What memories this evokes of my growing-up years in Iowa, except I think I am a generation earlier. Garlic, spicy hot, wine were unknowns. We had spaghetti and chili which bore no resemblance to that which I later ate in ethnic restaurants.
I enjoyed this story and the memories being awakened. Thank you. (and “tuna noodle green-been casserole? re-read your sentence on that.)

I am so glad to read the above comments. If a restaurant served me wine in a stemless glass, I’d refuse it. And there is nothing “hip” about making that statement (Is the word “hip” still in current use?) I wash all my Riedel in the dishwasher. The only breakage is when I have banged two together, and yes, they were my special Vinums! Careless of me. And my everyday water goblets are stemmed. And even my cheapest wine tastes better in a stemmed glass.