cat shepard

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! A bit late this morning, it was a lovely, though dark, morning for a long walk with Bindi. Last night was a bit disappointing at our beachfront winery. Only one costumed person walked by. Last year there were so many. But the ocean was still amazing and it was our first time back since Ian and wonderful to see how well they survived, though there was still sand everywhere in their parking area. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy! Debbie, great to see you & your recipes. Annie, thank you for providing a “pop-up” recipe yesterday! Off to the gym. Then chores, my plumber needs to finish up some work this afternoon, so my schedule revolves around him. Though perfect for last night, this really fits any night in a feline household… Prayers for all who need our support @kazu Jacqui, that is you. And @smitty34877 Terry that is you & DH. Cheers for all who are celebrating! @ger_77 Gerry, I hope that is you & DH! Stay well everyone. ********* Sierra Cantabria 2020 Rosado (Rioja) I would love to try this Spanish rosé. If it is dry enough I just might like it. I appreciate that the winemakers changed their method to the more traditional one. Available from several online distributors with prices starting at a reasonable $13.00. Winemaker Notes Classic clarete style Rioja rosé wine. Originally, this was produced by saignée but they changed the method in order to more authentically represent Rioja tradition. Salmon colored, notes of red berries, pomegranate, and strawberry. Refreshing and lively acidity. Blend: 55% Viura, 35% Garnacha, 10% Tempranillo JS92 James Suckling A pale copper-tinged rosé with aromas of sliced apples, raspberries, apricot stones, grapefruit and cloves. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and a creamy texture. Layered and focused with an excellent balance of fruit, minerals and spice. Serious rosé. Drink now. WE90 Wine Enthusiast More white than pink, this traditional blend of 55% white Viura with red Garnacha and Tempranillo smells flowery and lightly honeyed, with minerally notes. A medium-bodied palate delivers modest heft alongside flavors of waxy apple and citrus. Best Buys

@kazu, Jacqui! No, just NO! @ger_77 Gerry, the powers that be better get you both on a better track, right now. Praying really hard.

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Happy Halloween! Just starting to get light here. @ger_77 Gerry, praying everything works out for you quickly today. No one should have to deal with that stress. Thank you for keeping track of our Cares & Celebrations, Roy! So much going on. A fairly normal day of chores and gym for me. Then this evening we are getting together at our beachfront winery to “costume watch”. We often see dogs in costume as well as their owners. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating. Stay well everyone! ********* I. Brand & Family 2018 Bayly Ranch Cabernet Franc This Central Coast Cab Franc is a bit elusive, but I found several online distributors with prices starting at $32.00. Some consumers believed this resembled a Pinot Noir more than a Cab Franc, because of its very dry, medium body. You be the judge. WE94 Wine Enthusiast This is a sprightly, textural, mineral-driven bottling that’s immediately fascinating yet will be a joy to watch evolve. Light in the glass, it begins with aromas of cranberry, nori wrap, herb-dusted strawberry and a hint of dried blood. The palate shows a rusty edge, offering dried strawberry, crumpled oregano and a hint of green peppercorn. Drink through 2034. WW92 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The I. Brand & Family wines always command my attention. Not a cookie-cutter production, these handmade wines are authentic and true. The 2018 I. Brand & Family Bayly Ranch Paicines Cabernet Franc will send you to the Loire Valley and back home to wherever you drink wine. This lovely wine tells this grape's story well. This wine springs out of the glass with aromas and flavors of earth, black fruit, anise, and descriptions that I can't define. Pour a glass with a grilled ribeye and enjoy the magic carpet ride.

Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for Vicki and her family and friends. Hope that wonderful memories help to ease your pain. Ann

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Very dark still, but it is lovely outside. Even Bindi enjoyed our walk. Thank you for keeping up with us, Roy! Your dedication to our Cares/Celebrations is much appreciated. Off to the gym, then Aldi and then a fund raising wine-tasting lunch at a local restaurant. Though not a funny meme, I really love the sentiment of this one. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 & @Quartzsite CruiserTerry & Lenda special thoughts for you. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ******* Vik 2017 Milla Cala Millahue This Red blend from Chile sounds amazing. And it is even “chewy”. A bit elusive, I found a few online distributors with prices starting at $39.99. Winemaker Notes Milla Cala 2017 reflects Millahue Valley's pure terroir. Each variety dynamically contributes to the Bordeaux-style blend's complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon seduces with ripe dark berry fruit and supple velvet tannins. Merlot delivers plush stone fruit while Cabernet Franc elevates the blend with elegant minerality. Carmenere gives the blend its depth, body, and flavors of blackberries and plums, and Syrah finishes with floral notes of lavender and violets. Twenty months aging in French barrels impart final touches of spice and mocha. Pair with foie gras agnolotti in veal consommé and mature cheeses. Blend: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 13% Carmenere, 6% Merlot, 4% Syrah. JS94 James Suckling This is really so delicious with spice, tile, light chocolate and juicy berries. Medium to full body. Wonderful intensity and brightness. Delicious with so much energy. No new wood here. All about balance and drinkability. WE93 Wine Enthusiast Briary blackberry and cassis aromas include familiar Chilean notes of eucalyptus and juniper. This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend is ripe and creamy in feel, with generous flavors of brown sugar, herbs, blackberry, cassis, coffee and chocolate. The finish is chewy and rich. Editors' Choice

That is great news. Well after the craziness you & DH had to deal with leading up to the shot, you deserved a break!

Thank you Tina. Helpful acronym.

Joy, I am so sorry that you and Allen were treated that way. There is no excuse. I do know that the VA is still trying to staff up after the horrendous budget cuts from a few years ago. But that just doesn’t excuse the treatment you encountered. Hopefully the advocate can make sure no one else has to go through what you did.

Lenda I am glad you are home & Steve is getting settled. Love the idea of three PT sessions a day. Hope he doesn’t experience too much pain or discomfort. My patella fracture was nothing in comparison to what Steve is dealing with, but I know how much I benefitted from forcing myself through the pain and discomfort. And once I started to see the improvements myself, that helped motivate me. Hope you take a bit of time to relax.

Well this is great news, Roy! A reason to celebrate!

Dixie any reaction to the YF shots?

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich. Still a bit cloudy here this morning, though the sun appears to be trying to break through to the East. We had quite a bit of much needed rain yesterday. It seems strange to say that, since some of our roads still have water on them, but we did. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy! Hope the infection around your mouth clears up quickly. @kazu Jacqui, happy to read that you, DS & DBIL all arrived safely in Barcelona. Hope you are now able to relax and enjoy your journey. If weather permits, I have some gardening in my future. And I also plan to clean some upholstery today. Then this evening celebrating a friend’s birthday at another friend’s house. Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ********** Domdechant Werner 2019 Kirchenstück GG Trocken Riesling Very elusive, though you might be able to find it in Spain, Dailyites! Glad you made it safely, Jacqui! I found one online distributor in Germany that ships to North America. The wine’s price is a reasonable $18.49, but the shipping would probably cost at least as much. 95 Wine Enthusiast While full bodied and delightfully creamy in texture, there's a freshness and delicacy in this blossomy, perfumed white. Lime and white peach flavors are scintillating and pure, accented by strikes of crushed stone and a long, salty finish. It feels a bit subtle in youth but should gain depth as it improves. Best to hold through 2023 at least, but it should improve well past 2030.

Hope you have a graduation ceremony planned.

Terry, praying that all goes well and DH’s issue is a “minor fix”. And that all of you rest easy. Though somehow I have a tough time believing anything involving the heart is really minor. Perhaps relatively speaking?

Bon Voyage!

Not sure if all CC offer this, but mine allow me to go online and update my account with the dates I will be away and the countries to which I am traveling.

Best of luck today & Monday, Debbie. safe travels. The best is yet to come!

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Thank you also for the most perfect quote. Difficult to remember at times, but… Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy. Cloudy this morning. We have already had a shower, or two & Bindi is sleeping in. Her Vet had an emergency yesterday, so she goes for her heart worm test today. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 & @Quartzsite Cruiser Terry & Lenda, praying all goes smoothly today and all is well. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ******** Rochioli 2019 Estate Grown Pinot Noir This wine sounds lovely. And though out of my price range, I would love a taste. Available from several online distributors with prices starting at $74.99. Winemaker Notes #37 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021 Elegant and beautifully balanced, this Pinot Noir has aromas of ripe cherry, vanilla and a hint of savory herbs, while on the palate it is juicy and refined with a hint of dusty cherry. The wine has a big rich mouth-feel, silky tannins and a long finish. This wine expresses classic Rochioli character. WE96 Wine Enthusiast This is a blend of several single-vineyard designates, predominantly Little Hill (53%) and Big Hill (15%), with additions from West Block, East Block and Sweetwater as well. Dark plum and raspberry accent a lively and expansive palate framed by rounded tannins and easy oak accents. Enjoy from 2029–2034. WS94 Wine Spectator Delicate and refined, this is filled with concentrated raspberry tart flavors that are laced together by plenty of cedary and underbrush accents. The fresh, juicy finish shows touches of ripe minerality and hints of white pepper. Drink now through 2027 RP93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Pale ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Estate has pretty red and black berry aromas on the nose, with accents of black tea leaves, woodsmoke and earth. The medium-bodied palate is silky and fresh with intense, earth-laced fruits lingering on the finish.

Terry!

Following along, Jacqui! I am so pleased you are taking this cruise and sharing it with us. Hoping to see others from your roll call posting too!

Safe travels to Barcelona & Bon Voyage everyone!

Jacqui, praying that your DBIL is cleared in time to sail. Hoping that there is no “third thing”.

Thank you for that encouraging news. 33 is so young! I am so happy not to have had a recurrence, I will count myself one lucky lady.

@grapau27 Happy Birthday, Graham! Hope your new year is filled with love, laughter, great health & cruises!

Thank you for today’s Report & Daily, Rich! Another lovely morning, though almost 10 degrees warmer than yesterday. Thank you for keeping our lists, Roy! We have been keeping you so busy for the past 2 1/2 years. Heading out with Bindi now, since she had another late morning. She is definitely feeling her age. Then gardening and a visit to the Vet for the annual heart worm test. Prayers for all who need our support. @smitty34877 Terry, praying that Friday’s visit focuses on a minor, treatable issue. Cheers to all who are celebrating! Stay well everyone! ******** Simi Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, CA A decent Sauvignon Blanc, consistently at the high end of Very Good ratings, and very reasonably priced. Easy to find online & in stores with prices starting at $9.98. Winemaker Notes This brilliantly clear, pale-straw-colored Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, bright, and crisp. The wine opens with complex aromas of lime zest, Meyer lemon, pink grapefruit, lemongrass, freshly cut hay, honeysuckle, and a hint of wet stone. Fresh and forward, zesty flavors of grapefruit and citrus with subtle herbal notes meld beautifully with a vivid acidity. Fresh, full, and vibrant, the finish is long and lingering with lemongrass and mineral. SIMI Winery Executive Chef Kolin Vazzoler suggests pairing this wine with shaved spring vegetables and radicchio with shallot Sauvignon Blanc vinaigrette, Dungeness crab salad with endive and Meyer lemon dressing, BBQ scallops with salsa verde, arugula pesto tortellini, and roasted sole with parsley, capers, and garlic. It’s also a great aperitif with prosciutto and melon, goat cheese, poke salad, or raw oysters. WW88 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com The 2019 Simi Sauvignon Blanc is smooth and nicely textured. This wine offers delightful aromas and flavors of apple, peach, and melon. Enjoy it as an aperitif or with melon and prosciutto.