Early Spring Blues; Philadelphia; Barnes Collection; Atlantic City; The King and I

Spring has arrived but slowly. My son is helping me start our garden for the new season. We have planted potatoes, onions and lettuce with much more to come. Interesting article in Consumer Reports about pesticides in food and when to buy organic. The article is a big wake up call. Certain veggies and fruits have large amounts of pesticides. String beans, strawberries, apples and potatoes - buy organic. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health/natural-health/pesticides/index.htm

Philadelphia and the Barnes Collection

We had a chance to go to Atlantic City and stay at the Borgata again. We had a good time. The ambiance is still great. During the day we went off to Philadelphia to see the Barnes Collection. http://www.barnesfoundation.org/ It is a new museum that houses the collection of Dr. Barnes. Fascinating story that you can read on the website. The art is jawdroppingly spectacular. Renoir's, Matisse's and Cezanne's galore with Picassos, Van Goghs and Modiglianis thrown in for fun. The art is arranged in groupings that defy convention. I can't believe that I had never visited the collection. It is a pricey place but worth it.

At night we saw America and the Beach Boys. Embarrassing story - we did not know who was playing and singing when we were watching the Beach Boys. Apparently Brian Wilson is not part of the band these days. The main members are Mike Love and Bruce Johnston. We met Bruce after the concert but I thought he was Mike Love. Oh well. The concert was fun and the "Beach Boys" put on a good show. Just wish they had told us who they were.

The Rodin Museum is next door to the Barnes. The Thinker and the Gates of Hell are outside so no need to go in to the museum. It is easier to visit Philly than Paris but the Rodin Museum in Paris is special.

Lettie Teague will be at the Wine Library this Saturday. I won't be able to attend but she is an interesting wine writer. She wrote an good  article on Gavi, white wines from Piedmont in Italy. http://www.wsj.com/articles/gavi-does-a-wine-beloved-in-the-80s-hold-up-today-1428679615  One of the wines she recommends is the Pio Cesare Gavi. I have had it and like it alot.

The King and I

We had a chance to see the King and I at Lincoln Center. The show is great with one flaw. Kelli O'Hara is great, the production is sumptuous  and the singing is great. The one flaw is Ken Watanabe, who plays the King. His speaking is unintelligible and his singing is so-so, etc. etc.The play is worth seeing.

More on recent wines shortly. I have an interesting shipment from Domaine Drouhin coming soon. Their new rose is out and I have a few bottles coming. It is usually outstanding. It is a rose from Pinot Noir so it not a light wine. It is only available from the winery.

Enjoy.