What an enjoyable weekend!
Here's some facts: Washington is the second largest state producer of wine in the US. CA is the biggest.
Walla Walla is an Appellation in the state and is also a town, about 100 miles form here. So yesterday morning G'pa and I and Riley the airedale hit the road for Walla Walla, armed with a map, a few internet downloads and a motel room booked.
We arrived around 1 pm and headed right for a group of wineries near the east end of town. Wow! The first winery was great, and we kept thinking that we would find some bad ones. But we kept tasting, and never found any bad ones!
Late afternoon we retired to our room for a break, and a rest. Later, we walked the dog around town, listened to some street music, and generally enjoyed Walla Walla. What a nice town!
Turns out there are more than 100 wineries in town!
We visited several more this morning (they opened at 10am) and discovered several more that were excellent. I think we came home with three cases of wine altogether!
We stopped for lunch at a recommended restaurant - Brasserie 4 - and had wonderful mussels! Then headed home to Pullman. A lovely relaxing weekend.
BTW, Walla Walla means many waters. It is home to both Cayuse and Walla Walla indians.

Washington wines

Record heat again today - I think we hit 100.
But with the end of the first week of classes Irv and I have booked a motel in Walla Walla and we and Riley are off there tomorrow to do some Washington wine tasting.
It is supposed to be cooler tomorrow so it should be a fun day and a half! Looking at the map there seem to be about 50 wineries in the Walla Walla area. We probably won't get to all of them!

First day teaching for this autumn semester today. It seemed to go well. I had class this morning and then seminar this afternoon. Seemed like a long day. But enjoyable!

Passed my motorcycle driver's test today, so look out! Here I come!

I was nervous about it and hadn't really practiced the moves. But I did fine. The only problem was with the "swerve and stop" maneuver. I lost a few points on that one, but otherwise I rather impressed the two young kids who were also taking the test. We all passed so it was a joyful morning!

Incongruous

G'pa is in Atlanta and I have been working hard getting ready for this coming semester. It has been nice to have lots of uninterrupted time to get work done. And yet ... this evening I wrote this...

Incongruous
I miss my partner – is that what you call love?
Love every new idea for fifteen minutes says Dr Phil. What a good idea – we should try that.
I don’t feel right with you half (or more) a continent away. We are somehow partners, even though we rub each other the wrong way many times.
You are my familiar. I am your grounding.
This house is somehow empty and vacant and wanting and missing something.
What is it about traveling around the world?
Yes it’s fun and interesting to see places I’ve never seen before.
But, there are lots of places here that we can explore.
And also, I think that perhaps there’s something of an element of escape in travelling.
What am I running from? Why am I not content with place?
I can think of lots of reasons to stay home for the summer and not travel.
Mostly gardening.
Being attached to place.
Being grounded.
What are we waiting for?
Libby
August 11, 2009

Let me try some pics and news about our latest trip. It's turning out to be the most expensive trip ever - it cost plenty, but we had a leaky pipe in the downstairs of our Lolo house while we were away and --- Oh, well, it's under control but the bill is out of this world!

But, Greece. We went first to the island of Naxos. Loved it! If you ever go there, be sure to stay at the Hotel Grotta! The family owned and run hotel was great, and the family members were all so friendly and helpful.
Here's the link: http://www.hotelgrotta.gr/



We enjoyed four days there - time enough to explore the town, the archaeological sites, the Venetian connection, the beach, the shops and the restaurants. we also explored the island, one day by car and one day on a four wheeler - that was another adventure! Thank goodness for the icecream truck!). Lots to see and we had fun.
I then went to my conference while G'pa stayed in Athens. We both enjoyed our stays. Then G'pa traveled to Thessaloniki to meet up with me and we left next day (separately because we lost each other! But I will not go into that debacle)for Halkidiki and the town of Sarti. Great fun! I planned that part, and my only requirement was beach and sun and swimming and eating and drinking and relaxing! It met all of those! Great! I recommend Sarti. We bought a snorkeling set and had lots of fun with it. We found an isolated cove which we had to ourselves for two days. Perfect!
Then we traveled to England to visit both my brothers and my mother. Quite a change, climatewise. But great to see all my family members. We had some fun too. Went to Billy Elliot the musical in London, and to As you like it at the Shakespeare theater in Stratford.
Also went to the car boot sale on sunday morning at Long Marston with my younger bro!

I am back from my travels again! Greece and England this time. More on that later. I am too tired to talk about it.
Here's a neat poem I read this morning:

Patriotism

by Ellie Schoenfeld

My country is this dirt
that gathers under my fingernails
when I am in the garden.
The quiet bacteria and fungi,
all the little insects and bugs
are my compatriots. They are
idealistic, always working together
for the common good.
I kneel on the earth
and pledge my allegiance
to all the dirt of the world,
to all of that soil which grows
flowers and food
for the just and unjust alike.
The soil does not care
what we think about or who we love.
It knows our true substance,
of what we are really made.
I stand my ground on this ground,
this ground which will
ultimately
recruit us all
to its side.

"Patriotism" by Ellie Schoenfeld, from The Dark Honey. © Clover Valley Press, 2009.