Of after Thanksgiving and thoughts on shopping mania and a simplier life~~~~

Hello Darklings,

Last Friday morning was like something out of a Sherlock Holmes story, the fog covering the area in a misty fuzzy way, softening the harsh outlines of homes, street lamps and other objects, as if they were in a dream.  The Fog Horns sending out their mournful tunes of warning and yet mystery.

The colors from the leaves of the street trees and my fruit trees in the back yard  were just soft blots of color, even the paths in my garden disappeared into nothingness, and I felt the house was shrouded from the world of hectic and frenzy shopping and we were into a world of  genteel manners as if Mother Nature was saying breathe, relax.

I love mornings like that, it puts everything into the right mood of fire places and cozy chairs and a good book,  but because of the slipperiness of the ground and such we decided to hold off putting up the outside lights and instead decorated the inside of the house for Christmas.  The T-Rex was taken down and stored away before the rains came, I just could not take the chance of his internal workings being damaged.

Later on in the week we’ll purchase the two trees to put up in the house and plan on going to the Dickens Fair this coming weekend.   That is an event I never want to miss.  The children and their mother are coming with Sis and me and we plan on an early start because of traffic and possible rain.  Hopefully my brother can come with us if his brother in law will take care of the twins, they want to go to some sporting event, or watch some games on T.V.    I’ve never seen such divergent differences in taste between all 4 children, but then being different is what makes the world go round.

Thanksgiving was wonderful, good food, good people, good conversation and NO politics, that was my rule.  And plenty of left overs to handout for the next day, well more like almost the entire week.   It was a bountiful feast.

But I think Christmas Eve and Day will be a bit more low key, immediate family and those few friends who have nowhere to go, gifts will be given a few days early to be opened at their homes.  

Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers will be getting together with their children for their gathering.  My friends, their children,  are still dealing with all the paperwork and Insurance about re-building.  They did sign up for the government to clear away their property,  but getting their house rebuilt will be a long process,  I don’t mind my house guests if they have to stay for a long while, they are very nice and are developing their own routine and rhythm to their current surroundings.   So it is working out well.

One thing that both I, my sister and the Rodgers agree on is how horrible this “Black Friday” mania is, I mean is it more important to shop till you drop starting on Thanksgiving than being with one's family?   Whatever happened to having a day of rest and being with family or good friends?

My sister and I prefer to do our shopping on Saturday and rest and relax on Sunday, unless something happens and we have no choice but we have found planning our week for “chores” is best, of course medical/dental appointments, hair appointments, vet visits always have to be squeezed in but that it what Calendars are for. 

I have found on line people, young people who are turning to living in another era as if it were Victorian times or the 30’s, 40’s or 50’s, to the point where (unless it’s a uniform) they dress that way, their homes are decorated that way and most modern things are banished, with the exception of flip phones for emergencies, medical/dental procedures, the computer is banished into an armoire, the flat screen T.V. is put into a vintage T.V. cabinet.    Of course one has to have a modern land line telephone, but those are the few concessions.   Even I have done that, it makes the pace of living so much easier, I’m not locked into having that smart phone stuck to my ear.   And it is far less stressful.

Sis believes eventually there will be a backlash to all this mania shopping and lack of a day of rest, we may not see it but it will eventually happen, she believes.

Interestingly enough Poland has actually voted on phasing out Sunday shopping,   I have copied here an article from USA Today~~~~

FROM USA TODAY

Poland to phase out Sunday shopping by 2020

The Associated Press Published 8:27 a.m. ET Nov. 24, 2017

WARSAW, Poland — Poland's lawmakers on Friday approved a law that will phase out Sunday shopping by the year 2020 despite criticism that it may eliminate thousands of jobs.

Proposed by trade unions that want shop workers to spend more time with their families, the bill got support from the ruling party that adheres to Catholic values. Critics say it would negatively affect Poland's economy, eliminating tens of thousands of jobs, and hurt supermarket chains, which are mostly western.

The lower house, dominated by the ruling party, voted 254 -156 with 23 abstentions to limit Sunday shopping to the first and last Sunday of the month from March 1 until the end of 2018; only on the last Sunday in the month in 2019; and to ban it totally starting in 2020. There will be, however, some exceptions that will allow Sunday shopping before major holidays like Christmas and Easter. Also, online shops and bakeries are to be exempted from the ban.

The bill still needs approval from the Senate and from President Andrzej Duda.

Frankly I can see that, with the exception of emergency services for humans and animals, and of course gasoline stations because some people need to travel a long distance home, and public transportation, and I don’t think it will hurt jobs, because it will create longer hours for those businesses to be open.   In hot areas where the temperature can climb into the 100’s  such stores such as Wal-Mart are open 24 hours with serious air conditioning because it’s far more comfortable to shop at night.   So things can be re-adapted.   

We’ll see how it goes in Poland.  

Later Darklings

Of Halloween and an update~~~

Hello Darklings,

I have not posted of late because of all the preparations for tonight's Halloween Party, it will be a more smaller affair since many of my friends have to work tomorrow, so it will be mini-bites, pot luck and good conversation.

My flaming skulls are in place but it's a spare the air day I've been told, so I'll have to save it for another "midnight dreary".

The children will be coming by to hand out the candy.

My skeleton Horse and rider are ready,  T-Rex is in the back at the "pet cemetery".   For the adults I've not only purchased my usual wines but also "Curious Beasts"  and see how it goes.

I am so looking forward to tonight.

I also have house guests.

If you've been following the news we have been having horrible wildfires just north of us, air quality so bad one had to wear masks.

Friends of mine that I have stayed at when I've been at Sonoma lost their house, including their in-law unit where there elderly parents were staying.

Because they wanted them to be safe, I've taken in the elderly parents, they are quite mobile and alert, but after the shock of the wild fires do not want to be close to the devastation, and my friends agree, so I have them with me.

For how long I don't know but they are a fun couple, so I have them in my downstairs guest room with bath, and we'll help get them back on their feet.

That way my friends can work on getting what needs to be done to re-build without the extra worry about their parents safety.   And it's no trouble for them to check on the elders.   For them my location is safe, friendly, and a complete change for them to relieve the worry on their minds.   And with Sis's help if they have any form of depression she can address that possibility.

But now I must go back to the preparations for tonight. 

Enjoy Halloween My Darklings.

Later

Of the Golden Gate Bridge's Birthday~~~

Hello Darklings,

Well the weather continues to be very cool and breezy, so celebrating in-doors has turned out to be a good thing, some of my friends brought those Beach chairs where you can sit on the ground and still have a back rest and be comfortable.

Not everyone is attending every day, but often enough.

Some of my more artsy friends said they've become a bit inspired by watching the movies, and hope I'll plan another film fest.   I'll have to think about that, it does take time and work.

Today and tomorrow will be the long viewing days, so much to watch, and the cake will arrive tomorrow taking center space on the table.

I found out a few days ago that this weekend is the Golden Gate Bridge's 80th birthday, so Doyle, Sis, Brian and I watching "A View To A Kill" on Monday is a double event, another birthday for a landmark and a personal memorial to Roger Moore.  Doyle invited a couple of his friends over to watch as well,  I just know they will talk about the "Lefty O'Dule" Bridge and the setting fire to City Hall as well as the chase scene with the ladder truck down Market Street.   I just enjoy the entire movie myself.

Yesterday morning I was going through one of my jewelry case's looking for a pin, when I came across something I had not seen in a while, it was my charm bracelets, one had on it my "accomplishments" and "likes"  and the other 2 were loaded with charms from the various places I had visited over the years, looking at each one I remembered the place, time and what I was doing.

I've found when traveling instead of loading up on souvenir cups or spoons or something, that taking photo's and buying a charm was just perfect,  I have 2 "travel" charm bracelet's and I still have charms in a box to add onto a 3rd, I had not realized all the places I've seen or visited until I lifted them out,  well I think I have a little project to do in the evenings. 

I even came across my Mother's charm bracelet that had all her "accomplishments" and "likes"  and it told a story, in a way they all do.   I think I might start a new one.

But now I must go, things to do yet.

Later Darklings

Of broken ankles and take care of Coralline~~~~

Hello Everyone,

This is going to be a short post, both Coralline's Mom, Coralline and myself are very tired.

I haven't been posting for a good long while because I've been helping out taking care of my niece.

It was the oddest accident.   Coralline and Her Mom were going grocery shopping, the twins were at a soccer game with their Uncle and Aunt, my Brother and Nephew Chris were going some where, but wen Coralline steped down onto the 2nd to last step of their front steps, she must have put her foot down wrong because (according to her mother) they heard a "snap!!" and Coralline was falling and screaming in  pain.  

I was not there and only found out about it later that day,  The paramedics took her to the ER with her parents and brother following in their car,  while they were with her, some vandals took advantage of the situation and got into their un-locked house (in their panic they forgot to lock it) and their computers, laptops, X-box and games and the T.V.'s were stolen, they mess up the place, some of Coralline's costume jewellery and several of her Monster High Dolls were stolen, when someone got suspicious and called the police,  unfortunately they got away with what they had.

It was very stressful.  

Poor Coralline had to have surgery and was in the hospital for several days,  while in the meantime my brother and sister-in-law had to contact the banks and credit card companies and everything.  

They had to work and Coralline had to remain at home in bed so I offered to take care of her, sometimes my sister would trade off with me or the other Aunt, but since I was not working anymore except to be on call, it fell to me, which I didn't mind.  In a way it was fun.

With out a computer or laptop and no Wi-Fi or T.V.  things were a bit frustrating for the child but she hand wrote her homework, and even wrote several articles for the School newspaper about what it is like to be injured and in a sense helpless.   Her school friends came by often to cheer her up which was good.

And finally today Coralline got a walking cast, and she has to do therapy as well, and her parents got the check from the insurance company to replace the stolen items,  so they are going shopping soon.

But it was a long day for everyone,  getting there early, removing the cast, x-rays, tests, evaluations, the walking cast, new equipment for home use.   I came home now for a few minutes and realized I had not been posting for ages, but things will slowly get back to "what passes for normal" bit by bit.

And I am going back to join them for dinner (Chinese) and watch as my brother installs the new T.V.'s and they plug in the new computers.  (we are easily entertained).

I do have a few odds and ends to make mention about.  But I will do that in another post.

Later Darklings

Of Rain and Floods and hearts and wine~~~~~

Hello Darklings,

Well I've been singing "Rain, rain, go away come again another day, another month, another year!"

I have not seen such disastrous conditions since 1997 and even then although bad it was not THIS bad.

Even San Jose near Coyote Creek is flooding and that is unheard of at least for the last 100 years.

The rain is doing a number on parts of my house, area's where I have been planning to be painted are now flaking off. 

Fortunately neither mine or my sister's basement have flooded which I am grateful for.  But conditions all over are bad,

We've had the lights go out several times and for hours at a time,  the good thing is that Doyle had an emergency generator installed so we could keep the freezer and the refrigerators running and if need be any water to be pumped out.

Previous damage has been repaired.  

But Darklings if I was a writer this would be perfect Gothic weather to write dark poems or prose to, even my sister has seen a serious up-tick among her patients who suffer from chronic depression.

She roped me in (well she asked me and I said yes) to help her with the reports as she was getting a bit overwhelmed and since I've done medical writing I understood what she wrote.  So I've been a bit busy.  That is why I have not been posting of late.

Valentine's Day was very sweet,  and I don't mean candy,  Doyle treated me to a spa day, facial, massage, mani-pedi,  dinner at our favorite restaurant, and enjoying a drive in my vintage Buick, he dressed like Humphrey Bogart, me dressed in my favorite evening clothes looking like a dark-haired Hillary Brooke from "the Woman in Green"  with the complicated up-sweep hair style.

Several people followed us outside as the parking attendant brought the Buick to the front door and held the passenger door open for me and held my hand to assist me in.  I loved the looks on their faces, they don't see that kind of Class anymore.  Of course the attendant knew us and the car, he insisted on parking it deliberately taking two spaces to avoid scratches.   I was concerned that someone would complain but I guess when they saw the car they gave it a pass because no one said anything. 

Eventually I'll get around to review the films that we saw at the Film Noir Festival.

But I wanted to say I'm fine.

Doyle and I tried a new wine (well new for us) recently, the 2015  Cline Cellars Cashmer Black Magic, on a score of 100 I'd give it an 88, some people would not be impressed by it but I found it to be very easy to drink, it has a nice smooth buttery feel in the mouth. Now it does have  a slight tart cherry note but  because it has some chocolate in there it softens it a bit. It's a  blend of Petite Sirah a Sirah, a Grenache and a Mourverde.  Some people would find it Fruity, smooth a very decent wine for $13.00 but I think if you shop around you could find it for less.

And Apolthic wine have their white wine out, which we will try later on. 

And now that we have a few days of sun, I have my handyman and my gardener making the most of it.

Later Darklings

Of Happy New Year 2017~~~~

Hello Darklings!!

And a Happy New Year to all of you!

I’m going to celebrate with Doyle with dancing and merriment on the USS Hornet,  nothing like being on a freezing aircraft carrier floating museum on New Years Eve, but we will have a wonderful view of the Fireworks on San Francisco Bay.

I love that city, I love all of the Bay Area, in many ways it is so Film Noir, if you know where to look and in some cases it just jumps right at you. The only problem is that it's getting too expensive to live here for many folks.

Christmas was wonderful!   The rains held off and I had a buffet type dinner, and I had friends and other relatives who couldn’t stay, drop in long enough for refreshments, a bite to eat and then they were off to see other friends and family, but my core group arrived and we enjoyed ourselves.

We went to Church on Christmas Eve, there is something both solemn and joyous with Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, it reminds us how a husband and his expectant wife had to take shelter in a stable with the animals and there she gave birth.   It really gives the true meaning of Christmas.

Of course for the buffet dinner the main feature was not the traditional “Christmas Goose” (which in America is substituted by a Turkey) no we didn’t even have Turkey, to make it easier on myself and Sis we had the “Honey Baked Ham”.   Yes Ham,  all though I did have sliced turkey breast as well, but the beauty about it being a buffet is that if someone unexpected shows up and it did happen, it was no problem to seat them, any spot with a cushion on the floor would do.   And the kids did sit on the floor. Don't have to worry about the fine china, good old "Chinette" paper plates work very well, but I did owe our garbage man an entire Apple pie, the recycling bins were overflowing,  which I had the chance to give to him, all nicely boxed up.

Trust me Darklings, bribery and showing appreciation does work wonders.

Christmas eve I was ready for drop-in’s with coffee, tea, hot cider and other refreshments and my selection of treats on my three tiered plates,  and I did have a number of drop ins from just a few minutes to an hour or so.   

During the holidays, I took Coralline and Chris to the ballet to see the Nutcracker,  to the Dickens Fair (twice), the holiday Zoo lights, and we drove to Christmas Tree lane and walked among the displays,  of course shopping.   We went to the Theater that had a special showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life”  it’s amazing seeing it on the big screen,  not a dry eye was around me, not even my eyes were dry. 

As I said Christmas is a wonderful time but it can be Gothic in its own way, the dark comes sooner, the sun is much later rising, the night air is colder, it is a time for Ghosts, but not so much for Goblins.

And lately for Elves, it seems that elves are  big thing this year,  even on a number of tree lots they were advertising the small table top trees as “Elf Trees”  I thought that made good business sense.  I like that description.

But now we are heading like a speeding train with no breaks into 2017.

 So far we are going into it with a few colds in the family,  Coralline and Chris and their Dad, my brother, are down with colds, although the children will be well enough to go back to school,  the twins so far are healthy as is their Mom,  Sis has the sniffles but no sign of the cold, I’m doing well having taken my vitamins and a few other things which I can’t spell, which is supposed to strengthen the immune system, because I do not want to miss the Film Noir festival.   So I’ve been dosing Sis as well. 

My leg has healed very well, I do use a cane when I go shopping because there is still some muscle weakness but the strength is coming back with the therapy,  Betty has been happy to be my house keeper,  I ask her if it’s too much and she says no because of the help from the cleaning service, and the fact that I have a brand new dishwasher,  the only time things have to be hand washed and dried is with the fine china and table ware, but we do it together.  The only place she won’t go into is the Library, some of my strange and bizarre things bother her, especially my Cabinet of Curiosities.   So I deal with that room with the light dusting and for heavier with the help of my sister in law and Coralline.

I know I have not been posting as frequently as I use to, but I hope to take care of that soon.

I do have to say I’ve been having fun reading murder mysteries,  I’m in the middle of a Janet Dawson one titled “Murder on the Zephyr”  it’s about the California Zephyr in 1952 and it describes the train and it’s trip beautifully and a murder takes place with the usual  suspects, I’m enjoying this one, and I found out that ME TV on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. is showing “The Night Stalker” with Darren McGavin!   I loved that show when it came out the first time, and now it’s back.    I have it and the two movies on DVD, but to see it on T.V. is such a treat, and Blacklist is coming back.   So I’m looking forward to the revived T.V. season. 

Now I need to go and take care of a few things, last minute grocery shopping, it’s going to be a mad house.

To all of you Darklings, have a safe celebration and Happy New Year for 2017.

Later Darklings

Of an Update and Darkly interesting wines~~~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I have been very bad not posting, but frankly, with that leg cast it was exhausting to move around with it, and it was painful that I had to take some mild painkillers just to sleep,  I should have stuck with drinking wine.

I did manage to enjoy going Meteor shower watching some weeks ago with my family,  it was fun, but there was something about staring at a beautiful night sky that was so relaxing.    And then we had that heat wave a few weeks ago which didn’t do much for me.

Now they have me in a much, much lighter brace and if all goes well I should be done with this by Thanksgiving.   I can move around much better, but Betty still takes care of me. 

The repair work and painting on the house is done,  I’ve also had the stain glass re-leaded and protective windows put in front of the Stain Glass ones to preserve them from weather damage,  Now Doyle, Brian and my brother have started putting up the Halloween decorations,  but because I’ve been laid up with this broken leg I’m afraid we’ll not be going full blast on the decorations like some years.

Mostly because Halloween in on a boring Monday, and the next day is a school day so I don’t think there will be that many trick or treaters.   So what I am going to do is have a pre-Halloween party the Saturday before Halloween for family and friend’s children are included of course and in costume, I mean what is a Halloween party without costumes.

Part of what will be done depends upon the weather of course, but I’m going to have the back patio for dancing,  in one room Halloween movies for the younger children where they can spill popcorn and drinks and I won’t cry about any stains,  I have movies going in another room with older classic Halloween films playing,  I’ve hired a card reader to read in the Formal Parlor and at midnight a magician will do séance magic for us, he’s performed for me before and I had a chance to see his revised act which is much better and told him I wanted that, so it will mean setting up in the Library area for his performance.

Then on Monday Halloween it will be answering the door bell and hearing little and older children say “Trick or Treat” I was hoping to get the hearse again but it was booked. 

My sister and I are already planning the menu and Betty and her daughter will help with the preparations and the heating and displaying of the food, since I’ll still will be having this brace on my leg.   I can finally go upstairs but it is tiring with it on my leg, so I’m resign to sleeping down stairs still.

A friend of mine is putting together a CD of spooky classical music played on an organ, such as the usual  Bach’s Toccata and Fugue,  Dance Macabre, Night on Bald Mountain, even the organ theme played in the movie “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken”,  Masquerade waltz, etc. this is to play in the back ground,  and I’m also going to have a couple of fellows who have done Ghost Hunting tell us about their adventures or non-adventures,  I’m just glad my home is big enough to do all of this.   In a way it will be more of an adult party but I’m having things for the children to watch they’re older now. 

Keeping with the Halloween theme, I had a chance to check out some darkly interesting wines.

Of course my favorite is Apothic Red the 2014 vintage which I and a few friends give it 4 stars out of 5  the sweetness level is off-dry and has flavors of dark fruits with a lot of spicy wood in the nose in every sip. Make sure you use the right glass for it, is not a regular dry wine. The first time I tried it I used my regular red wine glass and it didn't taste right, I used a different glass and found it to be perfect.

New on my list is Spellbound Petite Sirah  it has an Intensity of color, rich black and brambly fruits, vanilla bean and roasting coffee aromatics. The wine is crafted to unleash dark and luscious characteristics, and deliver an opulent and juicy Petite Sirah. This lush yet easy-drinking wine provides intense berry character, with superb texture full bodied and highly drinkable, plenty of light, spicy fruit, nice flowery aroma. Its alive.  4 out of 5 stars.

7 Deadly Zins

 This is Crushed berry, soft oak and cigar box notes create a fragrant appeal that leaves you wanting more. This wine shows explosive, concentrated fruit in the mouth, with plenty of acidity to balance the ripeness, offering crushed wild berry, spice and black berry compote on the finish. it goes with everything, is smooth and delicious. If you want to sin with a Zin, this one is for you. Wonderfully full flavor and drinkability 4 out of 5 stars

Black Ink 2014 Red

This one is new on my list, it’s Blackberry cobbler that merges with flavors of black plum and licorice followed by an inky, rich finish in this California blend of Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, and Zinfandel.   This one was a surprise to me and my friends we gave it 5 out of 5 stars.

Sin Zin  2012

 This Zinfandel showcases aromas of spice, black pepper, dark fruits and vanilla. This refined, well balanced Zinfandel has spicy flavors of plum and black cherry along with black pepper and cocoa powder. There is nice acidity and length to the finish. Rich in dark berry fruit flavors. Good weight and depth.  4 out of 5 stars

Manage a Trois Midnight 2014

 As the Ad says, The time has come to explore your deepest, darkest desires with Menage a Trois “Midnight”.  This has a gorgeous garnet color in the glass, this luxurious blend wraps you up in a velvety embrace. Voluptuous blackberry and plush spiced plum flavors seduce your palate, while hints of mocha and exotic spice linger on your lips like a stolen kiss. Silky and smooth with a long, powerful finish, you'll wish Midnight could last forever. This has a very rich, intense dark cherry and berry flavor. Smooth and very enjoyable. It may become one of my favorites.

A more intense and flavorful wine than the regular red blend. Very enjoyable   4 ½ stars

Dead Bolt

The color shows deep plum to crimson with purple hues. Dead Bolt has a ripe berry nose, vanilla and mocha characters with notes of spice and plum. The palate delivers a richness of flavors with ripe dark berry, juicy plum and mocha oak characters, leading to balanced velvety tannins and a spicy finish. A generous blend full of rich fruit flavors with a long textured finish.  Dead Bolt is built around Zinfandel, with a mix of other fine red varieties including Ruby Cabernet, Petite Syrah and Merlot.  3 ½ stars

Apothic Dark   This one got 4 stars

Apothic Dark seamlessly integrates flavors of blueberry and blackberry with enticing notes of coffee and dark chocolate for a rich and smooth mouthfeel with layers of texture.

What we found out is that a majority of the grapes in Apothic Dark were selected from Lodi, where the intense sunlight and diverse soil structure create layers of complexity. In the cellar, the grapes for Apothic Dark were fermented at a maximum of 90 degrees to increase the extraction of dark jammy fruit characteristics. A variety of yeasts were used to bring out unique flavors and features from each lot. Following fermentation, the wine was influenced by a variety of oak to add complexity and enhance the coffee and dark chocolate flavors.

A Friend of mine invited me over to her house last year to accompany the Hungarian "Goulash"  she made to celebrate Bela Lugosi's birthday which is October 20  She is a hardcore classic horror film fan like me.  I found It be a PERFECT pairing! Bold, but not overpoweringly so. I find it a dark smooth wine, but some of my friends feel that this wine is  heavy and too dark, and  did not particularly enjoy it either by itself or paired with a steak.   Some of my friends call it “Plonk”, I say it depends upon one’s own individual pallet.     Others enjoyed it and gave it a 4 star rating

Phantom, Bogle’s 2013

This is a mysterious apparition of ripe berry and relentless spice. Full of concentration and intensity, this wine will tease, tantalize and linger long after the last sip is gone. Wild berries, black pepper and hints of juniper are framed by the influence of oak aging with baking spices with a hint of toasty vanilla. On the palate, the entry is explosive, supported by chewy, chalky tannins that will age this wine for decades. The lingering, complex finish leaves one in anticipation of the next sip. This is a blend of  39% Zinfandel, 38% Petite Sirah, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon.   My friends and I gave it 4 ½ stars

Cup Cake Black dessert

I Didn’t have a chance to really try this wine I have a bottle but hope to try it soon.

Dark Horse Big Red Blend 3 1/2 Stars out of 5

The Dark Horse Big Red Blend has deep flavors of dark berry and black currant, supported by plush tannins, hints of dark roasted oak and a long finish. This Red Blend underwent alcoholic fermentation with hand chosen yeast to provide enhanced color, structure and fruit characteristics. A blend of Malbec, Rubired, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Merlot.  This is a pleasantly smooth drinkable wine.

I bought a bottle of Insomniac but I and others have not had a chance to try it.  If anyone has let me know what you think.

Now I need to make it clear that these are all dark red wines or red blends and if your pallet is towards sweet wines or white wines then you may not be pleased with these, and I have to say it is all personal taste.

Doyle of course bought Pumpkin Ale and Angry Orchard Hard Cider,  he likes a beer now and then but our cellar is friend to all liquid libations.    And even though I’ve not had a chance to do my wine country tour this year, I think I will have a good cellar laid down. 

And now my Sister says dinner is ready, we’re going to watch MacGyver and then this new show “The Exorcist”  it is really very bizarre.   And don’t forget Darklings “Supernatural” Season 12 premiers on Thursday October 13,  I can HARDLY WAIT!!!

Later Darklings