I guess it would be easiest to just assume all of my fave CA wineries are Ds... I think that's right. Both Napa and Sonoma counties are as liberal as the Bay Area proper.

No more Lincoln Continentals. That should not be a surprise. Ford some time ago announced that it was terminating car production and focusing exclusively on more-popular and higher-margin crossovers and SUVs.

*May*

Stephanie, my condolences on your loss. My you retain memories of the good times.

Jane, I sent you a beard email.

rse, Thanks for the comment. I'm pleased that the skill still is among us. I can look at a score, and hear the music until it gets too complex. Perfect pitch helps, I suppose, but taking notes on a page into pitches takes some experience. I take it for granted, but I've realized that it is not common.

Question: how many of you can read music pieces or scores? I've done it most of my life, but I've realized that this is a specialized skill. The reason I ask is that I try to post Youtube videos with scores, and they are often not easy to find.

Chopin - Scherzo No. 2, Op. 31 (Rubinstein) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_MwPdr7WXQ Complex and dark, which fits with my mood of the night.

Irritation: I cannot get my cat to stop licking my feet. This has gone on for two years now. Goodness is it irritating.

I should mention that my granddaughter now is married to Folsom prison guard. Former Navy, and a good guy. They are building a good life together.

My granddaughter will trim my hair next week. She is studying cosmetology. We'll see how she does.

Jane, I can send you a picture if you like. What's the best email address? It is a new experience, and one that I'm not sure I will keep.

Lyle, My beard still is pretty short but unruly. Still I find that I have to shave parts around my mouth, which I find irritating.

On a side note, I've had a beard for about a month now. I'm not sure I like it. Likely I'd rather shave and be done with it, but we'll see.

jimmyk, I agree with you on Zimmerman. He is a good artist, and one of Lyle's favorites. Generally I prefer Rubinstein, even with his limited technique, because he plays things straight.

A friend tells me that all the small business owners they know (mainly in construction/remodeling) have NOT gotten any of the government funding/benefits they applied for. My bank would not even apply apply on my behalf. Time for a new bank, it seems.

Oops!

Natalie Schwamová – Chopin Piano Competition 2015. She is a young Czech pianist, but very good. I love what she does with the Winter Winds Etude. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gduQV79M44U w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gduQV79M44U

Uff da == Bummer, dude That's pretty close, but the phrase is a bit more subtle. I have a consultant who is retired faculty at Minnesota. He grew up in the Bronx in NYC. He always talks about his interactions with NY and Minnesota nice. They are amusing. Uff da.

Word(s) of the day: Uff da. I've worked with a lot of Minneapolis people over the years, and picked it up. I found MrsJ using it today. It is a good phrase.

Zimerman plays Chopin Scherzo in B-flat minor, op. 31: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S94Nh-bSomo I prefer Rubinstein, but Zimerman is very very good.

What the heck: it is is morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZAsfB1Np-8 Cat Stevens, Morning has broken.

Crop report: The blueberries and raspberries are ripe, and magnificent. We have three blueberry bushes that are very productive, and they have produced this year. The raspberries are the yellow ones, as the red ones did not take. They still have excellent fruit. The tomatoes (we has six varieties planted) are starting to get ripe. I won't get into the other veggies, spices, and melons, but it looks like it is going to be a good year. MrsJ has the metaphorical green thumb.

Porch, We get repertory content here. NY and its ilk can take care of their symphonies.

Kate Liu – Chopin Scherzo in C sharp minor Op. 39 (second stage)C sharp minor Op. 39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POtG46JfmSg I had not heard of her before, but she is very good.