I have mentioned previously that US wine makers have no compunctions about using the region specific names of Champagne and Port when naming sparkling white wine or fortified red wine. Today, I purchased a bottle of California Sherry. Since California is not in the Cadiz region of Spain, the use of the name seems suspect. It is for adding to my collection of mixers for cocktails, so it does not have to match a great Spanish Fino. The vintner’s name hardly inspires confidence; to my English sensibilities Sheffield conjures visions of the South Yorkshire Steel City, not a place that makes one think of great wines.
A Dark Knight in the White House
I came across a new blog that seems just up my street. Despite, or maybe because of, not being American I have a deep interest in US Presidents. I have read biographies on many of them, including some of the less well known ones like Franklin Pierce and Garfield. This newly discovered blog is the American Presidents Blog, a selection of writings about Presidents and First Ladies. There are a couple of intriguing posts comparing Batman to Theodore Roosevelt; read them before you laugh at the notion.
LPG
Saturday night our BBQ grill sputtered out, fortunately not before the Tri-Tip was cooked. The grill’s gas canister was now empty, as was our backup cylinder. I realised that having a task in my to do list to refill the empty one had not in and of itself achieved the desired result.
On Sunday I went out to obtain full cylinders. In the UK, I would take the empties to Homebase or B&Q and swap them for full ones. Here in the US, I took them to a petrol station. The station had a large tank of propane and the attendant refilled the two cylinders. I assume that the station needs to keep a second attendant for the propane and possibly for disabled people who are cannot use the petrol pumps.
