Four bottles of wine and so many blond curls. It may become apparent to you reading this that I the artist author and photographer of these photos fell head-over-heels so to speak for Maggie's golden curls. How could one not? Irresistible when combined with her magnetic smile. That, and the wine and the excitement of the moment with four French families all gathered together under one rectangular roof wine store front in Cleveland Park N.W. Washington D.C. on a Saturday afternoon and you have me all mesmerized pretty much by the whole, grand affair.
Here they all are with me included for a change in front of the camera and not behind it. Rather refreshing : what should I do? Relax and smile and enjoy the moment. For once in my life for a very brief moment indeed I am not there chasing after the moment and trying to capture it for all posterity to see and enjoy " after the fact ". Cheers.
And so just like the Maggie the pilot in the t.v. series " Northern Exposure " I am chasing Maggie the teacher as she made her rounds and tried the wines from all these four French wine-makers in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and Loire Valley. What a thrill that was to taste these wines briefly as I, too made the rounds chatting with all my wonderful customers at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits. I had already made the acquaintance of both John and Maggie. Somewhere over the rainbow and with several moons between then and now ( not to mention several to many wine tastes ) and so they had quickly become part of what I like to refer to as my extended family. It just happened so nicely , warmly and so completely.
How, you ask? Well that's a whole other story.
Oh, did I forget to mention that we are an equal opportunity wine shop and that we taste other things like wine? Like sake in green, fun-shaped bottles like the one below that when you turn the bottom of each bottle they glow from the bottom up and through the green color? True and quite fun. The taste is quite nice as well.
Of course this is all before Maggie and John had to worry about her becoming pregnant with their first newborn and so that was not an issue here on this lovely Saturday afternoon in Cleveland Park as Bernard Bouvier of Burgundy, France poured some of his excellent wines for them. Here we have Maggie the teacher and John her husband expanding their palates. We were thrilled that they wanted to do it with us. That's really quite a complement and one that I take to heart as I sit here and type and have a first chance to reflect on this and realize this. Thanks John and Maggie : it's been great getting to know you both. We clearly seem to have a mutual respect for one another.
I'll never forget when we first met and I heard your name Maggie and I said quite immediately that the only Maggie that I knew was Maggie the Pilot in " Northern Exposure " and that I would simply have to think of that to remember your name! I smiled and was proud of myself. I loved Maggie the pilot in " Northern Exposure ". I admired so her pioneer personality and her brilliant smile : much as I love your curls Maggie and your brilliant smile, too. Maggie the pilot had short hair but it radiated and sparkled much as yours does Maggie. You both have some things in common so for me it's a great reminder and a way to remember your name.
You and John both love wine and beer and love tasting and love being included in our activities at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits. I do believe that that is why you came so frequently when you got off work and had a spare moment to share with us. By the way I am sorry to say that I took these pictures quietly and without drawing attention to what I was doing as I wanted them to be completely natural and not posed. I hope that you will not be mad me me for that. I do believe I got some really nice candids this way.
The second time that I saw you Maggie and you and John approached the tasting table at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits I struggled with remembering your name Maggie though John's came so easily to me. I asked you not to tell me and give me a few more precious seconds. My mind was racing and there was lots going on around the table and I was not able to completely focus. You finally gave me a clue and I believe I finally blurted out the name Maggie? It's been awhile : is that what happened?
The third time I was leaving the store Maggie and you passed me as we headed in opposite directions on Connecticut Avenue N.W. , Washington D.C. I was headed home as I am sure that you were. I was struggling for your name ( I think I smiled and nodded at you as you passed ) and my mind raced to recollect it and I finally blurted it out, turned around and yelled back to you : " Hello Maggie ! " and waved to you as you turned around and we both smiled at one another before resuming our paths home. I was very pleased with myself for remembering.
The rest is pretty much history and now I have just seen on your Facebook pages some pictures of you pregnant and radiating as usual with that same captivating smile and great head of almost angelic golden curls? Of course my thoughts are now very much with both you and John and the arrival soon of your first child. I wish you both well and can't wait to hear the great news when it happens.
I am rushing to get this typed and posted now as it was something that happened before you got pregnant and I want you all to see it now and not later. Being an artist I am captivated by beauty and by stories and by people and relationships. You both are definitely like and extended family to me and I really like that. I hope that you are both well and like this blog entry of mine. I had other intentions earlier of writing a fun/make-believe story with these photos but now I like this approach better. Maybe later when there are more pictures and more possibilities for a creative story I will write that? We will see. In the meantime good luck with everything and please do keep me posted. Cheers, Anthony ( TONY ) Quinn the wine-enabler/ educator and artist
P.S. I hope that these pictures bring back some good memories for you here in our Cleveland Park neighborhood before the arrival of your bambino.
Your glass looks empty above. I guess that with time you will again be able to fill it with some wine? You will have to return to the store and let us help you with that. We will open some nice wine or bubbly and cheer the arrival of your baby. That sounds like a good plan to me. What do you think?
