Ah, birthdays. Age is just a number.

Poppi will be 98 next month and recently moved to Portland. We've been having dinner twice a week. He likes to talk about finance, investing, and the market. He wants to hear about how I manage my inventory and set margins. But I don't want to talk about that. I want to hear about New York in the thirties. Last night I got my way.

Living with George and Ira. Two concert grands in the library. Oscar Levant dropping by. Every musician brought a little something for Aunt Rose, and then filled her house with music until 2 or 3 or 4…

Wow.

As we were leaving the dining room Poppi said 'I'm sorry I couldn't offer you a better meal, Darling'. 'Not to worry' I said. 'I don't come for the food’.

Miss him. 

© Patricia Zanger