Ten.One Thousand, Five Hundred & Nineteen

1. That bird again?

2. Out of flour for the biscuits.

3. We laugh at how long the line is at 6-something in the morning. He asks me if I’m always up this early and what’s my name and if I live in town and what do I do. I answer all of his questions and he tells me they call him “Uncle Norm.” I don’t ask him what he does because I’ve gathered that he’s lived here for quite some time and he has a Gamble Family Vineyards hat on and a six-pack of Fetzer Chardonnay for the day’s festivities. He says he knows my new employer from one of the local churches. “Now that we’ve met, I’m sure I’ll see you all the time,” he says as we walk towards our cars.

4. Drop biscuits brushed with melted butter.

5. I should maybe come to the laundromat more often. It’s quiet in here.

6. Darioush. On the plate: Ossau-Itary, Mimolette, grapes, figs, pistachio butter, and dill micrgreens. In the glass: 2020 Viogner, 2018 Merlot, 2018 Cabernet Franc, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Darius II.

7. BLT and water and truffle chips before the next stop. The sun is bright. I am still hot from moving the clothes in and out of the laundromat.

8. Frog’s Leap. He opens up a 1998 Merlot and we taste it side-by-side with the current release. There is no mistaking that these are relatives, “Uncle and nephew,” he says.

9. I thought I had more time.

10. I confess to her that I’m not sure I will survive these next 30 days. I’ve done it to myself.