Category: Motivation

One of the deacons at our church gave a homily this month that touched me. Yes, there were several excellent points about how to lead a better life and have a closer relationship with the Big Guy. However, it was the story he told about his long career as a member of the City of Houston Fire Department that stuck with me when Mass ended.

Deacon Bill pointed out that many firemen take on second careers for those times they’re not on the job. (Thank goodness, or Firehouse Subs might not exist.) They also do a lot of upkeep during their shifts at the station, including repairs on the big red fire truck engines. A member of his team became so skilled at repairing transmissions – which is not an easy task – that he opened his own business.

One day, a young fireman had car troubles and learned the repair work – on his transmission – would cost more than he wanted to pay. So he asked his fellow public servant if he would be willing to fix it. “If you bring in the transmission and watch me until I’m finished,” said the veteran, “I’ll do it.”

The next morning the young apprentice rolled it in and others gathered around to watch the master disassemble the broken transmission. Hours passed. Patiently, piece by many piece – torque converter, planetary gear train, hydraulic controls, clutches and bands – he took it all apart, cleaned and repaired, then put everything back together

“Did you watch everything I did?” said the transmission virtuoso.

“Yes, I saw it all,” said the young fireman.

“Good. There’s just one more thing,” and the veteran took the entire transmission apart again. “Now it’s your turn.”

Fix a man’s transmission and he’ll be able to drive a car. Teach a man to fix transmissions and he’ll never go hungry. That sounds vaguely familiar.

Traveling the trails of California Wine Country last month, what struck me most was the natural beauty: clear water, giant trees, rolling hills, verdant valleys. Blended with the neatly manicured properties of the wineries, it was a journey that touched all the senses.

Within a small radius of the Russian River Valley, there are several microclimates. Grapes grown at one vineyard yield completely different flavors from ones at another a couple miles away. That makes for a unique ability to produce wines for varying tastes.

Should you be looking for a relaxing and romantic getaway with your significant other, I recommend Sonoma County. Kathy spent months preparing our adventure. To make your planning easier, here are the most wonderful things we experienced:

Best Driver: Melissa, Platypus Wine Tours – This mother of two young boys drove us in a new Lexus RX to five wineries, including a surprise that wasn’t on the agenda; at day’s end she provided a delicious treat of local cheese and crackers to enjoy on the way back to our hotel

Best Food: Marimar Estate – The proprietor and namesake of this small vineyard nestled on a hill is a descendant of the Torres family that owns the largest winery in Spain; she personally created the tapas menu that accompanies a tasting of five Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs

Best Town Square: Healdsburg – Frequently appearing on lists of ‘Best Small Towns in America’, this welcoming hamlet is centered around a 19th century plaza… surrounded on all four sides by restaurants, tasting rooms and two boutique hotels

Best Surprise: Clos du Bois – This is the first wine Kathy and I started buying regularly some 18 years ago; at the winery, our guided tour for two included eating different grape varieties right off the vines and tasting fermenting wines straight from the barrel

Best Cellar: Jordan Vineyard & Winery – Take the tour and food pairing, and you’ll end up inside the heart of the beautiful chateau; styled after similar rooms in Bordeaux, it’s accessible through a secret passage that’s hidden behind a bookcase in the library

Best Restaurant: Scopa (Healdsburg) – Serving delicious Italian food with locally grown vegetables in a small setting, this is the town hotspot. Make a reservation, especially on Wednesday nights when an area winemaker visits with customers and pours his/her vintage

Best Tribute: Francis Ford Coppola Winery – When we walked up, I told Kathy it reminded me of Disneyland… including a large swimming pool that’s available by reservation only; many of the director’s awards and movie props are located in a museum next to the restaurant

Best Hiking: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve – A site to behold, with 805 acres of preserved giant trees – 1,400 years old, 300-feet tall and 16-feet in diameter; make sure you choose the right trail or you might wind up on a long trek with a 500-foot climb … just sayin’

Best View: Trattore Estate Vineyards – If we lived in Sonoma County, I’d come often to sit on the balcony with a glass of 2011 Grenache and watch hawks soar by as the sun sets over the Dry Creek Valley; has the added bonus of an olive oil tasting with a dozen blends

Best Garden: Lynmar Estate – Bees, birds and butterflies darted among colorful perennial flowers and heirloom vegetables at this hidden retreat; it was just the two of us at the tasting… and an entertaining serving duo who could make a living doing standup about wine history

Best Lawn: Sonoma-Cutrer – There are two pristine croquet courts here with nary a weed in site nor a blade out of place; each year the winery hosts the nation’s best players for the North American Open – or locals throughout the summer for monthly Croquet and Chardonnay

Best Server: Alan, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards – Most servers poured an extra glass once they identified our preferences; at our final stop, this Canadian transplant indulged us with five additional pours, topped with a delightful 10-Year Tawny Port (We bought several bottles)

Best Non-Wine Moment: Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa – It’s a terrific tribute to the late creator of Peanuts, complete with original sketches and the office where he drew the comic strip for 50 years; if you’re a fan, visit the gift shop next door at Snoopy’s Home Ice rink

Best Wedding Venue: Vintners Inn by Ferrari-Carino – With three children who might be married someday, I’m hoping one chooses this boutique property right next to a vineyard for a romantic outdoor exchange of vows… primarily so I can go back to Wine Country