Dim Sum: November 2011

A little of this...a little of that:

Cain not Able:

Herman, we hardly knew ye.

What a horrible, cowardly man! Here is what he is asking the country to believe: One time at a meeting of the National Restaurant Association board, he innocently mentioned to a woman employee that she was the same height as his wife. Cain insists that that sweet remark was enough to cause the woman to file a sexual harassment claim against him. Now, here's the thing: instead of firing this miserable, slandering woman and fighting her ridiculous claim in a court of law, Cain and the lawyers of the National Restaurant Association saw fit to pay her handsomely and have her accept a confidentiality agreement.

What? Huh? People, if you can't believe that, then you can't believe any of the other stuff he claims. That's how it works in these cases.

You want me to vote for a man who would go along with something like that? I'm sorry but I'd like to think that my President would have a little backbone and fight for what is right, even if it means getting a little bloody in the process.

Of course, there is another possibility. Herman Cain may just be guilty of the piggish behavior that, so far, four woman have accused him of. He may actually be that horrible cliche: the Chairman of the Board who actually thinks his power allows him to behave to women in any way he sees fit. A man like that would definitely need a Board that is willing to pay people off to keep quiet.

Obviously, I don't want that guy to be my President either.

So here's how I see it: if everything Herman has been saying is true, then he has no backbone and no principles and should be ashamed to parade himself out there to represent us. If everything Herman says is a lie, then he is little better than a predator, using his base of power to garner sexual concessions from women who are powerless to stop him.

President? Please tell me we haven't sunk this low yet.

Nick's

The other night Kate and I decided to go out for dinner and watch the Alabama-LSU football game, a very big deal in these parts. We decided to go to Nick's, a local place on scenic Rt 30A. Here is a true accounting of what the two of us ate and drank:

three margaritas, three glasses of chardonnay, a huge bowl of delicious homemade chili concocted with a real roux base lovingly prepared by an authentic Loosiana Cajun chef, an order of sweet potato fries, and an incredibly huge double cheeseburger with more sweet potato fries

The bill totaled $24.00.

Aside from wondering how on earth two people can eat and/or drink that much, can you believe the price? And everything was perfectly delicious.

Needless to say it looks like Nick's will become "our" place sooner rather than later.

Friends

I have been blessed to have many friends. Some, like Kate, I've only met since I moved to Florida. Some became friends during our teaching careers. As a matter of fact, Kate and I will be attending the Boston wedding of a daughter of one of those wonderful teacher friends this weekend. I also had the privilege of attending the wedding of another teacher friend's daughter last month. I was thrilled to have been invited to both affairs and feel so happy for all the parents involved. Both "matches" seem quite magical to me.

Some of the friends go back to teenage days at Boston Latin School or in Dorchester. I'm truly grateful for all the laughter we've shared over the years and I look forward to every occasion that brings us back together.

I have one set of friends from another country. They are the Davidson family pictured above. That's Steve, Carol, and son Jamie. I have been friends with Steve for over 35 years. We met in 1974 at Camp Androscoggin in Wayne, Maine. (The Rain in Wayne stays...you get the idea) Steve was a young math teacher from England who served as the head of soccer at camp. I was the head of tennis. We hit it off quickly, especially when Steve told me he'd like to learn more about the game of baseball. I told him I'd be happy to try and explain the nuances of the wonderful game as long as he promised to become a Red Sox fan. Steve said he'd be happy to do that as long as I would join the "Toon Army" which is how the fans of Newcastle United of the English Premier League identify themselves.

It was a trade that helped both teams, as they say.

It was because of Steve (alone at first, then joined by his wonderful wife Carol and eventually the amazing Jamie) that Ada, I and the boys were able to tour England. He generously arranged free lodging for us at his school and gave us the use of his car during our stay. What a fabulous time we all had, notwithstanding the damage I inflicted on Steve's beloved Renault.

Later, Ada and I were able to travel to France, Norway, and Spain in the company of all three Davidsons who were and still are brilliant travel companions.

Of course we were always eager to host them during their many trips to America. This included one sad last trip they made to visit us in New Hampshire when Ada was beginning to fail. They stayed with a New Hampshire friend for a week just on the chance that Ada would feel well enough for a visit. They were grateful for even the briefest time with her. Even now, I well up when I think of their patience and dedication.

It was wonderful to be able to host this fine crew last week here in Florida. Their "situations" are about to change dramatically. Steve is soon to retire after a long and incredibly positive stint as the Headmaster of Bradford Grammar School in West Yorkshire. Jamie is soon to enter university. I know we will be in each other's company from time to time and I look forward to it.

So there you have it. A little Dim Sum on this lovely fall evening.

Ain't life grand?
J