Every so often, we should take time to reflect on the past and the present.

It’s important for me to live my own advice so here are some thoughts on the past and the present.

During a recent conversation with a friend, we found ourselves mentally and verbally meandering about our respective families history. As it turns out, we both share a good amount of Norwegian ancestry. And,both of our paternal grandfathers were from Norway, and surprisingly, my grandfather came from a Norwegian town just a few miles north of my friend’s grandfather. Wow! We wondered if maybe they knew each other, but that’s a tough question to answer. However, without that bit of ancestral reflecting, which revealed some commonality, would we now have grist for further conversations?

I had requested a talk with our local public library director, and he graciously accepted my invitation. When we met, I directed us to a little park across the street where we could sit among the flowers and talk. We sat down on the bench, and we were surrounded by gorgeous flowers and fluttering monarch butterflies. The director reflected on how few of those beauties there were in his past place of employment, and we took a few moments to simply sit and enjoy the awesomeness of nature. Then we got into our conversation. Nature always provides something for us to reflect upon.

Over the years, I’ve been asked numerous times how I got interested in wine. That question has led to many discussions, but the quick answer is that I was introduced to German wines while serving in the Navy in Germany. From that first glass of Riesling, my journey began. I knew nothing about wine, and I’m always reminded of Robert Frost’s poem “A Road Less Traveled.” The poem is about doing something that’s new which leads to…? In Frost’s words, “I took the one less traveled and that has made all the difference.”

Thinking back to that first glass of German wine allows me to relive that moment and to more fully understand how I entered the world of wine. Then beer and spirits followed. I took the road less traveled for me and it’s made all the difference in the world.

Similarly, we must never forget our country’s history. Folks, our nation’s history is filled with the good, the bad and the ugly. In order for us to grow as a nation based on the concepts of life, liberty and justice for all, we must always delve into our history and continue to learn and grow from that history.

One final reflection — I was out for a walk and sat down to enjoy and embrace the beauty of the river and the bluffs. A friend walked toward me and we chatted for a few minutes. Then he said something I will never forget. He started to walk away, stopped, turned around and said, “I’ll leave you to your moment of peace.”

May you always take time to reflect on your past and your present.

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

Cheers!