Free the Mead

meadery bottle

Goose and I went to a wine tasting today and we both fell in love with Mead.

Now, if you are a virgin to mead as she and I were, you may be asking yourself, what the hell is mead? So let me give you the quick version: it is fermented honey and water and many times fruit or spices will be added for different tastes. It doesn’t actually taste like honey at all really, at least I did not get any of that sweet very distinctive flavor.

Mead is known to be the world’s oldest alcohol libation as far back as 3000 BC (as stated in a few articles).

1634 Meadery in Ipswich MA had several flavors but the one I enjoyed most had the raspberries infused. The women representing the company were top notched; knowledgeable and friendly (I most definitely cannot say that about all the companies represented!)

So now Goose and I have to make another road trip to Ipswich; for more fried clams, the wolf sanctuary, and a tour/tasting of their other flavors. This will be an all day event I am sure!  Because, really…. who doesn’t want to be a Viking for a little while.

meadry viking

The 7 Wine-Drinking Rules of Middle-Aged Women

Middle-aged women, take comfort that you are not alone. Stop the fibbing and embrace the wine!

Stuff my dog taught me

imagesIf you lined up all the middle-aged women who drink one 5-ounce glass of wine each day “for health benefits” do you know what you would have? A really long line up of fibbers!

Middle-aged women drink wine like babies breastfeed – often and enthusiastically.

As with most things in Middle-Aged-Woman World, there are rules that must be followed when it comes to the drinking of the wine. These rules are akin to the regulations for tax deductions. If you want to make the most of the situation you need to know both the laws and the various interpretations and exemptions.

If you are new to Middle-Aged Woman World, let me start by saying “Welcome”. And allow me to begin your education by recommending that you have a Women-Only Get-Together to celebrate the birthday, gray hair, or forehead wrinkle that signified your entrance to the group.

At the Women-Only Get-Together…

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The Middle Finger Zodiac

Introducing the new Zodiac sign for those born close to my birthday (October): a hand grasping a glass of wine while simultaneously giving the middle finger. (You will have to imagine as I cannot draw worth a damn, please feel free to submit a picture for me)

These symbols would exemplify who you should be; strong enough not to care what others think about you in order to stay true to yourself (the finger) in order to live life to the fullest (the wine), but be gentle enough not to break things along the way (the glass-plus it needs to hold the wine, of course).

 

Custom Zodiac: (Daily Post Question)

You’re tasked with creating a brand new astrological sign for the people born around your birthday — based solely on yourself. What would your new sign be, and how would you describe those who share it?

Sparkling wine vs Champagne

If I ever meet you at a party or an event of some sort, please do not ask for Champagne when you really mean sparkling white or Prosecco (as well as several other blends/varietals that fall into this category). The grapes that have given their lives for the deliciously light bubbly celebratory libation, only found in the Champagne region of France, have died in vain and makes me cringe (along with a very heavy sigh and quite possibly a forehead slap).

Being judgemental, snobbish,and down right condescending…. Eek, I try so hard not to be… not to throw that stone… for I am FAR from perfect, but mess with my wine and my head starts to spin and pea soup flows quite easily out of my mouthhole.

Case in point (and true story): a dear friend was having a very informal wedding reception at the rod and gun club near her home (I did say ‘informal’ yes? I wasn’t kidding) and I asked if she would like me to bring the wine (guessing that a rod and gun club just might not have the mid-grade grape beverage I am used to). She stated that she had it covered and only wanted me to join in the celebration with no worries.

Without ever attending a rod and gun club, I envisioned it as a VFW hall of sorts. As I arrived and parked in the middle of a field, to find the dilapidated building abutting a mosquito invested pond, I quickly realized my first instinct to bring ‘back up’ wine was appropriate (and even a fleeting moment of – get the hell out of here before you catch Lyme disease or EEE).

Hugging my friend and wishing her all the best on her new-found love, I quickly asked to have a glass of wine and start the festivities only to find the cheapest box of white zinfandel on the card table (picture yourself staring at the box of wine and the sound effects of screeching auto brakes in your head… that was me).

Needless to say, I was not happy, took a deep breath, tried not to sound unappreciative, but I am not a poker player for a reason. I looked her straight in the eyes and reminded her that I offered to bring wine (deadpan). Her look of confusion was almost heartbreaking (almost, she was messing with my wine for Pete’s sake and I was at a broken down rod and gun club – sheesh have mercy for me!)

See that’s me being judgemental and snobbish again. I am working on it, what can I say?

Upturned Noses

Even the most laid back and egalitarian among us can be insufferable snobs when it comes to coffee, music, cars, beer, or any other pet obsession where things have to be just so. What are you snobbish about?

and so much more to come

It’s a big world out there and we all need help to navigate it. I have the aspirations for this blog to inform, educate, and share everything from travel, books, wine and let us not forget, to vent about the bumps in life that we all have our own opinions about. Hopefully those that may read this will share their thoughts and advice about any and all topics.

But where to begin? Well, more tweaking is involved, more surfing the site, and more importantly, much more to come.

“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy” Benjamin Franklin (cheers to that one!)