#marmalade molly pride

[masquerade-flags]

Marmalade Molly or Orange Molly pride

meant to be a sister term to Calico Tom pride

This can be used by any woman or similar gender with XY* chromosomes. Whether they are intersex, trans, part of a system in a body that has XY chromosomes, or some combination.

*also including chromosomes variations such as XYY, Turner Syndrome/X0, and even though is don't match up with the cat genetics theme Klinefelter syndrome/XXY.

The flag design is based off the bear flag. Orangish brown, orange, yellow and off white are orange cats shades. With the lighter pink-orange representing non-binary and multi-gender women, and the darker pink representing binary women

[Note: in terms of real life cat genetics these terms would not really be exactly equivalent. While it is true that solid color orange cats are more likely to have XY, by what is estimated to be about 80%, this is not the same as the around 99.90% of calicos/tortoiseshells having XX. We just wanted to make an equivalent term that keeps the cat theme]

[mujaitaly17-blog]

Winemaking becomes art for Italian producers

by Molly Mehle

Since our grand arrival in Italy, we’ve been immersed nonstop in the culture and its differences. Italy has a rich history and much of the country’s beauty can be attributed to its artists. Italy’s history of art is shown across many platforms; from paintbrush on canvas to sculptures carved in stone, Italy is most closely associated with the artistic aspects of its culture and history. But aside from those tangible works of art, another artistry is shown through the production of wine.

A bottle of red wine accompanies a place of cheese at Tenuta Di Vaira, a vineyard in Tuscany, offers wine tasting and aperitivo, on May 31, 2017. Wine tasting and pairing with certain foods is an important part of Italian culture.

While food plays a big part in Italian culture, wine production is extremely important to the culture and tied directly to what Italians eat. In meal settings, it is generally expected that there will either be natural or sparkling water, bread, and olive oil. Another key component to each Italian dining table is a glass of wine. Red or white, you can predict that it will be there to be sipped and enjoyed at every lunch or dinner (we never saw it come out for breakfast!). Unlike the cheap bottles of wine from popular Columbia liquor stops No Gas or Arena Liquor, Italian wine has symbolic meaning. Beginning with the Etruscan people and their worship of Flufuns, the god of wine, Italians have incorporated wine into their lifestyle.  In Italy, drinking wine remains a symbol of rebirth, health and wellness, as well as social unity. While Italians dip bread in oil and socialize with one another, red or white wine is always an accompanying staple.

A menu awaits a tasting at Tenuta Di Vaira vineyard on May 31, 2017. The vineyard guides visitors in pairing red or white wines with various bruschetta, cheeses, and prosciutto. Specific wines compliment the tastes of different appetizers.

For many Americans, a wine purchase rarely includes analysis of where the wine came from or how it was produced. After visiting the Tenuta Di Vaira in Bolgheri, Italy, it is clear how important and complex a process it is to make the best wine. Vineyard workers spend their days putting in wine work, starting at 5 a.m. and continuing until 7 p. m.

A sign leads visitors to the tasting room at the Tenuta Di Vaira vineyard on May 31, 2017. The vineyard workers focus on visitors experiencing the different tastes of each wine.

Wine production takes time, planning, and effort to ensure that it’s a satisfactory barrel. In Tuscany, a.k.a. “Wine Country,” red and green grapes are picked, washed, and barreled by dedicated workers year round. Wine doesn’t have an off-season; there are constant steps in production. The grapes are fermented for a specific time period at a specific temperature, all of which are make-or-break details. Quality is valued over quantity, and smaller production makes it easier for workers to control. DOC, or controlled designation of origin, is a wine classification in which production follows stricter production regulations, making quality more controllable.

Bruschetta and crostini await tasting at the Tenuta Di Vaira vineyard on May 31, 2017.

Wine is a lifestyle for vineyard workers, making them experts on the best wine pairings with cheeses, marmalades, and prosciutto. The Etruscan people laid the foundation for appreciating the meaning and symbolism of wine, and Italians today see wine as an Italian necessity. Bottles of high-class wines can embellish table settings and serve as a sense of pride for production, as well as show respect for company. Whether it’s red, white, or rosé, wine is a key ingredient in Italian culture.