The Salt of the Earth + The Sweet of the Fruit

At some point on Thursday I started to think about my weekend plans that had changed from snowshoeing in Bend to chillin' in Portland. My first thought went to having a mellow night and making homemade pizza with friends, but then I thought I would step up the fun and have an informal wine tasting to go along with the homemade pizza.

The result was a wonderful event that would not have happened in the same spectacular fashion had it not been for the awesome girls from the Yo-Home and their Washington visitor along with my wife who gave her approval!

As you can see, people were screaming about how much fun we had...that's a Yo-Homer and my wife trying to make sure our neighbors did not get any sleep. They forgot that we no longer live in an apartment where you can hear everything that your neighbors do. Our house withstood the sound check!

My wife was in charge of keeping order in the kitchen, but as you can see, the pizza was so unstinkingbelievable that people had to use the Orcas to fight off the attaching food fiends. Come on Yo-Homer #2, be a little more friendly. I thought you learned how to share in kindergarten. Maybe next time we will have to hire kitchen security.


While pizza was the main ingredient, the added fun came in the form of a flight of 8 wines that the Yo-Home and the Davi shared with guests. People's palates were pleased by 4 whites and 4 reds that included the following...

Biltmore Estate - Chenin Blanc - circa 2002 - North Carolina
Capitello - Pinot Gris - 2006 - Willamette Valley
Badger Mountain - Organic Riesling - 2006 - Columbia Valley
Cooper Mountain - Chardonnay - 2006

WillaKenzie - Pinot Noir - 2005 - Willamette Valley
Chateau Ste. Michelle - Merlot - 2003 - Columba Valley
Glorioso - Reserva - 2001 - Rioja (Spain)
Rondan - Crianza - 2001 - Rioja (Spain)

Thanks to all of you who were able to make it, and the Yo-Home and Davi look forward to providing you (and us of course) with more fun in the future. It is us great people that another Davi claimed to be The Salt of the Earth while I noted that we, too, are The Sweet of the Fruit.

Thanks Yo-Homers, and next time will be better!

Get Out And Romp

Dr. Martin Luther the King Junior

At times my wife and I struggle to understand the focal point of the sermon we listen to at church, which makes going to church hard some Sundays. While we did not know what yesterday's topic was going to be, we did not struggle with going to church, and we are both glad we were there.

Growing up in the churches and region we did, hearing about Dr. King was not typical outside of American History class in high school and Black History Month (February). Thus, we were not accustomed to a message that was focused on Dr. King's prophetic words in "I Have a Dream" speech on Sunday. Rick (Imago Dei) opened with some sincere bits about himself and challenges to us the church relating to civil rights and racism (passive or active), even noting that he thought about speaking on a topic that was easier on him and his audience. However, he stood up to make a difference within the congregation and himself. He then turned to Amos 5:21-24 and Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech and encouraged us to listen to the prophetic words that sadly sing true even today, 44 years after the speech was made. I have never been in a church as quite and focused on the message as our church was yesterday. Rick, thanks for stepping up to the challenge and delivering the right message on Sunday. Now if only we can "let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream" (Amos 5:24), to which Dr. King make a direct reference (intentionally or unintentionally I do not know).

On a personal note, I am glad that we have the grasp of the south that we do because the message spoke even louder to us than it did some of our friends who do not have the understanding of life and evident racism that live on in the south.

Enjoy and savor today, the day at least one race recognizes as Dr. Martin Luther the King Junior Day!

Get Out And Romp