In decades past, chain smoker HG would wake early. Read the home delivered New York Times. Breakfasted on cigarettes (numerous) and cups of black coffee. This unhealthy regimen (which dealt HG an almost fatal health blow in later years) left HG ravenously hungry at lunchtime. HG has happy memories of summer lunches HG enjoyed with BSK and friends. A Montclair, N.J., lunch stands out. HG/BSK lived in a Stanford White mansion with an outdoor pool and wisteria-draped pergola which shaded a dining table where HG/BSK had al fresco lunches and pre-dinner wine or (for HG) super chilled Martinis. The guest one summer day was Sue H., the food editor of a magazine with a large national circulation. After many swims, BSK served lunch. Fresh mozzarella (from a local Italian grocery); sliced ripe New Jersey tomatoes and basil (both from BSK’s garden); a splash of extra virgin Italian olive oil. Main dish was linguine with basil pesto. Ripe nectarine for dessert. Chilled Beaujolais Noveau was the drink. Drank copiously. Sue H. pronounced the lunch the best she ever ate. Naps followed. On the Fire Island beach off Long Island, youthful HG/BSK played Kadima and bodysurfed in the Atlantic. Lunch was a big salad of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives and imported jarred tuna. On Nantucket, HG/BSK and family walked to a nearby shop for lusty brown bread sandwiches of cheddar cheese, avocado and chutney. These summer days on Prince Edward Island, breakfast is hearty and dinner is epic. Lunch is an afterthought. HG usually skips it and BSK eats some dinner leftovers. Must confess. HG/BSK do miss Joisey mozzarella and best in the world Joisey tomatoes.
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