One of the high points of my life has got to be sitting in Hugh Acheson's kitchen, watching him cook. There were 17 other people, and I paid for the privilege, but I was happy as a clam. His wife was leaving as we arrived, cute and pleasant. They live in an old house on Boulevard, lovingly remodeled after sitting empty for 18 years (that must have cost a little something). But it is not a showplace. His kitchen has the best new appliances and generous counter space, but it is lived in and not intimidating.

Wine was poured more than once--good wine.

I knew some of the people there, although they were not my closest friends: Susan Ponsoldt and Susan Tate. I took a seat at the counter for a good look and watched hungrily the whole time. His two small daughters, Clementine and Beatrice, were right in his way the whole time, standing on stools. He would occasionally make little asides about them ("I don't usually do this with them here."), but seemed like a wonderful Dad. The older girl, in 2nd grade, got herself water in a wine glass, add some mint lieaves, and stirred it around. She also peeled a lot of garlic cloves...She helped set out the plates when he was dishing up. I took lots of photos with my iPhone, but will refrain from posting them here, as that seems a little too invasive. The food was incredible and yet he made it seem very simple. He was quite modest, talking about how much good press he had gotten. He's from Canada and never went to cooking school. He said, if your parents want to pay for you to go to cooking school, take half the money and travel around, working in different kitchens. I could go on and on...

Yesterday morning, I was feeling a little down. Ray and I went to play racquetball and I really did not want to. In fact, I managed to win the second game. I don't know how he was able to pull that off. The women's locker room was closed; they were working on the heating. So I had to shower in one of the family dressing rooms. It was somewhat aggravating, since I had to carry all my stuff a ways. I met a lovely woman who urged me to go on some of the GORP trips. Ray and I had often contemplated it (especially swimming with the manatees), but I was concerned about horning in on the students' experiences. She said it had not been her experience, that she thought it was fun for all. Jennifer Stewart. And we also met a woman from Cape Cod. At work, I continued clearing out things and worked some on the newsletter. When I went to lunch with Janna, we had a lovely time and great food. As I was leaving, Rubielen of the United Way, came up to me and asked if I got her message. "No, I didn't," I said. "I need that report. It was due Tuesday. We are sending it in tomorrow." "I'll bring it to you this afternoon," I said. "I've been working on it ever since I got it." So when I got back to the office, I finished it up. Not as easy as it sounds. Although Taylor had been working on it, I had to recopy some of it what he had done, and finish it up. One of the requirements is an adding machine tape with the totals. Fortunately, I have an adding machine, but I don't suppose everyone does. It was 4:30 by the time I was done, and the United Way closed at 4:30. So I will take it there first thing this morning on my way to work--but they don't open until 8:30.

So I stayed at work until 5:30 and went directly to Hugh's house. When I got home at 8:30, I had cake and ice cream (my Mom had made a delicious cake), watched a little TV and went to bed. What a treat!