Staying warm
Here I sit in the early morning light, with my feet jammed into great big, warm, fluffy slippers, in a state of utter confusion and fear. Oh, do be quiet. I’m probably not anymore confused than many of you when it comes to energy. And I’m as afraid as the next person to crank up […]
Alsatian style wines
Once the Holy Roman Empire stabilized northern Europe, the demand for wine outpaced production. The present major wine producing areas of Bordeaux and the Loire Valley were devastated by Viking raiders, which resulted in increasing the importance of the wine regions of the Rhine, Moselle, Rhône and Burgundy. Within these areas monasteries were founded and […]
Just another game
I am certain that Coach Dave Cameron had a strong inkling that something was amiss when he called “time out” after the Russian Juniors had potted their third goal to tie the game in the third period. The Canadians had roared to a three-goal lead to start the third period. They had the home field […]
It happened too soon
I wondered when it would happen, the realization that I am, indeed, a senior citizen. In a weird way I don’t feel like I’m a senior. In fact, if I don’t actually spend too much time looking in a mirror, I can ignore the physical aspects of aging altogether. In my mind I’m just me. […]
Wine in the beard
The emperor Charlemagne expanded and consolidated the Holy Roman Empire from the North and Baltic seas, south of the Alps and Pyrenees. This is an important fact as now many of the wine-producing areas fell under the influence of the bureaucracy inherent to such an Empire. Lands were granted to Nobles and Monasteries and the […]
Scamming Aunt Mildred
I’m still reeling from the news. The national press reported a few days ago that the mighty Internet retailer Amazon.com has patented a system for surreptitiously returning unwanted gifts. The system is being referred to as “Aunt Mildred.” According to Amazon, gift recipients have the option to “convert all gifts from Aunt Mildred” before delivery—in […]
Tell me a story
It started, several years ago, with the birth of a very close friend’s first child. What started? Well, my storybook buying spree. I had it all planned. I’d started with one of my favourites, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, and then head off to see what the shelves of Books & Co. had to […]
Christmas letters
Every year, at Christmas time, we receive a couple of letters from friends. Snail mail letters. Sounds nice, right? Snail mail letters from friends. But, ya know the kind I’m talking about – the dreaded, preachy, braggy Christmas newsletters on festive stationery. These letters aren’t in any way, shape or form, personal. Just fluffy lists […]
Christmas wines
With Lili’s Christmas dinner, I recommend this new addition to the Varietals grown in the County by Keint-He Winery & Vineyards. I refer to their 2007 Pinot Meunier for $40. This varietal is not yet readily known here but stands proud to produce super wines. Pinot Meunier is better known in the production of champagne, […]
2010 in review
The year is almost finished The Christmas bells will chime Let’s mosey ’round the year that’s past And put our thoughts to rhyme Six horses in the race for mayor For five it would be curtains And who should canter into first But our own Peter Mertens In the cutthroat world of donuts He played […]