cat shepard

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! Glad to read that you will have internet while on your cruises! Super windy yesterday and today. Still not sure about the rain tomorrow. @aliaschief Bruce, be careful out there. Really strong wind gusts! I have to celebrate Cat Herders Day! My CC name comes from my TNR days in Maryland! When I first moved there, I lived in an Annapolis condo that had a large number of feral and abandoned cats in the neighborhood. I hooked up with a local TNR group to get it under control. One Christmas a young neighbor, who helped me feed them, gave me a card thanking me for being a Cat Shepard - I kept the spelling when I joined CC a few years later. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Praying that you get relief for your pain and sleep deprivation soon. Gym, Bindi walks, chores and dinner with family & friends at our favorite Italian restaurant to celebrate the season. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. And those dealing with the loss of loved ones. Cheers to all who are celebrating. May we each find a reason to smile today! ******* L. Mawby Tradition I have failed you, Dailyites! I could not find any distributor info about Tradition. I did find info about this vintner’s 50th Anniversary sparkling wine and another of their sparkling wines, but they do not even mention Tradition on their own website! The Anniversary sparkling wine costs $35.00, the other one costs $19.99. This is my first wine from Michigan! BTW this vintner also sells a wine named Sex!😎 But we know it exists, or at least existed because Wine Enthusiast rated it 87 back in 2019. Made predominantly from Chardonnay with 10% Riesling, this displays autolytic aromas of sourdough, with gooseberries, lime-pith and grapefruit notes. Bubbles are large and foamy on the slippery palate and offer restrained flavors of lemon oil, lemon curd, almond croissant and biscuit. Grapefruit zest introduces the finish transitioning to puff pastry, pine nut and just a whisper of bitter lime.

Safe travels, Jake!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is currently 64 and cloudy, after a night of off & on hard rain. Not sure what today will bring besides wind. We still might get a great deal of rain this weekend- the weather gurus are not sure. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us! Praying that you begin to benefit from your new meds & that next week’s visit to the neurosurgeon gives you a plan for permanent pain relief. Gym, Bindi walks, volunteering at my local food bank, and chores should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those dealing with debilitating pain or conditions. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry! Cheers to all who are celebrating! @Sharon in AZ Sharon & Craig Happy Anniversary! May we each find a reason to smile today! ****** Liberated 2012 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon If you cannot find the 2012 vintage - grab a bottle of the 2013! Not only is it higher rated, it is a few dollars cheaper. I might taste this one, but prefer my Cab in a blend. A few online distributors with online prices starting at $13.99. Note: the 2013 was given a score of 89 & online prices start at $9.99. 85 Wine Enthusiast This Cabernet comes in three different labels, displaying the archetypes of the explorer, the business man and the adventurer. In taste, the wine is smoky and soft, with plum, cassis and dark cherry all making a play.

Safe travels Maureen!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is 20 degrees warmer than yesterday morning! What a crazy weather pattern! Major wind warnings & last night by the beach was wild! Good thing we didn’t have to walk far! Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us. Praying that you find relief from your pain, soon. And that you are able to get a decent night’s sleep. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, and HIIT class should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ******** Delatour Cuvée Premier Chardonnay 2021 I did not find much info about this Chardonnay, but consumers think it is very good. It is easy to find and priced two it is an easy one to try. Widely available with online prices starting at $7.99. Distributor’s notes Aromas of white flowers, almonds and exotic fruit with flavors of crisp apples and pears. Give it a slight chill and enjoy with roasted chicken, turkey, shellfish on the half shell, salmon and shrimp. Clean, pleasant and refreshing.

Did you happen to notice any rowing machines?

Rich, thank you for today’s FR & D! I hope you know how much I appreciate everything you do. I admire your openness to posts that find fault or correct you, and I wish the poster would find a better way to let you know. Most of us know there are nice ways or even fun ways to let someone know a correction is needed. Ok vent over. It is 45, dry, and no wind - yet. It is supposed to be windier than yesterday! I needed a couple of layers even in the full sun. It was almost comical when Bindi & I were out. I would unzip the windbreaker, when we were out of the wind’s reach & then zip it back up when the wind hit us. Even Bindi started looking at me as if I were nuts. Vanessa, I don’t know what meds your PCP will be prescribing, but I hope they help you sleep longer. And I am praying that the neurosurgeon can find a solution to your pain. Gym, Bindi walks, my Plummer is coming to fix my leaky faucet, and then celebrating the season with a group of friends at our local wine bar. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain or conditions, and grieving the loss of someone dear. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********** Rocco Del Dragone Aglianico Campania 2020 I used the 2020 vintage info, since this appears to be the most recently released. This lovely Italian red wine is rich, smooth and leaves a wonderful lingering finish. No harshness whatsoever. Many fans amongst consumer ranks. I enjoyed this by itself and with food. Available from a decent number of distributors. Online prices start at $15.99. Vintners notes Deep ruby-red colour, with aromas and flavours of black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, coffee, pepper and mineral. Full bodied yet amazingly smooth and elegant. Best when served with meats, game and strong cheeses. 100% Aglianico ALCOHOL: 13% Selected low-yielding vineyards in the province of Avellino, in the Campania region of Southern Italy. AGE OF VINES: In average 20 years old. PLANT TRAINING AND DENSITY: Cordon Spur. Approximately 4000 plants per hectare with a yield of 1.8 to 2.0 kg of grapes per plant. Manual harvest occurs in late October, early November. VINIFICATION: After de-stemming, the grapes are not crushed, allowing them to remain intact, reducing damage to the skins and optimizing colour extraction. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 25°C for 10 days. Both remontage and delestage are carried out in the very early stages of fermentation in order to achieve soft extraction of aromas and gentle tannins. At each delestage a part of the pips is removed so by the 4th day of fermentation no pips remain, thus avoiding the harsh tannins that can be extracted from the pips. After the 6th day of fermentation, when the wine has reached an approximate alcohol level of 10%, the skins are completely removed. This is done to avoid the harsh and bitter tannins usually associated with this grape variety. After racking, malolactic bacteria are added to induce a second fermentation. AGEING: 30% of the wine is placed in American barriques for 10 months.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! Well we are 20 degrees cooler this morning. It was 47 when Bindi & I went out. And it is WINDY! Usually the wind doesn’t start until the sun comes up. So this will be interesting. At least the sun will warm it up a bit. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with our happenings. Praying that you get some relief from your pain soon. I do not know how long I could function on as little sleep as you get. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, making cookies for tomorrow’s gathering of friends at our local wine bar. Should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. @57redbird hope your surgery goes smoothly & your recovery is quick! . ❤️ @smitty34877 Thinking of you, Tana & your families. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********** 12 e mezzo Varvaglione primitive puglia This organic red wine from Italy sounds very interesting. Consumers think it is an excellent choice. Not sure about the “coconut” aspect, since I am not a fan of sweet wines, but I would definitely taste it. Widely available with online prices starting at $18.53. Winemakers notes ALCOHOL 12,5% vol. PRODUCTION vinification by maceration with controlled temperature at 24°-26°C. After malolactic fermentation, brief refinement in French barrels. COLOUR Intense red, with violet hints reminiscent of fresh red fruit. BOUQUET On the nose, fruity notes of currants and blackberries elegantly join an aromatic bouquet of nutmeg, liquorice, chocolate and vanilla. TASTE Its low alcoholic degree is supported by a slightly acid structure that makes it balanced and long, leaving the palate full of coconut and fruity notes.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is already 66 here this morning. High humidity & rain is expected. Temperatures should drop again tomorrow. Lately our temps have been crazy. Vanessa, thank you for taking care of our lists so diligently. I pray that some day soon you are free of pain and get a great night’s sleep! Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, and chores should keep me busy! It appears that I can not reduce the size of this one and have the wording legible, so I apologize for the size of this next one…. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********** 2016 Bear Flag Eureka Red Batch No 2 This red blend packs a mouthful of flavor, though I do not remember any notes of “pencil lead”.😎. Smooth, almost full bodied, and a lovely finish. Widely available with online prices starting at $19.95. 90 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate The NV Eureka! Red Blend is made up of 57% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah, 11% Syrah, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Sangiovese and a small portion of other varieties, aged in both French and American oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, black raspberries, kirsch and wild blueberries notes come bounding out of the glass with nuances of pencil lead, spice box and dried Provence herbs plus a waft of camphor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers loads of spicy black and red fruit preserves flavors, finishing long and savory. 6,300 cases produced.

Lenda, Steve really took amazing pics! Wow!

@Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda, not sure Steve would be interested, but supposedly this hole in the sun is the size of six Earths! I would imagine it would be spectacular when viewing through your own telescope!

Bon Voyage! I will be following your travels. Very interested in your opinions of the ships, events, crew & anything you want to share!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! Won’t be long now before you head off on your newest adventure! It is a lovely morning here. Already 58. We had an evening of light rain here last night. But it was still nice enough to enjoy dinner & wine on the deck. Vanessa, thank you for taking such great care of our lists, in spite of the pain you are dealing with. I pray a solution is found - soon. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, and making the salad to bring to a friend’s for dinner - we are celebrating another friend’s birthday. And of course there will be wine. 😎 Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those with debilitating pain and conditions. Cheers to all who are celebrating! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********** Blue Canyon Estate Grown Pinot Noir Monterey 2021 I used the 2021 vintage info since it should be the easiest to find. This PN was received a 92 from Wine Enthusiast & consumers think it is very good. Widely available with prices starting at $14.99. Vintners notes Medium-bodied and approachable with a silky texture and long, layered finish. Lush and elegant cherry and raspberry flavors show on the palate with hints of vanilla, oak spice and rose petal on the nose.

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It looks to be another beautiful day in the neighborhood. Back up to 51 this morning when Bindi & I headed out. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with our happenings! Praying that a solution is found for your pain - soon! Gym, Bindi walks, chores and having friends over for dinner with wine, of course. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. @smitty34877 Terry hugs to you & Tana. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Debbie, congrats to you & Sue on the upsell! @maryandmarge Maryell welcome to the Daily! May we each find a reason to smile today! ******** Natale Verga Sauvignon Trevenezie This Sauvignon Blanc from the Veneto region of Italy has lots of consumer fans. It sounds refreshing and perfect for pairing with certain foods. I would love to try it. And it is certainly priced for trying! Widely available with prices starting at $7.99. Distributor notes Jasmine and passion fruit on the nose. Exotic and tropical! This hails from the Veneto region of Italy. It’s tart, dry, crisp and outstanding! Pomelo, ruby red grapefruit, Italian pears, anise and lemon zest. This might be our new favorite! Serve this with a lemon orzo baked chicken, a salume & olive platter, or Romano cheese. This has a gorgeous tangerine finish.

Tina We did it on our own, but prior to the pandemic However we did sign up on line as early as possible to make sure we had a reservation. We Uber’d from the port early, so that we could explore the exhibits before going to the Arizona Memorial. But when we arrived we were told that the boat heading over to the Memorial in 5 minutes had room for us. So we just switched the order we did things. I know we picked up headphones that we used for the exhibits, but I do not remember needing them for the visit to the Arizona. The movie we saw prior to heading over to the Memorial was eye opening. None of either of our history courses ever included the critical information presented in the movie. The headphones allowed us to hear all the audio parts in the exhibits. Make sure any bag you carry is clear, so Park personnel can see the contents. I do not know if we missed out by not being part of a tour, but I appreciated being able to explore at my own pace. I know we spent at least three hours there. Such an important part of our history. Ann

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! A cool 41 here this morning, when Bindi and I headed out. Looks to be another beautiful day - just hope it isn’t as hectic as yesterday. But all my trees are good for another 4 years, before they need another major trimming. My Drake Elm whose leaves torment my neighbor’s gutters and even get into their pool enclosure has been trimmed back to hopefully minimize the problem. And my live oak whose trunk runs at a 45 degree angle to the ground is now supported. Bindi sat out on the deck wrapped in towels, while I wandered around with the crew - coffee in hand. I can’t imagine them doing this type of work in the heat of Summer. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. I don’t know enough about your MRI results to even guess what might help you. So I will just keep praying. Today the tub in my guest bath will be refurbished. The iron stains around the drain are no longer removable and refurbishing is cheaper than replacing. Bindi walks and lots of chores will fill my day. Since I missed a normal posting yesterday, I will double up on today’s Memes. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those with debilitating pain and conditions. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @Seasick Sailor Joy, today is your day! Celebrate!🥂 I will celebrate River finding a loving, stable relationship with Debbie & Sue. And Jacqui & Ivan finding each other. And Mona Lisa cuddling with Paul. Pay close attention DaVinci! May we each find a reason to smile today! ********* 2020 Buena Vista Pinot Noir This is my second favorite Pinot Noir. Meiomi lovers - this one is very similar. A bit more body than many PN with a wonderful finish. Lots of consumer fans. Widely available with online prices starting at$15.95. Winemaker Notes Enchanting aromas of baked blueberry, raspberry, and cedarwood float from the glass in this 2020 North Coast Pinot Noir. The sophisticated flavors of ripe plum, strawberry jam, and baking spice are balanced by notes of chocolate and warm earth. The texture enjoys soft, lush tannins and a generous mouth- feel with a delightfully long and lengthy finish.

Thank you so much!

Morning Dailyites! Just a super quick post. My tree crew arrived two hours early, and I want to be with them as they work on my five favorite trees! Hoping you all have a wonderful day! ******** La Maialina Gertrude This red wine from Tuscany has nearly 4,000 consumer fans who think it is very good - excellent. They use terms such as “bold, complex, long legs and lasting finish” in their reviews. Widely available with a price that makes it easy to try. Online prices start at $10.99. Vintner’s notes La Maialina celebrates the history, culture and cuisine of Tuscany, prized since antiquity for its rich soil and favorable climate. The name La Maialina (little pig) references the Cinta Senese heirloom breed that originated in the Siena area during the 1300's and is the only Tuscan native pig to survive extinction. Gertrude is unique because she does not have the cinta (belt) marking but rather is all pink. Her name is symbolic of artistic character and strength, and within the wines of La Maialina she represents diversity and expression. Gertrude is a simple yet powerful Tuscan wine, ready to be enjoyed now or in the next few years."

Charlene! Maeve is precious!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! It is quite a bit cooler this morning, but the humidity is gone. Looks to be a beautiful day. Vanessa, thank you for explaining about the MRI, and I was happy to read that you are making purchases that will help you function a bit more easily. Praying that the MRI results help find a solution to your pain. Gym, Bindi walks, chores, and a visit to my local wine bar to pick up the wine I ordered at last month’s wine tasting. I might have to pick up another bottle of that amazing Pinotage. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. @smitty34877Thinking of you & Tana, Terry. Cheers to all who are celebrating! So happy to read that long awaited surgeries are scheduled! May they bring the needed results. @rafinmd Roy, glad to read that you are getting back into your routine. I hope you find a way to continue to cruise, since you love it so much. May we each find a reason to smile today. ********** Mila Albariño 2021 To all the Dailyites who submitted wine for our wine lists, I will be saving them for the 2025 list. Rich’s proposed 2024 list is overflowing. He is actually going to need to cut some. I have set up a special Outlook folder to keep your submissions safe for 2025. Keep track of this coming year’s favorites, I will put out another call for them next year. This white wine from Spain sounds like a delightful choice for a hot Summer day, or when you want something light. I used the 2021 vintage info, since it might be easier to find. The Distributor evens mentions a fuller bodied option from the same vintner - the Leira Albariño. Something for everyone. Consumers love this one. Online prices start at $14.99. Distributor notes This fantastic value Albarino is produced by one of our new favorite Albarino producers, Pazo Pondal. Their estate is located on the north bank of the Río Miño, in Arbo (Pontevedra), one of the best sub-regions for Rías Baixas D.O. Albariño and they converted all vineyards over to organic farming in 2015. Their $20 Albarino has been our best seller for the last 2 years, so we were delighted to get a new wine from them at a different price point and style. Lighter bodied than the Leira, the Mila is loaded with exuberant fresh citrus aromas of Meyer lemon and lime with touches of white peach, jasmine and eucalyptus. Finishing light and crisp with a briny, mineral palate.

Joy, love this pic of you & Allen!

Good luck on that interview!

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Rich! Yesterday’s afternoon storms cleared out the oppressive humidity. Hopefully it is gone until next year. We did not get the huge downpours & T’storms that folk just North of me did, but we at least got a gentle rain. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. I noticed that you said your MRI results should be posted early this week. Do you know how to read an MRI? I have never had one, and do not know what the results look like. It is a picture? I pray the results help find a solution to your pain. Gym, Bindi walks, chores - lots of them. Just a normal Monday. Prayers for all who need our support. Especially those suffering from debilitating pain and conditions. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @rafinmd Roy, hope your first day home was wonderful. @grapau27 Graham, how wonderful of you to provide refreshments to your work crew! May we each find a reason to smile today. ************* Réserve des Vignerons Saumur Blanc This Chenin Blanc from the Saumer region of the Loire Valley is more full bodied than many & I would love to try it. Widely available with a price that makes it easy to try. Online prices start at $9.99. Distributor notes The Reserve des Vignerons range offers great value for money. Made with 100% Chenin Blanc grapes this has a lovely floral nose with fine apple fruit in the mouth, and a very pleasing finish. White Saumur is made with the Chenin Blanc grape, one of the most versatile and classy of all white varieties in the right conditions. The Loire Valley and Chenin are made perfectly for each other; the cool climate and consequent high acidity bring the very best out of the variety, in contrast to many New World countries where it is overharvested and literally too thin.

Thank you. Perhaps that is why no prices are listed.