As I age, winter gets tougher to endure. It gets harder to want to leave the house to socialize. A warm house is here along with a broken couch, a comfortable spouse and the internets. Plus I'm old, cranky and do not like driving at night in the cold, inclement weather.
A few weeks ago an internet acquaintance invited us into a local bourbon group on Facebook which turned into a bourbon club night at someone's house. At first I was not going to go because I was supposed to be reading in Pittsburgh the night of the party. Then I messed up my car and could not justify the travel expense after paying for the repairs. So bourbon club it was. Now me and social phobia was entering the home of a stranger, surrounded by people I mostly do not know except for online with a lot of liquor, and my wife does not really drink bourbon - what could possibly go wrong?
Nothing did! We had a great time. Met some wonderful new people. Had some good snacks and drank some really fine bourbon.
Part of admission was bringing a bottle. My contribution was Even Williams' Single Barrel which was good, but not my favorite of the night. The two that were exciting were Four Roses' Small Batch and its pleasant vanilla finish and one from California I knew nothing about.
Breaking and Entering is not distilled in California but blended there, from a blend of many different sources in Kentucky. A very full, rich and flavorful blend.
Two different people brought a bottle of Michter's Small Batch. There was a bottle of High West, which is distilled in Utah. A disappointment was Basil Hayden's which was all heat and no flavor. The surprise was Wild Turkey 101, which gave me the opportunity to tell about Mennonites who bought it back in the day at East Main Liquors in Fredonia. It's a very flavorful and powerful drink, at a very reasonable price.
It was a fun night. Can't thank our hosts enough. They let a group of friends and strangers invade their home with liquor and nothing got broken! I gave myself very small pours over the course of a few hours, got to try everything and was able to drive home with no problem. Can't wait for the next one, and there may be a sidebar gin party!
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Monday, March 2, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Reading and repairs
The number of books that I read to my son has now increased to a rotation of four. He lines them up on the floor, and when he decides to put them away he takes them, one at a time, to the bookshelf. We've been in the house a lot because the weather has been extremely cold. There's been a lot of reading.
Last week was only a two day school week with President's Day and two days cancelled due to cold. I'm sure next week will have at least one cold day. Temperatures have been below zero in the morning.
After swimming last week I was driving home in a light snow on a side street and hit a patch of ice. I was only doing about 15-20 miles per hour and slammed into the curb tire first. I knew I knocked the car out of alignment and managed to limp the short distance home. There I saw the tire had some chunks chopped out but it was not flat, yet. Limped to a repair shop that is open on Saturdays and hoped for the best, which did not quite happen. Needed a center arm and ball joint, which they could not get that day, in addition to the alignment so we had no car last weekend.
Picked up the car Monday afternoon, after waiting for the bus downtown in some freezing cold weather and was told the rim on the tire was bent, but they moved it to the rear so the car is drivable. Had to cancel a reading in Pittsburgh after getting the bill and have to make arrangements to get a new rim next week.
Today we had about half a foot of snow, which is equivalent to two feet in just about any other northern city. Roads were a mess. The temperature did get above freezing for most of the afternoon so the heat pump activated. I had to pour water on the blades to get some of the snow off as the fans were not moving. I also noticed this.
Steam freezes into interesting shapes, eh?
Last week was only a two day school week with President's Day and two days cancelled due to cold. I'm sure next week will have at least one cold day. Temperatures have been below zero in the morning.
After swimming last week I was driving home in a light snow on a side street and hit a patch of ice. I was only doing about 15-20 miles per hour and slammed into the curb tire first. I knew I knocked the car out of alignment and managed to limp the short distance home. There I saw the tire had some chunks chopped out but it was not flat, yet. Limped to a repair shop that is open on Saturdays and hoped for the best, which did not quite happen. Needed a center arm and ball joint, which they could not get that day, in addition to the alignment so we had no car last weekend.
Picked up the car Monday afternoon, after waiting for the bus downtown in some freezing cold weather and was told the rim on the tire was bent, but they moved it to the rear so the car is drivable. Had to cancel a reading in Pittsburgh after getting the bill and have to make arrangements to get a new rim next week.
Today we had about half a foot of snow, which is equivalent to two feet in just about any other northern city. Roads were a mess. The temperature did get above freezing for most of the afternoon so the heat pump activated. I had to pour water on the blades to get some of the snow off as the fans were not moving. I also noticed this.
Steam freezes into interesting shapes, eh?
Monday, January 26, 2015
Quick update on the Sleep Chronicles.
Last night he got to bed around 11, woke up just after 2AM, fell asleep less than an hour later.
It did not really matter much as school was cancelled due to the weather. We had three inches of snow here and school was called off.
Let that sink in as you realize the North East is about to get 2-3 feet of snow.
A delegation from the Democratic National Committee was here today to continue evaluating the city's worthiness for the 2016 convention. Wonder what went through their heads when they saw all the chaos three inches of snow caused. I know the convention is in the summer, but heaven help us they see a local weather forecast of hyperbole and panic when there is a chance of a thunderstorm. That's how Columbus handles a crisis.
My son's also been bringing me Green Eggs and Ham to read. He hands me the book. Points at the words on the cover of the book and says, "Ham," when he gets to that word.
I also have him saying, "Sam-I-Am," at the appropriate moments - which he does do, but very quietly.
Now he's upstairs jumping on his bed.
It did not really matter much as school was cancelled due to the weather. We had three inches of snow here and school was called off.
Let that sink in as you realize the North East is about to get 2-3 feet of snow.
A delegation from the Democratic National Committee was here today to continue evaluating the city's worthiness for the 2016 convention. Wonder what went through their heads when they saw all the chaos three inches of snow caused. I know the convention is in the summer, but heaven help us they see a local weather forecast of hyperbole and panic when there is a chance of a thunderstorm. That's how Columbus handles a crisis.
My son's also been bringing me Green Eggs and Ham to read. He hands me the book. Points at the words on the cover of the book and says, "Ham," when he gets to that word.
I also have him saying, "Sam-I-Am," at the appropriate moments - which he does do, but very quietly.
Now he's upstairs jumping on his bed.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
When will it be spring?
Nature continues to pull cold air into our space and will not let it go easily. Soon, the eggs will stand on their edges, the equinox will be here and there will be much rejoicing and shedding of clothing.
Today though, nothing but sickness. A malaise that all of the juice, cold medications and Girl Scout Cookies cannot cure.
It stays dark, even as the days brighten longer.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Our intentions were good
To get out of the house for a little while, and get off the computers for a bit I suggested to my wife that we take a walk around the Scioto Mile today.
It was a spot chilly, about twenty degrees, but there was also a stiff breeze in our faces.
My wife was struggling with her scarf, and the elements. I was not doing very well in the wind either.
Columbus was losing its color in the grey chill.
A cold train made its way through downtown. It shivered over the tracks.
We cut our walk short more than halfway through.
We made the right decision crossing over the Town Street bridge.
Because Milestone 229 was our original, final destination.
It's a good place to have a pre-grocery shopping drink, in any weather.
It was a spot chilly, about twenty degrees, but there was also a stiff breeze in our faces.
My wife was struggling with her scarf, and the elements. I was not doing very well in the wind either.
Columbus was losing its color in the grey chill.
A cold train made its way through downtown. It shivered over the tracks.
We cut our walk short more than halfway through.
We made the right decision crossing over the Town Street bridge.
Because Milestone 229 was our original, final destination.
It's a good place to have a pre-grocery shopping drink, in any weather.
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