HUNGRY GERALD

Yes, HG/BSK are overjoyed by the Biden/Harris victory. But, gnawing doubts about the future of American democracy remain. Trump is the internet age, twitter, social media version of Hitler. Just a Nazi without a brown shirt. But, 70,000,000 Americans voted for this pig. While the Nazi played politics with the pandemic, more than 200,000 Americans died of Covid-19. And, some 1,000 a day are perishing now. Remember: He allegedly called the pandemic a “Democratic hoax.” He wouldn’t wear a mask and encouraged his fellow citizens to do likewise. He downplayed Covid-19 relentlessly because he thought it was impeding his support among working-class Americans. Given a choice between a politics that spelled death or a politics that could save lives, the Nazi chose death (Hey, that was always Hitler’s message). Hitler demanded loyalty to himself –Der Fuhrer–not Germany. And, the Republican party has become a Trump cult just like Hitler’s Nazi party, not a traditional, rational, conservative political party. HG foresees many dark days ahead and a continuous battle to keep American democracy alive. Our democratic institutions have remained sturdy despite the Nazi attacks. For how long?

Panettone, the Italian sweet bread/cake is a holiday treat. Happily, it appears at Christmas and New Year celebrations. Panettone, which originated in Milan. is accompanied by sweet wine in Italy. (HG first tasted it that way at a New Year’s Eve visit decades ago with son in law Massimo R.’s parents–Gianni and Franca–at their home in Portogruaro, Italy. Massimo’s brother, Stefano, served HG while setting off firecrackers and rockets). Unforgettable night. Panettone is studded with raisins, candied orange, citron and lemon zest. HG likes it at breakfast, slightly warmed and covered with strawberry jam. The best use for the treat is as a base for French toast. Thick slice is dipped in a mixture of beaten eggs and milk flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg. Fried in butter until golden brown. Gilded with Canadian maple syrup. Weather at HG/BSK’s Prince Edward Island oceanfront home is chilly. Will make this comforting dish next week as election tensions escalate. Challa, the Jewish/Russian egg bread can be substituted for panettone. There’s a loaf in the freezer, a Canadian Thanksgiving gift. Looking forward to much goodness.

HG/BSK and visiting daughter, Lesley R., and her husband, Massimo R., have two talented and gracious Prince Edward Island friends: Silva S. (a brilliant architect who designed HG/BSK’s oceanfront home) and her husband, Neb K. (a prominent Dean at Prince Edward Island University). Their home is an astonishingly beautiful design (by Silva, of course) with lovely water views. HG/BSK and the R.’s were invited for what they thought would be drinks and snacks. It turned out to be a multi-course feast served in a comfortable, sheltered, scenic outdoor area. It started with an array of phyllo vegetable pastries, a Balkan eggplant tapenade, artichoke hearts, olives, tomatoes, etc. HG drank a vodka and Aperol cocktail. The others had chilled white wine. Neb then shucked a few dozen excellent oysters. The dinner could have ended there with sighs of joy. But, no. Out came a big pot of steamed mussels in a tangy tomato-based broth accompanied by good bread for dipping. The feast continued with a platter of tender, juicy broiled lamb chops (these were from lamb bred on a neighboring farm). Went well with glasses of fruity Argentine Malbec. Dessert was a confection of berries, a crisp and whipped cream. Great company. Great food. Great atmosphere. A memorable night of fun and flavor.

We need laughter. Now, more than ever. HG is saddened by the absence of columnist Dave Barry. He made HG/BSK laugh out loud. (The late Russell Baker of The New York Times made HG smile. But, no Barry induced belly laughs). Writers who evoke HG mirth are S.J. Perelman, Woody Allen, P.G. Wodehouse, Steve Martin (Too few written comic pieces, but they are priceless). Ludwig Bemelmans evokes gentle smiles. Gourmand HG likes to read about food. Best writers about food and dining are M.F.K. Fisher (don’t like her recipes); Alec Lobrano and Mimi Sheraton (read her book, “In My Mother’s Kitchen”). Calvin Trillin amusingly writes about food but his talent is versatile and far-reaching. His New Yorker profile of crime reporter Edna Buchanan is a non-fiction classic. A.J. Liebling’s “Between Meals” provokes the appetite for food, wine, Paris and sex. Two women (both deceased) are HG favorites: Marcella Hazan (her cookbooks are the most consulted by HG/BSK) and Nora Ephron (her appreciative critique of the pastrami sandwich at Langer’s Delicatessen in Los Angeles makes HG tearful as HG contemplates the demise in much of the United States of traditional Jewish heartburn heavens).

HG is very fond of the short story form. Serious short story writers were never big sellers. Readers opted for novels. In this time of the internet, magical phones, etc., HG has little knowledge of the literary world. However, HG still reads and enjoys short stories. The very best are by Alice Munro, the distinguished Canadian writer and Nobel prize winner. (Yes, as witness BSK, HG is very partial to Canadian women). Munro wrenches HG’s heart. She is masterly. Next on HG’s list are two deceased Jeiwh writers: Bernard Malamud (who wrote in English) and I.B. Singer (who wrote in Yiddish). Both wrote well-received novels but HG believes their genius was best displayed in their short stories. Anton Chekhov remains timeless and contemporary. Two Irishmen, William Trevor and James Joyce were great short story writers. Joyce’s “The Dubliners” is an ageless classic. “The Dead” (from “Dubliners”) is unforgettable with an ending of pure poetry (John Huston did full justice to “The Dead” in his movie version. HG/BSK watch it every Christmas season).

Oh, what a delightful birthday dinner. HG/BSK daughter, Lesley R., received many gifts (including lavender oils from Ocean Mist Farm where BSK’s sister, Noel M., and Noel’s husband, Yossi, are equestrians, livestock breeders, agriculturists). Facetime greetings from Tokyo-based brother, Jeremy (and his family); daughters Sofia and Arianna (presently in New Mexico). Of course, a birthday dinner at HG/BSK’s oceanfront home on Prince Edward Island wouldn’t be complete without treats from the sea. So, the menu consisted of two types of oysters–small Colville Bays and large Malpeques. Both are exceptional and were perfectly shucked by Lesley’s distinguished husband, Profesore Massimo R. Moules et frites (steamed mussels and potato fries) was the main dish. BSK cooked the mussels in BSK’s distinctive manner and Lesley baked French fry-shaped spuds in the oven. Crisper and tastier than conventional French fries. Giving the dish a Belgian touch, there was a bowl of hot sauce laced mayonnaise on the table. This was appropriate for dipping the fries. Green salad and cheese followed (HG had the old guy’s usual meal finale: French chestnut puree with whipped cream). When HG sipped a Portuguese grappa, HG basked in the pride of having a daughter like Lesley. A brilliant writer and communications professional. Devoted and constructive mother and wife. Beautiful. A powerful force for good. And, naturally, a splendid cook. Deservedly much loved. (And, she can sing and whistle). Yes, HG/BSK look at Lesley and give thanks for good luck.

The idiot neo-fascist in The White House thinks he looks like the fictional Lone Ranger when he wears a disease-preventing mask. Of course, the Ranger wore his minimal mask over his eyes — a useless device during the pandemic, and questionable as an effective disguise. Typical of Trump that he’s concerned about his personal appearance rather than the health of Americans. Egocentricity verging on madness. Anyway, it made HG think back 80 years. Home from school, HG had a snack and listened to radio serials before joining HG’s friends in street games. The Lone Ranger and his companion, Tonto, were favorites (BSK recalled that actors Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels portrayed these western heroes). Other favorite serials were “Jack Armstrong, The All-American Boy” and “Renfrew of the Mounties” (Renfrew was the beginning of HG’s love for Canada). Best of all radio personalities was “Uncle Don”, a precursor of “Mr. Rogers” of TV. HG recalls the song young HG sang with Uncle Don: “Hippity gitz hotsah rimboree sibonyeh skippity,high low dee, honeykodoke and nalacazon, sing this song with Uncle Don. We’ll buy stamps and war bonds too; to Uncle Sam we’ll be true blue; We’ll show Hitler we’re no saps; Stamp on him and lick those Japs.” World War Two patriôtism with a touch of ethnic slurs.

HG was famished last night but stomach rumbling was quieted by BSK’s big pot of flavorful chowder. It is a dish focused on the glories of life by the sea on Prince Edward Island. So, what was in the “chowda”? Mussels from St. Peter’s Bay. Cod from the North Atlantic. Local bacon. Clam broth from a previous meal of local steamed soft shell clams. Dry white wine. Saffron, Thyme. Potatoes. Onion. Garlic. Cherry tomatoes. A melange of herbs and spices. HG looked at the savory pot of goodness and murmured: “Huge. We’ll never finish this dish.” HG/BSK each had three helpings. All gone except for a few scraps. HG finished the meal with the ultimate Canadian dessert: A pecan butter tart topped with much vanilla ice cream. Life is good in the Canadian democracy (not led by a lunatic neo-fascist).

Gifted daughter Lesley was disappointed. Chongqing House in Providence is HG’s favorite Szechuan restaurant and Lesley had promised HG a take out feast from the restaurant. Eek!! Horrors!! Chongqing closed on June 1. No take out. No nothing. Promised to reopen soon in a nearby location after Covid-19 subsides. A “new concept”, they say. HG is dubious. To make up for it, Lesley picked up a big order from DenDen, a Providence Korean eatery. Lots of good food. HG’s favorite: A spicy stew of tofu with shrimp, mussels and squid. Also ate good unagi, noodles, cod, seafood and vegetable pancakes. Braised pork belly. Cold vodka. Local beer. Breezy al fresco meal on the deck. Happy, happy celebration before leaving for Prince Edward Island in the AM.

HG/BSK’s multi-talented son, Jeremy, is now a resident of Tokyo (with wife, Exquisite Maiko; son, Handsome and musical Haru; daughter, Adorable Teru). SJ has a remarkable eye for the majestic, trivial, eccentric and castaway elements of urban life. Indeed, he is a poet of urbanism. When living in Brooklyn, SJ photographed abandoned chairs. Once useful objects of comfort, these chairs now went to scavengers and garbage trucks. SJ called them “Sad Chairs” and they gained attention, with wistful, haunting captions, on the internet. There are few cities larger and more densely populated than Tokyo. However, nature is much admired by Tokyo urbanites. HG has now turned his camera on “Hairy Houses”, small buildings literally smothered in ivy or other greenery. “Hairy Houses” (so named by Adorable Teru) are an upbeat follow up to “Sad Chairs.”