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Bird’s Eye View (Apr 9, 2014)

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. Is it just me or is anyone else having trouble sleeping without the comforting roar of the wineries’ frost protector fans over this past week?

Sleep. Now that’s a topic I don’t remember ever turning to for your Quotes of the Week. So let’s do it. First, this from stand-up comedian and writer, Carrie Snow, who advises, “No day is so bad that it cannot be fixed with a nap.” On a slightly more serious note, British novelist Anthony Burgess (1917-1993), author of “A Clockwork Orange” and much more, observed, “Laugh and the world laughs with you; snore and you sleep alone.” And surprisingly, we have a similarly clever but not too serious comment from German philologist, philosopher, cultural critic, poet and composer, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900), who commented, “Sleep is no mean art; for its sake one must stay awake all day.” And let’s leave it with the extremely wise “First American’, Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), to sum it up with the simple but so true remark, “Fatigue is the best pillow.”

Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready. #239. The Vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital will be making two visits to the Valley this month. The first of these is tomorrow, Thursdays, April 10 and as always the venue and times are the AV Farm Supply from 2-3.30pm. New customers are always welcome and for those who have been before you can call 462-8833 and the vets will bring your pet’s charts. Their next visit is on Thursday, April 24. #240. The monthly Pancake Breakfast at The Grange is this coming Sunday, April 13, serving from 8.30-11am. This is “accompanied” by an “open “mic” featuring various Valley musicians. #241. On the following weekend, the AV Lions Club presents their first fundraising event of the year with their annual Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt, This year’s event will benefit the AV Teen Center and as always will be at The Fairgrounds in Boonville. Breakfast is served from 8-11am and the Egg Hunt begins promptly at noon for kids up to and including 4th-grade. This is all happening on, not surprisingly, Easter Sunday. April 20. #242. I nearly forgot but tonight (April 9) at The Grange, certain folks might like to know that it is the monthly drumming session from 7-9pm.

Here is the menu for the Community lunches over the next week at the Senior Center at the Veterans Hall in Boonville. The Center asks for a $6 donation from Seniors and charges $7 for Non-Seniors. Tomorrow, Thursday, April 10, the lunch, served by Marti Titus and her crew at 12.15pm, will be Steak Pizzaiola, Pasta, Green Beans, Faro Salad, and Bread Pudding for dessert. Then next Tuesday, April 15, the menu will feature Smothered Steak, Brown rice, Brussels sprouts, Rolls, Arugula Salad, with a dessert of Strawberry Short Cake. Remember, all ages are welcome! Hope to see you there.

Topics and Valley events under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge. Yes, “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant (and surprisingly reliable) Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley where people get together and share their thoughts about life in AV.

…Is all the volunteerism that takes place in the Valley really appreciated? In most other places there is apparently nowhere near the same voluntary effort as we have here at the many different events that raise money for various organizations and charities. It would be nice to think that those who benefit are very forthcoming in their gratitude to those who give their time and energy and I have no doubt that the vast majority of folks are.

…Over the past couple of years I have attended many funeral/memorials in the Valley, and quite a few way beyond, many of which have been very moving and poignant events. But not all. It seems to me that those who officiate at funerals need to know the deceased, or at least have acquired from the family and/or friends some insights to the dead person’s life. The name that the deceased generally went by would certainly be a start! The kind of service that the dead person would have expected/wanted for their family and friends to attend. Religious/irreligious, fond memories or roast, etc, would also be good.

…On a very distantly related topic, (“this hangover is killing me”), one that I have researched for many years, I recently shared my most effective cures for a hangover with the regulars at The Three-Dot. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Hair of the Dog. yes, I know it is very hard to do, being the least tempting thing on one’s mind, but an alcoholic drink, the most effective of which is a “Bloody Mary” or Mimosa, really does work. If three or four of these can be consumed, followed by an afternoon of silly behavior, and then a night of deep sleep/mild coma, then, by the morning after the morning after, you should be feeling not too bad, albeit a little brain dead.

2. Fried breakfast. again, not always easy to contemplate with a pounding headache, but this definitely works. It should feature two slices of back bacon, two pork sausages, two fried eggs, fried mushrooms, fried tomatoes, with two pieces of buttered toast (thick-cut), and a hot mug of tea. This will basically get you through the rest of your day, although meaningful interaction in any form with loved ones will still be out of the question and an early night is suggested. Many folks in the medical profession claim there is no scientific proof that this works but my research says that it does. Who are you going to believe? As I’ve said before, trust me on this, you can thank me later. (N.B. Further common additions to this magnificent “fry-up” are baked beans and fried Black pudding, i.e., dry pig’s blood sausage).

3. A cheese and cucumber sandwich. a relatively easy, go-to solution for your hangover ills. A basic, medium-to-sharp cheddar with thin slices of cucumber on buttered wheat bread will have you able to function somewhat, or at least lie in relative comfort on the sofa with a good book, dozing occasionally as the need takes you. You should be able to enjoy company by the early evening and a glass of red wine with a carb-enriched dinner will send you to bed contentedly.

4. A lie-in. If you have the luxury of “sleeping it off” the next day, do so. Your foggy brain and achy body will thank you. However, if you do wake early then some water or juice will certainly help before you try to get back to sleep. Water is good, but tomato juice with cayenne pepper, sugar, and lime is even better. Grab a slice or two of toast and go back to bed. The body has got a great deal of capacity to heal on its own with a little R & R.

5. Of course all of these will be made somewhat redundant if you drink at least a pint of water and take an aspirin or two before you collapse into bed the night before. Sure, the next morning will see you feeling like your I.Q. has dropped considerably, but at least you will not be in pain, and will be able to dress yourself and occasionally smile at the appropriate moments when interacting with others.

…From our 3-Dot regular, The Old Buzzard, comes another in his insightful series, “Signs that the Apocalypse is Approaching.” Buzzard reports, “When recently flying over the Valley of the Moon in Sonoma County, just north of Kenwood I inadvertently came across the Ledson Winery and its way over-the-top building, apparently known “globally” as “The Castle.” Owner Steve Ledson, whose local link is through the now closed Zina-Hyde Cunningham tasting room in Boonville, not to mention the 5,000+ acres of vines he has here, would appear to be the man whose ego is being thoroughly stroked by this gothic monstrosity. This laughable imitation, an almost gingerbread version, is an eyesore, completely out of place, and, in my humble opinion, another example of money not being able to buy class, but what does Ledson care about my opinion, and why should he? Come to think of it, I should thank him for giving me a good laugh at the shear crassness of the building’s exterior appearance. Talk about the “Ugly American” syndrome. Unfortunately, as I am sure you are aware, it’s yet another clear warning is all that the Apocalypse is fast approaching.”

Time to take my leave. Besides I’ve got see a man about a sheep. So, until we talk again, “Keep the Faith”; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. A final request, “Let us prey.”

Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture, pleased in the knowledge that the old hare has returned safely to his burrow.

PS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. Keep on wagging that tail, Fred. … Is that “lafter” I hear, Carroll? … Keep up the good work, Round-eyed Robin.

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