Big Mac Falafel and a Side of Fries

On Thursday Maria and I had lunch at Mamoun's, a Middle Eastern restaurant on Howe Street in New Haven. We both had combination platters with falafel, lamb, and other yummy Middle Eastern specialties. The food was very good. And they have Turkish Delight! Always a favorite.

Today Maria is back in Detroit. We had a wonderful visit. It was four years ago this month that we met for the first time in person -- we had known each other online for about six months before that. Since our first visit in 1997, we have seen each other about ten times. Every visit feels too short, and it is hard to live so far away from someone I'm so close to emotionally. But ours is truly an internet friendship success story.

The dining on this visit was, I think, even better than usual. Besides the Cuban restaurant in New York and Mamoun's in New Haven, we also had a some good home-cooked meals. I made Katynka's pot roast, Laura's macaroni and cheese, and a favorite chicken dish with lots of garlic. We had an apple pie from Lyman Orchards, too. You can't beat that with a stick.