Author: Harry Herget

Fashionista > > >> Fashion icon Andre Leon Talley died recently at the age of 73. >> I never heard of the guy. >> I saw a vignette of him in which he claimed Queen Elizabeth is one of the best dressed women in the world. >> I thought about it, which is odd for me since I have the fashion IQ of a rock, BUT, I came to the same conclusion.  The Queen is always dressed in a non-distracting way; her chosen colors are pristine, pleasant to the eye; her chosen style is elegant without being pretentious; her accessories—hats, jewels, trimmings—complete, not compete with, the total visual image.  It’s perfect.  And then there’s her little “Teddy”, her purse.  A signature accessory that befits a Queen, a necessary extension of her regal presence (that she created). >> >> Now that I’ve aroused my “fashion instincts”, I’m ready to name the “Best Dressed Woman” on the planet.  Why not? >> >> My choice should come as no surprise:  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. >> >> Not only is she a future Queen of England, she’s gorgeous.  Perfect body, perfect face, electric smile…and…she has the grace of a golden swan and the stunning presence of a rare, white peacock. She transforms tastefulness into timeless charm. >> She has a female aura denied to most with a splendor, a regal splendor, that accompanies...

Side Effects >>> >>> Why are pharmaceutical companies required to include “possible side effects” as part of the content in their advertising? >>> It’s as if there’s no intermediary between the patient and the drug company, but that’s the point. Their ads are primarily targeted at healthcare professionals; the rest of us are nothing more than collateral victims exposed to hearing side effects that seem worse than the problem. >>> Physicians have a “patient facing” relationship whether in-office or via Zoom. They not only know the patient, they know the pathology that justifies specific prescriptions in terms of type(s) of drug needed and their proper dosages. > >>> But, I digress. > >>> None of this is the real source of my concern. None of this is really fair in the big scheme of things. >>> Why? >>> Just think of the common side effects of the majority of prescription drugs — diarrhea, fatigue, rash, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, irregular heartbeat, rash and hives. >>> Guess what? >>> Buttermilk, beets, sautéed liver, Brussel sprouts, cheeses: Limburger, Greensward and stinking bishop; octopus, nut butters, too much sugar or salt, etc., etc., etc….they all, and much, much more, have the same harmful physical (side) effects on me as do many prescription drugs, but where are the government sponsored warnings on these consumables? >>> I’ve never seen a government mandated warning issued...

Today’s Trying Times Are Tomorrow’s Good Ole Days I can’t take credit for this pithy aphorism, but the older I get the more I appreciate its enduring wisdom. Now that my wife and I are retired we have time to reflect on the “good ole days.” [Note:  I’ve always had two favorite things in my life and eating was the second one. Today, thanks to the passing of time and it’s effect on one’s priorities, eating, by default, has risen to my most favored pastime.] My wife and I agree that our time in Little Rock was defined by its culinary offerings.  These were the good ole days of eating out and, sadly, they’re gone forever. We had breakfast at Bard’s in the Heights; lunch at the Minute Man on Broadway and soufflés at Jacques and Suzanne’s atop the First National Bank building downtown.  We also enjoyed dinner at the Sirloins Inn across the river where we feasted on salads heaped high with popcorn shrimp (which I followed with a mammoth king-cut prime rib that has yet to find an equal today.) Fine pastries at Alouettes, succulent steaks at Coy’s, complemented by saltine crackers bathed in their “secret sauce”, aka their house dressing. If you needed to stay closer to downtown, the Leather Bottle’s bar area would welcome you with free tubs of cheddar cheese and sleeves of salt...