How do you fully express your feelings about the good things in life?

Yeah, there’s a ton of nonsensical crap out there, but let’s not go into that subject. Let’s be positive!

How about we keep informing ourselves that all this dang snow will soon melt (hopefully slowly), and that the warm days of spring will soon emerge. How do we not let down our families? How do we help those in need? How do we serve our communities? On and on and on…

I don’t want this to sound like a downer, but to get to the good side, one must face the bad side, too. Therefore, to set up this rambling, I’ll pour myself a glass of Hogue Riesling. Made in the Columbia Valley of Washington, this medium sweet beauty is a perfect launching site for this discussion. Its peachy taste sets the table for us.

How do you fully embrace the precious time with an old friend? Well, Hogue Riesling is a very old friend of mine. We have enjoyed each other for many years, and I hope that relationship will continue far into the future. Speaking of old friends, I recently had a chat with an old friend of mine and he surprised me by bringing his wife and 4-year-old daughter with him.

The little lady surprised me by giving me a big hug. Did she really know me? I kind of doubt that since it’s been almost three years since we last saw each other, but that didn’t stop her from greeting me with that marvelous little squeeze. I believe that we fully experience renewed times with an old friend by doing exactly what that little girl did to me. Don’t be shy — hug it!

Every moment of our time together was filled with laughter and jabbing jokes. We parted with all of us agreeing to see each other more frequently. Life’s too short not to do that, and I will always use that little hug memory to prod me to reconnect with that old friend. Oh, and the Riesling, too!

How do you fully express thankfulness? Our very kind family gifted us a night with the Minnesota Orchestra, and we settled down into our seats in Orchestra Hall. The program was put together by utilizing the video genius of the National Geographic magazine’s photographers, and the original musical score of local composers. As we listened to the beautiful music, we viewed an ongoing video of the wonders of our world.

It was fantastic! Prior to the orchestra session, I had brought a bottle of Zen of Zin Old Vine Zinfandel, and we enjoyed it as we chatted and laughed together. The program was so very like the wine. Both were pleasing — the program with its great videos and the wine with its pleasing vanilla and coffee tastes.

How do you filly express thankfulness? Maybe by always telling your family how much you cherish them, love them and are so proud of them.

Over the weekend, we drove through some iffy winter. You could never fully trust the road conditions, and you always had to be very careful because that bit of ice and slush could make sudden appearances. Thankfully, all went well even with the dummies on the road. I tried to express my thankfulness by silently thanking the wise drivers for their safe driving habits.

Oh, the snow! Yes, it can be a pain somewhere. Yes, it can mean a change of plans. Yes, it can be a lot of work. There can be so many negatives with snow, but let’s not forget the positives of it.

It can be absolutely gorgeous and storms can sculpt some of the most amazing snowdrifts you’ll ever see. It can be fun! Ask a child who is sledding through it or a skier who’s gliding over it. And, how about all the times you built a snowman? It was fun to be in sync with nature then, wasn’t it?

So, I’ll have a glass of Tresa Nivurø blended wine from Sicily. It’s made with Nero D’Avola and Perricone grapes and harmonizes with a view of a snow covered yard or field. It’s like being with an old friend, spending time with family or listening to beautiful music.

It’s how to do it.

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

Cheers!