The Wine Commonsewer™

Sixty Five Years Ago Americans Liberated Dachau From Actual Nazis

Good Morning Gentle Readers:

The onslaught of hateful invective clouds the air like smog trapped by Los Angeles' famous inversion layer on a hot August afternoon. It stinks, but not like the stench emanating from places like Dachau, where real Nazis presided over the deaths and systematic starvation of Jews and other ethnic minorities who had been rounded up to be disposed of like so much vermin.

Next time you feel like screaming Nazi at somebody you disagree with, think about Emmons Miller and his trip to hell. Then click this link and take a look at what National Socialism actually stood for.  

It has been reported that when the Americans liberated Dachau they summarily executed about sixty SS guards. Makes more sense than flying them half way around the world so's somebody could shove a garden hose up their nose in hopes of finding out where Der Führer might be hiding out. 

We Report. You Decipher.

As Ever,

TWC

Photo credit: 42nd "Rainbow" Infantry Division : A Combat history of World War II, Lt. Hugh C. Daly, editor, 1946.

Tip of the glass to Autumn

Hey Buddy! Whaddya Lookin' At?

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

TWC was looking for a nice shot of Lavender in full spring bloom. Lavender is the smell-good ingredient in those miniature satiny striped pillows that girls put in their unmentionable drawers. Hmm. I mean, in the drawers where the unmentionables are? Hmm, that ain't workin' neither, but I guess you catch my drift. Pretty sure they're called sachets.

The bee was cool and a teensy spider distracted me with an odd game of hide-and-seek while riding the bloom in the wind like John Travolta on a mechanical bull.

Then I spotted this guy down in the blooms in the interior of the Lavender.

I have no idea what it is or what it does. Hope it's eating things that eat my garden. 

As Always,

TWC

Photo: TWC 04-24-10 © all rights reserved

The Rose

This rose is twelve feet from the ground

The Boy Breaks Into Show Biz

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

For the record, TWC is eternally grateful to the State of California, Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for granting The Boy an Entertainment Work Permit (State Seal Affixed).

With that in his hot little hand (which isn't quite so little anymore) he was off to the Big City with Mrs TWC. He pocketed a lot more folding green than he would have running the weed eater on the hillside for a comparable time slot.

You can see him in the upcoming comedy, Bad Teacher, starring Cameron Diaz.....

as a foul-mouthed, gold-digging seventh-grade teacher who is dumped by her sugar-daddy boyfriend and turns her attention toward a colleague, which pits her against a rival who happens to be the school's model teacher.

He did a stand in for some last minute clean-up shots as the back of the head of the Dim Looking Boy on the last day of shooting. 

The picture is now in post production and the release is scheduled for 2011.

Maybe this will make up for Daddy blowing off the Ford Agency offer after he was spotted in a Santa suit at the Century City Mall just before his first Christmas. He never quite got past that.

As Ever,

TWC

Storm Coming

Not Exactly Snakes on a Plane

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

Trekked out to beyond-the-ridge this morning and nearly stumbled over a very large very, lethargic diamond back whose metabolism was suppressed to bare survival by the chilly overnight temps. He lay there in the dirt track lookin' very dead, waiting for the morning sun to warm his blood.

By time I got back with the camera (figures) solar energy had worked its magic and he had vacated the general area. Idling along in 4WD with my head poked outta the window, looking for him, I about had heart failure when he took offense to the heat radiating off the truck and rattled that unmistakable warning. He'd crawled off into the bushes but still wasn't motivating well in the 60 degree morning air.

This is why it is so easy to get bitten

It is much easier to spot a snake in open desert than it is around here where the scrub growth and brush is thick and offers excellent concealment.

ROSE QUARTZ

Just before I ran across the snake I bent down to pick up a small chunk of pure creamy white quartz. As I held it in my hand, I was immediately transported across the time/space continuum where I stood with two other small boys, with rolled up pant legs, examining a similar treasure. Their names are long forgotten but oh how we marveled at the beauty of this exotic treasure. An older boy wandered over and proclaimed that we had found ourselves some Rose Quartz.  Though we had no idea what that meant, we knew it was better than some old Horny Toad.

PIANO RECITAL

I'm wrapping up this blog post to the musical stylings of the House Blond, who is downstairs playing an original, yet-to-be-titled composition (lyrics and music by Katie Snell). It's actually pretty good. 

As Ever,

TWC

2006 Angeline Cabernet (Stags Leap)

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

While the Missus was enjoying her sumptuous repast at the Ritz Carlton, Nu Awlins, TWC whipped up a little marinated shrimp with mesquite grilled New York strip steak. Real man food. Comfort food.

It is a simple marinade. Olive oil infused with garlic, juice from half of a good sized lime, a little red pepper, and a teaspoon or so of minced ginger. Marinate for a half hour then oil the BBQ wok with garlic oil and cook just until the shrimp turns pink. Sorry, we were hungry and although The House Blond won't touch shrimp, the boy was in it before I could find the camera. 

I can't ever eat a good New York Strip without drifting back to one hot summer night at the Colorado River. Pretty sure it was that one guys weekend that didn't end well. But it may have been the time Jeffie Pooh, who was quite the ladies man, sort of swiped his brother's girlfriend. I can't entirely blame him, she was kinda hot and she invited him for a little moonlight walk in the desert. They were gone a while.

What I do remember is we were camped next to a cop. Comes over all friendly like and introduced himself. Just wanted you boys to know I am a CHP and if I see you smokin' dope I'll fookin' arrest you. He din't mince any words and we all laughed because Pooh was quite the little stoner. Nonetheless we appreciated the warning and the dude turned out all right for a cop.

Jeffie Pooh's contribution to the expedition was a dozen prime New York Strip Steaks. A dozen. We'd been on the water all day Saturday and were bone tired. Sun was drooping and ravenous hunger had engulfed us all. Fired up a little hibachi and the four of us snaffled up a dozen steaks. New York Strip. Mighty good eatin'. Actually, I think we fed my Shepherd, Shamus, a couple of them, so that leaves roughly 2.5 steaks per. 

We were twenty-something and full of ourselves. Now Jim's dead. Last I heard from Mike? He wanted an untraceable revolver so's to wreak some retribution on somebody what done him wrong. I didn't send it. Haven't seen Jeffie Pooh in decades but I heard he has taken on a resemblance to Hurley. Sorry Jeff, hope you ain't reading along at home.

Oh wait. The Angeline? You know what? This is a really good Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon. Especially for the price. Mrs TWC got it for ten bucks, I've seen it all over for $12.00-$15.00.

Tasting Notes:

According to the Wine Enthusiast: This is a pricey wine for value-oriented Angeline, but it’s a Stags Leap Cabernet, and quite a good one, at that. Dry and full-bodied, it shows a classic elegance, with flavors of cassis and cedar. Tasted against far more expensive Napa Cabs, it stands up proud.

TWC agrees.

As Ever,

TWC

Sunset Ridge Vineyards Tasting in The OC Revelry At Wine Styles in Brea

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

Wine Styles Brea is a great venue presided over by John Howard, our host for an Italian sort of afternoon of good wine and good company.

Palm trees reflected in the window glass of Wine Styles

There is something decadent and indulgent about sipping wine in the afternoon. Even better? John was the consummate host, ever attentive to the empty glass and even arranging a late lunch from one of the local eateries.

Abby and her Mom

The 2007 Sunset Ridge Petite Sirah was tasty and later TWC sampled an excellent Red Head Ranch Zinfandel. Bought a bottle on the spot. Had to delete all the joke lines that went with this because the ABC Board doesn't have a sense of humor.

Sissy Lee (two glasses?)

The 2007 SRV Petite Sirah is almost a full bodied wine. It is exceptionally smooth and well balanced with hints of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, and a noticeable oak component on the finish. It isn't fumey nor is it especially tannic. 

The wine is very good now and will drink well for the next five or six years.

This wine is sturdy. Serve it with salt crusted standing rib roast, grilled filet mignon, or a hearty pasta with spicy Italian sausages.

As Ever,

TWC

The Morning After

 

Of Tea Parties & Doll Houses