cat shepard

Thank you Jacqui & Roy for today’s report and maps! Hope you are feeling better Jacqui! Vanessa, I know things are not back to 100% for you, but I love reading about what you are able to do now & how much sleep you are getting. Thank you for keeping up with us. My Sister is gaining strength and able to do some activities by herself. Good thing too, because her temporary home leaves a lot to be desired. Neither she nor her roomie got a supper last night. Luckily the medication nurse rustled up some cheese and crackers & Ensure. @Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda, Encompass is tracking her and she will transfer as soon as a bed opens up. It can not be too soon. @smitty34877 Terry, my Sister’s 16 year old grandson is staying with me, and I can only think how my situation is a bit similar to yours. 😎 Luckily he is a great young man. He just passed his learner’s permit exam and once his certificate arrives, he will start driving school. Prayers for all who need our support. Hats off to the caretakers! Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ********* Matahiwi Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Picked the 2022 vintage of this NZ wine, since it should be easy to find and has lots of consumer fans and at least one critic score of 92. Online prices start at $15.99. Distributor notes Matahiwi is sheltered by the Tararuas mountain range and enjoys a long and dry growing season with balmy warm days and pleasantly cool nights. The climate and the exposed stony sub-soils make the area ideal for growing grapes. Alistair Scott’s vision was to establish a wine company capable of producing world-class wines and to this day that vision has not changed. As a Pinot Noir enthusiast, Alastair has focused his efforts on this notoriously complicated but delicious variety. He planted Matahiwi’s 80-hectare single vineyard with 60% Pinot Noir and the balance with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. Alastair and Jane share a vision and a passion to make wines to reflect a purity of fruit and a sense of place by staying true to the characteristics of the local area.

Craggy Range Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc This New Zealand SB sounds lovely. A decent number of distributors with online prices starting at $19.99. Distributor’s notes Founded in 1997, Craggy Range exclusively crafts single-vineyard, terroir-driven wines and is a benchmark ambassador for the high quality of New Zealand’s wines. The grapes are partially hand harvested from the estate-owned Te Muna Road Vineyard. 85% of the grapes are destemmed before fermentation in stainless steel tanks and oak barriques using partial wild yeasts. The wine ages on its lees for 5 months in old and new French oak barrels before being fined, filtered and bottled. TASTING NOTE In appearance, it’s a pale yellow, straw color. On the nose there are ripe Sauvignon Blanc aromatics with notes of white stone fruit, passionfruit pulp and kaffir lime. The palate is lively with deep concentration and a salinic acidity. FOOD PAIRING This wine will pair well with aperitifs, seafood and poultry. UNIQUE SELLING POINTS The higher-elevation Te Muna Road Vineyard is harvested about a week later than sites in nearby Martinborough. The grapes have greater freshness and acidity. The vineyard's lower terrace has stony soils with limestone, excellent for Sauvignon Blanc. White wines from this vineyard show a distinctive fine, subtle and elegant texture.

Well we thought we were home free. But the hospital wants my Sister out today and there are no beds currently available at her chosen facility. So we are all scrambling trying to find a decent facility in the general area. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 @grapau27 Graham, I was so sorry to read about Sarah’s father. My condolences to her, you and Pauline.

Off to start the morning run of places to visit. Will check back tonight. ********** Belle Fiore Winery 2018 Terramisso I would love to taste this red blend. Elusive. I found a few places that had it in stock. Online prices start at $35.00. Distributor notes This Southern Oregon red blend includes 50% Teroldego, 25% Syrah and 25% Montepulciano. On the nose, smoky bacon fat mixes nicely with dark fruit and dashes of baking spice and black pepper. On the palate, flavors of black cherry are balanced with prominent earthy notes, finishing with hints of graphite. - Reviewed by Gary Hayes AVA: Rogue Valley, Oregon SavorNW Award: Best of Class 2023 Judges Score: 95 Points

Encompass?

Showered, eaten & sipping a lovely GSM. What a day. I am wiped, but it has been a great day. We were so impressed with the rehab facility in Saint Augustine - both the tour and the meeting with the two reps, that my Sister decided not to bother with the place close to Jacksonville. I suspect knowing that her Grandson might get to visit a couple of times sealed the deal. This place has a huge inside PT/OT room. And a lovely outside area. They have a mock kitchen, bathroom and laundry room so patients can practice real life skills. All rooms are private. Meals are served in the room. The place is spotless. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. They answered all my family’s questions: my Sister’s son works for Moderna and my Sister’s daughter works for Sloan Kettering so they asked some great questions. This was also the first place that my Sister’s PT guru in the hospital mentioned when we asked him “Where would you want your Mom to go for rehab?” So now we are just waiting for a bed to open up. Possible tomorrow. Her travel bag is packed and ready to go. None of us can believe her progress in just three days. 😎 Thank you all again for your prayers & well wishes. ❤️ Ann

Stay well everyone. I will check in later. @smitty34877 Terry the closest is 45 minutes from me. The other is an hour. At least according to Google maps. 😎 ******* 2021 Gaspard Cabernet Franc Pick a Cab Franc, any Cab Franc that appeals. I chose one from the Loire Valley, this red wine is easy to find, loved by consumers and reasonably priced. Online prices start at $16.99. Distributors Notes Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cot Vineyard: Clay and limestone. 25 – 60 years old vines, farmed organically (in conversion) Making of: the grapes are destemmed and hand-sorted before being crushed and put into vats. The maceration then takes 5-6 weeks, with regular punchdowns, with indigenous yeast only. Once pressed, the juice spends around a year in concrete tanks. Filtered, not fined. Personality: One of the typical grapes of the area, the Cabernet Franc instantly entices you with its smooth tannins and dark fruit flavors mingled with spicy / earthy undertones. Enjoy lightly chilled, on its own or next to some roast beef, BBQ, country hams or rustic patés.

Just coming up for air. But good things have been happening and they are happening fast. And I am sure it is thanks to all of your prayers and well wishes. Now that my Sister has been on her regular meds for a few days, she has energy and is feeling a well enough to have a great PT session. In fact her daughter and I believe that it has been four - five years since she moved this well! Granted she is using a walker, but is moving at a fast pace! Her PT guru thinks she maybe ready to move to a rehab facility soon. And maybe ready to go home within two weeks of moving to rehab! Her hospital Doc wrote discharge orders & her case worker referred her case to several rehab facilities. One sent a rep to visit her today. And a second will be sending reps tomorrow. We did some preliminary research and two rose to the top of the list. I will be touring them on her behalf tomorrow. One is in Saint Augustine. The other is between Saint Augustine & Jacksonville. Both have excellent reviews. One even has a mock up kitchen and laundry area so she could really practice life skills. I will be touring the facilities tomorrow. One already sent a rep to visit with her and the second one is sending reps to visit with her tomorrow. We don’t expect her to go tomorrow. But possibly Monday. Her PT guru wants to make sure that today was not a fluke. I certainly hope it wasn’t. For the first time since her emergency surgery, we all have hope - even my Sister. Ann

Everyone stay well. Will try to check in later. ******** Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon A challenging day to get decent info on this widely available & priced to try Cab. Online prices start at $9.99. Winemaker’s notes Following a brief cold soak to encourage extraction of color and tannin from the fruit, the must was fermented at warm temperatures for four to six days. The wine was then aged on oak until Cabernet’s naturally firm tannins were softened and the wine structure was balanced. We blended Petite Sirah grapes with the deepest color to enhance the wine’s color and structure. The finished wine has a round, plush mouthfeel and signature bold flavor.

Thank you for Jacqui for today’s FR & D. Roy, thank you for our maps! Vanessa, thank you for not giving up & and taking such great care of our lists. My Sister had a decent day yesterday. She had a PT session that tired her a bit, but she was getting out of bed and moving to the recliner chair and back. Her A-fib and O2 numbers are still not where they need to be, so some meds may be changed. Though she isn’t ready to go home yet, she may move to a skilled nursing facility in a few days. The family is hoping we get some say where she goes. Thank you all again for your well wishes and prayers. ******** Cava Flama d’Or Brut Priced to try and widely available. Sounds like a fun sip on a hot, humid day. Online prices start at $11.99. Distributors notes "Straw-colored yellow with green tones. Fine, persistent bubbles. Bright appearance. Accentuated aroma of fresh grapes, with signs of ripe fruit and of citric fruits, very pleasant and characteristic of aging in the bottle. In the mouth it is extremely vivacious, compensated for by a pleasant equilibrium and elegance. Aftertaste is fruity, evoking the apple, pear and a hint of citric. Balanced, fruity and persistent."

Jack Hugs to you, Sam and your family! Hoping that those wonderful memories help ease your pain. Ann

Bless you Terry. I have only been playing your role for a week, and I am exhausted. And I get to come home and sleep. Bless all the caregivers. You are such special people and great role models for me. ❤️

Thank you Jackie, Roy & Vanessa and my fellow members of the F& B department. Today is my first day doing an exercise class since I returned from the cruise, though I will have to leave early so I can be at the hospital for my Sister’s first PT session. It is coming more and more apparent that anyone dealing with a serious illness or condition really needs an advocate to help them. Sunday night we discovered that the hospital had not been giving my Sister her asthma steroid nor her thyroid medication since she had been admitted last Tuesday. No wonder her improvement seemed to stall. Yesterday was her first full day on them, so I am calling today Day 1. We hope her energy and breathing improve today. PT agreed to come in the morning today, before her energy severely decreases. Again, I thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. We need them. Ann ******* Muga Rioja Reserva Unfiltered Rioja sounds lovely! Widely available and lots of consumer fans. Online prices start at $27.95. Critics notes 94 POINTS, James Suckling. "This is a structured and linear Muga Reserva with a creamy and fine-tannined backbone and graphite, cherry, plum and black-truffle character. Medium-bodied, racy and beautiful" 94 POINTS, The Wine Advocate. "The 2019 Reserva, sold as Crianza in Spain, comes from a dry and warm year with low yields and concentrated wines. The grapes from the Haro zone, the four from Rioja, Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano fermented destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and 80% of the volume matured in French oak and the rest in Centro European and American oak, 20% of them new, for 22 months, during which time the wine was racked every eight to nine months. This is serious and young but balanced, nuanced and complex. They are shortening the time in oak, as they feel they have better and younger barrels and think the wines need less time in oak and more time in bottle. This is very Muga, very Rioja and very good."

Just a quick visit to post the wine info. Will try to check back in later. ******* Cocchi-Americano This wine sounds interesting. Would like a taste. Easy to find with online prices starting at $18.99. Cocchi Americano is an aromatized wine created in 1891 by Giulio Cocchi and since then produced without interruption according to the original recipe. The name “Americano” is both due to the alcohol made bitter (“amaricato”) by the addition of herbs and spices and to the American habit of drinking vermouth with ice and soda. Produced according to Giulio Cocchi original recipe, Cocchi Americano is recognized in Asti as the aperitif par excellence – a real piece of history of our town. On its label the original futurist rooster designed in the 30’s and representing his aperitif function (“it awakes the appetite”) as well as one of the symbols of the town of Asti. CHARACTERISTICS Cocchi Americano, for its nature, represents the link between wine and liquors being a wine plus a small quantity of alcohol bittered (“amaricato”) by the infusion of precious herbs and spices: white wine, sugar, herbs and spices infusion in alcohol and in particular gentian flowers and leaves, Artemisia, Cinchona, bitter orange peel, elderflower and others. To produce Cocchi Americano, white wine is aromatized with the extracts obtained through a cold infusion in alcohol, then refined for balancing the spices’ aromas and tastes. HOW TO DRINK IT The classic version sees it served well chilled in a cocktail glass with ice cubes, completed with a splash of seltz so to free all its aromas and typical perfumes. It can be perfected with a squeezed out orange peel. The Spritz Americano version foresees the use of a wine glass plus the addition of a dry sparkling wine. It becomes Royale in combination with a metodo classico Alta Langa DOCG. In the Summer version the glass is filled with chopped-up ice, making a perfect refreshing drink. The naturally bitter note of Americano is not lost even when abundantly diluted. In mixology, Cocchi Americano is exceptionally versatile for the classic cocktails as Vesper Martini, Corpse Reviver #2, White Negroni, as modifier or as a base for the aromatizing infusions. Particularly successful the combination with spirits such as gin, vodka and mezcal. It is a perfect ingredient for the new strong trend of the “low octane” cocktails with low alcoholic content.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. Roy, thank you for our maps. Vanessa, you are one of the few bright spots in my last week. Your progress gives me hope for my Sister. Thank you for sharing it with us. Thank you for keeping up with all of us. We have a lot going on. My Sister had a rough day yesterday. They took her for an X-Ray which exhausted her physically, because she had to stand for it. They wanted to get a clearer view of the partially paralyzed diaphragm. They discovered that her left lung was partially atrophied- most likely related to the diaphragm issue. So she is still on oxygen and needs to gain strength before she can even start PT. But she is eating good, solid food and we are hoping that a good night’s sleep will help. Her Son is on his way back to Boston as I type this, and her Daughter heads down from Boston around 8:30. So again, I thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. Prayers for all who need our support. Terry, thinking of you & Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ********** Cocchi-Storico-Vermouth-di-Torino I rarely think of Vermouth as a wine, but it does qualify. It sounds like a great choice for mixed drinks though. Readily available with online prices starting at $19.99. Winemaker’s notes Vermouth di Torino is a collective heritage of Piedmont, which sees in the royal Savoy court as first big promoter of a product which, mainly starting from the late XVIII century, generated a flourishing industry which led Piedmont to become the Kingdom of Vermouth. Storico Vermouth di Torino is still produced according to the original recipe of Giulio Cocchi. This vermouth belongs to the category of the sweet vermouths, or Italian vermouths, sweet and amber as indicated in the manuals of the late XIX century. Storico Vermouth di Torino Cocchi has been the protagonist of the international rebirth of the top-of-the-range vermouths and the renovated interest of the great barmen for the denomination Vermouth di Torino so that it is also familiarly denominated “Cocchi Torino”. In a very short time, it’s become one of the top-of-the-range Vermouths chosen in the best bars of the world. CHARACTERISTICS The original recipe of Giulio Cocchi calls for the use of herbs such as Cinchona and rhubarb which lightly colour of brown the beautiful clear wine. In order to emphasize its amber tone, the addition of sugar browned on fire emphasizes its amber tone, giving together with colour also a special note to the taste: crunchy and cotton candy able to round all the bitter tastes without using vanilla. A thrilling vermouth, rich in sensations: among the herbs and the aromatizing spices, Artemisia and citrus are the protagonists with their balanced bitter and citrusy notes which characterize Cocchi style. A rich taste with vibrant notes of cocoa and bitter orange. From the infusion of some noble and balsamic woods, we have in the end light aromas of camphor and rosemary notes. Among the minor ingredients, herbs and woods with unique perfumes such as sandal, musk, myrrh and nutmeg. HOW TO DRINK Delicious when pure on ice and a small lemon zest, but also an essential base for the creation of the most classic cocktails from Negroni to Manhattan.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. Sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling well! Roy, thank you for our maps! Vanessa, it is exciting to read your personal updates each day! Lots of Dailyites rooting for you. Thank you for keeping up with us. My Sister was downgraded from ICU to regular care yesterday. The earliest she will go home will be Monday though. She needs to build up her strength. Yesterday was exhausting for her. She tried to do too much respiratory therapy, in the hope she could be weaned off oxygen. And the medical team discovered that she had a partially paralyzed diaphragm, which makes everything even more difficult for her. It might be related to a case of polio she had when she was six or seven. Her son flies back to Boston tomorrow morning and her daughter comes down tomorrow afternoon. The hospital is happy to see she has a support “team”. Prayers for all who need our support. Terry, thinking of you & Tana. And I agree with Maureen- you reap what you sew!❤️ Cheers to everyone celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ******** Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2022 This New Zealand SB sounds like a winner. I used the 2022 vintage info, since it should be fairly easy to find. Very easy to find and priced to try. Perfect for a hot summer day. They are coming soon. Online prices start at $11.95. Winemaker Notes Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc always combines the best of both sub-regions for a consistently classic Marlborough style. Initially, the cool climate Awatere aromas jump out of the glass, such as lemongrass, jalapeño peppers and fresh herbs. In contrast, the warmer Wairau Valley vineyards produce a pungent Sauvignon Blanc with ripe citrus and tropical fruit flavors. A perfect aperitif wine, serve chilled on warm summer days. Fresh herbal flavors match well with most salads, whereas the riper tropical flavors match well with any fish recipes. 90James Suckling Bright and fruity with crisp notes of lemongrass, passion fruit, lemons and white grapefruit on the nose. Vibrant acidity with a medium body and juicy finish. 90Decanter Bright tropical fruits, fresh goosberry, citrus and dried herbs, with a plump, generous concentration and a zingy, salivating finish.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. Roy, thank you for the maps! Vanessa, I am sending a virtual hug to celebrate your improvement since the 22nd. Thank you for keeping up with us. My Sister got out of bed twice yesterday, walked a few steps and sat in a chair for a few hours each time. She also started respiratory therapy and when she goes home, her grandson who lives with her will be her coach. 😎 She starts solid food this morning, and I can’t wait to find out what they offer her. She hates eggs. We hope to hear today when she will be allowed to go home. Her A-fib needs to get under control before she can go. The cardiologist returns today with an option that might do the trick. 🤞🏻 Again, thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. We all appreciate them so much. Prayers for all who need our support. Terry, and the other caregivers on the Daily, I admire you more now than I already did. Bless you all. @aliaschief Happy Birthday, Bruce! Do it up right Down Under! May we each find a reason to smile today. ******* Franzia Sunset Blush Pink Wine Wal-Mart not only offers the best price for today’s widely available wine, it provided the best information about this rosé. It offers a 5L box for $10.98. 😎 Distributor notes Franzia Sunset Blush is semi-sweet and refreshing blush wine red berry flavors. This Sunset Blush pairs well with pork, fresh fruit or lazy rivers. Store in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place and serve chilled. Each 5L box of Franzia yields 34 glasses of wine, which is the best way to share our delicious wine with each and every one of your Franz. Franzia stays fresh for up to 6 weeks after opening and can go where traditional glass bottles can’t: the beach, the park, camping, tailgating, etc! Franzia has a history of over 100 years of crafting delicious, award-winning wines at an unbeatable value. It all started in 1906 when Teresa Franzia planted her first vineyards, which led to the establishment of Franzia Brothers Winery, a legacy she would pass down to her five sons. For years, our quality wines have won more than 150 awards across the portfolio. Today, Franzia remains the World’s Most Popular Wine for 25 consecutive years (by volume), continuing to make Franz around the world with a new design, on-the-go sizes and more delicious flavors. There is a special kind of friendship that is made around a box of Franzia, your Franz for Life. A semi-sweet and refreshing wine with red berry flavors Pair it with pork, fresh fruit or lazy rivers Smaller carbon footprint and less packaging waste than traditional glass bottles One 5L box = 34, 5oz glasses, stays fresh for six weeks after opening Stays fresh for six weeks after opening

Just a quick update. My Sister is off most of the tubes & is able to drink clear liquids! She got out of bed and using a rollator, she walked a few steps to a chair. Her A-fib is still a concern and a cardiologist will be visiting her today to discuss options. Again, thank you all for keeping her in your prayers & well wishes. A very grateful Ann & family

Jacqui, thank you for today’s FR & D. Roy, thank you for our maps. Vanessa, I really love to read your posts about almost no pain! Praying that the numbness and tingling disappear, too and that you start getting more sleep. Once again, thank you all for keeping my Sister in your thoughts and prayers. She is off the ventilator. And right now the biggest concern in Afib, which they are trying to manage with meds. She can’t even have ice chips until someone from Speech makes sure there was no damage from the ventilator tube. Her son came down from Boston and though he has some work to do, he is here and can see for himself how she is doing. Her daughter arrives on Saturday. I am tired. Emotionally and physically. But her place is cleaned up, her laundry is done and she doesn’t have any messes to come home to. Prayers for all who need our support. Terry, thinking of you and Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ******* Bien Nacido Estate 2020 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley) This PN sounds lovely, but it is pricey. A decent number of distributors with online prices starting at $69.99. Winemaker Notes Classic Bien Nacido Pinot Noir aromas of cardamom, clove buds, dried brush and black cherry mingle with young wine characters like bubblegum and red licorice. Concentrated on the palate with suave tannins, balanced acidity and a clean long finish. Open this immediately and know the sweetness of the fruit will stay around for decades. Professional Ratings 96Jeb Dunnuck I loved the nose on the 2020 Estate Pinot Noir, which offers a wild assortment of red and black berries, sappy herbs, flowers, iron, and exotic baking spices. These carry to a medium-bodied, concentrated, focused, age-worthy Pinot Noir with beautiful depth of fruit, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Give it a year or two and enjoy over the following decade. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it only got better. It’s unquestionably a thrilling, brilliant wine. This was all destemmed and spent 16 months in 43% new French oak. 95Tasting Panel Scents of cherrywood and cinnamon spice are welcoming. Black cherry and pennyroyal mix the pleasures of fruitiness and savoriness, joining notes of soy sauce, sassafras, and mustard seed. Juicy and generous, with a glossy mouthfeel and a pop of white pepper on the finish. 94Wine Enthusiast Creamy while detailed aromas of black cherry, loam and slate make for a very inviting and intriguing nose on this bottling. The palate lands with a bold richness, carrying fresh and vibrant flavors of black cherry and blackberry in a hedonistic vintage for this estate. 93Wine & Spirits Brooding and controlled, this wine has a peppery reductive note to go along with tobacco scents. Its translucent red shade is intriguing and pretty, with rosy cherry and strawberry flavors, a flower-petal bitterness and fine tannins. It opens appreciably with air, still reserved and recessive within its cool texture.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. Roy, thank you for our maps! Vanessa, I really enjoy ready your posts about how you are improving each day! Thank you for keeping up with all of us. I want to thank you all again for keeping my Sister in your thoughts and prayers. I hope to get an update later this morning. Prayers for all who need our support. Terry, thinking of you and Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Eva, @superoma Happy Anniversary! May we each find a reason to smile today. ******** Josh Cellars Rosé Widely available with online prices starting at $12.99, this rosé is the perfect choice to try without breaking the bank. Distributor notes Crisp, refreshing and bright: Josh Cellars Rosé is perfect for sunsets and warm summer days. This bottle of wine with a pink wine color has flavors of white peach and strawberry complemented by hints of nectarine. Josh Cellars works with California's best growers to source and assemble wine of great character and complexity. Pair this vibrant rose wine with grilled fish, summer salads, and chilled seafood. This Josh Cellars Rosé wine bottle is 750ml and 12.5% ABV. Created by Joseph Carr and named after his father, Josh Cellars makes high-quality, well-balanced, delicious wines that are expressions of gratitude grounded in hard work, high standards and the recognition of others. Josh wine is worth sharing with those who matter.

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. She had emergency stomach surgery. She is in recovery and will be on a ventilator tube overnight. She is not totally out of the woods, but the surgeon sounded very encouraging. None of the major risks materialized. Ann

Just a quick visit. I am at the ER with my Sister who has been really sick for two days. Please keep her in your prayers. Our second Canadian wine. Widely available CA 32.95, or $24.95. Natalie's Score: 92/100 This sparkling gets better every year, even though it's not vintage-dated. Lovely finesse and mousse with green apple vibrancy. The grapes were hand-picked in 50 pound lugs so they weren't bruised. The winery does press fractioning meaning the first bit of the juice (the head) and the last bit (the tail) aren't used in the wine just the juiciest, tastiest part of the juice. They also use the traditional Champagne method to make the wine. The wine spends 30 months on the lees which gives it a creamy texture. Serve as an aperitif on its own or add 1 oz. of Riesling Icewine or 1 oz of Cabernet Franc Icewine to 3 oz of Cuvee Catharine to make a Kir Catharine. Sparkling food pairings: salmon caviar with sour cream; malpeque oysters with a hint of lemon.

Good luck Dixie! Hope everything goes smoothly!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy, thank you for our maps. It is a lovely 43 this morning, but will reach the low 70s. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. I am thrilled that you are showing improvement each day. I pray that you will soon be able to put this behind you. Other than Bindi walks & chores, I am just going to take it easy. This is the first cold I have had in almost 9 years, so I can’t complain. Bike week starts this coming weekend…. 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. *********** August Forest 2021 Eritage Vineyard Syrah “Soft, round and generous” - sounds delightful. This wine from Walla Walla won a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicles 2023 competition. The “soft” description intrigues me, since I find many Syrah’ a bit too bold for me. A bit elusive and at the top of my budget - I found it online for $46.00. Owen Bargreen, critic 92 points The 2021 August Forest Syrah comes from the Eritage Vineyard as this wine saw 41% stem inclusion and was unfined and unfiltered. Soft, round and generous, this delivers a silky texture with coffee ground favors alongside potpourri, allspice, black cherry compote and smoked meat accents. This is exceedingly delicious stuff to savor now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92

@Lcubed Laura, thank you for covering the Wine du Jour! Boy I am thrilled you covered today. I came back with a cold and was not particularly energetic this morning. I am ready to take back the reins tomorrow. @rafinmd Roy, did I miss your birthday? I have a note on my calendar that yesterday was your birthday. @JazzyV Vanessa, I was thrilled to read that your pain has decreased! Praying that it continues to decrease. Thank you for today’s FR&D, Jacqui! Roy, thank you for the maps. I enjoyed the cruise. We had lovely weather. The best show I have ever seen on a ship - The Choir of Man. It will be opening in Chicago some time this year. It could hold its own on Broadway. Great food. A super Cellar Master, who put together informative and delicious wine tasting events. The smoothest embarkation & disembarkation of any cruise I have been on. A ropes course & zipline. The only time it was open that coincided with my schedule was in Saint Thomas. Many times it was too windy to be open. It never seemed very crowded around the ship. The not so great… The worst coffee I have experienced on a cruise. Starbucks and one Pub had the only decent coffee on the ship. A less than helpful app and TV. The worst internet I have experienced at sea. Perhaps I should have purchased the Premium package. Only two elevator banks to handle 4,000+ passengers. A very small weight section in the gym. The biggest disappointment was the swells in the Bahamas prevented us from tendering to their private island that was chock full of activities. But the tenders that came out to get the crew were really rocking, so the Captain made the right call.