Steel Kaleidoscopes

Hang in There

Just chillin'.

Perfect ... So Far

Congratulations, Patriots.

16-0 — that's quite a feat.

But to settle all arguments of whether or not you're the best NFL team ever, you'll need to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Phoenix in February.

It would be a surprise if the season ended any other way.

Top 10 Wines of 2007

These are the Top 10 wines I sampled in 2007. While the specific vintages may be hard to find, the producers are generally consistent from year to year.

1. Rosenblum Abba Vineyard Syrah, 2004
Wow. This is a pucker-punch with loads of fresh fruit.

2. Louis Jadot Puligny-Montrachet, 2002
Smooth as silk, the perfect complement to lobster on the deck.

3. Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, 1997
Subtle and refined, another '97 that delivers as promised.

4. Novy Page-Nord Vineyard Syrah, 2000
Power and finesse. Simply delicious and worth the wait.

5. Caymus Conundrum, 2005
Reminds me a high-end Guwertztraminer but not as sweet.

6. Chimney Rock Cabernet, 2004
Wonderful flavor and texture. Classic Cab.

7. Domaine LaTour Giraud Puligny-Montrachet, 1999
Gathers finesse with age. Magical sitting on the deck in the sun.

8. Pellegrini Chardonnay, 2005
Long Island gem is subtle, crisp, clean and underrated.

9. Leasingham Clare Valley Bin 61 Shiraz, 1998
Well-worth the wait. Delicious red with tremendous balance.

10. Chateau Bel Air Bordeaux, 1997
The Bordeaux that convinces me to keep buying Bordeaux.

Happy Birthday, Sis

52 is the new 32.

A healthy mind and body inspires longevity.

Ponce De Leon lives in Halfmoon, N.Y.

Smiles, hugs and laughter take you far.

Peter Pan hovers above, passing by as there is no work to be done.

Green tea, eight glasses of water a day, a glass or two of wine and Denise Austin keep the toes kicking.

52 is the new 32.

Amazing Meals

This is the time of year to eat good food and drink fine wine.

We're doing it.

Sunday's menu was stone crab with Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon and Zenato Valpolicella .

Monday we had grilled sirloin steak with Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon.

Last night we had prime rib with Montoya Cabernet Sauvignon and Cambria Pinot Noir.

Tonight it's dinner out at Tomato, one of Naple's finest restaurants and a unique wine experience.

And tomorrow night, after hitting the links in 80-degree temps, it's lobster, spaghetti with lobster sauce and Stag's Leap Chardonnay (a white will be a nice change).

And I'll avoid the scale for a while.

Quote of the Day

"Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind."

— Mary Ellen Chase, Writer

Christmas Eve, 1973

Sleigh riding down the Peck's hill.

Trudging through four feet of snow in the woods behind the back yard with my brother, Bob, looking for signs of wildlife.

Throwing snowballs at cars from the woods off Leggs Mills Road near the DeHoff's house, then hiding behind the old stone slab well.

Coming inside, my fingers and toes feeling like they're going to fall off they're so cold.

Eating a grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of hot chocolate.

Dad's playing Christmas music on the turntable.

Mom's reading on her seat in the corner of the couch, under the soft light of the winter lamp.

My sister Carol is singing, while sister Kathy is wrapping a recent painting she's packaging as a gift.

Nicky, our gray poodle, is asleep by the old, noisy, hissing heater.

The weather forecast is calling for more snow, and we're already buried.

It's nice not to be in school today.

Instead, it's a snapshot in time we'll always remember and hold dear.

Christmas Eve in Lake Katrine.

Turnstiles in Babylon

Smoky chasms, flickers of red glow through a seamstress' 9-to-5 workday.

Loge and mezzanine, barkers hawking caps with glitter and 20-ounce ginger beers.

Cardboard mannequins.

Strapped In

I've heard of a cat in a hat, but a cat in a shoe?

(Photo courtesy of Tim in Syracuse.)

Quote of the Day

"At Christmas, all roads lead home."

-- Marjorie Holmes, Writer