Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Wine America’s Perspective on Cannabis and Wine

March 25, 2022 Cannabis Legislation…Words on Wine WineAmerica Issues: Cannabis Legalization As a graduate of the 1960’s era, the idea that Congress is considering the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis on a federal level amazes me in two ways: (1) that it took so long, and (2) that it’s even happening. Given the number and enormity of otherContinue reading “Wine America’s Perspective on Cannabis and Wine”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 29July1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Movie Night in Drače: The Singing Czechs

Up at 09:30 and I went to Nino’s house to take advantage of the running water having a shave and brushing my teeth. We sat around and I met a Yugoslav girl called Daria but I call her Dacia which is a Romanian car made under license from Renault. Mirela joined us and Nino tookContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 29July1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Movie Night in Drače: The Singing Czechs”

“Travels to a Different Time: 28July1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Drače Dance Party: Fueling Gossip!

Up early to hunt down food in Janina. Hot as blazes so early in the morning and a beautiful blue sky. I feel like I am drying out from my often-soggy Romanian trip. Chocolate wafer cookies and a rusk. It was simply too hot to have anything more complicated. I went to sit on theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time: 28July1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Drače Dance Party: Fueling Gossip! “

RKS Film: “Visionary Gardeners”: “Food Without Limits”

The Canadian television series “Visionary Gardeners” is a five-part series premiering March 7, at 9 p.m. ET on Vision TV and it runs for 5 weeks in half hour segments. It features avid Canadian gardeners with their own vision of what a garden is. You may think the series is about them and their gardensContinue reading “RKS Film: “Visionary Gardeners”: “Food Without Limits””

RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner and The Russian Oligarch: Is There a Putin Lovechild Igor?

We haven’t heard much from the Penniless Pensioner in some time. He contacted me and apologized for not keeping in touch with me. He says he had taken up with a Russian oligarch Svetlana before “all this Ukraine crap”. Svetlana apparently made a fortune in vodka, oil and fentanyl and was staying in her TorontoContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner and The Russian Oligarch: Is There a Putin Lovechild Igor?”

“Travels to a Different Time” ; 27July1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Adopted by a Serbian Family: A Ride on a Putt Putt

Well I think I am in a tiny town called Drače in Croatia. What a beautiful beach! What clear sparkling water. There isn’t much to do but get up go to the beach, have Dalmatian smoked ham and a bun with a cold litre of Radenska mineral water, sit in the shade and head backContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” ; 27July1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Adopted by a Serbian Family: A Ride on a Putt Putt”

“Travels to a Different Time”: 26 July1974: Somewhere in Yugoslavia: Low Budget Paradise: Where in the Hell Am I?

I woke up today knowing I am north of Dubrovnik. A tiny village called Janiania? It is not on my map. I really don’t care as I know I must head north to get to Germany to leave Europe shortly. I am in the Twilight Zone and there is a beautiful ocean and lots ofContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: 26 July1974: Somewhere in Yugoslavia: Low Budget Paradise: Where in the Hell Am I?”

RKS Wine: The Bordeaux River Keeps on Flowing

There is no shortage of Bordeaux reds flowing into Ontario at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. It is not a waterfall as the LCBO attempts to please all with a bit of this and a bit of that and none of many. At $19.95 there is a Château Tour Castillon from the Médoc whichContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Bordeaux River Keeps on Flowing”

RKS Film: “When We Were Bullies”: The Perpetrators and The Victims 50 Years Later

“When We Were Bullies” initially may seem to be a case of 50-year-old memories careening out of control. But in this case the documentary is not about a presidential election in Zimbabwe or some other esoteric event we have no real tangible connection to. It has to do with bullying and I venture to sayContinue reading “RKS Film: “When We Were Bullies”: The Perpetrators and The Victims 50 Years Later”

“Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 16: We Meet The Grand Ayatollah in Tehran Who Loves Pancakes and Waffles!

We arrive in Tehran after stopping to refuel in the Azores. We are met by an assistant to The Grand Ayatollah and taken to see him at his office. He has a big smile when he sees Reggie like they are long lost friends. As customary no business is talked until we have many cupsContinue reading ““Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 16: We Meet The Grand Ayatollah in Tehran Who Loves Pancakes and Waffles!”