Poker

My parents served a lot of meals at this dining room table, the mahogany one with removable leaves. This is the one they bought as newlyweds, the one my mother covered with a Quaker lace tablecloth. The one she topped with a crystal bowl of fat peonies from the little garden out front, under the picture window.

This is the table where we blew out candles for our birthdays--for J.J., Sis, Will, Mom, Dad, me. Plus Uncle Anthony, Uncle Aldo. This is where my mother met with her bridge friends--and where we played board games. This is where she served rib roast and strawberry parfaits in fragile crystal goblets. This is where we had Thanksgiving turkey and apple cider. Easter dinner, Christmas meals. This is the table that was laden with special foods and miniature pastries and a big sheet cake for my grandparents' 50th anniversary party.

But poker at this table? Not until we inherited it. Tonight, H. is at it with our neighbors on the block: Gary, Peter, Andy, Dean and George. They're drinking beer and bourbon. He put out bowls of nuts and a platter with Gouda and crackers. He even bought four good glasses at Williams-Sonoma. They sound like they're having fun.

I have to go to bed. Up early tomorrow to get bus to meet Sis in NYC for a fun event. Good night.

TCOY

1. Boot camp in the park.
2. Got car back from towing lot!!! Thanks to Sis and Don, who drove from CT. so that Sis could sign over Dad's car title. Laptop home safe.
3. Went to Ruthie's Bar-B-Q & Pizza  on Chestnut Street with Figgy. Yum. Saved half my beef brisket sandwich. And Fig got to speak to someone really special, and encouraging. A rise in the road.
4. Saw "The Five-Year Engagement" with Fig. Long but entertaining, and I liked the fashions in it. So did Figgy.