HUNGRY GERALD

HG was born November 9, 1929.  The old guy was 94 yesterday. HG never expected to live to such a remarkable age. Certainly, HG would have died years ago without the dedicated, day to day loving care HG has received from the love of HG’s life–HG’s wife of more than 60 years: Sharon Kent. Svelte and chic at 82, Sharon is a powerhouse of love and skills–rising to the challenge of healing HG during HG’s painful broken hip\chipped femur period. Last night, HG/BSK’s gifted daughter, Lesley R.; son-in-law Profesre Massimo R. and brilliant granddaughter Sofia R. came to HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft and launched the most stupendous birthday party for HG, the very best of HG’s long life. There was a vast array of sparkling, fresh sushi–an HG favorite food. The beverages were Cava, a refreshing gazeuse wine, and chilled Rose’. HG started with a “parade” dish–chopped yellowtail topped with tobiko, black cod caviar and a raw quail egg yolk. It was so beautiful it seemed a shame to mix it in order to eat. Shame ceased with each yummy swallow.. This was followed by unagi sushi, an HG fave. And, then tuna and shrimp sushi. Oh, my!! Heaven in each bite.  A pause. Then dessert–Junior’s cheesecake and gobs of fresh real whipped cream. Drank Honey Mead wine with this great confectôn (Wine was a gift from Allison and Matt Martonovich). Gifts were CD’s selected by Lesley and Massimo. The party was an explosion of love and HG appreciated having the best family in the world (There were joyous video chats from son Jeremy in Japan and granddaughter Arianna in Colorado).

Last night, BSK made a pot of tasty Greek avgolemono and rice soup. Superlative. As good–or  better–than any served in New York restaurants. BSK poached halibut in the soup and cut the filets into small chunks. Sounds delicious, right? No. It was inedible. The halibut was tough and dry. HG couldn’t swallow.  So, what went wrong? For some reason, HG/BSK have a problem cooking halibut. The fish is always a disaster. BSK has pan fried halibut filets, grilled them, and poached them. Nothing works. HG/BSK need enlightenment from HG/BSK’s family. Grace note. There’s leftover soup for lunch today. Silver lining.

Yes, it’s a very useful appliance. However, well into HG’s teenage years, HG prefered the iceboxes that chilled the HG family perishables. It was young HG’s job to empty the basin that held the water from the melting ice. If he forgot,  there was loud, scornful yelling (Corporal punishment was not allowed).The icebox was serviced by  sturdy Italians who carried big blocks of ice (Wrapped in burlap) up steep stairways, (Rumor had that the strong Italians also “serviced” some lusty housewives). Food (Especially cheese and charcuterie) should be removed from the fridge hours before eating. Meats (Steaks, chops, roasts should be brought to room temperature before cooking}.  Same with fish and fowl. Ice cream is better when plucked from the freezer and allowed to settle. At restaurants in Italy, a great variety of condiments, charcuterie,and cheeses bask at room temp ( This antipasto is usually chilled into tastelessness in America). In a Santa Fe restaurant HG was served a slice of fridge ice cold country pate. HG shouted HG’s complaint: “Pate ice cream !!”.

BSK celebrated Halloween by hollowing out a medium sized pumpkin; she mixed the pumpkin pulp with a menage of ground pork, mushrooms,olive oil, spices, garlic, chopped onions, etc. BSK put  the mix into the pumpkin and after a sprinkle of cayenne pepper put it into the oven to bake. Wonderful eating. The pumpkin pulp gave it a voluptuous taste. Gifted daughter, Lesley R., decorated her Riverside, RI, home with the scarest carved pumpkin ever. She probably frightened her distinguished husband,Profesore Massimo R. 

 HG is so glad to be back in HG/BSK’s spacious and beautiful  (Designed and decorated by BSK) Central Falls, RI, loft. After a bit more than two months in hospitals  and therapy centers, HG delights in sunshine pouring through large windows and the indoor pleasures of music, TV and the aesthetically pleasing BSK pots, paintings, drawings and clay fired sculptures. HG has daily improvement but still needs BSK’s nursing aid. Yes, BSK does it all. And, BSK cooks delicious, creative food for HG/BSK’s dinners a deux. Last night, BSK shelled and deveined a bunch of shrimp (BSK thinks shelled ready to cook shrimp don’t saute properly). BSK sauteed the properly cleaned shrimp in a sofrito of garlic, olive oil, Frank’s Hot Sauce, and lemon juice. The lush shrimp and the pan liquids were poured over steamed grits. Chopped baby spinach was the side dish. (Must have a veggie). Drank a fabulous red wine. A great meal, full of comfort and love.

Yes, HG is out of the Warren, RI, Therapy Center and delighting in being in HG/BSK’s beautiful (Decorated by BSK) Central Falls, RI, loft. With sunlight pouring through the big windows and  Yo Yo Ma music wafting through the generous spaces, HG enjoyed a big bowl of ramen and tofu. So good and such a relief after two months of hospitalization and –Feh!!–hospital food. Thoughtful BSK took a scenic auto drive route home so HG could enjoy the colors of autumn foliage and the distinctive design of  Rhody neighborhoods. HG is moving about with a walker and a new wheelchair. No complaints. These have been a painful two months for HG. However, at great inconvenience to themselves, BSK and their gifted daughter, Lesley R., lightened HG’s spirits with their daily visits and tasty food.  So lucky to have these wondrous women in HG’s life.  Also grateful for all the healing people at the Therapy Center. Their kindness and professional skills are extraordinary. 

The majority of HG’s therapy — following his calamitous tumble — involves life’s necessary and mundane functions. This included walking to the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet. Washing and drying. Getting dressed. As HG’s broken hip heals, all of this demands attention and adroit movement by the old fellow. The goal, of course, is to get HG home and less reliant on continuous aid from BSK. HG is impressed by the Warren, RI, therapists. Very attentive and professional. Lisa and Amy, in particular, are very good.

The happiest day for HG after 2 months of indoor hospital and therapy center living. Day started with a delicious smoothie breakfast (Thanks, BSK). Gifted daughter Lesley R. and BSK arrived at 11AM to wheel HG outside to a pleasant shrub lined leisure area. The sun was shining and there was a light, cool breeze. This was the first time HG had been outside since HG’s broken hip fiasco. Heaven!! BSK wheeled HG to give HG maximum sunshine exposure. HG basked and breathed deeply. HG and Lesley and BSK were outside for a demanding challenge. Could HG get into a car to take HG home or did there have to be an ambulance? Discharge is about a week away. (When HG left PEI for Rhody after the accident, there were painful maneuvers to get HG into a car seat). This time, with no help, HG got into and out of the car easily. Repeated the actiôns. BSK and Lesley were surprised and overjoyed. Pleasures of the day continued. Spicy therapy-center-provided penne in meat sauce for lunch followed by peach yogurt. Dinner was egg salad and hummus. Both splendid. As HG writes this post, HG awaits a Biden oval office speech and then an NFL game. Exciting.

Sound, painless night’s sleep. Awakening to a delicious breakfast smoothie (Thanks, glorious BSK). Food at the Warren, RI, therapy center has been hospital tasteless. But, not today’s lunch. Very edible and flavorful penne with meat sauce and a mound of cooked vegetables. All was cooked in a way that HG could swallow easily. Pleasant lemon meringue piê for dessert. HG was tired of Gaza and Republican House Speaker madness. Instead, turned the  TV to comedy and watched hours of “Seinfeld” episodes. Curiously, HG had never watched the series. Comfy in his wheelchair, HG laughed loudly at Seinfeld and his brilliant colleagues (Probably the best comedy acting ensemble ever assembled). Dinner was tasty egg salad with a dessert of maple syrup enriched yogurt. Watched the Cowboys (a favorite team) beat the Chargers. Nice climax to a joyous Monday.

Much joy in HG’s therapy room. BSK brought Toby, The Wonder Dog, for a visit. Recently groomed, Toby looked quite soigne with a fluffy fur pom-pom at the end of his tail. HG and Toby had an affectionate reunion. Many licks from Toby and the agile little fellow leapt into HG’s lap for cuddles. BSK, as usual, brought HG something very good to eat. HG thinks it was a chicken broth/rice/noodle soup. HG will check. Meanwhile, the Warren, RI, therapy center is well stocked with BSK good things—a smoothie, mac and cheese, Greek yogurt (plus maple syrup), soup. The love of HG’s life always pleases HG’s palate.