Cathartic

Catharsis

I've always found such relief from my most cathartic activity: crying

I can do it well...and it can so help. Probably part of the reason the song S wrote for me was titled "She Cries Alone"

During our walk today, Khyra got to hear me talk to the sky. We had a varying mixture of dark clouds, blue patches, white poofs, and even more. I started thinking (yes, I do that too) about Sam and Mr Magoo....then Sam and Laska...and how she didn't deserve this...and whoever/whatever was looking down on us could stop anytime now.

Yes, we deserve to be laughed at for the things we as a culture do sometimes BUT not Sam...not Laska...not those that have given so much of their hearts and hopes for his recovery.

I'm feeling kind of selfish BUT I want us to get our lives back. I know Sam deserves to get hers back. Laska deserves to regain the stability he had FINALLY found.

I'm trying to remain optimistic because I don't want to feel like I caused the shift in the karma flow. Too many of 'us' are pulling for him for 'us' to be denied this.

So, before the tears find me again, I'll switch topics...

Here is tonight's wine - another wineaccessmonthly.com selection

A nice GOLDEN coloured SB/Sancerre! AND the US importer for it is......READY???

MARTINE'S Wines from Novato California...what do you think of that Sugar's Mom?

I see that it is sold out...bummer! BUT I do have a case of another similar one on the way later this summer.

So, here's to Laska...here's to Dakota...here's to US!

Cheers,

Phyll

P.S. The MediaPlayer is on 'surprise me' mode...nice mix thus far!

Trying Times

Trying times for sure...

A close friend had to let her Siberian cross somewhat suddenly;
Laska is still AWOL;
other assorted things...

I chose this for my Friday night beverage. WHY?

IT HAD GOLD (For Laska) ON THE LABEL!

It was one of my WineAccessMonthly.com selections... The write up is very interesting. Once again, I agree with the flavours and such they mention. I would drink it again BUT I don't think I'd pay the price listed.


No new music this week...but I am sooo wanting to add some Eva Cassidy to the collection. I used her Fields of Gold for Laska's post but here is her myspace page

I'm waiting for the release of the new Son Volt . I've got it pre-ordered. Jay Farrar was THE main voice/contributor for Uncle Tupelo and I can never hear him often enough! S turned me onto them and I've built us quite a collection.

Here's to friendship and consolation during trying times!

Thank you for yours!

Cheers,

Phyll

Wordy Wednesday

The wine above was dinner last night. I just didn't feel like food given the mood of the week as well as news I got from a friend Tuesday afternoon. I even went to the store hoping for something to call to me - it didn't so I took THAT as a sign I really didn't need any solid food.
It helped.

Now to our regularly scheduled Wednesday feature:

Captured Heart

I didn't mean for it to happen
Yes, I knew it was wrong
Yet somehow it seemed so right
To have discovered something so strong

Sometimes I wish could stop it
And make it easier for you
Allow myself to leave your life
After all I've put you through

You didn't mean for it to happen
With all the changes it would bring
Yet you couldn't stop from feeling
The very same thing

What you found had saved your life
Or so you often said
That what I've brought to you
Had filled your heart and your head

We didn't mean for it to happen
Capturing each other's heart
Finding a love so everlasting
Yet an emptiness so vast when we're apart

What we've been through together
Has forced us to survive
It certainly hasn't been easy
But at least we're still alive

Once a heart has been captured
It can't be just released
For the bond that has been created
Allows two souls to find some peace

I never regret that is has happened
Despite the pain I sometimes feel
I hope you echo these words
For we are the real deal

A love to last forever
Although it is often tried
By those that just don't understand
Who will never see our side

We started out looking for something
But ended up capturing a heart
Our lives have been changed forever
And we will not be pulled apart

Started 4/29/05
Finished 5/01/2005
PadH

More from the past.

It has been a rough week given what has happened with Laska. I hadn't resorted to pouring mid-week as I first staged this post but it happened as the start of this post indicated. I did an edit around 9pm.

Thanks to all that have helped with their words of support...it is all so frustrating in that I'm not quite close enough to physically be there to help and we so want to.

Summer On The Horizon

This is the official weekend for Summer to greet the Northern Hemisphere. Our weather earlier this week was somewhat unseasonably cool and damp. The cool was fine with me - the damp (as in rainy) did interfere with my Khyra walking. Luckily for both of us, it was just one day.

Since it was sunny and around 28 today (on the rest of the world's scale), I decided a nice white was in order to welcome in Summer albeit a day or two early. I'm not sure I'll be wining and/or posting for Saturday evening. I've got a doggie transport that requires me to hit the road by 6am or so. That translates into getting up at my normal weekday time of 5am which also translates into probably NOT staying up beyond 11pm or so.

As I start this, I've not yet opened the bottle. I'm still getting settled in for the evening. I wanted to pull together the music I wanted to share so I've been doing some collecting of links to include.

Here is the label...

Here is the link to some information for it from my wineaccess.com montly club. I've shared before I prefer SB to Chardonnay. In fact, I prefer many and/or most whites to Chardonnay. Don't get me wrong: I enjoy a good Chardonnay. I just prefer other varietals more!

Now to the music...Jonatha Brooke released an incredible project (last August 26 which is a special date for me) of all Woody Guthrie works called The Works. It included a song called Taste of Danger. I really enjoyed it on her CD...but then she recorded it as a duet with Davey Knowles of Back Door Slam Their version is the bonus track on Coming Up For Air (Dave Knowles new release out this past Tue 6/16). Back Door Slam's first CD was incredible too! So much talent for such young ones!

Can you say freakin' awesome? As I've mentioned before, songs that do THAT to me the first time I hear it go on the 'buy as soon as it comes out' list. It arrived Wednesday so I took it the office and ripped it to my work pc. I also burned a copy for S. Since my roomie's department wasn't working on Friday, I could crank my pc since I was alone in the office. I pulled up the lyrics and sang along multiple times. A friend stopped in, I played it for him, and showed him the gooseflesh it raised.

You should be able to hear it H E R E on her myspace page. She has the version with Davey on her page now. If you can't hear it, please write me and I'll send the track via email.

Ah yes ...

There's an angel on my shoulder
But the devil's at the wheel

and then there is....

It all comes down to thisThere's a million souls out thereDying for a wish, living for a kissSearching for someone to care

And yes, my friend was impressed...and he got to take his copy with him. He was quite taken with their harmonies.

So, now I am back. The sheets have been laundered and the bed remade. The wine has been poured...

OH YES! Nice choice! I'm very happy. I keep wanting to talk myself out of writing this but I keep sniffing and breathing in the nose - and each time I get violets. I do taste the acidity as well as the character from the soil. It is so not a SB from NZ or OZ yet a very good one! I would drink this one again. It is sold out so I don't have the chance....but I'm happy I'm getting to enjoy this one!

It has been a pretty good week which I expect to continue with this Sunday's transport.

Cheers!

Phyll

Wordy Wednesday

Worry Beads

When you're down
And not sure you want anyone around
I'm there for you
To help you make it through

You can touch
It's never too much
You can rub
My central hub

I'm your worry beads
I seem to calm your heart
I'm your worry beads
And I'll always be a part

You seem content to touch and press
And your emotions you do express
I seem to calm you down
And even take away that frown

I'm your worry beads
You seem just happy to sit
I'm your worry beads
Even when your brow seems to have knit

I can feel the weight lift
And feel the pressure shift
Just by your touch and caress
I seem to absorb your stress

I'm your worry beads
Able to soothe your soul
I'm your worry beads
As I collect the toll

We can sit for hours and just be
Joined to discuss our destiny
I can see the pain leave your face
For I give you my love to replace

I'm your worry beads
You seem just happy to sit
I'm your worry beads
Able to soothe your soul

I'm your worry beads
Woven through your life
I'll bear the weight of it all
I'll bear the weight of it all

May 05, 2005
PadH

The week got away from me and I forgot to prep this for 'normal' post time!

Hope all are having a good week!

Phyll
　
　
　

While My Guitar...

...gently sits in my glass!

I knew I needed to hit the pillow early tonight for I have a transport Sunday morning. I have to leave the house before I normally even contemplate stirring - let alone facing the outside world but...for Sophie, I will do it!

I grabbed my last bottle of THIS - and all I can say is DAMN! I forget how great this wine is for the price! I checked the state website and was THRILLED to see it is on sale this month for $9.99!!! I will SOOOO be hitting my store and stocking up on this one.

I lucked into this one a year or so ago. A friend from SMS mentioned another wine (something with a CAT on the label). When I googled it, I happened upon a blog that mentioned this one! It looked very interesting...given the GUITAR and the grape types. I located it at my local state store and was blown away!

It is not a fine wine by any stretch of the imagination but it is a GREAT wine for the price! I don't mean that as a bad thing in any way at all! The first sip I had was soooo smooth and from there I was hooked! I went back the next day and got more! I shared a bottle with S and he was also very impressed. Given he was the real reason for my guitar attraction, it was quite fitting he'd like it too!

Everytime I have a Spanish wine, I always intend to search out others...here is another I've had and really enjoyed...again, I googled CODICE and got THIS one. I just checked the PLCB site and see it is also $9.99...looks like I'll be picking up some of that when I go for more Red Guitar! Tempranillo so makes for an enjoyable AGJ!

As for what I'm listening to tonight? Back when I renewed my www.xpn.org membership for the year, I chose THIS CD as my gift: White Lies For Dark Times. I listened to it once tonight - I'm very happy with it! As I've shared before, the songs/cds that snag me the first time I hear them are the ones that are so an important part of my collection!

What are you drinking?

Cheers to all for a great week!

Phyll

Four Weeks and Counting...

Tonight's Adult Beverage...

Couldn't snag a pic from the winery's website...
Had to use the flashie beast!

This is a local York County Winery. In fact, it is probably the second local winery I had ever been to for a tasting and tour.

Here is their website as well as a link to winemaker/owner's blog

In the early days, the winery was owned by two brothers that had been classically trained musicians. They were somewhat eccentric characters but very nice people. They lived on the winery's property with their mom. For some years, their 'house' was adjacent to the winemaking area and tasting room. It was three old time single wide trailers that were joined in a spoke-like pattern.

Since they were musicians, many of their wines had a musical theme/name. Their 'claim to fame' was their Opus One wine - a seyval/peach blend currently called Celeste. This WINERY
wanted to use the name so they purchased the rights from The Crouch Brothers. It has always been felt they asked too little for the name - given the money behind the new owners but that's John and Tim! We always hear it went to a new press or de-stemmer or something like that!

When I got married, we had splits of Celeste bottled and custom labeled with a design created by my now former father in law that kept with the theme of our wedding: all things bear. I have a bottle or two out in the garage. Maybe someday I'll bring one in and take a pic...maybe....

As time went on, the brothers' mother passed away - they built a nice wood frame home just on the other side of the winery proper. Sadly, Tim died...then John...but before they passed, they had begun to look for some young blood to help then buy the winery. Kris and Carl is that new blood and the couple you see on the website/blog.

'We' used to spend quite a few Saturday and/or Sundays down there for various events. Both owners used to do a 'Chef Series' on Thursday nights throughout the summer. Local chefs from the area would do a three or four course meal featuring the season's fresh produce/etc paired with Allegro's wines. It was quite a lot of fun for the price!

Since the divorce, I can't bring myself to return to the winery but I have picked up some of their wines at their Wine Gallery located in the south part of where I live - about 20 minutes away. I've sent some of these wines to Kathie in Overland Park, Shelli in Macon, and Jan in Omaha. They really enjoyed them.

I really should get out to more of the local wineries but most of my spare weekend time has been devoted to transports. It is FURRY rewarding as they say! Of course, I'll be doing one this Sunday AND next Sunday.

I guess this is enough babble for now! I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend!

Cheers,

Phyll

Wordy Wednesday

My first writing award! I submitted it to Maya's blog
aka The (W)riting Room.
Thanks very much for choosing mine!

Now, another one from the past...

Soul Gazing

When you look into my eyes
Do you still see your soul
Peering back at you
Trying to make you feel whole?

When you look into my eyes
Is your future still there
And do you wish to spend some time
With someone who does care

When you look into my eyes
Do you still believe
We must have met before
Someone you will never leave?

When you look into my eyes
And it's time to say goodbye
Will you always know
How it makes me cry

As I look into your eyes
Eyes that showed me so much
And I take your hand in mine
For what might be one last touch

As I look into your eyes
Eyes that made me believe
That I was finally loved
And you would never leave

As I look into those eyes
Eyes that I shall miss
Each time I reached for you
And your lips to deeply kiss

I will always remember your eyes
Eyes that made me see
What love really was
An unknown emotion you brought to me

When you look into your eyes
Will it be my soul that you see
With a space that used to have
An us made from a you and a me?

February 23, 2006
PadH

Still kicking around the theme and thread for the one floating around in my head and on THAT slip of paper.

Hope all are having a dandy week!

Cheers!

Touched

I got a late start with filling the glass tonight but here it is

It was an offering from Wine Access - the write up was interesting as was the price. I chose a French one tonight to salute (and salut) D-Day.

As I've shared on Khyra's Blog for Sunday, I did a transport earlier today (Saturday) that really touched my heart. I won't go on about him here for I did enough of that over there!

Since I did an extra leg (of around 45 miles), I drove almost 300 miles from York and back. The drive went really well. I wasn't sure exactly how long to allow for the extra leg but managed to time it pretty much spot on. I saw a single bald eagle, multiple hawks, and then a pair of bald eagles as I crossed The Potomac in WV. It was awesome! The interstate through West Virginia was awesome and allowed me to legally drive 70 mph!

I got to hear some pretty good driving tunes along the way. This Red Hot Chili Peppers song brought back some great memories! I even shared I had heard it when I wrote the co-memory maker after I got back from my transport.

That song was followed by Van Halen's Running With The Devil which was followed by two others that just fit the mood: BTO You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet and then Stevie Nicks Gypsy. Somehow the VH and Stevie's song were fitting for Siberians in a fashion!

Hearing Stevie made me think back to this Fleetwood Mac song that is one of THOSE songs! The link I've included from youtube is to a version with Stevie and Lindsey - not FM. Lindsey is one helluva guitar player.

I had hoped to have some more inspiration during the drive so I could try and take the scribbles to the next level. That wasn't to be today as Laska

Six Six

Since it is 06/06 as I post this most everywhere else in the world...

...here is Friday's beverage

I'll admit my label is not quite like that. The Balau is on the lower portion of the label. It is quite nice - but I guess it isn't the 'bestest' out there for there is still some remaining. I've noticed that most times the really good ones sell out fairly quickly. I've tried to consume the selections from my wineaccessmontlydotcom shipments soon after I get them just in case I do want to procure more. They did notify us that due to the summer months they would be combining our June and July shipments into one June shipment.

As promised, tonight's toasts were to Sinatra and Handsome Marvin (and yes, his J). I did go with the medium size glass for I wanted the bottle to last a bit longer! They are both to be commended AND saluted for what they've endured/experienced/gone thru in recent days and nights!

I'll admit I'm not currently listening to anything music wise - I have the Phillies-Dodger game on the television. I did pull off a video of someone I just adore: Amy Speace. I've mentioned her quite a few times. I got to listen to an 'in studio' performance on The Web she did in Chicago in late April/early May (I forget which). It was fantastic. Her performance was great but her interaction with the audience was quite endearing. I'm really looking forward to her upcoming release.

I always talk about how songs that are truly great to me are ones that grab me the very first time I hear them. Well, T H I S is one of them This song is just so me - so representative of my experiences back in the day....with some carrying over to this century.

Some ideas for 'something' came to me earlier this evening - I've scribbled down the key words that would tie it together. Maybe I'll have more inspiration during my transport Saturday afternoon. I do have another 45 minutes or so to drive each way as I offered to cover a void between my leg and another. Time will tell if I can make the thoughts into one piece.

All in all, I think it was a pretty good week. Even The Foundry folks got to work 40 hours for the first time since last November. Let's hope the worst is behind us!

I hope your part of the planet is having an acceptable day!

Cheers,

Phyll

P.S. I probably should have gone for something French given the significance of T H E D A Y

I'll raise a glass to those that helped make that a reality too.

Wordy Wednesday

On The Ledge

You came to me a nervous wreck
Sweat beaded up on your neck
Said we needed to talk
How I feared you were going to walk
The shit that had gone down
In that 35 minute away town
Made me think that we were through
And ‘fraid for what I was going to do

chorus
I had pushed you to the edge
And you were standing on the ledge
Looking down upon the ground
Heading just spinning round and round

You said you loved me so
And you didn't want to go
But you wanted them too
They meant the world to you
They were the biggest part of your life
Thanks to you and the wife
You didn't think you could go
For they would all miss you so

chorus
I had pushed you to the edge
And you were standing on that ledge
You hoped I would understand
Yet you then offered me your hand

We sat and talked about what we were
And things you didn't feel with her
I told you I understood
And knew I always would
So let's just see where we will go
Will our love continue to grow
As it has since we first met
A day we will never forget

chorus
I had pushed you to the edge
And you were eyeing up the ledge
So I switched places with you
Just so that you would make it through

So now I'm the one here alone
Without someone that I can phone
To say just how much pain I feel
In a heart I hope will heal
What we have will get us through
But, damn just wish I could talk with you
So I could know you still felt the same
And that my pain and fears were all in vain

I had pushed you to the edge
And now I get to eye that same ledge
Please Honey pull me close to you
We need to get me back down to Earth too

April 10, 2005
PadH

Yep, you guessed it: another from the past. I had flashes of something new this past weekend but nothing has flowed from the brain and/or heart via the fingers yet.