HUNGRY GERALD

All have left (Victoria Freeman, SJ plus Haru and Teru). Quiet and serene. It’s a second honeymoon. Long walks on Maclaren beach. Watching white caps on the windy Prince Edward Sea. Pleasant candlelit dining. Fried hake. Sweet corn. Digby Bay scallops on fresh greens. Newfoundland shrimp salad appetizer (for HG and not, alas, for allergic BSK). Tonight there will be a Portuguese dish of baked haddock with potatoes from Ocean Mist Farm, onions, capers, garlic, pimenton, and herbs. Today (a bit chilly and windy), HG made a corn casserole using Cope’s dried corn and leftover corn from last night’s dinner. Should be perfect for breakfast with a splash of Canadian maple syrup. Yes, life as a duet is delightful. However, HG/BSK are a bit wistful when thinking about the long absences from family.

Farewell dinner. Bittersweet. Great food but bittersweet because everyone (HG daughter Victoria plus SJ and family) left Prince Edward Island in the morning. There were eight at the dining table (BSK’s sister, Noel, and husband, Yossi, joined in the farewell festivities). SJ made blue cheese and miso dips for a platter of raw vegetables (heirloom carrots, radishes, cucumbers from BSK’s garden and cherry tomatoes). This was followed by bowls of BSK’s green tomato soup (HG’s favorite). Multiple levels of flavor with a finale of spicy heat. Main dish was SJ’s fabulous seafood stew of mussels, clams, hake, tomatoes, onions, garlic, etc.. A cumin spiked rouille was a welcome addition. Dessert was SJ’s take on a British trifle: a bowl layered with cardamon-allspice-coconut milk tapioca pudding, crumbled toffee cookies and English custard pudding topped with just-picked blueberries and freshly, made whipped cream. Yes, HG/BSK will miss the company of HG/BSK’s family (though home will be quieter). And, HG/BSK will miss SJ’s inventive culinary delights. There was a nice surprise at dinner. Handsome Haru was promised six oysters. With some brief instruction, he shucked them himself. Expertly. So, next summer HG will join in the daily shucking of oysters. This summer, Haru concentrated (with Teru’s assistance) in shucking corn. All departed at 7AM. But, before leaving, Adorable Teru walked into the HG/BSK bedroom. She was very quiet because she didn’t want to awaken drowsing HG. Kissed HG on the cheek and whispered: “I love you.” HG will always treasure that moment.