READ
The poet, W.S. Merwin, moved to Hawaii in 1976 where he bought nineteen acres of a former pineapple plantation and began planteing over 800 species of palm.
The palms became the inspiration for many of Merwin's poems and three essays, along with Larry Cameron's photographs of the gardens that have since become the Merwin Conservancy.
"In Bloom: Creating and Living with Flowers" by Ngoc Minh Ngo is a glorious photographic work of how to use flowers as the focal point of one's living or work space. Like Merwin, Ngo looks to flowers as a source of private inspiration and meditation.
Available at Barnes & Noble
Author Maureen Millea Smith is a librarian at the Edina Library and a Minnesota Book Award-winning novelist.
DRINK
As Midwesterners, farming is the backbone of our heritage. That's why I liken the sugar, acid and texture of wine to the similar components found in tomatoes grown in our Midwestern backyard gardens.
Teaching the components of climate and soil ultimately translates into how a wine will taste, allowing wine enthusiasts to better understand regions and grapes.
Lieu-dit Cocagne Chenin Blanc comes from a relatively cool growing region, Coteaux du Vendomois, France. The flavor of this Chenin Blanc (grape) is fresh, citic, mouthwatering, lime-aid and tangy melon like. It's a very different style than the California versions of the same grape, which exude flavors of pineapple, ripe peach, honeycomb and ginger.
Try the very delicious Lieu-dit Cocagne for a savvy wine that's sure to brighten your day!
Look for similar selections at Edina Liquor or France 44
-Author Leslee Miller is a certified sommelier and owner of local wine consulting firm, Amusee.
LISTEN
Joni Mitchell is one of the most prolific songwriters of our time. She's sung her experiences in life through her song lyrics, poetically bringing us on her trips of the heart. Mitchell sings of life, love, love lost, and fuses her music with inviting chord changes, and sometimes, great rhythm sections and orchestras.
In 1971, Mitchell recorded the album, "Blue." It's simply recorded with voice and either piano or guitar. Two of the most memorable songsnfrom the record are "River" and "A Case of You." While "River" was never released as a single, "A Case of You" was rerecorded by Mitchell three times and released on the live recording "Miles of Aisles" from 1974, and also on her orchestrated CD from 2002, "Both Sides Now." Prince played the song while recording "Pueple Rain" and even recorded a version for his 2002 CD, "One Night Alone."
The intoxication of falling in love is like drinking a case of, well, you fill in the blanks. I'll go with wine!
CD available at itunes, amazon.com and jonimitchell.com
-Author Patty Peterson is an award winning vocalist and Jazz 88, KBEM radio host.
