What squabbles do you have in your household over which items go in the pantry versus the fridge? We break down some of the common misconceptions of what goes where.
Then, author Jim Bastian joins to discuss his two books, Wisconsin Logging Camp, 1921, and its sequel, Willa’s Pursuit.
Guests: Greg Bach, Jim Bastian
Check out this episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Does the mustard go in the fridge or in the pantry? We go through some common and not-so-common kitchen food items and debunk where they go.
Apparently, food storage recommendations are created to address two separate considerations: safety and quality. And apparently, a lot of the guidance surrounding condiments revolves around quality. The idea is to prevent the food from deteriorating, whether that means separation, flavors, or spoilage. (beyond being a ridiculous word, spoilage is actually more of a quality issue than a safety one.)
Where do you put the following items:
Wisconsin resident and author, Jim Bastian, joins to talk about his new book Willa’s Pursuit, which is a sequel to his first book, Wisconsin Logging Camp, 1921. We discuss the origin of the first book, the historical research that went into writing it, and how long it took Jim to write it.
Here’s a synopsis of each book:
In the winter of 1971, graduate student Willa immerses herself in a sensory deprivation tank for a routine psychological experiment. The hallucinations and delusions she experiences in the tank are considered normal side effects, but the sudden ability to speak fluent French is not. Each time she enters the tank, she becomes more convinced the hallucinations are actually someone else’s memories. Her boyfriend dismisses her delusions and resulting anxiety and depression as proof that she is having a psychotic break. But what if her new abilities mean something more? Set in Wisconsin during the social turmoil and budding psychological science of the early 1970s, and inspired by actual events, Willa’s pursuit of the source of her visions and fluency in French (a condition called xenoglossia) unearths an unlikely archaeological discovery and a shocking truth that changes her life forever.
The narrative entwines the fictional story of an eight-year-old boy, Will, within that period’s rich historic context. The story meticulously incorporates the history of logging in Wisconsin, the flu pandemic, Prohibition, World War I, and post-war American culture, specific to that time and place. Will’s story reflects the challenges, hardships, and ethnic discrimination faced and overcome by American immigrants, then and now.
These themes remain as relevant today as they were in 1920, and portray an archetypal immigrant experience, which is part of the proud, shared heritage of all Americans. The colorful language, rich history, characters, and Wild West atmosphere of the region will appeal to all readers.
This weekend at The Laughing Tap you can go see Amir K! Check out some of this comedy below:
Go buy tickets here: The Laughing Tap
$20 tickets, no drink minimum, the best deal in town!
