Citizen of the World

Our condo is on the 3rd floor of a high-rise on a cliff across from NYC.  We can actually see the George Washington Bridge from our balcony and we have a decent view of the treetops and other nearby high-rises.  Our balcony also overlooks the top two levels of the building's parking garage. There's about 10 feet between the edge of our balcony and the edge of the parking deck, but the deck is easily 10 feet lower than our balcony.

I'm explaining all this because we should NEVER see PAW PRINTS in the snow on our balcony other than from birds. We rarely see birds, either. So, for Matthew to notice little paw prints was kinda weird.  Apparently, our next door neighbor now owns a cat and lets the animal out on her balcony from time to time. I thought I heard a "meow" from time to time and this just confirms it - and it wasn't through the walls, it was from our balcony!  The floor of our balcony continues from our side to our neighbor's side and the railing continues beyond a separator between our segments of the entire balcony slab. So, it's not unusual that a cat would find a way to jump onto the railing - carefully - and walk over to our side. Or even looping around the railing on the floor, which would be the safer route. Cats are known to be ultra curious, but ultra safe. 

I love cats, so finding these little paw prints in the snow, to me, was a cute little find this morning!

A few weeks ago, I ordered some BLAAK cheese. It's an ashed goat cheese produced by the Fabulous Beekman Boys' farm in Sharon Springs, NY. We visited the farm and Sharon Springs for the first time this past spring for their Garden Party.

The cheese arrived about 1.5 weeks ago. We've slowly been savoring it and have even shared it with some friends, one of whom is a friend of one of the Beekman Boys. BLAAK is really, really tasty. It's slightly tart, but has a soft sweetness about it. The texture is not creamy like a brie, but also not as firm as, say, baby Swiss cheese. The edible rind is slightly harder than the inside; it is not smoky, as one might think. If you're not careful, the ash can get EVERYWHERE. It washes off easily, though.

It's really fun to have met and petted the goats whose milk produced the cheese awaiting our knife in front of us. While planning the whole BLAAK cheese experience, we discovered Bearboat's Pinot Noir 2007 vintage and Yellowtail's Shiraz-Cabernet (both delicious reds). Of course, we would be remiss if we didn't have wine with the cheese anyway, but adding a new wine heightened the whole experience.

The BearBoat was an especially wonderful find because it seems that the vineyard is owned and operated by a gay couple in the Russian River Valley. That area is home to one our country's fine gay Meccas, Guerneville, CA. It's not terribly surprising that a gay couple would own and operate a winery, but we were surprised to find the wine here in NJ and no one seems to know it. The primary reason Matt picked it up at the store, certainly, was because of the picture of the two bears rowing a boat. One of the bears is answering the other's question in French, which Matt thought that was funny because it's something I do to him.

The bottle's inscription on the back reads:"This is the story of Mac and Zeke, two inquisitive bears who find themselves on a quest to enjoy life's great curiosities. With no actual destination in mind they prefer to take their surroundings and simply enjoy the journey. You'll find them adrift wherever the current and the occasional row may take them. The Russian River Valley's cool morning fog and moderate afternoon temperatures give this BearBoat Pinot Noir richness and texture with bright acidity that balances beautifully. The aromas are a blend of raspberry and red cherry with a toasty vanilla spice flavor and lingering finish."
WE.HAD.TO.GET.IT.

It's fascinating to consider the build up to this moment of writing up this review of the cheese and the wine. Here's the process:

1. Late 2010 and into early 2011, Matt and I watched the Fabulous Beekman Boys on Planet Green (about 10 hrs).
2. We took the road trip up to Sharon Springs, NY, for the Garden Party.
3. We stayed at the American Hotel and met its two charming owners, Doug Plummer and Garth Roberts (who got married this summer - YAY!).
4. At the Garden Party, we met other wonderful folks, such as Gail Luna and his partner, Drew, who design and make delicious cakes.
5. We took the tour of the Beekman mansion and its grounds, and later visited the store to buy some goat milk soap.
6. We met Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, the two Beekman Boys, and Farmer John Hall and his partner, Jason Paden, who raise and tend the goats. All of these men are beautiful people and very gracious hosts.
7. We even got to hang out with and get to know Doug better at Bear Week in Provincetown this summer, which was a lot of fun.
8. I posted blog entries about Sharon Springs and made scrapbook pages about our trip.
9. I ordered the BLAAK online, posted an entry about it and we shopped for a good wine.
10. Now, I'm posting the finale.

Leading up to this post, it's been almost an entire year and our lives have been enriched. We've learned more about goats and making cheese, experienced another historical American town, and got to know at least 10 wonderful people!  Exhilarating!

Reviewing and describing our unique journeys should enlighten us to how wonderful our lives are. Take a moment sometime to review the process and impact of one of your own journeys.

I just happened to see this gallery of pictures noted in the corner of a Fail Blog post about Google auto-fills. I thought, "Bunnies can be creepy," when I saw this, but I had no idea.

Check it out.

A kitty cat strolled into our motel room in Huntington Beach along the Pacific Coast Highway. We're home now and I'm working through our photos to post them up (1/3 done!). Enjoy this snippet of things we experienced whilst on the Left Coast.

You must. I repeat (repetitiously, firmly, strongly, and voraciously): You MUST watch this show:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/rescue-ink-unleashed/4396/Overview

It is the most adorable show on the planet with the most adorable (and hot) men on TV. They are real. They are caring. They carry kittens in their big, tattooed biceps. They're Italian and they're New York animal rescuers on TV.

Awesome (Can't believe I haven't seen djmadadam post about it!! Did you? If you didn't and haven't seen the show, by whatever means you can, record a show and watch it. You'll LOVE IT!!).

Here are some highlights from the show tonight:

Meet Joe (yum!):





This is Big Ant:




Joe and the guys caught chickens in NY-Queens and took them to a farm in upstate NY:




So wonderful. These guys are all men, men's men, family men, and wonderful.

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are
fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for
the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in
order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my
dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their
feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it
clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made
condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was
placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However,
I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my
confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what
this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my
tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try
this again tomorrow --but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and
seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with
the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My
captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell,
so he is safe. For now . . .