What I did on my summer vacation

Rod, you've got to tell us, who's the vintner of your Montepulciano d'Abruzzo? I'm so proud of my ancestral region of Abruzzo, where I've spent many an evening at tables in untouristed vicoli quaffing that under-appreciated vintage, for featuring so prominently in your travelogue! But we both know that Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a broad family of wines that runs on a spectrum from barely-potable mouthwash to the sublimest nectar. So, who's the vintner? Is it available on the net anywhere? Thanks!

JMM, the wine is Marina Cvetic 2004; it's available mail order from K&D Wines on Madison Ave. in NYC, and elsewhere.

Thanks, Rawlins!

PS to Erin: What an outstanding job she did! As Barack said of Hillary in Unity, New Hampshire on Friday, "She rocks". A class act of intellect and poise even when, as Rod, she sometimes guards the wrong political moat when it's the other side of the castle being stormed. But hey.......poise, wit, intelligence and objective balance; "Erin rocks".

I Enjoyed staying at the Hotel Wales last May on business. Spent time in the piano room where they had tea (Tea!!!! and honey) with the pianist taking requests from the few gathered in the room. Hope to go one day as vacation. Best place to unwind after a long day.

Welcome back!

Rod,

Welcome back and congratulations on a well merited vacation. If a family vacation is a vacation, that is. I only had two kids but there were a couple of car trips to Canada that I remember with not altogether fond recall. I have to admit in retrospect that I might be capable of throttling a couple of young children. Only, that is, if they break free of the duct tape.

I enjoyed your vacation post. I have reserved Frederica's book at the library. Orthodoxy has always intrigued me; my friends and teachers from college (Russian and Greek) have long since died or moved away (some did both I suppose, not necessarily in that order) so I have lost touch with the local parishes.

I am also contemplating ordering those crab cakes. My mother used to have a recipe she got from a Québécoise friend, who was a transplanted Cajun. I am a culinary incompetent so I don't know how she made them, but they were succulents et délicieux. We actually called them scromptieux but maman sternly discouraged franglais.

Oops .... clearly that should bave been crab cakes. If that was a Freudian slip rather than a typo, I am getting professional help the first thing in the morning.

Next time you take the family to New York City, try the Hotel Salisbury on 57th St. near Carnegie Hall. By NYC standards, these are not rooms, they are auditoriums. The regular rooms (2 beds and foldout couch or rollaway) easily sleep 5-6, and the suites are even bigger. It's not new and gleaming-fancy, which is why the rates are reasonable, but it's safe and perfectly located. Via Expedia you can snag single rooms for around $230 a night, and yes, that's with your own bathroom. Suites go for around $330-$375, or did when we last booked a few months ago.

To Branden, Does the resort at charlisangels adult and erotic vacations resort have a URL link? And is it affordable? How are the services there escorts and such? I'm planning a trip to that Caribbean in a few weeks the information will be helpful.