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Happy Birthday, Rich! May your new year be filled with laughter, great health & cruises!

Praying, Terry! Lou - sending healing thoughts.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! I can picture you at your computer, rubbing your hands together when you selected the first day. It is a lovely morning here. Yesterday’s strong breeze made my Bindi walks bearable. She knows our mail carrier’s schedule so well, she insists we go out at the worst of the day - just to get treats. I actually feel badly for her when our regular carrier is on vacation. Vanessa, thank you for helping all of us keep up with each other. Gym, chores, Bindi walks, a visit with my neighbors across the street who are moving next week & pool time. My neighbor’s house was on the market for just two hours before getting a cash offer. The sign had just been put up in their yard. We were all stunned. Them most of all. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @StLouisCruisers I agree it is an honor for Ren! But a well deserved one! Get well & stay well everyone. *********** Monte da Ravasqueira - Vinha Da Coutada Velha Red Blend 2020 I need to look for this Portuguese red blend it sounds interesting, has great reviews & a price that makes it easy to try. Available from quite a few online distributors with prices starting at $9.90. Cheaper than many glasses of wine when enjoying one in a bar or restaurant. Winemaker "Shiny garnet color. Complex nose with notes of spices, mix of black and red fruits and hints of mocha and chocolate. Elegant and remarkably fresh, fine finish, harmonious and complex." 92 Wine Enthusiast "A well-structured young wine, this exhibits enthusiastic black fruits and fine tannins. This wine needs to age, so wait until 2023."

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich. It is a nice morning here. I am having difficulty getting the images from Lahaina out of my mind. So many of us were welcomed by those lovely people. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Zumba, Bindi walks, a couple of electrical projects, chores & maybe pool time. I am just outside of the excessive heat & humidity index area - barely. I will be thankful for any favor, no matter how small. I think our offshore breezes help keep it West of me. You know who you are… None of us have to worry about this… And just for laughs… Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone. ********** Tiroliro - Vinho Verde 2021 This vino verde sounds perfect for these hot & humid days. Not a great deal of critic info, but consumers enjoy it. Available from a decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $10.49. 89 Wine Enthusiast This is a smooth, creamy style of Alvarinho with ripe baked apple flavors. This is a rounded wine, with a fine touch of minerality at the end. Drink now.

Good grief, Denise! Hope you, David and your home are safe!

Graham! Spectacular! One looks as big as my head! Or at least Bindi’s head!

Graham Those hydrangeas are gorgeous! Though mine have been blossoming much longer this year, too - they do not compare to yours. And yours are a living memory.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! We did not get any rain last night, but Bindi & I were treated to a magnificent offshore lightning show during our bedtime walk. No thunder. No rain. Just offshore lightning. One of our local photography stars snapped a pic of what led up to the show I saw. Vanessa, thank you for taking such great care of us, especially since it turned into a longtime task. You really help to make this such a welcoming place. Chores, Bindi walks, HIIT and 🤞🏻pool time should keep me busy. Another heat advisory. Even Bindi is not enjoying this weather. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! *********** Castello D'alba - Douro Reserva 2019 Though you might want to hold this Portuguese wine until next year, lovers of rich, bold, red wine just might want to do that. I would love to taste this one. And since it is widely available, I might be able to do this. Numerous options, with online prices starting at $11.99. Winemaker Notes Very complex, intense aromas with the Touriga Franca conveying wild berries and rock rose. Spices and red fruit from the Tinta Roriz and very fresh and elegant floral notes of violet from the Touriga Nacional. 12 months aging in American and French barrels give the wine the mature touches of a great Douro wine with a modern and international profile. Sweet and full on the palate, with very soft, polished tannins and a long, warm finish. Serve with game, cod and Mediterranean cuisine. Blend: 40% Tinta Roriz, 30% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca WE93 Wine Enthusiast This vineyard in Douro Superior has produced fruit for a fine, full-bodied and structured wine. With its black fruits, firm tannins and concentration, the wine will age. Best from 2024. Best Buy.

@marshhawk Annie How absolutely wonderful! I will gladly do the happy dance for you!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! It is already quite humid out this morning. Bindi just made a quick trip outside this morning. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings! Just gym, Bindi walks, chores and more health insurance research - that will keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********** Illuminati - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riparosso 2020 An interesting description. I would taste it, but I am not usually a fan of strong cherry flavored wines. But I have been wrong before. Widely available with online prices starting at $9.99. Winemaker Notes Ruby red with a hint of purple in its early stages. On the nose, red fruit notes, agreeable and persistent. It reveals itself as full-bodied, deep, ripe, harmonic and persistent with a final hint of licorice. It is best served with roasted red meat, braised meat, game, noble poultry, semi-matured cheeses. It is also an ideal accompaniment to lamb and baby goat dishes. 90 Wine Enthusiast

@smitty34877 Terry! Camilla is just adorable. And how appropriate that she is holding a sunflower. She brought us so much Sun during the height of the pandemic!❤️ Thank you for sharing!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! Another wild T-storm last night. This one didn’t start until 10, so at least Bindi and I had finished her bedtime walk. I could feel the thick moisture in the air. Quite different this morning! Vanessa, thank you for taking the time & trouble to keep up with all of us. Gym, Bindi walks, chores & pool time will keep me busy. And the continuing quest for my Sister’s supplemental health insurance. I couldn’t resist adding this one… Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @Mr. Boston savor today! Get well & stay well everyone! ******** 1000 Stories - Bourbon Barrel Aged Zinfandel 2020 I laughed when I bought my first bourbon barrel aged Cab at Aldi. Until I tried it. I have since tried a red blend aged in bourbon barrels & enjoyed both of them. The barrels add a smooth, rich feel to the wine when sipping it. Not bad for a $10.99 wine. Critics and consumers give this Zinfandel a very good rating, and it is reasonably priced. Online prices start at $14.95. Winemaker Notes This is a transparent fruit-forward style Zinfandel with juicy red fruit flavors like strawberry, raspberry, and black cherry. The wine is plush and soft in the mouth supported by a mouthwatering acidity and warmth of the extra touch of residual alcohol, vanilla, coconut, and toffee notes contributed by bourbon barrel aging. WW92 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The 2020 1000 Stories Barrel Aged Zinfandel delivers excellent satisfaction on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas of red berries and oak. Enjoy it with grilled short ribs.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely morning after a wild afternoon of T-storms, wind & rain. My friends and I did not get any pool time yesterday. But we had a great night of conversation, food & wine! Vanessa, thank you for all you do to keep up with our lives. Tina & Dixie, I love being in the F & B department with you both! Gym, Aldi, Bindi walks, more insurance research and, if lucky, pool time - should keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ************ Biutiful - Cava Brut 0 This sparkling Catalonian Cava sounds lovely & refreshing! And the price is so reasonable it would be a great foundation for a mimosa-like drink with orange or cranberry juice, if you don’t like how it tastes by itself. Widely available with online prices starting at $12.99 Wine Enthusiast - 86 For Brut Nature, this has body and weight to it. The nose delivers dry apple and pear aromas, while the palate is fairly full and round for the style, with apple and lime flavors. A finish with roundness and density confirms this Cava's good quality.

Well happy 60th! And here’s to 65.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely morning after some welcome rain last evening. Bindi & I had an exceptionally long walk this morning. We didn’t meet one fellow dog on our trek! Very unusual. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings, so we can all commiserate or celebrate. No gym this morning. I need to get a flower bed prepped for stump grinding. The bed is on my neighbor’s and my property line, though both of us thought it was legally on my side of the line - until I had a survey done. It is actually hers, but I told her before we had a handing off ceremony, I needed to get rid of the dying oak tree and plant something else. The tree is gone. The stump is next. Then Bindi walks, chores and prep for dinner with friends at my place. Possibly with some pool time thrown in. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @cunnorl, Charlene hope you & your DH have a very Happy Anniversary ! @Mr. Boston - enjoy a very looooong & happy retirement! Get well & stay well everyone! ********** Familia Zuccardi - Serie A Torrontés 2022 I need to find this white wine from Argentina. I do not believe I have ever even tasted a Torrontés before. It sounds perfect for a hot humid day. And it is easy to find and very reasonably priced with prices starting at $12.99. Winemaker Notes Zuccardi Serie A Torrontes sports an intense yellow greenish color with a delicate and unique nose, full of white flowers such as roses and citrus blossom. Also, it reveals notes of mature white fruits and citrus zest. The wine is well structured with a lively acidity but remains centered around the aromatic intensity and delicate finish. RP92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate They have had a parral vineyard rented in Tolombón to produce the only wine not from Mendoza, and that vineyard has always been used for this wine. The 2022 Serie A Torrontés is from a "normal" and classical vintage there, despite being a completely different world from Mendoza. The wine has a moderate 13.3% alcohol and a low pH, denoting freshness and wine that aims to show the typical style of Torrontés. It fermented in stainless steel and with short maceration to avoid rusticity and look more for the citrus and herbal side of the variety. It ferments in Salta and then is moved to Mendoza, so the wine has no geographical indication on the labels. It comes through as fresh and vibrant, with depth of flavors and very nice precision and clarity.

Can you get your hands on some rubbing alcohol? A bit swabbed on them with even a tissue should help. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A lovely start to the day. Another day with no rain. Odd for us. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Just a routine day for me - finally. Gym, Bindi walks, chores & some pool time. The rest of the time will be spent helping my Sister navigate through the quagmire of supplemental health insurance. Wish me luck. I need to try this! Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Have a wonderful last day, @Mr. Boston & do NOT look back! 🥂🥳🎉 Get well & stay well everyone! ************ Yalumba - Grenache Barossa Bush Vine 2020 This Australian Grenache sounds lovely. Another “round” wine! I would love to try it. And I am in luck. - it is widely available and reasonably priced. Online prices start at $14.99. Winemaker Notes The fragrance is saturated with brooding plum red fruits, dark cherries and perfumed berries. This is a defined wine showing the richness and concentration of the vintage. The palate is richly textured, fleshy, round and supple, with a red juiciness that merges into velvety tannins. Enjoy with a pork pie or miso roasted eggplant with tomatoes, dill, mint and black vinegar. JS93 James Suckling This has plenty of attractive raspberry fruit and a gently sappy edge. The palate is fresh and sweetly red-fruited, with such easygoing and effortlessly fresh raspberry and red cherry. So, so fresh. Value red that really strokes at the heart of Barossa grenache. WE92 Wine Enthusiast Dried herbs, white pepper, crushed flowers and freshly poured tarmac mingle with fresh plum and red-berry fruit on this aromatic, affordable Grenache. The grip of chewy tannins in the mouth is almost surprising. Crisp acidity lifts the primary fruit and spice fla- vors. Structured enough to pair with a pork roast, but light and approachable enough to drink on its own. A top example of how far this variety has come Down Under. Editors' Choice WS90 Wine Spectator Elegant and fresh, with cherry, strawberry and rhubarb flavors at the core, accented by details of sage, black tea and dried lavender and ending with a hint of cocoa on the finish. Drink now.

Testing. If this link works, you will see one my County’s turtle nests boil”. A mass hatching is referred to as a boiling! If it doesn’t work, I will delete it. https://www.facebook.com/100064244667299/posts/pfbid02PzsPcDQJPRhU3JzAFK21uJC3b9WsCT5TXjzE44iarUZhtyWcbMLbFC5K978Y6zgXl/

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! A bit of a marine layer this morning, after a night with such oppressive humidity that I hoped it would rain. I love today’s quote because of how we all interpret it a bit differently. I do believe that many people viewed the women who stood up against the wrongs of society as not well-behaved. I have been called a trouble maker by many people in my career, because I questioned wrong doing and poor decisions. I wore that badge proudly and it landed me in an amazing position from which to end my career. Vanessa, thank you for taking the time to scour our posts and share important happenings with us. Bindi walks, chores, Zumba & maybe some pool time should fill my day. @0106 I am going to use that hummus dressing recipe. Sounds amazing, Tina! Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. @lazey1 Happy Birthday for real! @Mr. Boston getting really close! Get well & stay well everyone! ********** Ringbolt - Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River 2021 A lively, easy to find, reasonably priced Australian Cab with a lot of fans. Available from numerous online distributors with prices starting at $15.90. Winemaker Notes Crimson in color. The nose is classic Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River. Layers of intensely flavored ripe forest berries infused with tobacco leaf, blackcurrant, sea spray and a hint of brooding cedar oak. The medium-bodied palate revels in bright berries and a spicy mid-palate freshness. A fine expression of varietal definition from a cool vintage that yields soft luscious tannins and a long, fresh finish. Enjoy with Angus beef fillet topped with garlic poached marron (what the locals refer to as steak and lake), or char-grilled kale with brown rice and onions JS91 James Suckling A fresh and youthful cabernet with aromas of blackcurrants, red licorice, rosemary, graphite and tobacco leaves on the nose. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Excellent freshness and drinkability. Drink or hold.

@lazey1 Jane May your new year be filled with love, laughter, great health & a cruise!

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! It is very cloudy this morning after a day without rain. Looks like Daytona is getting some early morning showers. Thank you for keeping up with us, Vanessa! I need to get out and do some dead-heading. I am astounded that my hydrangea is still producing blossoms. I wish I could figure out why this year is different. I have plenty of things to keep me busy inside, if we do get rain. Bindi walks, HIIT and 🤞🏻 pool time might just keep me busy. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! @Mr. Boston enjoy your last few days of work! Get well & stay well ever! ********** Trapiche - Oak Cask Malbec 2021 I want to try this Malbec just so I can learn what the winemaker means by “in the mouth is round”. This Malbec is widely available and all vintages share similar reviews. Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $6.99. Winemaker Notes Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec is an intense red colored wine with some violet hues. Fruity aromas with notes of plums and cherries. In the mouth is round, with a touch of truffles and vanilla. JS91 James Suckling Ripe plums, cooked cherries, cocoa and a hint of beetroot on the nose. Medium-bodied, ripe and fruity with soft tannins and bright acidity. Plummy, juicy finish.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! It is lovely this morning, though the humidity is already present. Yesterday’s trip home was uneventful. We were a bit delayed taking off, but made up most of the time in the air. Traffic on 95 was decent, since it was only midday when we merged into it. Dropped my Sister and her grandson off, picked up Bindi and headed home. It was so good to be here. I had a huge salad for “lupper”, did my laundry, took Bindi for a couple of walks and then just chilled. Vanessa, thank you for sharing our happenings. Today I head to the gym, then Aldi. Chores, Bindi walks and some picture sharing should keep me busy. If I am really lucky, I will get some pool time in. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Get well & stay well everyone! ********** Blandys - Madeira Rainwater Medium Dry 0 I do not remember ever having Madeira, but it sounds interesting. I would definitely taste it. Numerous online and local distributors with online prices starting at $14.99. Winemaker Notes A medium-dry Madeira which combines soft fruit and dry nutty quality. Serve lightly chilled as an aperitif. WW93 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The Blandy's Rainwater Madeira is fresh, bright, and tangy on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of nuttiness and a slightly salty tang. Serve it with a plate of lemon-accented, raw oysters.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! What a stunning morning here! A perfect ending to a very quick visit. I am sitting at the gate ready to board. Yesterday was just as spectacular. It was 59F when I left for the “big city”. I met my friends for lunch at Smith & Wollensky across from the Tea Party Ship & Museum. And we were a bit early, so we got to hear the Museum guides lead the visitors through a reenactment of the insurrection! Lunch was lovely, and since we were celebrating two birthdays, the birthday girls got to choose a dessert off the menu - on the house! The entire meal was spectacular. And it was lovely to be able to sit outside. After lunch, we walked the Rose Kennedy Greenway. My first visit. This spectacular park was created after a major thruway was placed underground. They had a fog station, a huge play fountain, a carousel, and a series of 20+ artist vendors selling their creations. And some beautiful views. I picked up a new headband for my workouts. Lots of kids, dogs, butterflies and just a wonderful way to walk off lunch. After a three hour “tour”, we headed back to where I parked the car. Then I dropped them off at the train station. One heading to Portland Maine on Amtrak. And the other heading to Gloucester on the T. I dropped the rental car off & then Ubered to the North End to meet the family for dinner. My driver had a Tesla. My first ride in one. Very interesting. My driver had to show me how to use the door handle. 😜 The North End traffic was as crazy as I remember it. But the food was as good as I remember. I had some Antipasti, and shared a dessert. I was still fairly full from lunch. Then back to my Nephew & his DW’s place in Charlestown, to chill a little bit before bed. It was nice enough to sit outside. We could hear some fireworks, but could not see the source from their rooftop deck. But the view of the moon made up for it. My DN & his DW’s hydrangeas. This morning my Nephew dropped us off after a 15 minute, stress free ride. 😎 Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. It will be good to be home. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! ******** Cune Rioja Crianza 2018 Another widely available Rioja that sounds sippable & tasty. Available from a decent number of online distributors with prices starting at $12.99. Winemaker Notes Bright cherry color with some violet nuances. In the nose, red berries aromas. This red wine shows an elegance in the mouth, yet very lively, with some spice back notes and a very balanced acidity. JS92 James Suckling Attractive berry and cherry aromas with hints of orange peel, following through to a medium body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Hints of peach and spice. Light and delicious. Tempranillo. Vegan. Drink now.

Thank you for today’s R & D, Rich! After an afternoon & evening of storms, it is a beautiful morning with expected highs in the 70s. Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. Yesterday was sad, but wonderful, with some fun thrown in. My nephew’s 15 year old son was finally able to release some of his grief at the memorial service yesterday. Hearing all our memories helped all of us. Then we headed to the place with the best ice cream in the area. It has grown from an ice cream stand & farm to a mini amusement park. Pony rides, goat pen, tortoises, bumper boats, zip line, mini golf, batting cages - I might be forgetting something. What a great way to repurpose the farm. And since we arrived early, our ice cream was free! The first hour of the day, the stand was promoting going green by not charging for the ice cream. And best of all the ice cream is amazing as I remembered. My cousin trying to finish off the melted remnants of his banana split. 7 year old Cara loved it! Today I head into Boston to meet two longtime friends for lunch. Then a visit to the Tea Party Museum, and a walk around Rose Kennedy park, before heading to the North End to meet the family for dinner. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Get well & stay well everyone! *********** Bodegas Ego - Goru Gold red blend Jumilla 2018 Boy I need to taste this red blend. Lots of fans and a price that makes it an easy mistake to overlook. And very interesting name. Numerous distributors that ship to me with prices starting at $9.09. Winemaker Notes Intense cherry-red color with violet shades. Delicate black fruit aroma with high roast and smoky features. Structured, subtle and smart palate, ripe appetizing and a sweet tannins marked by elegance. Pair with beefsteak with mushrooms, hare, partridge, leg of lamb suckling, lamb, smoked meats, stews and rice with meat, hake stewed, salmon, codfish and red tuna, eggplant with parmesan, blue cheese and cured cheese. WE92 Wine Enthusiast This dark ruby wine has a bouquet of black currant, espresso bean and aniseed. It is soft on impact, then plush tannins set into the palate with flavors of blueberry, dark plum, mocha and oregano that dissolve into a Valencia orange finish.