The University of Chicago Press celebrates Juneteenth and the opening of the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side with the following titles:
https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19edfc2f6d71e66a
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Facebook lists the Cachagua Country Fair east of Carmel Valley, California as being held on July 11, 2026 this year.
The following link provides details about this fun family event:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10238327398502930
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Chicken Enchiladas and Bird Watching at Plaza Linda Restaurant in Carmel Valley, California by Ruth Paget
I saw an announcement for an Audobon hike at Rana Creek Preserve in Carmel Valley on the Monterey County Weekly’s Online Community Calendar and liked the idea of bird watching, but not the two-mile hike.
However, the dense oak forest by Rana Creek is similar to the forest surrounding Carmel Valley Village as well. There is even a restaurant where you can sit on an outdoor terrace right by the woods and do some bird watching as you eat chicken enchiladas or other delicious Mexican food at the Plaza Linda Restaurant.
(Plaza Linda is located at the eastern end of the Village along Carmel Valley Road before it mounts into the mountains toward Cachuaga.)
The trees you can see from Plaza Linda’s terrace are oak. They are an ecosystem for birds who occupy the tree’s canopy above the restaurant.
Three bird species of note for their colorful plumage (feathers) include:
-yellow-billed magpies
-goldfinches
-orioles
The following details will allow you to identify these birds easily:
*yellow-billed magpies
-yellow bills -black and white songbird
-feeds on insects, seeds, and acorns from oak trees
-yellow-billed magpies are only found in Carmel Valley, California
*goldfinches
-called a wild canary
-the male is bright yellow and black in summer. The male turns gray in winter -seed eaters
-goldfinches especially like thistle seeds, sunflower seeds, and dandelion seeds
*orioles
-black, yellow, and red plumage
-red-orange chest
-feeds on insects, fruit, and nectar -songbirds
I found the above information on the Audobon website, which has much more detail on these birds and other wildlife in Rana Creek.
For people who would like to go on the hikes at the Rana Creek Preserve and learn about the 200 wildlife species in this ecosystem in Carmel Valley, I have posted a link to the Rana Creek Preserve below:
https://wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve/rana-creek-preserve/
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
This study about the future of wellness for Millenials and Gen-Z by McKinsey is interesting, especially for companies providing wellness services:
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Gams
The stresses on millennial health have increased over previous generations requiring more preventative care according to this study by Blue Cross Blue Shield:
https://www.bcbs.com/dA/17117d2b3e/fileAsset/HOA-Millennial-Health_2019.pdf
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Big tourism weekend in Salinas, California beginning June 16, 2026!
The Ferrari Challenge is at Laguna Seca and the Rodeo is happening in downtown Salinas, California.
Summer is here!
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
King Hibachi has several food truck locations and dates in Salinas, California. They also do catering for parties and will drive to your location for barbecue menus.
More information and catering request form follow:
https://www.kinghibachica.com/
Note: I learned about this food truck on Tik Tok.
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Gsmes
The Monterey County Weekly Online Community Calendar lists the showing of a documentary directed by David Alvarado about the life of Luis Valdez, the founder of Teatro Campesino, beginning today June 17 and laying through June 28, 2026 in San Juan Bautista, California.
Information about the documentary from the Monterey County Weekly online commmunity calendar follows:
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
I think the following Tik Tok video by Christian Grossi about drone food delivery in a Chinese park shows a glimpse of the future in the US.
I like the recycling of the delivery box.
The Tik Tok video follows:
https://www.tiktok.com/@christian.grossi/video/7633007814197267742?_r=1&_t=ZP-97GtRi2XMWl
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
University of Chicago suggested summer reads by Quantrell Teaching Award Winners for June 16, 2026 follow:
I think J.L. Carr’s A Month in the Country about restoring a medieval mural in Northern England thanks to highly skilled labor and the healing power of great art looks very interesting. In fact, that sounds like a good screenplay.
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Photographer Jason Bradley will exhibit 30 years of his work documenting life along the Pacific in his exhibit entitled Along the Pacific Edge at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in Pacific Grove, California beginning with a reception on June 17, 2026 at the Museum.
Details about the reception, artist’s talk, and exhibit follow:
https://www.bradleyphotographic.com/events/along-the-pacific-edge
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Gladius: The World of the Roman Soldier written by Guy de la Bedoyere and sold by the University of Chicago Press offers fathers an examination of how the egalitarian Roman army helped create an Empire whose institutions still exist in the United States.
More information on Gladius and purchase details follow:
https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/G/bo68460708.html
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of 8 Ancient Western Civilization Games detailed in the link below:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/ancient-western-civilixation-games.html?m=1
Ancient Rome and Latin Literature Reading list organized by Ruth Paget
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/08/ancient-rome-and-latin-literature.html?m=1
Ancient Rome had to contend with Egypt, so I have included this reading list entitled Hatsupset for Egypt’s female Pharoah:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2019/01/pharaoh-hatshepset-ancient-egypt.html?m=1
What’s Grubbin’ Food Truck Nights in Salinas, California calendar from June to November 2026 follows:
https://www.salinas.gov/Events/Whats-Grubbin-Salinas
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Financial Literacy is a Required Class for High School Students to Graduate in California Beginning in 2026 - 2027 reposted by Ruth Paget
Beginning in the 2026 -2027 school year, the State of California is requiring high school students to complete a semester-long financial literacy course for graduation.
Further information about the financial literacy requirement follows in this media release by the State of California:
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento war games
The Monterey County Weekly Online Community Calendar lists a Digital Game Design Workshop at Artists’ Ink Studio in Salinas, California on June 17, 2026.
More information about this workshop from the Monterey County Weekly Online Calendar follows:
https://www.montereycountynow.com/events/#/details/digital-game-design/19017141/2026-06-17T17
Programs like this form part of Salinas, California’s tech ecosystem.
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento war games
Gyoza Dumplings - Summer 2026 Easy Meal Suggested by Ruth Paget
Frozen gyoza are an easy baked meal that come with dipping sauce. Adding a squirt of Kewpie mayonnaise and some snipped green onions makes these taste even better!
You can find gyoza at the more than 100 H Marts located across the United States at their website below (click to get the store locator):
All you do for gyoza is line a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake. Teens can make these for busy parents.
They are usually filled with cabbage, onions, and carrots and come with a soy dipping sauce. Some come with a pork filling, so check ingredients if you have allergies or dietary preferences.
I think our local Costco also carries gyoza and Chinese potstickers as well.
Gyoza are a simple meal to make and most bags of them are large.
They are perfect for trying an Asian comfort food at home without spending too much money.
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento war games
UChicago Family Workshop: From Sistrums to Saxophones: Music through the Ages hosted by the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures reposted by Ruth Paget
The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures at the University of Chicago is hosting a family workshop called “From Sistrums to Saxophones: Music Through the Ages” on June 13, 2026.
Information and ticket purchase details follow:
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento war games
The Monterey County Weekly Online Community Calendar lists a free workshop on how to use a 3D printer at the Greenfield Branch of the Monterey County Free Libraries on June 11, 2026 with 3 more programs planned after that.
More information about the 3D printing workshop at the Greenfield Library on the Monterey County Weekly Online Community Calendar follows:
This workshop is part of Monterey County’s tech ecosystem.
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento war games
Great Depression Beater Cookbook Review by Ruth Paget
The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook was published in 1930 and helped the Midwestern United States with its short summers and long, icy winters survive the Great Depression and World War II using the farm resources of the country.
There are 1,200 recipes in the cookbook with excellent recipes for meat, grilling, canning and preserving summer’s bounty, and dessert recipes galore for cakes, pies, and cookies.
You can identify someone as Midwestern in time of crisis for want to dunk the following pantry cookies in tea, coffee, or milk:
-sugar cookies
-oatmeal cookies
-peanut butter cookies
-peanut blossoms (peanut butter cookies baked with a Hershey Kiss in the center)
-chocolate chip cookies
I would add non-dunkable lemon bar cookies to this list as well.
My favorite section of the book is devoted to bread. I like 00 flour for its high protein content, but this flour used for pizza dough does make bread dense. About 1/3 of the book is devoted to bread.
The following list of breads I have made using the book's recipes seems long, but it is the tip of the iceberg iof recipes n the cookbook:
-sourdough – The Midwest prefers yeast breads, but makes sourdough as an exotic bread from San Francisco
-onion and olive focaccia – this flatbread pizza also tastes good with herbs and grated gruyère as well.
-pepper-cheese bread
-Dinner rolls with photos to know how to form the basic shapes for baking for butterhorns (croissants), Parker House rolls, rosettes, and clover leaf rolls
-breadsticks
-brioche
-banana-walnut
-zucchini bread
-nut bread
-pumpkin bread (I also make applesauce bread with this same recipe)
-lemon bread
-raisin-carrot bread
-corn bread
-cheddar bread
The following are cakes that I bake in a loaf pan and eat like bread:
-spice cake
-apple cake
-carrot cake
-banana cake
-banana nutroll
The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook currently sells for $10.99 for a paperback version with 1,200 recipes. I like its recipes for that read like chemistry experiment instructions, have nutritional information printed at the end of them, and provide photographs for some of the trickier recipes.
This cookbook has many recipes using flour and corn flour, reflecting Midwestern agricultural staples. If you like and are not allergic to these products, there are many recipes in this cookbook that are relatively low-cost to prepare at home that make the book a good purchase.
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games