AUSTIN, Texas, August 27, 2005 — I don't wake up feeling very sociable. We finally get up and are busy reading papers, drinking coffee when Dad drops by. I sort of wonder why he's coming by but he says he is waiting for the inspection shop on Burnet to open at ten. We talk, have coffee, look at the papers while he waits. He tells me a few things he already told me, a few new things.

When he leaves, I finish up yesterday's journal and FFP leaves for the club. I should, too. We don't have anything to do until a social event tonight but it starts early for

us. I should probably get some chores done around here, too.

I finally get to the club. I get distracted reading an old Dining In section of The New York Times about food in Italy and such and I'm on the bike fifty-five minutes before I know it. I do a few exercises for upper and lower back and abs and leave. I need to lift but feel I need to eat lunch and get on with my day. FFP has left the club and gone off to pick up repaired shoes and buy things at Whole Foods. We get back at about the same time and he cooks some salmon with lemon and capers and we eat a fresh Bibb Lettuce salad (with tomato, grated mozzarella, green onions and Caesar dressing). We taste some garlic basil dip he got at Whole Foods, too. Now we can focus on our chores and be hungry for our gourmet meal with Italian wines tonight.

FFP has started laundry. We start up the old portable dishwasher, too, after I wash the skillet and utensils from the cooking by hand.

We get the laundry done. I write a couple of letters. (I know who writes real letters anymore. Well, I wanted to send clippings to people.) Soon it's time to clean up, dress for our event. We bought a dinner for ten with matching Italian wines at an elegant modern house in Westlake. We've invited an eclectic group of friends. We arrive early to get setup with the hosts. We put FFP's jazz selections in the stereo, discuss the arrangements and talk to the hosts with Mirabelle chefs rush around their kitchen.

Our guests arrive. Lively stand-up discussions of the arts, politics, health and travel ensue. We drink a Prosecco and have passed Swiss Chard and Potato Torta and Eggplant-Mozzarella Roll-ups with proscuitto. I try not to eat too many. We kill the magnum of Prosecco and someone produces a bottle of Veuve orange label. Tempted as I am I resist. Much more to come.

We sit down. The first wine is a 2003 Falanghina Dei Feudi Di San Gregorio. This is paired with a fish course, Monkfish Picatta with Caperberries and Preserved Lemon with Spaghetti tossed with Arugula and Ricotta Cheese. The wine is delicious with lots of pineapple and fruit but some white pepper interest, too. Which stands up well with the bold diced caperberries.

Discussions of liquor laws in Texas (one of our guests was instrumental in the passage of liquor by the drink in the state), the upcoming constitutional amendment vote, the arts, the schools and such ensue.

The next wine is a 2003 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre. It is paired with a tiny tasty portion of Green Fassoletti Pasta with Boar Sausage Ragu. The wine is full of black cherry and currant flavors and is impressive and chewy. It pairs with the sausage pasta with ease. I'm so glad the portions are reasonable. I'm going to make it through the main course and dessert, cleaning my plate!

We continue solving the world's problems of teacher pay, hatred, war and probably pestilence. We discuss local Austin players. We discuss the local restaurant business.

The next wine is done in the Amarone style which means big concentrated flavor; the 2001 "Rubeo" L'Arco is 40% Cab Sauv, 40% Cab Franc, 20% L'Arco Amarone. Matched with Tuscan Lamb Loin with Black Olive Panzanella, Marinated Mozzarella and Roasted Artichokes with a bold, spicy flavor the bigness of the wine really makes a hit.

And we have survived until dessert. We are treated to a 2000 Privilegio Dei Feudi Di San Gregorio, a late harvest botrytis wine that is pleasantly a bit sweet without overpowering some nice fruit. A lovely Pineapple Polenta Upside Down Cake is served
with Amy's Vanilla Ice Cream. I eat every bite!

The conversation is still bubbling and our houses bring lovely black coffee. We finally arise from the table but the conversations are still going and when Forrest and I leave the hosts have had guests arrive from next door to just say 'hello' and some of our guests are caught in conversation with them. FFP wants to drive downtown and try to take photos of the lights on Second Street. I'm game. Of course, downtown in the Warehouse District it is crazy. There is no place to park and try to really steady a nighttime shot. FFP does pull over but I see a police car which does not steady my hand! I discover that the camera will say 'shot is blurry, do you want to save it?' Who knew. I do save some, though. Like this one.

Boy it's lively downtown on a Saturday night. We usually go earlier or weeknights or something.

But enough. Homeward. Every time we go home now we worry that the trickle into lake Preece/Ball will have become old Faithful. But it's still just a trickle.

We read a bit before bed with FFP flipping through the football he recorded.