Tag Archives: Food

A Couple of Things…

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  1. I may have hit a nerve on my last post regarding my Public Service Announcement message about talking at concerts. A few friends were concerned with my “sassiness” because I’m usually well-mannered (LOL!!!), and others because they may have been the target for my rant. Rest assured, I keep all conversations to a minimum at concerts, so no, my friends are not the target and perhaps I should rephrase? So instead of “So please take your conversation elsewhere or just shut the fuck up!” I should say, “Please take your conversation elsewhere so others may continue to enjoy the show” (Yawn, Eyeroll). #SorryNotSorry
girl holding sign saying sorry

2. I go back and forth with my hate/love relationship with GoDaddy. On one hand, the company continues to nickle and dime us small businesses, but on the other hand, 80% of their tech help are remarkable! The other 20%, not so much.

3. I don’t go back and forth with my hate/hate relationship with Ticketmaster. I hope someday there is a class action suit against them. They do not allow single tickets to be purchased up near the stage! I’m happy to go to a concert solo and pay that price! I’ve looked into traveling to see one of my favorite bands, but again, I don’t want to sit solo in the nosebleed seats. Turns out, I’m not the only one with disdain for this conglomerate. #HateTicketmaster

4. I have on occasion been sucked into reading articles with intriguing headlines. One had to do with clothes women should no longer wear after a certain age according to a fashion expert. Apparently I already break most rules, though “Avoid massive makeup” is strictly adhered to as is “Opt for comfortable footwear.”

5. I tend to keep rudeness by others filed “closely” away. Like elephants, I rarely forget. I do try to understand those random acts of impolite/insulting/vulgar non-kindness…but then I get bored and file it away for future profiling.

Wiki definition of “Offender Profiling: Investigative tool used by law enforcement agencies to identify likely suspects and analyze patterns that may predict future offenses and/or victims.”

Syd's starter
Syd teaching me about sourdough bread making
sourdough bread
An early attempt at sourdough bread

6. Have I mentioned I went down the rabbit hole of sourdough bread baking? It all started when my evil daughter sent me home with a Christmas present of her sourdough starter. I’m embarrassed to say, I promptly, but accidentally killed it. I would soon learn that chlorine in our water was the culprit, so I only use bottled spring water and my starter is 100% homemade…her name is Betty Boop. I still haven’t nailed the process of baking the sourdough which is a two-three day ordeal, but I’m incredibly close. So yeah, it’s been six months and I’m still learning.

photo of Otzi mumified body
A trove of prehistoric microbes have been found in the mummified body of Ötzi the Iceman.

7. On a related note. The website, AllThatsInteresting.com had an article called, “Scientists Just Used Yeast From Otzi, The Iceman’s 5,300-Year-Old Corpse to Make Sourdough Bread.”
Otzi was discovered in 1991 in Italy’s Otzal Alps and scientists have been studying him ever since. In 2019 a team from Eurac Research Institute began studying Otzi’s microbiome and discovered yeast along with various types of bacteria, so why not make sourdough bread?
My question, “Who was brave enough to try it?” Next they hope to make beer from the yeast….which seems more realistic.
https://allthatsinteresting.com/otzi-the-iceman-yeast

8. Eagle watch update: The eaglets, Luna and Sandy, are now fledglings. They earned the new title once they developed feathers necessary for flight…which I have not witnessed yet. But they look ready to go! It has been noted that both youngsters “branched” for the first time earlier this month, which is to say they hopped/flew to a nearby branch outside their nest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE #FlyLikeAnEagle

9. If you love me, then do me a hard favor when introducing me to a friend. Use their name at least five times. I suck at remembering names. Example: This is my friend Joe. I’ve known Joe for years. Joe is a Fireman. I understand that Joe thinks you’re hot and Joe wants to date you. This I would remember. #BadAtNames

From my favorite quotes file: “I fall in love just a little, oh a little bit every day with someone new” – Hozier, Someone New

Thanks for listening!

A Couple of Things…Wine Tasting

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PamI’m not the biggest authority when it comes to wine tasting; in fact, I normally go by whether the wine I’ve been served makes me crinkle my nose or not, so a discernible palate, I’ve yet to develop.

It’s been 20+ years since I went wine tasting; so I was very excited and honored to be included in Kat Merrick’s recent wine tasting excursion.  Her attention to detail and party planning skills are a wonder to behold and the day would have been nothing without her.

The first day of September, right smack dab in the middle of the Labor Day weekend was incredibly hot and humid.  The outing capped off Kat’s Birth-Week which had begun the weekend before with a party at The Tavern with Raging Arb and the Redheads. Kat is one of those women, who like myself, subscribes to the “How to Live Life to the Fullest” philosophies.  Plus, she just cracks me up!

Kat rented a van and my father stepped up as the designated driver for my friends so we wouldn’t have to worry and we would be safe knowing we had a sober driver.  That being said, and with his impeccable driving record to his credit, there was that moment of collective doubt as we exited the freeway and we all saw the stopped line of cars on the offramp, but apparently that didn’t register until the last moment for my father as he slammed on the brakes JUST in time before plowing into the autos waiting to turn.  But that is neither here nor there as it woke us up – in every respect – preparing us for the wine tasting ahead.

We visited four vineyards and took our time at the tasting tables learning about the wines being poured.  The Roberts are members of some wine clubs and as a result our pours were gratis, which I had not expected, but am so appreciative of.  At each location we took our time as we were in no hurry and enjoyed not only each other’s company, but Kat had put together a spread beyond belief.  Appetizers at our first with grapes, cheeses, salami, dried apricots and crackers.  Another one had our main course with amazing turkey sandwiches on artisan bread, as well as pasta salad made with fresh tomatoes from her garden.  Understandably, we never did get around to dessert, we were stuffed!!!

Still very green on the wine tasting front, and with a lot to still learn, I will attempt to impart what knowledge I have learned about wine tasing:

1. Go with someone more experienced than yourself

2. A designated driver, no matter what price, is worth it.

3. Take your time.  Do not rush

4. Don’t finish the glass if you don’t like it.

5. Photo ops are everywhere!  (Extra note: The pictures are better at the beginning of the day instead of the end, when you’re sloppy drunk).

6. Don’t get drunk

7. Sunglasses are mandatory for more than one reason.

8. Learn the term, “Revisit”.

I will now add this to my list of life highlights!  When I get “blue”, which is so rare, all I need to do is to place my attention on any of these highlights, and “Poof!”  Blues begone!

Thanks Kat, Chris, Karen, Wendell and my father Gilbert for a fabulous time!!