer - my favorite holiday.
Web Meister’s Response: Well said, my dear.
___________________________________________________________
Today’s Thumbnail
Friday, September 27, 2019
Saints Cosmas and Damian were two Arab physicians, reputedly twin brothers, and early Christian martyrs.
They practiced their profession in the seaport of Aegeae, then in the Roman province of Syria.
Accepting no payment for their services led to them being named anargyroi ('unmercenaries'); it has been said that, by this, they attracted many to the Christian faith.
During the persecution under Diocletian, Cosmas and Damian were arrested by order of the prefect of Cilicia, one Lysias who is otherwise unknown, who ordered them under torture to recant.
However, according to legend, they stayed true to their faith, enduring being hung on a cross, stoned and shot by arrows and finally suffering execution by beheading.
Anthimus, Leontius and Euprepius, their younger brothers, who were inseparable from them throughout life, shared in their martyrdom.
The icon, as well as the book of hours, is in the collection of the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Bibliothèque nationale de France (site Richelieu), Paris - Salle Ovale.
Poulpy - Own work
The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF, English: National Library of France) is the national library of France, located in Paris. It is the national repository of all that is published in France and also holds extensive historical collections.
A tip o' the hat (U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, 1924
____________________________________________
Acknowledgements
Friday, September 27, 2019
Thanks to Tommy for her comments on the seasons.
And to the Jokes Warehouse for the chuckle today.
Thanks to the Microsoft team at the Prudential Center for their unflagging availability to help with a constant flow of technological problems.
Always thanks to Wikipedia, the Lead and the Thumbnail sections of the Blog very often shaped from stories taken from that amazing website. They are truly worthy of public support.
_______________________________________________________
GoodMorning
Friday, September 27, 2019
The Romanesque, for its clean, simple spirituality is my favorite school of art.
And now? Gotta go.
Che vuoi? Le pocketbook?
See you soon.
Your Taeyeon