Chronicles Continued

What I don’t know is greater than what I do know, but some of my select knowledge is sound.  I actually spend time and money on my education.  You can imagine the hardship.  Last Fall I discovered a wine from the Languedoc region.  It is so good and at such an amazing price point, that I don’t share the information.  There is a wine store in Albany that stocks it and ships.  But this winter I decided it would be good to find a local wine store that would stock it.  Through random selection based on another wine for which I was searching, I found a ‘local’ store.  I asked the owner if he could order this 2009 wine.  He hemmed and hawed and said he’d have to order 3.5 cases to meet the price point I want.  I said 3 was a bit much, but I’d sit on it.  Decided to go with a case, which he then said was incentive for him to order it.  In the meantime I bought a couple of his suggestions and discovered he and I don’t have the same palate at all.  I don’t believe in the rating system – sort of wines for dummies and believe terroir is what makes a great wine.  Was concerned that he was not going to like his 2.5 cases of my choice. So, not certain what to expect, went to pick up the case yesterday.  When I entered his store, I saw ‘John’ was grinning from ear to ear; he said he could not wait to tell me.  The previous night he had his monthly wine tasting.  He had 6 wines to showcase.  He began with the 2009 from Languedoc.  He said within 30 minutes he had sold the 2.5 cases and he had to restrain his assistant from breaking open the one he was holding for me.  He was beside himself with glee; it made him look like a hero to his ‘club’. [He used to sell wine, but he is heavy on liquor – given his location and his wine knowledge is thin, he was a salesman pushing not recommending].  He is apparently interested in all the help he can get.  So now he has ordered 6 more cases of the wine

and I’m quietly feeding him information about other varietals that he doesn’t know.  This could be great fun!

In wind, storm, heat, the calves are chained inside these huts.  The farmer says they are there to be weaned from the mother…..I don’t believe that is what is happening….

Someone gave me a state map during the holidays.  It now is on the refrigerator with yellow highlights for where I am, where I’m going and where I’ve been.  Most helpful.

and everyone thinks it is a heat wave.  Following on the heels of sub-zero temps, it was a breezy warm day.  Will be short-lived.  In 25 hours it is going from 55 to -1.  Mexico next winter for six months is lookin’ mighty appealing.

When you are at the stash counting the units, wondering if you will make it until May.  At a party last night heard two great tales of what does happen when there is no more stash and you try to replenish and you are not the only one.  Came home and telephoned my favorite woodman to deliver at his convenience, but next week.

When little, was often told not to blow on the white fluffy heads of the dandelion as that was the mechanism for propagation.  No one mentioned the pine cone.  Collected a basket full to use as fire starters.  Excellent choice for that purpose.  Only don’t drop it between the basket and the hearth.  There are so many fine seeds attached to wings that tumble out, once could imagine a possible forest in each cone.

Did not know that chipmunks live in the ground.  Don’t know where i thought they lived, suspect it was trees, but in the ground it is.  I have a chipmunk who has entrances by two of the house porches.  One entrance is away from the porch, in the grass, and the other is under the porch.  He/she is busy when there is no snow on the ground.  When I have food that I think might be of interest I add it to the standing bird feeder, [as opposed to the hanging feeder] and oft-times ‘Dale’ is up there to check it out.  The other day after adding cut apple to the stand, I looked out to see him squarely in front of the window, eating a piece.  I’m sure I saw him waving his other paw while eating, letting me know more of this would be welcome. I see him often in places where it appears as if he wants to be seen

Grew up and then continued in adult life with a bowl of nuts-in-the-shell at holiday time.  The bowl always had a couple of metal hand-held nut shell crackers and accompanying picks to remove the nut meat.  Was delighted to see my new favorite grocery store selling a selection this season.  Bought them, brought them home  and put them in large basket.  Left basket out for the taking.  Well, the taking was by the mice.  Went away for a few days and returned home to find nuts strewn about the room; as if they were on their way to another destination, but the getting-there was still a work in progress.  Gathered the nuts up, and now they all reside in a glass jar with lid and the metal accoutrements are laying beside the enclosed canister.  The nice also sampled the apple that was an integral part of the mantel arrangement.

Each and every year brings unexpected joys and sorrow.  May your year to come bring you joy and experiences beyond your wildest expectations.  Do what you have put off, go to places you’ve wanted to visit and talk to someone with whom you have lost contact.  Make it a new year about others like never before.