GinnyPNW
Executive Chef
Long, long time ago…and still in THIS galaxy, I went to work as usual. Work was on the 15th floor of a high rise in Westwood Village. Actually, it was more like the 17th floor, because there were 3 above ground parking levels and no 13th floor. But, anyway, the office “staff” was just me and my boss, Ray. We had been working together for some years now and we were very good friends. He was more than twice my age, but somehow, we had similar minds. Westwood Village is just outside of the main UCLA campus. There are lots of stores and restaurants in the Village. At lunch time, we could walk to any number of them. Often, hand-in-hand or arm-in-arm. I’m sure that many folks came to believe that he was my Sugar Daddy or something? But, it was never anything like that. More like I was the daughter he always wanted? I was only a few years older than his 2 sons.
On this particular day, mid-morning, there was a substantial EARTH QUAKE! I do not do well with earth quakes. And, being on the 15th/17th floor did nothing to calm me down. It went on forever. I went running into Ray’s office, probably had eyes the size of saucers! He was on the phone with his boss and quickly explained the situation to him, as he told me to just go call the answering service, tell them to answer the phones. I did as told. In earth quakes, one does not use the elevators…so, we walked down all those stairs and out of the building. We didn’t stop to get our cars. Instead we walked to Ray’s apartment, just outside of the Village.
When we got to the apartment, Ray checked the fridge for lunch options. Ray lived with his 2 grown sons and they were off at college or prep school, so, let’s just say the lunch options were limited! I think it was as much of a kind gesture as anything, Ray knew my love of cooking and told me he was going to teach me his Spaghetti Carbonara recipe! In his previous employment, he spent some years in Europe, mostly in Italy. (Cool job he had: He was a critic and writer for a travel company, visiting Hotels and Restaurants all over Europe!) In Italy, he met and married his wife and had two sons before returning to the USA. This is where much of his culinary skills were learned. And this was the day he taught me how to make Spaghetti Carbonara.
We remained good friends until his passing. In fact, he presided over my marriage! He became ordained just to do so. But only after “counseling” my DH-to-be and I…(along with his new wife who was a professional psychologist.) Hey, they must have done something right: we’re still married! He went on to preside over a number of others afterwards.
Ray went on ahead to Heaven a few years back now. Today would have been his birthday. I know I’ll see you again, one day, but now, I miss you, Ray!
On this particular day, mid-morning, there was a substantial EARTH QUAKE! I do not do well with earth quakes. And, being on the 15th/17th floor did nothing to calm me down. It went on forever. I went running into Ray’s office, probably had eyes the size of saucers! He was on the phone with his boss and quickly explained the situation to him, as he told me to just go call the answering service, tell them to answer the phones. I did as told. In earth quakes, one does not use the elevators…so, we walked down all those stairs and out of the building. We didn’t stop to get our cars. Instead we walked to Ray’s apartment, just outside of the Village.
When we got to the apartment, Ray checked the fridge for lunch options. Ray lived with his 2 grown sons and they were off at college or prep school, so, let’s just say the lunch options were limited! I think it was as much of a kind gesture as anything, Ray knew my love of cooking and told me he was going to teach me his Spaghetti Carbonara recipe! In his previous employment, he spent some years in Europe, mostly in Italy. (Cool job he had: He was a critic and writer for a travel company, visiting Hotels and Restaurants all over Europe!) In Italy, he met and married his wife and had two sons before returning to the USA. This is where much of his culinary skills were learned. And this was the day he taught me how to make Spaghetti Carbonara.
We remained good friends until his passing. In fact, he presided over my marriage! He became ordained just to do so. But only after “counseling” my DH-to-be and I…(along with his new wife who was a professional psychologist.) Hey, they must have done something right: we’re still married! He went on to preside over a number of others afterwards.
Ray went on ahead to Heaven a few years back now. Today would have been his birthday. I know I’ll see you again, one day, but now, I miss you, Ray!
