She’ll Be Going Down the Mountain
I had been putting this post off anyway and then when I was ready to write it, the borrowed computer wouldn’t work nor was mine ready yet. Appropriate. Uncanny, like the song that came on my Ipod when I began writing this the old-fashioned way (pen and paper). Six Feet Under had the most brilliant series finale where Claire drives away from the funeral business and into her future while “Breathe Me” is playing, interspersed with vignettes showing the fragility of life. I couldn’t stop crying, and that song gets me every time.
It mirrored the sadness I feel in something else ending.
Here’s what I haven’t been able to write yet: my last day at Thomas Fogarty Winery was Sunday. The last time for me to leave the tasting room and hang a left past the ducks. Maybe I’m being all melodramatic about television soundtracks and signs, but it’s pretty monumental for me. That job was what drove me 4 days from Mississippi to California. It developed my palate, let me walk through vineyards and chart the growth of grapes. It let me ask questions, gave and let me give answers. It made me friends.
I fell in love with those mountains and the wine crafted there. And for a while I was a part of it.
Damn, but it was a great place to start. To meet Michael–whose wine, on both labels, I loved–and have him ask me for assistance and even my opinion, at times. To have Nathan and Julio patiently answer my questions and show me things. To demand Dr.Fogarty not mess up my inventory by taking wine without telling me. To have Anne believe I could write tasting notes and an entry for some fancy San Francisco book. To make friends like Melissa and Ellie, who have big hearts and good ideas. To have Ryan give me his own wine and a hard time daily. To always know Alecia supported me. To have Carrie’s help with numbers. To groan at Junior, Larry, and Rick, to pour wine for Becky and David, to give Damon and the other Carrie leftover bottles to brighten their day….
I was floored by their gesture Friday–the lunch, the cake, the flowers and balloons. And best of all: a signature black box with everyone’s well wishes and smudges to decorate, filled with some of my favorites, including the 2002 Thomas Fogarty Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
I’ll miss those mountains, those people, and those wines but a new adventure looms bright. I promise to continue the story soon.
Farley Walker
Six Feet Under, Thomas Fogarty Winery, 2002 Thomas Fogarty Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
June 13th, 2007 at 5:21 am
Best of luck on your new adventure, Farley. I can’t wait to hear where you’re headed next.
June 13th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Great music and great TV are so good at bringing out strong emotions that it is natural to think of TV moments when we are feelings strong emotions … it is a good way to describe, very quickly, to someone who does not know the full situation the context of the moment or the emotions involved. So I don’t think it is weird to think of “Six Feet Under” when you are leaving such a powerful point in your life for an unknown adventure. And I definitely don’t think it is weird to think of “Six Feet Under” and its amazing finale this week, when so much talk in the media is about the “Sopranos” and its disappointing finale. And besides, who are we to judge if what you are feeling or thinking during such an emotional time is weird anyway? Hang in there and let us know what the next chapter is soon!
June 13th, 2007 at 8:02 am
What a great party you had Farley! I can’t wait to hear and see what new adventures and friends you’ll make. You can only go up and forward from here. I’m proud of you!
June 13th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Farley, thank you for inviting me to be a part of something so poignant and special for you. I’ll bet your next journey down the wine path will be pretty special, too.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Wishing you wonderful things ahead!
June 13th, 2007 at 10:39 am
Farley, the next evolution will be just as amazing–I have absolute faith in that. And it sounds like you’ll always have a place to go return to in Fogarty!
June 13th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Can’t wait to hear where you are headed in your next adventure!
June 14th, 2007 at 1:08 am
I can’t help thinking that it’s an end and a a beginning and that your journey si going to get better and better.
June 24th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
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