John, Dominic and Dwight: Thank you for your kind words.

Dwight: Apparently grape plants take 3-5 years to produce viable grapes. There are so many wineries being built in this area that it will be easy to sell them. No plans to ferment them ourselves just yet, but we're talking with others about forming a co-op winery. That way we can be partners without having to do all the work.

At the moment we are feeling a bit like the drug dealer who doesn't sample his own product because about two months ago we were over at a neighbors' house and they, thinking they're great winemakers (they're not), had us sample each of their various wines that night, both white and red. Now, you and Dominic probably know that you shouldn't mix whites and reds, and you are right. The hangover we had the next day was something for the record books. Needless to say, we haven't touched the stuff since. Well, at least we won't be drinking up the profits.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Alison, I am sorry to hear about your brother. I agree with my buddy Dwight, life is, as the Bible says, a puff of smoke, here one day gone the next. My buddy Dwight is correct in saying that is one reason why we should always stay in touch and cultivate our friendships, we need to learn to value what is truly important, and to understand that this life is brief, but eternal life is forever. You sound strong and like you are doing well, I pray the God of all comfort will continue to strengthen you and comfort you inside.

Thanks. The time of my deployment is getting closer.

Alison: I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I hope you do find solice that it happened at the family cottage. And it does not sound like he suffered. My prayers are with you and your family.

Alison: I am very sorry to hear about your brother. May he rest in peace.
on another note, I am happy to hear you and Bill were able to plant your grapes. Felicidades.

Scott Close: Good to hear from you. Where do you live?

orale, el scott close, que pex hijin. a que te dedicas. ya aprendiste a hablar espaņol?

Alison,
I was saddened to hear about Jim. What a tremendous shock for you and your family. It is hard to understand how someone so young could be taken so quickly from his family. I believe I met him one or two times, once when I spent the night, and perhaps one other time. How is the rest of your family doing? They must all be in shock, as well.

Scott Close, great to hear from you! I heard you were a fighter pilot? Are you still serving? How is your brother Tim? I remember both of you with much affection! Say hi to him for me! Welcome home!

Edited by author 07-17-2007 09:40 PM
Dominic. Barrett was asked to play in the Senior division tonight. The Senior division is comprised of 8th graders. Barrett is going into the 4rd grade. Long story short...Barrett scored a goal and had an assist.

Dang John, your 4th grade son scoring goals and making assists against 8th graders?! That's impressive :)

John M. Pretty impressive. We could have used him in our playing days!!

Andres: Que onda. Que cuentas de nuevo? Saludos

John: How do you say Barrett in Chinise? the answer CHIN. How do you say Maroney in Chinise? the answer? GON. So I guess your kids name is CHIN-GON!
They should have the 2007 Fall season official CRUZ AZUL jersey out in a week or two, Barrett has one comming!

Cindy: Yes, it certainly was a shock. Jim's wife Maggie is a strong lady and she's holding up well. Scott lives about two hours north of here in Vernon, BC, Laurie is living in Ft Myers, Florida and my other sister Dawn (you never met her) lives in Vancouver. They're all OK.

Elena: No, thankfully he did not suffer. Our cottage was his favorite place on earth, so it seems right that he died there. He could have been driving down the highway with his family when it happened. Someone was looking after things.

John Maroney: It sounds as if you have quite an athlete at home.

It sure is good to have reconnected with all of you after so many years. You're a good group of people.

Alison. My wife's sister JJ died of cancer last year. They were almost like twins. It had been her third time battling cancer. She had grown up dealing with illness. Nina delivered a Eulogy at her funeral that still makes me weep openly whenever I think of it. It talked about long ago when the two of them went for a ride early in the morning in the fog...we live on a farm. JJ on her big horse and Nina on her pony. It was a wondeful journey of remembrance. And that is just it. Remember all the good and bad times. A year later Nina stills cries for JJ. We don't get over it. We just learn how to deal with it. I hope all goes well for you.

It is rainig and Barrett is outside playing soccer. He loves his sports but loves books even more.

Dominic. I need your home address so we can send Angus his book. Si quieres me lo puedes mandar a mi email. Thanks.

Just remembered I saved this, thought I share it with you all.

George Carlins wife recently passed away...he posts this food for thought.
  



       A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at le ast 8 people....Who cares?

                           George Carlin
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter
that tells what kind of life you have lived

Dominic - Sadly, though it is pretty cool, George Carlin didn't pen this and it has been around for quite a while (since 1998 I believe). See the attached comment about it here => http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/paradox.asp

Still pretty neat read though. Thanks.