THE FRIDAY NIGHT MUNCHIES

The Munchies!

(Before I will be accused of plagiarism, I must give at least partial credit to Russell for today’s title. It was he, who used Munchies first).

Ludlow, KY, American Food



Chinese Buffet, Kentucky



About a year and a half ago we were sitting at our porch - it was one of those rare days in Cincinnati when it was actually possible to sit outside without sweating or being killed by mosquitoes -  James, our friend and tenant, invited some people over for dinner. It was fun; they were talking about doing it next Friday and the Friday after. Joanna and I were desperate to be invited, to be part of this fun group. The leader, and as we found out later, the undisputed decision maker, was dictator Russell.

Got Big, At A's House

At Our House, Vietnamese Food

AI met Russell for the first time about six months earlier. I found him a bit strange. We were at party at the house of his friend and he acted as a caretaker, or at least as the man who is in charge of protecting everything. I must have come across as one of the most dangerous people when it came to pouring juice, for every time I lifted the O.J. bottle, Russell mysteriously appeared, grabbed the bottle out of my hand and poured for me. I was not sure if he wants me to drink less, or just wanted to make sure that I did not spill the sticky liquid around. Which, I can confess now, was not in my plans.

On Our Steps After Dinner

Jamaican

Anyway, Joanna and I finagled our way into the group. Our first dinner was at a “hidden” restaurant, ran by a Mexican family who cooked in their house and let us occupy their tiny living room by squeezing the twelve of us around a small table. The food was delicious. We were in Mexico for a short time, with no air conditioning but with authentic food. It evolved from there. Every Friday, we are anxiously waiting for R.’s pick, is it going to be Chinese, Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Mexican or just some fried fish? We offered our home several times and we visited Dean’s and Alla’s wonderful places close to downtown. Whether it is take out or eat at a restaurant the food is always good, but the company is better.

Cambodian

We have people from Hungary, Finland, (to start with the obvious ones), Russia, Lebanon, Columbia, Chile, China, Scotland and of course from the US. (And other countries I can’t remember now).The age of the group varies between 17 and 92. We discuss just about any topics with passion. And Russell, our leader, takes fantastic photographs. Most of us love the pictures except S., who apparently has some phobia when it comes to being photographed. Russell takes his time, he orders us around, makes sure that we don’t talk or breeze for at least 5 minutes, and then he shoots the pictures.  Then he retakes the pictures, and then he retakes them again. We all think that the first ones are prefect, but it is hard to please Russell’s keen eyes. Then he sends us a picture late at night, the one he likes. No discussion, he makes the decision.

Last Friday we went to a Middle Easter/Greek restaurant. Russell wanted to take a million dollar picture so he decided that we should all pose as the character in Munch’s picture; “The Scream”. So after munching on our food we became the Munchies.

Some people have the good luck of visiting us in Cincinnati and join us for these dinners. But for me I cannot imagine Friday nights without them.

Bit More Formal At Our House And It
Really Was Not On Friday