California Dreaming

Friend Dan had a magnum bottle of 2004 Sterling Cabernet that I didn't know about until today. Suddenly, the 103 degree temperature outside was unimportant and I got our pre-A.C. (A.C.,latin: "aether"=air "condicio"=conditioning) car started and headed over there to make sure it was genuine. Sterling Vineyards is a winery near Calistoga, a central coast region well-known for its waters. They are geyserous and curative and I was hoping the same benefits were imparted to its wine but I am not an optimist and was prepared for pleasurable disappointment.

Dan and I are in our 60s and therefore knew enough to ask our dates to this function some 40 years in advance. They immediately tired of our silent appreciation of the waters and began discussing charmeuse silk as they wandered away. Being longtime Californians, Dan and I thought they were saying "Shamu", which is the name of a whale at Marine World who became famous for something and whose name was associated with whales ever after.

We decided "charmeuse" is a French word for whale.

Then the conversation would drift back as our wives passed though with their heads together and we learned of warp and weft. Ah! All who have taken folding chairs and hot cocoa to Reyes Point in January know the whales are passing by on their way to...something. As we consumed more of the waters we speculated upon this migratory imperative. This destination must be where the whales spin their cocoons and hope to emerge as butterflies weighing 3 to 9 tons.

We learned whale silk is used in bridal gowns, hankies and boxer shorts. It was at this point I looked at Dan and wondered why he stopped aging at 45 tops while I look every minute of my age. When I recover from the effect of these rejuvenating waters, I fully intend to investigate it. Meanwhile, I'll have what he's having.