Susan and I again walked with umbrellas, but it had cleared up by the time we finished. Went to Santori's, the supermarket, and so on, for salad items and other stuff. Used the nifty new salad spinner Betty had given me, then looked up "salad dressings," as I thought I'd make my own. First one I saw looked good--in a tangy/sweet combo, it combines oil, vinegar, catsup, sugar, and spices--so I made it up and put it in a cruet.
Before I got in the shower, I looked at my e-mail again and was shocked and saddened to get a message from a former colleague. One of the Rider faculty, David R., had had a massive heart attack and died while he was teaching his first class yesterday morning. I had known Dave for years and just saw him at the retirement party I went to last month. What a loss! He was an expert on the quagmire of New Jersey politics and was often asked to comment on events on T.V. and in the NYTimes and other media. What's more, he was friendly and funny, and a wonderfully warm individual. I always liked him and am grieved that he's gone. He was only 58.
The dinner party at Susan and Walter's was wonderful. It was a nice small gathering: Besides the hosts and me, there was just Dennis and Leslie, Ray and Barb, and Dick, a member of their Presbyterian dinner group (Frank and Barbara are traveling).
Susan does wonderful theme parties and last night was no exception. She had a black tablecloth and orange plates, a muttering vampire hanging on the chandelier, and grinning jack-o-lanterns here and there. The table was festooned with tiny decorated pumpkins and adorable little "fright figures," about 3 inches high, with wild hair and scary faces. You squeeze them and their eyes light up and they emit ghoulish sounds. Each one was different and these, we took home with us.
I had brought the large salad and 5 or 6 dressings besides my homemade one, and Susan decided to have a salad course first. Everybody seemed to enjoy it and I got some appreciative compliments.
When dinner (delicious pork tenderloin, roasted vegetables, sweet potato casserole) was served, I made up a platter for Pat and took it across the street, then went back. We then had three yummy desserts (apple crisp, cupcakes--with edible eyeballs!--and Leslie's great pistachio cake), along with after-dinner drinks, including Irish cream, amaretto, and creme de mente. Took Pat a sampling of the desserts when I left about 9:00.
It was a wonderfully convivial evening, just one more example--of many--that this is our place, we belong here, and we'd have to be dragged out to ever leave.
Today, I'm meeting Alison and entourage in Manahawkin to go to the Pinelands Jamboree in Waretown. Should be fun.