Be forewarned, I’m going rambling!

There are those days when we have a firm game plan, and then there are those days when we just let ourselves go and, well, ramble. I’ll direct some of my wandering thoughts to certain folks and some will be just, thoughts. Are you ready to ramble?

And, to further clarify, rambling can be either mental or physical, right? I wonder what my sisters are up to right now? Of course, they’re known as the Fab Four! I have to say that so they’ll continue to be nice (?) to me. Among that family flock, there’s one who’s a bit sassier and smart mouthed than the rest … enough said there except she brings a wine to mind.

How about a glass of Cupcake Angel Food wine? Although a dry white wine, it has a nice sweet flavor kind of like and … here it comes … angel food cake! The first taste is a bit sassy but there’s always an almost hidden sweetness that follows to the finish. Kind of like all my sisters — sassy and sweet.

Jeez, I hope I’ve redeemed myself in their minds.

Which brings to mind an old friend of mine nicknamed the Old German. We met a number of years ago and he just called me to have a chat. It’s so very nice to hear his voice and laugh with him as we give each other verbal jabs. He always brings a Pilsner to mind — like Schells Pils, a pilsner brewed in the finest German tradition, and in my estimation, one of the best on the market.

My mind now goes to an article I read in yesterday’s newspaper about how we need to be more concerned about taking care of the earth. It’s not new news but it made my mind think back to the wonders of the earth I’ve seen over the years. For instance, northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area — an area of immense beauty and peace.

Which then took my mind to the virgin prairie pasture hill on our old family farm. It’s May and the hill always produced a blanket of Mayflowers. Those flowers were always picked for my mother, and now my mental ramblings are on her. Some folks one never forgets. Actually, do we ever forget a person? Think back — you might not recall that past person’s name but you do see them, don’t you?

Speaking of going back, it reminds me of my first taste of Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling — an awesome experience on a promising spring evening. I still love this wine.

Oops, now I’m thinking of our children. We are very fortunate parents to have such wonderful children. We just spent some time with a couple of our sons, and this week we go to New York City to visit our daughter and her family. Then, next month, to Chicago to visit our son and his family. Of course, I will not forget the very terrific in-laws, a partner and the grandkids! Oh-oh…

I’ll have to partake of a Rob Roy cocktail as I mentally ramble about all of them.

Which brings to mind, my rather large bag of friends. I wonder where I’d be without them? So many faces, names and events associated with all of them — I learned so much from all of them. Gosh, I’m a lucky man!

Now, I’m thinking of Argentina for some reason and the light citrus tastes of Santa Julia Chardonnay. The wine is organically produced and that brings me back to the newspaper article about taking care of the earth.

So, as you were reading this, what were you thinking about? Where were you mentally rambling?

And, let’s not forget the physical rambling! I’ll do some of that later today, and always enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the world passing around me. The next opportunity you have, take a walk, a ride or a run and notice the beauty of our awakening nature at this time of the year.

I hope your ramblings are as satisfying as mine. They are a chance to renew ourselves, calm down and learn.

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

Cheers!