HUNGRY GERALD

A joyous, gourmand itinerary began 84 years ago–in 1939– when HG was 10 years old and living with his parents at 2751 Claflin Avenue in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx and continued until 1960 when HG was living in nearby Fordham Hill and Riverdale. HG would be off to the shopping and eating paradise of Kingsbridge Road. First stop was at an “appetizing store” for sliced Nova smoked salmon, sable, two slices of expensive sturgeon, pickled herring, sour pickles, sweet pickled peppers, black olives. Next stop was Zaro’s Bakery for bialys, onion rolls, “pletzels”, half a loaf of sliced “corn bread”; “kichel” (Sweet twists of dough for dipping in coffee.) Last stop was Daitch Dairy for its incomparable cream cheese and a slice of roquefort. In HG’s’ preteen days HG drank coffee. ( In later years HG drank beer with cognac chasers). This was the best breakfast/brunch ever and old HG would dearly love to repeat those daylight festivities.  Alas, HG can only remember the lusty taste and joy.

HG/BSK relished a wonderful dinner last night at Ocean Mist Farm, the verdant compound in Gaspereau on the south shore of Prince Edward Island, home of Noel M. (BSK’s sister) and her husband, Yossi M. (45 minute drive from HG/BSK’s St. Peter’s oceanfront home). Yossi and Noel outdid themselves. Noel made an enticing platter of hummus decorated with tomatoes and olives accompanied by Noel’s home baked, za’atar dusted pita— plus a big bowl of warm, perfectly cooked Israeli couscous. It all melded beautifully with Yossi’s barbecued ground lamb kebabs. A side of yogurt was the sauce.  Accompanied by numerous glasses of wine–white and red–this was a memorable feast. Sweet conclusion was bowls of Farmers vanilla ice cream.. (As always, Yossi was very thoughtful. He barbecued ground lamb instead of chunks of lamb–made it much easier for HG to swallow).

HG was musing (Musing is a favorite old age pastime) and thought about HG’s favorite female vocals, songs that keep dancing in HG’s head. Here they are in no particular order: Billie Holiday (“Strange Fruit”); Edith Piaf (“La Vie En Rose”); Nina Simone (“My baby just cares for me”); Bessie Smith (“Gimme A pigfoot”). And, Barbra Streisand’s comic masterpiece from “Funny Girl”: “Private Schwartz From Rockaway” with its delightful last line–“Is coming home General Schwartz”.

Julio is one of HG/BSK’s favorite people. His Julio’s Seafood Market and Oyster Bar on St. Peter’s Landing is close to HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home. Julio supplies BSK with the freshest fish (the staple of BSK’s cuisine) and calls BSK when he has something special like line caught tuna. He did something wonderful for HG/BSK’s 61st anniversary dinner.  As BSK watched, Julio filled a flat bottomed, crushed ice lined wooden box/tray with a dozen perfectly shucked Colville Bay oysters. It was the highlight of the dinner–even though the main dish of spaghetti with gently sauteed Julio sea scallops was no anti-climax. Dessert was Canadian Butter Tarts topped with ice cream. A joyous celebration.

Nostalgic dinner for HG. Alas, BSK didn’t share. BSK said she doesn’t like hot dogs and never did. During their courtship and early marital days, HG/BSK often had franks and beans at HG/BSK’s Upper West Side apartment and Fire Island beach house. BSK would enhance the Heinz baked beans with sauteed onions, ketchup and a dash of Tabasco. Dish made HG happy when accompanied by chilled beer. So, last night HG grilled three Schneider’s franks (Alas, no ketchup in the fridge,  but HG enhanced the beans with Chinese Bulldog Sauce and Sambal Oelek. The Hebrew Nationals of old were not available on Prince Edward Island but Schneider’s is a worthy all beef substitute.) Had the tube steaks with PEI mustard pickle. Heavenly combo. Local ale. Joyous journey into the past.

HG was weak and dizzy for most of the day. HG had trouble getting up from a seated position–needed help from BSK. Walking was impossible. Bleary eyed and no appetite. HG mused: Is this the end? To quote BSK’s maternal grandmother: Is HG going to “slip off this mortal coil” ? BSK to the rescue. BSK surmised HG was seriously dehydrated–had not drunk any water during the day. BSK gave HG three big glasses of ice water. HG drank them all and gradually began to feel much better. Leslie French, HG/BSK’s beautiful friend and neighbor, was the dinner guest. BSK cooked a tasty Morocco influenced chicken tagine. Splendid food but HG would find it difficult to swallow. Instead, HG supped on a big bowl of chicken broth enriched with rice noodles, beaten egg, and silken tofu (For protein). HG relished the meal and began to feel alive. Dessert was Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream topped with BSK’s rhubarb/strawberry compote. HG was active and eager to continue joyous living at HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home. 

Tuesday (July 2) is the big day–HG/BSK’s 61st wedding anniversary. A day of joyous (and challenging) memories. HG/BSK rejoice in their wonderful children and grandchildren. Daughter Lesley R. has been in a long and happy marriage with her husband, Massimo (much loved and admired by HG/BSK). Likewise son, Jeremy, who is happily married to his wife and business partner, Maiko Sakamoto (diminutive in stature but a giant in culinary skills, business smarts and capacity to love and nurture Jeremy and their children, Haru and Teru). Very old HG (95 in November) is very shaky, often dizzy, and has difficulty walking and doing minor household tasks. Today, HG recalled the very athletic things HG/BSK did together until HG advanced into HG’s mid 80’s. Long beach walks and city walks. Ocean swimming and bodysurfing (BSK bodysurfed into the advanced days of pregnancy). Kadima and other Fire Island beach. games–volleyball and touch football (BSK startled men by outracing them and with good hands snatching HG’s passes). One wall and four wall competitive paddle and racquetball. Horseback riding and equestrianism at HG//BSK’s Colorado ranch, perched at a 9,000 foot elevation in the Rocky Mountain foothills.   Skiing (BSK very good and HG very bad). Tennis (BSK quite good and HG very bad). Much bicycling (First in New York’s Central Park and then in Vancouver’s Stanley Park and other venues in that bike friendly city–also cycled in Denver,Nantucket and Santa Fe. Yes, HG/BSK did all of this and more plus regular workouts at gyms. (Might be why HG is still alive). My niece-in-law, Viki Freeman, commented on old guys married to younger women:The geezers want Nurse and Purse. Well, HG doesn’t need Purse but HG is very grateful for the 24/7 nursing care BSK provides (While maintaining a mostly equable temper despite HG’s incessant demands). HG is still very much in love with this remarkable woman. BSK appearance: Still stylish and chic,svelte, beautiful, shapely. Creativity: Painting better than ever. BSK’s canvases of Colorado and New Mexico landscapes and plateau vistas dazzle HG– as do Prince Edward Island seascapes. And, each night BSK cooks delectable meals–all with a BSK creative tweak. Yes, despite handicaps, HG–because of BSK–is a happy man who wants more years with The Wonder Woman.

HG/BSK were very concerned about a future without the loveable Toby, The Wonder Dog. It all seemed ironic.after HG praised the doggie in a Hungry Gerald  post–Bow Wow–Arf Arf.. Here’s what happened: To relieve severe shoulder arthritis, HG swallows two Aleve (Ibuprofen) pills. This time, HG swallowed the first but brushed the other to the floor. HG bent to pick it up but failed as ever hungry Toby ate it up. Woe!! Sunday night and no vet was available. Google notes on dog poisoning were dire. A dog can die after an ibuprofen swallow. Toby looked bad–very lethargic and signs of pain. Before calling a vet the next morning, HG took Toby for a walk to relieve himself. The result: A defecation. And, lo and behold, Toby was good as ever. He must have discharged the nasty pill. It’s been some days later and Toby is lively and frisky as usual. It proves that a good shit solves many problems.