It was an unusually sunny morning like this, clear skies and a curious calm about. I was 25 or so, teaching Middle School at the time. I was running a few minutes late to work, already picturing the students lined up outside the classroom door - me racing to the front, keys out, coffee balanced - the last kid inside just before the starting bell. But as I pulled up I discovered the lot nearly empty. It was a Monday, and Presidents Day or something of the sort was being observed and somehow I was completely unaware that school was closed. My immediate response was not joy, but mostly frustration at my idiocy. An embarrassment at how long it took me to put it together, recalling the quiet of the neighborhood earlier and the unusually light traffic heading over.
It would make for a lovely segue (for the purpose of this email) to tell you that after the realization of this magical extra free day I embarked on some Ferris Bueller like adventure. But the universe intervened. Or rather, a tiny woman in her 70s intervened. She volunteered at the church next door to our public school, and through broken English explained that she had to drop something off but now her car wouldn't start and how she needed to get to her husband and was rather frantic about it all. Before jumper cables were proposed, or even simple names exchanged, she opened my passenger door and just got in. OK then. She directed me through the neighborhood, a few miles north of the school to what I presumed to be her home. She asked me to wait in the car and scurried off inside. After nearly 10 minutes out front, I wondered what was going on. Was my good deed done? Was she wondering why I was still idling? (Waiting around for a tip? Or some fruitcake?). I had nearly decided to pull away when she emerged with a packed lunch and a Coke. Had to make food for the kids, she said. Am ready. Let's go.
Where are we going? I asked in further confusion. Airport! she said, pointing forward, eyes wound up. We're late!
This Saturday is a leap day. An extra day. A bizarre, almost magical free day. Check your calendars, get the word out. Plan ahead. Hit the coast, the park. Cook an epic dinner. Meet a friend. Bring a bottle. Bring two. Or come drink with us. Bring a friend. Bring an old Filipino lady. Flights all weekend. Don't be late.
TONIGHT: Thursday Night Flights. All domestic Red and White Flights this evening.
Flights $12 from 5-9 and wines by the glass until close.
White Flight
2018 Santa Barbara Winery Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Wait Cellars Russian River Chardonnay
2019 Loella Pinot Gris
Red Flight
2017 James Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 NIsse-Hygge Natural Red (Oregon)
2018 Folk Machine Pinot Noir
SATURDAY: Wines of Burgundy. Flights $15 from 2-6 and wines by the glass until 9pm.
2017 Chavy-Chouet Aligote Les Petits Poiriers
2017 Domaine Marc Cameron Bourgogne Blanc Tonnerre Sagara
2018 Thevenet & Fils Les Clos Bourgogne Rouge
2016 Confuron-Gindre Coteaux Bourguignons
SUNDAY: Wines of Loire Valley. Flights $15 from 2-6 (closing at 7pm)
2018 Domaine Pepiere 'Le Pepie' Muscadet
2018 Domaine Les Hauts Noelles Gamay
2018 Baudry-Dutour Amaranthe Chinon Rouge
See you soon,
Daniel
*** PLEASE NOTE that we will be closing one hour early - at 7pm - on Sunday, March 1st, for Staff Appreciation Dinner. Thank you for your understanding!