penandpatience

WRITERS WORDS: “I love cooking with Wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.” – W.C. Fields

JULY 2020 MONTHLY MUSING

THIS SUMMER 2020- IT’S OKAY TO WHINE & WINE

Human beings may never forget this summer of 2020. Never in our most horrific dreams did we foresee our generation would experience a horrific pandemic – a viral scourge with no remedy and spread like a wildfire that could not be contained. Everyday lives have been turned upside down. Folks hunker down inside abodes hoping and praying the Covid-19 blight will pass them by.  We’ve learned and employed new safety practices. We travel around with masks on our faces, wash our hands incessantly, spraying hand sanitizer whenever we touch anything and everything. However, we must persevere through this pandemic and yes, while entrenched at home attempting to adjust to altered routines, it’s okay to Whine and Wine.

It’s difficult not to whine to immediate friends and family via cell phone, texts, Zoom and other online technologies…and aren’t we lucky to have these opportunities this time around? Historically, and way before our time, worldwide in the years 1346-1353 there was the Black Death in Europe – the Bubonic plague. The Plague was the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history where it was estimated 75-200 million people died. Wikipedia states, “The plague created religious, social, and economic upheavals with profound effects on the course of European history.”  I also recall the Ebola and HIV contagions that again affected and killed individuals until vaccines, thankfully, were eventually developed. And, yet, the past cannot offer solace to countless people today who’ve lost loved ones, livelihoods, and customary freedoms to pursue events and hobbies as before.  What we do have are advanced scientific developments. Systems and professionals are filling necessary roles not available in previous generations combating this invisible disease assuring that vaccines will soon become available. However, sitting here waiting for solutions and writing this musing, I realize it’s five o’clock somewhere. It’s time to have a little fun with Wine.

I muse. Wine is a great beverage we may enjoy at home during preferred Happy Hours, dinner or sitting on the deck in late evening enjoying the moonlight and stars unaffected by the virus😊.Wine pronunciations sometimes can be intimidating to pronounce when ordering at restaurants and purchasing at retail outlets.  Listed below is a short, but fun pronunciation guide for some favorite wine types:

Johannisberg Reisling – Joe-hahn-iss-berg Reezling

Cabernet Sauvignon – Cab-er-nay Saw-vin-yawn

Chenin Blanc – Shen-in Blahnk

Pinot Noir – Pea-no Nwahr

Chablis – Chuh-blee

Merlot – Mer-low

Zinfandel – Zin-fun-dell

Chardonnay – Shar-duh-nay

Petite Sirah – Puh-teet Ser-ah

Fume Blanc – Foo-may Blahnk

Enjoying wine or other favorite beverage at home has advantages:

• You’re not driving the car-Never drink and drive!
• Time for indulgences in wine, cheese and other appetizers before dinner
• Cost effective – Pre-tasting new wines at home versus ordering an untried bottle at a restaurant is less expensive
• You get to do something that gives you camaraderie, relaxation and joy

Worldwide, we earthlings have a long way to go before life returns to what will be a new normal. Historically, we’ve experienced many advances over many generations. We’ve gone from the horse and buggy to the Moon and space with future technologies will be mindboggling for our children, grandchildren and future generations. My motto, “something good always comes from something bad.”

Going forward, I vote for Wine versus Whine.  To your good health, happiness and safety.

Cheers!