HUNGRY GERALD

TOBY, The Wonder Dog, is HG’s beloved companion.  Here on Prince Edward Island, the site of HG/BSK’s oceanfront home (sea views and sunsets), Toby and Pip (daughter Lesley and her husband Massimo’s charming female dog) sleep in HG/BSK’s bedroom (L. & M. are in Padua, Italy). Silent  sleepy dogs provide convenient wake ups. Toby is very alert to the dangers confronting HG (infirm and 95-years old). If there are any signs of a mishap, Toby is at HG’s side, barking loudly for help. Splendid guardian. Toby is a small dog with a big appetite. He always wants a nosh. When HG dines at table, Toby is on the floor at HG’s side, alert for any crumbs. He also looks at HG with big imploring eyes. The message: “You are a big guy. I’m a famished little dog. Give me some of your food.”). In times past, HG gave in to Toby’s eloquent beseeching and fed him morsels from the table. Angry objections from BSK. You will make the dog ill, BSK accused. So, no more table treats for The Wonder Dog. But, he still guilt provokes HG.

Rain drenched Prince Edward Island. HG, comfy in HG/BSK’s snug oceanfront home, contemplated lunch. Pleasant discovery. There was a bowl of quinoa (a favorite HG grain) in the fridge. HG warmed it up with a chunk of butter, covered it with a big layer of sour cream, dusted it with sea salt and ground black pepper. A large cup of coffee. Bliss (reminiscent of youthful Bronx lunches with chicken fat instead of butter as the lubricant). BSK makes pasta with vegetable sauces better than any restaurant.  HG is looking forward  tonight to BSK’s super-lush cauliflower and blue cheese pasta. This will be accompanied by grated parmesan, lots of ground black pepper and a splash of olive oil.   Glasses of Malbec.  Comfort and happiness.

Yes, “going to the movies” illuminated HG’s  growing up years in The Bronx. “Dracula” created a lifelong fear of bats. “Frankenstein” was the source of a stomp footed impersonation. “Robin Hood” inspired little HG to improvise a bow-and-arrow..  HG never called movies “cinema” They were just “movies.” These are HG’s favorite (in no order) movies and documentaries that HG has watched repeatedly through the years; Children of Paradise, Grande Illusion, Tampopo, Rashomon, Godfather ! and 2, Goodfellas, The Dead, Prizzi’s Honor, Citizen Kane, Chicago and Cabaret musicals–also  Singing In the Rain; Sweet Smell of Success;  A Sunday in the Country; Shoah; Sorrow and the Pity; Schindler’s LIst. There’s a preponderance of Mafia and Holocaust movies and documentaries, so be it.

A lavish birthday dinner for 84-year-old BSK (Looks half that age and still lithe, beautiful, energetic and shapely). BSK’s kid sister, Noel M., and her husband, Yossl M., staged the event at their verdant Ocean Mist Farm near Panmure Island on the south shore of Prince Edward Island. Also present at the festivities was their neighbor, Marina. The menu was lobsters (harvested from the waters in the morning) and potato salad. Splendid side dish was seasonal asparagus grown at Ocean Mist Farm. Delicious meal of local taste treats. BSK blew out the candles on an iced cake baked by Marina. Chilled glasses of Rose’. Ice cream for dessert. Happiness. Hey, BSK, have many, many more B’days. (Took home slices of Marina’s cake. HG had it for breakfast this morning covered with honey. Yum with coffee).

It’s June 3 at HG/BSK’s  oceanfront home on Prince Edward Island–BSK’s birthday. Wonder Woman is 84. Ridiculous. BSK looks half that age–and is vigorous, strong, flexible and shapely. BSK takes 24/7 care of 95-year-old HG (the geezer would be long dead without BSK’s loving attention).  Daughter Lesley and her husband, Massimo, are in Padua, Italy, so this means BSK is   in charge of the family dog companions, Toby and Pip (they  happily sleep in HG/BSK’s bedroom). BSK walks, grooms, feeds them (longest walk is before bedtime). BSK does numerous indoor chores while tending to outdoor gardens (floral, herb and kitchen).  BSK manages to make art in the studio while preparing sumptuous breakfasts for HG and lush suppers for HG/BSK (illuminated by candle light). BSK remains beautiful, the love of HG’s life, and does everything with graceful ease. 84? You’ve got to be kidding!!

Shakshuka is a simple and comforting dish—good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s a basic part of Israeli cuisine, available at gas stations, convenience stores, casual restaurants and at home, of course.  (Some form of the dish is eaten in every country in the Middle East). It is composed of poached eggs on a bed of stewed tomatoes, peppers, cumin and garlic. Spoonfuls of harissa make it picante. It’s often topped with Greek yogurt sprinkled with zaatar. Best recipe is from Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbook,”Jerusalem.” Last night, BSK made an Arab version with butter beans, scallions, cinnamon, bay leaves and onions–plus much feta cheese. It was a very hearty and tasty dish. However, HG prefers the Ottolenghi version accompanied by pita and glasses of pinot noir.

In a month, HG will have been married to BSK for 62 years. Hey, that’s a lot of years. HG’s wedding day to this fabulous woman was the luckiest day of HG’s life. Let HG count the blessings. BSK was a beautiful, svelte and shapely bride (and has remained so). HG is 95. Infirm but mentally alert and still able to write. If not for the 24/7 care from BSK, HG would be dead. (Thanks, Wonder Woman). And, BSK cooks–making every supper a gourmand  and visual pleasure (candle light, nicely arranged table with cloth napkins)  Last night, BSK created a savory stew/ragout of chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, fennel, olive oil. Lots of lemon juice, much grated cheese. As always, fabulous eating and drinking (pinot noir). Another culinary wonder from BSK.

It has been a joy having a wonderful daughter, Lesley R., in Prince Edward Island with HG/BSK. Lesley’s presence illuminated every day at the family’s oceanfront home ( great sea views). Her cooking made every supper a feast. And, of course, she did the heavy lifting in getting the PEI home in order after a long, rainy drive from Rhode Island. Bad news: Lesley left for Rhody this morning. Good news: She’ll be back in a few weeks. Pip, Lesley and husband Massimo’s gentle and intelligent female dog, and Toby, HG/BSK’s Wonder Dog, are bereft at Lesley’s absence and affectionate cuddles and tummy rubs. Pets and people are looking forward to a big, jolly family reunion on the Island this summer.

Gifted daughter Lesley R. and BSK shared a long and rainy drive to their family oceanfront home on Prince Edward Island. HG/BSK and Lesley are glad to be in this green and gentle island of beautiful beaches and a population that values diversity, helpful cooperation and democratic principles.  All arrived exhausted and hungry. Lesley quickly cooked a Chinese egg drop, vegetable, noodle soup. Very comforting. On the next night, after a day of unloading the car, putting the house in order, etc., dinner was a tasty collaboration of Lesley and BSK —Spaghetti Arrabiata. Drank much red wine. The delightful doggie companions–Toby and Pip–were very good auto travelers and were overjoyed to be on PEI where they look forward to much beach romping. The human arrivals are looking forward to oysters and other sparkling seafood from Juilo, the nearby seafood merchant.

When HG was six years old, HG and Mom lived in an Athens, GA., boarding house. HG’s late Mom was there to help nurse HG’s older brother, Bernard, after his leg was amputated following a barnstorming plane cras). The boarding house cook was an amiable Black woman (HG played happily with her kids). She was a gifted cook and fried everything in lard. Breakfast was fried eggs with grits. Lunch and dinner featured fried fish, pork and savory stews and vegetables. Little HG’s favorite veggie dish was a melange of okra, corn kernels and tomatoes. Grits and sweet potatoes with everything. HG has happy nostalgia about this down home southern cuisine. HG/BSK share a fondness for okra. BSK usually buys fresh when it appears at markets. Happily, it’s now in season. That means it’s time for BSK’s tasty version of gumbo. The ingredients: okra, shrimp, onions, peppers, olive oil, garlic, fish broth and andouille sausage (Schaller & Weber). HG  made a sauce of mayonnaise and hot sauce and added spoonfuls to HG’s steaming bowl. Fabulous eating. BSK’s cooking sometimes has a deep south edge bringing back memories to HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft.