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“Wall-to-wall windows have become a signature of chic urban living, from Minneapolis to Miami. . . . But some residents say the reality can be less glamorous. Their windows often are streaked or spotty, even when washed regularly. The sun fades not just furniture but also kitchen cabinets, wood floors, artwork and even books. While urbanites are used to nearby neighbors, a glass-walled apartment without shades can be akin to being on display in a terrarium, especially at night. And temperatures near the glass can be chilly in the winter and roasting in the summer,” says an article in the Wall Street Journal.

It amazes me that so many people have wanted windows without shades or curtains for so long. Why pay to heat or air-condition a room with bare windows when most of the time, whatever the room is, nobody is in it? It’s wasting energy and pouring money down the drain.

I’m watching Hillary Clinton on television giving a speech at the Democratic party convention.  She says she’s been in the trenches for thirty-five years fighting for universal health care.  Is one in the trenches living in the White House or in a governor’s mansion?  Fighting for universal health care?  Pretty ineffectually, I’d say.  We have it in Massachusetts, no thanks to Hillary Clinton, but what about most of the rest of the country?

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This afternoon I sampled several restaurants in Providence who were participating in a program called Savor Providence to benefit the education programs of Trinity Repertory Company.  With coupons from a little booklet one could get small items at approximately 22 restaurants.
First I went to Local 121, at 121 Washington Street, a restaurant that uses many local and organic ingredients.  I had two delicious little items, a mini veggie burger and a mini sandwich of pulled pork, as well as a glass of water.  For dessert I had a small sandwich of vanilla ice cream between two cookies.  The employees seemed pleasant and competent, and the premises were attractive.  I hope to go back again for a full meal.

Walking down Washington Street toward Empire Street, I looked in at Gracie’s and Bravo Brasserie, but decided not to bother trying anything at either place.

I sat down at an outside table at Aspire, a restaurant on Westminster Street that described itself as a seafood restaurant.  A waiter came and asked me whether I’d like a fried rissotto ball, but I said “No, thanks” and left.  It did not sound appealing to me.

At Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse in the Westin Hotel, I sat at the bar and had a very nice little crawfish appetizer with a pleasant mildly spicy sauce.

Near the river I had a nice little mini tenderloin steak sandwich at a table outside Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

After crossing the river, I went to Mill’s Tavern at 101 North Main Street and had a pleasant shrimp cocktail and a glass of water at the bar.

I then went to the nearby 3 Steeple Street and sat at the bar where I had chicken-liver pâté on crackers with red onion marmalade, an Asian pear salad with greens, bleu cheese, candied pecans, and balsamic vinaigrette, and a glass of red sangria.  The bar tender was a very pleasant woman who appeared to enjoy talking with the customers.

I then walked up the hill to the Cafe Paragon on Thayer Street near Brown University.  The restaurant is a mediocre-looking student hangout that I had been to about twenty years ago when it had a different name.  The waitress seemed focused on selling me a drink that wasn’t covered by the coupons, and I left in disgust.  If they aren’t going to participate in the coupon program wholeheartedly and with good grace, they shouldn’t be participating at all.

On the whole I’d say I liked 3 Steeple Street the best, and Local 121 a close second.