Fish Dinner

Tonight was to be one of our twice-weekly fish-for-dinner nights, so Kathy challenged me to go out and catch the entree. I did, a bluefish, which I filleted in the sink, coated with dijonnaise and black pepper, and grilled in foil.

Shem Creek

We went to Charleston to attend a wedding, but my second priority was finding some good low-country cuisine. It didn't take long--on our first evening we headed for Shem Creek, across the Ravenel/Cooper River Bridge from the city. The creek is lined by restaurants and shrimp boats. We settled on Vickery's, where I indulged in a dish called low-country saute which consisted of shrimp, crawfish tails, and crab over buttery grits, topped with a few fried oysters. We enjoyed watching the dolphins chase fish in the creek as we dined.

Yachts, restaurants, and bars line Shem Creek

We turned to Shem Creek for a second night, selecting RB's on the opposite shore. I took our server's advice and ordered the grilled, stuffed grouper.

Looking seaward from RB's, you see an array of shrimp boats along the bank. Our two visits to Shem Creek were memorable for both the food and the views. Oh yeah...and the company, too.

Happy first, Evan

"Evan, that's not a bad man. That's Grampy."

My grandson Evan has his first birthday today. Dad Matt and Mama Christine hosted a party on Saturday; all was going swimmingly until Evan spotted a scurrilous character with a salt-and-pepper mustache and goatee. His lower lip began to quiver and he soon gave voice to his displeasure.

Grampy Paul may have to rethink this facial hair business.

Proud Father Moment

Photograph by Matt McShane

Congratulations to my daughter, Erin Kate, for receiving her MSW from Boston College. She will be an outstanding advocate for the downtrodden in society.

Goodbye Bungalow

The Quincy bungalow has served the family well since 1969 or so. It was my parents' downsize house, purchased when youngest child John was in high school. They installed an in-ground pool to make up for selling the Falmouth cottage, and nicknamed the pool patio "Belmont Terrace."

It was the Grammy's pride and joy. She decorated it to her ornate tastes, including three chandeliers and sculpted wall-to-wall carpeting in the main rooms. The bungalow was the site of many a pool party, and most of the grandchildren learned to swim there.

After Dad passed away in 2001, it was soon apparent that the Grammy wouldn't be able to live alone. When she had to go to assisted living, I moved in and updated the decor, refinishing the white oak floors and replacing the yellowed colonial wallpaper with elegant colors from Benjamin Moore. I bought the house from the estate and lived there until moving to the North Shore to be with Kathleen. The final family tenant has been my daughter Erin, who has lived there while completing her MSW degree at Boston College.

A few days after my mentioning to neighbors that I was putting the house up for sale, one stopped by and asked if a young couple she knew could see it. They came for a tour, and two days later bought the house on a handshake--no brokers, no agents, no open houses.

The young couple is beyond excited. The house will be well-loved.