Swimming in Quicksand

Swimming in Quicksand

A Diary of Life, Love and Staying Afloat
 
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Vito Zappala Gathering; John Mashek Gathering

To remind those who want a moment with his family and other friends, there will be a gathering in memoriam for Vito Zappala today at the Robert Pomphrey Funeral Home in Bethesda, from 3-5 p.m. The funeral is December 1 at Arlington National Cemetery. Vito served in Vietnam with the Army and was later in the reserves. His sister, Antoinette, wrote, "I am glad he will receive military honors. He served his country and also served so many people during his life in the restaurant business."

The death notice that appeared in The Washington Post is here. 

There is also a gathering for the family and friends of John Mashek today at his home in Georgetown, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. John's funeral is tomorrow. 

Trying A New Wine

2006 VIOLA V CABERNET SAUVIGNON FROM THE ECHO WEST VINEYARD

It was an unusual night. I was invited by a winery in Oregon, Echo West Vineyard, to try their new wine, Viola V, and they picked the restaurant and sent the bottle. All I needed to do was invite a friend, enjoy dinner and tell them what I thought. It's a pleasure to try a new wine, and the Viola V was interesting. My guest and I tried it as did the sommelier, the captain and the restaurant's manager. We all agreed it had a good nose and taste. It's what's known as a soft cabernet, with qualities of merlot and pinot noir. If it was two of you out to dinner and one preferred cab and the other preferred pinot, Viola V would be an ideal choice. It would satisfy the palates of both. At 2006 it was still young, but developed well in the glass. Having it decanted helped. It was a good match for veal cheeks, and the beef tenderloin, too, and was especially good with the cheese course. By the end of the meal it was drinking beautifully.  

The winemakers sent a nice note. "Our mother, pictured on the Viola V label, would be so intrigued at this moment. We hope you enjoy the wine our little vineyard perched above Echo provides for us." It was signed by Lloyd and Lois Piercy. I thank them for the treat. 

World Gone Mad

The shootings in Texas, the shootings in Florida, the unemployment rate jumping higher, chaos on the Hill, reports that travel costs will jump with the Christmas holidays...and then the dog comes into the house today with a mouse tail hanging out of his mouth!  I yanked on it and got only tail. He'd already eaten what was attached. Again, Leo the mouse-hunter.

A friend called today to tell me about a man he knows who's been employed his whole adult life, four kids, all of them school-age, played by the rules; wife lost her job and he's lost his job, and he's worried he won't be able to buy groceries. I feel for him.

I still try to get health insurance with no luck. I get rejected, again and again, because I had a kidney stone three and a half years ago and blood poisoning a year ago. Actually, this week is one year since I became ill, before my week in the hospital and long recovery. But I've been fine since then. Knock on wood. How can anyone be opposed to reform in the health insurance industry except for the health insurance industry?