Overrun by Capybaras and Double Dare Memories
Childhood games for the win.
Hello, friends to another week of the quirky happy that makes this Substack possible.
We always need more white flowers blooming in trees around us, don’t you think?
Guess what’s celebrating it’s 50th anniversary? Dungeons and Dragons! I was a addicted to playing D&D when I was younger. For some reason I was always a fairy who would end up in a pub and killed in a fight with an org who would snap me in two.
“This year is special – it’s the 50th anniversary of D&D. It was early 1974 that the first edition was launched; a brown wood-grain box containing three slim rulebooks. One of the big announcements of the event is that Wizards of the Coast is publishing a range of nostalgic half-century celebrations, including two new campaigns based on classic D&D adventures from the 70s and 80s, Vecna: Eve of Ruin and Quests from the Infinite Staircase. There’s also a 500-page tome entitled The Making of Original D&D: 1970-1977, which reprints the original manuscript of D&D, complete with handwritten annotations.
The finished product was printed in early 1974. Only a thousand were made, each selling for $10. The customers were people who were already deep into wargaming, reached through fanzines and conventions. At the time, there was little money in it, but Gygax set up a company named Tactical Studies Research to publish D&D, taking a $1,000 loan from his friend Don Kaye. TSR was run from Gary and Don’s homes for a year or so as the sales trickled in, but gradually word got around about this crazy new game where you pretended to be adventurers in a medieval-themed kingdom. It found it’s way onto university campuses; in 1975 the UK company Games Workshop started distributing it in Europe. By the end of 1975, TSR’s turnover was $60k – by the early 80s it was $20m a year and growing fast.”
I love anything made with lemon in dessert. This recipe for Lemon Pudding Bars at The Bakermama is exactly what I need.
These ingredients for an excellent Lemon Pudding Bar:
All-purpose flour
Powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
Fresh lemons
Unsalted butter, well softened
Instant lemon pudding mix
Milk
Whipped topping (I use Cool Whip)
If you are in NYC and want to see an affordable off Broadway show that’s fabulous, especially if you’re a Gen-Xer and grew up watching Nickelodeon, circa late 80’s and early 90’s, and Double Dare was your jam, you must check out The Life & Slimes of Marc Summers. The actual Marc Summers tells his life story with some great audience participation (If you’re chosen, you’ll end up as a contestant on a mini version of Double Dare). The experience was amazing, especially because I grew up watching Marc because of Double Dare, and the followed him to the Food Network when he was the host of the show Unwrapped. You’ll laugh, applaud, and also may shed a tear. I even got to try a fan favorite, Pick It challenge.
Would it be that bad if you lived in a town overrun by capybaras?
I’m this many years old today because I found out the Pillsbury Doughboy has an actual name. It’s Poppin’ Fresh. He was born in 1965. For more facts about our favorite Doughboy, check out Pillsbury.com
This week’s book recommendation is from 2014- Six of Heart by L.H. Cosway.
Step right up and meet Jay Fields: Illusionist. Mentalist. Trickster.
I think in triangles. You think in straight lines.
I show you a table and make you believe it’s a chair.
Smoke and mirrors, sleight of hand, misdirection. I trick and deceive.
But most of all, I put on a good show.
The world thinks I killed a man, but I didn't. Bear with me. It’s all a part of the plan.
Revenge is what I want. I want it for me and I want it for her.
I want it for all six of us.
She doesn't remember me, but she’s the reason for everything. She’ll be my prize at the end of all this–if I can hold onto my willpower, that is. Maybe I’ll slip up a little, have a taste, just a small one.
So go ahead and pick a card. Come inside and see the show. Look at my hands, look so closely that you can’t see what’s happening while you’re so focused on looking. I’ll be destroying your world from right here in the spotlight.
You’ll never see me coming until it’s too late.
I've only got one heart, and after I've pulled off my grand deception I’ll hand it right to her.
So, sit back, relax, and let my girl tell you our story. You’re in for one hell of a ride.
Why I’m recommending this book- Six of Hearts is absolutely engaging. Jay is a delight as he spends his time practicing his tricks, while wooing Matilda. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. Jay is very much a giver where Matilda is concerned. There is one such scene between them that is so hot and naughty. L.H. can sure write some passionate love scenes (even those that don't have sex in them). There are a few twists and turns I didn't see coming regarding Jay's need for revenge.
Jay adores Matilda and needs her in his life. She's very special to him, which the reader figures out within their first meeting why Jay holds her dear. Jay is a breath for fresh air for Matilda, but he holds her at a distance. She can't understand why. But then his real reason for returning to Dublin is revealed and it changes everything Matilda thought she knew about Jay, and even herself.
Take a breath and fly easy into this week…