Sunday, November 15, 2009

In Vino Veritas






In wine there is truth.





We are in Napa Valley for a long weekend to celebrate son Eric's birthday. His Wendy organized a surprise party including some family and friends from Philadelphia. We've had a lot of fun. I did my appointed work out since I am getting adept at doing it anywhere. Next weekend is the mandatory biggie---2o miles that is an absolute must before the big event on Dec 12th. We will be home in Savannah at that time for Thanksgiving week. We plan to do the 20 miles on Tybee Island, which is the favorite local beach area and home to Sandra Bullock ( we've never seen her around). On Friday and Saturday this weekend we went to several wineries; my favorite was Artesa. It is on a hilltop and has beautiful grounds, including the outdoor art installation by Gordon Huether above. Artesa is owned by a Spanish family who has vineyards near Barcelona. The family business goes back to 1500's when the family was the first to bring the grape stock and methods out of France for the "Champagne Method". I did my training on lovely backroads, enjoying the vineyards which were vibrant green, reds, and yellow for fall. We had lunch on Saturday at the Culinary Institute of America/Greystone. Our son Sean is a grad of the "CIA" in New Hyde Park, NY--so this was a real treat.

I've learned not to be shy about talking about Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. At the risk of boring everyone, I don't mind bringing up the marathon and engaging whoever is around about the topic of blood cancers. I find that most people are curious why I am doing this. So, this weekend the topic came up with our friends/family at the various wine tastings and functions we attended. In Vino Veritas---the honest truth is that I am doing this because my father died of leukemia. I was only six but I believe he died a rather horrible death in April 1960, away from his children in Houston with no hope and very sick. The last time he was home was Christmas 1959. Our last pictures of him are in a bathrobe sitting at the kitchen table for brother Jesse's Dec 21st birthday. He looked awful, pale and drawn. AND he looked awfully scared. He became very ill and had to be rushed back to Houston via ambulance during the holidays. I saw him only one other time after that. Don't we all fear cancer? Isn't that the horrible truth as we get our mammograms or colonoscopies? I've had three skin biopsies that were all benign, but I always imagined the worst. According to Wikipedia the word boogeyman means, metaphorically, a person or thing of which one has an irrational fear. The word may come from the Scot words for creatures called bogles, boggarts or bogies. In truth, cancer is our collective boogeyman. According to Wiki, in common culture the boogeyman hides under the bed and tickles children when they go to sleep. My hubby will tell you that regardless of the temp of the room, I MUST sleep with a cover over me to keep the boogeyman away.
So, again metaphorically, Team in Training is my cover to keep the boogeyman away.

Things to be thankful for: a good Pinot Noir, outside gas heaters on a patio on a cool evening, time with family and friends, locally grown olives.

1 comment:

  1. What a beautiful posting Millicent. You captured this idea of the "boogeyman" perfectly, and anyone that is honest with themselves will totally agree with you. Your Dad's illness was very sad and this was the most vivid description you have ever talked about. Off the scale for teardrops. I enjoyed training with you in Napa. As always, I have to say that you are doing something very important and I'm proud of you.

    In Vino Veritas! Looking forward to seeing you in Savannah and training with you on Tybee Island. Love you.

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