Naked Grape -- Working my way through the label

Loving the lush of the grape, I've decided to take an analytical approach to new wines.

I'll simply call it: 'Working The Label'.

The goal is to pick a label and then try each of the different blends.

Tonight's selection was Naked Grape. I recently found this label, within the past few months (doesn't mean it hasn't been hanging around for longer in my area; just means I finally noticed it).

The plain white coloring appealed to me: not pretentious or austentious. Simple, basically bare. It would either work or not.

Branding considers the wine--dry. I agree. It's definitely a red meat wine.
Branding considers the wine--full-bodied. Here, I disagree. It's a bit of a light-weight to me. Perhaps more roast than medium rare T-bone.
Branding lists the Naked Grape wines from California and Argentina. Malbec grapes originated in France, but were more for blending than stand-alone wines. Leave it to the Argentina culture to take this grape, in their sun-drenched countryside, and produce something lovely.

The Naked Grape Malbec, due to its dry nature is quite nice against sweet fruits and tart cheeses: a nice combination.

On a scale of 1 to 10, this Malbec ranges mid-5.

Price wise, I paid less than $8.00 a bottle.

It also didn't cause the nasty morning-after temple twinge that can accompany many reds.

So for sipping with a blander red meat dinner or enjoying with sweet fruits after, this was worth the money.

Do drop by my back porch again. I'll be trying another blend and waiting for friends.

Romance With A Texas Twist.

Quick Plug for Review Books and More

Excellent work by a fellow writer, Andrea Geist. A new review website has been born, but with a bit of a twist. Andrea is bringing her special talent of 'crafts and more' to the page as well.

Review Books and More is a great place to stop by for the latest on books, publishers, authors and if you're feeling crafty, stick around. Andrea covers a lot of ground in small amount of space.

Thanks for dropping by my back porch. Be sure to visit Andrea's at Review Books and More.

Romance With A Texas Twist -- ebooks.

Work-Outs For All Types

For the past 11 months, I've trained my body. To become something better than it's been in a long time. Then it hit me. Why stop at that limit? Why not train to be better than I've ever been?

So, I hit the NRH Centre gym three to four times a week. I started at thirty to forty-five minutes and, by the end of each session, my face beamed such a splendid cherry red that folks stop to stare at the tomato (that would be me) using the work-out equipment.

Looking for actual muscles seemed to be an exercise in futility, but I kept going: three to four times a week. Week after week, I persevered because I had a secret weapon.

Experience: When I'd turned 40, I had learned to jog, a pretty fast jog (13 minute mile) for an older dame. Even ran in a 5K one year.

Now, I'm not 40 anymore. As matter of fact, I haven't been 40 in a number of years, but that experience (I ran for three years -- straight -- didn't miss a single day) taught me that I could keep working out at the gym and perhaps find that jogger again.

Being obsessed with the written word, it seemed most apropos (and necessary for my motivation) that I seek out and enlist solid words of wisdom. Strong medicine was essential if I planned to stay true to the goal and be better than ever.

The bottom line, to me, has always been: if I talk loud enough and long enough and use enough logic -- in my head -- then I can make myself believe anything.

Who brought me inspiration?

“If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” Eubie Blake, age 100 (who was Eubie Blake? James Hubert Blake, better known as Eubie Blake, was an American composer, lyricist, and pianist of ragtime, jazz, and popular music.) Simply put -- the man rocked the music world.

Who else inspired me?

"How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?” Satchel Paige, often considered one of the greatest baseball pitchers to ever take the mound.

Now, it's 11 months later and have I accomplished my goal?

1) I've found that jogger again.
2) I have muscles, which I promise, I did NOT have when I was 18.
3) Each of my work-out routines is now 90 minutes in length.
3) Perhaps best of all. My daughter (the 19-year-old) and I were at the gym a month or so ago and working on the Roman Chair together. After I left for the next piece of equipment, a woman on a nearby exercise bike asked my daughter if I was one of the trainers. Okay, that was good. Then she ask if I'd turned 40. That was better.

So how old would I be if I didn't know how old I actually was? Pretty darn young.

To all those who whip the beast of age with exercise, balanced eating, and a healthy sense of humor: May you find that inner youth again and enjoy all those years one more time.

As always, thanks for stopping by the back porch.

Romance With A Texas Twist. Romantic ebooks!

Texas Roller Derby

Lots of friends were enjoying a class reunion this weekend. Me? I tried something a bit new. Texas Roller Derby.


Never been? This event was at Blue Line Center in N. Richland Hills. 4 teams -- leagues -- skated. Two separate matches. This was at the beginning of the match and the National Anthem. Doesn't appear to matter what the sport in the good ole'USA. Before a match, everyone hits their feet for the National Anthem. The singer -- sorry, I didn't catch his name, but he's opened for a couple of local bands -- did a great job.





And then the crowds, friends, family and I'm assuming spectators simply lined the skating surface to hoot and holler for the upcoming matches. It's a feisty crowd, so if you plan to attend make sure to bring your loudest voice.





A bit hard to tell, but these aren't kids. Well, they're all kids to someone my age. But many of these are women with a little meat on their bones and a bit of true maturity in their smiles. Several of the skaters from the first match, merged into the crowd seated on the risers, and mingled with friends and families. Quite a few had their kids with them. It was awesome to watch these women skate all out, jamming through (there is a Jammer, a skater who must push through the block of bodies, and actually score the points), skidding onto the floor, bouncing hard against each other and still going after the win.





Want to see a match? Visit: Dallas Derby Devils for the next team times. Generally, once a month and on a Saturday night. Tickets were $13.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door, or you can buy a ticket directly from one of the skaters.



Programs were free with the purchase of a ticket. This warning tidbit was inside the front cover. It explains the mood and the general fun enjoyed by most at the Derby.

And most of all . . . welcome back to my porch. I've been on a long sabbatical. It's great to be back in land of Texas and Romance With a Texas Twist.