It’s almost mid September, and for every self-respecting, semi-literate Germanophilic Baltimoron — like myself — that can only mean one thing: It’s time to celebrate not one but two holidays: Der Tag and Oktoberfest. The latter, of course, is a wildly popular, mammoth festival held in Germany to promote Bavarian culture and its greatest contributions… Continue reading How to Host Your Own ‘Mencktoberfest’
Tag: skribbleskiff
Let Others Say It for You, Say It Best
Flummoxed. Faltering. Discombobulated. Inarticulate. Dumbfounded. Dumbstruck. Nonplussed. Tongue-tied. Tight-lipped. Laconic. Hushed. Speechless. In other words, dear reader, Scribbleskiff is at a loss for words this week. I’ve been so busy again, getting caught up in the rigmarole of regular life, managing (and being managed by) the important things, that I’ve been unable to get carried… Continue reading Let Others Say It for You, Say It Best
Poetry Picks to Suit Your Better Nature
In December, a young man’s fancy doesn’t normally turn to thoughts of nature, or to the arousing (and consolatory) effects of it. Not in the usual, “greeny flower” ways, that’s for sure. That’s a spring thing. No, common thoughts of nature this time of year usually involve strategies to avoid it. Sure, snowstorms in a… Continue reading Poetry Picks to Suit Your Better Nature
Fathers and Daughters, by the Book
Recently, I overheard my girls singing the words to “Daughters” by John Mayer. This pleased me, but perhaps not for the reason you’d think. Although I like it when my kids sing, I generally don’t like them singing songs like that written by a guy like this. Nonetheless, I am a big fan of any art… Continue reading Fathers and Daughters, by the Book
Are You Heart of Hearing?
It’s the middle of February, and you know what that means: Valentine’s Day, one of the year’s most controversial holidays, is upon us. Similarly celebrated and hated, fussed over or made fun of, this all-sorts saint’s day is nonetheless an inexorability of our buy-or-die culture. Everywhere, from the corner grocery store to the gas station… Continue reading Are You Heart of Hearing?
Glancing Backward to Look Forward
Because the month of January (named for the two-headed ancient god, Janus) teeters on the fence between the old year and the new, it offers a distinct vantage point for glancing backward at what has been, as a way to predict what may be lurking up ahead. In other words, it’s a time for deciding whether… Continue reading Glancing Backward to Look Forward
A Triple Trifecta of Trivial Treats
Scribbleskiff is sitting in dry-dock for a spell. We’re taking some time away from the business of busyness to rest and clear out the scuppers, so to speak, to restock our supplies, chart new courses, and ready ourselves for the next adventure. For instance, we’re keeping our weather eye trained on the approaching, unusually large waves… Continue reading A Triple Trifecta of Trivial Treats
A Year-end Wrap-up for Holiday Wrapping
If you live life according to Gregory’s calendar, as we do in our little corner of the world, then you’ve likely noticed by now that we’ve reached December, the final (and, at this moment, coldest) month of the year. As such, December ushers in a season of conclusions, a time for tallying, wrapping-up, and tying-off.… Continue reading A Year-end Wrap-up for Holiday Wrapping
Bottle #5: Saying ‘Boo!’ and ‘Bye to the Second-Annual Baltimore Beer Week
Whether or not you would say boo to a beer, the fact of the matter is, in about two weeks, someone is going to say “boo!” to you. That’s right, Halloween is right around the corner again, and that can only mean one thing, at least in my house — it’s time to find a… Continue reading Bottle #5: Saying ‘Boo!’ and ‘Bye to the Second-Annual Baltimore Beer Week
Bottle #3: You From Jersey? What Exit?
Sometimes less is not enough and only more is more. That seems to be the case with “Baltimore Beer Week” — and our coverage of it here at Scribbleskiff. There are so beery many things to do (and to discuss) during this celebration that the organizers thought the “week,” which runs from October 7-17, needed… Continue reading Bottle #3: You From Jersey? What Exit?