Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Magical Meatloaf Monday with Mom's Magical Mukluxs on Ms. Mary Lou. What a Marvelous Way to Spend a Monday Night.

There's always been something wonderful and joyous about Amalfi Drive neighbors and the joy such people have brought my parents. Generations of Nikoloffs, Dearstines, Yokos, Patricks, Shaffers, and Stolzs, made for a location where you want to open your home and bring the happiness in, including random roses from Mary Lou who arrived Monday night to bring magic to mom, who traded the kindness for several pairs of compression socks.

This is the life one lives these days. Karal was intrigued. Mary Lou perpetually apologized for getting the dog riled up, but we assured her, "Nope, that's Kara. She's crazy."

Although I did a Wegman's run and got supplies for Mt. Pleasant in Kentucky, I failed to get myself dinner, but knew Mom and Dad were set up with Meals on Wheels. I did a doctoral practice of showing up at Cynde's around dinner time and saying, "Why, sure, I will join you." Actually, I had her leftover meatloaf and she grilled dogs for her and Mike.

I'm still thinking about Mary Lou's visit, however, and the great company she is for mom, both as a listener and person to talk to. The doorbell rang and, as if 7th Day Adventists or Jehovah Witnesses were sent from the Great Whatever Above, I was pleased to see it was Mary Lou, as I knew my mom would benefit from the gregarious company. I'm hoping we can do it again today, and perhaps tomorrow. 

Amalfi Drive has so much history with people coming to and going from our family abode. There were days of Snicker Bars, Doberman Pinchers, and Price Chopper runs with Casey. There were the years of wives screaming for their beer-drunk husbands to come home finally, and then there were the Bonnie lasagna/grilled vegetable days. 

It always feels good when the life returns for my parents on the 2nd floor of their house. I'm ecstatic that Mary Lou loved mom's socks and they fit her beautifully. This was a great way to start the week.

And Cynde's meatloaf and focaccia were superb.

A Day or Two Late, But Got Dinner in with Lossine and Delaney at Hafner's - the CNS Reunion Site & Local Favorite of CNY

I wanted fish, so I got fish. They got a burger and a Beef on Weck, apparently a favorite of the City of buffalo. No drinks. Cheap dinner ou...