A charming friend of ours from the neighborhood sadly passed away recently. It took us all by surprise. Today is his memorial. We bonded over literature and classic films and music. He loved The Marx Brothers and the band Television and appreciated all the cool stuff. He was from the Bronx and preferred New York “the way it was”, he always had a great story to share. He was easy to talk to and always gave me his undivided attention when we shared stories. I adored this man and would look forward to seeing him when I’d stop by the bar that my boyfriend works at. Steven was a regular there and was always seated in the corner with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. The last time I saw him he treated Alden and I to a wonderful experience. We three went to see a performance with the Oregon Symphony and Carla Kilstedt titled “26 Little Deaths”, where she weaved storytelling and song inspired by Edward Gorey’s “Ghastly Crumb Tinies”. It was brilliant! We sat side by side giggling out loud at the macabre irony of the tales that she performed. Thank you so much for that experience Steven Romeo! I can still feel your whiskers as I hugged and kissed you goodbye when I dropped you off that night. You had plans to retire soon to Thailand. I hope that your spirit took a little flight to hover around and explore Thailand before going into the stars. I hope the experience wasn’t scary, but was of wonder and curiosity as you carried within your vibrant being. I really wanted to talk to you some more Steven. You are dearly missed my friend. With all my love.

The Sneeze

Steven, Jayme and I were at an Italian restaurant in Medford Oregon. Steven had one of those sneezes that looked like it would give you goosebumps. He held his hand at his nose and looked around in a panic. I quickly handed him my linen napkin. He cleaned up and said thank you, then put the linen back in my spot. I looked at him and said "Hey... you can keep it". Steven: "OH!, right, sorry *chuckle*"

30 Years Around The Table

Nearly thirty years ago, in a cramped apartment in Albuquerque, Steven invited Chris and me to his table. I can still picture that modest kitchen where he worked his magic, carefully preparing homemade veal parmesan with rich gravy ladled over noodles. The aroma filled every corner of that small space. That evening marked the beginning of a friendship nourished by countless shared meals. Over the decades that followed, we gathered around his funky dining room table, in our backyard, our kitchen, in bars, restaurants, and festivals—sharing food and raising glasses together wherever we found ourselves. What began as that single dinner eventually morphed into an almost yearly tradition—Thanksgivings where Chris and Steven would abandon the turkey and stuffing for their own unconventional feasts: roasted whole pig, lobster, seafood bakes, prime rib. It wasn't just the dinner itself; the entire day became an event of food—elaborate breakfasts, carefully crafted appetizers, thoughtful wine pairings—creating new memories around tables laden with whatever inspired them that year. Looking back, I marvel at how that first simple dinner set the tone for everything that followed—a friendship surrounded by good food, drink, stories and laughter."

The Great Debate

Steven wasn't afraid to debate a topic. Until 2am... This guy had stamina. More on this later.

The Beach

Chris and I had so many adventures with Steven that it is hard to only share one. But one very memorable trip was when the three of us took a vacation to the Oregon Coast. We stayed in a little town south of Newport called Waldport. We rented a house up on a hill that overlooked Alsea Bay. It was a beautiful house with a big kitchen, amazing views, and a spa! We played all day and soaked in the spa every night! Chris and Steven cooked most of the meals, and we ate well, feasting on crab, steak, shrimp, and corn! Being true to Steven's generous spirit, he always came with a cooler stocked with specialty meats, snacks, and other goodies. We did a lot of exploring on the beach, at Cape Perpetua, in Newport, and at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Chris and Steven flew a kite on the beach and hiked down the rocks to watch the water spray up through the rocks from the spouting horn. With his curious mind and appreciation for nature, Steven was usually up for any adventure, hiking trails and exploring new places. With all the outdoor exploring, great meals at local restaurants, our visit to Rogue Distillery, and relaxing evenings at our rental house, we packed so much into those few days.