Conversation – 26

NATIONAL PROSECCO DAY

National Prosecco Day on August 13 represents a time to raise a toast to the remaining days of the season. As we bask in the warmth of the resounding rays of summer, the day encourages people across the US to embrace life’s everyday celebrations.

A sparkling wine, Prosecco is made from a variety of grapes. One of the oldest is the Glera. However, Prosecco can also be made from Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. Primarily grown and bottled in the Veneto region of Italy, Prosecco’s draw is its elegant mousse. In wine-speak, the mousse is the lovely, persistent bubbles. These bubbles give Prosecco the sparkle that makes it so appealing for celebrations.

Along with that touch of sweetness (usually dry) and light-bodied, refreshing aromas, Prosecco exudes an easygoing sense of fun. Flavors of white spring flowers, citrus fruits, and green apples paired with a wallet-friendly price tag place Prosecco in the right place for any celebration.

As the most sold sparkler in the U.S. – having surpassed the 4-million case mark (according to Impact Databank), it only fits that this long revered aperitivo of choice for Italians should earn its own ‘National Day’ of recognition. Some say no other beverage defines the Italian philosophy of la dolce vita, or the good life, quite like Prosecco.

Prosecco’s bubbles come in many forms. Spumante is the bubbliest of the proseccos followed by frizzante. Finally, the calmest is the tranquillo. As summer’s fun lulls into autumn’s social afterglow, National Prosecco Day reminds us of the fruits of our labors with its notes of apple and pear.

NATIONAL FILET MIGNON DAY

National Filet Mignon Day on August 13 celebrates a specialty cut of beef. Usually, from a steer or heifer, a filet mignon is a steak taken from the smaller end of the tenderloin of the beef carcass.

Filet mignon is French for “cute fillet” or “dainty fillet.” In French, filet mignon may be called filet de boeuf, which translates to beef fillet in English. When found on a French menu, filet mignon may also refer to pork rather than beef. Since the filet mignon comes from the most tender portion of the tenderloin, it’s one of the most prized cuts of beef. Therefore, expect this steak to be the most expensive.

Filet mignon is commonly cut into 1 inch to 2 inch thick portions, grilled, and then served as is. When found in grocery stores, filet mignon is already cut into bacon-wrapped portions. The usual method for cooking the filet mignon is to cook it on high heat by either grilling, pan-frying, broiling or roasting. Restaurants may sometimes prepare the fillets served in a cognac cream sauce, au Poivre with peppercorns, or in a red wine reduction.

Due to the low levels of fat found in the fillets, bacon is often used in cooking. The bacon is wrapped around the fillet and pinned closed with a wooden toothpick. The bacon adds flavor, and this process keeps the fillet from drying out during the cooking process.

INTERNATIONAL LEFT HANDERS DAY | AUGUST 11

International Left Handers Day on August 13 recognizes those individuals who have mastered using their left hand in a right-handed world. We take our hats off to you – left-handed!

Approximately 10% of the population are southpaws. Scientists don’t know why a person develops left-handedness. But it’s more likely a child will be left-handed if one parent is a lefty, too. Parents of left-handed children used to force them to use their right hands. In the eyes of right-handers, the predominant use of the left hand seemed evil. Parents feared their communities would shun their children. While we accept left-handedness more readily than days gone by, its occurrence hasn’t increased.

Famous Lefties

Many lefties seek to blend in because they will stand out soon enough. Their unique quality makes them feel awkward. They bump elbows or seem like a klutz. However, in a world designed for the right-handed, those who are other dominant adapt quite well. For example, eight United States presidents were left-handed, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Would the Sistine Chapel and the Mona Lisa stand the test of time if Michelangelo and Leonardo de Vinci had been right-handed?

@shoelady60,

I will say Goodnight and sleep well. I did feed all the critters no rain tonight.
I do have a sore throat and I sound like a frog I just gave up talking for the rest
of the day drinking hot tea with Lemon and Manuka Honey.

I hope tomorrow this is one and done. I don’t get colds/virus like that. If I get
something is always serious. Well tomorrow is another day. 😎🎈

Enjoy!

@taci,

Good evening I am a bit under the weather but wanted to respond to your post. 😎🎈
I have a sinus issue that had my throat sore all weekend. Well last night I went out
in the thunderstorm to feed the cats and this morning I had no voice. My husband could
not understand I called my mom and other family no one could figure what I was saying.

I hope this whatever goes real soon it is making me feel ill. I am drinking hot tea with
lemon and Manuka Honey yes I take it too. I have called my doctor just to have this noted
in my medical records. I know they had to play the voice mail over to hear what I was saying.

I have been watching Heaven Can Wait (1943) directed by Ernst Lubitsch I love his style of
directing and the cast is stellar. 😎 I love TCM because it has no commercials. This was
made long before I came to my parents. My parents were toddlers when this was made.

I am about to take a hot shower with Perlier and hope I feel better tomorrow.

Goodnight. 😎 Oh my neighbor is doing well and Palm Springs keeps him busy. I love hearing stories
about is neighbors they live in huge mansions but reside in Canada. This professor is so funny and I miss
him living next door we had had a lot of early morning chats about all things in life. 😎
My neighbor across the street another University Professor is in the Ozark’s at her Cabin.
We gather for lunch and we have wonderful conversations she is from the New York area. 😎

Peace Out Peeps enjoy your evening. 😎

Sheba, those babies are so fortunate to have you taking care of them.
We have not had rain and it’s been hot. All good though.
Will check on my plants today.

You asked about movies…. we watch older movies on TCM as well but can’t think of any recently.
Maybe some old Twilight Zones, Columbo’s or something from that era. I am still watching The Good Wife. It’s very good too.
What have you been watching?
How is your friend in Palm Springs? And your neighbor who travels to Greece? News reports a huge fire is headed towards Athens.

@sheba2011

You are right, I turned on the TV today and didn’t know what channel to watch. For two weeks it stayed on NBC. I guess I’ll have to watch Ninja Warrior and pretend it’s the Olympics, lol!😂

Like you, spent the day doing laundry. Why does that never go away?🙄

Hope you can take care of your “kids” tonight. I’m sure Poppy enjoyed his spa treatment.🐶

Have a good evening, lots of hugs to you and Poppy.🤗💖