So, here we are – 30 years of marriage + one day, and . . . yes, we are still together!

When we awoke this morning, we got to talking about all the “stuff” we had witnessed in our lifetime – in fact, we started a list in order to see what we had accomplished (or at least thought we had!).  Ready, Set, Go –

Since January 29, 1983 we have at minimum and in no particular order:

• Seen albums come and go; cassettes come and go; compact discs come and go – along with pay phones, fax machines and typewriters

• Watched the Redskins in Miami win Super Bowl #XVII  and see Mrs. Blake (Jean’s third grader teacher) at Walt Disney Florida during honeymoon

• Experienced Hurricane Alicia

• Watched the Challenger explode after liftoff & Columbia explode over Texas

• Given birth to two beautiful daughters

• Had two cats – Bob and Elliott

• Seen five presidents elected to office

• Been to the Baseball Hall of Fame twice

• Brian has been to two World Series games in Texas – different years

• Had five dogs (gone are Calvert and Hershey) – still have the three (Pepper, Andie and Jasmine)

• Had 19 cars – three got wiped out along the way, thankfully no injuries

• Lost seven immediate family members – many more on the extended side

• Lost four dear friends

• Had 17 employers

• Lived in two states

• Moved nine times

• Owned five homes

• Watched the Cardinals play in 3 World Series – won 2 of them (2006, 2011)

• Been to five different zoos – but love the St. Louis Zoo the best!

• Watched the Rams win the Super Bowl & lose the Super Bowl–Hmmm, Spygate???

• Witnessed first-hand the McGwire / Sammy Sosa slugfest . . . still can’t stand Barry Bonds

• Watched Kurt Warner in two Super Bowls with two different teams–which team does he wear going into the Hall of Fame?

• Caught and eaten well over 100 redfish and trout

• Each caught one sailfish on the SAME trip

• Been to CA wine country three times

• Been to Mexico twice

• Been to Canada five times

• Been on two cruises

• Been to at least ten baptisms

• Been to at least 20 weddings

• Been to at least 15 high school graduations

• Been to at least five college graduations

• Been to more than a few high school reunions

• Flown over 100,000 miles

• Driven over 900,000 miles – must be why we’ve had 19 cars !

Whew – makes us tired just thinking about it – can’t even begin to count the number of wines we’ve tried.  So, tonight in honor of “numbers”, we decided to open Cuatro Pasos 2008 from Spain.  Cuatro Pasos means 4 steps. It is made 100% from Mencia and brought to us by Bodegas Martin Codax in Cacabelos (Leon) and is part of the Bierzo DO (denomination of origin) in Northwestern Spain.  Calling it ‘old vines’ would not be an exaggeration since the grapes come from 80-year-old stock.

When we poured it into a glass – it was deep, dark red with a hint of violet . . . but mostly ruby-red.  On the nose it was so-so, nothing to write home about, but you got the whiff of cherry and fruits with a dash of toasty cedar – again not a nose bomb, but enough to peak your interest.  Taking a sip took you down a path of rich fruit – not overpowering, but fruity and flavorful – smooth and balance, but again not overpowering.  The finish was also smooth – went very well with Brian’s Kung Pao Chicken – spicy, but not overly so and the wine really balanced everything out.

Jean picked this wine up during a midday stop at HEB in Austin for under $12 – haven’t seen it here in San Marcos, but if we do find it – would definitely purchase again.  Seems to go well with food (and Thin Mints courtesy of the local G.S.’s).  We could see this as a great deck wine – wishing it wasn’t so dry here so we could even put a fire in the pit.

So, as we take one final look at our “list” – we do realize that it “adds up” to a wonderful life thus far – we have many more years together ahead of us – but up to this point, it’s been pretty darn spectacular.

Please remember to enjoy responsibly and recycle whenever possible . . .