So many thoughts are running through my head right now and here’s why.

All of us have a life full of experiences, and whether we want to believe it or not, none of them are the same — even if we do the same thing day after day.

It has come me that an experience is a once in a lifetime event — it is never the same again.

Allow me to paint a few experiences of mine…

I’ve visited the Parthenon is Athens, Greece and it was an amazing experience for me — a history nut. While there, I tried to “feel” the many people who had walked on that ground before me — Greek philosophers, musicians, warriors and poets. If those ancient columns could talk, can you imagine the stories they could tell us? But going there again will be a different experience because my life has changed and the grounds of the Parthenon will be different, too.

I’ve walked the hallways of Ellis Island and, once again, tried to “hear” the babble of the many voices of the people who came through those hallways. I tried to feel the fear in their voices, see their eyes and how they had the strength to push forward in spite of the challenges. Yet, when I go back there, it will be a different experience.

I’ve stood and viewed Mount Rushmore and thought about the histories of those presidents — how varied they were and the challenges they faced. How did it feel to have your heritage land taken from you and then to be pushed onto a reservation? I will never have those identical feelings again during my next visit because things have changed.

I love the prairie and have warm and wonderful memories of it as seen from my families virgin prairie pasture hill. But, those memories are just that … historical remembrances. The prairie changes everyday just as each of us does.

During the past week, I read an article by a wine writer stating that we should never think the experience of a wine is locked to its price point. If you drink a $500 bottle of wine, does that mean it’s better to you than your favorite $12 bottle of wine?

The oldest wine I’ve consumed was a 57- year-old Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. It was an amazing experience thinking how long that wine had been in the bottle and just waiting for … me! Was it the best wine of that type I’ve tasted … sorry, no. But, it was a once in a life time experience and I always thank my family for that adventure.

Does the brand make the wine? You have to answer that based on your experience of sipping the beverage but, to me, the brand is interesting and can be totally substantiated. However, I’ve been around long enough to know not be fooled by marketing. Here’s what’s important…

One of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon wine is Highlands Forty One — a rich and beautiful wine from the Paso Robles region in California. In all honesty, I fully enjoy wines from Paso Robles — the region’s terroir is perfect for rich and full bodied wines. Forty One is oak barrel aged and that gives it that slight and wonderful taste of vanilla. When you toss in the tastes of black cherries and plums, the finish is deep and satisfying. An outstanding wine experience!

An experience came to me a few days ago when a bottle of Live-a-Little Wildly Wicked White from the Western Coast of South Africa stared at me from the wine shelf. It naturally fell into my basket and I enjoyed the wickedness of the wine and laughed along with that experience. It was light and fresh tasting and just made me feel like I should go to that Western Coast to see the land. Oh well, maybe one day…

The bottom line here is that we shouldn’t let price drive our experience. Yes, it cost something to visit the Parthenon, Mount Rushmore and Ellis Island but it was being there that counted for me. The prairie was free to me and it will never depart from my being.

My friends, enjoy that once in a life time sunset — tomorrow’s sunset will be different. Enjoy that laugh of a child – tomorrow it will be different. So much of life is experienced in a single event — be in the moment and savor the experience — don’t count on it to be repeated. See, hear, smell and feel today.

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

Cheers!