Ozzy Osbourne is quite a character and that might be an understatement.

The informal “Godfather of Heavy Metal Music” has a distinctive voice and history to go along with his persona of an artist, songwriter and singer. He has written songs that have brought a storm of heated debate against him and written songs that will bring you to tears with their passionate lyrics.

I was reminded of him while visiting a local store and what I saw and heard there.

When I entered the store, an elderly lady with a walker was in the process of purchasing an item. As she paid for it, she looked behind the clerk and exclaimed, “It’s so beautiful!” We looked to see what she was referring to and realized she was excited about a three foot tall red decorated Christmas tree.

The lady was so happy to see the tree and wondered if her apartment could fit it. One couldn’t help but smile and feel something good at that moment – the sparkle in her voice and in her eyes was heartwarming. On her way out of the store, she again, wondered if the tree would fit her apartment – she was dreaming about it but didn’t buy the tree.

Here’s the connection between the lady and Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy recorded a song titled “Dreamer” and it’s a take off on John Lennon’s song “Imagine.” In the song, Ozzy sings about and wonders why all of us can’t just get along with each other – no matter your faith beliefs or origin. He sings, “I am a Dreamer…” and the elderly woman reminded me of Ozzy’s song – both see something beautiful in life.

Here are two people as far apart in so many ways as you can possibly imagine and they see and feel beauty in two very different ways. Nothing unusual, right? But the experience touched me deeply and it encouraged me to see beauty in the mundaneness of my daily journey.

While taking a walk later that day, I consciously noticed the tracks of wildlife in the snow, the formations of the clouds floating overhead, the feeling of the cool breeze on my skin and allowed myself a moment to look at the expanse of the prairie. I couldn’t help but hear the elderly lady again, “It’s so beautiful!”

The next day I was wandering through a wine store and came upon a bottle I didn’t know — a bottle of Hans Wirsching’s Scheurebe Trocken — a German wine. Since it’s enjoyable for me to try the unknown, the bottle came home with me.

I discovered the wine comes from the Bavaria region in Germany – an area better known for beer than wine. Then I found out it’s made from Riesling grapes and, at times blended with other grape varietals to produce a distinctive taste.

I waited impatiently for the bottle to cool a bit and then opened it with anticipation. It poured with a nice amount of sparkle and was lightly floral in aroma. Then I tasted it.

“It’s so beautiful!” I heard the elderly lady say it again as I sipped the wine. It possesses a nice light fruity taste that is medium dry but sits nicely with one’s taste buds. The finish is lingeringly sweet but then ends quickly. Beautiful!

Wines are beautiful. Like a bottle of 5G Cinco Garnachas – a beautiful red from Spain. The Torres family of winemakers have taken Garnachas grapes from five different vineyards and blended them into this wine.

The wine begins with the very distinctive aroma associated with the grape and the taste is mildly luscious with hints of black cherry and mocha. There’s a bit of spice and it finishes with a softness not expected from a dry red wine. It’s beautiful!

Staying with the blends, I like Noble Vines The One – Black. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and sometimes, they throw in some Malbec which lends a fuller body to the wine. I like the black cherry taste that incorporates some toasted oak and spice into its very dry nature.

I’d be remiss not to mention a wine that is in a beautiful blue bottle with white stars – Clear Night Riesling. It comes from the Pfalz region of Germany and has a wonderful soft sweetness that ends with a nice long finish. The wine is a great example of what a Riesling should be – a wine to make you stop and reflect.

During this holiday season, take a few moments to enjoy your favorite wine – either alone or with some companions. As you sit by the Christmas tree – treasure the time.

Oh, that red Christmas tree the elderly lady thought was so beautiful? Well, an anonymous Santa bought it and made sure it was delivered to her apartment. Let’s hope it fulfills her dream.

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

Cheers!