Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Rinse the block away with Writer's Tears

I have a theory, when it comes to many things that seem difficult, distasteful, or uninspiring:  if you don't think you can do it, or you're not sure you can do it or really want to do it, try to do a little of it.

Don't like the look or smell of that meal your host prepared?  Try a bite.
Too tired to run the 5 miles you promised yourself?  Try one, or walk.
Got asked to dance and you'd rather not?  Try it -- just not to a long song.
Feels like 50-gazillion math questions for homework?  Try the first one of each set.
House a complete disaster?  Try just cleaning out the kitchen sink.

You never know... you might get into a rhythm and next thing you know, you're on a roll.

Have a 20-page paper to write for that masters course you're taking and the due date is a week away and you're still not entirely sure what you're writing about even though you've produced about 50 pages of false starts, random ramblings, and collections of potentially relevant quotations, and feel like you can't even write at all and what the heck are you doing in grad school anyhow and as if there's more of this to do next term and why can't it all just be done and you really really really need to stop overthinking the whole thing and just get to it and write the damn paper?  No?  Hmm. Well, were I, hypothetically, of course, to find myself in such a situation, I would.... I would... well, I'd go get this out of my cupboard in the basement where it has been waiting for such an occasion:


And then I would pour myself a glass, take a deep breath, and


Just.  Write.  Something.  A blog entry will do. 

One step at a time.  I'm sure you've seen the memes... you know, like the scene of the guy standing on some mountain peak with a Lao-tzu quote overlayed in an inspiring font:?  Like, for example, this one -- which I "borrowed" from thislittlelark.wordpress.com, which was probably stolen from somewhere else anyhow.  This is the internet, after all.

Sometimes, those first steps are light and bouncy, full of hope and expectation.  Other times, they're... well, not.

And that's why we have whiskey.  And blogs.  And blogs about whiskey.

This one is gentle on the nose, and sweet-smelling, like honey or vanilla butterscotch toffee enjoyed beside a vase of freshly-picked wildflowers in a room with a freshly-hewn oak floor.

The initial taste is light, refreshing, the sweetness prevails -- honey and vanilla, pears and bananas perhaps, maybe a little light nuttiness... then the taste unfolds like a blooming flower moving through a wiff of citrus towards a wave of rich warm oak.  Although I tend to have a particular affinity for smoke, peat, leather and spice in my scotches, this Irish pot-still is entirely delightful and enjoyable.  It is smooth and gentle, but does not lack character.

It does seem to have gotten my fingers and mind warmed up for writing that paper...

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Monkey Bay Sauvingon Blanc

I'm not a huge wine drinker.  See blog title for clarification.  But every once in a while, there is something worth mentioning.  Especially when I haven't posted in a while.

You see....  this.... this is nice: 

Monkey Bay Sauvingnon Blanc, 2012.

The label says it's best shared with friends, but I drank the bottle myself.  Over two days, really.

Okay, I had one glass yesterday and polished off the bottle tonight while watching Breaking Bad and filing the calluses off my feet.

It's crisp and refreshing but not too dry.  It's fruity, but not like *fruit* more like... um... fruit and grass salad on ice?  It tastes exactly like I would hope a white wine might taste if it were not tasting like Gewürztraminer, which I love.

I bought it for the label, because I'm a sucker for spirals, among other things.....  but I'll buy it again for the wine in the bottle.

Especially if I kick butt on tomorrow morning's job interview...

Friday, April 26, 2013

16 Good Things in One Day -- AND Aberlour 16

Today was one of those GOOD days.  I am filled with joy and gratitude and a sense of accomplishment.  For example:

1.  I slept well and woke up with my skin alive to the feel of the sheets and the softness of the mattress.  Best of all, I woke up about 15 minutes before my alarm, which gave me enough time to enjoy being in bed before I had to get out of it.  Mmm... soft mattress.

2. Nobody showed up to my first period class.  I finished all my marking and handed it back.

3. I had left over quiche for lunch and it was even more delicious than it was yesterday.

4. A student said it was "sick" that I was their supply teacher today.  I believe that's a good thing.

5. After lunch, I was supervising an independent work period.  I got to read my book.  I even doodled a little bit.

6. I had an hour between work and parenting, so I had coffee and cookies and a banana for a snack while I read facebook posts and it was great.

7.  My daughter planted a seed at school today and brought it home in a yogurt tub with 2 inches of dirt at the bottom.  There is also a plastic gem and a feather in the dirt.

8. I bench pressed 100 pounds for the first time ever, and I did two reps, even!

9. I did three pull-ups.  Three times, for a total of nine!

10.  I won four out of seven squash games, and put up a darn good fight in the other three.  Against a tall, strong guy, even.

11. I made a shot off the back wall for the first time ever -- and then I did it again!

12.  It was sunny and warm outside.

13.  My girls and I went to a friend's house for delivered pizza (yum) and a movie (Gnomio and Juliet).

14.  I saw a friend encouraging another friend in the same way I had encouraged her, and it really felt like my help was being paid forward.

15.  We're going swimming with friends in the morning, and I'm going to a party with other friends in the evening.

16.  And best of all, I have the house all to myself, but for two beautiful sleeping children.


Sixteen good things, just off the cuff, without even trying.  I think that calls for ending the day with something special.  One more good thing.

How about the last couple of ounces of Aberlour 16?  Why yes, I think that will do just fine.

Carefully, now, there isn't much left...



My, my, my, it is pretty, isn't it, with its dark caramel glow?  It smells fantastic, too.

This scotch has something to say, and it speaks with authority, but not with force.

It tastes like the essence of forest picnic -- a classic wicker basket full of fresh bread, cheese, ripe fruit, and rich chocolate, all spread elegantly on a wool blanket in the cool shade of a pine grove with flowers and berries growing nearby.  It's spicy, gently nutty, fruity and lively, and ends with a little pinch of tanginess before spreading out in a warm wave of soft honey and apple pie. 

Seriously.  Go get a bottle of this and take your lover out for a picnic.  If you can find it, that is.  It's not currently carried at the LCBO.  However, for those of you who like to know the price of such things, I did find out that you can get it at several Liquor Mark locations in Winnipeg for $85.54.