25 Things Dad Taught Us
It’s Dad’s turn.
For our Mother’s Day edition, we asked readers to share the best advice their Moms had passed down to them. For Father’s Day, we wanted to hear the stories and lessons our dads had shared.
As you might have suspected, the dads seem to have been a bit less talkative than the moms. That doesn’t mean their advice was any less relevant or useful. Who can argue with the dad who advised, “Don’t screw around”? Although, as our contributor writes, “I had no idea what he was talking about. I was 14.”
One of the many benefits of no longer being 14 is that we can now appreciate Dad’s advice from both the parent’s and the child’s point of view. We hope you enjoy it too. Happy Father’s Day.
Tasty Treats, Hot off the Grill
You know that your barbecue is good for grilling a lot more than just plain-old burgers and hot dogs. But pizza and cake? Absolutely.
And with the dog days of summer approaching -- and the heat that makes turning on the oven a terribly frustrating idea -- we thought we’d share some of the dozens of foods that taste great cooked directly over the flames or wrapped in foil.
All you need is a grill, some tongs, a brush, a little bit of olive oil or butter, and an appetite!
Beam Me Up, Scotty -- And Bring the Popcorn
I couldn’t wait to get to the theater last weekend to see the latest Star Trek film, Star Trek Into Darkness. I’ve been watching Star Trek since I was a kid, and I was eager to see what Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Scotty, Uhura and the rest of the crew of the USS Enterprise were up to. (No spoiler alerts here!)
As I waited in line with other Trekkies, someone started a debate about which is the best Star Trek film (this most recent movie brings the total to 12). I voiced my opinion, and also thought about the other sci-fi flicks I’ve enjoyed watching over the years -- and that I wouldn’t mind watching again with friends this three-day holiday weekend as part an impromptu film festival.
Rather than try to come up with a list of the top 10 sci-fi movies of all time (which would have to include Blade Runner, Metropolis, 2001 and Terminator), I focused on films that are more fun, bypassing the weighty dramas and gory alien blood fests.
The Best Advice We Ever Got From Mom
For Mother's Day this year, we reached out via Facebook, twitter, and good old-fashioned email to ask the One Thing New community: What's the best advice you ever got from your mom?
The answers were varied -- and unexpected. One reader told us his mom taught him how to make a great gin and tonic (recipe below). Another was advised to always have a beef bourguignon (Julia Child’s recipe!) in the freezer for last minute dinner parties. Our favorite: “When a man says he’s too good for you, listen. He knows.”
Here's the best of your moms’ wisdom, and ours. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories.
Rethink your approach. My grandmother used to say that if you’re trying to solve a problem and you bang your head against the wall and get a headache, then maybe banging your head against the wall isn't the answer. -- Connie G.
Always be looking for a job. You never know what may pop up. And always, always say please and thank you. -- Holly C.
Boys are more interested in girls who have a lot going on. This is what my mom told me in high school. She encouraged me to pursue my interests, and told me that boys would seek me out. -- Kathy F.
Sometimes it’s better to try things and only tell your boss when they work, rather than ask for permission and be told no. -- Laura S.
Parents Can't Just 'Get It Together.' Here's Why.
A few weeks ago, Frank Bruni, writing in the New York Times, made his contribution to an increasingly popular genre: the parenting-by-proxy essay, also known as Why-Can't-You-Parents-Just-Get-It-Together.
The formula goes like this: The writer, invariably, does not have children, but not to worry. He or she does have plenty of nieces, nephews, and assorted other younger family members and friends, and spends lots of time with them. Since the writer isn't burdened with the daily drudgery of carpools, making lunches, and middle-of-the-night wakings, he or she has some objectivity when it comes to parenting. This, the logic goes, makes the writer without children more qualified to give parenting advice than actual parents.
Right. This is like saying that, because I play a mean game of Clue and can find most five-year-olds in a game of hide-and-seek, I should have led the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
Read more: Parents Can't Just 'Get It Together.' Here's Why.
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