Photo Miscellaneous 2
Another classic liquor label today.
Stay tuned for more!
All Ashore
Ah, the pleasures of a sea voyage…
That is without ever having left the dock.
Such awaits aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Over the years, I have stayed aboard in a variety of accommodations. And I have been to my share of events from Sunday Brunch to New Years Eve to just a quiet drink and a nice cigar on the night before a good friends wedding.
With the right mood, the right company, it wasn’t at all difficult to imagine life on a cruise aboard. Travel aboard was civilized. One did not so much travel as they did experience it.
One memorable stay aboard was several nights (during the brief period that Disney operated the ship as a hotel) in what had been a first class room overlooking the harbor and the City of Long Beach. Complete with taps in the bath, still labeled hot and cold sea water. “Voyage to 1939” was the theme aboard. A fine meal at Sir Winston’s brought it all to the height of perfection.
Another one for the “Gotta go back soon” list.
Meanwhile, in the backyard
It is no secret that Walt Disney changed the lives of many people. Entertainment would never be the same with many of the changes that he and the company with his name brought to life.
This was one. A small one in the scheme of things. The hobby of back-yard railroading, in particular. 7 and 1/2 inches between the rails. Walt adopted it as a way to relieve his tensions after a day at the studio. As an example, the yellow caboose was built by hand, complete with interior details was one Walt greatly enjoyed building. The scale stove became one of several items from the railroad project that fellow enthusiasts could and did enjoy on their own railroads. Plans and parts fueled many imaginati0ns.
Who knows how many trains just like Walt’s rolled around backyard’s across the country? I’ve seen plenty photos of great examples. Nice to know that this small part of the Disney world keeps going today. The hobby would not be the same if he had not shared his enjoyment of it with others through his own relaxation.
Of course, you can see the original on display as part of the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, in the Presidio.
4:00 Every Afternoon
Like millions of others, 4:00 pm found me if front of the television to watch this man at work. Monday through Friday, that is.
Hard to say why but this show had that something that all the other “daytime dramas” did not offer then. Of course, it had all the family dynamics that the others had. Putting the fun back into dysfunctional and all that.
Yet with the appearance of the vampire, the show took a turn for the better the captured audiences. Far better than other had before. Not just housewives, either. All across the geographic. Boys, girls, men and women – all kinds of ages, all around the country.
Much of the credit goes to this man, Jonathan Frid. His character was a reluctant one, cursed neither to find love or peace. He struck a chord that still keeps fans entertained, all these years later. So much so, he is on screen again in a new film of “Dark Shadows” next month by Tim Burton. With Johnny Depp playing the role he created.
Appropriately, it seems, Jonathan passed away last Friday. Friday the 13th.
As vampire, he never sparkled onscreen. Only in our hearts.
Playful Spirits
Someone asked me the other day what my beverage of choice was.
Oddly enough, the answer was water.
That doesn’t mean that if given the chance that I am not willing to imbibe something stronger. The image above should offer some proof to the contrary.
Being diabetic, I don’t drink as much or as often as I might have in younger days. And having spent a fair amount of time producing beverages for guests on private railcar trips, I have shared more than an occasional cocktail after the day is done.
As one Michaeleen Oog Flynn put it best, “When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey; and when I drink water, I drink water.”
The choice of beverage depends on situations and company. On some days, indeed whiskey. Bourbon (Jim Beam), Tennesee Whiskey (Jack Daniels or Gentleman Jack), Irish Whiskey (Bushmills and now Concannon), Scotch Whisky (Macallan, Johnny Walker Blue Label). Usually neat or on the rocks, again depending on where or when.
On other days, rum. Light rum, dark rum and in between. Fond of Trader Vic’s Dark Rum (especially in the oh so traditional old school Mai Tai’s floated on top), Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum and Bacardi Anejo. Rum just has so many great varieties that go so well in all kinds of cocktails.
And yet on other days, nothing is quite so refreshing as a good old Gin and Tonic or a classic Tom Collins. Anchor Junipero is a popular favorite with some folks on train trips.
But it doesn’t end there. Not by any means. Gran Marnier? A fine accompaniment any time. Port? Sure. a good tawny port and some blue cheese is a treat. Viano Winery in Martinez makes a tasty Zinfandel Port, too.
Beer? You bet! Great German “bier” can’t be beat and Oktoberfest is one great party in Munich that every true beer drinker should experience. (We American’s are such amateurs at beer drinking compared to the Germans. Truly.) And California has many great small breweries with all kinds of beers to enjoy. I’m a fan of a number of them, again different beers for different situations. Although a frosty mug of Fat Tire with a Pinky’s Pizza right from the oven is hard to beat anytime.
Wine? Again, all over the map. So many varietals and so many great wineries around the world. From Germany, the Johanisberg Riesling from Schloss Johanisberg is a favorite. And here in California, Zinfandel from Silverado is another. (Wine is a story all it’s own for another day.)
The answer is that enjoying a beverage truly comes down to the place, the time and the company. And nothing wrong with any of that. As a friend once observed, “It’s always Happy Hour somewhere.”