May’s Mutterings: Rants and Ramblings
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Book review: To Wear the White Cloak by Sharan Newman
To Wear The White Cloak by Sharan Newman My rating: 4 of 5 stars I was reminded recently by a professor of medieval English literature that the author of this mystery series was “a real historian.” In fact, the professor hadn’t even realized that the author had written a historical mystery series, being only familiar…
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Folger Shakespeare gala April 2016
The Folger Shakespeare Library has the world’s largest collection of First Folios, the first publication of Shakespeare’s plays. (They are stored in a huge vault, which is way cool to visit.) It is an organization that provides scholarly resources for academic research, concerts and plays, and education curricula for K-12 teachers. One of its missions—and…
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Dinner at the Inn at Little Washington (April 2016)
When our family arrived at the Inn at Little Washington a couple of weeks ago, we were asked if we were celebrating a special occasion (which does happen). This time, however, our response was: “Dinner!” And dinner that evening was definitely worth celebrating. We started off with the well-known (and delectable) popcorn with black truffles…
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Book review: The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn
The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn My rating: 4 of 5 stars There has been a lot of hate in the reviews for this book because of the (huge) deception the hero of the novel played on the heroine. However, one reviewer in particular nailed the issue on the head by describing…
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Spring Break in Costa Rica
Spring break planning was interesting this year. Our son had opted to go on a school-sponsored sea turtle conservation trip in Costa Rica the week before spring break officially started. After some discussion (and verification that a Four Seasons resort existed in the country), we decided to join him in Costa Rica and spend spring…
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Book review: Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood
Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood My rating: 3 of 5 stars This is the first book in a mystery series set in 1920s Australia. Phryne Fisher is a very self-reliant young woman who grew up poor in Australia and whose family came unexpectedly into a British title and money after the death of more direct…
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Book review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller My rating: 4 of 5 stars When I first realized a few pages into this book that Achilles was going to be the hero of this particular novel, I did a mental eye-roll (I may have even done a physical eye roll). Achilles has never struck me as…
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Restaurant review: The Pig and the Lady (Honolulu)
I’ve already called dibs on being the lady, but it is so very easy to be the pig at this delightful little restaurant, which is currently the hottest restaurant in Honolulu. The restaurant is located in the middle of Chinatown. Chinatown is perfectly safe and vibrant during the day. During the evening, it’s a little…
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Restaurant review: Chef Mavro, Take 2 (Honolulu)
For our second dinner at Chef Mavro, we went with the 4 course menu and added the parmesan black truffle risotto as a fifth course (yes, we do indeed live to eat). The amouse bouche was once again the delicious watercress soup with “egg salad sandwich.” We started off with the meli-melo, a salad containing…
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Restaurant review: Chef Mavro (Honolulu)
We have been regular diners at Chef Mavro whenever we are in Honolulu (which is more often than I am willing to admit). Last week, when we were there, we took the opportunity to dine at Chef Mavro twice. (I know, I know.) The first time, we picked the 6 course menu. In addition, it…
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