They were the longest wherever I went.

They were subject to constant viewing and continually referencing. They were my feet.

In an age when most youth and adult’s feet sizes where within the size range of 6-10, I walked around on size 13s. They were that size in fifth grade and made a lot of people happy when they could point to my “skis” and make jokes about them.

At first I was embarrassed about them, but soon came to the realization they were my feet, they always got me from point A to point B without complaining and my shyness soon turned to something else.

As I got older and began to realize that the size of one’s feet didn’t make the person, I welcomed conversations about the lower part of my underpinnings. But that didn’t stop the “conversations” and a naval boot camp experience pops to mind.

While in boot camp, I was picked to be a member of a color guard. We carried flags in various community parades around San Diego and that duty periodically got us away from some of the other finer duties — like washing dishes. One day as I prepared to leave for a parade with my color guard pals, a group of small in stature young men began to make remarks about my large feet.

I faced them squarely and remarked that one day they, too, would grow up. Then, I did a proper about face maneuver and marched away from the stunned faces. I can’t tell you how good that felt — at that particular moment and place! My shyness gave way to acceptance. It would have been great to have a glass of wine just then but, naturally, such things were forbidden.

However, there is a trend in the wine business that isn’t forbidden or concerning anymore and that is the subject of box wines.

Winemakers have been putting wine in boxes for about 50 years so there’s a long history of boxed wines. But, for a variety of reasons, it’s taken the last 10 years to really get the public to accept the boxed wine product.

First, the winemakers aren’t marketing their very cheap and less than savory wines in boxes anymore. They’ve realized the wine consuming public will not buy cheap, bad tasting wine — no matter the packaging and so some very good tasting wine is now available via the box route.

So, let’s not think box means bad but rather an adventure that needs to be explored. Inside every box is a plastic bladder that is vacuum sealed, filled with wine and just waiting for you to turn the spigot. Boxed wines can last over a month after initial sampling because no oxygen gets into the wine when the spigot is opened to fill a glass.

Usually the price of boxed wines is less than buying the same number of bottles. Generally speaking, the box will hold about four bottles of wine and buying in bulk is normally good for the consumer.

For those of you who are concerned about cork taint — there’s no cork, so no taint. Just the same tasting wine glass after glass. Another good reason not to be shy about buying a boxed wine is because the box has a smaller environmental footprint than four glass bottles. And it can be carried into sites that don’t allow glass bottles — such as some public campsites, etc..

After a little research, here are some good choices in the boxed wine market.

Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon is a good red wine that tastes like a cab, has some tannins and is reasonably priced.

Black Box California Merlot is an easy drinking wine that has the taste and texture of a merlot.

House Wine from Chile is an easy to drink medium bodied Cabernet with nice notes of cherry and is very smooth to the finish.

Fish Eye Pinot Grigio is a crisp and refreshing wine. There’s enough citrus taste to be tart but has enough sweetness to satisfy the sweet wine lover.

I don’t think we have to be shy or embarrassed when we present our guests with a boxed wine. The boxes are easy to carry, everyone tastes exactly the same wine and they are usually cheaper — no need to tell your guests that part of the story! Just enjoy!

For those of you who are wondering, my feet are still size 13, serving well, don’t complain but still elicit a remark or two from time to time. Some things never change…

Next week, summer’s over?

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!