2018 - Not my best year/Not my worst year

I usually do a year end blog sometime in late December or the first week in January.   I am late writing one for 2018.   I almost did not write one for this past year at all.   2018 was not one of my favorite years.   I'm not sure why.   Lots of good things happened.   I was able to travel with good friends.  I met new people and made new friends.   I had no serious health issues.  But still I struggled with 2018.   It might have been the weather.   They say we need a certain amount of sun light to help keep us happy and healthy. We had a record rainfall in Maryland this year with 71.8 inches of rain.   There was at least one-hundredth of an inch of rain at BWI airport on about 4 out of every 10 days. That adds up to 12 or 13 rainy days every month, on average — but in September, it rained on six out of every 10 days. I know a lot of people suffered with depression and anxiety orders this year. I have talked to many who were as confused as I was about feeling so bad for most of the year. Normally the Christmas and New Year holiday week is my favorite week of the year. This year it just seemed to pass by with no real emotion or feeling. Looking back now ten days later I feel like I just missed the entire season like it never happened. We had friends over on Christmas Eve and we usually take a group photo for prosperity. We tried this year. We really tried after six failed photo attempts we all just agreed to forget it. So even the photo to remind me of how bad it was this year never happened. Maybe that is for the best.

Early voting helps with the mood

If not the weather maybe it was politics. Facebook lover that I am , I even stayed away entire days at a time just to avoid reading or hearing any thing about the orange buffoon in the White House. I did not want to hear the lies and praise on Fox and did not want to hear the complaints and arguments of the CNN and MSNBC commentators either. It was just a real ugly year politically until the big Democratic wins in Congress in November. And with all the negativity it has to have affected my mood some what. So I am blaming the weather and Washington DC on part of my dislike with 2018. I started taking vitamin D3 for the lack of sunshine problem and I voted on the first day of early voting in November to take care of the political problem.
Of course 2017 was a difficult year to compete with so 2018 had it's work cut out for it. I had some wonderful vacations in 2017 highlighted by climbing Diamond Head in Waikiki for my birthday that year. It's hard to top that. But I tried in 2018. I had several wonderful vacations. I really can't complain or whine about that. First of all our sister from England, Gillian, come over to visit us and we took a car trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Nashville and Memphis. I also made a wonderful new friend in Margie Sweeney while in Nashville. She is a friend of Marks who moved to Nashville.   

We got to tour Graceland which two of us thoroughly enjoyed. Don't ask Mark his opinion about the tour.

Not the Blue Ridge Mountains this time.  Here we are in Tivoli, Italy

When I upload my travel photos I always create a file and unique name for the trip. In July Gillian met us in Italy for a visit I called Mama Mia I'm In Rome Again. So how could 2018 been so bad when I get to return to Italy? I had traveled to Rome solo in 2016. Mark had been unable to go due a family emergency that year and was unable to go with me. So it was wonderful to return so soon and have Mark with me this time. We walked the streets of Rome. We drank the wine of Rome. We ate the food of Rome. And even took a day trip to Tivoli just north of Rome for a day of beautiful fountains, landscape's and excellent food. I had my favorite dish of the holiday in Tivoli. It was a red wine marinated pasta. Nothing compares to it.

Foodgasms in Tivoli - Red wine marinated pasta

And finally in November we finished up the years travel with a return to Nashville. We enjoyed it so much on our first trip in the spring we decided to return for Thanksgiving weekend. And it was a wonderful trip. My two daughters Katie and Danielle and also Danielle's wife Andrea joined us for family holiday here. And like in Italy we ate, we drank, and we even sang some country music.

On stage at the Ryman Auditorium

The highlight of the second Nashville trip was meeting The Sweethearts of the Rodeo. They are a country music duo from the 1980's the both of my daughters and I loved. Mark has grown to appreciate their music also. We attended their concert at The Blue Bird Cafe and had the chance to meet them in person afterwords. They could not have been nicer and even became emotional when we told them that Danielle and I danced our father daughter dance at her wedding to one of their songs.

Meeting Janis and Christine, The Sweethearts of the Rodeo in Nashville.

As for our trivia team, well lets just 2018 was not our best friend either. We always say we play for fun. But it sure would have been nice to have won a little more often this year. We still met each week in Port Deposit, Maryland at the Granite Run Tap House and did our best. We dressed up for Halloween and wore ugly sweaters for Christmas. And we finished way in the bottom of the group at the end of the season. However in the off season games during the Christmas holidays we placed in the top three on three weeks in a row. So maybe we are preparing for a winning year in 2019.

Barbara and Bonnie from Trivia Team L&B 

So it was not an awful year. Looking back a lot of nice and fun things happened this year. I still will never call 2018 one of my favorite years. Some good friends passed away this year. Some other good friends battled the Big C and other medial issues this year. Mark's Mom's Alzheimer's continues to take her away from us a little more each day. But all in all it certainly was not one of the worst years ever. I am determined to make 2019 one of the good years. It will not be difficult after 2018 to make it much better. So what happened with 2018? Why did it leave me less than thrilled. I'm still blaming the rain and to quote The Beatles, The Fool On The Hill in Washington. But that's just my take on it. Here is to a better 2019. Cheers

To 2019.  Here's your chance

Traveling with the perfect cocktail

I love a Manhattan.  To me it's the perfect cocktail.  It has three ingredients.  It's has a history.  And it tastes delicious.  If I am out for a special evening a Manhattan is the perfect way to compliment my night.  It's not for the light weight drinker.  It's boozy. But if you sip it slowly it will not harm you so don't be afraid of it.

  Basically I would describe it as a whiskey martini.  But that is not giving it justice.  It is made with three ingredients.  Whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters.  It is garnished with a Maraschino cheery at most bars.  If you are at a higher class bar you will get a brandied cherry instead of the waxy chemically colored Maraschino.  Some bartenders use a lemon peel for the garnish but I honestly think the classic brandied cherry is the best.  However I will not turn up my nose or judge the bartender for the lemon peel.  And I usually have to accept the Maraschino cherry from most bars and I don't complain. 

Now the question is what kind of whiskey.  Most recipes call for a Kentucky bourbon or Canadian Whiskey.   And these days Rye whiskey is making a big come back in Manhattans.  This is the classic choice and the one I prefer.  Please don't offer me Crown Royale in my Manhattan. I am a bit of snob that way.

When  I travel I like to sample a Manhattan in the area I am visiting.  And it's fun to see how the different bartenders treat the three simple ingredients.  One of my favorite Manhattans came from a bar in Charleston, South Carolina named High Cotton.  If you have a Manhattan at High Cotton you will be transported back to the 1920's and think you are in a speakeasy.  Their recipe is simple and classic.  They don't experiment or try to wow you with new age additions.  The High Cotton Manhattan is made with bourbon  ,  Carpano Antica vermouth, a splash of bitters and brandy soaked cherries.  I would travel back to Charleston tomorrow just to have one of their Manhattans.  We frequently travel with out friend Gillian Hobson from Manchester, England.  We took her to Charleston four years ago and one of our first stops was to introduce her to the High Cotton Manhattan.  She left High Cotton with a very big smile on her face and a bounce to her step.

Larry and Mark having Manhattan's in Manhattan

Mark and I love New York.  And I love cocktails in New York.  Years ago when Sex and the City was popular I wanted to go to New York for a Cosmo just like Carrie Bradshaw.  It was fun.  But a few years later in New York I wanted the classic experience.  I wanted a Manhattan in Manhattan.  And I have to admit there is no comparison.  If your in New York you really owe yourself a Manhattan in Manhattan.  Historically it is suggested that the Manhattan originated at the Manhattan Club in New York.  The story goes it was invented by Dr. Iain Marshall in the early 1870's for a banquet hosted by  Jennie Jerome.  She is better known as Lady Randolph Churchill, mother of Wintson Churchill. The event was in honor of the Presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden.  The event was such a success the drink became highly fashionable.    But don't let anyone fool you with this story. Lady Randolph Churchill was in France during this time and was very pregnant.  So the story is likely false.  Another story tell us it was invented in the 1860's at a bar on Broadway near Houston Street by a bartender named Black.  So no one really knows the origin of the cocktail but it does have a long history. 

Larry having a Manhattan in Manhattan February 2016

Mark and I were once again with our friend Gillian this time in New York.  We spent the day sight seeing.  This was Gillian's first trip to New York so we wanted to show her all of the sights.  At the end of a busy day we ended up in a bar not far from Wall Street where once again I had a Manhattan in Manhattan.  I must have had a couple of drinks because here I am afterwords grabbing the Wall Street bull by the balls. No explanations no apologies.  Go to New York.  Have a Manhattan in Manhattan and then share your story with me.

My next rule for Manhattans.  Watch your bartender.  A Manhattan is a simple drink.  Any good bartender can make one.  But if you have doubts about your bartender I suggest skipping the Manhattan and just order a glass of wine.  Why waste the experience on a bad drink.  My daughter Katie and I were in Nashville earlier this year.  We had spent the day walking and exploring the city.  At the end of our evening we wanted to relax and have a cocktail before returning to our hotel.  We found a beautiful cocktail bar called The Henley at the Aertson Hotel in Nashville.  The bar was decorated with photos of Bette Davis's eyes.  So this made me happy.  I noticed the bartender was young.  She was probably in her early 20's.  So I asked her politely if she knew how to make a Manhattan.  She looked at me and smiled and said "Oh, of course."  So I ordered a Manhattan.  Then I watched her closely.  She did not go to pick up the bourbon, or the vermouth or the bitters.  She went to pick up her cocktail bible.  She had no idea how to make a Manhattan.  I knew then it was not going to be a good experience.  And she did make it wrong.  And she did forget the cherry until I reminded her. 

Bette Davis's eyes were not smiling at the Manhattan

My main rule about Manhattans is to not mess with it.  Don't experiment with it.  Don't try to update the recipe or put your own personal touch on it.  It's a classic.  It does not need embellishments.  However for every rule there is an exception.  And if some one offers to make you a Smoked Manhattan go for it.  Placing your cocktail glass over some smoked hickory chips before filling it with the Manhattan is a surprising delight.

Smoked hickory chips for your Manhattan glass

I was in Waikiki this past November.  Once again I had been walking all day and ready for a relaxing evening with a cocktail.  I had many Maitai's in Waikiki during my stay.  But this day I was ready to just relax and enjoy a Manhattan.  And what do I see on the menu but a smoked Manhattan.  I was ready to break my rule and try this new idea.  Something about the smoke and the rye whiskey just sounded perfect to me.  I was in the bar at the Outrigger Hotel.  I could see Diamond Head in the distance from the beach hotel's windows.  It was the perfect location for this perfect drink.  Now much like Charleston, South Carolina, I would return here to Waikiki tomorrow just to have another one of these drinks.

One of my favorite movies is Honky Tonk Freeway.  You've probably never heard of it.  It is considered one of the biggest box office flops of all time.  But I saw it and loved it.  In the movie Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy play a senior couple who are traveling to Florida.  Hume thinks his wife has a drinking problem.  She tends to order five old fashions with her lunch each day.  Finally he tells her that he thinks she has a drinking problem.

Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy in Honky Tonk Freeway

Jessica responds that she is not an alcoholic.  She says your sister always sucks her fruit when she is finished with her drinks.  Now she is an alcoholic.  I never suck my fruit. 

Here I am after a very good Manhattan, not traveling, but here at home at Jerry D's, one of my local favorite restaurants.

Yes Jessica Tandy.  I sucked the fruit.  And it was good!

Bad Ass Beer at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge

My daughter Katie had to travel to Nashville in October 2017 for a work conference.  As part of my 65th birthday celebration year she invited me to travel with her to Nashville for the week.  I had never been to Nashville before so I was glad to be invited.  She would be busy all day at her conference which allowed me lots of time to explore the Music City and see what kind of trouble I could get into.  

Most of what I knew about Nashville I learned watching Ralph Emery on Nashville Now which was on the CMT channel in the 1980's.  I worked night work back in those days.  When I would get home at midnight I would turn on Nashville Now and my daughters Katie and Danielle would crawl out of their beds and come out to join me watching the show. So it was very appropriate that Katie and I got to share this trip now that she is an adult.    When we arrived I knew I wanted to go find Tootsie's Orchid Lounge on Broadway in Nashville.  All of the stars on Nashville Now used to talk to Ralph Emery about sneaking out of the back door of The Ryman Auditorium and go into the back door of Tootsie's for a quick drink between shows of The Grand Ole Opry.  So after my tour of The Ryman Auditorium I knew I would want to go out that back door and head over to the back door of Tootsie's. You can see the brick wall of the back of the Ryman on the left in the photo and the back  door of Tootsie's on the left.   

Tootsie's is a tourist trap.  No question about that.  It opens at 10:00 in the morning and the crowds are waiting for the doors to open.  There are bars with music on all three levels of the building including a roof top deck with music also.  I arrived at 10:30 that morning.  The bar was already crowded.  When I went in the back door I followed the sound of the music and found the front bar on the first floor.  There was a band playing and everyone in the bar was singing along with the band.  The woman who was lead singer of the band was standing on top of the bar singing Patsy Cline songs.  She was singing Walking After Midnight at 10:30 in the morning.   It was all that I could have hoped for.   

It was early morning but after all I was in Nashville so I had to have a beer.   I stood at the end of the bar and asked for a beer menu.   It did not take me long to decide.  I saw the name Badass Beer.  What could be more perfect than to have a Badass Beer at Tootsie's my first day in Nashville.  And it gives a good travel story to share.  I can tell everyone I had a Badass beer in  Nashville.   

I finished my beer, walked to the front door, left a tip in the bucket for the band, and then found  my way back out to Broadway.   As I left there was still a small line of people waiting to get inside Tootsie's.  They should have watched Ralph Emery in the 1980's or at least read a guide book.  Use the back door folks.  There is no line!

Katie's conference ended two days later.   I took her into downtown Nashville to show her all that I had discovered while she was working.  So I course I had to show her Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.  We walked down Broadway and when we arrived the lines were twice as long at Tootsie's as they were in the morning of my visit.  She looked at the line and said "Dad we will never get in there tonight but it looks like a fun place."   I told her follow me.  I know a secret.  I took her to the alley behind the Ryman Auditorium and showed her the back entrance to Tootsie's.   There was no line.  We were able to get inside, fight the crowds and get up to the rooftop deck.  It was too crowded to bother trying to get a beer at the bar.  But she was able to experience Tootsie's the way the stars did back in the day.  Through the back door in the alley. 

Katie  on the crowded rooftop of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge