STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Interrupt that morning dose of bad news and divisive politics for a very personal slice of food life. It’s a topic inspired by a natural yet unusual circumstance, courtesy of a cardinal that landed just outside my kitchen window first thing this morning. As goes the lore of these noisy and stunning birds: they are gentle reminders of departed loved ones.

With that, it’s a first Sunday column back in the writing saddle after losing my dad. So, first, on behalf of the late Francis X. Silvestri and myself, thank you to my Advance colleagues for being your beautiful, supportive selves through a very tough time. And in the act of moving moving forward, thank you, dear reader, for tolerating a few final “Frank” stories that happen to come from the edible realm.