Dinner and a Movie

We just returned from a rather pleasant dinner at my in-laws house. We try to get together for dinner and a movie every Sunday, switching back and forth between our houses, but often it doesn’t work out that way. It’s been three weeks since we last did this so it was an especially nice evening, even though the movie was not overly wonderful.

They recently purchased “Young Frankenstein,” so we watched that. I was the only one who had not seen it before and frankly, while it had some funny moments, it was too long and not all that great. Four people spanning fifty years in age and it’s amazing we ever agree on anything to watch; this weekend it was my turn to be less then impressed.

I do have very good news that I am delighted to report. My father-in law (technically, my stepfather-in-law) had cataract surgery 10 days ago. This is the first chance I’ve gotten to see him since the operation and he is like a new man. He lost his sight in one eye during the Korean War, so this cataract has slowly been robbing him of what little vision he has. Since I met him, almost four years ago, he has slowly been turning into a doddering old man. He really is a passionate person and this has been painful to see. But tonight, it was like he had been given a new lease on life. He could see was going on. Therefore, he was more able to follow the conversation and the movie. So, he was much more engaged with was what was happening. He didn’t have to second-guess his every move. Previously, he could see just enough to know that he really couldn’t see. He is completely delighted with this improvement; so, he was in very high spirits, which makes for a much nicer dinner companion. What is now, a very simple medical procedure has made a tremendous improvement in his quality of life. We are so lucky to have these abilities.

I needed an excuse to go to Central Market to find loquats via Sue’s inspiration, so I offered to bring desert. While there, I found a wonderful, moist and rich Chocolate Angle Food Cake which we then served with a raspberry coulis. I tasted very decedent, but actually it was pretty well behaved as deserts go. My in-laws are definite foodies, as am I within the limits of what my budget, so I get great satisfaction out of finding something that is met with such enthusiasm.