Went to D's for lunch

D is the guy who led the effort in Paris for the pharma company. He and his buddy were there for a year with me, fixing a broken account. E and I went over there for lunch there Sunday. D and his wife, S, have a son, S, who is now 4 years old. D used to tell me about him from a couple of years ago in Paris.

S has grown up a lot and goes to school every weekday. His English is very, very good. His Dad and Mom report that he uses words they don't even know. So now he seems very grown up to us.

He is obviously the king of the household. His parents are SO proud, and rightly so. He is full of energy and obviously really smart. At 4 he even has a sense of humor! He has lots of toys and books. We try to give him something that stretches him a little when we come over (big puzzles or books, etc.)

His Mom is really sweet, and a hell of a cook. She made two appetizers and a lunch that wouldn't quit. We were so stuffed we couldn't breath. It is vegetarian fare, and we always come away saying we could subsist on this (if only we knew how to cook it). We came home and both tried a mushroom and onion dish, with differing but good results in both cases. Not the same as S's, though. So sad, but so glad they tasted good at the same time.

Anyway, D's family had recently gone through some difficult times. Their village was flooded and many of the houses were destroyed. D's house was damaged a little, so they are are planning a new one near the new highway. The Indian government seems bent on connecting up all of India with good quality highways.

So, D invited us to go over and participate in the house-warming event when the house is ready. He now has 5 weeks vacation, after 5 years in the company. He can go and spend lots of time in Orissa with his family.

These people are the salt of the earth. They are lovely and gracious. We always have wonderful discussions with them.