These past few days have been loaded with activities.

We have been involved with numerous family events, and there have been many local happenings that have been very interesting. What piques my interest is how happiness takes on so many different forms.

A book club of mine recently read a novel entitled “This Is Happiness” by Niall Williams. It’s a story placed in a fictional Irish small town, and how two characters come together and how they each try to bring peace to themselves. The writing is beautiful, and it was interesting how the two individuals bring their stories together, and how they suddenly discovered happiness. More on this subject in a bit.

How do you find happiness? That is a very personal question, and I hope you are able to answer it to your satisfaction. Recently, there’s been a whole lot of happiness flowing through me because of family celebrations. Through these festivities, I have been able to come together with lots of family members and friends.

There was an opportunity to meet numerous extended family members because of a birthday party. It was a time filled with happy faces, smart talk and laughter. Definitely a whole bunch of happiness there!

Of course, there’s a ton of happiness being with people who are special to you. Our family celebrated an auspicious birthday (Guess whose?), and I will always be filled with happy memories about that together time. Happiness is like a first taste of Aberlour A’bunadh Single Malt Scotch from Speyside. When I first smelled the liquid, I was overwhelmed by its soft scent of raisins and figs. It is aged in Oloroso Sherry casks and is delicious. It was a happy moment.

Later, when home, I filled a glass with Pacific Rim Dry Riesling. Coming from the Columbia Valley in Washington, the wine features wonderful peach and light pineapple tastes. It is always welcome and brings smiles with it.

Another thing that is enjoyable is to simply chat with someone. There are times when the chat is very quick, times when it’s deep and serious, and even times in a foreign language.

I was told a recent new neighbor was of German ancestry and spoke German. Now, I know a smidgen of German so, as a way to introduce myself, I went to the person and asked her in German if she spoke German. Her reactions was gleeful, and we chatted in German for about a minute before I ran out of my knowledge of the language. But it was fun! Now, every time we see each other, we greet each other in German. Sehr gut! There’s happiness in communicating with someone in their ancestral language.

Now, back to the book I mentioned at the beginning. Where did the characters find happiness? As they were walking along a river, they both stopped, looked around and one said “This is happiness.” In other words, one finds happiness in the moment.

Also, happiness can be found in solitude. Never minimize that need for silence. Happiness is there.

I think I’ll find some happiness in a glass of Bogle Petite Sirah later today.

May you always notice and find your moment of happiness.

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

Cheers!