Since the first reading of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, palm trees have had a special place in my heart, symbolic of something exotic.
They represented escape from the Indiana landscape of my youth. In time palm trees became synonymous with vacation retreat, away from snow, ice and gray.
Race in America
A Failing Grade
Segregation in America is getting worse according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. The GAO report find the number of racially and financially segregated schools has doubled in the last 13 years.
The report finds that 61% of schools with high concentrations of poor students were racially segregated-schools that were at least three quarters black or Latino.
The US Secretary of Education says fixing it must be a priority.
This finding on top of the growing economic disparity in the US speaks legions about the ineffective response to what is a dangerous fault line in the American body politic.
Celebration of the Mediterranean spirit
Food and wine pairings are special. Stolo Family Vineyards in Cambria features a great barrel room tasting.
Le Vigne in the Paso Robles Appellation saluted Wine Festival Weekend with a charming dinner.
Vineyards abound in beauty.
Between palm trees and vineyards, life provides good reason to say Cheers!
See you down the trail.
Lana should be smiling. She's got TWO glasses of wine!
ReplyDeleteYou noticed! I'll tell her of your advice.
ReplyDeleteIf I were a betting man, I'd say that the increase in segregated schools has a lot to do with the inherent, if not inbred, racism in our benighted nation. Here's hoping that we'll see rapid reduction in racism with the passing of a generation that grew up with racism as normalcy.
ReplyDeleteAfter many years of covering race in America I am left convinced there is a residual strain of racism that is indeed passed from generation to generation. We can be hopeful in your thought though I worry ignorance knows no bounds.
ReplyDeleteOnly a vino comment....you're vineyards look the equal of Chianti, in the Tuscany region. I'm a convert of your regional wines, suggest a season to make a trip down there? I'm guessing November, but appreciate your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Mike
September and October are usually wonderful weather months. November can be magnificent as well though it can begin to rain in November, if we are lucky. In the 10 years we've lived on the Central Coast we have found October to be our favorite. The Paso region is extensive and nuanced as there are little sub appellations. They are worthy of your time and attention. Happy to provide you input.
ReplyDeleteWow that vineyard looks so cool. I've never been in one. I want to since wine is my choice of social poison. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that about America though. Hope things would get better soon.
Vineyards are beautiful to behold, produce a wonderful crop and are all together romantic.
ReplyDelete