I’m sure that Europe never had a fish as tasty as the shad . . . Ogden Nash 

A member of the herring family, the American shad—Alosa sapidissima—is anadromous:  it migrates from its saltwater habitat upriver with the single purpose of reaching a specific freshwater stream in which to spawn.  It usually makes the journey from mid-April to mid-June, swimming upriver in groups without stopping to eat.  https://connecticuthistory.org/a-tale-of-shad-the-state-fish/ 

This seacuterie board is sure to make a splash at your next dinner party.  From shrimp and seaweed salad to octopus and oranges, have fun with your favorite seafood and side bites.  Then present them on a sheet pan for easy serving.  Plus, learn how to shuck your own oysters.  Betsy Carter & Karlee Rotoly   https://tasty.co/recipe/how-to-make-a-fresh-seacuterie-board 

Ruby City is a contemporary art center in San Antonio, TX, dedicated to providing a space for the city’s thriving creative community to experience works by both local and internationally-acclaimed artists.  Envisioned in 2007 by the late collector, philanthropist and artist Linda Pace, Ruby City presents works from the Linda Pace Foundation Collection of more than 900 paintings, sculptures, installations and video works.  The new building, designed by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye OBE is part of a campus, which also includes Chris Park, a one-acre public green space named in memory of Pace’s son, and Studio, an auxiliary exhibition space which presents curated shows and programming throughout the year.  Ruby City is free and open to the public.  https://www.rubycity.org/about/ 

Sweet pea is a flowering plant in the genus Lathyrus and in the Fabaceae family, so it is related to fava beans and other legumes.  It is native to Sicily, Cyprus, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands.  The sweet pea became a floral sensation in the late Victorian era.  In the language of flowers, a bouquet of sweet peas meant “goodbye” or “thank you for a lovely time.”  English gardeners fondly call the sweet pea the “Queen of Annuals.”  Now sweet peas are grown all over the world and found in every color of the rainbow except orange and yellow.  Sweet peas bloom from spring to early summer and they prefer cool, moist soil.  https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=41438  See also https://www.poeuvreart.com/en/artist_-reproductions/Georgia-Okeeffe/georgia-o-keeffe-yellow-sweet-peas-c-1925.html 

Some people call the parsnip edible; myself I find this claim incredible.  Ogden Nash  

The parsnip's unique flavor comes when its starches change to sugar.  This happens after the first frost, when the vegetable is still in the ground.  In Europe, parsnips were used to sweeten jams and cakes before sugar was widely available.  Chloe Thompson  https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/5-fun-facts-about-parsnips 

wallflower noun

1a:  any of several Old World perennial herbs (genus Cheiranthus) of the mustard family especially : a hardy erect herb (C. cheiri) widely cultivated for its showy fragrant flowers

b:  any of a related genus (Erysimum) of herbs with showy flowers

2a:  a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains on the sidelines of a social activity (such as a dance)

b:  a shy or reserved person  Read more and see illustration at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wallflower 

Chicory is a caffeine-free herb that is a popular coffee substitute.  It is most well known in New Orleans coffee (or "chicory coffee") recipes, and it can be brewed and enjoyed on its own for its dark, rich flavor.  Chicory is native to northern Africa, western Asia, and Europe; and was brought to North America in the 1700s.  Chicory comes from the chicory plant (Cichorium intybus), a hardy perennial with purplish blue flowers that open and close at the same time each day.  It is common in North America and Europe.  Chicory is also known as chicory root, curly endive, and succory.  Although chicory leaves and flowers are used in food, the chicory root is what is used to make "chicory."  Link to recipes at https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-chicory-766431 

Deus ex machina ("god out of the machine") is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence.  Its function is generally to resolve an otherwise irresolvable plot situation, to surprise the audience, to bring the tale to a happy ending, or act as a comedic device.  Find examples at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina 

The Hunger Games was filmed entirely in North Carolina’s rural and urban sites.  NC’s Big Ivy Area, known to locals as Coleman Boundary, was District 12’s forest where Gale and Katniss hunt, while the DuPont State Forest was used for Arena scenes. * Katz’s Deli, famous for its towering old-school sandwiches, like the quintessential pastrami on rye, is still popular today, thanks in part to that cult Meg Ryan scene in When Harry Met Sally. * Near the coastal town of Taormina in Sicily, you’ll find Savoca, which stood in for the real village of Corleone in The Godfather.  The pretty village is dotted with hillside terrace homes where citrus trees and cactus spill out, and looks out to the Ionian Sea from one side. *  When the Jurassic Park cast first approach Isla Nublar in the hit film, it’s actually Kauai’s Na Pali Coast in Hawaii that you’re seeing. * One of the most memorable scenes in Silver Linings Playbook happens at the Llanerch Diner in Upper Darby.  Now, regulars compete with fans of the flick for a seat at the famed booth where Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence sat.  https://www.delicious.com.au/travel/international/gallery/50-places-around-world-famous-movies-were-filmed/x3tb68kq?page=50  See also https://www.roughguides.com/gallery/40-film-locations-around-the-world/ and https://www.loveexploring.com/gallerylist/73233/filming-movie-locations-usa and https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/60109/15-real-movie-locations-you-can-actually-visit 

http://librariansmuse.blogspot.com  Issue 2418  September 9, 2021