As I’ve said before, Jupiter is my favorite of The Planets Holst gives musical representation, largely because, as Holst subtitles it, the Bringer of Jollity, and I like jollity. And the music is melodiously singalongable.

Jupiter is many things.

Jupiter resonates in the space program.

Jupiter was the King of the Roman gods, the newer version of the predecessor Greek Zeus who set the template, but established himself only after the Great Wars for Power.

Jupiter is also pizza.
Let me explain.

My darling granddaughter and her remarkable husband were coming over from Ireland to visit friends and family, and we negotiated a dinner location.

We all knew Jupiter in Berkeley. Famous pizza, outdoor seating as requested, umbrellas or overhang against rain, directional heating, a landscaped fountain pool in the courtyard, a view of the pizza ovens, reservations for 5:00 o’clock, early dinner before the rush.

Today was a special day many times over. It was Election Day. The Mid-terms, where the fate of the nation hangs in the balance.

TV for weeks has bombarded us with percentages, speeches, expensive ads, revelations and outright lies.

The polls close on the East Coast three hours ahead of California, and early returns were already being announced from Florida which closes its polls at 7:00 EST, don’t ask my why. The air in America was beginning to crackle.

So we drove the Camry over to the place where Erin and James were staying with friends. A quick text, “We’re here,” and a quick reply, “We’ll be out in a minute.”

They piled into the back seat where I was sitting strapped in against the right door. They buckled up and we were off. Erin leaned her head on my shoulder, I leaned my head against hers, and time and distance disappeared.

We parked around the corner from Jupiter, a short walk with my poles I was glad I brought, and we were greeted and ushered toward the tables.

Strategically placed, our table with its reservation placard, four chairs at the table, one a little wet with rain water (the rain had stopped and was taking a break).

I said, “I can take the wet chair, I can swab it down,” and I reached in my pocket for a kleenex or a napkin which was always there whenever my nose needed blowing.

Chaz and James swapped the wet chair with a replacement at a neighboring empty table (we were early reservation before the dinner rush), then confiscated another chair to make five, and we sat at the little table and looked around.

I looked at the reservation card on our table.

It said, “Reservation for four,” and listed an unfamiliar name.

We leaped to our feet, and were gestured to the higher level, our table for 5, in a kind of garden setting with vines climbing down the wall.

The efficient waitress brought us water immediately and took our drinks order. Respectable beer for James, a mixed drink for Chaz, lemonade for Erin, a tall glass (20 oz.) of a favorite beer for Kristina, and water for me.

Kristina, who is re-integrating me into the world, said, “Dad, order a beer, join the party,” so I ordered the small glass (10 oz.) of Hefeweizen because Shirley and I had drunk it in Amsterdam or Vienna, and I said to the waitress, “I’m learning to drink again, because the doctor said I could.”

She nodded knowingly.

The beer was as I remembered, and I wished again that Shirley could be there to drink it with me. She was always more advanced than I was in such matters, knew what wine she liked and was willing to try new, while I ordered water because it was free and I was shepherding my money to pay the bill. She always gave me a sip to taste, for my education, and I followed her lead, as I would follow her anywhere and everywhere, but she also always followed me because that’s just the way we were together. If she could have been with us, we would have been a table for six.

I took five menus from a slot on the post, and we looked over and debated our choices. James went for the tried-and-true, pepperoni pizza. Erin chose vegetarian, mushroom. I had never tried it, nor had Chaz, but Kristina had recommended it, and it was a wonderful surprise.

Speaking of surprise pizzas, we had recently discovered the Circe, shrimp pizza so good it was almost addictive. Since that earlier first time, we have ordered it again and again, and, today, again.

We rounded out the order with a large Eutropia, which has something for everyone who is not vegetarian: meat, sausage, cheese, vegetables like onion and bell pepper and tomato and heaven.

Four pizzas, the large multi-person size (they do offer individual size, but we wanted to share), so four filled five, with left overs, take-home boxes ready and waiting.

The menu had a small space for “Soup of the Day,” which said simply, “Soup of the Day.” Some menus say, “Ask the waiter.” This menu did not. So I asked, “What is the Soup of the Day?”

“Chili.”

I hadn’t thought of chili as soup.

The addendum was added, “Two kinds — with meat, or without, vegetarian.”

I gave in to curiosity. I could eat more pizza at home from leftovers, so I said, “With meat, absolutely. Meat makes almost everything better.” I refrained from adding, “I haven’t tried pork fried ice cream that they serve at the County Fair,” because I do have some restraint.

The chili was quite good, and I scraped the bowl.

I pulled the waitress aside and said, “The bill comes to me.”

She said, “Are you sure?”

I said, “Oh, yes,” and gestured to my family like the paterfamilias which I guess I in fact am, in a grandfatherly way with the “youngsters.”

We ate and talked, and talked and ate. We didn’t need dessert, but gave in, and ordered two shareable extravaganzas.

This was a real feast, a month before Thanksgiving, two months before Christmas. The lively conversation was like a fireworks display lighting up our little corner of the world, the restaurant a perfect setting. We were part of The Big Picture.

The check came, I punched in the higher tip suggestion and kept my eyes from bugging out as the percentage was translated into a number.

“It’s the least I can do,” I said the cliché, and am always happy to do my part wherever I can, which is the story of my life.

The waitress and I got to talking, as I do with people everywhere, especially those who are cheerful and mentally alert. The young woman, who was maybe just old enough to be fresh out of college, knew when I was trying to fashion jokes, which I do way too often, and she joked right back. I mentioned my 40 years of teaching in the classroom, mostly high school, mostly English, and she was excited because it was her favorite subject. “I love to read,” she said, “at least four hours a day.”

I looked at her as if she was my student, and tried the usual ploy, “I assume you have not been reading my blog.” “You have a blog?” A quick replay of how Kristina saved my life and got me writing again and is dragging me into this century, “There is someone in 85 countries reading what I write.” “Wow!” “Yes, wow, and when I mention places like Jupiter here because it’s so good, they say ‘I want to go to there.”

I gave her my card with the usual flourish.

I don’t usually mention people’s names in blogs, and I try to limit myself to saying nice things, but sometimes I find nice wonderful intelligent people like Allie at Jupiter…” “That’s me! You know my name!” “Yes, I read it on the receipt, and I still remember it.” “Would you like a copy of the receipt?” “Yes, a souvenir.”

She came back with a copy of the receipt, and said, “I told the manager about you and he wanted me to give you his card (Anton Thuiliere, General Manager).”

I said, “I like him already, and I’ve never met him.”

I cut the conversation short because I’d already gone on too long and people have work to do and lives to lead.

The famous farewells, “We’ll be back,” “We’ll be here.”

We took Erin and James back to their place and we all did the hug. We’re all good huggers.

Then through Berkeley back to home, TV updates confirming a major Blue Tsunami, majority in both houses of Congress, votes still being counted with expected majority increases.

Good food, a loving family, a brighter future.

All in all, it was a Jupiter Day!