The State of Zin

No, it is not a typo. The last few days have been spent in peaceful contemplation and silent reflection. Perhaps it has been all of the time on my hands, time spent at home, time to finally make a dent in the huge pile of books I am in the middle of (my short attention span mixes with all of the pretty colors on the dust jackets and before I know it, I have started another), or maybe it is the extra time I get to spend nurturing my husband through a very rough couple of days (the vomiting is new, hmm) personally, though - I think it is the Zin.

I really enjoy a nice glass of wine. I can't say I drink strictly reds, but why waste the time and money on white when there is all of that glorious red to imbibe. I usually get on specific type indulgences. For a while, it was Merlot, then Shiraz, the blends can be nice, Chianti had a nice run (it melts like 'butta', I tell you) most recently it has been all about Cabernet Sauvignon. Then I stumbled upon a quirky Zinfandel (the real kind not the foo foo pink stuff) worthy of my list. The brand is what makes it quirky but since I prefer to not brand stuff, I'll just hint that Pope Gregory though possibly appreciative of his work being hinted at, would probably not approve of the nonchalant usage of his work by the play on words in this fabulously cheeky brand name. Of course the 17% alcohol content and the fact that it is affordable, probably helps in this reflective state, but, you know . . . whatever.

Given that the past week has been stressful to the point of near exhaustion, I two have two friends in REAL crisis on top the malady my husband lives with and the fact that I have a teenager living at home and another one that is pregnant and looking for an apartment she can afford, when the phone rings asking me to meet for a quick one at my local pub, on them, I happily oblige. This is where the Zin comes in. After making certain my husband is sleeping comfortably and safely and the teens are doing their teen things, a nice glass of Zin awaits me at the Luna pub. Now, you all probably know the atmosphere - televisions playing various sporting events, dim lights, friendly laughing people seated around the horseshoe shaped counter enjoying being. The hour passes, words are spoken full of encouragement and empathy for the hurts and sorrows of the fellow man gathered around the 'roundtable'. Before long it is time to once again go home and jump into responsibility.

Lately life around me has been frightening at times, I worry about my husband and the new symptoms he has developed; and the disgust of living in the richest country in the world yet being unable to take him to the doctor until my new insurance kicks in at my new job that I start in three weeks (we were denied the State funded insurance based upon the projected possible amount of unemployment aide that I may or may not qualify for, depending on many pages and points of criteria in which in the end I did not qualify for because I found a new job before the paperwork was all finalized. - Oh Say Can You See . . .); and my concern for my daughter as she embarks on a new chapter in her life as a mom and sole provider of her unborn baby; and the anxiety of what prejudices my young teen could face at the new discovery of a part of herself that she has the freedom in this society to express. For some reason, I am at peace.

I know, alcohol is not the source of wisdom and release from life's daily grind. If you believe that is my message, go back and re-read the previous paragraphs. It's the comaraderie of humankind, together under one roof under the guise of friendship (let's face it, I probably would not recognize any of my Luna "friends" outside of the pub) to ponder life, both the absence of it and the fullness of it. This kind of unity can be found in many places, your church, your clubs, your schools, etc., but last week it was my pub and for those moments, I am grateful.

I also discovered that I have been wasting my money on the high-end tequila, the house brand is fabulous and not as nearly expensive! - only one shot, however - balance is good.