Vineyard news flash, at least for now

Another vine gone, although I'm not clear whether Dave meant the vine was denuded or dead. Anyway, he's announced the harvest, fully ripe or not, and then disappeared somewhere outside. I may be plucking grapes (is that the right word? does one pluck grapes?) today. Or not. Stay tuned.

Arthritis update

Verrry interesting development here. My hands have improved dramatically over the last some days. This could be due to a change in glucosamine formulation, but I strongly suspect it's because the tooth abscess has been treated. Infection --> exacerbates inflammation? I still have the little Heberden's nodes, so there is underlying change, but I'm 80-90% improved in pain and stiffness.

Note to self: REMEMBER THIS!

The couple that makes wine together . . .

We has achieved harvest, we has! True, far smaller than we had hoped, but enough for at least a few bottles of wine. The afternoon was gloriously sunny, so we clipped off clusters of deep purple grapes among the golden leaves. In the distance, the Bonny Doon Massif rose high, with that misty redwood-green. Then we sat and sorted, or rather, groomed the clusters. Ordinarily, it would be a simple sort, discarding any cluster with too many moldy or unripe grapes, but because there was so little, we spent the extra time getting as much usable crap as we could. I helped Dave carry the crusher-stemmer into the area he had cleared in the garage for wine making. It's fire engine red, and made in Italy. Then I lay down and napped while he Did Things.

Now I'm in my office, working on Seven Petaled Shield and listening to “Amazing Grace.” Tired but content.

I just realized it’s our wedding anniversary. Happy us.