I Wonder

May 3, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

22 years ago, I lost one of my dearest friends in the Twin Towers. In 2022, we said goodbye to my mother-in-law, her birthday was on 9/11. In 2023, I lost the man I was dating through my 20s, a relationship which ended for good in September of 2001. Six weeks later, my greatest loss […]

Building on Legacy-Arch Ray Resort

February 3, 2024.Reading time 5 minutes.

“He retraces the steps of those that came before him.” Years ago, I wrote a poem outlining the history of the Bundschu family, intertwined with the life cycle of the vine. Previous generations of the family had laid the foundation, they’d refined course and overcome obstacles to get where they were. The current generation of […]

Restoration

January 24, 2024.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Catching Up with Texas Wines

November 21, 2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

October was Texas Wine Month, so I dusted off my media hat to join two online tastings. The first was a talk and taste with Texas Fine Wine, the next highlighted wines from Texas Heritage Vineyard. While I was not able to join in person to sample the wines in the first tasting, a few […]

“She Shouted Politely…”

September 10, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

The inception of this blog followed some successful entries into poetry contests. One poem was whipped out in about thirty minutes, the other followed a day of research and a more complex process. Throughout my commitment to this venture, I would sometimes be awakened with an idea. I’d hash it out between the hours of […]

The Fruits of our Labor-Texas Harvest Reports

August 20, 2023.Reading time 24 minutes.

One of the early lessons my father instilled in me was the idea that we reap what we sow, and that often the greatest rewards come from our biggest challenges. This summer has been one of the more challenging ones I have had in my 28 years in Texas. I could say that, personally, all […]

Aquilini Wines and Man’s Best Friend

July 16, 2021.Reading time 4 minutes.

The Red Mountain AVA in Yakima Valley, Washington is typically known for its cabernet sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties. Where you find world class cabernet sauvignon, you’re likely to find equally refined sauvignon blanc. I recently sat in on a virtual tasting with Robert Larsen and Rusty Eddy of Wine and Spirits Spoken Here to learn […]

A Return to Sonoma, Virtually-Part 1

April 28, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

There are always gifts in trials. And this is one with unprecedented trials, and unexpected gifts. I miss my students, but am grateful for the extra time with my own children. I miss baseball, and drinks with friends, and browsing stores, but am grateful for the slower pace and virtual reunions. Teaching virtually means a […]

Mending-Thoughts on Easter

April 12, 2020.Reading time 7 minutes.

The birds are returning in the backyard. In the last week, my Rising Sun Redbud has gone from purple blossoms, to apricot hearts, the color now in various shades of chartreuse. Nature is not missing a beat in this radical shift. In fact, there are many stories indicating a healing is taking place. Sitting on […]