Sharon\’s musings on life and wine

Adventures in New York City Dec 2011

Adventures in New York City

Dec 10-14, 2011

Tess and Sharon

They were all set:  up at 4 am, to the airport in the dark, fly away at 6 am, through DFW and arrival in New York City about noon.  Then they would have the afternoon to look around and get acclimated, and that evening a tour of the Brooklyn Christmas lights complete with biscotti and hot chocolate.  But alas….the best laid plans sometimes do not materialize.   Got a message from American Airlines Friday night that the 6 am flight out of Amarillo had been cancelled due to freezing fog.  So they were re-booked, leaving at 2 pm.  And so they did not arrive in NYC until 8:30 pm.  It was beautiful flying in with all the lights of the city.  The Empire State Building was all in green.

No room at the Inn:  for Saturday night they had no room.  What to do??  JULIE to the rescue!!  Sharon’s daughter-in-law Julie Baker used some of her Starwood Points to get them a room at The W on Union Square.  What a pretty little boutique hotel.  Their mega room awaited them, complete with a bucket of iced champagne and some little sweets.  However, only one bed.  And Sharon with no pajamas.  First time Tess had champagne in her hotel room since her honeymoon, and first time she had slept with someone else in the nude since then, too.  They went down to the Todd English restaurant “Olives” and had a delicious glass of wine.  Sharon enjoyed some parmesan French fries and Tess tried the butternut squash pasta.  A nice bed time snack.    Then of course they finished off the bottle of bubbly….what are you supposed to do once you uncork it??  Gotta drink it.

Sunday morning they enjoyed the fabulous view from their 21^st floor room, looking down on Union Square and all the tall buildings surrounding it.  Per Julie’s suggestion list they walked a block or so to the City Bakery for coffee and a snack.  Sharon enjoyed a pretzel croissant and Tess had a bran muffin.  Only later did they discover the bakery also had oatmeal,  and even macaroni and cheese at 8 am.  Tess had prepared in advance and located a Catholic church in the area:  St Cyril’s.  Unfortunately she did not prepare enough to know that the service would be conducted in Ukranian!  Being Polish she could understand a few words, and followed along.  While Tess was in church Sharon wandered through the Holiday Fair going on in Union Square….many booths offering everything from knitted hats to spices from around the world.   And oh so many yummy smells of pastries, gingerbread, cheeses.

About noon they took a cab to the Waldorf Astoria.  What a zoo!!  So many people trying to check in and out.  But one look at the amazing lobby was enough for them.  Three large beautiful  Christmas trees all decked out in red and gold, and poinsettias everywhere.  It was magical.  They moved into their lovely room on the 16^th floor.  It was decorated with beautiful wall paper, draperies and carpet and had two comfy beds.  Their home for the next 3 nights.  Due to lack of proper planning, they barely had time to change clothes and race to the Gershwin Theatre for the play “Wicked”.  Their seats  were in the 2^nd mezzanine, up two escalators…so they thought they would be hanging from the rafters.  But with their opera glasses they didn’t miss a thing.  It was enchanting and wonderful.

When the play was over, it was already dark, and they were hungry (those breakfast pastries were a long time ago).  They considered catching a cab to thei r dinner reservation, but Sharon decided it would be much more fun to ride in one of those rickshaws (bicycle baskets) so they were off!!  Through the night in NYC traffic  with taxis, trucks and honking cars and only the little plastic windshield to protect them .  Their bicycle boy was quite cute and had really strong legs.  He took them to the door of Botegga Del Vino.  They took photos with him and went in for their first and only meal of the day.  And oh what a meal!!  Possibly the best one ever.  This was an Italian restaurant near Central Park.  All the waiters, and even the bus boys, were dressed in black and white jackets and bow ties.  The service was wonderful.  Miguel was their waiter, and he stole Tess’ heart when he opened the wine.  Sharon had gone to the ladies room and missed the whole thing.  Miguel carefully cut the foil off the very top of the wine bottle.  Then he cut around the edge, but left a little attached.  Then he folded that over and used it to hold the cork right near the top of the bottle.  And then… (he was not finished)….he poured a small amount  of the wine into a wine glass, swished it around, then poured it into the glasses they would drink from and swished it around and disposed of the wine.  Tess was worried now…pouring out their $40 bottle of wine!!  But he said he was just “washing” the glasses.  And oh! What glasses they were….beautiful large deep wine glasses.  You could get your nose and part of your face down in there so you could inhale the aroma of the wine.  And the top of the glass had just the slightest hint of a curled-over  rim.  They were exquisite.  Sharon inquired about purchasing one, and Miguel said if they had any they were $125 apiece.  So, they ordered dinner.  Sharon had swordfish and the piece covered her whole plate.  It was delicious.  The entire experience was just the best and they will return….and tell all their friends.

After dinner they walked a few blocks along the side of Central Park.  Lots of carriages and horses.  They were headed to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for after-dinner drinks.  This is an amazing place.  The lobby and the bar are on the 35^th floor.  Floor to ceiling windows look out over Central Park.  And the ambiance is so elegant and expensive.  Drinks were expensive, too…but they also got a small plate of olives, nuts and chips.  After they had enjoyed their time there, they  went down to call a cab.  The doorman insisted on sending them back to the Waldorf in “his” car….so they rode in style for only a tip.

Monday morning they walked and walked and walked and finally saw Macy’s Christmas windows.  They were beautiful.  The Cartier building was wrapped in a huge red ribbon.  The entire city is so festive at the holiday season.  Times Square is always a sight with all the lighted signs on the buildings and people every where.  After a quick lunch, they braved the Subway, going downtown.  It was very crowded and they were careful to stay together and not get caught in the closing doors.  (didn’t see any rats).  They changed trains once and came up near The World Trade Center site.  They had passes to see the World Trade Center Memorial and after security scanning and much more walking, they were allowed into the area.  It is so big and so beautiful and so sad:  two pools with waterfalls and all those names engraved around the edges.  Tess found a man’s name she had  known  who worked for an investment firm.  They never found even a small piece of him.  Occasionally someone had placed a single flower in a name, and that made it even more sad.  The names are arranged in groups that took much planning to decide upon.  There will be a museum, but it is still under construction.  And also under construction is the Freedom Tower….a huge tall building that you can already see from miles away.

Another subway ride back to the Waldorf and time to get ready for their respective evening plans.  But first, they had drinks in the Peacock Lounge in the lobby.  Expensive, but worth it.  Tess had a Grey Goose with a “splash” of pomegranate liquer.  Sharon  had a Bombay and tonic with lime.  But it was divine.  Then Tess left for a cocktail party and dinner put on by American Capital Realty (the real reason they were in NYC in the first place!).  Sharon caught a cab to Laconda Verde (Robert DeNiro’s café in Tribeca).  Unfortunately the cab driver had no idea where it was, so with the help of Sharon’s iPhone and Google, they made it.  Shortly after, Julie P Baker from Corte Madera, CA, arrived.  (Sharon’s daughter-in-law).  What a great time they had!!  First bellinis, then a wonderful bottle of red, and a delicious meal.  But best of all was just being together in such an exciting place.  They had just been together for Thanksgiving in California, and now clear across the country, sharing another bottle of wine and a meal.  A quick cab ride back by The W to see Julie’s suite (complimentary upgrade due to an over-booking situation last time she was in NYC)….more champagne and sweets.  Then off to the Waldorf so Julie could meet Tess.  Tess was having quite a good time, entertaining some of her colleagues.  They all had one more glass of wine and then parted ways.

Tuesday was a “workday” for Tess…meetings all day, so Sharon was all alone in New York City.  What to do?  She walked up and down 5^th Avenue and Park Avenue and to Rockefeller Center….gazing up at all the tall buildings and taking photos.  Then she walked to Grand Central Station and had lunch.  An Apple Store had just opened and it was abuzz with people.  After walking for 2 days almost non-stop, she decided to rest in the Lobby of the Waldorf and watch people.  She met a charming woman who had been a teacher in India, but she was born and raised in Silverton, TX (just a few miles from Amarillo).  Small world, isn’t it?  A fun game Sharon played was deciding  if someone was a “native” or a “tourist”.  Some were not hard to spot:  a tourist was the one in WHITE tennis shoes.  And a native usually had on a fur coat and her hair was swept up.

After Tess had a shower and a nap, they proceeded a few blocks to Rockefeller Center.  It is a wonderland at night…the huge Christmas tree with thousands of lights, the skating rink, the angels.  And they had reservations at The Sea Grille…right on the level with the skating rink.  Fresh seafood and more wine and even dessert.  Sharon speculated about a couple seated nearby…a tall thin man with glasses sitting all alone…  She felt sorry for him.  But AH HA:  soon a beautiful black girl arrived and he gave her a gift and they dined and drank.  Sharon’s version of that was:  she was a hooker!!  But we will never know.

Their last night in the Big Apple they went to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes and the Christmas Show.  The Musical Hall is huge and beautiful.  And the Rockettes are beautiful, too.  Eighty of them…all the same height, all with those long legs that they can kick up their eyebrows and no one ever misses a step.  It was so good.  Two segments about Santa even required 3-D  glasses, so that was fun.  What a great finish to a wonderful trip.

Wednesday they took a car to LaGuardia and flew home to Amarillo.  Made some lasting and priceless memories, but the rickshaw ride was the most memorable.

–Sharon Baker

The Grape Train Escape

The GRAPE Train Escape September 2006 

In the late 1980’s, 4 women found themselves transported to another land.  They had been living their lives as wives, mothers and bankers in small towns in Oklahoma and New Mexico.  Then they got the opportunity to attend the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at SMU in Dallas, Texas.  And they were college kids!!  So…they were living in two small dorm rooms with little beds, no closet space, and sharing one bathroom!!  This either creates enemies or Great Friends.  We became Great Friends:  Margaret, Sharon, Margy and Shauna.  And although we graduated in 1989, we decided to continue spending time together annually.  So every year on the weekend after Labor Day, we meet somewhere.  We have been to New Mexico several times and to points in Texas, but this year it was Sedona, Arizona.  We spent 2 days and 3 nights in the Sunterra Golf Resort timeshare hosted by Margy.  As we have grown older, we find ourselves discussing grandchildren and “the way young people dress these days”, but basically we are still the same four fun-loving gals we were back then.We all arrived Wednesday evening.   Shauna flew in from El Paso and Margy picked her up.  Margaret flew in from Tulsa and I came in from Amarillo.  Margaret and I rented a PT Cruiser (we think PT Cruisers must be the Arizona State Car because we saw so many of them).  It was a 4 cylinder so it had a difficult time getting up the mountain passes between Phoenix and Sedona.  We arrived after dark.  Shauna and Margy had already carried the casket-size cooler up the stairs and had a bottle of wine uncorked and waiting for us.  After no lunch or dinner, the chips and wine were delicious.Thursday morning I felt the need to “make a plan” (of course!)  So I listed all the things we could do in Sedona and we made reservations for the Grape Train ride for sure.Margy and I decided a brisk morning walk was in order, and surprisingly….Shauna and Margaret decided to join us.  Picture this:  all 4 of us with no make-up, no hair dos, shorts, sweats and tennies….taking off for a walk.  Of course we got lost.  Finally found our way to a grocery store where we purchased some necessities: cheese, crackers, chocolate, wine.  Shauna was the only one who had any cash, AND she also had a credit card!  Then, laden with plastic grocery bags we took off walking again.  By this time we were getting VERY hungry…so we stopped and had a great breakfast outdoors at a little café.  Shauna headed for the restroom, and while she was attempting to read the sign to determine which was the BOYS and which was the GIRLS….a man walked up and asked her if she wanted to share.  This scared her so badly, she came back to the table and did not use the restroom.  (It was a unisex bathroom.)  Remember this man.On the way back to the Spa, we passed a beautiful new shopping plaza and were pressing our noses against the glass of a fancy shop when the proprietor came out and invited us in.  We did quite a bit of looking, and decided to do some shopping (with Shauna’s credit card).  Lucky for her, we left before Margy could purchase the bed with all the beautiful bedding.  Then on to the Spa at the Hilton.  We perused the list of services and decided to skip it.  Back to the condo to get cleaned up, and then we hit the road.  Margy took us on a driving tour of Oak Creek Canyon and to the Garland Ranch, a beautiful group of cabins hidden in the trees.  Then up the mountain to the Holy Cross Chapel with an awesome view of the surrounding red rocks.  (Sedona is known for all the beautiful red rocks.)  The chapel is small, but the wall behind the altar is all glass so it is really a great view.  Then it was time to have some of those snacks and wine and exchange gifts.  We always buy each other gifts.  Most unusual this year: we all got tee shirts from Margy that said “Men confuse me. Chocolate I understand”…That evening we went to the absolutely best restaurant ever:  Dahl & DeLuca Cucina Rustica.  Since we didn’t have a reservation, and it was raining, I was elected to go in and check availability while the others waited in the car.  As I was standing at the front desk, this man (yes…the same man from the breakfast café) approached and asked me if I wanted to join him.  And his wife and another woman were with him!!  I declined the invite and we were seated.  Dinner was wonderful, complete with martinis, wine, and a romantic guitar player.  We were there for over 2 hours.  But before we left HE (yes..the same man) came over to our table and began visiting with us again.  He informed us (regrettably) that he would be leaving tomorrow after one more round of golf.  (We were glad).Friday morning no one really wanted to do what I had on “The List”.  Shauna elected to go to the pool with her book.  Margaret wanted to walk alone and then rest.  But Margy agreed (reluctantly) that she and I would go walk the Cathedral Rock Trail in search of a vortex (where you “feel” the cosmic rays”).  So we got a map and after getting lost once, we were at the Trail Head.  The sign informed us that this was a very steep and strenuous climb to the top, but we were ready:  Margy in her floppy turquoise hat and I with my digital camera.  So we took off.  At first it really wasn’t difficult and the scenery was beautiful.  But WAY OFF WAY UP HIGH IN THE DISTANCE….we could see where that Trail was heading.  We continued to climb…it was getting more steep and difficult.  We finally arrived at a place where the rocks were so big and so smooth that we had to crawl on our hands and knees.  When we paused to breathe, we decided that quite possibly we shouldn’t try for the summit.  After all, we ARE little old ladies and frankly, we weren’t sure how we would get down after going up.  So we ended our hike, but glad we tried it.  I have some great photos.That afternoon, possibly because she was exhausted from her climb, Margy chose to stay at home and rest.  But Margaret and Shauna wanted to see Talaquapaque.  It is a very unique shopping plaza built in an old Mission with incredible trees and flowers.  So we went there.  Had a great Mexican food lunch and, unfortunately….really didn’t have time to shop.Because….we had to leave at 4:15 for Clarksdale to board the GRAPE TRAIN.It was a 45 minute drive from Sedona, but we arrived at the depot in time to look around the gift shop and read about the Verde Valley Canyon Railroad.  The trains run twice a day through the canyon.  It  is a 2 hour run out and about 1 ½ hours coming back, because it’s downhill.  We got the last Grape Train Escape for the season.  Beginning in October, they have “Rails and Ales” where they serve beer for Octoberfest. And in December, they have a Christmas train.  So we boarded the train.  We were seated on cushy sofas facing each other with a coffee table in between.  An Italian guy gave a short speech describing the wines we would enjoy and we were off.  The train traveled really slow, but this allowed plenty of time for photography.  Just before we boarded there was a light rain shower, so as we entered the Verde Canyon, a beautiful rainbow appeared.  We were served 5 different wines and with each an appetizer.  Margy (remember she had no lunch with us) was HUNGRY…so instead of following the instructions we were given (which were to take only the first appetizer as we sipped the first wine) she loaded her plate with some of ALL the food on the buffet.  She was properly chastised and then unable to eat it all because she was embarrassed.  And…she didn’t want to drink too much wine, so she gave me all her leftover wine.  They were very small glasses, but tasty.  As we rolled along, we became acquainted with a young couple sitting across the aisle.  Ken and Lori live in Phoenix, but he is originally from Denmark and she is from Canada.  We made MORE FUN with them.  They had lots of entertaining stories about their travels and their life.  As we continued to taste wine and graze on finger food, we all became more fun.  When it got dark, a huge full moon rose up over the canyon making for an awesome sight from the viewing platform.  Sometime before the journey ended, the four of us had Ken on our laps and Lori was photographing us.  Needless to say, we were entertaining several other folks in our train car.  A good time was had by all.  The last wine was served with some wonderful tiramisu and a chocolate covered strawberry.  It was just a really fun thing to do.  Alas…Saturday morning it was time to pack up and head back to Phoenix.  So Margy in her Mercedes and me in my PT Cruiser hit the road.  We stopped in Anthem at a Discount Mall, which wasn’t worth the effort, and then continued on to the Links at Scottsdale where Margy had a 3 bedroom condo.  We unloaded and decided we were ready for a late lunch/early supper.  After that we did a little shopping in a nearby mall.  And then….we finally got tired.  We went to the condo and just “crashed”.  Went to bed early.Sunday: up at 4:30 am.  We left Margy there to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, after being our “hostess with the mostess”.  Margy, Shauna and I loaded into the PT Cruiser and cruised to Sky Harbor Airport.  Unfortunately we did not locate a gas station near the airport, so when they topped off the tank, they charged us $6.69 a gallon for the gas.  We were glad to say “goodbye” to Dollar Rent-a-Car and their rude staff. We all got to our planes and took off and arrived home later that day.  It was one of our best reunions.  Don’t know what we will do next year, but in 2008 we will be celebrating 20 years together, so we’re planning something special. 

August Travels

After staying home nearly all summer, we’ve been “on the road”. August 8 was our 8th wedding anniversary, and we always try to do something “romantic”. So we went to Santa Fe for the weekend. It’s always such a nice getaway…and this time Jerry didn’t even take his golf clubs.

We arrived on Saturday afternoon and settled in to our newly renovated room at the Sage Inn (sort of “looked” Santa Fe, but it was definitely an old motel). We hiked the 8 or so blocks to the Square and began to immerse ourselves in the charm that is Santa Fe. I had called for dinner reservations at Julian’s. We had a very delicious early dinner there and then walked around for awhile.

Sunday we met up with friends Bill & Becky from Atlanta. They were enjoying a long visit to Santa Fe…Bill having never been there, and Becky showing him how wonderful it is. The four of us strolled through a big Art Show on the Square with artists’ tents everywhere. Then into their car for the short drive to Shedoni Galleries. The metal sculpture gallery was closed, but we enjoyed watching the glassblower at work in the Glass Gallery. Then we had a late lunch at Teseque Market…always worth the trip.

The guys decided it was time for a nap, and Becky and I decided later we should have gone shopping or something during that, because we were both bored. We all met for dinner at The Cantina at La Casa Sena. The waiters all sang as we dined. A nice experience.

Sunday morning we headed home. It was a nice getaway.

Then…our next trip began last Thursday Aug 17. We flew Southwest to Oakland. Son Brent picked us up in their new “family car”…a Honda Element. Julie and Brent are expecting their first child in November, so they have recently moved out of the city of San Francisco. They bought a darling house in Corte Madera…a few miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge just past Sausalito. It is just perfect for them…wood floors, very modern and clean with a huge back yard for Atticus (their dog). He is pictured on my Blog because Brent was showing me how to import a photo.

Friday morning Jerry had a golf match at The Presidio with their friend Steve. He had a wonderful time. Julie drew me a map and I walked to Larkspur, the next little town north. I enjoyed looking at all the flowers and trees on the way up, and all the stuff in the little shops. Then she walked up and met me for lunch after some conference calls she had to do for work.

By the time we returned home, the guys were there. That evening we went back to Larkspur for gourmet pizza, sitting outside, and a great bottle of wine for Brent and me. We finished off with wonderful home made ice cream. Julie & Brent had the special which was vanilla ice cream with olive oil and rock salt…YES…that’s what I said. Sounds perfectly awful, but was quite good.

Saturday we all piled into the Element and headed to the Wine Country. It’s not far at all to Sonoma and Cline (where Julie & Brent were married). Traffic was heavy and progress slow, so Jerry was getting nervous that he would miss his tee time for the Vincent Arroyo scrambles golf tournament. But we got there in plenty of time. He enjoyed the format which was very different and included such things as teeing off while sitting in a chair and putting with a wine bottle.

While he was doing that, the 3 of us went wine tasting. Of course Julie was restricted to just a “sip” here and there, but Brent is quite the oenophile so he helped me swirl and swish and critique the wonderful wines. We found a beautiful new winery called Chateau Montelena. Great wine and beautiful grounds. We will return there.

We picked Jerry up and everyone decided they needed some ice cream and/or coffee so we found a little shop in downtown St Helena. After that we headed to the Vincent Arroyo Winery for the gourmet wine dinner that was part of the Tournament Package (this was all a Birthday Gift for Jerry from Brent & Julie). They served lots of great wine and delicious hors deouvres as we all stood around and visited. Everyone is so friendly. Then the dinner which was wonderful….salmon and steak and orzo and vegetable skewers. And of course more and more wine.

Julie was our designated driver. Brent stayed on his cell phone talking to Blaine in Houston most of the drive back home. They said Jerry and I snored in the back seat….zzzzz.

Sunday the guys went shopping for a lawn mower, leaf vac, edger, etc at Home Depot while Julie, Atticus and I went for a 4 mile walk on the trail in Corte Madera. So beautiful…flowers, trees and mountains all around. We had sandwiches mid afternoon and then it was time for Jerry to nap. Following that the guys went to the market and got food for dinner. Brent grilled and we had more wine.

Monday morning EARLY Brent took us back to the Oakland Airport. What a zoo!! Barely made our flight. But Southwest got us home ahead of schedule. It was a great weekend.

Next time we see Brent and Julie, their little guy Jude Louis Baker will be here. We are already planning to get a web cam so we can see him and he can see us.

We came back to a very wet Amarillo….it’s been raining all weekend and the rainfall totals have exceeded ALL the rainfall for the entire year of 2006. Everything is really green.

There’s no place like home.

Never Put Your Chewing Gum in Your Boarding Pass

Strange title for this post, but read on and you will discover the meaning.   

It all began nearly 28 years ago.  That’s when I met Claire Beth Nilsen from Wilmington, Delaware, and Joan Peper from St Paul, Minnesota.  We three went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison for a 3 year course of study in Bank Auditing.  We became fast friends after those 3 summer sessions and have seen each other nearly every year since.  We have been to New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Cape Cod, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, even all the way to Montreal, Canada; to Taos, Durango and Boulder, Colorado; Las Vegas several times, Atlantic City….and lately New Port Richey, Florida.  That’s where we spent a few days in March.  Peper recently retired and bought a condo there.  A great place for 3 “old” gals to relax, remember and get together. 

Now that we are more mature, we don’t stay out late at night or drink too much, but we do enjoy good food and always the beach.  It was a little cool this March, but we went to the beach anyway…Peper sat in her beach chair wrapped from head to toe in a towel with  an “old lady” hat on her head (due to a sun allergy).  We went shopping in the little Greek village of Tarpon Springs.  The men are engaged in diving for sponges and many of the shops sell all sponges of all sizes and shapes.  Great Greek food and pastries and incredibly good-looking Greek guys. 

One evening we went to Sam Seltzers Steakhouse and Claire Beth and Peper decided to share a 2 pound lobster (what was it “Nose” used to say: chicken in a fish place??”)  So the waitress Megann didn’t even know lobster was on the special and she certainly had never served one.  While we were enjoying our salads, Megann arrived with The Lobster” (still ALIVE!!) on a platter surrounded by lettuce.  Claire Beth immediately began waving her arms and shouting “N-N-N-No”“Take it away!!”.  So the lobster was removed and Claire Beth asked that the tail be “cracked” and Peper wanted the meat removed.  Megann was in way over her head by now.  She certainly didn’t know how to do THAT.  But her fellow waiter was an expert and he proceeded to dismember the lobster before our very eyes. 

The next evening we returned to one of Peper’s favorite restaurants “Catches” right on the water.  Unfortunately it was too cool to dine outside, but we did go to the deck for a drink.  Can you believe it?  The man at the reception desk and the bartender  remembered us from when we were there last October?  Why would they remember us?  Could it have been Claire Beth’s New Jersey accent?

So…we had a great couple of days together and planned to meet again in October in Amarillo with a weekend trip to Santa Fe.  All was going great.  Wednesday morning March 29 Peper and Claire Beth dropped me at the Tampa Airport at 10:30 am.  Little did I know I would still be there 8 hours later.  But then I also didn’t know that Pluto went retrograde that day, there was an eclipse of the moon, and it was the New Moon (which is my “weird” time of the month).   

I was scheduled to leave on American Flight #557 at 11:55.  And “serendipity”….my brother Gary was flying in from DVW on that same plane.  So I welcomed him to Tampa and we had a short visit before he left for a sales meeting.  We all boarded the plane on time, but several minutes past scheduled departure, we had an announcement: “we have some mechanical difficulties.  The anti-skid light is coming on so we were going to sit here for a few minutes while it is repaired”.  So about half an hour later, we taxi out for take off.  I put my chewing gum in my boarding pass.  The plane picks up speed.  We are racing down the runway just about ready to lift off and everything stops.  The take-off is aborted.  Pilot says the light is still coming on.  So we sit in the plane for another hour while they work on it.  Finally they tell us we can get off and get something to eat, but stay in the area.  Then they announce we will leave at 3 pm.  Then they say Flight 557 is not leaving today.  The plane needs brakes and the brakes have to come in from somewhere else.  So they tell us all to go back to the terminal, claim our bags and go to the American Airlines counter to be re-routed.  

I go to Luggage Claim.  I wait.  No bag.  Seems since I checked in so early my bag went on an earlier flight.  So I go to the American Airlines counter and wait in line forever.  It’s beginning to be fun, though.  It’s like we are “LOST”.  You ask everyone “were you on Flight 557?”  And then you share your stories.  My seat mate was trying to get to El Paso.  Another couple were on their way to Palm Springs.  One couple, loaded down with two coffin golf cases were heading home to Omaha.  Another young woman was going to the Bay Area, another to Oregon.  One young couple were traveling with FIVE small children.  Two little boys about 4 and 5 and triplets…in a 3-seat stroller. 

When my turn finally came at the American Airlines counter they wanted to see my Boarding Pass (it was stuck together with my gum!!)  I was told I would be home that night, on Continental, via Houston.  So I took off for the Continental counter.  The gentleman in the red coat was waiting for me and soon I had boarding passes.  I was leaving at 7 pm (just 8 hours after my scheduled departure).  So…it was time for a drink.  I headed to the bar at TGI Friday’s.  Two gin and tonics later and I’m feeling fine.  I head to the gate and my troubles begin (again).  I am chosen for a SEARCH….everything in my bag and ME.  So when I arrive at the gate, the sign announces that my flight has departed!!  However, we soon find out they mean “delayed” and we will be an hour and twenty minutes later leaving…so I’m going to miss my connecting flight in Houston.  But then, before we can decide what to do next, they say “No, change of plans, we’re leaving on time”. 

So I get on the Continental flight and heave a sign of relief.  Land in Houston to discover I am in a different terminal than my next flight.  I have about 15 minutes and it is MILES.  I race up and down escalators, jumping over small children, catch the tram and run for blocks.  Then I hear a cart coming.  I pant “Gate B62?”  She says “hop on”.  I do.  We go skidding up to the gate in the knick of time.  The plane is not there!  So we wait.  Finally the plane arrives.  We take off.  We land in Amarillo at 11:20 pm…..14 hours after I arrived at the Tampa airport. 

We go to Baggage Claim.  My bag is not there, and at nearly midnight in Amarillo, there is no one to ask or register a claim..  So, the next morning I talk to American Airlines and Continental Airlines and neither of them know where my luggage is.  I get so frustrated I decide to go out to the airport and talk to a real person.  So I’m in the Amarillo Airport Baggage Claim area.  If you have ever been to the Amarillo Airport, you know how deserted it can be.  I was alone down there…no other people.  Waiting on the baggage claim person, when the conveyor belt starts up.  One bag comes out.  One bag…it starts its way around…I look.  I look again.  It’s MY BAG!! 

Happy Ending.    I may stay home for awhile.  At least until April 20 when Jerry and I fly to Houston…..on Southwest. 

An Ode to Wine

“…I love the light of a bottle of intelligent wine

upon a table when people are talking.

That they drink it,

that in each drop of gold or ladle of purple,

they remember that autumn toiled

until the barrels were full of wine…”

-Pablo Neruda “An Ode to Wine”

Found this little poem on my Daily Wine Calendar under GRAPE THOUGHTS for January 21, 2006.

Speaking of wine, I’ve been drinking less.  This is doing a few things for me:

1. saving me money at the wine shop
2. helping me lose weight
3. allowing me to stay awake longer in the evening
4. making me savor wine when I do drink it

So…this may not be for everyone.  But for ME (a daily wine drinker for quite some time) it has been a good experience.  Of course, once a month when the Women Who Wine hold their regular meeting, I drink at least my share of the 5 bottles available.  And I enjoy it very much!!

Christmas Day 2005

Doesn’t seem much like Christmas today….about 70 degrees and sunny.  What a contrast to last weekend when we were covered with ice.

And…no presents…yet.  Waiting on the arrival of our other son, girlfriend and daughter from Ft Worth.  So Tuesday Dec 27 will be our “official” Christmas Day with presents and the Baker Family Cook-Off.

Julie & Jerry are compiling the menu.  They made their pie crust this morning and it is chilling.  Fresh peaches will be added and the baking will begin.

Phone calls from everyone this morning, reporting on gifts received.