Back to Reality

Now that we're over Labor Day and heading into the season of fall foliage, thoughts return to work and school. Professionally, it may be a busy month for me.

Am waiting for delivery of a book manuscript (about 325 pages) that needs editing, plus am waiting word regarding a second manuscript project that I've bid (that would make it three manuscript edits for the year).

Today have to radically rewrite a truly awful marketing brochure as a spec project. A couple of writer/editor contract possibilities are also blowin' in the wind, so this could be a very good month.

One social outing this weekend was to Ponzio's Diner. This landmark establishment has a long history, a nicely varied menu, and its own bakery that each week churns out thousands of amazingly tasty pies, cakes, cookies, brownies, and other dessert treats.

Lucy was totally impressed by the three perfect tilapia fillets drizzled in lemon butter sauce. The coconut cream cake was also a hit. It was her first trip to Ponzio's in a dozen or more years, so she pointed out the renovations and improvements that were new to her.

A different dining experience was a neighborhood BBQ in my mom's neck of the woods. Classic burgers and hot dogs with the traditional complements were a great treat. The verbal bashings of President Obama's healthcare efforts and Rep. Barney Frank's gayness were not a treat.

It's hard for me to understand why so many long knives are being sharpened by right wingers for use against the president. It would be nice for me to think that racist bigotry is not a factor, but I'm being reluctantly forced to reach that conclusion.

Say No to Kebobs, Yes to Wings

Had dinner last weekend at Norma's, a small Mediterranean restaurant in Cherry Hill, N.J. Not overly impressed. About a dozen tables squeezed into a small space, little in the way of decoration or ambience, small portions, slow service, and food that was decent but not especially memorable.

My sliced beef Shawarma had some nice seasonings, as did my friend's ground beef Kafta combination kabobs. As for dessert, the Namoura was killer sweet and the Walnut Maamoul was unexceptional. The belly dancer was good.

Later that same evening, punctuated by thunderstorms and pouring rain, we stumbled into the Jughandle Inn, a vintage road house with an extensive bar and pub menu that has been doing business since 1912. It is locally famous for its chicken wings, which have snagged a number of awards at various wingfests over the years.

This funky establishment features live music or a DJ on weekends, helpful servers, lots of large television screens for sporting and other events, and an outdoor Gazebo bar that offers a range of hot dogs, sausages and other outdoor dining options during the warmer months. Will try to post more on this attraction after the Labor Day weekend.