Filling the Gaps

Saturday, March 1, 2025 

What makes supporters of Israel think that it might not face the same treatment as Ukraine at Trump’s whim?

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In the ill-fated White House meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Trump said, “Putin went through a hell of a lot with me.” While commonly it was thought that he was referring to the Robert Mueller investigation, there was actually an emotionally draining experience the two shared that was shielded from public view until now. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin applied jointly to adopt a panda from the People’s Republic of China. Because of heightened concerns about animal welfare, the vetting process was detailed, complex and invasive. Stress on their relationship was substantial, but the evidence suggests that their bond was strengthened in the long run. The panda, however, was eventually returned to Beijing.

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Who names their kid X Æ A-12? 

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According to a report in the New York Times, “The couple were wed in a traditional Jewish wedding Feb. 22 before 187 guests. Rabbi Samantha Frank, affiliated with Temple Micah in Washington, officiated at Shun Lee West, a Chinese restaurant on the Upper West Side.” My kind of tradition.

Monday, March 3, 2025

Rowdy Rooster, 140 West 32nd Street, is just down the block from Madison Square Garden, the ultimate destination for Gentleman Jerry and me. I had been there once before, but that was before it made the New York Times list of 57 Sandwiches That Define New York City (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/dining/best-nyc-sandwiches.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare), so tonight I ordered the Big Rowdy, their honored contribution. It had two big chunks of beautifully fried chicken on a potato bun with pickled onions and mint chutney. I made it a combo, good economy including a large portion of French fries and a Diet Coke ($18). An excellent meal to prepare us for the Rangers victory to follow. 

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

The Republican lieutenant governor of Texas wants to rename the cut of beef known as the “New York Strip” to the “Texas Strip”.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/texas-republican-suggests-renaming-york-185901021.html

Almost unnoticed was President Claudia Sheinbaum’s reference to North Mexico in a meeting with Texas business leaders.

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I am wondering if, at my age, knowing someone only 40 years makes them an old friend. I met Warren Cohen through business over 40 years ago. Today was the second time that we have seen each other in 35 years. It wasn’t lack of interest or affection that kept us apart. Rather, it is the distance between the Holy Land and Phoenix where Warren relocated from Great Neck. 

 

While I knew Warren as an effective corporate executive, others know of his distinction as a senior level golfer. His overarching accomplishment, however, may be as the father of Danny Macaroons, who has just expanded his empire of two bakeries, 156 East 117th Street and 196 West 108th Street, to include an Italian restaurant at 975 Amsterdam Avenue. https://dannymacaroons.com/

 

In fact, Warren is here to celebrate the opening of his son’s latest venture.

True to our heritage, we met in a Chinese restaurant, Tri Dim West, 467 Columbus Avenue, an offshoot of Tri Dim Shanghai, 1378 Third Avenue. It’s a large, attractive place, except for a long, near-black wall opposite an exposed brick wall. There were very few people at lunch which meant that service was very attentive.

We stuck to dim sum items, 6 soup buns ($12), duck filled egg roll ($8), 4 Hong Kong shumai ($10), chicken soong (diced chicken and vegetables wrapped in lettuce leaves) ($14) and 4 (under seasoned) pan fried chicken dumplings ($11), a modest disappointment in an otherwise delightful afternoon.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

I think that I am a typical American in not having much patience for problems. Get right in and clear up the mess. This administration seems to be built on this principle, even if the mess is of its own making. For instance, give in to Putin and we don’t have to worry about Ukraine. Another example is the soaring price of eggs. Our Secretary of Agriculture tells us to raise chickens in our backyards for an economic source of eggs.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trumps-sec-agriculture-said-americans-010747739.html

It reminds me of China’s campaign to accelerate industrialization by having people put steel furnaces in their backyards. 

https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/history-modern-china/backyard-steel-campaign

Of course, if you combine the two programs, you get your own roast chickens.

 

Thursday, March 6, 2025

I am not much of a smiler. At best, I grin. For several months, I had an additional reason to keep my lips together. Three of my dental implants became infected and had to be explanted. Repairs to the gums and underlying bone took many months, so, I walked around with three gaps in my teeth, one almost front and center. This gave me further cause to appear grim. Today, the crackerjack team at Montefiore Dental Center restored what passes in my case for a happy face. It also gave me the opportunity to have lunch at Fountain Diner Cafe, 131 East Gun Hill Road, offering a buffet of about 30 hot and cold items, drawing on diverse cuisines in an equitable and inclusive fashion. I like the chicken wings, in a sticky, sweet sauce. They also have a formidable array of soft drinks from North and South America, at least temporarily.

 

Friday, March 7, 2025

It’s not everyday that you can get a brand new Cuisinart for $9. Actually, we did not pay Eva $9 for the new Cuisinart that she decided that she did not want. That was gratis, but Eva lives on Central Park South, a fancy name for 59th Street. To pick it up, we had to pass the congestion pricing boundary of 60th Street, thus generating a $9 charge. Still, a good deal. Thank you, Eva.