Wine, Wineries, and Your Monday Fortune Cookie 8/25/13

A DRUNK MAN'S WORDS ARE A SOBER MAN'S THOUGHTS.

SNARKY RESPONSE: Guess it's a good thing a drunk is usually incoherent.

A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts. 

Don't know if it's the best way to open this week's fortune cookie, but anyone who follows me on facebook knows I was up in Northern Virginia Wine Country sampling the local wines this past weekend.

It's beautiful country up there in Northern Virginia. There was a race at Winchester on Saturday night, and we drove back along the back roads checking out all the lovely wineries.

We travelled along Routes 17 and 55 for the most part, up in the edge of the Middleburg Virginia AVA (American Viticultural Area). We'd never been up to that part of the state other than to pass through on our way to Canada, so it was a real delight to be able to get off the highway and just meander along winding roads and enjoy wines offered by a variety of wineries.

Delaplane Cellars was our first stop. It offered a lovely patio for enjoying a glass or bottle and cheese plate. The lady pouring our tasting was a delight particularly when Joe and she found out they knew a little dirt track up north. She'd worked there as a young girl, and he'd visited many times to see races.

Three Fox Vineyard has the most delightful outdoor setting with tables galore scattered all over the property. Even among the vines. Bocci balls and corn hole were available, and they had a tasting area set up outside under a big tent.

Aspen Dale Winery at the Barn did wine and food pairings with tasty tidbits of cheese and sausages. Quite different from the usual cup of crackers to "cleanse the palate." They wanted to help folks actually experience the way their wines tasted with food. The barn was lovely, and they had live music.

Chateau O'Brien had my favorite reds. Nice full bodied wines. The building is really different, kinda like two houses linked by a central enty. The dining area has a wonderful view.

Philip Carter Winery of Virginia was slammed with people on such a lovely day. And they're dog friendly.

Now, we're home and we're stocked up on quite a few wines. We'd like to go back in the fall. Maybe we can talk some friends to go along. It's a bit of a haul, but definitely worth it. I may be a little worse for wear right now, but what a way to go!

Memories, Good Times, and Your Monday Fortune Cookie 7/22/13

It takes more than a good memory to have good memories.

SNARKY RESPONSE: Too much wine doesn't help either. Then again, it might.

It takes more than a good memory to have good memories.

I've just shared two marvelous weekends with two wonderful writing groups at The Porches in Norwood, VA. As expected, we all dedicated ourselves to writing, editing, and revising our current Works In Progress. Sitting in our rooms or on the famous porches, we typed, scribbled, and pondered. Chapters were written, sections were chopped, and ideas were explored. The glorious quiet was filled with insect and birdsong, the tranquil scenery offered respite when screens grew fuzzy, plots twisted into knots, or ideas seemed to slow. The sense of a shared mission helped keep us all focused and creative. However, writers cannot live on ideas alone. Oh No! All that creativity deserves to be richly rewarded and there was no shortage of delectable rewards to be had.

When evening began it's gentle approach and shadows lengthened, we set aside our works and gathered for dinner and socializing. Not that there weren't brief breaks throughout the day, breakfast, lunch, snacks, but the key word is "brief." The end of the day signalled a shift from isolated creativity to mixing and mingling food, drink, and talk.

The Tea & Strumpets ladies, Sofie Couch and Elvy Howard delighted our tastebuds with Lasagna and Grilled Chicken & Shrimp, respectively.

Even a confirmed veggie-phobe like myself could find nothing to fault in Sofie's lasagna even if it did have spinach in it. No, honestly, I eat the occasional green, and the spinach in the lasagna added color and flavor. Elvy's grilled offerings added zest and the opportunity to eat with my fingers (my favorite utensil, when applicable).

Evening meals flowed into evening drinks. In perfect Tea & Strumpets form, Alexa Day brought a mixed case of wine to be sampled and enjoyed. Sadly, the Strumpets were unable to account for more than six or seven bottles, but it was not for lack of trying. Our efforts were accompanied by the most outrageous and captivating light shows provided by lightning bugs. Of course, discussion of the whys and wherefors of lightning bug displays dissolved into laughing lewdity and speculation. Being Strumpets, would you expect anything less?

The James River Writers dinner cooks, Mike & Shawna Christos and Leila Gaskins provided even more tummy tickling delights with Grilled Chicken and salad and Individual Pizzas with a myriad of fixin's to spread on home-made pizze crusts, respectively.

And to accompany it all were copious amounts of libations ranging from cold, clear artesian well water provided free by The Porches to a seemingly unending array of wine.

The James River Writers showed a comparable level of skill and enthusiasm in the arena of  alcoholic consumption plus nearly polishing off a bottle of whisky which I believe went by a delightful moniker of Larceny (or something - perhaps someone will correct me in the comments). Ah, proof positive that a good memory does not require total recall.

As you can tell, a fabulous time was had by all and we left with words written, ideas hatched, memories made, and connections more perfectly forged. I highly recommend The Porches Writers Retreat for anyone wishing to escape the daily distractions. You can attend solo or in a group, both will provide you results far beyond your expectations.

MONDAY FORTUNE COOKIE 7/16/12

"All matters of the heart can be resolved with wine and candlelight."

SNARKY RESPONSE: Unless we're talking heart surgery. In which case, wine and candlelight are NOT helpful at all. Oh, and if the matter involves a betrayal of one kind or another, a considerable amount of groveling will be required.

"All matters of the heart can be resolved with wine and candlelight."

As a romance writer, this fortune was very apropos of my genre. This mindset, and setting, works perfectly in the development of a romantic entanglement. Yes, the setting is a bit clichéd, but no matter how clichéd it appears, it is effective. What heart doesn't go pitter pat at the sight of a candlelit table set for two? (Okay, I admit that there are occasions where that pitter-patter is a full-on arrhythmia of phobic anxiety, but that's another story!).

Consider the way candlelight draws you in, creating an intimacy no electric light can completely duplicate. Perhaps it harkens to the earliest days and the security and magic of the fire. And because candlelight works best in a darkened room, yet more is added to the intimacy factor. The darkness unconsciously encloses the two at table in a spatial cocoon. Flickering candlelight softens the edges, disguises minor imperfections, and encourages quiet in voice and demeanor. Within that magical circle of light, guarded from the darkness beyond, the two hearts can focus, one to the other. And where there is a connection there is hope.

Do you feel "all matters" can be resolved in this manner or do you feel that it's another fallacy the Fortune Cookie Seer is circulating as truth?