I need a quiet walk in the woods.

A little while ago, I came upon a word that was new to me, and it perfectly suited my mood. The word is destim.

It was a puzzlement to me. What in the world does it mean? I could make some guesses about the definition of the word, so I did. Guess what? My second guess was spot on! You don’t want to know what I first thought the word meant!

Destim is a slang word that means to get away from loud or irritating environments. Hey! I discovered a new word, and once again, that only proves that one is never too old to learn.

Speaking of learning, I have been experiencing the urge for a good cabernet sauvignon. So I got a bottle of Imagery Cabernet Sauvignon because the bottle’s art work was captivating. The winery combines various types of artwork on its labels along with their artwork in making wine.

Upon tasting the wine, I noticed a very forward spice taste. Hmmm… That much spiciness in a cabernet sauvignon? Then reading the label I discovered the wine is actually a blend of cabernet sauvignon and Petite Syrah. That explains the spicy taste that follows the dark berry flavors.

That was interesting, but I still needed to destim.

It isn’t that I’m surrounded by loud or irritating noises. It’s just I need my quiet time. We all do.

Therefore, I went walking by the river. Well, that didn’t work because there is construction happening on the levee with a motor running constantly. I’ll try another park the next time.

I had coffee with a friend at a nearby coffee shop. The shop is my favorite site for a sip of java, and upon entering it, I was greeted by soft background music and gentle conversations and laughter. The perfect place to destim.

Our coffee chat was enlightening. I became aware of my friend’s history, and he taught me so much about the area that I didn’t previously know. Discovery leads to knowledge — especially in the right atmosphere.

Later, I was being called by a wine I hadn’t tasted for awhile, and I opened a bottle of Antãno Tempranillo. It comes from the Rioja region of Spain, and it further enhanced my need to destim.

The wine is very easy drinking with light red berry flavors. A real treat! My cluttered mental state flowed away as the liquid flowed down my throat.

As stated, we all need to destim — to get away from the clutter and clatter of everyday lives. We are besieged by social media, work requirements, family needs and all the other pushes on our lives. Discover time and a quiet place for yourself — it’s critical when in the midst of our hectic lives.

Maybe this will help and it’s not because it’s an alcoholic beverage. I find peace in wine when I taste it, savor it, learn about where it is produced and who produces it. That’s why I find Twisted Cedar Chardonnay so interesting.

The wine will give you a nice tropical and oak taste — along with a nice crisp finish. It’s made in Lodi (CA), and the winery is owned and operated by the Native American tribe of the Utah Cedar Band. The reference to the Cedar tree in the wine’s name is to reflect the tribe’s reverence for the Cedar trees in their Utah homeland.

I like that. Once again, discovery brings learning. Learning fosters growth and growth brings knowledge of the people and places around us. There’s quietness in knowing.

May you discover your method to destim. Maybe, one day we’ll meet in that local loved coffee shop and get to know each other.

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

Cheers!