Author: Monkeybrad (Page 1 of 57)

Gaelic Flip

March 20, 2026 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

“I was homesick when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray,” at least I think that’s what he said. Even if it is not, it is true that I am feeling out of place. It is an unusual kind of homesickness, since I am missing a place I never actually lived, but have only visited. The Germans have a word for it, who am I kidding the Germans have a word for everything, even it is super compound. They call it “fernweh” which translates, roughly, as “farsickness”, a bittersweet longing for a distant place. That sums it up nicely, as I sit here wishing I were on the wild Western coast of Ireland. It is an easy place to miss during this season of the green where there are reminders around every corner. It has always held a special place in my heart, ever since that first visit. It’s the place my family comes from, where I have spent not nearly enough time, but always feels like home. Gazing from the cliffs out on that white capped, deep blue sea, the salty wind in my face, just feels natural. It feels like home…and I miss it. Since, I cannot go there today, I will have to bring a bit to me and with that in mind, won’t you join me now as we stand and make the Gaelic Flip.

The Green Banana

March 9, 2026 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

Well, here we are…again. While we may still get a surprise snow storm, it would appear that Spring has, indeed, sprung. I normally look forward to this time of rebirth and growth, but something this year has me longing for a few more days of sweaters, mulled cider and maybe the odd cashmere scarf. I admit it, I am just not quite ready to start a new season. So, I walk the hills of Stately Monkey Manor and stare from the peak as the daffodils begin to peek out with a bit of pique, if you will. I will enjoy the changes to come, but I am just not there yet. So, with the memory of forced wordplay fresh in our minds, won’t you join me now as we stand and make, the Green Banana.

Left Hand

February 14, 2026 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

I love love. Always have. I am a hopeful romantic from way back, absolutely addicted to grand gestures and big feelings made manifest. I can’t help it, as much as the world has reinforced my latent cynicism, like Huey Lewis, I still have believe in the power of love. I am also a contrarian by nature and one of the best ways to get me to not do something is to make me feel that it is expected. Which is why, if I am honest, I have to admit that deep in the bottom of my romantic heart I sort of hate St. Valentine’s Day. There is something sinister in this day where grand gestures are expected for those in love and pain is amplified for those on the outside of affection. I don’t think a few dozen roses or dinner, drinks and jewelry make up for not being there for your amour the other 364 days of the year. The expression of love should happen every single day and not come all at once like a death bed confessional guaranteeing forgiveness in the final reel. So with a sidelong glance at those sinistral greeting card executives, florists and restauranteurs waiting in the wings, won’t you join me now as we stand and make the Left Hand.

Bad Apple

October 31, 2025 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

It’s spooky season here at Stately Monkey Manor. The jack o’ lanterns are smiling from the porches and various corners of the house and all of our skeletons have exited the closet and are proudly on display as we celebrate the turning of the seasons on our descent into the holidays. After a week of rain and gloom, the sun is shining through the gloriously colorful fall foliage and you can taste the coming joys of fall in the air. As our calendars begin to fill with parties, parades, plays and travel of the season it is particularly nice to find myself at home this morning with little to do except figure out who I want to dress up as tonight and what I want to be if I ever grow up. So with a nod toward the years that have come before and a brave look forward to the memories not yet made, won’t you join me now as we stand and make the Bad Apple.

Sea Legs

September 30, 2025 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

It’s a topsy, turvy world, baby! Lot of stuff going on out there. It often feels like we are tossed from one crisis to another as folks try to find new ways to stir the pot and be upset over one thing or another. I try to stay above the fray, but still it can be mind-blowing to try to keep up with who is mad about what on any given day. Obviously, it’s all meant to keep folks distracted, fighting with one another instead of coming together to demand results or change or a damn fine cup of coffee, depending on what you are in to. Still, with all of this anger and anxiety floating around, real life is happening. This week my niece got married, a friend lost his sister after a long battle and another lost his son, unexpectedly; life changing happiness and sorrow. Real joy, real pain and nary a politician or pundit around to comfort anyone or to tell folks how they should feel about it. Like usual, it is the work of us simple folks to do the everyday business of living and dying and picking up the pieces. With all the manufactured outrage floating around it is easy to let the things that really matter get lost in this era where we always feel like we are on shaky ground. So with a nod to cutting through those things meant to pull us apart, let’s try to find some common ground as we stand and make the soon to be classic, Sea Legs.

Temptation at -77°

August 12, 2025 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

The tide rises and the tide falls, as the poet said, and those pages on the calendar just keep on turning. Some weeks feel like years and some years feel like months and some days, well, these are interesting times, aren’t they. Big things are happening or at least it feels that way. Not sure how things are going to wash out, but there is definitely change in the air, whether it’s for good or for ill, we will have to see. It is strange, but as we watch the once unimaginable become commonplace, ordinary life goes on in so many small ways. Kids still play football on Friday nights, the cats still need to be fed and we come together to celebrate the small joys that make up a lifetime. The tide rises and the tide falls, indeed, and we persist. So, in the spirit of hope for tomorrow and a fond remembrance for our past, won’t you join me now as we stand and make, Temptation at -77°.

Gin Tomatini

July 22, 2025 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

Abundance is a tricky thing. Just what do you do when there is more than you need? Well, assuming you are not a grasshopper, you can always plan for the future and lay up stock against times of austerity. You can share your bounty with friends and neighbors, that is always a good policy. Or, you can go the more bacchanalian route and gorge yourself in a celebration of overindulgence and fully sated regret, like I often do. They’re all viable options, some better than others, but each with its own price and reward. Personally, I like all three choices and I hate being limited so let’s just push forward and see what happens as we stand and make the Gin Tomatini.

Paris is Burning

May 7, 2025 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

They say that where there is smoke, there is fire. That is mostly true, though, if we are honest, once a small fire has kicked over into a full scale conflagration the amount of smoke generally drops down as more fuel is consumed. Like the danger to follow, the smoke starts small and increases slowly until things really get going. Those first tendrils are a warning of what is to come, that is why we have firetowers. They watch for the smoke, because as long as things are smoldering you can still put the fire out. So, with a nod toward Smokey Bear and that eternal vigilance that Thomas Jefferson almost certainly did not reference, or at least not first; won’t you join me now as we stand and make the Paris is Burning.

Love & Murder

April 2, 2025 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

I am a big believer in strong emotions. I don’t go for a watered down, half-lived, namby-pamby existence. If you are going to feel things, lean into them. Like the man said in Ecclesiastes, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” So, when you love, love hard. There is no glory in being timid or only giving half your heart. Go big or go write poetry about how you almost made it or how things would have been if you had only tried a bit harder. There is no sadness so bitter as failing, knowing you did not give it your all. So with a nod toward leaning in and letting your heart take the reins, won’t you join me now as we stand and make Love & Murder.

Amaretto Sour 2.0

March 3, 2025 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

I am still trying to figure out who I am going to be when I grow up. I know that seems a bit rich from me, as my beard continues to shift into the grey side of the spectrum, but as Idris Elba famously asked, “You do realize that you are still growing, right?” I do not yet know which direction I am heading, but I hope that it is somewhere kinder and more thoughtful. If my first half century of experience as a human has taught me anything it is that learning from your mistakes is the real key to growth. Which puts me ahead of the curve, since I have made so many mistakes in this life that I am bound to have learned something from at least a few of them. I do know this, it is important to admit when you are wrong, even if it is only to yourself. So with a nod toward past transgressions, won’t you join me now as we stand and make the Amaretto Sour 2.0.