Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy Old New Year

Every New Year's Eve, I bring up from the wine cellar (read: basement) the oldest bottle I have. At I write this, I'm enjoying a 20-year old California Zinfandel (from Whaler Vineyard in Mendocino), purchased back when we lived in Visalia, CA, and while I was still a newbie oenophile.


The trickiest thing about storing wine for that long (without decent climate-controlled storage) is whether the cork will have leaked, and let in too much oxygen (turning the result to vinegar). In my experience, 1 of 2 makes it this long. And that's assuming you can get the cork out in one piece, too, which almost never happens, this bottle included. You wind up using a strainer to filter out little pieces.

But when a bottle does make it, the experience of interacting with it is pretty remarkable. The young explosion of ripe fruit is all gone, of course... that's expected. But what it leaves in it's place is the interesting part. This one laid down nicely and survived the years (and the cross-country moves) quite well. Surprisingly it still has some tannin (albeit that disappears within a few minutes in the glass), with hints of tobacco on the nose and almost a brandy-like finish. Smooth.

It just goes to show you that "old" can be quite satisfying, not to mention intriguing. Naturally, I knew that already, from substantial personal experience. ;)

Happy New Year! (from a well-aged collector of wine experiences.)

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Whither the Apocalypse?

It's the day after doomsday, and all is still here.
Not a creature is missing, not a thing disappeared.

No comet came crashing, no meteors dropped,
The south and the north pole? They didn't flip-flop.

No enlightenment dawned, there's no New Age in sight,
And no nuclear holocaust unleashed overnight.

The preppers are snuggled all tight in their lairs
I wonder who'll tell them they can come up the stairs?

Today looks like yesterday, with the same thing tomorrow:
We'll have the same mix of delight and of sorrow.

So have a Good Christmas, take a cup of good cheer:
It seems safe now to celebrate a Mayan New Year. :)

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Violence During Advent


Reflecting on the CT school shootings, we can remember in this Advent season that Jesus was born into a culture of violence against the innocent. Mt. 2:16-18 tells us:

"When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

'A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.'
"

And another prophet tells us that it won't always be like this. We won't always live in a world of darkness. Isaiah 9: 2, 5-7a reads: 

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. [...] Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end."

There is still hope, even for people living in a culture of violence.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

It's Winter Somewhere, Right?

So here we are in mid-December again, decorating the house, while Karen Carpenter sings: "It's that time of year when the world falls in love, every song you hear seems to say "Merry Christmas'...", there's a holiday party to go to tonight, and I want another cookie right now.

But there's no snow.  Instead there's a cold rain, and it's not looking like a real great chance of a White Christmas.  However, last weekend, I had my fill of snow for a while, including driving in it, standing in line in it, etc.  Minneapolis got a foot of the stuff the very day I went north by car for a Vikings/Bears  game.  Witness the Metrodome upon arriving, and the line waiting for the light rail afterwards.  Fortunately I parked under cover at the Mall of America, and didn't have to scrape off before heading home.




But boy, did we have great seats! First time in my life that I have sat right on the 50 yard line, and only 18 rows back. Wow.


It was great to be in that stadium again, even if it is small, and kind of a dump. The food is cheap, though, compared to other pro venues. And of course, the "community sing" happened every time there was a Viking score (and there were a few!), where we all sang along to "Skol! Vikings, let's go!".





Fun day, even with the snow. At least I can say I actually saw some this year. :)








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