In which we page through some music, some meatballs, and some TV shows

Music (and/or books): A while ago I read Questlove’s Music is History (well, all right, I listened to him narrate it), and found it fascinating. At the time, I put it into the back of my mind to listen to all that music. This being 2026, Spotify had the playlist just waiting for me, and lately I’ve been listening to it while working in the kitchen. Food prep, one of my favorite activities, always seems to go better with music, and the "Music is History" playlist seems to have been invented to bop along while you chop. Most of the music is not what I normally listen to, so it enriches the kitchen experience in many, many ways. The book, and the playlist, are highly recommended. 

Food: Speaking of which, some very nice meatballs: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/770849339-spinach-meatballs-with-pasta?smid=share-url I am of the school of spinach-enhancement: much of what I do in the kitchen comes out better if I throw some spinach into it. First of all, you get a nice extra vegetable, but on top of that you get a nice extra flavor. And when you sneak it into a meatball, even your spinach-averse friends (of which I have too many) will gobble it right down. 

Meanwhile, I have found that I have been relying way too much on the Times app, and lately have been going back to all my cookbooks, of which I have a very nice collection. For the record: if the Times covers a recipe you have in a book, e.g., Pierre Franey’s moussaka, use the book. The Times modifies things a lot, and in my experience the original is always better.

Television: Catching up a bit:

• “All Creatures Great and Small” is perfect PBS comfort viewing. And as you want with a farm vet story, plenty of arms up inside large animals. It’s a Masterpiece Theatre presentation, and I can’t imagine anything better fitting into relaxing Sunday night entertainment. 
• There’s a bunch of CNN docuseries on HBO/Max, the latest of which I watched being about the history of Las Vegas. There’s a certain corniness and obviousness to these shows, but they’re interesting enough that one sticks with them. I mean, when was the last time you saw Wayne Newton?
• Justin Willman is a magician with a bunch of shows on Netflix. I’ve watched them all, including the most recent one. I’ve also seen him live at one of our local theaters. He’s as personable as can be, and original. I recommend all of his stuff. 
• “The Punisher” is one of the Netflix series of Marvel stories now airing on Disney+. I think these series get a bad rap. Granted some seasons are better than others, but I’ve found them at worst watchable and at best interesting and unique stuff. Considering that Disney has resurrected Daredevil (a second season starts soon), it’s not bad to go back into the archives. I thought the Punisher first season that I just finished was pretty good. The series in order lists Jessica Jones season 2 next, but I’ve already watched that, so next up will be Luke Cage’s second season. Mike Colter, the Luke Cage actor, has been a favorite of mine since I first met him as an elegant mobster back on “The Good Wife.” I guess what I’m saying is that if you’ve been going by the so-so critical response to these shows and avoiding them, you might want to rethink that.