Reply #14: I've known her for about forty years

[DFW]

My father was a Washington print journalist for 50 years, and was
a close colleague of Helen's. I met her many times since I was a kid,
but we really only got to speaking and meeting up a lot after my father
passed away in 2000. Now, whenever we can, we meet for breakfast, coffee,
or dinner when I'm in Washington. My brother still lives there, so it's
once or twice a year at least.

Helen is of Lebanese origin, and she took me and my brother to an AMAZING
Lebanese restaurant in DC. The place looked like it had been transported
from Beirut in 1890, and hadn't changed since. It's called Mama Ayesha's,
and anyone in DC ought to check it out. Not only is the food beyond amazing,
but if you're lucky, you'll catch Helen there on occasion, and she's always
happy to say hi and have a brief chat. But do it between courses--keeping
her (or anyone) from food THAT good is torture!