HUNGRY GERALD

In his novel, “By Love Possessed, James Gould Cozzens described whiskey as “the old man’s friend.” At age 88 (89 in the autumn), HG agrees. However, HG has many other alcoholic pals that enhance HG’s pre-dinner, dinner and post dinner routine. HG does not drink anything alcoholic before 6PM. The exception is lunchtime in Paris. Restaurant luncheon cartes in that city are much more modestly priced than those in the evening. Therefore, HG accompanies his Parisian lunches (modern inventive or classically traditional) with ample wine. HG combats the wooziness that usually accompanies a bibulous luncheon by espressos and as much walking as the old fellow can accommodate. At home in New Mexico or Prince Edward Island, HG defies the health police and moderation counsellors by relishing boozy evenings. Bloody Mary (generous pour of vodka) at six. White wine, if having oysters or other seafood appetizers. With dinner, red wine (from Chile, Argentina, Spain or California). Marc, bourbon or Canadian rye after the meal. Sometimes brandy enhanced by Peychaud’s Bitters. Is HG shortening HG’s life by alcoholic excess? Possibly. But, the pleasure negates the risk.

Errands brought HG/BSK into Charlottetown on a sunny, brisk day. The capital city is becoming a foodie destination due to Prince Edward Island’s surprisingly diverse population (PEI has given a warm welcome to a large number of Syrian refugees, shaming the so-called Christian country to the south). On the downtown streets there are Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Lebanese restaurants. Also an Asian grill and a traditional English fish-and-chips joint. Naturally, there are lots of eateries dispensing mussels, lobsters, scallops and other local PEI treats. HG/BSK lunched at Sadat’s Cuisine, an Afghan/Middle Eastern restaurant serving halal kebabs and many vegetarian dishes. HG/BSK had splendid steamed ground lamb dumplings in a yogurt and pea sauce. Also, sauteed eggplant slices and a robust platter of delectable stewed spinach with outstanding rice mixed with raisins and carrot slivers. Home made pita, tstaziki, hot sauce. Pot of steaming green tea. Smiling, gentle service. Modest prices. HG/BSK will be back.

Dramatic sunsets viewed from the living room of HG/BSK’s home on the Prince Edward Island oceanfront evoke many favorite painters. J.M.W. Turner, of course, with his mastery of sea, mist and sky colors. Kenneth Noland and strong horizontal bars of color. Mark Rothko and his homages to color. Also Milton Avery, Albert Pinkham Ryder and Arthur Dove with their unique images of sea shores. All of this musing about color led BSK, with BSK’s remarkable eye and background in art history, to closely examine Toby, The Wonder Dog: And, voila!! Toby’s black splashes of colors resemble Robert Motherwell’s monumental “Elegy to the Spanish Republic”. That painting and Picasso’s “Guernica”, are two of the greatest paintings of the twentieth century, fitting commentaries on the tragic events of the pivotal Spanish Civil War. “No pasaran” was the motto of the Republican Loyalists fighting the Fascists. “They shall not pass.” Unfortunately, with the aid of Hitler and Mussolini’s aircraft, the Loyalists were defeated leading to decades of General Franco’s dictatorship. With the markings of Motherwell’s painting upon him. Toby gives HG/BSK hope that the current American Fascist wave will soon recede and disappear.