Dinner with Dave and Sheila

My brother-in-law Dave is an author and artist; this is his book.

Let me tell you about H.'s brother Dave and his wife, Sheila. They've been married 30+ years and have three handsome sons--the youngest is just a couple of years older than Figgy. They still look young, but they've done a lot in their lives, including running a café called 90 Main in Belfast for a long time. Sheila unlocked the downstairs bake shop there at like 4 A.M. in the Christmas season to make wonderful loaves of bread. I loved to go in to see her and buy them. I always marveled at her energy, to do that and raise three boys.

Dave and Sheila live in a cozy Maine home with an old glowing wood stove. They have a pretty summer garden. They have family traditions, like making potato latkes and tender roasts with their boys every Christmas Eve. Dave is the kind of hands-on Dad who would always have his young boys in tow, taking them for swims, bringing them to pick blueberries on steep hills. He is a gifted artist--his work is all around Belfast, and he did a very famous illustration: An Historic Montage: Belfast, Maine. [Also check out the beautiful Belfast Summer in the store on his website.] Sheila is a gifted chef.

Oh, and two other tidbits:

1. Dave taught H. how to tie his shoes when H. was a little boy. I really cherish this, because H. needed some looking after so he wouldn't fall through the cracks.
2. Later, in Teaneck, NJ, H. asked Sheila out on a date before Dave ever did. H. and Sheila saw "American Graffiti" in 1973. How funny, because I was a couple of towns away seeing it, too--though I was younger. Lucky for Dave and me, no sparks flew for H. and Sheila.

Tonight, we went over for dinner. Sheila cooked a comforting winter squash soup and the best spanakopita I've ever had, made with both spinach and chard. [I hope to make it at home.] It was so nice to sit and talk with them. Since we live 450 miles away, we don't often get the chance.

Good night.

TCOY

1. Walked along bay and into town with H., Sug and our niece Mariah.
2. Very peaceful afternoon nap.
3. Good tooth care.