A beautiful moon this year... Miraculously not obscured by smoke or sickness. A perfect pause in a time of so much sad news.
We are still brokenhearted by the sad story in Westlake, fires nearby, and a world that seems to be falling apart.
Kazy was wise to leave for Montana again--gone fishin'!
Why not?
The wise person knows that when things get too chaotic, too violent or filled with heartbreak, it is best to head for the hills.
To lose oneself in nature is probably the only possible cure.
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Lonely without him though. But it was too hot for hotpot this year again. 106 degrees in Pasadena yesterday.
Wanting to celebrated a small success--essays accepted in Pleiades and Entropy--I got out a special Spanish wine.
Mas La Plana
One of the great wines of tSpain.
Bodegas Torres of Vilafranca del Penedès, a place famous for Cava.
Wine speak:
The intense aroma displays the classic typicity of the Mas La Plana terroir, along with notes of toast, white chocolate, and spices such as clove and pepper.
The wine is Bordeaux style. And new to all of this, I realized I have never had Cabernet Sauvignon, except in blends.
I spent a lot of time trying to differentiate it from Pinot Noir. It reminded me a bit of my favorite grape nebbiolo.
What is the perfect wine for moonviewing anyway?
Sake. But what of wines?
I think this is a good candidate-must be something profound and bright, like the moon--something romantic.
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We had mooncakes and plum whiskey like last year. But the wine is what I will remember...
A perfect moon viewing wine.
Jan Walls posted the beautiful translation of the Wang Anshi poem.
I had no idea Wang Anshi wrote poems... I was so happy to read it, a new favorite poem!
VIEWING THE MOON WITH A FRIEND
ON MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL NIGHT"
by Wang Anshi
Oceanic mists bathe the eye
as the autumn sun fades from sight.
So bright! I wonder how it can be night.
So clear! The earth seems to disappear.
We sit before the sweeping breeze
linger with cups while the dew congeals.
We’ll moan our mournful songs till dawn,
and how can there be any thought of a “me”?
“陪友人中秋夕赏月”
王安石
海雾看如洗，秋阳望却昏。
光明疑不夜，清莹欲无坤。
扫掠风前坐，留连露下尊。
苦吟应到晓，况有我思存。
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