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I have always been fascinated with birds.
Years ago, my mother gifted me Roger Tory Peterson's book entitled "A Field Guide To The Birds East Of the Rockies," and it's been my go to guide every since that Christmas. Let's just say I inherited her love of birds, and that interest still grows within me.
I am fascinated by how one can identify birds in so many ways. Yes, there's the color of their feathers, but how about, their individual flight patterns? Their body shapes? And of course, there are their songs! As a whole, birds are just awesome creatures.
I enjoy my park walks beside Old Man River. Those saunters allow me time to try to make sense of the craziness and the beauty of life. The steadily flowing current of the river reminds me that, in spite of everything that life throws at us, we must flow onward. There's goodness all around us, and I see it in the birds.
The other day I saw a very fast flying bird. It was too far away to totally identify it, but the body shape and speed of it reminded me of a peregrine falcon -- a bird that can fly over 180 miles per hour. I don't think I'll try to outrun one them -- if one dives for me, I'm yours! But as I watched the fast flying bird, I was mentally taken to a local vineyard.
Falconer Vineyards is a jewel nestled within the bluffs of the area. Let's just say I've visited a few times, and enjoy not the only the vibe of the location, but the products as well. Allow me to give you a few reasons why I like the winery.
Growing up on the farm, I loved to walk the fields. It was peaceful for me to walk through the rows of corn and soybeans. I enjoyed going through a field of alfalfa just before we cut and baled it. It was in those fields that I found beauty, life, hope and quietness. Today, I don't have the ability to walk fields, but I can stroll through vineyards. The vineyards of Falconer Vineyards are amazing as they are set between the hills and bluffs of the area. As I walk, a wine comes to mind.
Falconer's Prairie Star is a must try. It will remind you of a Chardonnay with its light flavor and the light vanilla taste comes from aging in Minnesota oak barrels. For some reason, this enthralling wine takes me back to our long gone family farm.
As I mentioned, I relish my park walks. They are comforting and good for me. Nothing like a bit of cardio to go along with the sweetness of comfort! If there's a wine that my walks remind me of, it would be a Riesling. Grab a bottle of Falconer Riesling and enjoy its sweet flavor that goes so well with the light crispness of the wine. Thankfully, the weather is trying to settle down a bit, and I'll be able to walk crisply and feel sweet at the end of the walk. The walk and the wine have me fascinated.
On our home farm, we had a virgin prairie pasture hill. In the spring, the mayflowers would spring from the ground and all of us kids always gathered some for our parents to enjoy. But for me, the hill was my place of peace. The rocks and gravelly soil had been there for who knows how long, and it was that longevity that grounded me. Today, the hill is under attack by a farmer, and that's a shame. However, I mustn't whine too much, but go onto the tasty Falconer wine that reminds me of that pasture hill.
Falconer's Hunter Red is a full bodied northern varietal wine -- just like the pasture hill is a northern treasure. Hunter Red will treat you to tastes of black cherry and favor you with a nice vanilla finish. It's such a pleasant wine -- try it, you'll become absorbed by it.
As much as we become fascinated by things, the day always comes to an end. I encourage you to pour yourself a bit of Falconer Dessert Wine 3572, and become engrossed in its hearty Marquette flavors of blackberry and plum The slight spicy finish will bring a pleasant end to your day. And, while you're seated outside, notice the birds!
Do you think birds are as captivated with us as we are with them? Hmmm…good question!
As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!
Cheers!