Greg (Hardiman the Fiddler AKA Hardi) and I are having a bit of a private wake for Leo. We're incorporating him into our now-famous semi-geezerly New Year's Eve of all-night escapist TV films/hockey accompanied with a series of presentations of creative but simple finger food. Leo was so excited about our Jan. 1 retirement that it's only right we include him tonight.

Two new traditions in his honor will begin tonorrow-- brunch cocktails of cream with either brandy or scotch and espresso.

Leo was one of several Catters who first met us via a Mudgather and later came back for relaxing weekends on thir own, which this big old farmhouse has hosted so well-- lots of space for quiet alone time. Very often his particular visits included cookathons where the 3 of us would alternately cook together in the roomy farm kitchen and take turns whizzing up treats to surprise the others. One simple but VERY effective surprise was the mug of superstrong espresso with a big scoop of ice cream filling most of the mug space. I recall vividly his various facial expressions of delighted approval as each sip included more and more of the melting ice cream. (The last "sip" is via spoon.)

In those years, Greg was never off duty from emergency room pastoral visits, but now this sort of treat can be laced with the good stuff-- and be our annual Leo Special. We'll toast to our marriage tonight at midnight as he would wish us to do-- but to Leo tomorrow at brunch (turkey/tater/Swiss cheese hash with poached eggs).

We're also contemplating serving a brandy/cream-soaked cake with brunch tomorrow, which we will also name for him (Leo's Retreat), and repeat each New Year.

Maybe by tomorrow I'll be able to cry.

~S~