HUNGRY GERALD

HG is back in HG/BSK’s north shore Prince Edward Island oceanfront home (panoramic sea views and blazing sunsets). Sweet, indeed. A note: if ever you need medical aid, go to Montague Hospital (in the Town of Montague, of course). The best caring and gentle professional staff that meets a patient’s needs with smiles and expertise. Nevertheless, it’s good to leave for home and jolly times, with BSK, love of HG’s life (just celebrated our 62nd wedding ann’y). Doggies Pip and Toby were glad to see HG  last night at the dining table enjoying a big bowl of chili prepared by ever thoughtful BSK. And, tonight The Wonder Woman prepared a creative supper, one that HG will always remember with gustatory pleasure. It was a quinoa salad of a number of fresh, local vegetables and topped with an abundance of grilled tuna (caught in local seas). Once more, BSK’s culinary timing was perfect. Ravishing tuna.

HG’s black eyes are moderating and the ancient geezer is–more or less–beginning to look better.  HG was examined by Dr. Penny Thomsen this morning  To be on the safe side, she suggested that HG spend a few days in the Montague Hospital. So, here is HG–hospitalized and under the gentle and competent medical staff of this Prince Edward Island institution. Today is Canada Day so some of the staff are absent. Not to worry. All is efficient–PEI spirit rules. Food is hospital food—healthy and tasteless. BSK is a blessing.—visiting with many good things—-yogurt, a smoothie, delicious carrot cake, Lindt chocolate  (plus toiletries, clothing,  etc.). BSK is invaluable—and the love of HG’s life.

Gourmand HG has joyfully dined on classic great meals—Lobster cocktail and prime sirloin steak at Christ Cella in New York; Sauteed clam bellies and shad/shad roe at Gage & Tollner in Brooklyn; Smoked salmon and mixed grill at the Connaught Restaurant in Londonl; Oysters and Dover sole at Le Dome in Paris. Add to “Great Meals” the lavish feast BSK produced last night at HG/BSK’s oceanfront home (panoramic sea views and sunsets) on Prince Edward Island.The fabulous supper began with a dozen oysters (meticulously shucked by Julio, the local seafood merchant and delivered in a little box snugly nestled on a bed of ice–a beautiful still life. One dozen oysters–six South Lakes and six Pickle Points. The South Lakes were lushly large with a great mouth feel. The Pickle Points were smaller with a subtle hint of brine. HG ate eight oysters and BSK ate four—both were transported to oyster heaven. Yes, the oysters were a tough act to follow but BSK managed to do it with ease and creativity. The main dish was composed of perfectly sauteed sea scallops covered in a sauce of finely chopped spinach enriched by a number of Indian spices. Lush fragrant dish (inspired by a David Tanis recipe).  The taste was so wonderful that HG wanted to retain it—and didn’t have the usual chocolate dessert. It’s good to live in a small.green, diverse, democracy like PEI and compete successfully with  international centers of fine dining.                                                                                                                                               

YOU SHUDDA SEEN THE OTHER GUY!!!! Just kidding. HG looks like HG has been in a ferocious fist fight, N0thing so dramatic.HG just slipped getting out of bed–tumbled. Not serious. BSK to the rescue.. Black eyes. Lump on forehead (it’s gone). Feeling fine, don’t worry!

Butter tarts are Canadian. HG has never seen them in USA groceries. They are round crusty pastries that enclose a filling close to pecan pie. There are two types–pecan or plain. They are incomparable—lush and sweet–but not too sweet. They are a perfect dessert (HG sometimes tops them with a small scoop of ice cream). Splendid at breakfast with coffee. HG/BSK delight in their Prince Edward Island family home–oceanfront location provides panoramic views of the sea and sunsets. And the pantry is stocked with butter tarts. Yes, it’s good to be in a gentle, diverse democracy.  When HG/BSK return to HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI, loft they miss the sweet treats. They make do with the excellent babkas from a talented local baker.     

For some reason (old age??) HG collects a super abundance of ear wax. This makes the ancient fellow deaf. Now residing with BSK in the family oceanfront home (super sea views and sunsets) on serene, democratic Prince Edward Island,  HG wants to converse with BSK and hear her silvery voice. With that in mind, HG went to the hospital in the town of Montague, A very competent nurse  used a suction machine to remove the wax. It took a long time because–wow–there was much wax. Good result. HG can hear!! Might still need hearing aids—but why wasn’t this done years ago? Go figure.

During the 1950’s, economical HG ate very well at New York’s Chinatown restaurants. Decor was minimal. Waiters were surly. However, the chefs were talented and creative. HG and financially challenged pals would enjoy weekend feasts for as little as $2.00-$2.50 a person (granted that, based on inflation, $2.50 then is equivalent to $33.50 now). A favorite restaurant in this price range was possibly called Yuet Sun (???). HG recalls a typical meal: Pork liver. Shrimp In black bean sauce. Eggplant in garlic sauce. Chinese Broccoli. Pork Lo Mein. Pork fried rice. Steamed fish filets. Unlimited white rice and tea, of course. Almond cookie for dessert. It was all delicious. This was followed by an espresso at Cafe Roma in Little Italy nearby–and maybe a lush Cannoli if feeling prosperous. “Yes, those were the days, my friend, we thought they’d never end”). This was a song summing it up.

Yes, hours before the dramatic game seven between the Pacers and Thunder, HG had a mind change. HG wants the Thunder to win. The reason: HG had just learned that MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Canadian. He was born in Toronto and lives in the Ontario province. He was on the Canadian Olympic team–he’s a Canadian patriot and proud of his democratic country. HG spends many happy Canadian months at HG/BSK’s oceanfront home (panoramic sea views and sunsets) on green, gentle, diverse Prince Edward Island. BSK is Canadian—born in Ottawa and spent childhood years in Sarnia. She is the love of HG’s life (married 62 years)—without her dedicated 24/7 care and love, HG would long be dead or doomed in a nursing home. Because of BSK, HG is 95 and a fervent fan of her and the great Gilgeous-Alexander. Win, Shai–Win!! And he did.

HG would watch NBA playoffs during the Larry Bird, Jerry West, Michael Jordan, Willis Reed and Magic Johnson years. Didn’t watch for a while but did some Stephan Curry viewing. However, this current playoff has HG mesmerised. Sunday night is the climax—Pacers vs. Thunder–score is 3-3. Thunder has been the favorite—they are probably the best team in the NBA. But, the Pacers keep coming back and coming back. Very much like an injured Reed leading the Knicks to a championship yesteryear. HG will be rooting for the Pacers but if HG was betting, HG would go with the Thunder. .Won’t be a thriller, HG predicts. One team will be hot. The other–not.. We will see.                                                                                                                                         ……

When Castro took power in Cuba, many Chinese restaurateurs migrated to the United States. That’s how New York became the home of Cuban Chinese restaurants. They were located on the upper west side and in the neighborhood around the George Washington Bridge. They’ve had a surprising longevity–outliving Castro and still turning out remarkable food at affordable prices. HG often ate at the Washington Heights eateries. Favorite dishes: Cubano sandwiches. Avocado and orange salads. Butterflied fried shrimps. Moros y Cristianos (black beans and white rice). Cuban pot roast and chopped pork dishes. The meal ended with black coffee–very strong and very good. HG doesn’t recall any desserts. In any case, HG would be too full to order any.