Okay, so what is with the middle of May? It's not particularly cold that time of year. At least I've never heard of the "May Blizzard of 1951" or anything like that. Not a holiday, unless of course you are in the United Kingdom where ever other day is a "Bank Holiday" in May. I suppose it might just be the excitement over the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, with visions of hot dogs and potato salad dancing in their heads. Whatever "it" is, "it" is a strong aphrodesiac, cuz, you know, May equals "frisky".

I say apparently, but I figure I have pretty good scientific evidence of this. Exhibit I:

MID-FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

7th - Uncle Bill
8th - Cousin Debbie
9th - Cousin Wylie
9th - Cousin Jared
11th - Cousin Adam
13th - David
13th - Jon
14th - Connor & Ian
16th - Jennifer
18th - Dad

Note: I use the term "cousin" rather broadly. Debbie *is* actually my cousin, but Wylie and Jared are both first cousins once removed. And Adam is . . . err . . . my step-first cousin twice removed. I think.

[Happy Birthdays all around, cousins or not!]

After yesterday's exertions, I seriously did not want to get on a train and go to New York today. Luckily, neither did any of the people with whom I was supposed to meet, so we've postponed it until later in the month. Yea!

Not that there's anything wrong with New York, but the people there? They're a bit touchy when the weather's nice - I could just imagine what dumping about 30 inches of snow on them does to improve their temperaments. Plus that's just such a good excuse. Much better than, say, "It's cold and there's snow on the ground and I REALLY don't feel like shlepping up there, standing around on the Newark PATH station platform in the cold, sliding my way across the streets in front of several lanes of irritated New York cab drivers, then having an 'early' dinner before catching a train home that won't get me back to the house until about 1:00 a.m." No, I'm convinced that the simple, "Snow-dumped New Yorkers" excuse is much, MUCH better.

[Until the New Yorker hate mail begins to arrive.]

But speaking of traveling, I meant to mention this before, but got all caught up in birthdays and wine corks and the like. So there. Anyway, here is a quiz - which of these would you prefer to drink:

1) An upbeat fruity-floral. Sicilian lemon, vivacious orange and juicy pineapple vibrate in top notes. Lush red currant backed by heady Peony and piquant Violet sweeps the heart into a pulsing rhythm. Sensual Caramel, golden Tonka Beans and earthy Sandalwood interweave for a throbbing finale.

2) Very solid, with ripe cassis, blackberry and boysenberry fruit offset by vanilla, mineral and cocoa notes. Shows a loamy undertow, but stays fresh and focused through the finish.

3) Fresh mandarin, bergamot and radiant rosewood, rush into lavender and crisp apple martini, with exotic patchouli, paper whites and creamy orchids. It lingers with sensuous cedar, white amber and sultry musk and woods.

[Hint: choose Number Two]

Number Two, yay! I knew I couldn't fool you. The mysterious Number Two is actually Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, which has gotten some terrific reviews.

The other ones? Perfumes. The first one is Live, by J. Lo, and the other is Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker. Gads. I read the descriptions in the Duty Free catalog on the flight back from London. If I ever have the chance to speak to J. Lo, I will ask her if she really likes Tonka Beans.

[After I ask her about Ben!]

SAVE YOUR CORKS!!

[Only 8,090 more needed for our wine cellar wall.]

Quote du jour:

"To attract men, I wear a perfume called 'New Car Interior.' "

Rita Rudner (1956 - ____) US comedienne, essayist, actress

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