January 16,2008, Chevy Chase, Md.

Customs and traditions are so comforting.  Tonight we had dinner with Andrew and Christina, Kate, Mary Frances and baby Molly.  I stole this idea from my friend Alana Lassover many years ago.  When Alana had her first grandchild, she wanted to see the baby regularly but she did not want to be a pest to her son and daughter-in-law, who lived in Bethesda.  So she asked them if it would be alright to bring dinner over once a week.  They were delighted to have a free dinner, Alana got to see the child, they all got to visit together, and then when the baby went to bed, Alana went home.  The visit lasted about 2 hours.  When Kate was born, I asked Andrew and Christina if we could bring dinner over once a week.  They were pleased as punch to have a break from cooking once a week, and also to visit with us.  We have been doing it every week for the past 10 years.  We either bring carry-out of chicken, Chinese or pizza, or bring food from Ken's kitchen.  Tonight Ken cooked roast lamb, potatoes and carrots.  Delicious.  We leave just before the girls go to bed.  The benefits to us the old folks are enormous...and the children and grandchildren  also enjoy the routine.

Another custom that brings pleasure is our dinners with our good friends Freddy and Phyllis Ross.  They too have a wandering life style.  Their home is in Potomac,but they live two months in Switzerland in a small town in the mountains, and then five months in Florida.  During the winter in Florida, they return home twice for a week each.  Our routine is to have dinner together once when we are both in town, either in our apartment or their home. We book our next date at the dinner, because both Phyllis and I carry our travel calender with us. It is actually difficult to find a date when we are both in town.  We enjoy their company, and again it is a pattern or custom that gives us pleasure.

Of course Ken and I have said that when he has cooked for 25 years, he is quiting cooking, so I guess we will have to develop a new pattern.  His 25 year stint will be over in August.