I have been reading Carl Hiaasen’s "Nature Girl" because it came highly recommended. And last night at the second wine tasting gathering Ed and I attended, some of the guests were discussing how hilarious they think this writer is. There is no doubt that he is truly a gifted and amusing writer, but for me he is wasting his skill on characters who, if I knew them personally, I would cross the street to avoid. The bottom line is if I don’t like you, I don’t want to read about you. It’s like (although this is admittedly a strong comparison) reading something hilarious about the holocaust.

All of Hiaasen's characters are self-destructive, consistently make the wrong decisions, and have no personal charm (unless you find a bipolar stream of consciousness and an obsessive revenge escapade charming). And I guess the no charm thing is the deal breaker for me. So halfway through I realized I was gritting my teeth with every page of tedious malfunction and decided enough was enough. Basically, I think of his plotting as “one joke”, i.e., the wrong choice taken every time.

As for the wine tasting, some different people showed up, and we liked some of the new guests (no small feat in these parts). The theme this time was a pricier bottle of wine, at least $20. There were two whites and five reds. I really paced myself because I don’t care for red wine. It always daunts me physically and gives me a sluggish hangover. The red taste I have learned to at least like was not present last night although the red lovers gave the Tizio pinot noir the best rating of “5”.

I brought a Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio from BJ’s, spending about $19 and because it is discounted, I am guessing sells for about $23 in Publix. But the whites were not worth the $10 more. My double size Cavitt Pinot Grigio available at BJ’s for $10 (and at Publix about $13) was at least as good. Lately I am preferring sauvignon blanc anyway. I don’t know how much one would have to spend to get a “wow” moment. So far my cheaper choices are just fine. I draw the line, however, at any white wine less than $9 for the single size. They just truly do not measure up and sometimes you will get, at a restaurant looking to put one over on an unsophisticated customer, a really cheap white that tastes awful. Next time I’m sending it back. I do remember once spending $30 for a Pouilly Fuisse and being very disappointed. I used to buy it in New York for about $3.50 in the ‘50s. Them was the days.

Ed said this morning that he will drink less next time. He is not really a wine drinker but, I guess, got carried away and the snacks were good. There was smoked salmon, his fave. As mentioned, I poured very little in my glass for each taste -- just a smidgen. (That is a technical term.) Then I’d go back to one of the whites to get the red taste out of my mouth.

I made pasta for Ed before leaving for the party because he needs food to absorb liquor and rarely eats party snacks and gets bearish when he is hungry. I didn't have a regular dinner and I am still up in weight this morning because I didn't bike. I feel persecuted.

xx, Teal