Category Archives: The Gripes of Cath

Reviews and commentaries

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Posted on January 27, 2024 by Cathy Burnham Martin

  January 27 is the day established by the United Nations in 2005 for all nations to remember the Holocaust committed by the Nazis.       From 1933 and 1945 they eliminated 6-million Jews, two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath, Write Again! | Leave a comment

Ah, Politics!

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Cathy Burnham Martin

We are not the first generation to witness a barrage of attacks on someone in politics with whom folks disagree.       “Before you give up hope, turn back and read the attacks that were made on Lincoln.” — … Continue reading →

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath, Write Again! | Leave a comment

This Is World Freedom Day!

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Cathy Burnham Martin

  November 9, 1989, is the day that the Berlin Wall, which separated East and West Berlin, was breached, ultimately leading to its demolition. An ABC news affiliate anchor at the time, I was honored to cover the events along … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath, Write Again! | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Freedom from Fear of Speaking Day

Posted on July 2, 2023 by Cathy Burnham Martin

We’ve all likely heard about the studies that share with us that the fear of public speaking is a human’s only fear worse than death. This fear is reportedly now considered to be a social anxiety disorder affecting as much … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath, To Our Health & Fitness!, Write Again! | Leave a comment

No More Cancel Culture

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Cathy Burnham Martin

  “You have not converted a man just because you have silenced him.” — John Morley (1838 – 1923) British statesman, writer, & newspaper editor

Posted in The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Let Me “Help” You???

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Cathy Burnham Martin

Ah… the Gripes of Cath. We all seem to know someone who steps up to help on a project without being asked. Wonderful! However, despite the positive value they may bring to the project, if their assistance seems to come … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Eyes and Ears Wide Open

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Cathy Burnham Martin

  “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” — Dwight Eisenhower 1890 – 1969) American military officer & 34th President of the United States I find myself continually stunned by the confidence and innocence of … Continue reading →

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Ah, Politics!

Posted on February 5, 2023 by Cathy Burnham Martin

  “Actions lie louder than words.” — Carolyn Wells (1862 – 1942) American author

Posted in The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

National Fast Food Day

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

Yikes! Who knew??! Popularized in the U.S. in the 1950s, fast food is here to stay. Drive-thru, take-out, or dine-in… we all have our favorites and those we love to hate. Seriously, have you ever gotten a fast-food sandwich that … Continue reading →

Posted in So Silly!, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

International Day of Democracy

Posted on September 15, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

On this, the International Day of Democracy, I thought it might be interesting to take a brief look at the term and some thoughts on it. The term comes from the Greek words “demos” (the people) and “kratia” (power or … Continue reading →

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Keep Hope Alive

Posted on September 4, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

“When hope is taken away from a people, moral degeneration follows swiftly thereafter.” — Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) Pulitzer Prize-winning American author (Photo by Schaferle)

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Let Freedom Ring

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

Two hundred and seventy years ago today… on September 1, 1752, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia. Ordered from the Whitechapel Foundry in London, it was originally the bell for the Pennsylvania State House, which is now called Independence Hall. … Continue reading →

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Yes, I Am Listening, But…

Posted on August 13, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

“Listening does not require agreement. Understanding does not necessitate compliance.” — Cathy Burnham Martin American author, voiceover artist & dedicated foodie (Photo by Stefan Keller)

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Disobedience Day

Posted on July 3, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

Although sometimes seeming almost carnivalesque, subversion has turned the wheels of history… bloody revolutions, flower power, the rebelliousness of rock ‘n roll, or just standing up for the underdog. It’s all about non-violent protests of issues, laws, or causes perceived … Continue reading →

Posted in Must Love Dogs (& Other Wonderful Pets), Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

National Flip-Flop Day

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

Pick your favorite color… and material. Wear them to the beach or the park. Wear them grocery shopping or bar hopping. While I am not a fan of seeing them on passengers in airports, I do understand they are super … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin on Marco, Super Simple Is Key!, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Character

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

“Be it good or bad, when we display strong character, we will find immediate supporters and detractors.” — Cathy Burnham Martin – American author, voiceover artist & dedicated foodie (Image by Gino Crescoli)

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Let’s Cool the Divisiveness

Posted on May 29, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

“We need to stop being so hyper-focused on gender, race, age, and sexual stereotyping. Live and let live for crying out loud. From my perspective, we’ve gone so overboard with attempts to not insult someone or stereotype something about them … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobooks, Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath, Write Again! | Leave a comment

But I Protest!

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

  “One man’s civil disobedience may be another man’s riot. One man’s riot may be another man’s civil disobedience. Our definition tends to vary based on which side of a protest we stand.” — Cathy Burnham Martin American author, voiceover … Continue reading →

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Bull!

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

  “Adding more bull to bull yields bigger bull.” ― Cathy Burnham Martin in “The Bimbo Has Brains: And Other Freaky Facts,” 2017

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath, Write Again! | Leave a comment

Yay for Differing Opinions

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

“Whenever a fellow tells me he is bipartisan, I know he’s going to vote against me.” — Harry S. Truman (1884 – 1972) 33rd President of the United States   I simply think that one thing that is worse than … Continue reading →

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Keep America Beautiful Day

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Cathy Burnham Martin

Though we’d like to think we maintain some level of awareness throughout the year, April is officially Keep America Beautiful Month. If you drive in urban areas, especially, we know it’s appalling to see the huge amount of litter along … Continue reading →

Posted in Notable Quotables, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Concern Over Censorship

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Cathy Burnham Martin

I do not like politics. However, it does necessarily exist, despite my distaste for it. Thus, I rarely write a letter to any media outlet to share a complaint. In fact, I cannot recall the last time I did so… … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath, Write Again! | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Of Grief & Glory

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Cathy Burnham Martin

As we approach an Election Day, could we all try to remember our sanity and decency?  If our preferred candidates win, try to accept victory with humility and grace.  If our preferred candidates lose, try to accept defeat with courage … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Must We Tolerate Intolerance?

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Cathy Burnham Martin

A lot of years passed as I developed the strength to both determine and stand up for what I could and would put up with in life.  What is acceptable or unacceptable?  The answers are different for each of us.  … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath, Write Again! | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

People Can Be So Mean

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Cathy Burnham Martin

Like all of us, I know we should use social media safely.  More importantly, I wish we would all use it responsibly and not as a weapon to hurt others.  Yet, we all know people, with increasing frequency, who have … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath, Write Again! | Leave a comment

Good Pub Great Deck

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Cathy Burnham Martin

We’ve enjoyed great sunsets from the Junior’s Crush House deck in Gilford, New Hampshire, including this beauty.  Junior’s is a distinctly “bar-with-a-kitchen” establishment, versus a restaurant with a bar.  There are a few regular tables in the area outside the … Continue reading →

Posted in Taste Bud Travels, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Bar Harbor GREAT Steamers

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Cathy Burnham Martin

In Bar Harbor, Maine you’ll find plenty of local culture and history.  It’s a lovely little town in which to walk around.  For me, scoring a lobster or lobster roll is a must-do activity.  I trust the locals for restaurant … Continue reading →

Posted in Taste Bud Travels, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Bar and Bistro at Marek’s is Merely Okay

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Cathy Burnham Martin

Far from the best food on Marco Island, the Bar and Bistro at Marek’s does deliver a nice atmosphere, especially if you can sit outside.  The veranda is lovely, as is the terrace, and the live music featured on Tuesday … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin on Marco, The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

Somethin’ Fishy at the Capri Fish House

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Cathy Burnham Martin

I love trying restaurants!  I love good food!  Looking for things to appreciate is a passion of mine.  The Capri Fish House Restaurant on the Bay on the Isles of Capri in southwest Florida had been calling to me for … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin on Marco, Taste Bud Travels, The Gripes of Cath | 1 Comment

Shame Shame Shame — Shame of Fools

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Cathy Burnham Martin

MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry closed out 2013 providing the year’s easiest addition to the “Gripes of Cath.”  She lessened respect for herself, political commentators, her fellow MSNBC staff members, and other journalists.   While I have come to expect low humor … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath | Leave a comment

“The Counselor” Delivers a Halloween Trick, Not Treat

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Cathy Burnham Martin

As much as I dislike giving bad reviews, sometimes someone earns it with such fervor that I must comply.  Few films reviewed by me since the early 1980’s miss the mark on as many levels as “The Counselor.”  Bottom line:  … Continue reading →

Posted in The Gripes of Cath | 1 Comment