And being raised by foodies isn't so different from being raised by wolves. Both categories are totally devoted to the procurement and enjoyment of comestibles. I took care of the boys, 9 and 7, recently and food played a dominant role. At the grocery they wanted to try everything they had never set tooth to. So we came home with rhubarb and brussel sprouts. I drew the line at star fruit, though I regret that now. Three dollars seemed a midge high for something I knew nothing about. The rhubarb was met with delight by the younger one, who proclaimed it so sour it was sweet. The older one was quite enamored of the brussel sprouts, said they tasted like a cross between bok choy and broccoli.

Obviously someone in his family doesn't share his enthusiasm, or he would have had it by now, since the names of all vegetables in the land were one of his first accomplishments as a toddler, ticking them off as he rode by in a grocery cart in days gone by.

Back to the present, at the ice cream parlor, the older eater had to be rationed or he'd still be there, sampling: It takes him quite a while to come up with a decision that momentous. The choice was simpler for the younger one: He's swayed by words.

The title that delighted him was "Where have you bean all my life?" Chockfull of coffee beans, it wasn't the best choice for someone destined for bed within the hour, but how could we resist? I could hear him long after the time he usually nodded off, trying to engage his sleeping brother in conversation.

When their dad called to get an update, the first thing he heard was, "Dad, Dad, we had clam chowder at the beach house." This despite the fact that the speaker had also been to Egypt via the Rosicrucian Museum, to the ocean via Capitola, to the Middle Ages via an antique sword shop and behind the controls of an actual airplane via Oak Meadow Park.

If one of those two doesn't become a chef ultimately I'll eat my hat--or anything else they serve me, come to think of it.

TO BALLET BOARD: Saratogan Shellie McLean Fry has been appointed one of nine new board members to Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley. Fry is a member of the Fry's Electronics family, a company that is an especially strong ballet supporter. For the past two years it has hosted dinner for the opening night audience.

Shellie organizes special events for opening night ballet subscribers before each program and serves as hostess. She has helped develop a team that sells subscriptions to the ballet's new season.

Other new board members are Gadi Behar, Rob Cisneros, Andrea Gregory-Schoen, Teri Houseman-Struck, Giselle Parry Farris, Dan Pulcrano, Michelle Rose and Rachel Spivack. John Fry is chairman of the board. Other Saratogans on the board are Stuart Slamowitz and Marie LoPresto.

TEATIME: The Saratoga Senior Center held its annual fundraising High Tea recently and hats and flowers predominated, sprouting all over. In charge of the event were Vel Volek and Suzy Siegler, aided by Doris Volz and Peggy Corr. All the food was donated, as were the flowers.

Teapots served as center pieces and the floral wizards were Dorothy Friel, Phyllis Feemster, Felicia Pollock and Jeanne Green. Two Westmont sophomores provided the music--Sarah Kim, violinist; and Christine Yang, pianist. This duo entertained at the Adult Day Care every Friday this summer.

The most winning hats were judged to be those of Anne Brandenburg and Fiorella Bano. Brandenburg decorated the hat herself with flowers and veiling and said she almost didn't wear it. But as she exited her house she took heart and slipped it on. After all, this was a hat occasion.

Bano, who took home hat honors last year, too, said this one, an unusual, blue velvet pleated pancake sort, worn on the slant, was purchased in Texas in the '50s. And still doing prize-winning service. Mayor Kathleen King appeared in black and white clown hat, reminiscent of Mardi Gras.

Gloria Watson and John and Phyllis Feemster made sure the walls were covered with floral paintings and photos by local artists that bedecked the room.

ART & MONEY: Elke Groves, president of the Los Gatos Art Association, has a new job as Villa Circle Director at Montalvo. As such, she's part of the development office. Those who contribute $2,500-$15,000 to the Villa will be her domain. Has the full-time job cut down on her painting output? No indeed, she assures.

DISCUSSION LEADERS: The AAUW Book Review group will lead the community discussion of Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bessinger on Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Library. Night Lights celebrates football and small town values. Bessinger will also give a program at Montalvo on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. in the Carriage House.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.