Matthew Rowley

At the gym, others wear Vuori, Jed North, Adidas, etc. Me? T-shirts for BBQ joints and butcher shops, distilleries and spirits brands, local restaurants and food shops. Concert tees? Pfft. No. It’s food and booze (the reason I’m at the gym in the first place) all around.

Walking to the car. Hand on arm. Mom, 92: This motto: “We choke our own chickens.” I don’t know exactly what that means. Me: Mm-hmm. Mom: I suspect it’s something salacious. Me: You’re on the right track. Exeunt omnes. I am full of fried goodness. Not taking one more bite. Particularly on that.

Twice now in Kansas City, clerks in small shops have told me the price of what I’ve bought (once a secondhand Nicolas Freeling book, once a bánh mì), saw me bring out cash, and immediately lowered the price.

“Arise, Baron of Münchhausen!” Bugs Bunny sticker 900 block, Christian Street Philadelphia, PA

Older relatives and friends, less able or concerned about reading a room, can drag small talk re: health into mind-numbing tedium. Our family rule: you get five minutes to cover ailments, maladies, MD visits, and internal complaints, then must change the topic. We call that the Organ Recital.

Book art. Prospero's Books Kansas City, Missouri

Dog Stick Library North Park, San Diego.

Search “boat” ya say? Stop right there. Say no more.

No shoes inside, you’ll note. I returned to San Diego because we had a dinner for 20 people this week at the house. I left a few seed shoes at the front door. Next morning, I discovered someone had trod in dog shit, then walked—squish squish squish—up to our door. This is why we take shoes off. 

Boardwalk Wildwood, New Jersey Irish cousin: It’s made of boards. Me: It is. IC: In Ireland, we hear about the American boardwalk, but it never occurred to me that you literally walk on wooden boards. And do people really kiss under them? Me: Among other things.

I am home for a total of four days this month. Otherwise elsewhere. A quick check on the garden reveals two lime trees absolutely freighted and bowed with fruit. There’ll be cocktails & tacos upon my return. Anyone have a recipe they’d vouch for (not merely found) for Peruviano Leche de Tigre?

Show us your neon bar signs. Here’s Fred’s Tavern Stone Harbor, New Jersey (And if you dig neon, consider following @neondeutschland.bsky.social)

Driving. New Jersey. Heard a song. Recognized it from Back in ye Day. Aphasia kicked in and I could NOT articulate the band’s name. What came out: “Stygian Cabaret.” Me: Come on, man. That ain’t right. It’s got the guy. With the hair. With the hair and the lips. 20 minutes later: “Aerosmith.”

Grouchy tree. Waterford, Ireland.

Snacks before guests arrive. Kalbsleberwurst chub from Rieker's Prime Meats in Philadelphia (my go-to German butcher in Philly for nearly 30 years). On the side: a short pour of Old Emmer wheated bourbon (a private label from Total Wine, bought on a lark. 45% ABV, about $45).

Mid-morning beach stroll, Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Not another soul in sight. Couple of gingers, tho.

Spotted at Binding Agents in Philadelphia: @wordloaf.org’s vade mecum: THE BREAD BAKERS POCKET COMPANION.

Moon and Stars watermelon. Size of a racquetball when I was home last. Forgot to weigh it, but it was dense and heavy last night. The rosy pink flesh was riddled with seeds (which: saved for next year), crisp, and v sweet. An outstanding garden haul. Plant, eat, repeat.

I’ll be in New Jersey then—but South Jersey, not near enough. If you’re closer, you should attend. And if you don’t like Martinis, you should.

[transcription in alt text] In 1937/38, about 50k Irish schoolchildren in 5K schools collected stories from their communities. Paddie Clarke of Cordoagh tells a joke: “It was the custom in a certain district that everyone that would kill a pig would give a piece of it to his neighbours…”

Same friend at an art gallery in New Orleans: I just love those little dock’s end dogs. Me: F: Me: The what, now? F: Cuz they help fishermen. Me: F: At the dock. Me: Well, that sounds fun. Pick your battles. Meanwhile, the poster that prompted the discussion: