A Massachusetts Interlude

Friday was a very low-key day in Douglas. While I read and worked on the computer, the rest of the group worked outside, prepping various parts of D & D's garden for the summer. Susie spent quite a bit of time cleaning up the hydrangea bushes with Dick stacking his five cords of wood in their shed and Dorothy supervising all.

That evening we drove south to Warren, RI, for dinner with Andrea and Barbara at Metacom Kitchen. Susie and I had last eaten here in 2015 for my birthday (and what a wonderful experience that was); we were not disappointed this evening either.

The place looks small and nondescript but here as in much of life looks can be deceiving:

Everything was incredibly well-prepared and very tasty, from the opening cocktails to the apps of burrata, charred octopus, edamame and hummus to the various pastas and scrumptious desserts spoke to all of us. We have shared many meals together with the Feldmans when we lived in Providence and have rarely been disappointed. This evening remains one of the most culinary stellar experiences to be sure.

Saturday was leisurely for all of us, well for me at any rate. We're on vacation so there are no daily chores and it's nice to see Susie able to just enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. 

D & D had put together a lovely little picnic basket of coffee and banana bread for our meetup with Uncle Frank VH in Quincy. A little before 10am the four of us headed off into the greater Boston suburbs. Traffic was busy but not too bad for a Memorial Day weekend and we made good time driving to UF's place.

There were some open tables at the patio outside his building so we set up there while Dick tracked Frank down. It was good to see him again and that elfin smile was as bright as I remembered from past years and at times he seemed like his old self. He certainly enjoyed the house-brewed coffee and homemade treats and of course the company.

Our drive back home took us past Frank's house in Willow ave in Quincy before returning to the highway south. Although traffic was brisk, the drive went smoothly and we were back in Douglas, MA. After lunch and helping to set up the patio furniture Susie and I had our afternoon HB (thanks Sheldon!) followed by my taking a much-appreciated nap. . . For someone who has done very little these past couple of days my napping skills have grown immeasurably.

That evening we were joined for supper by former brother-in-law and stalwart human being Steele Shane. After sitting outside for an aperitif we moved indoors for a scrumptious dinner of grilled flank steak and lovely roasted baby potatoes. We all spent the remainder of the evening catching up with Steele and the journeys he has taken since last we saw him far too many years ago.

Warm conversation and good food have always been a hallmark at 51 Linden. Thanks to D & D for their hospitality and generosity!

Tomorrow it's off to Maine and then Nova Scotia on Monday morning.