How often does reality meet your expectations?

As we enter the new year, I expect many of us have expectations for the coming months. I believe these desires may be either physical or mental.

My mind was full of “what ifs” and “why nots.” I’m not going to reveal what those weighty matters were, but I felt the need to take a meditative walk. Throwing on my coat, woolen cap and cold weather gloves, I followed my feet. Pacing along the known sidewalks, my mind was trying to sort out these “whys” and “whats” that were pressing upon me. Slowly I began to realize that with each step, it was like I left something behind, and my desire for some semblance of fulfillment slowly dawned.

The surrounding outdoors gave me a sense of clarity, and I began to bring back the terrific memories of a recent family gathering. Yeah, there were up and down moments, but nature guided me to remember something important. Our family moments are precious.

Did the gathering meet my expectations? Dang right it did!

A very bright moment was tasting a glass of the Italian wine Ilatraia. It’s a red blend consisting of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese, 10% Petit Verdot, and it’s aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. It was delicious and full of flavors. One could call it complex. It exceeded my expectations.

Not only did the walk clear my mind, but I felt physically enriched enough to take off my glove and reach for some snow. Do you see how blended together those personal issues of physicality and mentalism are? They go hand in glove, and I was reminded to put my glove back on my hand.

Another of my hopes for this new year is to taste a wine I read about in Smithsonian Magazine. The article was about a Missouri wine maker who is hard at work bringing back some of our country’s native grape varieties. He makes a wine called Cloeta, and it has flavors of cinnamon with smoky notes.

Now as someone who enjoys a peaty scotch, I eagerly anticipate my first taste of this Missouri wine. A smoky tasting wine! Wow! Gotta do it!

Well until that day arrives, I’ll be happy to taste the polite Napa Valley wine named Lava Line. It’s a Grenache with nice pleasant dryness to pair with tasty red berry flavors. I believe I’ll fulfill this expectation just a few times this coming year.

Finally, as you know, we are headed into a rather interesting year for our country. I hope we can get through the year together, and when we end the year, we’ll all find ourselves closer together with our minds set on the common good.

I anticipate good things for my family this year. I foresee good things for my friends. I believe in the likelihood of peace and eagerly await tasting new wines this year.

You just knew I had to throw in that bit about tasting wines, right?

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

Cheers!