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cat shepard

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About Me

  • Location
    Ormond Beach, FL
  • Interests
    sailing, gardening, herding cats, cooking, reading
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Home Lines (now defunct)
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    All of them.

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  1. Thank you for today’s FR&D, Jacqui! Roy, thank you for your maps! We are supposed to get some T-storms today. We need the rain, but not the T-storm. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Praying the pain goes away - for good this time & you get some great nights of sleep! I have not set the schedule for today yet, because I need to call around the DMV offices in my Sister’s County to make an appointment for Brayden to get his learner’s permit. I wish Florida required as much of gun owners as they do to get a learner’s permit & license. Once that is scheduled, I will check my “to do” list. I do want to fit some fun stuff in for Brayden who is on Spring Break this week. The past few weeks have been hard for him. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially the caregivers who selflessly give of themselves for their loved ones. Terry, praying for Tana, you & the entire support team. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. I leave you with…. ******** Pontet Canet 2020 I confess this wine tempts me to step out of my wine budget. Classic - superb wines are usually quite a bit more. Numerous distributors with online prices starting at $99.99. Professional Ratings 98James Suckling Aromas of blackcurrants and black cherries with hints of crushed walnuts, grilled thyme, cocoa powder and graphite. It’s full-bodied with layers of ultra-fine, silky tannins that elegantly coat your palate, allowing the juicy and vibrant fruit to shine. Delicate and pristine, yet compact with lots of energy and power to uncover in the coming years. It lasts for minutes and is delicious now. The purity of fruit is really impressive. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. 50% new oak 15% old oak and 35% concrete amphorae. Try after 2027. 97Wine Enthusiast The magnificent structure and balance of this wine are powerful. It shows poise between the black fruits and the freshness of the vintage, while the texture is almost velvet. The wine is juicy and seriously structured at the same time. 97Decanter Dark chocolate, bramble tones, not overly floral or fruity with some cedar and cinnamon notes. Lovely high acidity straight away, forward, bright and energetic with lovely crunchy blue fruit on the palate but creamy textured tannins giving a round and complete mouthful. Nothing feels overdone, this is quietly seductive and confident but not at all showing off. I love the minerality and the graphite grip with plum and black cherry and tons of slate, liquorice and menthol freshness. Long finish, slowly expansive, building and growing from start to finish showing an impressive structure overall. Nicely constructed, charming still with the Pauillac touch. A great Pontet - immediately seductive and enjoyable with a long ageing potential. 97Jeb Dunnuck The flagship from this estate, the 2020 Château Pontet-Canet is a beauty based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new oak, with 35% in amphora. Deep purple-hued with a great nose of dark currants, plums, tobacco leaf, and truffly earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless mouthfeel and a great finish. The higher Merlot content here really shows in its overall sexy, supple, seamless style, and while this already offers pleasure, it's going to be one for the ages as well. Rating: 97+
  2. Another super rushed day, but all because I made a commitment to myself to get to the gym today. And of course it is in the opposite direction of everything else I have to do. But worth it. Mollydooker Shiraz Carnival of Love 2021 I used the 2021 vintage info, because that should be easy to find. This Shiraz sounds lovely, but it is outside of my budget. Fairly easy to find with online prices starting at $79.95. Wine.com Winemaker Notes Intense in color, flavor and aroma, the 2021 Carnival of Love Shiraz captivates the palate from the first sip. Powerful yet delicate, lifted aromas of red cherry, blackberry and turkish delight evolve, while subtle hints of mocha linger. Infectious chocolate cherry, fresh plum and liquorice add to the complexity, while creating a seamless structure and lingering finish. Professional Ratings 96Tasting Panel Sarah Marquis has crafted an intense, dark-fruited Shiraz with spice, black pepper, and a hint of bacon. This is not a sideshow wine: Thanks to its lively and energetic notes of blackberry and plum, it's more like a bustling carnival that pleases all of the senses.
  3. Happy Anniversary Dailyites! @kazu Jacqui, not just my records, but CC’s records show that this is the anniversary of the day Rich introduced the Daily! Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Thank you for our maps, Roy! Dixie & Debbie, thank you for your beverage & food info! It is an honor to be part of the F & B department with you. Sandi & Lenda, thank you for all the amazing photos you share. Vanessa, keeper of our lists - thank you for keeping up with all of us. I really do not know how you do it! @richwmn Rich, thank you for creating this amazing place for all of us! To all my fellow Dailyites - thank you for sharing your lives with all of us! A bit cloudy this morning. Cats are fed, Bindi walked & fed, sipping coffee! Need to get out and fertilize everything- though another cold front is expected Tuesday. Praying we don’t lose our oak leaves for the fourth time this year. Our pollen has been horrific since January. It has just seemed to slow down, so the past two nights, Brayden (my Sister’s Grandson) and I have eaten supper outside. And the pool water has just reached 85! @summer slope Ready for swimming! He is off school this week, so we might get in & play some badminton! Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, thinking of you & Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********* Bota Box Nighthawk Bold Cabernet Sauvignon This Cab from Chile has lots of consumer fans, is easy to find and reasonably priced. Online prices start at $17.49. Winemaker’s notes TASTING NOTES Nighthawk Black Cabernet Sauvignon channels the hedonistic side of this classic grape variety. A single sip dives into lingering flavors of dark black cherry, blackberry, and cocoa. Velvety tannins and hints of baking spice brings balance to this full-bodied wine. PAIRS WITH This complex aged red makes a perfect guest for any dinner party, paired with porterhouse steak or your favorite BBQ. WINE DETAILS Alcohol: 13.5%
  4. Pennie How wonderful & on top of your Jackpot win! Martina is sending a message. ❤️
  5. The Daily for Monday Mar 16, 2020 fka Fleet Report By richwmn, March 16, 2020 in Holland America Line ********** Not a pretty copy, but…
  6. Sorry, super behind. Bindi is not having a great morning. The craziness of the past few weeks has finally caught up. ************ Castello-di-Monsanto-Chianti-Classico-Riserva This Chianti sounds lovely. Might even be sippable on its own. A decent number of distributors with online prices starting at $26.98. Distributor notes Estate grown blend of 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Colorino. The wine is rich, intense and complex with excellent depth of red berry fruit, distinct spice, outstanding acidity and nicely weighted tannins. REGION Tuscany, Italy APPELLATION Chianti Classico Riserva D.O.C.G. CRU Loc. Monsanto – Barberino Val d’Elsa estate vineyards GRAPE 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Colorino VINIFICATION Hand-picked grapes are selected at the optimum moment of the vintage. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel at controlled temperatures AGING 18 months in French oak barriques with an additional three months rest in bottle. COLOR Ruby red tending towards garnet. AROMA Rich, intense and complex with notes of black cherry and spice. PALATE Full bodied with rich red berry fruit flavors complimenting a backbone of tannin. SERVING SUGGESTIONS Open in advance and allowed to breathe. Decanting is preferable. An exceptional compliment to red meats, roasts and game. FORMATS 750ML ALCOHOL 14%
  7. Get your party gear out - tomorrow is the 4th Anniversary of the Daily! What a wild ride it has been! It is time to celebrate all of us & our Editor-in-Chief - Rich!
  8. @Quartzsite Cruiser & @JazzyV Lenda & Vanessa, my Sister is in such a better place. Thank you for thinking of her. Encompass had lunch waiting for her when she arrived yesterday. And she loved her supper. She actually got to shower & wash her hair today for the first time since February 27th. She had three hours of PT/OT evaluation and tomorrow they will do a balance assessment. If all goes well, she will be able to get up on her own. And she got her first great night’s sleep last night. No constant interruptions or snoring roommate, or “neighbors” shouting. Now she has to do the work. She has let herself go physically, so she has a long way to go before being totally independent.
  9. Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy, thank you for our maps. It is a lovely 58 this morning. Bindi walked & fed. Cats fed, stuff for my Sister collected and off to wait for the school bus. Then I will head home and start my day. Lots of stuff around the house has been neglected and I plan to do my taxes today. Prayers for all who need our support. Bless all the caregivers. @smitty34877 Terry - always thinking of you & Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ******** Kunde 2021 Estate Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley) I need to taste this Zinfandel- the description makes me believe I will love it. $17.99 93 Wine Enthusiast Absolutely delicious, fruity and mouthcoating, this full-bodied and gentle-textured wine is easy to drink and enjoy on its own or with cheesy, meaty proteins. Pure raspberries, blackberries and plum jam flavors flow on a broad texture backed by light tannins.
  10. Happy Birthday, Brenda! May your new year be filled with love, laughter, great health and a cruise, or two! @bennybear
  11. Thank you, Terry! The transfer takes place at 11:30 this morning! Woo hoo! Keeping you, Tana, your entire family and all your caregivers in my prayers. ❤️
  12. Running super late will check back later. ******** Mark West Pinot Noir Having had enjoyed a bottle or two of this California PN, I was stunned to see how easy to find and priced to try it is. The first two bottles I enjoyed were outside of Denali National Park. Online prices start at $10.98! Distributor notes The 2021 Mark West Pinot Noir is a classic, medium-bodied red wine grown in California’s northern and central regions. This wine brims with layers of red and dark cherry that are complemented by notes of toasted oak, brown spice and nutmeg. The mouthfeel is full and plush with a long, rewarding finish. WINERY: MARK WEST Mark West was founded in 1978 with one desire - to craft remarkable Pinot Noir that delivers exceptional quality at an affordable price. Our name, Mark West, is an ode to a region in the heart of Sonoma county, one of the world's best places to grow Pinot Noir. It was here that we started our winery and our passion for Pinot. Nothing worth obsessing over ever came easy. And that's certainly the case for Pinot Noir. The grape is an interesting one: It's thin-skinned and fickle, which means it's not easy to grow. Even the slightest change in temperature can throw it off, which is why we look for the best cool, dry climates when choosing our vineyards. But, when it's done right, the result is a wonderfully complex wine. The perfect Pinot, in an infinite number of expressions. It's unlike any other grape. Pinot Noir the grape is hard to grow, and once it enters the winery it's important to have a gentle hand during the winemaking process. Each and every aspect matters, which is why we have devoted ourselves to Pinot Noir—so we can get it right. To make the best Pinot Noir, we first gently destem and crush the grapes when they come into the winery. Daily punch-downs and pump-overs extract flavor and color. And after a light pressing we use French oak to marry the flavors you find naturally in Pinot Noir. At Mark West we focus on quality, and let the grapes speak for themselves. Each harvest is a new adventure, each crop is different, and each year we bring you the wines that you love.
  13. Happy Birthday, Pauline! May your new year be filled with love, laughter, great health & cruises! @grapau27
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