What, O’ What Should We Celebrate Today?

How about a shot at the national basketball championship tomorrow night?

It was a great game  and yes, I’m gonna be corny enough to say how fine it was to see two teams from Kentucky play so well and so hard on such a national stage. There will be so much said about the game by others who know more about it than I do, I think I’ll leave it to them and just enjoy it.

Please make a note, though; don’t call my house Monday night – I have a game to watch.

It’s Edible Book Day!

I’m serious.

Now I have “devoured” a good book many times…but not like that.

AND what wine would you have with it? I suppose it could depend on the book. I may have to ponder that.

We have interesting birthdays today.

-          If you’re a fan of “Phantom of the Opera” today is notable. Lon Chaney Sr. was born today in 1883. Mr. Chaney was truly terrifying as the Phantom in the 1920’s silent film version. No more talk of darkness, indeed!

-          Actually, maybe we’ll have a little more talk of darkness. British horror writer Edgar Wallace was born today in 1875. Mr. Wallace is probably best remembered as the co-writer of the novel KING KONG. He also gave us such uplifting novels as; THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE FROG, THE DARK EYES OF LONDON, THE BLACK ABBOT, and THE SQUEAKER. Why these books are not currently taught in our public schools I cannot begin to understand.

-          Actor Toshiro Mifune was born today in 1920. Mr. Mifune collaborated with the great Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa in 16 films. They include; “Rashomon”, “Yojimbo”, “Throne of Blood”, and “Seven Samurai”.

Drink 4cast 4 2day

Today in 1933, English cricketer Wally Hammond set a record for the highest individual Test innings of 336 not out, during a Test match in New Zealand.

Can anyone tell me what any of that means?

Whatever – it sounds important and happy and should be celebrated with a;

Cricket Cocktail

1 splash Brandy

1 oz. Crème de Cacao White

1 oz. Crème de Menthe Green

1 oz. Cream

Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Strain into a chilled flute.

I’m bettin’ Anthony Davis could beat Wally Hammond’s record…if we can figure out the rules.

Cheers!

Roger

4/1/12.

Before Anthony Davis…

…there was Bill Russell.

The greatest basketball shot-blocker I ever saw was Bill Russell…until I saw Anthony Davis. Mr. Russell wrote the book on how to block shots – many many shots – and keep the ball in play. As great as he was though, I don’t believe he could have envisioned what young Anthony Davis is currently doing. Watching Mr. Davis rain agony on the shooters in the SEC, however, does remind me happily of how great Bill Russell was years before.

Today is Bill Russell’s day of birth in 1934.

A double “Bond” girl!

Actor Maud Adams was born today in 1945. Ms. Adams is the only actress I know of to play two different major love interests in two different James Bond films; “The Man With the Golden Gun” and “Octopussy”.

The most important birthday today?

That would be Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln in 1809.

One of my favorite pieces of music was born today.

George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” premiered today in 1924 in New York City. No, I was not there, but I know all the words.

Drink 4cast 4 2day

Today in 1733, Englishman James Oglethorpe founded Georgia, the thirteenth colony of the thirteen colonies and its first city at Savannah. Janie and I have fond memories of Savannah and of course, I loved “the book”. Thus we’ll make that city our libation inspiration for today.

Savannah Cocktail

1 dash Crème de Cacao White

1 oz. Royal James Gin

2 oz. Orange Juice

The whites of one egg

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

Notice that was “shaken…not stirred”.

Cheers!

Roger

2/12/12.