Рита Браун - Sour Puss

SOUR PUSS

RITA MAE BROWN

SNEAKY PIE BROWN

Dedicated to Patricia Kluge and Bill Moses .

Their many acts of generosity go unheralded in keeping with their sensitivity and kindness .

Acknowledgments

Ruth Dalsky dumped a cartonload of technical information concerning diseases and pests that attack grapes. It's the only time in my life I have regretted not taking organic chemistry in college. She proved a whirlwind of research as well as a cherished friend.

Lynn Stevenson, my neighbor, trooped herself out to local vineyards. She also made numerous phone calls for specific information to vintners. She was in her element because she and her husband, Gib, appreciate fine wine, but also Lynn isn't happy unless she's learning something or doing something productive. God forbid she sit idle. Nor would she take a penny for her considerable efforts. Kay Pfaltz, an expert in these matters, put together a carton of reds and whites for Lynn. Well, Lynn thought that was too much, so she wrote a check to the hunt club for my foxhounds. Lynn, you really are worth the money/wine! (And you're an original.)

Kristin Moses of Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard helped Lynn in her efforts, as did David King of King Vineyards. Veritas Vineyards and White Hall Vineyards also answered questions. Those who go from the vine to the bottle, every step of this arduous process, are so happy to share their knowledge. Truly, it is a great passion.

Kaiser Bill, retired polo pony, feels strongly that Lynn Stevenson would not have been able to perform her wonders without his contributions. That horse lives like a king thanks to "Mom" Lynn

One of the most unique experiences in preparing for this novel was visiting Chellowe, an estate founded in the early 1700s, near what is now Route 15, in Buckingham County, Virginia. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gene Dixon, this extraordinary place is being restored using all the original methods and, in most cases, materials. It has been years in the doing and will be some years yet before completion. Chellowe was the site of the first grant in the Old Dominion to create a vinery. Its original owner, Mr. Bollin, was also a poet. Perhaps the wine induced the Muses.

Mr. Lucius Bracey, Jr., provided prompt answers to my question about the disposition of bail money. In over thirty years, Lucius has always come through.

Should you become interested in any of the above-mentioned vineyards, some are occasionally open to the public, others are open year-round.

You can find out more about them and other Virginia vineyards if you go to: www.virginiawineguide.com

I should confess here that I don't drink wine. I don't drink, period. I'm not an alcoholic who must avoid spirits. I never learned to like the taste, and as a youth, being varsity, I never wanted to risk getting on the bad side of Coach, which drinking would do.

However, I was born to farming and farm now, so studying the methods of cultivating the various types of grape, the necessary soil, sun and altitude conditions, provoked intense admiration for those people running vineyards. Farming is not for weak hearts anyway, but operating a vineyard is unbelievably intense in both labor, intelligence involved, and cold, hard cash. Next time you drink a good vintage, say a prayer for the person out there in the fields who started it all.

Ever and Always,

R.M.B.

***

Cast of Characters

Mary Minor Haristeen, "Harry"—Curious, hardworking, logical, she's almost forty. Having left her secure job at the Crozet post office, she's starting a new career in nursery stock.

Fair Haristeen—An equine veterinarian specializing in reproduction, he's finally won back his ex-wife. He's honest, extremely handsome, and, in many ways, more emotionally mature than Harry.

Susan Tucker—As Harry's best friend, she knows all her faults and loves her despite or maybe even because of them. These two were cradle friends and have been through a lot together.

Ned Tucker—Susan's husband serves in the state legislature, having been elected last November. He's learning the ropes and is in Richmond more than Susan likes, but she'll adjust.

Olivia Craycroft, "BoomBoom"—She's drop-dead gorgeous, another cradle friend of Harry's, although they've been enemies as well as friends. She's a good businesswoman, running a cement plant, and is now becoming fascinated with Harry's return to farming.

Alicia Palmer—Abig movie star in the seventies and eighties, she came home last year, free at last to be herself. It took her a year just to detox from Hollywood .

Miranda Hogendobber—Harry's former work partner at the post office, in her late sixties. She's very religious but has moved away from the more-radical elements of her Church of the Holy Light. She will work with Harry once the crops come up, but for some of this volume she has been visiting her sister in Greenville,South Carolina .

Marilyn Sanburne, "Big Mim"—Fabulously wealthy, often imperious, very bright, she rules Crozet with an iron hand in a velvet glove. She has a good heart, if you can stand being bossed around.

Marilyn Sanburne, Jr., "Little Mim"—She's become her own person, at last, moving out of her mother's shadow. Becoming vice-mayor of Crozet (Republican) was her turning point.

Jim Sanburne—Husband to Big Mim, father of Little Mim, he is the mayor of Crozet and a Democrat. This certainly makes for interesting family discussions.

Deputy Cynthia Cooper—Observant, intelligent, loves law enforcement, she's respected in the community. She's a good partner for her boss.

Sheriff Rick Shaw—He tries not to become cynical. Cooper is good for him even as his Camel cigarettes are not. He's surrendered all hope of quitting. There are times when he could throttle Harry because she gets in the way.

Rev. Herbert C. Jones—Warm, wise, and observant, he is on call not only to members

of his congregation at St. Luke's but to anyone who needs help. He practices Christianity and sidesteps dogma.

Rollie Barnes—Aggressive, driven, needlessly competitive, he's made a bundle in the stock market, "retired" to Crozet, and is starting a vineyard, Spring Hill.

Chauntal Barnes—Much younger than Rollie, she possesses the sensitivity and tact her husband lacks.

Arch Saunders—Passionate about making wine, he studied at Virginia Tech, taught for two years, then took a job in NapaValley to learn as much as he could. The chance to develop his own wine with Rollie's resources brought him back to Virginia . He had an affair with Harry when she was first divorced.

Toby Pittman—Another brilliant graduate of Tech, he started Rockland Vineyards, a success. He's beyond competitive and probably mentally ill. But he is damned smart.

Hy Maudant—A middle-aged Frenchman who started White Vineyards. He brings

insouciance as well as the depth of French knowledge of the all-important grape to his work. Toby flat-out hates him. Hy is quite shrewd about money.

professor Vincent Forland—Diminutive, ready to lecture at the drop of a hat, he taught both Arch and Toby. Like many academics, he's so good in his field and pretty useless outside of it.