The Good Stuff
Jam and Superman
Good Jam
Unless I’m out for breakfast with a friend, I eat oatmeal every morning. On the weekend, I treat myself to a piece of toast as well. When a piece of toast is the special indulgence you look forward to, it had better be good bread, right? I get a fresh loaf at a local bakery every Saturday morning.
And I buy good jam. Cherry has been my favorite flavor for the past few years. Bonne Maman is the premium brand most widely available in grocery stores. It’s good quality, but it’s awfully sweet – a bit too much like cherry pie filling for my taste.
The very best cherry jam I’ve had is American Spoon’s Sour Cherry Preserves. It’s very flavorful; not too sweet; lots of cherries in a preserve of perfect consistency. I bought it first through Zingermans, an online food site I’ve written about before, but you can order directly from American Spoon. They have a range of small-batch jams, preserves, and nut butters. I’m trying apricot next; when was the last time you had some really good apricot jam?
I realize that I am plumbing the depths of a hedonism you might not have suspected if you know me as a somewhat reserved elderly gentleman. We all have our secrets.
- Jack Jr.
Superman
Like pretty much everyone else, I’ve had a bad case of superhero movie fatigue for a few years now. I just don’t really care about whatever Marvel’s D-list heroes are doing in their new movie that I have to watch three obscure Disney+ shows to understand. I’ve also never really been a big Superman fan. I watched the Christopher Reeve movies as a kid and liked them fine. I really hated Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, though I thought Henry Cavill did a good job.
So, I didn’t really have much interest in or expectations for James Gunn’s take on Superman. But when I found myself show-less, waiting for the next episode of Slow Horses, I discovered that the new Superman movie was on HBO Max. Or Max. Or Whatever it’s called now. Reader, I actually liked it quite a bit. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and it doesn’t ask you to take it seriously (unlike, say, Zack Snyder). Check it out.
- Jack III
I don’t have much to say about junior’s post, but I got the feeling I was reading the diary of someone who grew up in the depression with just a little bit more money than the average chap. I appreciate the food website recommendation, as my 13 year old is oddly fond of fancy jams.
Jack III, I’m a little surprised by your Superman opinion. Not in a bad way, simply wouldn’t have guessed you liking it. I grew up with the same opinions of previous Superman movies (and shows) and am also growing fatigued of the Marvel movies I’ve loved over the past decade plus. In my mind, modern Marvel is well-written (sans most anything post End Game), lighthearted yet heartfelt, believable while still fantasy, and the connection to characters exquisite. DC has been dark, moody, and in every way possible, missing the mark. Which is why I worried about Gunn making this movie.
I love (emphasis on love) Guardians of the Galaxy. I love the humor, the silliness, the music, the adventure, and the Disney ride is incredible! However, seeing a DC movie with that same personality felt wrong to me, like Palpatine playing a Jedi for Halloween. It wasn’t that the movie was that bad, but it just felt off for a Superman movie to have the goofy nature rather than the traditional moodiness of DC. For me, I finished watching and thought, “hmm, interesting.”
Not that my opinion means much, but it is mine and felt like you should know. ;)
Thanks for the tasting and III movie preferences. G M Blueberry preserves on White Mountain Bread toast, and a short flick, very satisfying. Have a great weekend kids Hugs P>S> Garret your opinion means a lot!!!