When is enough, enough?

I hate to be a downer but there’s so much “down” news in today’s world. The airways are full of it, all forms of media are reporting the not so good news, and people, as we know, well, we could be a bit better to each other, right?

I think I’ll stop right here and have a taste of Apothic Crush — a marvelously smooth red blend that includes tastes of some spice and soft mellow cherries. Ah, thank you, Crush! That was amazing!

How do we overcome this sense of being overwhelmed? It’s easy to stay focused on the bad stuff but, maybe, just maybe, we need to listen to the sounds and the messages of this festive season.

What are those messages? Well … how about we embrace joy, peace, giving and love?

Joy! I was walking along a street when I saw an elderly couple attempting to leave in their car. The woman had difficulty walking and the man was trying to handle a walker and her at the same time. The cars were parked closely together and it was a struggle to seat the woman. I asked if I could help them and they began to laugh — I took that as an affirmative answer and we began a short and funny episode of sharing joy.

Holding the woman’s arm, I assisted her into the car and they both said I should look at the car’s license plate to enjoy the moment. The wording on the plate read: NAG! I bent over laughing and asked which of them was the nag and they pointed at each other — we all exploded with laughter! There was joy personified.

If there’s a wine that brings joy to me at this time of the year, it’s Prayers of Saints Chardonnay from Washington state. This is a light and mild wine but its secret is balancing the tastes. The wine says it’s something that reflects the good side of ourselves and the bad side of ourselves with the truth being revealed within the dark. You can take that anywhere you want and I laughed with it!

Giving! Give of yourself. This time of the year — as year long should be — give your time, resources and your being the best you can. If you are able to volunteer for a good cause, consider doing so. If you can donate some money or goods to a worthy cause, give it a try. If you know someone who doesn’t have a family around them, visit them. Your presence is priceless.

There’s a wine that gives to me every time it’s sipped — J. Lohr White Riesling. This delightful wine is medium sweet with enough crispness and fizz to make you feel like you’re receiving something very special — and it is special! Thank you, J. Lohr for such a giving wine.

Love! It was my job to have a donor recognition board completed for a program. I walked into a local print shop and introduced myself and why I was there. The hostess was very polite and introduced me to her husband — I’d met him once before and I asked her if her “worse half” would be involved in the making of the board. She burst into laughter, he smilingly grunted and she said there was nothing she could do about him because He (pointing upward) placed him into her heart and that she was very happy about it.

I like a wine that’s responsibly made and if it’s Candoni Green Pinot Grigio, that’s perfect. You’ve got to love the crisp acidity and mild citrus flavors and the label is so historical. On my way out of the print shop, I bumped fists with the hostess — love wins.

Peace! I learned that, in the midst of chaos, one should try to find a quiet spot and, growth will come from that encounter. Peace is not always a fuzzy-wuzzy wonderful time! It can be nothing more than realizing your experience and seeing it through a peace lens. It’s not easy to find peace within commotion but it’s there — seek the light.

Speaking of light, Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc is a fine light wine. It’s delicate flavors and aromas embrace the peace of the wine — grab this bit of light.

Yes, I’m overwhelmed. At times, aren’t you? How we turn those lemon moments into lemonade is up to our knowing that at this time of the year, we need to think about giving more than receiving. Right now, joke with someone. Now, give to your best ability, feel the love of those supporting you. and lastly, find your place of peace.

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

Cheers!