on August 14th, 2007 by mark
The day was beautiful. It was August hot and the unfortunate plume to the northwest was not clouds, but smoke. The Zaca fire which burned a month ago in my beloved Santa Ynez Wine Country reflared and is still burning. Now, it’s burned all the way into the Ojai area. You may recall a year ago in September when the Day Fire started. It’s not that hot…yet. And it’s not that windy…..yet. But shades of things to come? Most assuredly. Unless some fluke rainfall happens here before October…count on a long, slow burn.
So, when I got up–I didn’t think much about the fire. So far, most folks are out of danger and so are their homes. I had business to attend to. I went to the physical therapist. The Physical Therapist…George Erb. And I was with him for about an hour. It was enough of a treat that George’s daughter, Lauren, was there. She was a student of mine for her two last years of high school and one of my very favorite kids. She had a passion for sports (runs in the family) and she admitted when literature worked for her–and when it didn’t. But that’s not why I went to see George today…
This recalls the neck saga and so I will be brief at the expense of boring you. I’m sore, for sure. But today, George did a thorough work-up on me including reading my MRI report, doing an exam, working my nerves and muscles and putting me in traction for 10 minutes. He showed me a batch of new exercises and told me to keep doing the swimming and the push-ups. So–after he worked me, I went home, did some exercises, did the push ups, went swimming, took the dog on a mile and a half jaunt and came back and did more exercises. Dudes-and dudettes…I’m zonked. It was a good run.
Surgery? Maybe. But George doesn’t think so. He rather thinks that my nerves and disc are still a little “raw” and that with time, exercise and such, the pain will dissipate and allow me to return to normal–or somewhat normal. Could I end up on the table? Yeah, I could. But not tomorrow–and not next week. I’m just down for some old-fashioned and good physical therapy for the next 5 weeks or so. I’m going to dig in, work out and do what I’m told. By the time I see the surgeon in September, I expect to feel a bit better–and if I don’t? Well, I’ll be that much stronger and prepared for whatever the next step must be…..Thanks for your indulgence.
OK–next…Brian found Nebbiolo! Yes, it’s true. We may well be making Nebbiolo wine this fall which is really what we wanted in the first place. Today, he purchased (and I will help pitch in) two French Oak barrels–30 gallon type–which will be our mainstay and home for the Nebbiolo when it comes. It should be an interesting fall–and all will be blogged here.
Finally–I concur with Hugh. Earlier this evening, I had a conversation with Jason and as he is a smart lad, but ever so naive, we were discussing politics and I was trying to get him to see the light. We’ll get there. But I mentioned that the Dem frontrunners are Hillary and Barak. I was wrong. Barak’s a neo-phyte and if he survives these latest stupidities (and he cannot blame them on his operatives…he said them himself), it’ll be a miracle. He’s toast. He simply has no experience, no ability–and certainly no charisma. He’s an empty suit. And he needs to pack it in.
In short–The best thing going for the Republicans once again….is the Dems. To be fair, I’d think that no matter what. But realistically, if Hillary’s all the Dems have–well, to coin the phrase from the President–”bring ‘em on.” I look forward to 08.
OK-that’s health, wine, politics….oh yeah! Summer is coming to an end and I’m back at it soon. Our International student, Sophie–from Belgium, will be here soon and we are all excited to meet her and have her with our family. She’s nervous–as she’s e-mailed my wife–but that’s to be expected. She’ll love it here–and we’ll love having her.
Posted in Culture, Family, Food and Wine
