"I've never owned a vineyard, but I am sure I have drunk one".
SIPPING Fall where the spirit turns to crisp air, blue skies, colorful trees, apple cider and traversing the trails in Traverse City for wine, wine, wine! I think they are up to 120 vineyards at this point which makes my job more difficult determining who to visit. Easiest part is picking the first stop as I merely look for who is open first, duhh. I enjoy the lectures as much as the sipping-which become even more interesting by about the 4th stop.
They all say it depends upon the ground in which the wines are planted thus encouraging the grapes produced to pick which varietal character they will aspire to become. Which begs the question. What varietal is nurtured by the vineyard next to the cemetery (true fact). At any rate I suppose the "body" of the wine should be robust. Considering the long history of agricultural activities in the area that were precursor to the vineyard craze the amount of chemical-enhanced earth provides a fascinating range of possibilities. Alcohol kills anything right? Consequently, I would recommend wines that have a higher alcohol content. It's just science.
We haven't planned a trip to the TC area the last couple of years, and my "wine cellar" is showing some bald spots. That is the same "cellar" that I gaze into as I am interviewing for my podcast. I will be somewhat winging my podcast recording tomorrow as the lady was extremely busy and we did not rehearse. I'm just hoping she is able to attend the recording session. UPDATE: She was spot on time and we had a lovely conversation. So often these sessions trigger memories (some good some bad) from my many years in the field, so I always surprise myself with what I dredge up from the past.
POLITICking Points one and two on the trumpdillyicious signs. Immigration has been a pseudo unsolvable issue for years and years regardless of who is sitting in the Executive branch. The better to bash the opponent my dear. Complicated yes, but there are some solutions which do not involve a billion-dollar wall. Like more judges, more security, more understanding. Immigrants often take the jobs that Americans do not want and are happy to do so. However this "dog-whistle" approach of blaming and criminalizing a group of people is textbook "stir up the hatred and mobs" syndrome used by fascist and dictatorial leaders the world over. Lest we forget, when there was actually a possible bandage for the issue last year, guess who kiboshed it?
We don't want to think about it, but many benefits including rent moratoriums for all Americans were given to help out during the country's shut-down. When the emergency ended, folks lost the "extras" and have to reapply, but it is easier to blame "those foreigners". The Pres has little control over what Congress decides to keep or eliminate and the "r's" tend to take away people programs. Some of which they should (it's not a free-for-all) but to constantly keep people in need hanging, so to speak, is cruel.
Second, affordable housing is absolutely a problem for those seeking reasonably priced homes and rentals. One factor was the huge demand and low interest rates after the pandemic that drove prices to obscene amounts shutting out young families. After the rent moratorium was lifted, landlords raised their prices to make up ground. Ever notice how hotels, entertainment venues, etc. have doubled or tripled their prices? Everybody's trying to recoup. But another more insidious issue is so many houses and rental properties are being snapped up by speculators with money. In other words, no skin in the game. Get as much out of it as you can as quick as you can. Wages going up 20% can't compete when prices go up 40% through no fault of the consumer.
REMEMBERING As I am a day late, my sister reminded me it has been 17 years today since my mother passed so I am assuming she has things organized up there by now. As we held her celebration of life on October 4, 2007, I was able to say in my eulogy "10-4 Shirley, we'll see you again". Though to be drippingly sentimental I have been seeing a lot of white butterflies around even at this late date. We have always associated butterflies with my mother so, yep, I'm getting the message.
Celebrated a friend's 50th anniversary yesterday and damn are we all old! As we held court at the table with college friends, I had to look twice to recognize our old gang. Still sound the same, thank goodness, and the stories and humor are the same, though we drink less and end earlier than I remember. As young marrieds, being proverbially church mouse poor in an upstairs apartment never stopped the 20-30 person all day/all night parties in the yard on the weekends. Everybody brought food and booze so it worked out. Now it's Beef Wellington, crab cakes and hummus dip for hors d oeuvres. Better wine and liquor too. But nobody ever cleans out the veggie plates. We haven't changed that much, but we do compare medical horror stories and scars that we didn't have 50 years ago LOL.
"Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life" So with that...Peace out 💚 💙💛
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