tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58422556709469366062011-09-06T19:58:58.940-04:00<i>Mel's thoughts on wine, family, career, life, and ideas for articles.</i>Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.comBlogger451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-80698348717420597582011-09-06T19:53:00.002-04:002011-09-06T19:58:58.955-04:00

Toasting with a new bottle, my 2nd, of the Telmo Rodriguez Gago 2006 from Spain. Was hopeful I'd like it better the 2nd time but all I taste is alcohol(14.5%), it got a 92 from Wine Advocate & 90 Wine Spectator but I just don't taste what they do. How sad. On the other hand, the Spanish Flaco Tempranillo last night was an absolute delight, seemed more spicy to me than berry sweet as indicated on

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-508137071508094192011-06-03T18:29:00.002-04:002011-06-03T18:41:43.997-04:00

Made my latest haul at EmpireWine.com. Got the Sabine Rosé recommended here by Leslie Sbrocco:Leslie Sbrocco's Savvy Sipping: Summer Wine Stock UpI've also had the Balbo Rosé and the Moscato, very delicious & refreshing for summer weather. Looking forward to seeing what Dr. Frank has to offer (Finger Lakes, you gotta love it!) and the Yalumba Sangiovese Rosé. But the Whispering Angel is by far

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-40775762651398229532011-05-15T19:10:00.002-04:002011-05-15T19:15:54.641-04:00

What a treat last night, attended an excellent wine tasting held at the Herkimer Elks Lodge in Herkimer, NY. Members Darren Toy & Cam Ricci presented a diverse sampling of wine from France, Chile, California, Argentina, Italy, and even a chocolate dessert wine from Holland, paired deliciously with fruit, cheese and chocolate. The Mirabeau White Bordeaux and Biagio Cabernet/Sangiovese were my two

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-40223726588928414342011-05-10T17:48:00.004-04:002011-05-10T17:51:40.965-04:00

Found a site online with some of Fred Tasker's recommendations for House (Tuesday Night) wine, inexpensive but good. I just bought the 2008 Oak Grove Reserve Cabernet and 2008 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Zinfandel here on Mad Wine: http://www.madwine.comCheers!

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-84592011211696101812011-05-04T18:24:00.002-04:002011-05-04T18:29:54.992-04:00

Leslie Sbrocco, my favorite wine author, was on the Today show showcasing wines for Mother's Day. She featured a chocolate merlot from Washington State, the Chocolate Shop, that I think I gotta try!Happy Mother's Day, ladies :)

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-18003472846004340992011-04-13T13:39:00.002-04:002011-04-13T13:59:16.255-04:00

Great column by Fred Tasker for the Miami Herald about finding an inexpensive, everyday wine. My (literally) Tuesday night wine this week has been a delicious cabernet from Argentina's Mendoza Valley (ha! they don't just make great malbecs there;) Tilia 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon for only $8.99, try it! Of course Mr. Tasker makes some recommendation here too:Everybody needs a Tuesday night wine -

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-48964280496821347022011-04-07T18:06:00.003-04:002011-04-07T18:24:26.658-04:00

Ok, I've tried several malbecs in the last 3 weeks. The Maipe 2009 Reserve from Mendoza Valley was my favorite hands down. The Salentein 2008 Killka and Kaiken 2008 Ultra Malbec both were humdrum, unremarkable, not robust enough. The Alamos 2008 was very good though, smooth & elegant. This week I tried a malbec from a different area of Argentina, Don David Malbec Reserve 2008 from the Calchaqui

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-4339284047632380882011-04-05T22:03:00.003-04:002011-04-07T18:24:44.535-04:00

Woman is sitting on the veranda with her husband.She says, "I love you."He asks, "Is that you or the wine talking?"She replies, "It's me............. talking to the wine."[from "Moms Who Need Wine"]

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-44303093718939322472011-03-28T20:17:00.003-04:002011-04-07T18:24:44.536-04:00

I waited til I finished this bottle tonight to make sure I gave a fair review. Pleasant wine, but compared to that robust Maipe Malbec (also from Mendoza, Argentina) I am underwhelmed. Not as fruity or memorable as the Maipe 2009 Reserve or even the Alamos Malbec Mendoza Seleccion 2008 (week before last). Tomorrow I'll be opening Salentein Killka Malbec 2008, here's hoping!

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-21728091276197226722011-03-23T19:40:00.003-04:002011-03-23T19:45:03.877-04:00

The labels says intense & big fruity flavors, can't disagree at all. Very dry, full-bodied. Definitely some ripe blackberry notes there. I will be purchasing this one again! And under $20 is also a bonus.Maipe Malbec at wine.com

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-60692807631760418212011-03-23T13:32:00.001-04:002011-04-07T18:24:44.537-04:00

Testing, Facebook post

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-42360132471714602142011-03-23T12:23:00.001-04:002011-03-23T12:24:23.754-04:00

Time to reinvent this blog and keep my wine-tasting notes here.

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-2043108157554176092009-10-07T21:04:00.001-04:002009-10-07T21:05:01.766-04:00

I think it's making me read more and read faster! (testing, testing)

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-19673700796243689882009-08-26T20:59:00.005-04:002009-08-28T22:16:40.435-04:00

My poor neglected blog, hasn't seen me since spring. I blame it all on Facebook ;)Anyway, seeing as the summer of 2009 is about to wrap up (*sob*), I thought it was a good time to look back on its cultural highlights:The Reader - MOVIEA Girl of the Limberlost - NOVEL (a favorite of my grandmother's, I recently learned!)Herkimer 4th of July Fireworks at Wal-Mart - UPSTATE NY CULTURE :)Philadelphia

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-66128032750262260932009-05-15T13:11:00.001-04:002009-05-15T13:11:29.732-04:00

CloverPatch then Shriners. Both with fabulous staff members who work as an interdisciplinary team.RIP.

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-87285855816730136032009-05-07T12:14:00.004-04:002009-05-07T21:57:33.267-04:00

Mayor Meets Angelina JolieLast updated: 6:53 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2009It was a routine Saturday for Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings a number of events to attend, including a stop in North Albany. Also, on his "to do" list was a visit to the set of "Salt," the movie starring Angelina Jolie that was finishing its last weekend of shooting on the highways near the Empire State Plaza."Who's in charge,"

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-31480140831330435142009-04-22T20:37:00.005-04:002009-04-26T20:14:43.930-04:00

This is a phrase I've often seen at the end of winter obituaries. "Interment/burial will be held at the convenience of the family." Sounds nice, pleasant, considerate of the grieving family members.NOT!It's seems like it's more at the convenience of the funeral home. My father-in-law's burial would have cost more if held on a weekend, and since business is brisk apparently, we had to quick book a

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-57184042292724875652009-04-18T12:36:00.011-04:002009-04-18T12:47:06.160-04:00

The three of us (Alison slept in, of course) enjoyed an all-you-eat pancake breakfast at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Glenville this morning. We spent an hour touring the museum inside and out after our satisfying meal. It's a great place, next to the Schenectady Airport, $8 per adult and free for kids. Eric had a blast sitting in the Army Chopper!

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-73785629331102279852009-04-17T14:42:00.003-04:002009-04-18T19:47:45.622-04:00

This is kinda cool, I made sure to search on both my maiden and married names.

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-30367087004407055552009-04-15T19:11:00.007-04:002009-04-15T19:33:38.902-04:00

Let's hear it, all ye parents of school-age kids! Spring break is no break for us. Especially if your family is a two-income one like ours. It's quite a spectacle to behold, working parents juggling play-dates and sleepovers with other parents to make sure all those gaps when you can't be home yourself to play chaperone are filled.And the sleepovers. Ouch. We agreed to let four of Alison's 12-

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-84935592546548142942009-04-08T11:49:00.011-04:002009-04-08T21:28:05.866-04:00

Yikes, only blogged once in March and now it's April 8.We visited back home this past weekend. My Mom gave me a small plastic bag with mementos she had unearthed from my high school days and Cornell Graduation, not least of which was the menu for the restaurant we went to to celebrate the event, & where Mike proposed to me (I know, "awwww").But it also struck me that I haven't lived up to my

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-34365096625431953162009-03-07T17:26:00.009-05:002009-03-07T17:40:25.787-05:00

Whoops. It's already 7 days into the new month and this is my first post of March. Each day it is more and more depressing to read the latest news on the economy. Anyone care to guess the title of this month's "Intercom" (the Society for Technical Communications' periodical for us tech writer types)? Drum roll please......ADAPT OR DIEWhoa.

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-64926168809402718072009-02-19T22:05:00.006-05:002009-02-19T22:16:55.068-05:00

Miscellaneous Musings from a MomJust some random thoughts for a February evening:Why did my 3 1/2-year-old son suddenly decide to start calling us "Mom" and "Dad" instead of "Mama" and "Daddy"? It is cute the way he pronounces both titles so emphatically and carefully, but it is sad! Way too grown-up, even our 11-year-old daughter calls me "Mommy" still.And why do schools need to drum into

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-75861810993271728602009-02-05T19:35:00.007-05:002009-02-06T18:11:47.206-05:00

Building on my previous post, I've pondered more about cramming everything you love into simultaneous sessions. I find myself not only watching the DVD set of the The Tudors - Season 2 but needing to follow along with its companion book, which of course I read ahead of time but still felt compelled to consult as I viewed. The director occasionally deviated from the script and it was great fun to

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-72298078837669879992009-02-04T20:10:00.005-05:002009-02-04T20:56:19.300-05:00

Remember the Seinfeld episode, where George attempts a "Trifecta" (in his case simultaneous food, sex & TV)? I think I caught myself striving for my own version last night&mdash wine, books and "The Tudors" Season 2 on DVD. How insane is that! Sometimes more of what you love is is better ;)

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-33579179866662368092009-01-28T15:03:00.007-05:002009-01-28T15:16:02.840-05:00

My son's daycare, the place I spent so much time and care researching during my pregnancy, is closing this spring. He has been there 3 years and this will be tough on all of us. The following article is from the Times Union, I added a comment to the Business Blog expressing my frustration & sadness. There are not many places that provide the kind of services he needs for his physical &

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-76008003529593998912009-01-20T22:19:00.003-05:002009-01-20T22:28:25.165-05:00

To my amazement, a romantic trip to Vegas did our moods and outlook on life a world of good.

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-70375278178206458642009-01-10T15:04:00.005-05:002009-01-10T15:18:36.106-05:00

Life has returned to normal again, at least a "new" normal now that I only have one parent-in-law. The calling hours & funeral were such a mix of sadness and joy and humor. The outpouring of visitors and their reminiscences of Arnold for 3 hours were so touching. I hadn't seen my brother Tom since his car accident in November, and there he was at the funeral home, hobbling in on his crutches

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-38567219045966734512009-01-02T21:55:00.002-05:002009-01-02T22:01:02.430-05:00

Now that my father-in-law has passed and the arrangements are set, all we have to do now is wait til it all takes place Monday night (calling hours) and Tuesday morning (funeral). I will be singing at the funeral mass with Pat Marthage, Mike's cousin, at the behest of my mother-in-law. I'm glad to do it, hope I don't hit too many off-key notes, I don't do this kind of thing very often anymore.So

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-18015518266515687002009-01-01T22:56:00.003-05:002009-01-01T23:01:07.781-05:00

Was pondering last night about what kind of novel I'd like to write someday. Thought of a title, "Hurtling," since the incredibly fast passage of time, especially at the end of the year & the Holidays, is so much on my mind. Wouldn't it be cool to write about a researcher/non-fiction writer studying the perception of time and how to affect its speed (or perceived speed) and getting trapped by his

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-71590105195965327062008-12-31T13:33:00.007-05:002009-01-01T22:55:58.297-05:00

My father-in-law is dying, today may be his last day with us. It is amazing how long one can hold on even after refusing treatment, liquids and food. He's on so much morphine now, he is mostly asleep and doesn't know who is visiting and when. And tonight is my husband's birthday too. What a way to ring in the new year and your new age.I also never realized how big an effect it has on the whole

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-54207458844890993132008-12-16T13:04:00.008-05:002008-12-16T14:12:53.462-05:00

Lots of buzz lately on why writers are entitled to their own bailout: Bail Out the Writers! By PAUL GREENBERGPublished: December 9, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/books/review/Greenberg-t.html?_r=1&8bu&emc=bub1#(I never knew FDR had started the Federal Writers’ Project, "under which some 6,000 out-of-work writers were hired over a period of several years to write guidebooks, oral

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-81461680814848287342008-11-13T08:44:00.002-05:002008-11-13T08:48:14.031-05:00

On a rainy night, aggravated wife pulls up campaign sign on lawn put there by husband of the opposite political persuasion. Police car stops to thwart possible vandalism, but instead the 2 go out for coffee to let her vent her frustrations.Dream about either Grandpa or FIL dying, burial took place in front of family barn, casket was wooden, painted black but very weathered, paint mostly peeled

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-53308130175953027962008-09-22T20:45:00.003-04:002008-09-22T20:53:08.296-04:00

Talk about bad timing. The latest issue of "Working Mother" magazine landed in my mailbox today, with its annual Top 100 Companies that are family friendly. Unfortunately many top companies were of the investment banking persuasion, including Lehman Bros. In fact, a profile of one of its successful female investment bankers, a mother of an infant boy who also has an investment-banker husband,

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-14796281157867135142008-08-24T14:00:00.011-04:002008-08-24T16:57:46.853-04:00

How's this for contrast: Went to a wedding back home in rural Upstate NY in the afternoon, featuring plastic cups for champagne, a keg of Bud Light as the open bar, and a wedding-cake top sporting a bride & groom in full hunting gear. Then that evening Mom & I dashed over to Saratoga Performing Arts Center for an evening of Tchaikovsky by the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by the worldly and

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-88238590789967386152008-07-01T19:01:00.004-04:002008-11-13T10:39:35.852-05:00

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-42049845237825277912008-07-01T19:01:00.003-04:002008-11-13T10:39:36.493-05:00

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-70564262911643311592008-06-01T19:05:00.002-04:002008-11-13T10:39:39.075-05:00

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-31444031924056596412008-05-26T18:15:00.001-04:002008-11-13T10:39:40.723-05:00

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-81837320920631870612008-05-26T18:13:00.000-04:002008-11-13T10:39:40.991-05:00

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-54966653558591000292008-05-26T18:11:00.000-04:002008-11-13T10:39:41.496-05:00

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-26385750219211014852007-06-19T08:12:00.000-04:002007-11-01T15:23:39.225-04:00

On Father's Day, saw a truck pulled over on highway. Dad was underneath the front, trying to repair it. His two young girls, (7 & 9?) were laying their heads on top of their crossed arms, looking patient but weary in the hot noon sun. It was a Father's Day with an unexpected obstacle but one that made his daughters really appreciate what Dad means to them.Today a female trooper, just back from

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-83246445976886028702007-05-16T15:55:00.001-04:002008-05-26T20:43:52.127-04:00

Write about some combination of restlessness in all aspects of life, at home, at workplace and career. How it's hard when you always want to compulsively checks news, sports scores, weather, email. Also restlessness in jobs, how I personally get dissatisfied easily and want to mix up my career, get too much in comfort zone, assume my life will be filled with job changes and hopefully career

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-56298277793719789552007-05-09T13:12:00.000-04:002007-05-09T13:15:51.604-04:00

Eric wanted a "sna" last night. At midnight, when he'd already had a pre-dinner snack, dinner (including 5 meatballs), and an after-dinner snack. He kept sitting up and talking about food, ba-ba, gogurt, sna. Sometime before 3 a.m. I think he finally conked out. At least today is gorgeous working at home, eighties and sunny, ahhh, summer is comin'.

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5842255670946936606.post-37455611272792632132007-05-06T17:07:00.000-04:002007-05-06T17:08:50.023-04:00

I have entered the blog world, ta tuh ta...Figured a tech writer should at least get her hands wet in this popular medium.Be back later.Mel of Mel's Musings

Mary Elise Dedicke (aka "Mel")http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695582125768139185noreply@blogger.com0