If you’ve been drinking the same beverage for decades, I do not understand you. Don’t you get bored? Just so we’re clear, I’m not referring to alcohol. I’m talking about the bottle or glass or cup of whatever that sits on your desk, or on your bedside table, or in your car’s cup holder, day in, day out. If it’s coffee, it can’t always be coffee, can it? Or are you the type who starts with a coffee (or latte or chai) in the morning, then switches over to water for the rest of the day? Well, I don’t understand you, either. I do understand how important hydration is, but back to my first question: Don’t you get bored? Then there are the Diet Coke loyalists, whose taste buds I really do not understand (Seriously. That’s what you’re wasting your addictive side on??) The fact that I’m so curious about this was beginning to make me think that I just have too much time on my hands, until I brought it up to my friend Kerry, who also …

Thanksgiving is a very “Modern Family” holiday for us.  We spend it with Bertrand’s kids, as well as his ex-wife Danielle, her mom, Bertrand’s mom Eva and, often, her half sister and her two sons. For years, we’ve gathered up at Danielle’s house north of the city where she’s happily stood aside and let us take over her kitchen. When it comes to cooking, there’s something about walking the walk (and, perhaps, a little bit of talking the talk) that can completely fool others into believing that you really know what you’re doing. It could be an action as small as crushing a garlic clove with your fist or using French dish towels in lieu of potholders. Just maintain a serious, concentrated expression on your face while you’re bustling around the kitchen, and those who don’t like to cook can easily convince themselves that they are in the presence of, if not greatness, then at the very least the great promise that a memorable meal is on its way. It certainly fooled the kids, who both showed interest …