Gliding beauties

The trek that takes us to Ms T's house (Sam's parapro) this summer is on a rural road with lots of barns, ponds, and pasture land. Almost every morning, I have seen a belted kingfisher sitting on the utility line above the pond. Yesterday, I decided to head over there to see if I could capture some shots of him. It was about 30-45 minutes later than when we are normally by there during the week. There was no kingfisher to be found, however, as soon as I got there, I noticed diving and swooping galore! An entire colony of barn swallows was busy with morning eating and preening.

Some were lining up on the utility wire and alternately chattering and preening as the sun came up to shine on them, and others were swooping over the ponds on either side of the road so fast that I was laughing when trying to get an actual shot of them. I was finally able to zero in on one sitting pretty, and had their happy, sweet song in my head as I drove away and headed home. Maybe I'll find the kingfisher another day, but what an unexpected treat to see these gliding beauties!

Up on the roof

A lovely friend who is an architect in nearby City by the River recently sent me these photos of the "green roof" being installed on his company's building downtown. What a great trend to see these "live" roof tops become a more feasible option than traditional black tops!

Here are the facts about green roofs from the EPA in a recent newspaper article:

Benefits of green roofs:

* Reduce sewage system loads by assimilating large amounts of rainwater.

* Absorb air pollution, collect airborne particulates, and store carbon.

* Protect underlying roof material by eliminating exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation and extreme daily temperature fluctuations.

* Serve as living environments that provide habitats for birds and other small animals.

* Offer an attractive alternative to traditional roofs, addressing growing concerns about urban quality of life.

* Reduce noise transfer from the outdoors.

* Insulate a building from extreme temperatures, mainly by keeping the building interior cool in the summer.

Not to mention, if you are having a tough day, you can just climb up on the roof, smile, and breathe a bit easier. :c) A nice place for a coffee break, don't you think?

Come on, sing along....

"When this old world starts a getting me down,
and people are just too much for me to face.
I'll climb way up to the top of the stairs and all my
cares just drift right into space.
On the roof, it's peaceful as can be and there the
world below don't bother me, no, no.

So when I come home feeling tired and beat,
I'll go up where the air is fresh and sweet.
I'll get far away from the hustling crowd and all
the rat-race noise down in the street.
On the roof, that's the only place I know, look at the city, baby.
Where you just have to wish to make it so, let's go up on the roof..."

Meditation through the viewfinder

A dear friend just returned from a week in Glacier National Park.
He said that with every path he walked, all he could see
were more views of God's spectacular creation.
Breathtaking views.
When I got these photos from him yesterday,
I fully understood what he meant.
Boy, but we are sooooo very small.

Gut punch

A week ago Monday, our tech Cindy pulled me aside to tell me that she would be coming in a bit late on Tuesday morning. "I found this knot on my breast," she said, "and I need to see my doctor about it." I assured her that we'd be fine and that for sure, she needed to get in to get it seen about. We discussed the fact that it was most probably a cyst, but it was good to get it checked out just the same. The mood was light.

She went to the doctor the next day and they did a mammogram and an ultrasound. By mammogram, it resembled a cyst, but by ultrasound, not so much. So, her GYN had made her an appointment to see a surgeon for an opinion. She saw the capable Dr. C on Wednesday, who promptly scheduled her for a needle biopsy on Friday, which she had last Friday at 10AM.

On Monday of this week, she got the call. "It's cancer... it's invasive cancer by the biopsy." I felt as if someone had punched me in the gut when the other girls told me those words on Tuesday morning as I was off on Monday. Oh, dear Lord. No way. Not Cindy. Invasive. How invasive? To where? I've know people peripherally who were diagnosed with breast cancer, but not someone I work with every day. Someone who is always laughing and cracking me up. Someone I've known for 15 years. Whew... major gut punch.

News like this always makes you reflexively put your hands on your own breasts. You think about when you had your last mammogram and the fact that you have not been really diligent doing the monthly self exam like you should. You think about the fact that they say one in NINE women will develop it. There are eleven of us in my unit. Twenty two breasts, and now... one with cancer in it.

She will see a plastic surgeon and the radiation oncologist to discuss options and then decide how she feels about lumpectomy (assuming they even can) vs. mastectomy along with reconstruction issues, and then will return to see the surgeon and get on his schedule ASAP. We will rally around her. We will support her through this. We will be her posse. I told her it would be like the Verizon commercials where the network follows her around. We'll be the always present group of people who are with her during this journey to offer love and support, and to be a group of medical professionals who probably know way too much about how this all will go down. Please pray for Cindy if you would... and please get your mammograms and do your breast self exam.

Bumbley bee

I was taking a photo of the new blooms on the
Rose of Sharon beside the house when right
on cue, a big bumbley bee flew into
the flower I was focusing on!
He rolled around in the pollen until
he was covered and then flew on to
find yet another willing donor.

The Garbage Truck of Life*

Another gem sent by a dear friend via email... and again, so very true.



One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so....."Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't."

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

*Written by David J. Pollay
davidjpollay.typepad.com

Dogs vs. Cats

DOG'S DIARY :

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


CAT'S DIARY :

Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return.

He is obviously retarded.

~~~~~~~~

Sent from a friend via email... too funny!

And so true!

Hellooooooo?

In some ways, during the summer I miss having my days off to myself to get things done, meet people for lunch etc., but the one advantage in having Sam here is that we get to plan our days together. He'll sometimes say, "Mom, how about tomorrow is Sam day?" Which of course means we'll do fun things that he wants to do. Usually that means eating at Red Lobster and going to Barnes and Noble.

But yesterday, I noticed that Horton Hears a Who is playing at the $2.50 movie place, and since we did not see it when it came out in March, I thought it would be fun to see it together today. I always loved the book, and it sparked my imagination to wonder about what actually might live on the top of a dandelion that we carelessly blow into the wind. So, come on. We'll save you a seat. Do you like your popcorn with or without butter? ;c)

Rethinking the garden

A cool looking group of 'shrooms in the new bed.

When landscaper extraordinaire Janet assessed our situation with water collecting against the house, she recommended we do a raingarden type bed. That way, not only would we be extending the bed out and building it up to create a barrier to sheet water, but the plants themselves, which are water lovers, would soak up what did come that way. Husband and I both asked her, "But what if we have drought conditions like we did last year? Won't we then be watering like crazy to keep things alive?" She thought there was enough ground water from when it does rain that the area is staying perpetually damp, and so we proceeded with the plans.

Well, everything has done well, however, we noticed several of the larger plants looking stressed over the past week or so. We've been watering with the sprinklers regularly as we've had no real measurable rain for several weeks. Janet returned on Thursday to do her regular how-is-it-progressing-after-four-weeks check, and noted that the winterberry holly and the sweetspire is really struggling. They are planted where they built the bed up a bit, and obviously we've done such a great job keeping any water away that they are not happy there. That's the nice thing about using a reputable master gardener person. She stands by her work, and is now rethinking what might work better that requires less water. The coreopsis, summersweet, inkberry, and other plants are all doing well. In a couple of weeks, Tim will be back out to remove those plants and revise the bed. It's so wonderful to work with someone who has pride in their work, and makes sure that right decisions are made to enhance the beauty of the landscape.

Juxtaposition

I like that word... juxtaposition.

jux·ta·po·si·tion –noun 1. an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast.

~~~~~~

It's what came to mind as I read the weekend section of the nearby City By The River newspaper and saw that one of the downtown You-Don't-Want-To-Burn-In-Hell megachurches had a full page ad announcing:


"Come and experience the multi-million dollar renovation of YDWTBIH Church's Main Auditorium:

* Grand Lobby, featuring a 40' cross suspended from the ceiling!
* Spacious Bible Study classrooms for adults
* Beautiful, elegant bridal room
* Pastor's Reception Room
* "Children of the King" themed, state-of-the-art nursery
* Master's Coffeeshop and King's Bookstore
* Redesigned sanctuary with brand new digital sound

~~~~~~

Yep, I am sure worship has never been so elegant...

And yet, here is the story that ran less than a month ago... (edited by me)

Gospel Mission To Use Salvation Army Quarters Temporarily

The Gospel Mission will be temporarily using facilities of the local Salvation Army, director of the homeless mission said. But he said the mission hopes to have new quarters in about two weeks.

The mission is having to move because its building at the corner of Popular New Trendy Downtown Street was sold to the We'll Revitalize Downtown Company, which is redeveloping the property as part of the revitalization of the Once Rundown District.

The mission was formerly sponsored by YDWTBIH Church, but will now be independent.

At this time, the Gospel Mission will move their beds and other supplies into The Salvation Army. "Saturday will be the first night the homeless residents will be housed at The Salvation Army. They expect to house at least 50 individuals."

Salvation Army Area Commander said, ”We welcome the Gospel Mission and are happy to do whatever it takes to make sure the needs of homeless are met.”

The director also said, “Please keep the Gospel Mission in your prayers as they work to find a more permanent home for their ministry. Know that The Salvation Army will assist the Gospel Mission as long as needed.”

~~~~~~

Gee, I guess there's no room in the new Grand Lobby under that 40' cross for a few homeless people. And that, gentle readers, is all I am going to say about that.

Too much of a good thing...

Ouch... so sorry little one.

That's how it felt to face facts when reading Julie Zickefoose's blog entry on Wednesday. I know many people who read this blog also read Julie's, but for those who don't, a huge lesson was learned which needs to be shared.

Many of us have been mixing up suet dough for quite some time to offer the bluebirds and other bird visitors to our feeders. We've raved about how much they seemed to love it. The recipe of peanut butter, lard, oats, flour, cornmeal, and sugar was devoured by the birds and we felt good that we were feeding them something special, especially in cold weather, so that they stayed healthy. However, recently Julie noticed something suspicious with her bluebirds and the way their legs were making them perch in odd ways. Being the diligent wildlife guru that she is, she began to take closer looks, and soon realized there was a problem. It didn't take long to correlate the apparent nutritional issues with the fact that the birds were eating way too much protein and fat in the form of suet dough. Gout... the bluebirds had gout... ouch. They soon began choosing the dough over their natural food sources, and just as with anything which is taken in excess, it began to cause a problem.

It's a big lesson in how we, in our zeal to be helpful, can upset the balance of nature. As Maya Angelou says "...when you know better, you do better." Now we know. It's humbling and yet a good lesson to us all about the fragile balance that needs to be maintained.

Flutterby at the pool

Yesterday, while at the pool, we noticed this
beautiful butterfly land on one of the floats.
I ran inside for the camera, and thankfully he decided
to stay and have some photos taken.
I love how the blue of the float showcases
the beauty of the iridescent blue in him.
Thanks to Laura for the help with the
ID of this Red-spotted Purple.

Eva, the Songbird

I just recently heard a rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy. For whatever reason, I had not heard of her, but now, I am addicted. Eva was a landscaper by trade who loved to sing. She sang at local club venues and finally recorded some music. But tragically, she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and died at the age of 33, leaving behind a legacy of music and voice which is haunting in its purity. I love this version of Songbird and found the music put to still images on YouTube. A songbird who sings on...

Lovely, lovely hosta

The woman that lived here prior to me had a hosta fetish.
There was hosta planted every where, but most times
in the most unlikely and inhospitable places.
We removed a good bit, and transplanted other plants.
But, we did leave it where it thrived.

Now, it's in its blooming spendor...

So very lovely...

Standing Sentry

This little finch seemed to be
playing the role of sentry.
Maybe official hawk watcher?
Or maybe he just feels good about himself!

Birds-in-Shoes

I was looking at a catalog I received in the mail when I saw these hysterical Birds-in-Shoes postcards by German artist Rudi Hurzlmeier, and cracked up! I googled to see if I might find them a wee bit cheaper, and found this really cool website called The Fat Finch.

Oooooo... just look at all the delicious note cards and other bird related things. I love to come across a site I've never seen and browse, especially when it's all bird related. I'm off to shop now...

P.S. Happy Father's Day to my dad...
who taught me to see the humor in everything!

Saturday Snicker

Two elderly women were out driving in a large car. Both could barely see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but they just went on through.

The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself, "I must be losing it! I could have sworn we just went through a red light."

After a few more minutes they came to another intersection. The light was red again, and again they went flying right through. This time the woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red but still not confident in her eyesight and judgment.

She was getting nervous, though, and decided to pay very close attention to the road and the next intersection to see what was going on. At the next intersection, sure enough, the light was definitely red, and they went sailing right through.

She turned to the other woman and said, "Mildred! Did you know we just ran through three red lights in a row! You could have killed us!"

Mildred turned to her and said, "Holy mackerel, am I driving?"

Catching the evening sun

I wish I had the green thumb my dad and sister
seem to have, or even the desire to plant various

and sundry plants and flowers.
I was at her house the other night and just walked
around her yard and her neighbor's yard taking in
all the beauty as the evening sun was setting.

She's created such a beautiful space for herself
and I could not be happier for her.

I hope everyone has a very beautiful weekend...

Little Joe

I mistakenly sent this photo to Stacey thinking it was another one of Dakota/Casey, but she pointed out to me the differences in the eyes and the breast. Well, duh! So, this is Little Joe, the Broad-winged Hawk which John and Dale introduced at the S.O.A.R show. I was thinking that I didn't get any photos of him, so I was glad to see them interspersed with with photos of Dakota.

Some "cool facts" from the All About Birds page on the Broad-winged Hawk:

The Broad-winged Hawk comes in two color phases: the common light phase and a rare dark phase. The dark form is entirely sooty brown with a tail like the light morph, and with whitish flight feathers contrasting with the dark wing linings. It is found primarily in the northwestern part of the range, and accounts for less than 0.1% of migrants observed.

The Broad-winged Hawk completely leaves its breeding grounds in the fall and winter. Huge numbers of migrating broad-wings can be seen at hawk watches across the East. It usually migrates in large flocks or "kettles" that can range from a couple of individuals to thousands.

A recent study attached satellite transmitters to the backs of four Broad-winged Hawks and followed them as they migrated south in the fall. The hawks migrated an average of 7,000 km (4,350 mi) to northern South America, and traveled an average of 111 km (69 mi) each day. Once at the wintering grounds, the hawks did not move around much, staying on average within 2.6 square km (1 square mi).

Prickly Pear Cactus

When my sister moved here last October,
the house we found for her had this rather large
Prickly Pear Cactus in the back yard.
Sort of dangerous with two active boys around
but who wants to try and remove a cactus?
She gave them due warning about steering clear.

Now, it's in full blooming splendor!
I had never seen one in bloom like this, so
had to go over and get some photos.
It's really beautiful,
but I still wish it weren't so darned
.... prickly!

Shades of Alice Cooper?

"Our thought are hot and crazed
Our brains are webbed in haze
Of mindless senseless daze
The Black Widow"

--from "Welcome to my Nightmare" (1975)

We were out at the pool yesterday, and my nephew flicked a bug out of the pool towards the retaining wall. It got caught in a spider's web, and the next thing we knew, out came the spider to make sure it was tightly in the web for dinner later. But this was not just any spider. He turned towards us, and there it was... the tell tale red hourglass. YIKES! A black widow! (Click for more detail) We watched in fascination as she wrapped him up nicely, and then retreated for the deep, dark crevice of the stone paver wall. I had an Alice Cooper earwig the remainder of the day.

And the joy continues...

Holy cow! Can someone just start singing "It's a Small World?" What are the odds, that I, here in north Georgia would attend a raptor education show, post photos to my blog, and that a fellow blogger I've come to know and enjoy, would recognize one of the birds as a bird she helped rehabilitate in Wyoming?? It is indeed a small, small world, isn't it? Stacey saw my photos and left comments on yesterday's post below that made goosebumps go up my arms. I simply love this little blog world we have here.

Here are a few more photos I took that I wanted to share. At the end of the presentation, Dale held the Screech Owl and allowed people to gently touch him. What a neat experience. I loved the close-ups of both the Barred Owl and the Bald Eagle. Joy overload!

S.O.A.R.

The raptor show was well done and enjoyable! John and Dale Stokes, of Save our American Raptors-South introduced their feathered friends, and educated the people there about each bird of prey. Above is Thibault, the Barred Owl, who was rescued after a wing injury. Below is the majestic Dakota, the Red-tailed Hawk.

Pure sweetness in these Screech Owls,
who as a team, were irresistible!

Billy, the American Kestrel, was not out long, and so

my photo was taken as Dale was carrying him around
for the audience to see up close and personal.

At the end of the show, John brought out 15 year old Bald Eagle,
Atsa Yazhi, who, due to being shot, lost a left wing.

I could not get enough of Dakota, as I think the Red-tailed
is my favorite since we have so many around Chickadee.

They also had a Little Joe, a Broad-winged Hawk and Cayce, a
Black Vulture, but I did not get photos of them.
All in all, a really great show, though it was
92 degrees in the shade, even on the mountain.
Bravo John and Dale!

Regal Raptors

I am excited! Today, husband and I are planning on going to see a Raptor show put on by S.O.A.R. (Save Our American Raptors) at the mountain rock garden we visited Memorial Day weekend.

Because Sam was rather impatient on that visit, we didn't get to stay, so I knew that I'd have to return and see the show, which should prove to be a wonderful photo op as well.

Pictured is a Golden Eagle we saw at the Western North Carolina Nature Center when we visited Asheville. Those birds seemed rather sad to me in their cages.

Did I mention I am really excited? :c)

On being a good friend

(Best Friends by Joyce Norwood)

Funny thing about me. I somehow always tend to cultivate friendships where I seem to have more invested than the person I call my friend. No secret that I am a giver, not a taker, and so I should not be surprised that I can give and give and yet feel almost uncomfortable when the attention is on me. It's something in which I know I need to try and find some balance.

This week, a mutual friend of my best friend asked me, "So, how is (best friend)'s daughter?" Uh... what was wrong? It was a big thing too. It caught me off guard because she had not mentioned anything about something going on with her daughter. I later called her thinking maybe she just didn't have a chance to call me, or was distracted. Nothing. She said nothing. I felt hurt that she didn't share it with me. It was a breath holding scary thing, and she didn't call me.

I had this happen in the past with someone who I then considered a very good friend, yet I realized a couple of years into our friendship that she would not allow herself to be vulnerable, and therefore, I suppose I only got to know her on the surface. We went through so much together, and yet things would happen like... oh, her miscarriage... and I'd find out a week or two after the fact. Or she'd start a new job, and I'd find out a week later. It used to really anger me that she didn't let me in, let me be there for her, let me support her. Didn't our friendship matter enough for her to share her burdens with me? As soon as I stopped putting all the effort into the friendship, it waned, and then was gone forever. Visions of this came to me as I reflected on this week and I knew I did not want to repeat this scenario.

So, yesterday on the way in to work, I called the friend whose daughter had a scary moment this week and we were chatting. She started sharing some very personal things about her current relationship, and then said, "We had something else happen this week, and I started to call you, but it seems as if I am always whining to you about my issues...." and she proceeded to tell me about the scare with her daughter. It was then that it hit me. Maybe it's that she sees me, in my life, dealing with Sam's issues and such, and thinks that she has no right to complain or burden me with her life stuff when her perception is that I have enough on my plate. It changed my perspective fully. A light bulb, AHA moment.

We work at the hospital together, and I was on the way in with a branch full of at least eight gardenia blooms for her to put on her desk. I walked into her office, and her face lit up when she saw the blooms. She came around her desk to hug me, and after a long embrace, I put my hands on her shoulders and told her that I love her, I am her friend, I need to be needed, it feeds me to know that I can help her in some way, and that it hurts me when she holds back. I honestly told her how our mutual friend had innocently asked me earlier in the week about how her daughter was, and I was stung that I had not heard anything about it. I told her I'd never have too much on my plate to be there for her. That's what I think being a friend is all about.

The lesson? There really is no reality, only perception. Never assume anything, offer love, have open, honest conversation, and just be there. Be a friend.

Gardenias galore

Yesterday, I was walking around to the back beds to pull weeds,
when I rounded the corner and saw this...

Two weeks ago, it was full of buds, but I had not yet seen a flower.
The aroma hit me as soon as I rounded the corner.
Pure white olfactory bliss...

Perfect perch

When I ordered a cedar swing for my birding area from Home Depot, it was intended to be a way to further enjoy watching and being with the birds. However, more often than not, the top of it becomes the best perching place in the yard. I've had countless birds just sit there and enjoy the view. Most recently, the first brood of bluebirds have been using it, and I'd sometimes see all the brothers and sisters lined up along the top, pretty blues all in a row.

Escaping the rain

This little finch was hanging onto the side of the
feeder outside the kitchen window in the middle of
a downpour on Sunday. Initially his eyes were closed as he
huddled close to the edge and the rain dripped off him.
Oh, to be so sure and trusting that the rain will soon end,
and in the meantime, pure rest is what we need.
We can all learn something from a little finch, can't we?

On a quest for old vine

Select Vineyard Series Fish Net Creek
Old Vine Zinfandel

The majority of the fruit comes from old vines, producing a wine with luscious, concentrated berry flavors and a long, velvety finish with warm tones of vanilla and aromatic spices.

These gnarled old vines, deeply rooted in the sandy loam soils near the Mokelumne (pronounced Muh-KUHL-ah-mee) River - meaning "land of the fish net people," produce small grape clusters, which give this wine its deep berry character with nuances of aromatic spices.

Winemaker’s Notes

You’ll believe that beauty really does come with age when you taste our Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Fish Net Creek Old Vine Zinfandel. We chose the very best grapes from old gnarled Zinfandel vines. These venerable vines yield hardly any fruit, but their few small clusters have flavors that will knock your socks off. This wine has a deep, soft bramble berry character with a dash of spice and a pinch of black pepper. The aromas and flavors are so lush and concentrated that they never seem to end, just linger and linger. We aged the wine in small barrels to give it rich, velvety texture and warm vanilla oak notes. Our Lodi Zinfandel vines stand like old souls in the vineyards, deeply rooted in the sandy loam soils near the Mokelumne River. Mokelumne means "the place of the fish net people" in the language of the local Miwok Indians. These Native Americans wove nets from rope-like grapevines to trap fish in this river.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Didn't that description just wet your whistle? A week or so ago, I was shopping at the Food Lion, and found a sale table in the wine section. Because we fell in love with the red zin at Biltmore, when I saw a bottle of this Woodbridge Red Zin, I was intrigued. It was marked down to $9.95, and so I put it in my cart. Well.... boy, was it good. I mean, hold in your mouth good. Savor each glass good. Wish you had more good. Several days later, I went back in search of another bottle (or two...) and found that they didn't stock it on their shelves. Boo hoo hoo.

We called around locally and were directed to check with Valley Wine and Liquors, which is, oh, a good 25-30 miles from here, but the gal I spoke with said, "Yes, we have it. We have five bottles of it," and so off we went on an old vine zin quest. We arrived and I skipped in to relieve them of their stock of it, only to find that... uh, where is it? They had the regular Mondavi Red Zin, but not this Select Vinyard Old Vine Zin. "Oh, she must have misunderstood you," said the nice guy dealing with my huge disappointment there in the wine aisle. So we are still in search of it. May have to order some on-line if we can't find it locally as I want to enjoy more of that magic bramble berry flavor. So, if you are so lucky as to come across a bottle of this, do try it. Oh, and email me where you got it?