Dinner

Maybe its my age but I find that the simplest things in life bring me the most pleasure these days. I don't need fancy clothes or jewelry, have no use for big cars and McMansions, I just want an evening at home in front of the fire, a good book, or dinner with friends.

Last week we had dinner in Sag Harbor with friends. When I climbed into bed that night I reflected on the evening and realized that these are the things that make life rich and wonderful. Just a couple hours with people we like, a little laughter, a little arguing. a little wine, and some good food. It's as old as time itself and yet the formula still works. And its one of the simplest forms of entertainment. It doesn't need to be in a restaurant, it can as easily be around a kitchen table with a pot roast as at an elegant eatery with filet mignon. Because its not about the food, its about the conversation, the relationships that make our lives rich and interesting.

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that our moments of contentment and joy come not from the things we own or the jobs we do, but by the people around us and the simplest of settings. And winter in East Hampton, when things are quiet and the pace is slow, is the best time to just savor those special times.