cat shepard

@Cruzin Terri Terri, I shared your fears. I am so sorry they were realized. I know Moderna is working on a couple of new meds. I suspect any drug firm of worth is doing the same. Not sure how active Jim is, but physical activity is recommended by many doctors and support groups.

Congratulations, Denise! Though not always easy to do, being mindful of diet & exercise can have huge rewards!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is a brisk morning of 41 today. But the sky is clear. More “weather” is coming tomorrow. Who knows what it will bring. On Tuesday EVERY state & province on the East Coast was under some type of severe weather warning. Vanessa thank you for keeping up with us. I am so happy that you are getting a bit more sleep. Let’s hope your permanent pain relief plan starts soon. Gym, Bindi walks, my annual water purifying system maintenance, branch patrol (the wind finally died down) and chores should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those with debilitating pain or conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. And the caregivers. Thinking of you Tana, Terry & Melissa. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @dfish Debbie you will love your balcony in Hawaii. Enjoy! @StLouisCruisers Sandi, wish Ren a Happy Birthday for me, too! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********** Llopart 2011 Original 1887 Brut Nature Sparkling (Cava) I love this wine’s name. it sounds lovely. It has quite a history, a huge number of fans and awards, and though a bit pricey for me - it is actually reasonable for what it delivers. Numerous online distributors with online prices starting at $79.95. Distributor’s notes Llopart Original 1887 Brut Nature is a sparkling wine produced by LLopart in Subirats (Barcelona), specifically in Corpinnat (the EU collective brand born in the Catalan Penedès region). LLopart is a family-run winery with a long winemaking tradition. In 1385, they documented the transfer of some vines located in the current Heredad Can Llopart to Bernat Llopart. However, it was not until 1887 when they finished the first bottle of sparkling wine, in the country house that the family has in Subirats. Heredad Can Llopart is the family farm. It is located on a hill with prominent slopes at 340 metres above sea level. The climate in this area has very mild winters, and sunny summers that are not too warm. The mountain range of Montserrat protects the vineyards from the cold northern winds during the winter, making temperatures milder. LLopart makes all their sparkling wines using the traditional champenoise method,seeking the excellence of all their products from the maximum quality of the raw material, the grape. Llopart Original 1887 Brut Nature is a sparkling wine made from Xarello, Maccabeu and Parellada, from old mountain vineyards with very low yields. After the manual harvest, each variety is vinified individually. When the fermentation has ended, they perform a coupage of the three varieties. Then, they carry out the tirage or bottling with yeast and sugar, so that the wine can carry on to its second fermentation in the bottle. After a minimum of 120 months of ageing, they carry out the disgorgement, with no added liqueur d'expédition. This sparkling wine was initially produced to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the first bottle of sparkling wine from Llopart.

Melissa, praying 2024 is good to you.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. And Jacqui, three cheers that you did not break your elbow! Roy, thank you for the maps! Well it is 20 degrees colder here this morning. Yesterday’s wild storms sucked all the heat out of our skies. 😜 Partial funnel clouds were spotted, but they never touched the ground. This pic was taken two miles from my Sister, who lives about 8 miles North of me. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with our happenings. I am glad that you are getting a bit more sleep. Now your medical team needs to work on relieving your pain - permanently. It is cold & still windy this morning. Bindi still wanted to walk because it was not raining. Manicure, more Bindi walks, chores, HIIT, and starting to plan Saturday’s dinner. My turn to host. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one: human or furry. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating. I know lots of Southeastern Dailyites who are celebrating making it through yesterday’s storm. May we each find a reason to smile today! ********** Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc This New Zealand SB offers a lighter calorie and lower alcohol content option - 9%. Health organizations are starting to talk about the health benefits of drinking only one or two glasses of wine each week 😱 and drinking lower alcohol content wine. They also said they know that might be difficult for many people, but…. This SB is widely available and priced to try a lower alcohol content wine! Numerous distributors with online prices starting at $10.99. Distributor notes Brancott Estate Flight Song Sauvignon Blanc (750 ml): New Zealand's Marlborough region shines in this Sauvignon Blanc. Offering vibrant notes of passion fruit, lime, and kiwi, it's a light, aromatic experience that pairs seamlessly with fresh seafood or tangy salads.

@cunnorl Charlene, hope all is well by you. We just got the all clear here. It sounds as if they just renewed your tornado warning.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. Roy thank you for giving us the maps. It is going to be an interesting day weather wise here. It is already 69 and windy. And oddly the wind seems to be coming from the South right now. The strongest T-storms are supposed to be North & West of me, but the winds are going to be bad most of the day. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings! I pray you are on the road to permanent pain relief, soon. Gym, Bindi walks, chores & I need to visit a few grocery stores. I am on the hunt for Cherub tomatoes. The three ALDIs and one Target in my area do not have any small tomatoes! I hope this is NOT the great tiny tomato shortage of 2024. Prayers for all who need our support. Roy, I hope there are no side effects from yesterday’s treatment. Terri, safe travels to you & Jim today. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. @Crazy For Cats Jake a huge hug is coming your & Juan’s way. I was so sorry to read about Amelia! Cherish every memory. Hold on to the fact that she did not suffer. ❤️ Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ********** Josh Cellars Pinot Noir 2021 This widely available California Pinot Noir is enjoyable and decently priced. Lots of consumer fans. Even grocery stores carry this one. I used the 2021 vintage info, since you should still be able to find it. Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $15.27. Winemaker Notes The nose shows intoxicating aromas of bright cherries, raspberries and toasty oak while initial flavors of dark cherry and vanilla bean give way to classic secondary notes of earth, warm spice, and well-integrated tannins. An intense Pinot Noir with a long finish. Pair this medium-bodied wine with medium-bodied dishes, highlight the earthiness by pairing with roasted vegetables and mushrooms, or enjoy with poultry like roasted turkey or duck. 92Wine Enthusiast A really pleasing Pinot that's both fairly priced and widely available, this bottling offers baked strawberry, charred game, sage sap and thyme on the nose. The palate combines cherry compote with roasted meat flavors, making for a full, complex sip. Best Buy

Terri, though I am South of Jacksonville, the worst weather is supposed to come in the afternoon. So it might not hit Jacksonville until late morning. But the wind is supposed to start early. And you will have to deal with 95 in very strong wind gusts. So be extra careful.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Rich thank you for leaving us in great hands! Roy, thank you for our maps! It is cloudy and 54 this morning. Not sure what to expect the rest of the day. Yesterday turned out lovely. National Debt day is an interesting thing to celebrate. I spent my career in the Treasury department and back in the 90s the Administration had reduced the national debt to the point where the financial wizards were concerned. Evidently a little debt is important, because it shows you can make payments timely - so if you need to borrow $, you have a great credit history to back up your request. Who knew? Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us! Praying that you hear something soon that sets you on the path of permanent pain relief. Gym, Bindi walks, chores. Heading to a friend’s for happy hour and then we may go out to eat. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those with debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. @rafinmd Roy, praying that all goes well with your treatments. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ******* Château Brane Cantenac 2020 This Bordeaux red blend comes with a price outside of my budget - unless for a very special occasion. But the price gives you a blend that many critics say is a superb. I would love a taste. A decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $70.00. Winemaker Notes Beautiful garnet color, deep and shiny. The nose is intense, complex and fine, exhaling aromas of flowers, black fruits and hints of spices giving an impression of freshness. On the palate the wine is harmonious and long. It is full-bodied and endowed with sweetness. It is ample, soft, spherical, powerful but all in finesse. Freshness dominates with pleasant aromas of fresh black fruits and spices. This wine never seams to disappear as it's finish is long as persistent. Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carménère, 1% Petit Verdot. 98James Suckling Blackberries, plums, currants, tobacco and violets on the nose. Bitter chocolate and mocha, too. It’s refined and focused, with a medium to full body and firm, tightly-knit tannins. Very long, laser-focused and polished. Very classy. Best of the trilogy. 97Jeb Dunnuck This estate has been on a roll, and their 2020 Chateau Brane-Cantenac is another brilliant wine that readers will love. Largely in the mold of the 2019, it has a deep purple hue as well as an incredible bouquet of blackcurrants, black cherries, freshly sharpened pencils, tobacco, and flowers. This medium to full-bodied, richly textured, concentrated, yet remarkably elegant 2020 has the vintage's fresher, focused, elegant profile but still brings plenty of flesh and opulence. Beautifully done, it’s going to evolve for a solid 30 years in cold cellars and offer incredible pleasure all its life. Best After 2027 97Wine Enthusiast From what is one of Margaux's leading estates, this wine is structured and initially firm. Then it reveals luscious black fruits and succulent acidity that gives the wine a fine perfumed character, dense texture and the promise of some serious aging. Barrel Sample: 95-97 94Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2020 Brane-Cantenac has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of blackberries and crème de cassis mingled with notions of licorice, pencil shavings, violets and subtle hints of smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a lavish core of fruit, ripe acids and sweet tannins that assert themselves on the savory finish, it can't quite match the purity and sensuality of the 2019, but it's a strong effort. 94Decanter Violet-edged, lovely vibrant colour. A low-yield wine that has kept an impressively fresh core, with expressive fruits and a vibrant grip through the centre of the wine. Powerful, tight tannins and the concentration becomes clearer in the glass, a ton of bilberry, sage and rosemary aromatics, with a generous helping of graphite and crushed stone. All of these wines are going to need very careful ageing - although the reasonable alcohols should help. A yield of 31hl/ha. 18 months ageing in a mix of new oak barrels and amphoras. 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère completes the blend. Barrel Sample: 94

Thank you for today’s FR&D, Jacqui. Roy thank you for the maps! It is 14 degrees cooler this morning & it rained overnight. It is still very cloudy and dark here. Vanessa, thank you for doing all you do in spite of the pain you are suffering. I am praying that you get permanent relief from the pain - soon. Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, chores will keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain & conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. @Norseh2o I was sorry to read that your Mom passed. I hope wonderful memories help ease your pain. Terry, thinking of you & Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Three cheers for mentors! May we each find a reason to smile today! *********** Melville 2021 Estate Syrah (Sta. Rita Hills) This California Syrah sounds interesting and it certainly has quite a few fans. I would love a taste. Quite a few online distributors with prices starting at $34.95. Winemaker Notes As the 2019 Estate Syrah begins to fill the glass with its signature dark violet color, one can’t help but to get excited. Instantly upon pouring, the aromatics begin to overflow and escape the glass, giving you a sneak peek of what’s to come. Fresh herbs and lavender fill the glass then give way to grilled meat and fresh, roasted cracked pepper. On the palate, the adventure begins with roasted blackberries, in season black plums, and cherry juice. A near perfect balance of silky tannins, juiciness, and velvet-like texture together create a symphony of flavor. 95Wine & Spirits Chad Melville’s estate-grown syrah leans on the Estrella River clone, a selection that’s late to bloom and late to ripen—it is typically harvested in November, the whole clusters submitted to a cold soak, native fermentation, and aging in neutral barrels. It’s low-intervention winemaking with a stunning result: The wildly exotic aromatics bring lavender, violets, plum, smoked tea, olive and, above all, pepper—like walking under a pepper tree on a warm afternoon as the fruit nears peak ripeness. The flavors are exotic, lush and herbal at once, delivered with a creamy midpalate and fine leafy tannins, elegant and long. It’s drinking beautifully now and would be a wonder to follow as it ages. 93Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2019 Syrah Estate has a medium ruby-purple color and is bursting with blackberry jam and blueberry aromas with broody tones of cast iron, chargrill, aniseed and dried herbs. The palate is lovely, with a balance of bright berry accents of savory, earthy tones. It has an abundance of finely grained tannins, notable freshness and lift, and a long, herbal finish. 92Jeb Dunnuck The 2019 Syrah Estate Sta. Rita Hills always seems to deliver. Revealing a ruby/plum color as well as peppery notes of red and black fruits, tapenade, and gamey meats, it's medium-bodied and has a supple, elegant texture, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. 92James Suckling Aromas and flavors of strawberries, together with cloves, black pepper and dried flowers. Yet, it’s transparent and crisp. Medium body with a pretty texture and a fruity finish.

@Norseh2o I am so sorry to read that your Mom has passed. How wonderful that you could all be there! May wonderful memories help ease the pain. Ann

Safe travels. My nephew in Charlestown doesn’t expect much snow, so if you can make it to Logan you may be home free. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Thank goodness you left Sunday off the title! It is Saturday. 😎

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! It is raining lightly, and already 69! What a jump from the last two weeks. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us! I am so happy to read you actually slept for 5 hours! I hope that trend continues. Praying for permanent pain relief for you. Zumba, Bindi walks, chores, dinner at a friends - all will be complicated a bit, if the severe Tstorms that are predicted actually show up. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. I am really glad that I am not up in New Hampshire this weekend! Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today! ******** Château de Suronde 2018 Grand Cru Chenin Blanc (Quarts de Chaume) I thought for sure my decoder ring would become obsolete, so I am thrilled it is still relevant. Not sure how many Dailyites enjoy sweet wines, but this sweet wine is also biodynamic- so that might change the sweetness aspect a bit. And it gets high ratings from critics & consumers alike. I would taste it, just to try it. Not really a fan of sweet wines. But it is a bit elusive, and way outside of my budget. Online prices start at $80.00! Distributor notes Drinking Window: 2022 - 2042 Elegantly luscious, this biodynamic Quarts de Chaume has incredible vibrancy, purity and drive, with transparent aromas of nectarine, orange peel and glazed pineapple supported by refreshing acidity. The flavour depth of the botrytised grapes rest on a mineral framework that will support many years of beautiful development. Wine Enthusiast 93 Decanter 93

Thank you for getting someone to take this pic & then sharing it. I am waving!👋🏻

Great news! I bet lots of us will be routing for you!

Bon voyage to you & Sue, Bruce. Dailyites are recognized wherever they go for being the wonderful people that they are.

Have a wonderful adventure, John & Diane!

Thank you. They are Concept 2. My gym has a much older version of these machines, so I am excited to try them.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! A bit of a nip in the air this morning. But the days have been so pretty - in spite of the wind. Vanessa, thank you for doing all you do to make this a great community. Praying that you get relief for your pain, soon. Gym, Bindi walks, put away the Christmas tree 😞, chores and dinner out with my family. Should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those with debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today. ********* Saint Clair Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc 2021 I used the 2021 vintage, because I found so much great info about this New Zealand wine. I would love to try it. And I appreciate the wine critic suggesting to hold on to this one for a couple of years. Wine is so subjective, and I often don’t agree with critics - but I still appreciate their attempts to help us enjoy wine. Lots of online distributors with online prices starting at $18.99. Winemaker notes Saint Clair Family Estate was founded in 1994 by Marlborough grape-growing pioneers Neal and Judy Ibbotson, who in 1978 were among the first 10 growers to plant vineyards in the region. Through decades of learning, Saint Clair Family Estate has worked to identify Marlborough’s most superior vineyard sites that today produce wines that are consistently awarded worldwide. Today, Neal uses his extensive viticultural expertise with Marlborough’s unique mix of climate and soils in combination with the talent of one of New Zealand’s leading winemaking teams to create acclaimed wines. About the Wine: Our Origin Series Sauvignon Blanc is sourced entirely from the unique Dillons Point area of Marlborough, giving the wine its focused, fruit-driven flavor profile and hints of minerality. The crisp personality of Origin Series greets you with generous aromas of passion fruit and guava. These exotic tropical fruit characters come through on the rich palate, mingling with notes of grapefruit, lemon and peach layered with herbaceous notes of fresh-cut grass. Refreshingly crisp on the finish, with a lingering sense of sea spray and minerality. Viticulture Notes: The Origin Series Sauvignon Blanc is crafted entirely from fruit grown in a sub-region of Marlborough’s lower Wairau Valley known as Dillons Point. Located close to the coast, Dillons Point sits near the mouth of the Wairau River as it empties into the Marlborough Sounds. This proximity to the coast provides long hours of sunlight and crisp, cold nights, enabling the bright acidity and intensity of fruit expression in the grapes. Vineyards here have deep, free-draining alluvial soils with layers of mineral salts, giving the wine its high mineral notes and distinctive underlying tones of salinity. The vintage began with ideal conditions, building to an unusually warm early summer. Late summer rain swept over the region before a welcome dry spell with plentiful sunshine ushered in harvest. Overall, fruit ripened nicely on the vine, though harvest was a bit earlier than usual. Winemaking Notes: Grapes for our Sauvignon Blanc were harvested in March. The grapes were destemmed, but not crushed, before light pressing with minimal skin contact. The free run juice was settled to achieve a high degree of clarity. To preserve the fruit’s flavors, vineyard blocks were kept separate, with juice fermented in small upright stainless-steel tanks at low temperatures for up to 21 days. Varietal Content: 100% Sauvignon Blanc Varietal Origin: Marlborough Wine Enthusiast - 89 Suggest we drink this wine 2023 - 2026.

I really appreciate the thought you put into this entire thread. You were clear as to what was fact, and what was your opinion. It will help me & my gang immensely when we go next month. Thank you!

Nancy, I bet your horse was happy to have you on its back.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui. Thank you Tina, @0106 for keeping us fed so well in Debbie’s absence. She could focus on getting well, since she knew we were in great hands! We are having some off & on showers that started last night. And the wind makes this morning’s 50 degrees feel raw. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all our happenings! I am not suffering with the pain you are, and I know I would miss so much of what you capture. I pray that you are given a path to permanent pain relief - SOON. Today I will take down my outside Christmas decorations and store them away. I will put the tree away tomorrow night. I will also attend a memorial service for a neighbor who just moved away this past August. We are all in a bit of a shock, since he was not ill beforehand. @summer slope Dixie, I hope you shared the name of today’s drink with your DH! I can imagine you telling him that you were working on Wild Sex! Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving a loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Glad the aide is back! Cheers to all who are celebrating! Cruisers - thank you for sharing your cruise pictures & adventures with us! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********** 2021 Riesling, Waitrose Blueprint German Dry, Moselland, Mosel This Riesling is ultra dry. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the driest it was given a 1! I would love to taste this one! It is a bit elusive for me, but I found a few online distributors. And it is certainly priced to try - online prices start at $9.00. One judge referred to it as a “steal”. Distributor notes This dry, elegant Riesling is made from specially selected grapes from the steepest slopes of the higher Mosel valley. Brilliant value.

Bon Voyage to you & John, Nancy! Your trip sounds wonderful. Enjoy every moment! My first HAL cruise was on the Eurodam, so she holds a special place in my heart.

Thank you for today’s F R & D, Jacqui! @rafinmd Roy, thank you for the maps! Yesterday was such a weird weather day. Sunny all day, but by mid-afternoon the wind had strengthened enough to make it really brisk outside. It is already 40 here this morning, so hope we can avoid some wind here. Vanessa, thank you for posting our care & celebration lists. You have really added on to what Roy started for us. Praying that you get some permanent pain relief soon. Haircut, Bindi walks, chores and HIIT class will keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those grieving the loss of a loved one. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry! Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today. ********* Vandal Gonzo Resistance 2019 This Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has a great many consumer fans, but it is a bit elusive in the states - at least in Florida. It sounds interesting. I do not believe I have encountered a wine fermented with oysters before. A few online distributors with prices starting at $27.99. Distributor notes Hand Harvested Sauvignon Blanc from two vineyards in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough. Whole bunch fermentation in original picking bins. Pressed off mid ferment and finished in old French barrels. Fermented with fresh New Zealand Bluff Oysters. 6 months aging on full yeast lees. Small batch pressed with oysters. Unfined and unfiltered.