I think it was my friend Robyn who recommended that I read UnPoverty by Mark Lutz. The book dives into the micro-enterprise world, which is a method of providing small loans to the poorest of the poor. But this is much, much more than an overview of micro-enterprise. Lutz shares the plight of the poor [...]
Archive for November, 2010
UnPoverty, by Mark Lutz
Posted: 28th November 2010 by Roy Goble in Book ReviewsTags: Mark Lutz, Micro-Enterprise, Unpoverty
Thanksgiving Taste Test – Tofanelli and Turley
Posted: 27th November 2010 by Roy Goble in Wine ReviewsTags: Calistoga, Charbono, Napa Valley, Tofanelli Vineyards, Turley Vineyards, Zinfandel
They say you should never buy a wine by its label. Generally, I agree with that. But how can you ignore a wine that has a young 1920′s vintage woman riding a motorcycle in a vineyard on the label? You can’t, so I bought a bottle of Tofanelli Family Vineyard Zinfandel, and I’ve been one [...]
Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I thought I’d share something that I recently read … it struck me as unnervingly appropriate given the season that D’Aun and I have had. Truthfully, I’m not even sure I fully understand it and wish I knew more about it’s origin. But it’s still striking in it’s own way, [...]
An Educated Guess on the way to Tahoe
Posted: 21st November 2010 by Roy Goble in Wine ReviewsTags: Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon, Frank Family Vineyards, Ikeda's, Jelly Jar Zinfandel, Tahoe, Zinfandel
The drive from home to Tahoe goes through the town of Auburn. Just off the freeway is a store called Ikedas Country Market. Famous for their pies, they also have a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Adjacent to the market is their burger shack that is equally famous. I stopped at Ikedas on [...]
Monsoons and Bill Bryson
Posted: 20th November 2010 by Roy Goble in Book ReviewsTags: At Home, Bill Bryson, Geopolitics, Indian Ocean, Monsoon, Robert Kaplan
Two more book reviews…. Bill Bryson has always been fascinated by overlooked details, and his books are filled with fun anecdotal stories that make the reader smile. His travel books are tremendous and have always been my favorite of this genre. Unfortunately, his latest book At Home doesn’t have the same appeal. It’s classic Bryson [...]
Italian Wines and Mini-Coopers
Posted: 18th November 2010 by Roy Goble in Wine ReviewsTags: Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti, Nobile di Montepulciano, Rosso di Montepulciano, The Italian Job, Tuscany, Umbria, Vernaccia
Have you seen the movie The Italian Job? Do you remember the chase scene with the Mini Cooper’s? That’s pretty much how everybody drives in Rome. It’s great amusement … unless you are a pedestrian attempting to cross an intersection. Thankfully, the Italians don’t eat or drink like they drive. Food and wine are enjoyed [...]
Hurricane Richard Update
Posted: 16th November 2010 by Roy Goble in Belize, PathLightTags: Belize, Hurricane Richard, Jaguar Creek, Mission & Conference Center, PathLight
In my last post I mentioned the damage to the PathLight facility in Belize. I arrived in Belize yesterday and have walked the property, talked with our directors, and discussed options with our maintenance supervisor. It’s not a pretty picture. Hurricane Richard left a wake of damage to the surrounding countryside that defies description. The [...]



