BY JOE GENCO
Took a run to Blackbird Cider Works but it was closed. Hit a couple wineries and got dinner at Mariachi de Oro. I never knew Medina was our own little slice of Newfoundland, at least in the kindness of its people. Observations:
Somerset is at war over wind turbines, with equal numbers of signs for and against.
We walked into Leonard Oakes Winery 10 minutes before closing but were greeted with smiling, friendly faces. I soon recognized Rachel, who works at the Clarence Center Coffee Cafe was pouring our samples. A patron, hearing us talk about our dinner destination, wisely suggested reservations.
810 Meadworks left us breathless. “Go and enjoy choice foods and sweet drinks and send some to those who have nothing prepared” Nehemiah 8:10. The mead is awesome. The atmosphere intimate and relaxed. We will return.
As we sipped mead, Beth Menken Genco took from the shelf an artisan’s well-decorated salad bowl displayed for sale. I looked at it and pointed out imaginary flaws, and criticized the price, planning to sneak back and buy it as a birthday gift in another month. Fate intervened.
Another customer took the salad bowl from the shelf and presented it to Beth. “This is yours,” she said. “Pay it forward.”
Beth has had a bit of a rough go of late, because of the stress of taking care of her mom and hearing 80% of her psychotherapy clients express angst over the coming presidency, among other things. That gift brought joyful tears and made it all better. The bowl came from “Christine’s Wild Imagination,” which you can find on Facebook.
After the best Mexican we have ever tasted — tamales are the measure of excellence and these were as good as the ones from Philly’’s Italian market, we set the controls for Akron. Googlemaps said Peace of Mind coffee shop is permanently closed. We didn’t believe the Internet so we went to verify. Sure enough, we found Nickel City Frets, where proprietor Mark Buellgreeted us warmly, told tales of Maine and engaged us in a delightful visit. You should sign up for guitar lessons.
So should I. I guess this turned into a random travelogue. Now back to your regularly scheduled Short Take. Happy New Year.
–As I write, I realize we average about 50 likes, shares and comments a day. That’s something like 18,000 clicks I know about over the course of the year. And, as our friend Alan Deacon says, “readers are like barn rats. If you see one, you know you have 100.” Thanks for paying attention. Holy crap. Now if I could monetize this daily indulgence. . .
–Bullshit. It’s a simple process, really. If a story seems incredible, it probably is. Journalism 101: Trust but verify. Don’t accept single sources. Thanks John Brinkman. http://www.lastwordonnothing.com/…/holiday-redux-the-pocke…/
–Steve Martin was criticized for tweeting this. “When I was a young man, Carrie Fisher was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She turned out to be witty and bright as well,” How pathetic. Why can’t we appreciate physical beauty? He didn’t objectify her. http://www.justjared.com/…/steve-martin-deletes-carrie-fis…/
–David Fisher spent childhood summers at a rustic Adirondack Camp only to return each fall by train to the sensory overload of Grand Central Station and city life. He wandered, not lost, and found his beat with a horse-powered organic farm in Massachusetts. Life has rhythm and meaning now. We need trees and green and birds and music if we are to have peace. http://www.npr.org/…/by-returning-to-farmings-roots-he-foun…
–NPR’s Top 10 solo guitar records of 2016. I enjoyed Daniel Bachman. http://www.npr.org/…/507425674/the-top-10-solo-guitar-recor…
–Mammoth burbot, fox pants, escaping a wolf by baiting it into a fight with a bear and great photos of a Lynx with kittens. CBC brings us the best wildlife stories of the year. http://www.cbc.ca/…/north/animal-stories-2016-cbc-north-1.3…
–Donald Trump Tweeted: “Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don’t know what to do. Love!” This caused a Tweet storm of derision. I can’t wait for Carl Paldino to start Tweeting. http://www.sfgate.com/…/Donald-Trump-s-Sour-New-Year-s-Twee…
–The most angst-ridden, emotional and uninformed person in my life informed me over the holidays he couldn’t read Short Take because the commenters were too long winded. I think it’s me. It used to be he said he couldn’t read because I couldn’t handle a dissenting opinion. In his honor, this is the longest short take ever.
–Here is a compilation of the 5 places on earth you and I are least likely to visit. The seed vault intrigues me. I have been collecting seeds for years, because I think they offer more hope than bullets. Swords into plows or some such thing. http://www.bbc.com/…/20160225-the-worlds-most-secretive-pla…
–20016 collected another soul, William Christopher, who played Father Mulcahy, the kind-hearted Mash chaplain. http://www.sfgate.com/…/M-A-S-H-actor-William-Christopher-d…
–I wrote the other day of natural hardships posed by the plains winter for the Standing Rock Sioux. Today I stumbled across this feature about Pittsburghers enduring the winter as protestors. http://www.post-gazette.com/…/Western-…/stories/201701020005
–Boyd Curiosity: Consider the strength of that bird known as a swift. It has been seen napping while clinging to the wing of an airplane in flight.
–Are e-cigarettes safer than the real thing? Neither is good but maybe. There is not yet enough research to say. http://www.philly.com/…/Are-e-cigarettes-any-safer-for-my-c…
–Veteran columnist Mike Lupica rips the Bills and points out there are far more good coaches than there are good owners. That and he says don’t feel sorry for Rex who walks away with millions. http://www.sportsonearth.com/…/rex-ryan-fired-buffalo-bills…
–Can we replace Ron Rolston yet? Oh and let’s be done with Derek Grant. Ackkk! As Bill the Cat would say. http://www.wkbw.com/…/5-observations-bruins-knock-off-sabre…
–One last time, you made it to the end. Happy New Year! May your 2017 be vibrant and filled with health, happiness and laughter.
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