After our June reading at Lydia’s place, we held another homely reading today at Sherry’s place. Sherry’s brother Jimmy is an excellent and hospitable cook. I tried his scrumptious dishes more than three years ago. Though we seven would bring a lot of trouble and inconvenience to him, simply couldn’t resist the warm invitation.
Pamela and I made our way there smoothly. As early arrivals, we got the extra moment to talk a little bit about “The Reader”. This is Sherry, never leaves a moment blank. We always use our gathering to swap books and DVDs, too. When I handed her the book “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” for “The Reader”, she reacted that instant asking us about our reflections on the novel. I saw the movie about two months ago, and couldn’t get the movie out of my head for many days due to its impact on me and disputable issues brought up by the story.
After we finished sharing on “The Reader”, I took the time to take out the Painting Albums published by Debby Ho, a talented T/Ms of my club. Debby is a remarkable and artistic girl, I must say. Her passion and talents in many fields make her fully occupied and cannot possibly join our activities. She kindly gives out her painting albums to goldies in addition to the club members to share her joy and affection with us. While we were browsing the painting albums, Michelle arrived. Then our topic switched to Debby’s paintings, which one we like most and why. Irene, Linda, Lydia had to come a little bit late due to their other engagements. When they finally arrived. the gathering reached its climax, the atmosphere became warmer and hilarious.
Linda took out the photo album of our China Trip she made for us to enjoy. How touching and Incredible it is for her to take her precious time to make such a special and meaningful Journal for all of us. It refreshed our sweet memory of the wonderful time we had there. Then the poetic and sentimental letter Gary and Jim wrote us and the photo CD Gary made were laid on the table. We simply felt so overwhelming meeting these two sincere, thoughful and romantic young men. Linda, Lydia and Sherry decided to pay them a visit in Kaohsiung while taking care of their business there tomorrow. Definitely if they have the chance to come to Taipei, we must show our hospitality and receive them warmly to express our thankfulness for being such joyful companies.
It came to Pamela and I that we needed to give a hand to Jimmy in the kitchen, simply couldn’t let him sweat all over there. Pamela learned how to make the Chinese Taco/spring rolls, I had a hand-on practice of the dish I used to make often when I still enjoyed cooking. Irene full of curiosity came in later to learned how to make Jimmy’s famous dish. Though we missed a part of the chatting with goldies, we were happy to be able to offer help.
When Sherry’s dear husband arrived and made everyone’s acquaintance, dinner started to serve. My appetite grew when seeing all the dishes and tried out every dish. My stomach popped out after the big meal I had. We couldn’t stop praising Jimmy’s cooking skills throughout the feast. Hope he didn’t get tired of hearing it. A lot of topics were raised at the dinner table. No room here to list all of them, just imagine roars of laughter one overlapped another, laughing tears in our eyes and the drumming noise we made on the table. What a joy, what a night!
Time flies fast especially when we are enjoying it. We better not overstayed our welcome if we wish to be invited again, and had to give tranquility back to Jimmy. After last group photos, we called it a day. On my way home, I kept pondering on the most enlightening phrase in the movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards,” said by Soren Kierkegaard. Tonight was another sweet memory and intellectual delight. How exactly “Life can only be understood backwards” is!
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Trini
0711
Dear Sherry,
回覆刪除We were worried much but luckily that Jimmy was great on Saturday. I was so glad and impressed that he was pretty good in entertaining all golden ladies and cooking so many delious dishes, he was sweet and hospitable from the first minute to the end. When he said in the kitchen with mouth smiled like a moon, "Fortunately I did not get married, ladies gossips sooooooo much, he-he-he-....." He was such a sincere and open minded gentleman. He might be unconfortable at the first moment, but I am sure he will miss us that brought some animated and happy hours in his tranquil world.
Hopefully we can bring him out of his home to the green field and appreciate the open air in our future outdoor activities.
I really envy your brotherhood between you and Jimmy, and happy for you that luckily have a gentle husband who watching you like a guardian angel and being supportive to anything you pursued.
As a bad student, I did not learn successfully making pan cake at home yesterday, too much water caused sticky dough, I even added cooked pumpkin and hoped to have miracle, finally I used double time to dry up my pan cake, I digested the pan cake alone, it's a failed experience, but interesting, at least I tried and knew how to improve next time, I learned from mistakes!
Thanks for the wonderful garthering arranged for our June reading! Thanks Jimmy and Azen the two sweet gentlemen in your life! Also thanks to Michelle who brought yammy puddings, Linda's sweet peaches...couldn't forget Pam's iced wine that sublimed our spirits, then the "ditch cover" was talked about and aroused more laughters.....
Irene