Poodle Shearing

Poodle shearing you ask?

Why yes, that's what it looks like when pruning the vines.

The vines are all bushy, green, large, and unruly like you see here. Bad vine!

The weeds are everywhere. Four o'clocks (no longer the pretty, petite flower of my yesteryear) are racing to see if they can choke out the vine and get its share of the bamboo pole to the top. The grasses are a foot high trying to bury the vine.

When I'm done pruning the vine, they are merrily prancing before me like a newly shaven poodle. Kinda scrawny, skinny, and definitely a little embarassed. This photo to the left definitely tells the story.

When I see those scrawny, newly shaven poodles I think "Oh, you poor things. Who did that to you?" Who started that tradition of shaved poodles with bows and nail polish? Seems like a French renaissance thing to me, doesn't it to you?

Well it's the same primping with the vines, sans bows and polish. The vines when they're newly pruned are free of all big leaves down below the fruit wire. The area around the base of the vine is free of big weeds and any other invasive flora beside vine. The trunks are tied around the bamboo support stick to ensure they "want" to grow up to the sky. Just like a newly shaved poodle, don't ya think?

Have you tried the 2008 A to Z Pinot Gris from Willamette, Oregon? Yum. You can't go wrong with a white from Oregon grown the Willamette valley. This white wine is lemony and fresh with hints of fruits. It feels like summer. Perfect with caprese. Give it a try.

Remember imbibe and enjoy.