October 23: Under Pressure

A week has gone by and Joe has carefully watched over the eight plastic barrels of fermenting grapes. Today is the big day. The grapes will be put into the grape press and the juice will come out to be poured into the wooden- aged barrels. Bob and everyone have put on Cabernet grape colored clothing - I didn't get that memo - thank you Bob. It took six pressings to get enough juice to fill the two wooden barrels and two glass jars. This may sound easy, but it is hard work and takes the entire afternoon to complete.

So again we are at Joe and Debbie's home. The driveway has been transformed into a wine-making event space. Debbie has put out a spread of anti-pasta, cheese, and crackers. I had three hot spiced ciders with brandy. Everyone pitched in to complete the pressing. Bob was able to take some breaks because so many people came to help. There was Denise and Joe (Buddy), Mike and Lisa who brought Mark and Janet, Paul and Patty, Rob (who no one can tell me how they know him), and of course Joe, Debbie, and Katie.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time, but as the day progressed everyone was getting tired. I could and should make a disclaimer here. I did not help with the making, pressing, pouring, etc. No one was wearing gloves, so their hands are getting stained purple. I paid a lot for my acrylic nails and get French manicure. I did not want to stain my cuticles or nails. I did help clean up.

Debbie went over and above with dinner. Gluten free pasta and two types of salad. So good.

I believe that I have lived quite a sheltered life. Not on purpose, just wasn't exposed to how other couples interact with each other - or even have the chance or opportunity to have couple friends. So it's possible that my growth is stunted. Now here is why I'm saying this. Most everyone, except Katie who is approximately 30 years old is of the age 59-67 - but I feel so much younger. I know that I look my age, but as I see these people - friends more and more - they feel older than me. I am having trouble explaining my feelings. Am I losing myself or finding myself? Bob knows so much more than I. He has experienced a fuller life and he older than me by 6.3 years. He acts like a big brother - he is the first born, while I am the baby and I am younger than him. I don't know exactly how to proceed, but am I an immature, growth-stunted 61 year old woman? I'm going to discuss this with Bob. Bob says, "I think you're just under-experienced, not stunted." I explain that I am mostly quiet at group events because I am observing how to live in a new environment.

I feel like Ivan the Big Top Mall Gorilla when he was rescued and taken to live with a family of other lowland gorillas at the Cleveland Zoo. Ivan observed the other gorillas and learned to be a real gorilla -- found his voice and became the gorilla he was always meant to be and lived happily ever after.

This is a link to a video of the grape pressing.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0KgxjBOvmfsdGrtb0mpwkzl8g#Harbor_City