On a mission to find porcini in Santa Cruz. Tos the season.

Dropped into Urgent Care just a few blocks from my home - something weird going on with my “good” knee. My ER doc friend just happens to be on call. Just come in anytime, quoth he. And so I did, moments after (someone else’s) cardiac emergency. Happy that I just have a bum knee.

To whom or to what?

This will not end well.

The decline of democracy in the US means you can’t visit the US if you commented on the decline of democracy in the US

Do I dare to take a leek? #popelouchum #harvest

mailchi.mp/popelouchum/.... Many of you in the restaurant business know Keiko. This is a great opportunity to step up and help.

It was only a matter of time…

I can't wait until the United States cleanses itself of all the ugly traces of Donald Trump. Take his name off buildings. Remove all the tacky gold bric-a-brac from the White House walls. Bulldoze his vulgar ballroom. Restore MLK, Jr Day and Juneteenth at parks. #Fumigate

What the phoque!

I’ve not been successful in resisting the lure of midnight (PST) and a new Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections. My name is Randall G and I have a problem.

Pruning the self-crossed Sérine nursery; hawks screaming overhead and all the birds in the area making a fuss. Back is killing me and will pay for this indulgence even more later tonight. Just a couple more rows.

Tacos for lunch again at the market in SJB. They’re not quite as good as the ones from the truck in Santa Cruz but very serviceable if always a little different.

Stopped at the taco truck, conveniently located adjacent to the Santa Cruz Westside wine ghetto, my old stomping grounds, bumped into old friends and before we knew it, a spontaneous tasting in the parking lot broke out. 2022 Popelouchum Blanc superb with shrimp tacos.

Reposting this everyday until Pete Hagueseth faces justice for his crimes against humanity.

Cat had unreasonably high expectations of outside temperature this morning. His morning backyard sojourn was somewhat truncated.

Playing possum in bed so as to fool the cat into waiting a while before launching his morning Let me outta here schtick.

Just waiting on some hachiya persimmons. That is all.

Very happy to be re-inhabiting the world of Inspector Montalbano, at least for another few books.

In case you needed even more motivation to vote in the Midterm elections... #AccountabilityIsComing

Morning visit to the freezer unit to retrieve Pêches de Vigne for jam production.

Before I head out to the vyd. this fine Sunday morning, there is one thing I must do, and it just happens to be the Sunday puzzle.

I know we've not as yet achieved full dormancy at the #popelouchum vyd. but the weather is absolutely perfect for pruning and I'm keen to get a little headstart if possible.

"All of this falls apart if humans don't adopt the tech. This is why you've seen Meta cram its lame chatbots into WhatsApp and Instagram. This is why Notepad and Paint now have useless Copilot buttons on Windows. This is why Google Gemini wants to "help you" read and reply to your emails."

It has been such a long time since I’ve drunk a great Burgundy. Last night that issue was rectified with some 78 Jayer Nuits-Meurgers. Still remarkably youthful and out of this world. Almost certainly the last Jayer I’ll taste ‘ere I go.

Off to the local Farmer's Market to shop for dinner tonight. One of the more civilized amenities of Santa Cruz.

Can't say that Cab + Gewürz is the obvious blen. Not sure I would like the wine (ABV rather high for my taste), but I do greatly admire the label.

I didn't quite understand why my life felt slightly off until I realized that I had immersed myself in Andrea Camilleri stories (20 books) and had finished them all. Luckily found a few more on-line so equilibrium restored, at least for a short while.

🎯

Fynde somebodye who doth love thee as much as crafte breweryes love weirde litel glass jars.

Heading to the market this morning - never a great idea when you're starved. But produce guy sets me up w/ fennel fronds that they normally trim first thing, and they're perfect for fennel pesto which goes in w/ the risotto.

Going for a rather comprehensive fasting blood draw but not until 11 this morning. I’m alreadystarving. Probably best to address the ice cream project a little later.

Not sure if it’s strictly speaking an old cat phenomenon but my very sweet guy absolutely cannot make up his mind about being inside or outside. When it’s warm out, the vote is clearly for outside. This cold weather has messed up his game.

Maybe putting a dozen narcissistic poser Fox hosts in charge of sprawling federal agencies with millions of combined employees and vastly important responsibilities with enormous power wasn’t the greatest plan.

Just wrote a small piece on the Judgment of Paris tasting for inclusion in yet another visit this historical event. Fifty years later, I still don’t understand exactly what happened.

Very keen to try the panforte ice cream recipe from @davidlebovitz.bsky.social for Thanksgiving meal. The stumbling block was locating proper, non-icky citrus peel. Finally resolved.

Failed to mention that Jamet is a genius. I’ve never met him but he seems by far the one who can unlock typicity of Syrah. Clearly a lover of whole bunch retention.

Had a superb meal last night at Oswald in Santa Cruz. The menu was very spare, simple and basic - not as fancy as it once was. But an impeccable burger accompanied by Jamet Syrah “Collines Rhodaniennes” was perfect.

I spaced out on including a photo of the blending session but you’ve seen all that before. What is most important to express is that this year was late late late and as such, some very interesting molecules were expressed. #rotundonecity

Some very sharp wines in the queue for the 2025 Language of Yes. Both Grenache and Syrah knock me out.

Knowing the dramatis personae, how could it not have been?

👉

New additions to the household - Jascha and Janos. They do this for hours

New kittens are Jascha and Janos. Someone is a #musicmajor

Returning home from a quick sales trip to SoCal with added bonus of a visit with daughter and an (ambitious) feline adoption.

At the SPCA adopting 2 kittens. #handfull

Actually had a rather wonderful day out schlepping wine today in west LA and in and around the neighborhoods where I grew up. Some modicum of acceptance of less well known varieties in evidence.

Schlepping wine today in the mean streets of West L.A. and Beverly Hills. Not exactly Grenache Gris territory but we shall see. Tomorrow hipsterville.

The night is still young and filled with all sorts of possibilities but i somehow managed to not miss my flight to LA. Now to navigate this beast.