There’s a sentence in the movie, A Good Year; it’s this: “We’ll just have to make sure our buyers don’t know anything about wine. We’ll concentrate on the Americans.” If you saw the movie, did you laugh when you heard it? I wanted to retract what I wrote about wine and my lack of knowledge. Are we really the low ones on the totem pole when it comes to producing a great wine? Do we not take our vineyards as seriously as say, who are those people? Let me think a minute. Ah, yes, -the French? Or is it the Italians, or all those other countries with their bottles of wine on the shelves in American liquor stores, with their sometimes elegant, whimisical, simple, or silly lables. Do we need more catching-up time? Or was that sentence put in the movie to get back at an American? A joke, perhaps? Yes, that must be it. Right?
a crowd at the station
This week an early evening train was late leaving Grand Central Terminal. The scheduled time to depart had arrived and gone, and the train was nowhere in sight. Trains at GCT sometimes have mechanical problems, from what I’ve experienced though, they’re not late. The crowd was growing bigger and bigger. As I looked at all the people standing in front of the track, I realized that people show their trust in others on a daily basis.
Not knowing what usually happens when a train is late, I stayed at the tail end of the crowd thinking that maybe the track number would change, and the crowd would rush en masse to a different location. The group of people next to me were not at all annoyed by the lateness of the train. Someone made a comment about the expected snowstorm this week. We noticed the woman with a beautiful tan and beautiful vacationer’s glow standing with us and looked in her direction. Someone asked her where she’d been. She said she was in Mexico, and we all wanted to know where in Mexico. “The Yucatan”, she said, and began talking about the Mayan culture, and then about the catholic church’s presence in Mexico, and about the many Mexican catholics who know little about the Mayan culture. A practicing catholic probably would have slipped away right about now. What could one say? We began our personal stories of growing up catholic. Oh, yes, it was interesting and strangely funny at the same time. And unusual in that there stood at that moment a random group of catholics waiting together and talking about their expereinces of g up c. www.mayacalendar.com/mayalink.html
The train came and off we went in different directions.
kitchen confidential by anthony bourdain
I’ve eaten at Les Halles a number of times. It’s one of the places Anthony Bourdain can be found when he’s not traveling the world seeking new dining experiences. And it’s always been a positive dining experience.
Now I’m slowing reading his book KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL. It’s outrageous, brutally honest, funny, informative, off the wall, all-the-way genuine, and a little sad. Did I say it’s entertaining? It’s that, too, and a wee bit shocking – depending on one’s sensibilities. The author shares with us, shall we say, his “growing pains”- the lows and the highs of his years in the restaurant business. You might pause, once in a while, after reading a particular paragraph, and wonder whether that bit of information will somewhat diminish your dining pleasure. We’ve all heard restaurant stories, though maybe not to the degree written in this book.
One thing is perfectly clear, the life of a chef, restaurant owner, and all the people whose efforts contribute to the plate of the delicious-looking something brought to our table, is not a piece of cake, as Anthony Bourdain tells us in numerous ways. If you have thoughts of opening a restaurant, better to read Kitchen Confidential before taking one step in that direction. Then you can say you went into the business with eyes wide open.. – www.leshalles.net
Want to know about the bread placed in front of you, the weekend brunches you so enjoy, Bigfoot, and lots of other tidbits? Kitchen Comfidential will give you the low-down. Lol, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
coffee
For me, every morning is a coffee morning. A delicious, full-bodied coffee morning. You, too? Yesterday I was supposed to buy more coffee. Lately I’ve been buying Ethiopian Harrar coffee. Waiting in line though always leaves ample time to be swayed because the person(s) in front of me usually have a dialogue going with the “coffee expert”, behind the counter. So instead of having Ethiopian Harrar in mind, I begin to consider switching. Ah, but switching can be a problem. What if their tastes are entirely different from mine? “Be a sport,” I tell myself, “try it.” And so it goes until it’s my turn. By the time I reach the counter the choice can go either way, and it usually depends on nothing really, whatever comes to mind at the time.
However, yesterday I didn’t buy coffee, and this morning there was only about two tablespoons left – enough for a small French Press. Perfect! I measured two tablespoons of coffee into the French Press. But the French Press was filled with the water I’d forgotten to heat. And there floated the two tablespoons of coffee in the cold water. www.sweetmarias.com/prod.brewers.frenchpress.shtml
Tea is fine, too, but a delicious, full-bodied cup of coffee is a very nice way to start the day.
a ride along the hudson river
The river changes all the time, and when you take the Metro Hudson train from Manhattan either at 125th Street or Grand Central, you’ll see it in all its splendor. Watch as you travel; it’s a perfect winter scene. If you have to walk through all the cars to get a seat by the river, it’s worth the effort. Perhaps there’s an artist in you waiting to be discovered, and perhaps the river will uncover it. Trying to make a decision? Think only of the river’s beauty as you ride along, forget everything else. That grand river changes from stop to stop. Closer to Manhattan it flows slowly, continue on and it’s rushing, then suddenly there are large blocks of ice all askew on the Hudson’s surface. What a grand site. It leaves a lot to the rider’s imagination. Let nature work its magic on you.
Poughkeepsie is the last stop on the Hudson Line. When you get off at any one of the towns you can either take a $5.00 (usually) taxi ride to the main area, or, if you want to walk, ask someone to direct you to the main part of town, depending on the town, buses are not always around. There are times when it’s nice to stay around the river, and that depends on the design of the town. You might want to get off at Cold Spring, or Beacon for the galleries, antique shops, charming restaurants or to simply take in a new place. The trains run fairly often as you’ll see on the Hudson Line schedule. No need to rush though. If you’ve bought a ticket to one destination and want to go to another, then just get off and explore. And the bonus – you begin to shake off the stress of the big city. Feeling more relaxed yet? Notice no one is rushing? You’ve left all that behind. Ah, take a big deep breath and enjoy. Perhaps you’ll see a B&B, and who knows, you’ll decide to walk in and stay the night. No toothbrush, no toothpaste, no stress – just an exquisite feeling of freedom. www.mta.info/mnr
at goodwill
Marisa, a friend of mine, wanted to go to the local Goodwill shop. It seems that in the past year whenever she’d compliment someone on a jacket or blouse, they’d say they got it at Goodwill. It’s not where Marisa usually buys her clothes, but finally she had to see for herself what was going on there, and perhaps pick up a designer piece for a pittance. Off we went. And as we entered the shop, we both said, “Not bad, not bad at all.” And soon after that, a knee-length, light, mustard-colored spring coat for $7.50 started calling to me. It had a Christian Dior label. It wasn’t in its prime, but something about it said, “buy me. I still look pretty good, and I’ll show you how I can fit in with the other things hanging in your closet.” So, I bought it because it has great style and the material flows so nicely.
However, my usually very accommodating and nice Korean seamstress at the cleaners clearly didn’t see it that way. Her face scrunched up when I took it out of the bag. “you buy that?” she said. “Lots of holes, dirty.” Actually, it had a tiny hole where a Goodwill employee had put a tag and it was a little frayed and slightly dirty at the cuffs. “And that’s why I’m here.” I explained to her. Her face was still scrunched when she picked it up for more inspection, and said, “Hem no good.” We looked together and it turns out the lining needed to be tacked under the arm. She sent an exasperated sigh my way. Really, I wasn’t prepared to have to defend my newly-acquired coat, but was determined that somehow that coat was going to leave in better shape than the way it came in. I smiled and walked out wondering whether I’d left it in the hands of the right person. I’ll find that out tomorrow. And Marisa, she didn’t find a designer piece for a pittance, but she’s ready to return because she knows “It’s all about the timing.”
One day in Raleigh, Michael and I tried to leave a few bags of clothes at Goodwill at the area where donations are accepted, and discovered that that huge space was jam packed with boxes and bags, and couldn’t handle any more donations. Often new and unused items-beautiful things worn only a few times or used only a few times-are given away. It’s possible to find something that calls out to you, “buy me. I’m just what you need.” What’s that they say? – One man’s _________ is another man’s ________ .
quibbling
There are many remarkable things to learn in the awe-inspiring world we live in. When you turn on the computer and you see a photo and writeup of a “celebrity” quibbling over a petty matter, time after time after time, do you ever want to ask, what exactly is the problem? Then again, maybe it’s just a form of entertainment; entertainment does take many different forms.
www.rosie.com
manly p. hall
Manly P. Hall in The Secret Teachings of All Ages wrote about an extraordinary happening at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in which, when it was time to sign, there was a hesitation on the part of many of the signers “realizing they could be putting their life on the line….”
www.prs.org/mphbio.htm www.prs.org
Out of the blue a stranger appeared and began talking. The listeners were mesmerized by what he was saying. And “his stirring words ended with the cry, “God has given America to be free!” The listeners were overcome with emotion and “rushed forward” to sign the Declaration of Independence. After which the stranger was nowhere to be found. Manly P. Hall wrote that this was not the the first incident “when strange unknown men suddenly appeared just in time for the creation of some new nation.”
The world – it seems it’s not what it seems.
Quest Books at 240 East 53rd Street in Manhattan had some of Manly P. Hall’s books. When I read the above for the first time at Quest Books, a chill ran up my spine. www.questbookshop.com
le rendez vous in vilcabamba
This time of the year, when it’s bone chilling cold, I sometimes think of Isabella and Serge from France, and Le Rendez Vous, the place they lovingly built in Vilcabamba, Ecuador. I happened upon Le Rendez Vous one day when I was out walking. There’s no effort involved in finding anything in Vilcabamba since everything extends not too far from the town square. It’s a different story when you’re searching for a friend’s house in the mountains.
When I found Le Rendez Vous, I was staying at a charming place called Hostal Jardin Escondido. Then one day I heard a bell ring in my mind telling me it was time to leave Jardin Escondido for other experiences. I walked past the wall surrounding Isabella and Serge’s place and peeked in. “Very nice,” I thought. That day I said goodbye to the friendly staff at Jardin Escondido and to the acquaintances I’d met, laughed with and dined with, and walked my suitcase to the lovely room waiting for me at Le Rendez Vous. Chairs and a table were set in front of every room’s window, and in the morning Isabelle’s freshly-baked bread and delicious coffee would be served, along with fresh fruit or a freshly-squeezed fruit drink.. There were avocado, mango, lemon, bamboo trees, big wonderful plants surrounding Le Rendez Vous, and there were the beautiful mountains. What a tranquil scene it was. And guests can buy a chicken, potatoes, and veggies from the little local grocery store, wrap it all in foil and throw it onto the coals in the pit on the grounds. How good it is. There you are at night, under the stars, enjoying the food, and laughing with strangers. Isabella and Serge said that they travelled all over South America before returning to Vilcabamba. Every time they thought of VIlcabamba, they were pulled back to its tranquility and beauty. Eventually they returned to build their dream place. www.rendezvousecuador.com
One day I’ll go back. I’ve no doubt about that. And there, I hope will be, along with Le Rendez Vous, El Punto restaurant, La Tarraza for lunch, the enjoyable walk to Madre Tierra for lunch or dinner, the enjoyable walk to Izhcayluma for lunch or dinner, Shanta’s Bar, Mandango for hiking, beautiful Podocarpus National Park, Rumi Wilco Eco lodge for nature, the faces of the happy children, the Book Exchange up the road, where perhaps there’s another copy of “THE PANAMA HAT TRAIL” a very funny book which was left by a traveler at the Book Exchange. There’s got to be a few other things I’ve forgotten, but will happily remember when I get there. And I’ll apologize to Nora who tried, oh how she tried, to teach me Spanish. I’ll do better next time, Nora. Yes, it’s all good! Right!
www.madretierra1.com
www.izhcayluma.com
www.rumiwilco.com
www.thebestofecuador.com/pnodo.htm
a few simple words
Lately I’ve been thinking about some simple words and how nicely they were put together. They are:
“Two men looked out from prison bars.
One saw mud the other saw stars.” -anonymous
These simple words convey an awesome message. I wonder, who wrote them, when were they written, and what inspired them.