cat shepard

I am so sorry Dixie! How this special day slipped past me, I do not know! A special birthday wish to my beverage department colleague! May your new year be filled with laughter, love, great health & a cruise or two!

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! A glorious morning here, before the heat moves in. Yesterday’s breezes made my walks with Bindi tolerable, but they were short ones. Need to do a bit of clean up in the yard before it gets too hot this morning. Then one gym class and then relaxing in the pool. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy. And thanks for the shout out on my “all clear” at the dermatologist’s this week. It has been 18 months since my melanoma was removed, and I admit to being a bit anxious on the drive to my appointment. The scar is barely noticeable now. I know I am lucky. Morning Dailyites! Hope you all have a lovely day. Go Ren & Tigers! Good luck at the semi-finals! @StLouisCruisers, Sandi will you be able to watch the game? We are getting near the end of the memes that the girls picked out… and quite appropriate given the heat that many parts of the World are experiencing. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ******** Hampton Water 2020 Clos Du Bois Chardonnay This is a very elusive wine. Even a search for “Hampton Water” on the vintner’s website came up blank. But they make several Chardonnays and each one has very good - excellent reviews. So I opted for the one with the best price.😎. Several online distributors offer it with prices starting at $7.98. Vintner’s Notes Our Clos du Bois Chardonnay is a refreshingly aromatic wine from the rugged coast of California. Scents of warm apple pastry rise from the glass with touches of honey and toasted oak. Bright layers of freshly sliced pear and ripe apple with zests of citrus carry through the long finish. Fruit for this classic Chardonnay originates from select vineyards along the coast of California. The North Coast imparts ripe apple and pear characteristics, while the Central Coast brings full, concentrated flavor and a gorgeous acidity to the grapes. We harvested the grapes in the cool of night, then gently pressed them to preserve the Chardonnay’s fruit characteristics. After settling, the juice was partially barrel fermented in a combination of French and American oak, with the remaining juice undergoing fermentation in stainless steel. To soften the wine’s acidity and impart a rich and creamy mouthfeel, we put the wine through malolactic fermentation.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! A lovely morning, after a bone dry - but hot Thursday. A bit achy this morning after getting 3/4 of the sand & debris out of the pool. But the deck pavers look gorgeous. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy! Morning Dailyites! @aliaschief Bruce & Sue glad to read your travels are going smoothly. @StLouisCruisers GO TIGERS! Awesome tournament. Off to the gym. More pool cleaning. And then replacing the deck cushions. We all loved this one! Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********* Feudi di San Gregorio 2020 Fiano di Avellino This is “bone dry” white with medium body. I know I have never had a wine made with Fiano grapes. So I need to taste this one. I definitely gravitate towards dry wines. I found several online distributors with prices starting at $23.49. Distributor notes The Fiano di Avellino di Feudi di San Gregorio was born in vineyards located in the heart of the enchanting Irpinia landscape. It is produced only with Fiano grapes, harvested and selected entirely by hand. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks, at a controlled temperature of 16-18 ° C. Subsequently the wine ages for 4 months in steel on its lees before being bottled. The Fiano di Avellino di Feudi di San Gregorio has a strong straw yellow color, with greenish reflections. The nose opens with hints of chamomile, yellow peach and candied orange. In the mouth it is soft, fresh and mineral. Perfect to accompany shellfish and legume soups, this wine goes well with grilled seafood, cuttlefish and stewed octopus. 92 Wine Enthusiast

I spent my formative years in New England & we always had a junk drawer.

@ger_77 Gerry welcome home. Those sunset pictures are spectacular! Thank you for sharing. Hope DH’s legs are better.

Have a wonderful trip you two!

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! It is a lovely morning here, after a wild day of intense storms. Bindi is very excited that it is her day. Though every day really is her day. Thank you for keeping our lists Roy! @bennybear, Brenda, praying that all goes well with DH’s surgery & he recovers quickly. @Sharon in AZ, Happy 70th Birthday to Craig! May his new decade be filled with laughter, love, great health & cruises! Today is my day off from the gym, so lots of house chores. Then later I am off to help a friend start packing. The girls loved the idea of this dog visiting Santa. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********** Schloss Johannisberger 2018 Purpurlack Beerenausle This amazing Riesling has quite a name, superb ratings and lots of fans. But it has a hefty price tag that will prevent me from trying it most likely. Several online distributors with prices starting at $159.95/$300 for a half/full bottle. 99 Wine Enthusiast Firm nose, candied and dried yellow fruit aromas, dried floral traces, touch of yellow spice, prominent mineral notes. Firm, juic, very sweet fruit on the palate, concentrated and pure, vegetal, herbacous and yeasty traces, persistent, veryconcentrated and deep, complex, very vibrant, hint of red berries, touch of sugar candy, long, firm, concentrated, juicy finish. Needs time to mature. Best to drink: 2022-2080+

This wine tasting venue sounds very interesting and I wonder if anyone has visited it. I welcome all opinions of the wines and the environment.

Last year in July it was warm enough for just a tee shirt and light pants on the day we visited Dettifoss. Most days my light fleece hooded jacket & my rain jacket with a long sleeved shirt were perfect. That way I could add or subtract layers as needed. The rain jacket was more needed to keep the wind out. I was really happy that that I could tighten the hood, so it did not blow off my head. I had a pair of light waterproof leggings that would have been fine under my windproof pants. We had one day of cold, sideways rain when we were,on a boat ride amongst the icebergs from a glacier. This was the only day I wore my gloves. I was also happy to have my bug netting to protect my head from the gazillion midges near Myvatn. I often just had smart wool socks on with my Tevas, though I was happy to have my waterproof hiking boots with me. I can not believe you need either down jacket, unless you “run cold”.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily. A busy day here with power washing and pool solar panel heating system repair. I need to fit a gym class in there somewhere. And I got another “all clear” from my dermatologist yesterday. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy. Wondering if any Dailyites have ever visited The Tasting Room at Pike’s Place Market in Seattle? It sounds like an amazing way to try small vintage wines. The girls loved this idea. Luckily they are currently in between pets. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ******** Grosgrain 2020 Skin-Contact Les Collines Vineyard This wine is a bit elusive, but I would love to taste it. It sounds lovely for a hot, humid day. An excellent review and price within my budget. I only found a couple online distributors with prices starting at $32.00. 92 Wine Enthusiast This is a one-of-a-kind Sémillon wine in the state, fermented 14 days on skins and aged in clay amphorae and stainless steel. Aromas of lemon balm, herb, graphite and cream lead to a textured palate backed by bright, lemony acidity, with clay notes throughout. It's a statement for this producer and the Walla-Walla valley.

If all goes well, this September on our second day, we will do an early morning Fly Denali flight, then some hikes in the park - possibly a visit to the kennels.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich. Heading off to an early appointment with my dermatologist this morning, so this will be a quick post. Roy, thank you for keeping our lists. Sandi, thank you for you kind words yesterday. After an amazing career during which I was NOT well-rounded, I am trying my hardest now. Debbie, hope you are enjoying yourself! Jacqui - you are not DUMB. Period. The girls thought Bindi would be willing to help out, too. Prayers to all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********* Tatomer 2019 Hinter der Mauer White This white blend has excellent ratings and a reasonable price. I have been exploring the world of red & white blends recently, and this one sounds like one I would like to try. Not widely available, but a few onlin distributors with prices starting at $17.99. Winemaker Notes A blend of 80% Grüner Veltliner, 20% Dry Riesling. Hinter de Mauer is a local term from the town of Loiben Austria where Graham worked at Weingut Knoll. It is the space on a terraced vineyard between a row of vines and the wall on the next level. A tricky place to work, but it produces exceptional fruit. Sometimes the juice is worth the extra squeeze. V92 Vinous The 2019 Hinter der Mauer is a blend of 80% Grüner and 20% Riesling. A wine of uncommon depth, power and complexity, the 2019 is also a jaw-dropping value. Pear, lemon confit, white flowers, mint and floral notes deliver tremendous weight and staying power. Given the uncertainty of the world during COVID-19, at bottling time Graham Tatomer decided to bottle only a fraction of his vineyard designates. The rest of the juice went into the Hinter der Mauer. I was blown away by the quality and pedigree here. WE91 Wine Enthusiast This unique, twist-top blend of 80% Grüner Veltliner and 20% Riesling is Graham Tatomer's white table wine, and it begins with aromas of dried lime peels and rocky seashore. The palate also shows dried lime and orange peels, as well as unique flashes of white pepper and thyme.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Bindi and I encountered a group of at least 13 deer manicuring one of my neighbor’s lawns this morning. All ages. And a couple of teenage males with antler stubs! Thank you for keeping our lists Roy! Morning Dailyites. Off to the gym. Still putting stuff away from my recent house guests. Visiting a friend for happy hour later. Maybe we will go out for a bite afterwards. The girls thought Bindi would be as good as this pup… Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********* Bründlmayer 2019 Ried Heiligenstein Riesling A bit on the pricey side, but if it is as good as the critics say, it might just be worth it. I would like a taste first. Several online distributors with prices starting at $38.98. 97 Wine Enthusiast The vibes on the nose are faint but pervasive nonetheless in tones of citrus essence and crushed conifer needle. The palate then expands into ripe Mirabelle fruit which we get to see through that citric, conifer prism. This has wonderful depth which for now is dressed in fruit, but the essential stoniness will shine through with age. Drink 2030–2050.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Yesterday’s rains seemed to have cooled it down a bit. Lots of deer foraging around this morning. Thank you for our lists, Roy. I know Julia @JAM37 was going to be away until July 7th, so perhaps she was delayed. Hopefully all is well with everyone who hasn’t posted for awhile. @0106, Tina, you really have taken hold of our daily meals. Thank you! Off to the gym. Then Aldi. Then I have a bunch of boxes & bubble wrap to deliver to a friend who is starting to pack for her upcoming move. Another gift from the girls…. I really love this idea. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Stay well everyone! ******* Foris 2020 Pinot Gris (Rogue Valley) Excellent reviews from critics and consumers make me want to try this Oregon wine. Sounds perfect for a hot summer evening. A bit elusive, but there were a couple online distributors with prices starting at $16.99. Distributor notes While not overtly "fruity", Granny Smith apple, nectarine, Kiwi and Casaba melon highlight the fruit attributes. Hints of cumin seed, celery seed, lemon grass, cucumber and green tea add interest and complexity. Medium bodied with a silky smooth entry, a slight walnut like astringency pairs well with the crisp finish.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! My visitors have left & my house is very quiet. They should just be arriving at Jacksonville airport about now. I know I have missed lots of celebrations, so I can only wish you all had a blast. Thank you for keeping our lists Roy! Morning Dailyites. Lots of house chores today, but I will squeeze a Zumba class in. Then dinner at a friend’s this evening. I might squeeze a nap in. The girls had fun on the long drive with picking out our memes. I admit I am out of touch with kids cartoons. Lyla had to explain some of the memes to me. 😎 Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********* Castello dei Rampolla 2018 Chianti Classico This wine sounds lovely. Blackberry AND chocolate! And it is widely available with prices starting at $29.95. Winemaker Notes Bright ruby red color. The bouquet on the nose is intense, with rich cherry and red berry aromas and leafy undertones. On the palate it is silky, balanced, with medium body, refined tanning and a long flavorful finish of blackberry and chocolate. Ideal with red grilled meat, like Bistecca Fiorentina, and semi to well-aged cheeses. Blend: 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc WE94 Wine Enthusiast Black-skinned fruit, new leather, tilled earthy and blue flower aromas mingle with camphor on this fragrant, enticing red. Fresh and savory, the elegant, full-bodied palate doles out ripe black plum, juicy Morello cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside polished tannins that give it a velvety texture. Fresh acidity lends brightness and balance. Best After 2022 JS93 James Suckling A wonderful young Chianti Classico with aromas and flavors of black cherries, dark chocolate, wet earth and black truffle. It’s full-bodied with creamy and juicy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. V93 Vinous The 2018 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Deep, rich and super-expressive, the 2018 captures the essence of the house style, with a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon that adds both complexity and structural intensity. Black cherry, plum, licorice, lavender and dried herbs are kicked up a few notches. This is an especially rich style for the year, but it works so well. RP92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The Castello dei Rampolla 2018 Chianti Classico shows some softness and extra ripeness with dark fruit and plum followed by savory smoke and spice. This wine is an expression of the one and only Panzano in Chianti, a promising subzone in the larger Chianti Classico appellation with panoramic views awash in soft golden light at the end of each glorious day. To the palate, the wine delivers rich, mid-weight intensity with more textured and succulent flavors to follow. This wine is just lovely, especially when tasted right out of the gate when those cherry and blackberry tones are at their brightest.

I am doing a later tour/cruise and plan to be tested in Anchorage, since we fly in a few days before the HAL tour starts. My HAL doc states I need a negative test within a certain number of hours of joining the tour. I am hoping the hotel can help us find the closest/most reliable one; the good hotels should be prepared to help their guests fulfill this requirement. I did a Google search for test sites and at least 10 came up. I expect Fairbanks would have a few. I will probably ask for recommendations on the Alaska forum when I get closer to my trip.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! It was a delightful morning walk today. Not a hint of the big H (humidity). We are finishing up breakfast & getting ready to head to Kennedy Space Center. This is our last full day together, so we are hitting the road. Thank you for keeping our lists Roy! Morning Dailyites. Again, I am woefully behind, but I should get back on track tomorrow. Today’s meme…. And @Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda, the girls loved your idea of having them pick out some memes for me to use after they leave. So once I post this, I will be handing the iPad to them to start working. Hope this helps make the 90 minute drive whiz by for them. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ****** Pieropan 2019 Soave Classico The wine sounds perfect for a hot Summer day. Would love a sip, or two. Available from several online distributors with prices starting at $17.95. Winemaker Notes The 2019 Pieropan Soave Classico is a brilliant straw yellow color with greenish hints. The delicate nose is reminiscent of almond blossoms and marzipan. Good depth of fruit on the palate, nicely balanced by a zingy acidity that enhances its long length. This wine makes an excellent partner for soups, starters, especially vegetable based such as asparagus, peas, courgette, egg-based dishes or seafood and fresh water fish dishes. It is an excellent aperitif, especially when served with simple canapés. WE94 Wine Enthusiast Fragrant and delicious, this opens with heady aromas of white spring flower, citrus and tropical fruit. Vibrant and tangy, the savory palate doles out juicy grapefruit, white peach and lemon drop before a saline mineral finish. Bright acidity keeps it crisp and balanced. JS92 James Suckling Aromas of fresh pear, lemon curd, white pepper and wet stones. Hints of wild herbs. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity. Wonderfully focused with a light spritz to the zesty, mineral notes on the finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Laura It is time for you to start posting the elevator day of the week mats again.😎 Though some weeks it feels as if it should be Friday already. Love your cabana. And the girls & my niece love “our” blouse.

How wonderful, Melisa! Praying his improvement continues!

Have a wonderful, COVID-free trip, Debbie! Thank you Tina @0106for making sure we don’t starve while Debbie takes a well deserved vacation.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! I am hoping last night’s storms have removed some of the humidity. It was brutal yesterday afternoon. Even Bindi wasn’t interested in much of a walk. The pool got a great deal of use & we all slept like logs. The girls get a kick out of Bindi snoring gently. Thank you for our lists Roy. Special prayers for @StLouisCruisers, Sandi’s family on Buddy’s passing. We have not decided what we are doing today, but the girls are enjoying a pre-breakfast dip in the pool, while their parents sleep in a bit. The girls loved this meme…. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ******** Meiomi Rosé From the vintners who make one of my favorite Pinot Noirs comes this wine. I don’t usually go out of my way to try a rosé, but I will make an exception here. Widely available with prices starting at $13.99. From “The Honest Wine Reviewer” Meiomi Rose comes from Acampo, California, USA and the 2016 vintage is the first time Meiomi has ever released a Rose. According to the tasting notes, fruit for this wine was sourced from three different counties… 48% Sonoma, 43% Monterey and 9% Santa Barbara, with each county said to contribute its own flavor characteristics. The wine was aged in stainless steel and the predominate varietal is Pinot Noir. From the bottle: “Inspired by coastal maritime influences, Meiomi Rose bursts with vibrant, floral aromas and mouthwatering fruit flavors of strawberry, cranberry and watermelon.” Appearance In appearance, Meiomi Rose is pale salmon in color and very translucent. Light shining through leaves a lovely pale pink glow on the table. It’s quite a leggy wine and it coats up the glass nicely when tipped. Legs appear in various sizes and forms and are mostly slow to fall. Aroma I normally don’t expect a Rose to have much of an aroma, but this wine’s aroma is noticeable from a foot away from the glass. It’s enjoyable, with notes of fresh watermelon and strawberry. You might find the aroma similar to a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio. Meiomi Rose alcohol content 13.2% by volume, per the bottle. There’s no sting of alcohol in the nose. Taste I tasted this wine slightly chilled. On the palate, you get chamomile, cranberry and orange zest coupled with a good bit of minerality and acidity. For some reason, I was expecting sweetness however none was present, which suited me well. I found the taste enjoyable, uncomplicated and easily sippable. Mouthfeel The wine exhibited a lush mouthfeel with some very mild tannins on the sides of the tongue. Finish The finish was long lasting and pleasant. It started out with the orange zest flavors but then slowly gave way to just a bit of bitterness. Overall Opinion Overall, I enjoyed this off-dry Rose and I think Meiomi is off to a great start with this inaugural vintage. Give this a try if you want to get on Meiomi’s “ground floor” of Rose. And, enjoy it as a nice summer sipper. Suggested Food Pairing Give this one a try with Food and Wine’s recommendation of rosemary flatbread with blue cheese. Actually, I think anything cheesy would pair well with this wine as the acidity might balance out the richness of the cheese. Go for a richer cheese versus a lighter cheese in this case.

Sandi I am so sorry for your family‘s loss. Prayers for Amy, the children and your entire family. May Buddy Rest In Peace.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! All’s quiet here this morning. The ladies & I are doing a mani-pedi morning, while my nephew-in-law goes golfing with a couple neighbors. We will decide what to do this afternoon at lunch. Our beach trip yesterday was perfect. The ocean breezes really helped manage the heat. And the water was not too rough, which seems to be rare lately. The girls could not believe how warm the water is down here. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy! Morning Dailyites. I confess to being way behind in reading what is happening with you and your family and friends. But I will catch up eventually. The girls loved the idea of cats getting manicures, too. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********* Three Pears 2019 Chenin Blanc-Viognier Consumers and critics give this lovely white blend very good - excellent ratings. Available from several online distributors for a price that makes it easy to try to see if you would like it. Prices started at $10.99. Winemaker notes With inviting aromas of juicy tropical fruits, our Chenin Blanc Viognier includes flavors of ripe pears with hints of honey and vanilla on the palate, rounded out by a clean, lingering finish. Enjoy this wine by the pool on a hot, summer day or at your next afternoon picnic.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich. A lovely morning here. We are packing up to head to the beach for a few hours before it gets too hot. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy. I was sorry to read of your cousin’s passing. I hope you have lots of wonderful memories to help ease your pain. The girls were very excited to learn it was Cow Appreciation Day! They had lots of fun picking out today’s meme. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********** Quinta da Alorna 2017 Reserva Touriga Nacional This Cab from Portugal is bold & intense. Perfect for robust foods. Available from several online distributors with prices starting at $12.99. Winemaking:After 2 days of cold pre-fermentative maceration it follows the alcoholic fermentation with controlled temperature at 23ºC. After the Malolactic fermentation the wine has been aged on second used American Oak barrels for 6 months. Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional Tasting Notes: Colour purple. Floral, violets and blackcurrant aromas. Ripe tannins give great depth while the fruit is round concentrated and powerful. Persistent finish. Store and Serve Advices: Serve at 16-18ºC. Food Pairing: A good partner for red meats and cheeses.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! This morning we are going kayaking before it gets too hot. Then we will figure out whatever we can do in the afternoon. I know the girls want to go mini-golfing, but it may be too icky out to do that. You can already feel the humidity in the air. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy. Morning Dailyites! The girls LOVED the look of this cat. And Cara, the six year old, told her parents she wants one. 😎 Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********* Domaine Louis Moreau 2018 Les Clos Grand Cru This wine sounds lovely. Would love to taste, but it is definitely out of my price range. Available from a few online distributors with prices starting at $89.99. Winemaker Notes Grand Cru Les Clos is the most renowned of the 7 Grands Crus in Chablis. It produces dry but generous & powerful wines. It develops a very mineral bouquet, displaying an elegant fineness and impressive length in the mouth. This Grand Cru will nicely match with monkfish roast with nuts and smoked bacon. WS97 Wine Spectator Notes of crushed limestone and sea salt lend freshness to powerfully ripe yellow apple, pineapple and pear flavors in this wine. Matured entirely in stainless steel, it's a classic Chablis focused squarely on the sun-drenched richness and invigorating mineral sheen of the Grand Cru Les Clos vineyard. Cellar Selection WE97 Wine Enthusiast Notes of crushed limestone and sea salt lend freshness to powerfully ripe yellow apple, pineapple and pear flavors in this wine. Matured entirely in stainless steel, it's a classic Chablis focused squarely on the sun-drenched richness and invigorating mineral sheen of the Grand Cru Les Clos vineyard. Just approaching peak now, the wine should improve through 2040. Cellar Selection W&S95 Wine & Spirits Louis Moreau’s seven acres in Les Clos were most recently replanted between 1958 and 1968. The fruit of those old vines, ripened on a south-facing slope, ferments on its own yeasts and ages undisturbed on the fine lees for 18 to 20 months in stainless steel vats. It’s worth the price of admission to drink a wine of this stature presented completely naked, without any oak. This is plump, luscious Cha-blis that takes its time to show itself fully, cool and glorious five days after first opening the bottle. At that moment, it was “almost lemon, almost yellow apple,” said Tim Buzin- ski (Culinary Institute of America), a wine in the process of becoming. JS94 James Suckling This is in such good form in 2018 with a very attractive and very rich, layered and complete feel. The flinty nose has intense lemons, grapefruit and white peaches, as well as limes. The palate has very composed, weighty and quite compressed, fleshy power.