A Thesaurus is a valuable tool for a writer. But look up the word Thesaurus in a Thesaurus and it is difficult to describe briefly. Yes it is an assembly of synonyms and antonyms but there is no other good single other word for the book. They toss around terms like "treasury of words" and … Continue reading National Thesaurus Day
92nd anniversary of the longest gun battle in FBI history (and a link to an original post about a tour of the site)
Today is the 92nd anniversary of the longest shoot-out in FBI history and it all happened not far from on the shores of Lake Weir, Florida. If you are interested in more here is a link to replay of a previous post regarding to tour of the house where it happened. Enjoy! https://walterthinnes.blog/2023/01/20/a-tour-of-the-ma-barker-house/
In Memoriam – Erich von Daniken and his contributions to the decline of critical thinking skills
I am an avid reader of the New York Times Obituary section and I use this series to comment on notable passings, not always in a laudatory manner. Writer Erich von Daniken, writer of several best sellers including "Chariots of the Gods" recently passed away at 90 years old. It posited that space aliens visited … Continue reading In Memoriam – Erich von Daniken and his contributions to the decline of critical thinking skills
Trepidations of a Baseball Fan
This is the off season for my favorite sport. We call it The Hot Stove League, where baseball fans gather around to chatter about off season moves and coming prospects for our favorite teams. For my beloved Cincinnati Reds that answer seems to be ... meh, not much. This came to my mind as I … Continue reading Trepidations of a Baseball Fan
In Memoriam – The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
I am a Newspaper sort of guy. I grew up reading the Miami Herald and graduated to the New York Times. I still subscribe to the NYT digitally and it is my main source of information. Along the way I lived in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for two years and subscribed to the Post Gazette during that … Continue reading In Memoriam – The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
National Trivia Day and a HyperLocal Question
Today is National Trivia Day and trivia suffuses our culture. From Jeopardy! on television to Trivia Nights at your local bar it is everywhere. I'll forego the observation that our society needs to focus more on the bigger issues and less on trivial memorization. Having said that, I will make this personal. Recently I told … Continue reading National Trivia Day and a HyperLocal Question
A New Year and a Return to Old Posts
Bet you can guess what my New Year's Resolution was! Yep, to revivify my dormant blog activity. Even though I've kept the account for years, it has been dormant the last few months. So I thought I'd give it a kick in 2026 and here we go again. Though I have been silent, the blog … Continue reading A New Year and a Return to Old Posts
Personal reflection on Mamdani Inauguration
Yesterday a great deal was made of the inauguration of Zohran Mamadani as the new Mayor of New York City. I follow it with great interest as I recently lived for a quarter of century in that great city. During my time there I had just one opportunity to attend an inaugurations of a New … Continue reading Personal reflection on Mamdani Inauguration
2026
Another AI Mash-up and a comment
Here we go again. I am taking three National Days and putting them together in an AI generated image for fun. This one is different. I am combining National Cheese Curd Day, National I Love Lucy Day, and National Grouch Day. Here is the image generated by ChatGPT and comment after. You have heard of … Continue reading Another AI Mash-up and a comment
Back to Artificial Intelligence Images
I admit I have been making only sporadic posts to my blog (and many of you keep regular schedules of blog posts). One reason is because I have been very active writing scripts and just started a new one again today. That means less dedicated time to writing new posts. To get some blog mojo … Continue reading Back to Artificial Intelligence Images
Oh Well, wait until next year
An up and down season. A sideways sneak into the post season. Two crushing losses to the reigning World Champions. A talented core on which to build on. Oh well. Wait until next year. Go Reds!
FINALLY – My Cincinnati Reds are back in the Post Season!
It is about time. My Reds have not been in any post season since 2020 when the playoffs were expanded for the pandemic and were icky bounced out. Before that it was in 2012 and we were also blanked out. Needless to say, my club has been hungry for a long time. Especially because the … Continue reading FINALLY – My Cincinnati Reds are back in the Post Season!
Have a minute? Read a Play!
People's attention spans are shrinking. William Shakespeare wrote plays in five acts. Henrik Ibsen wrote plays in three acts. Most modern plays are performed with just one intermission or sometimes no intermission at all. There are, of course, many great scripts that are classified as one acts not meant to be a full evening's entertainment. … Continue reading Have a minute? Read a Play!
You should Talk Like a Pirate toDay
September 19 has been Talk Like A Pirate Day since 1995. So if someone speaking with you uses words like "Aaaaargh" or "Ahoy Matey" or "Aye, Aye, Captain" feel free to join right in. As long as everyone around you are sounding silly, you may as well join right in.
Now it is time for a Florida Woman Story!
Yeah, I've been away a while. Sorry about that. Lots going on. No time to explain. Now on the story. The FLORIDA MAN meme has been around for a while and I have featured several stories about it on this blog (you can search for some if you wish). The meme is based the many … Continue reading Now it is time for a Florida Woman Story!
National Water Balloon Day Redux
The first Friday in August is National Water Balloon Day. Some may claim it is harmless fun and an easy way to cool off in the blistering summer heat. However, I am deadly afraid of today, especially when these weapons are in the hands of tiny terrorists like this one. I do believe I will … Continue reading National Water Balloon Day Redux
National Chili Dog Day
The last Thursday in July is always National Chili Dog Day and for me that means a Cheese Coney from a Cincinnati Chili parlor. Whether that is Skyline, Gold Star, Empress, or my favorite Camp Washington Chili it is the best introduction for newbies into the wonderful unique flavor profile that is Cincinnati Chili. You … Continue reading National Chili Dog Day
BLOODLETTING IN THESE HILLS opens in two days on August 1
Dropping a quick note about the opening weekend of my play BLOODLETTING IN THESE HILLS on Friday, August 1 at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, North Carolina. I will be pretty busy the next several days so will pop back in after the weekend. Meanwhile I have scheduled a couple of unrelated posts to keep … Continue reading BLOODLETTING IN THESE HILLS opens in two days on August 1
The Recipe I use for National Creme Brûlée Day
Creme Brûlée is a rich and extravagant dessert and one of my favorite treats. I even own my own kitchen torch to crisp the top. I also own special ramekins that are broad and have low sides to maximize the crisp surface. It has been a long time since I last made it and here … Continue reading The Recipe I use for National Creme Brûlée Day
National Aunt and Uncles Day Redux
As promised a followup on National Aunt and Uncles Day. I posted these photos before but a revisit is required. First my father and his two brothers. From left to right - my father Todd Thinnes, my uncle John (Jack) Thinnes, my uncle Reed Thinnes And now the iconic Thinnes family photo from a 1967 … Continue reading National Aunt and Uncles Day Redux
One week from opening and Parkway Playhouse has Released Cast interviews on their Blog
My excitement grows as the opening of my play BLOODLETTING IN THESE HILLS will open one week from tonight at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, North Caroline. The theatre has recently published interviews with all of the cast members as well as the director, the fight choreographer, and intimacy choreographer. (Yes, there is both fighting … Continue reading One week from opening and Parkway Playhouse has Released Cast interviews on their Blog
A Throwback Thursday on National Cousins Day
The Thinnes family has a very defined family tree that my brother has researched thoroughly. My father and his two brothers have since passed but the surviving cousins still stay in regular touch with a group text message group to celebrate birthdays and special occasions. On this Throwback Thursday I have dug out an old … Continue reading A Throwback Thursday on National Cousins Day
“Happy Birthday Leonard” can now be found in a new anthology
Way back in June 2022 I attended a production of my short play HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEONARD at the Seventeenth Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival by Theatre Odyssey in Sarasota, Florida. It was directed by Amanda Schlachter and featuring Jenny Aldrich Walker and Julee Breehne. It is one of my most produced scripts and I have seen … Continue reading “Happy Birthday Leonard” can now be found in a new anthology
My Cincinnati Reds at the 2025 mid point
So far this season the biggest news is that we are the only Major League Baseball team not yet to be swept in a series. But the fact we are still dancing around .500 baseball is disappointing. Still, we are not in the dregs as e have so often been at this point. We have … Continue reading My Cincinnati Reds at the 2025 mid point
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