NINE!

As a hipster wannabe, I felt offended-- until I read it a second time as well. As a hipster never-be, I was a bit surprised that you could bring pets into this business.
By the way, El Corazon is a winery, one of several wineries in downtown Walla Walla, and they are apart from the wineries I noted on the highway leading into Walla Walla. Just now I checked out their website and guess what: it seems to be run by HIPSTERS! I wish I had stopped in because I'm sure it would have provided some great material for my journal.

I really have noticed (and admired) the friendliness and co-operation within the wine-making industry. In the business world I lived in, I would probably have gotten fired for offering assistance of any kind to a competitor. If one of those businesses was suffering due to the owner's sickness, that was the time to steal his customers and run him out of business once and for all. Makes life here more UNpleasant. (Definitely part of the reason I retired early.)

Took me two reads of this sign to figure it out.

Hi,
What is the price of Oregon in rat’s asses? Scott bids one, do I hear two?
Cheers,
Keith

Hi,
You’ve got a few years yet until you reach old-goat hood. Heck, by my reckoning you’re still just a kid. Until you butt heads with the reality of decreasing returns and can still run with the herd, we’ll be expecting more adventures to follow.l
Wine makers aren’t real capitalists. Too much mutual help and not enough competition. My neighbors are like that. If one gets sick the others will pitch in to help get the harvest in, or keep the vines in good condition. Makes life here more pleasant.
Cheers,
Keith

I just watched the video on opening a wine bottle with a shoe. It's amazing and it will definitely be my preferred method for next year's wine review.

Yeah, I used to be the same way. I prided myself in being able to handle any heat. I wouldn't even run the A.C. in my car because the hot air blowing in the windows was good enough. Now? Well, yeah, I've EARNED the right to cool myself off.

Hi Greg,
As I age I find that air conditioning is becoming more and more a part of my life. In my youth, I camped in the deserts of Wyoming with no qualms, but now? Well, I’ll blame climate change. It couldn’t be me, no sir. And besides, I’ve earned it, right? You too.
Cheers,
Keith

Oh, fer Gross!

What a turkey (literally).

Come to France and I’ll introduce you to my friend Tom, who cycled across the USA stopping by Aitkin MN where he was the honorary Marshall in the annual turkey day parade. Small world, eh?
Cheers,
Keith
P.s. Tom runs a bnb called the hungry cyclist lodge. It’s online somewhere.

You really need to come over here. The land of you ancestors is bursting with flavorful vintages, and we even do courses on wine tasting. Not everyone can do it well, it takes years of practice you know, but a few weeks imbibing the great crus of France should give you a solid grounding.
Oh, look up how to open a bottle of wine with your shoe. Educational video for the thirsty cyclist.
Cheers,
Keith
P.s. I’m not ,quite as jocular today. The drugs are wearing off.......

I wish I had thought of putting that "might be illegal in numerous countries" comment in my caption. Good one.

You're very welcome!