Lily called me up a few days ago. I had not talked to Lily and her family in years. We used to go to the same church but she moved and I moved and … you know how that goes. Well, she said she wanted me to share the gospel to Buddy, a family friend, who is dying in a hospital in downtown L.A.. Of course I was willing to help.

He passed away almost 10 years ago but his memory lives on. He was a lawyer who had so many talents, he played lead guitar, composed music and wrote terrific prose --- he even wrote his own musical play. Halloween season reminds me of Rod because he told the scariest stories.

Elsewhere I wrote about a more formal Monterosola red wine tasting but their whites simply lent themselves to an informal late summer brunch . . .

Yes, autumn is in the air. And a good way to keep in touch with different cultures and traditions – without traveling – is to bring new flavors in your own kitchen. My friends at Switzerland Tourism just sent me this delicious and easy to make recipe. In Switzerland it’s called Spätzli or Chnöpfli, and this noodle dish is even better in autumn when you add fresh pumpkin.