Hard To Port, by Jim Kelly-Evans

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Dinner At Orega, St. Barth

OREGA IN ST. BART’S by Dan Evans It’s quite a change to leave the snow back in Philadelphia and arrive in sunny Gustavia, St. Bart’s. We’re back in our lovely rental ‘villa apartment’at the Colony Club, with the spectacular view of the harbor. Jim even went swimming just after we arrived Friday afternoon, on Shell Beach. For dinner we decided to try Orega, one of the new restaurants which have opened since we were last here two years ago. It’s a very popular venue, with a menu that suggests a fusion of Japanese and French cuisines. (See pic of Dan with the owner Greg.) The French staff all speak fluent English and offers advice on what to order. For starters there was a complimentary small cup of cold turnip soup, which was piquant. Then for his appetizer Jim had “Organic Bouquet” which was a large plate of raw vegetable salad. Jim enjoyed the enoki mushrooms most in the salad, although there was not enough of the ponzu sauce to cover all of the sliced veggies. Dan had a tuna tataki, tender slices of raw tuna with an oil-infused ponzu sauce. For his main course Jim had “Caribbean Treasure” a combination of ravioli pieces with spiny lobster and roasted mushrooms. The lobster was chewy but flavorful. My Hotate, grilled sea scallops were just cooked enough and served with mushrooms and a very delicate, delicious puree of edamame. Our bottle of Cotes du Rhone was not one of the better selections, but we both had excellent desserts. Jim’s lemon tart received 5 ***** and my Bomb Chocolate was ice cream in a chocolate shell, with pieces of cake, all covered by a hot chocolate sauce. The Lichee-flavored rum liquor finished off the meal nicely.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Portrait of Katie

Brother-In-Law Bob Russell took these photos of Katie puppy and me the other day. Thanks, Bob!

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Fun In New York City

On Saturday last we visited the beautiful new Whitney Museum of American Art, located at one end of the "High Line" in the "meat-packing" district of lower Manhattan. Dan posed outside of the building and I got a couple of shots of the high line. The painting is a lovely Hopper in the Whitney's collection. I particularly like it because of the train-related theme.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

One Year After Open Heart Surgery

"A heart will never be practical until it can be made unbreakable." - L. Frank Baum

One year ago today, February 16, 2015, I embarked upon the most profound adventure of my life, as I put myself in the hands of a young heart surgeon at Temple University. He had told me that my heart condition would kill me if not treated. I trusted him to use his great talent and training to help me and he did not let me down. A year later I feel fully recovered and I'm enjoying my new lease on life.

It was a difficult recovery at times. Only the love and support of a wonderful spouse, many good friends, and our beautiful pets got me through it. To them I offer my undying gratitude.

To those facing open heart surgery in the future, know that all will be well with the support of loved ones and the passage of time.

Monday, February 1, 2016

A Birthday And An Art Opening

Dan has two paintings in a Community College of Philadelphia Faculty Art Exhibition at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The opening reception was last Thursday. We were joined by friends Louise, Cindy and Patrick, Tom, and Stephen at the well-attended event. Afterwards we enjoyed dinner together at Aki Japanese restaurant.