Lou and I were a little nervous to meet Kirby. I was nervous because he is one of those sorts of gentlemen that rarely exist anymore: studied Greek and Latin, multiple degrees in English Lit, speaks multiple languages with ease, slightly Southern accent and the manners to match. We sat in his book- and art work-lined sitting room, sipping gin & tonics and looking out the windows at the view of the canal.
It was fantastic, as we spoke only a little about conservation and easily moved to all sorts of other conversation topics. Kirby also makes a mean gin & tonic. We probably would have stayed there all evening, excepting that Kirby had a previous dinner engagement, drinking gin & tonics and eating little savory crackers.
(Generic gin & tonic, courtesy of the interwebs. Not the one made by Kirby.)
The second gin & tonic seemed heavier on the gin than the first. Soon we were talking politics and John Adams and historic homes in Chicago and Tiffany windows and old-fashioned panorama cameras. So, by the time we were leaving, we were all waxing poetic on the beauties of Vienna and Lyon and bemoaning the fact that nobody in America reads anything anymore. It's a shame we couldn't have met up with Kirby earlier in the summer. Lou and I both decided that we'd like to adopt him as a great-uncle.
So basically, when we got home I ate dinner and then sat and watched Russell Peters (shout-out Liang! "Be a man!") clips on YouTube. It was really frivolous, but... we only have six (six!!!) Gilbert & George panels left to do, so I felt a little time-wasting was totally acceptable. Off to read about Bosch - that's how I roll.
4 comments:
I've been reading your dad's copy of John Adams by David McCullough and have been meaning to ask you if any of Mr. Adams residences in the Netherlands were museums (or at least tourable). Since the first U.S. Embassy in the world was in the Netherlands, it seemed like there might be something preserved.
When I was a young woman such as yourself, my favorite drink was the "Gin & Tonic." I really enjoyed the distinctive flavor and of course the lime garnish. I love lime flavored anything. Key lime pie is another one of my favorites.
Kirby sounds like a articulate southern gentleman and like the dinosaur has become extinct. Sounded like a lovely evening.
Personally, I like gin and tonic, especially in the summer because it seems so cold. But, Frank and your dad have teased me for drinking "pine trees" to the point where I've given it up. Remember "The Civil War" on PBS? I imagine your Kirby looking and sounding like Shelby Foote.
"Do the right thing!" LOL
Sorry I haven't been keeping up as well lately, but thanks for the shout out here and the shady coffeeshop pic a few entries back! Your travels have been gorgeously delicious! Maybe one day we can meet up in Europe when we actually have time (maybe when we're old and wrinkly), and we'll go frolicking around Europe and sit in old bookstores and obnoxiously laugh until we cry about old books on stuff like phrenology! And maybe I'd learn to drink beer on actual real good tasting beer...who knows. Maybe you'll be centered out there one day, I'll come visit.
Enjoy your last days!
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