In the Barrel

 



When a new wine flows from the spout of the basket press, filtering through the wooden basket slats, and grape skins, inside the press. I want to just dip a glass under the flow....which I did, of course.    This year’s wines are now in barrel, asleep, shivering in barrels, for the winter. Clarifying, and becoming more stable, changing ever so slowly. I can smell the bed lavender that grows in around the vineyard and each sip reminds me of the warm, dry days of summer. 

 Now comes the hard part... letting it age into a mature wine.  One more sip, I really miss the warm days of summer or maybe I just like wine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HMS BOUNTY

The HMS Bounty was lost at sea during Hurricane Sandy off the coast of North Carolina. Fourteen of the ship's 16-member crew are reportedly in good condition after a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue Monday. Two others, Claudene Christian and Capt. Robin Walbridge, were swept overboard when the ship keeled over in 18-foot (5.5-meter) waves.
Several hours after the initial rescue, the Coast Guard found Christian's unresponsive body floating in the water. Walbridge is still unaccounted for.



This past July I was lucky enough to be able to walk upon and below her decks. 

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace. 

Back in Newport

The Tall ships are back in Newport R.I. This week. Sixteen ships came in under full sail today. Their crews will spend the next five days in port giving tours of the ships. This is a replica of the HMS Bounty. It was built for the movie Mutiny on the Bounty.

It was a very hot day in Newport, I glad I got there early because I was able to board most of the ships before the crowds came to the city.

My favorite ship was the Peacemaker. Very well kept, all teak woodwork. Captains quarters below was very spacious.

Stained glass windows in the closets.

It may be old but it fully equipped with all modern electronics.

There was even time for a sea shanty or two.



Offically in Summer Mode

                                                                      

The school year has ended and I am offically in summer mode. I do not teach summer courses although I do spend some time in the lab doing research. However, summer is when I spend most of my time recharging my batteries. Either in the vineyard, conversing with wine lovers in the tasting room, or out on the bay sailing.

   

        Rhode Island is a summer state, its known as the ocean state and Narragansett is definitely a prime summer resort area. Naragansett has beautiful sandy beaches, restaurants with great seafood, and beautiful Narragansett Bay. This is a special week week out on the bay because the America's cup yacht races are underway. The cup races have been a part of Rhode Islands history for over 100 years. In 1980 it was  lost to Australia. It was reclaimed the follwing year by the San Diego Yacht club and has not been back to Newport, RI until this week.

It was a great series and it was the first time that the boats raced so close to shore. The crowds were treated to spectacular show of sailing at its best.  Next week the Tall Ships will be in port. Until then Stay cool. ~Old dog~

Sunday Bike ride

We decided to take a Sunday bike ride. We rode the lenght of the local bike path and enjoyed the sunshine.

A Walk in the Rain

A rainy afternoon, so I went for a short walk. The golden chain tree was in bloom and I was afraid that the rain would knock all the flowers of before I could enjoy them.

 Molly was happy to be out, she loves water and rain is as good as going to the pond. as long as she's wet she's happy. The beagles were barking to go in.  Blue would rather sprawl out on the couch with Bella.

I stopped by the nursery to see how some of the baby grape vines I started, in the greenhouse, this winter are doing after transplanting them outdoors. looks like they are off to a good start. Two more years I should see some grapes from them.

Yes, there are weeds. They help keep the roots from drying out. When they become a nuisance I'll cultivate them in for some added compost.

Blue is annoyed. enough with the plants lets go inside.