…and who doesn’t? And you like to cook what you eat… and why not? Then check out Dom’s Kitchen, a blog located at the following link: http://domskitchen.blogspot.com/.

Dom knows what he’s doing in the kitchen as you can well see. The man is a cooking fiend and when the appetite wanes a little, just click over there and see what he’s up to. You’ll be foaming at the mouth, looking for the ingredients, and munching in no time.

I’m linking this blog to mine. Worth it’s weight in clicks.

Irv Homer died a couple of days ago. He was a talk radio host for many years in Philadelphia, not to mention a bar owner and entrepreneur. I first heard him on the air in the early 1990’s on station WWDB, an FM talk radio station at the time. Irv wasn’t afraid to speak his mind and when DB, as the station was known, went to a music format he was sorely missed. Irv went to a few other stations after that. I had the pleasure to meet him a few times. He was an irascible character but one with a healthy dose of common sense.

So, rest in peace, Irv.

The Bucks County Designer Show Home offered me and several other authors the opportunity to hold a book signing during their annual event. It was held in Solebury and featured several buildings, all creatively decked out by various designers. Here are a few photos of the outdoor spaces which were impressively done.

Below you’ll see a comfortable outdoor spot, complete with fire pit, seating, and lights draped around a woven cluster of branches and vines.

Of course, flowers must be everywhere and here is a good look at the variety around another welcoming outdoor space.

I saved the interiors for your actual visit, which can be made through the 31st of May. It’s worth your time and travel expenses. Plus, the admission fee helps support a local hospital, certainly a worthy cause. My thanks to the team that puts this event together. I appreciate the opportunity to meet book lovers as well as to enjoy the show home.

If you want to control your carbs, go gluten free, and still enjoy excellent Pizza, head to Jules Thin Crust in Doylestown, PA, USA. This place serves the best thin crust pizza I’ve had to date, and that’s no small sample. Stroll up to the counter and here’s what you’ll see:

There is a wide variety of pizza on display, everything from a “Greek Salad” to “meat lovers” to “margarita” and so on. Let’s take a closer look at two of my favorites.

Sort of your regular sausage on the left and meat lovers on the right. Here’s two more.

The one on the left in the photo above is three cheese, extra garlic, and sauce. On the right you have that sort of Greek Salad one. I’ve never had anything but excellent food and service here at Jules. The ingredients are stunningly fresh, the crust cracker thin yet flavorful, and to have only two pieces is a crime. So, triple or quadruple your order! For fun here’s a look at the seating area.

Plenty of room for your family and friends inside as well as outside now that the weather is getting better. Finally, check out the menu. I’m sure you’ll find something you like.

There you have it: Jules Thin Crust, Doylestown, PA, on Main Street where you can’t miss it.

The people occupying positions in the United States Federal Government are acting much like King George III. After some dithering, the following post was made by another precursor to what we know now as a “blog.” It was the town crier of Philadelphia, circa 4 July 1776. Here’s what was said in case you missed it. Please read carefully.

In particular, I draw your attention to the following:

“He has refused his assent to laws most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”

“He has obstructed the administration of justice by refusing his assent for laws establishing judiciary powers.”

“He has erected a multitude of new offices.”

“FOR IMPOSING TAXES ON US WITHOUT OUR CONSENT.”

If any more explanation is required… forget it.

In light of recent actions by the people currently holding positions of power in the United States Federal Government, I humbly ask readers of this blog to take a moment to read this document, originally posted on the earliest of blogs (namely a stout tree in the Boston area circa 1773).

Replace the term “Tea Consignee” with “the United States Congress and President.” There you have it, what must be done with the pretenders who are doing everything they can to ruin what was once the greatest nation to grace this earth.

(As a side note, remember that Benjamin Franklin, the first and finest American yet to walk this same earth, insisted that the tea destroyed during the Boston Tea Party be paid for. Several merchants went to Lord North, then Britain’s Prime Minister and offered to pay the damages. Lord North declined the offer. Thus, the die had been cast with regard to the future of the Colonies.)

Here is the original “Navy Jack,” that is the flag flown aboard ships of the US Navy even before there was, officially, a United States of America.

Some people confuse this flag with the Gadsden Flag, which is the yellow one bearing the coiled rattlesnake and the same motto. The rattlesnake was a popular symbol leading up to the American Revolution. Nonetheless, the Navy Jack was instituted by Commodore Esek Hopkins who was assembling the first ships of the Continental Navy in Philadelphia, on the Delaware River. He gave instructions for the design of the flag and it soon appeared on those vessels.

In the present day, I find this flag an enduring symbol of the times to come.

The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad is another piece of living history. It is a tourist train that carries passengers from New Hope, Pennsylvania to Lhaska, several miles away. I’m not positive, but I think the line was originally part of the old Reading Railroad.

This isn’t my greatest photo of No. 4, which was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works many years ago. I actually have some very nice black and white photos of this engine and her tender in both black and white and color. I took them back when I used Hasselbalds and large format cameras. The prints hang on the walls of my house. Take a look at the engineer; he certainly looks the part. I have to get a hat like that.

The last few weeks the train has been running steadily, giving people great views of the fall foliage and pumpkin patches set up for children. New Hope itself is a fun town with plenty of good restaurants, odd shops, and dinner theaters. It gets crowded on the weekends.

Bistro Juliana, located on the edge of a neighborhood known as Fishtown, serves a fantastic lunch. The restaurant is owned by people who have another establishment near the center of Philadelphia.

As you can see from the street signs, this place is locate at the corner of Cumberland and Salmon Streets. There is parking across the street. What about the food? Well, the menu is Italian. For lunch I had the homemade ravioli with veal sausage. Excellent. And, the price was a mere $8.50. Some fast food meals cost nearly that much and are nothing compared to a nice sit down lunch here.

When in Philadelphia and in need for a pleasant and affordable, high-quality lunch, give this place a try. You won’t be disappointed. Spanish is also spoken, which helps a bloke like me work on his multi-lingual skills.

For a fantastic version of tapas, try Amada, a restaurant in Philadelphia. I’ve had many great meals here, both lunch and supper. The service is always outstanding. The wine list very good as well.

Reservations are a must on most evenings, especially at the weekend. The place can be quite crowded, just like those tapas places in Spain. The menu ranges from the thinly sliced ham and manchego cheese to creatively seasoned meats on skewers, to specials like an empanada that my wife wishes was permanently on the menu. Don’t forget the wine! The sangria is tasty, the Albariño’s refreshing, and there are many to choose from. This is a “don’t miss” type of place if you’re in Philadelphia.