Uncle Leo by Susan

In our family those people that were especially close to us we gave them the title of "Uncle" or "Aunt" even if they weren't related to us.

Leo and George were Navy ship mates and they remained friends for years. I remember Uncle Leo coming to visit us in his big Cadillac car. I'd sit in the back in the middle tinkering with all the gadgets on the middle console. Most of our drives I believe were to the beach but wherever we went I remember coming home and having wieners and cabbage with potato cakes - it was one of my favorites.

I loved the way my Mom could take leftover mashed potatoes and patty them out. Then she'd fry them in melted butter slowly enough to get a nice brown crust on each side. Whenever my family makes mashed potatoes, we always make plenty so we can have potato cakes with another meal - they are definitely our favorite.

Daniel was born on Leo's birthday, June 13th, so Mom gave Daniel a small end table that use to be Uncle Leo's. He must of been a really close friend to George for him to give him the title of "Uncle."