That Love

Originally Posted Monday, April 29, 2013

The beauty of things can be overwhelming at times. . . like tonight.  Once again, the evening was like "a soft hand upon your cheek" (T.C. Boyle), so lovely and marvelous.  My mother is leaving for the southwest tomorrow, and she didn't want to eat, but I talked her into a dinner, and oh. .  . what a dinner it was.  Everything started wrong.  I forgot to get spaghetti noodles.  Then the grill ran out of gas.  But I got the noodles and cooked inside and it all turned out marvelous.  It was a visual meal with an avocado and tomato salad covered with olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, lime juice, a dash of salt, and a drizzle of honey.  I sauteed red and green onions, scallions, and garlic in a pan with Cannoli oil and a dash of Vermouth, then dropped the noodles in for twenty seconds.  I grilled boneless chicken thighs and cut them into strips for the topping.  We drank two bottles of good white wines.  And the cat had plenty. 

As we ate on the veranda, people walked by and waved and said hello.  We looked lovely.  And there were so many beautiful or at least desirable women that my heart was breaking. 

"Oh my," I said to my mother, "if I were a girl, I would certainly want me.  What is up?" 

"Because you want a 'girl.'"

Oh, shit, here we go again. 

But the late light was too lovely to spoil, and I dreamed of a wonderful summer full of meals and travel and treats.  I have an ice cream maker, I thought.  I will need someone to come and eat it. 

Dinner gone and the last bottle of wine down to the dregs, my mother said she had to go. 

"O.K." I said.  "Have a great trip.  I love you." 

Now the night has come and the music plays and I am drinking the first of the evening's scotches.  I am full for now.  Everything is beautiful. 

Take a look at the posted picture.  I'm trying something different.  Let me know if you like it.  There will certainly be more. 

Oh. . . and I love you :)

Here's a little traveling music for my mom.

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