Category Archives: The Gripes of Cath

Reviews and commentaries

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

  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

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Ah, Politics!

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

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This Is World Freedom Day!

  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

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Freedom from Fear of Speaking Day

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

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No More Cancel Culture

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

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Let Me “Help” You???

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

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Eyes and Ears Wide Open

  “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

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Ah, Politics!

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

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National Fast Food Day

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

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International Day of Democracy

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

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Keep Hope Alive

“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)

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Let Freedom Ring

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

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Yes, I Am Listening, But…

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

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Disobedience Day

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

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National Flip-Flop Day

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

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Character

“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)

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Let’s Cool the Divisiveness

“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

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But I Protest!

  “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

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Bull!

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

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Yay for Differing Opinions

“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

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Keep America Beautiful Day

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

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Concern Over Censorship

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

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Of Grief & Glory

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

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Must We Tolerate Intolerance?

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

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People Can Be So Mean

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

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Good Pub Great Deck

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

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Bar Harbor GREAT Steamers

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

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Bar and Bistro at Marek’s is Merely Okay

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

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Somethin’ Fishy at the Capri Fish House

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

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Shame Shame Shame — Shame of Fools

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

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“The Counselor” Delivers a Halloween Trick, Not Treat

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

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