One of the things I often say to Anthony, when I am leaving him to come home, is that I am going grocery shopping. As he was, and still is, a great lover of food, our grocery conversations often flow like this:
Me: I need to go to the butcher shop before they close. Do you want me to get some steak?
Anthony: Yes but not, not ….
Me: Not T-Bone?
Anthony: Fillet.
Me: But I love T-Bone! Why do you always insist on fillet?
Anthony: Better value.
Way back when Ants was home and still fit, his method of cooking steak on the barbecue was absolutely brilliant. He had it down to a fine art and wouldn’t let anyone help. The steak was always absolutely mouthwateringly delicious (as were my accompanying salads of course!) Apart from our many merry guests over the years, the only additional accoutrement was hot English mustard; wine and beer were a given.
Oh how I miss those days!
Anthony’s dementia means he is spared from the kind of nostalgia I feel because ‘those days’ are still here somehow and this afternoon he happily sent me off to the butcher’s for tonight’s steak.
He doesn’t know that, while one of the wonderful carers is feeding him his dinner right now, I am home, steak-less but smiling with these very happy food memories….
And eating yesterday’s popcorn!
jmgoyder 
What a lovely story, glad he still enjoys his food.
it’s so great that he can still ‘enjoy a good steak’ even if only in his heart and mind )
The Hub braais a mean steak, too. I must confess, I’m with Anthony: I prefer fillet to T-bone.
Popcorn 😕
Another poignant post, as always.
Your memory stories always evoke such joy, love and compassion.
Except for you eating day-old popcorn for dinner — this story is perfect! 🙂
Lovely memory Jules…and another thing we share. Give me a good T-bone or bone-in Ribeye and I’m in heaven. The husband though…filet all the way. Filet’s great, tender and all that…but nothing beats a bit of charred fat and a good gnawin’ bone 🙂
Your post ended in a “corny” way – but there’s a lot at “steak” here! Yes, memories are a wonderful thing and food is such a comfort – it’s nice hearing Anthony still has a good apetite for food and ultimately, life. 🙂
You make a nice point about the nostalgia which hadn’t occurred to me before.
The next time I find hot English mustard, I am buying it just to think of you two. I first had it in Ireland and HOLY MOLY. Now, I will use it and be connected to you and your memories. 🙂
Thank God for our memories!
Wonderful memories! But popcorn? For supper? Hope you had some wine with it!
Please look after yourself – popcorn does not a dinner make. If you cannot have a steak, have one of those delicious salads you make.