I spend so much time inside windowless theaters, rehearsing, building sets, etc., so I'm always on the lookout for ways to get outside and enjoy a little fresh air. I recently spent a day at Longwood Gardens and was blown away. It was the perfect spring day and the array of trees, flowers and other plants was breathtaking. I was particularly stunned by their collection of orchids. I had no idea there were so many varieties! I'm looking forward to going back with friends or family to get some exercise on their expansive grounds, or just sit on a bench and let the sound of the water, the gorgeous views and the rich plant aromas wash my troubles away.

Every spring I whip out my copy of the Carlyle, Okey and Wicksteed translation of Dante Alighieri's Divina Commedia. Color is such a huge part of my existence, and the Commedia is the most vivid book I've ever read. Inferno consists of mossy green, muddy brown and slate, Purgatorio is awash with jewellike pastels and the Paradiso causes one to breathe in various shades of chilly blue and shimmering white. On that note, Gustav Dore's woodcut illustrations for the poem make the perfect Divina Commedia reading companion: All of the pictures are printed in black ink only, allowing you to paint in the proper hues with your mind's eye.

When I happened upon Marilyn Johnson's book The Dead Beat: Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries I had to get it. I'm still reading, but so far I've discovered that there are differences between the English and American obituary (the English are more cheeky), and that death seems to come in waves—a few jazz musicians this week, scientists who discovered vitamins A and K (separately) the next. In the early '80s, the Daily News began penning paragraphs about the average Jane using deadpan deliveries, sideways slants and devilish details. Newspapers across the nation have taken up the beat. Take this one, for example: "In a lot of scenes in the past years, she was the woman holding up the scenery." I can relate.

The grilled seitan tips at Azure is one of the best vegetarian dishes in the city, but the fine folks at my house have perfected a super cheap knockoff that will enlighten your summer BBQ sessions. Here's how it goes: Buy Vital Wheat Gluten powder in bulk from a natural food store. It is quite inexpensive. Mix it up in a bowl with some spices; for grilling we use a Latin rub. Pour water over the mixture until no more water can be absorbed. Cut the meaty mass into strips and coat with olive oil. Baste them with BBQ sauce and throw them on a fiery hot grill. Give them a few minutes on each side to get crispy and you are set! (Thanks to the illustrious J. Bashcake for his seitan prowess.)