#17 - March 30th, 2005

When I drove into the 'downtown' area of Philo one afternoon last week, the incessant rain ,which had been pouring for hours, suddenly stopped and seconds later the sunshine broke through the clouds, shining down in distinctive rays onto the rain-drenched road and buildings of the local town. It was a minor miracle…I can assure you that I'd not been drinking and, as some people might say around here, "I'd rather kiss a bear's ass than lie to you".…..
It seemed like it had been raining for days (it had !) and I was getting very restless up at the nest - no fun for anyone in my proximity I was reliably informed. I decided I had to take flight to somewhere and what could be better on a miserable day when you need cheering up than a visit to the local shop and local post office, with local people around - "Strangers are very welcome here but we don't like trouble", said a paranoid local man I once knew….Anyway, Lemon's market was virtually empty but I enjoyed some lively conversation with the always entertaining Lucy who was intentionally, and very amusingly, behaving as both the best and worst sales person at the same time, enthusiastically encouraged I must say by Dawn from her position at the cashier's desk…You don't just get groceries here - you get 'abused' too ! Ya gotta like that…..
Swooping down the highway just a few yards away I entered the Post Office arriving in the middle of what turned out to be a very entertaining discussion about 'this, that, and the other'. Those involved were an elderly silver-haired gentleman and the three employees, Joe and Sheila behind the counter, and Amy making sure everything, apart from the language, was clean and tidy. As for the topic of conversation - I couldn't possibly comment… and even if I could it cannot be repeated in a family newspaper. However, I can say that it ended with some funny exchanges resulting in everyone laughing out loud as the gathering broke up. This is why coming to the Post Office in Philo is always such a pleasure - many thanks from me to the guys and gals who work there for making it so….
Leaving town the sun was still streaming through and I could feel the warmth….However, within minutes, as I passed the Roederer vineyards, the clouds came over once again, the sun disappeared, and the downpour resumed - although I'm fairly certain that it was not Roederer's fault …..
Later in the week as the rains slowly ebbed away I felt an overwhelming desire for some pork. I'm sure you understand. The decision to go to Libby's Mexican restaurant in Philo was an easy one and the carnitas plate was up to the usual high standard thanks to Libby and the top notch kitchen crew. There was a mixed crowd in there from winery people mingling with some of the 'Airport Crowd' to local families and business owners and other familiar faces - all enjoying their meals by all accounts. As usual the service provided by the excellent Keri was first rate and I left with a full stomach and a feeling of money well spent - nothing wrong with that is there ?…..
Conversely there is something very wrong with the high number of drivers on our winding highways who continue to ignore a very basic rule of the road. It's not only courteous but a legal requirement that "Slower vehicles must pull over to permit passing" (California Vehicle Code # 21656). This annoying refusal to pull-over is a pet peeve of many people who live up here, particularly as our roads have plenty of turnouts to allow this to happen. Nevertheless, many drivers moving at a snail's pace simply refuse to let others pass despite been confronted by the above words on numerous large white signposts …Why ?? What's their problem ?…I think we should be told…..
Sign that The Apocalypse is upon us #14 - I rarely get too involved with the national political scene in this column but let's face it, at this point the White House Gang are behaving in an almost cult-like fashion. Not satisfied that he has surrounded himself with an inner circle of uncompromising and single-minded individuals who care little for the viewpoints of nearly half the electorate, Gee Dubya Bush has made a new controversial addition to his 'team'. We now have, as acting director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Matthew J. Hogan formerly the chief lobbyist for Safari Club International (SCI), an extreme trophy hunting organization that advocates the killing of rare species around the world. Even though this will be temporary it is still shocking, or rather it would be if carried out by people other than these megalomaniacs. If it were not so serious, it would appear that Bush and his cronies are just "having a laugh" at our expense…..
As described by the Humane Society of the U.S., the Arizona-based SCI has made a name for itself as one of the most extreme and elite trophy hunting organizations, representing some 40,000 wealthy trophy collectors, fostering and promoting competitive trophy hunting of exotic animals on five continents. SCI members shoot prescribed lists of animals to win so-called Grand Slam and Inner Circle titles. There's the Africa Big Five (leopard, elephant, lion, rhino, and buffalo), the North American Twenty Nine (all species of bear, bison, sheep, moose, caribou, and deer), Big Cats of the World, Antlered Game of the Americas, and many other contests.. To complete all 29 award categories, a hunter must kill a minimum of 322 separate species and sub-species - enough to populate a large zoo. There is no guarantee that the full-time position will not be filled by an equally inappropriate appointee because, as with the recent selections to other key positions, it's as if the Bush Administration is making some of these extreme moves simply because they can…It's all very sad…..
On a lighter note…Having been out of commission for a couple of weekends it was time to visit one of my favorite haunts - The Buckhorn Saloon in downtown Boonville. It was great to be back in the saddle (or rather the tractor seat barstool) with a pint of the Anderson Valley Brewery's Poleeko Gold in my hand as I devoured a superb burger from Pilar's kitchen where she is very ably assisted by Laura. It's a fine, friendly bar and I hope more people continue to discover this fact as the summer months approach…..
Talking of friends, some of you may have spotted that lonesome Turkey Vulture hanging out at the side of Highway 128 between Handley Cellars Vineyard and Gschwend Road. He is just fine. He's an old acquaintance of mine and has always been a loner as he goes about his business in search of fresh carrion of which there seems to be plenty at this time of year…On a related note I cannot recall seeing so many rabbits on the backroads at this time of year as I've seen of late - surely they cannot all be Easter bunnies ? Every evening for the past week I've had at least a couple of them in my headlights as they run ahead on the backroads, seemingly afraid to leave the safety (?) of the road for the dangers of the unlit fields and pastures until they finally take the plunge as the threat of being crushed is upon them…I like seeing these wild rabbits - dead or alive !…..
Finally this week a word to conjure with as you try to impress friends with your vocabulary - a Mattoid is someone who is insane from birth. Now that should be easy to get into a sentence I'm sure……
Meanwhile, may your god go with you, if you have one …and let's not forget to prey…regards, Turkey Vulture…..