Ruth Harkin’s memoirs reveal the wit and thoughtfulness of an extraordinary woman

“Something new. Harkin, now 76, has never had surgery. His wife and sister-in-law promised to be on hand for the event. That was no comfort to Harkin. While competent and capable, the pair can’t even spell the word “likable.”

Ruth tells the story of her husband Tom’s obsessive and eccentric behavior at a restaurant. Harkin’s attention to detail, from the view from their table to the freshness of the asparagus and whether there’s the right kind of alcohol behind the bar, drives the waiters crazy. If he could have the zip code of the pork chop on his plate, that would be perfect. His obsession with the minutiae of haute cuisine would put Martha Stewart to shame.

I would have lunch with Ruth, but I would have to insist that she leave Tom at home. If Ruth’s story is even half true, I would rather have lunch with a boisterous, fast-paced two-year-old who is too big for a high chair in an expensive five-star restaurant than with Tom. It is stories like this that illustrate Ruth and Tom’s humor and their fondness for each other.

The Harkins love the Bahamas and spend a lot of time there. I wish I had more space to share bits and pieces of these stories, but you’ll just have to buy the book. Ruth notes that the island they spend time on has changed a lot over the years, losing some of the peace and quiet of when they first started traveling there. A thoughtful retrospection is all too rare these days—but not for Ruth.