Wine and Cheese and Laughter

Two weeks ago I had what was probably the most fun night out I have had since moving to New York! It was my first home wine tasting party. Hosted by Dave and Michelle. Of course, Michael Jackson was there too. (And by Michael Jackson, I mean their incredibly smart three year old daughter who pretends to be MJ. Dancing, singing, costume changes, the works. Adorable!)

There were about 14 of us gathered. Everyone was instructed to bring either a red wine that was specific to a region or relating to their heritage, or a type of cheese. We had to prepare little speeches describing our fare, informing the group what made our offering special and which also helped in the guessing of which wine was which. The presentations were almost my favorite part. (My favorite part of the evening is yet to come.)

We then tasted each wine and had to rate it and guess who brought it based on their descriptions. Ellie brought a wine from Romania (Transylvania maybe?) and had something to do with werewolves in her presentation. How do you guess which wine goes with human flesh??? Hilarious!

So after tasting 8 different types of wine (and feeling a little twisted in the process) we rated and guessed who brought what, and the winner with the most right answers was...a Three Way Tie. So after a wine trivia Q & A, the winner was...a Two Way Tie. And how do you break a Two Way Tie? Why with a Talent Show, of course!

And this was my favorite part of the evening. Ralph doing his Michael Jackson moonwalk and Steve with his Mick Jagger strut. Two of the most quiet and reserved men who allowed a room filled with friends chanting "Talent Show, Talent Show" to intimidate them into performing so they could "win" the wine tasting contest. I laughed until my sides hurt and tears nearly rolled down my cheeks. Yes, a night to remember. Total cost: $13 in cheese and crackers. Memories: Priceless!

Skype

(Note: this picture is not me or Isabella, not even actors portraying us!)
What an incredible invention. I love to Skype! I realize that this is not a new invention, but it is new to me. I now get to see my family, and by family I mean my precious granddaughter and her parents, and not just hear my family. Or, to be truthful, not just text my family or stalk them on facebook to see what they're up to.

Before getting a camera to plug into my pc, the only calls I made by video were with incarcerated felons at Riker's Island. I still get to do that, part of my job, with help from the WhisperRoom. [Shout out to my cousin, Shari, and her husband, the inventors of the WhisperRoom!] www.whisperroom.com



But I must say, seeing Isabella Marie via video, MUCH nicer!

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, the book

Last end of summer/beginning of fall I finished what is now my favorite book, and the inspiration behind my blog name, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The two and a half hours I used to spend commuting each day flew by like they never had before while I was reading this book. (That was also around the time I stopped blogging regularly, and this is one of the unfinished posts I'm just getting around to finishing.)

The main character, Francie, grew up in Brooklyn. She is a smart, tough survivor, who loves the library, loves to read, and loves dill pickles. What's not to love about a character like that? (Hmm, now I'm beginning to notice why I loved Francie so much and why I loved this book!)

As soon as I finished reading it, I lent it to my co-worker who I hoped would enjoy it as much as I did. My plan was when she returned it, to read it again. She got halfway through it. Said it was good, but really descriptive--she couldn't focus on it. (What I loved about the book was that it was so descriptive!) This I believe speaks of the younger, instant gratification generation. You know, the generation that never has to even type entire words (lol, btw, rotfl, etc.) to describe their feelings, how are they expected to read a book where entire paragraphs are devoted to a thought? Or, we just have different tastes in books.

So I didn't read it again. Instead I lent it to my sister (no generational gap there!) so I could have her opinion. Trouble is, I gave it to my younger sister to pass off to my older sister. So I now have a missing book!

If you've read the book yourself, I'd love to know your opinion. Did you like it, love it, never finish it? If you haven't read it, get to the library and read it and then let me know your opinion. And share with me your favorite book!

Shopping in my Harlem Neighborhood

Really this post is more about shopping in New York rather than just my new neighborhood. I still have not adjusted to the differences compared with shopping in the suburbs of Michigan.

Today I was in Paragon, a department store down the street from me. It's about my third time in there. There's one floor with areas including: clothes, home decorating, cleaning and beauty supplies. It's where I've shopped for household cleaners, lotions, toothpaste, etc. Great prices and again, right down the street.

So I'm getting ready to check out and what's this? There's an ENTIRE OTHER LEVEL downstairs. Right there across from the checkout! Impossible to miss, except I've been there 3 times and missed it! Cookware, gifts, furniture, toys, etc. This store has everything!

It's like everything in NYC. I have to look at things with a different perspective. Buildings, stores are not what they may appear to be at first glance (or second or third glance.) Just like what I'm learning to do with the people I encounter. I tend to judge them by their outward appearance and judge them based upon some fault or shortcoming I have in myself, most times without ever realizing it.

I am constantly brought back to the Gospels where Jesus noticed things that his disciples did not. They saw what was right in front of them yet missed what was right in front of them. Just like me. Yet the disciples and I have Jesus and the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide us. I just pray that I ask him for guidance every day so that I don't miss what is right in front of me. As he went along, he saw...

My Studio Apartment-After

Now this is more like it! I still have to organize my closet and bathroom, but the rest is done! Honestly, it's better than I expected. Home, Sweet, Home!