It’s an Italian Tuesday Lunch…

My two neighbors, Jerri and Robyn, and myself ( one with the hat ) arrived

at Mangia e Bevi….a local Italian restaurant in Oceanside on a Tuesday for lunch.

Mangia e Bevi sources almost exclusively from local farmers, producers, and brewers. They proudly serve locally grown, hand-crafted products and only the freshest available.

It was just past 12 noon on a sunny day, so we decided to sit on the patio.
It was colorfully decorated with large umbrellas and heaters, if we needed one, which we didn’t. We found a nice table in the center of the patio, where we could sit, chat, eat and sip a glass of wine.

Glancing over the menu, which was extensive, we found there wasn’t a shortage of delectable Real Italian food dishes to chose from, plus a long list of wines.
They offered a lunch special which was perfect for me. A salad and an angel hair pasta dish with a red sauce, they use plum tomatoes which are sweeter and less acidic; both dishes were a big hit and absolutely delicious.

Robyn opted for a salad and enjoy every bit of that salad with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

Jerri ordered two dished from the menu. Goat Cheese Polenta and she loved it! It was creamy and goat-cheesy.
She was in heaven.

We finished our meal with sharing a plate of Cannoli.
Ricotta cheese, chocolate chips, pistachio dust. So yummy!

We met one of the owners, Tore, who took care of us and was a very pleasant upbeat man. His big smile was a bonus. Everyone at the restaurant was knowledgeable and helpful.
It made an excellent dining experience.

YES, we will go back again. The food is incredible!

Buon Appetito!!!

Mangia e Bevi
address:
3613 Ocean Ranch Blvd #100, Oceanside, CA 92056
Open: 11 am to 9 pm ( 7 days a week )

GOING PLACES SAGA #25

Italians and tourists were going places…

Sam stepped off of his flight into rush hour traffic but he didn’t mind,

he was back in Italy.

His first thoughts were of April and the girls, Jasmine and Samantha. Sam stopped by the florist to pick up yellow roses for April and stuffed animals for the girls. He planned on spending as much time as he could getting to know his real daughter, Samantha. Of course, Jasmine had already won his heart when he brought her from India to Italy.

Sam walked up the street to April’s house, he felt tired and stopped for a brief rest. He wasn’t feeling well as he got closer to the house. April was gardening in the front yard when she spotted Sam. Something wasn’t right. Sam almost fell when April rushed to him and held him up. Together, they walked slowly into her place.

“Sam, you don’t look so good. ”

“It’s been a long assignment, I guess, I’m just getting old.”

“Sam, you will be fine in a couple of days. Come rest in my bed.”

April put Sam in her bed and went to get him soup and a loaf of freshly baked bread from the village. April had made chicken soup the day before because she had a strong feeling about Sam coming home.

“April, I love you.”

“Sam, I love you. Get some sleep and in the morning you will feel rested.” April kissed Sam on the forehead and started to leave the room after closing the drapes to darken the room.
“April, remind me in the morning, that we will go to the church in the village and talk with priest about setting our wedding date.”

“Oh, Sam, really?”

“Yes, I want to marry you just as soon as possible.”

 

Barbara KisKis

May 14, 2019

GOING PLACES SAGA #24

GOING PLACES…ITALY

 

Sam got the news that his assignment in Venezuela was ending and he was free to go back to Italy and his love, April.

Michael Majors was not so lucky; he was staying in Venezuela.

“Sam, you are going places?”

“Yes, Majors, I’ve been released from this assignment and heading back to Italy. How about you? Coming with me?”

“No, the Agency needs me to stay for another week, maybe longer. I can’t complain, the pay is good and I don’t have a real home to go back to. I’m still curious about that woman I saw you with at the airport when we departed Italy. Who is she, Sam?”

“Majors, she is not any of your business. Do me a favor, forget that you saw her.”

“If you say so, Houston.”

Sam threw a couple of shirts in his duffle bag and closed it then walked out of the room without saying another word to Majors.

Yes, Sam was going places; he was going home.

 

(to be continued )

GOING PLACES SAGA #23

Winged Victory of Samothrace at the Louvre

Caroline was feeling like this statue of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, which stands at the entrance to the Louvre in Paris.

She came to Paris to conquer …did she accomplish her goal for the Agency…yes, she was victorious in more ways that even she could had hoped for. Caroline was standing tall and proud as she boarded her flight back to Texas.

Governor Rollins was richer in his campaign war chest and Irina was sent back to Russia along with her brother. They were lucky that Caroline didn’t have to fire a shot.

All in a days work for spy who had nothing to lose.

Sam should be released from his assignment in Venezuela in the next few days.

Fly, Caroline, fly home with a smile.

Great job.

( to be continued )

GOING PLACES SAGA #22

“How nice it is to dream with you, in the moonlight, Sam!”

April was having another one of her dreams…it was about Sam Houston.

She didn’t know if he was safe, but she prayed each night that

he would be coming back to Italy, soon.

April stayed busy by writing poems in the afternoon on her front porch.

Her girls were attending classes at the local Catholic school in the village.

Life wasn’t the same without her Sam.

( to be continued )

GOING PLACES SAGA #21

¯`´.¸________ღ☆ღ_________ ¸.´´¯)´´¯)
☆ ▓▒░ ☆.☆ ☆Good Morning☆ ☆ ☆░▒▓ ☆
(_¸.(_¸.´´ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ღ☆ღ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ `´.¸_).¸_)

Caroline felt like she accomplished one of her goals with donating a half million dollars to Governor Rollins future campaign. Now, she had to tackle her next goal; getting Irina and her brother to back off their plan to destroy Sam Houston.

Caroline had three loves in her life. First, was her husband, James, her soul mate.

Second, her children. Third, was Sam, a dearly loved friend, who she would defend until the end of time.

Yes, today was a new fresh start in completing her assignment in Paris.

(to be continued )

GOING PLACES SAGA #20

As soon as Caroline Jamison walked into Governor Rollins office, he recognized her as the first lady of Texas.

“Oh my, this is a surprise. When Bradley told me he wanted me to met Sam Houston’s cousin, I had not idea that it was you. It’s a pleasure and honor to meet you.”

“Kind of you to meet with me, Governor.”

“How’s that great state of Texas and your husband, James?”

“Texas is hanging in there considering what is happening at our southern border and my husband wants me to send you his deepest regards and wished he could be here today, but duty calls for him to stay in Texas.”

Caroline put on her southern charm and voice for Rollins.

“I understand about duty calling, but I’m glad he sent his beautiful wife. What can I do for you, Mrs. Jamison?”

“Oh, please call me Caroline.”

“I read in the newspapers that you had a polo match with my cousin, Sam Houston and unfortunately, you lost.”

“Yes, I did, but it’s over and Sam’s richer because of his win.”

“That is one of the reasons I’m here today, Governor. Sam doesn’t need the money, he gave it to the 2020 OLYMPIC Team. He’s passionate about sports, especially, polo. I would like to make a donation to your next campaign.”

“Well, that would be nice of you, Caroline.”

“Sam and I would like to donate $500,000.”

“Wow, that is a generous amount. Are you sure it from the both of you?”

“Yes, I’m sure. He and I discussed it this morning.”

Of course, Caroline was lying about her discussing it with Sam because no one had heard from him in two weeks.
The Agency wanted to offer the Governor campaign money; it would come out of Sam’s pay. They didn’t want Rollins to continue to bad mouth the Agency since he still had influence in Washington DC.

“This calls for a celebration, have lunch with me.”

“Governor, I would be delighted. I hope the invitation includes
Bradley.”

“Of course.”

( to be continued )

GOING PLACES SAGA #19

MOSCOW (AP) — Venezuela’s foreign minister says the country may expand the presence of Russian military specialists there, as Moscow and Washington accuse each other of interfering in the country’s crisis.
Russia has had deep military cooperation with Venezuela over the years, including supplying weapons and aircraft.

“Hey Sam, did you read this article about Russian military specialists are here in Venezuela?”

“Majors, stop reading that stuff….it’s all fake and old news. We were here before the Russians. We have a good handle on the situation.”

“The article goes on to say…
In recent days, however, US Navy Adm. Craig Faller, the head of US Southern Command, which oversees US operations south of Mexico’s southern border, has said his forces are on “the balls of their feet.

“What the hell does that mean, Sam?”

Sam put down his cup of coffee and grabbed the newspaper away from Majors.
“Balls of their feet means that they’re getting out all of their operational plans. They’re looking at where all of our military forces are deployed through the region, particularly maritime forces in the Caribbean, but air, sea, land, everything,”

( to be continued )

GOING PLACES SAGA #18

Caroline settled into her hotel room and began to unpack. She stepped out onto the terrace and immediately was missing James. She wanted to call him but she knew that was not allowed. Caroline would have to enjoy the sites and sounds of Paris alone.

Her thoughts then went to Sam Houston. She said a prayer for him. Bradley didn’t deserve to lose his father over a silly polo match.

Caroline smiled to herself; boys will be boys. That polo match was Sam’s style. She couldn’t keep from laughing out loud. Bringing in the Argentinean Olympic polo team was a classy move…bravo Sam. She knew it was not about the money for Sam. It was the glory of the win and it was some big win for Sam.

Caroline opened a bottle of French champagne and toasted Sam Houston.

“Because of you, Sam, I’m back out of retirement. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not but it got me a trip to Paris, a city I love. Cheers, my dear friend.”

( to be continued )

GOING PLACES SAGA #17

Bradley and Caroline enjoyed their chat together

while drinking coffee in an outdoor café in Paris.

Bradley was warming up to the idea that Caroline was there to assist him in a plan that the Agency laid out in detail for getting his father out of danger and hopefully back home and in the good graces of the Agency.

“Bradley, the plan is for me to be Sam’s distant cousin visiting you here in Paris. Before I forget, here’s a new phone for you to start using. Just program your stored phone numbers into it. It works as a recording device and camera; the newest edition from the Agency.”

“No one will know it not my typical phone?”

“No, and the Agency will be recording and watching every where you go, so be careful. I’m going to need you set a meeting, maybe, a lunch with Governor Rollins and cocktails with your Russian friend, Irina. Can you do that?”

“Yes, madam, I will. Anything else?”

“No, not now; this will be the start.”

( to be continued )