On Weather, Tulips & Wine

This has been a totally blah day. We've had a steady, cold rain all day long, and in spite of that (or perhaps because of that) the grass seems to be greening up and my forsythia bush is showing some yellow. Go figure. It feels to me as if it could snow any minute. The thermometer is reading 41 degrees, but I noticed it was in the 30s earlier. Perhaps that's an indicator things are going to warm up tonight instead of get colder. It's too little, too late, as far as I'm concerned. The day has been completely gloomy, chilly, and uninviting. It would have been a total loss except I did two loads of laundry, so I've been busy. These days, two loads of laundry is about a full day's work for me. All those trips up and down the cellar stairs gives me plenty of exercise, and tonight I'm ready for a "sit down." 

My friends, the Randalls, are here right now, and Liz sent me this photo that their son, Matt, sent from his home in Switzerland. He visited a Tulip Festival with is wife and young son, Floris. The weather must be milder there right now - and just look at the beautiful colors. Seeing the tulips and how happy Floris is just makes me want to simile.  I haven't posted photos from Matt for several years, but when he was a student at Lyndon and later UVM, he often sent great photos taken on various trips in our area. His brother, Jason, did, as well. They both seem to have a good eye for great shots. And it doesn't seem possible that all three Randall children have young families of their own now. And they all love coming to Vermont whenever possible. Matt has been living abroad for several years, but Jason isn't too far away with a home in New Hampshire, and Lauren is still lives near the family home on Long Island. Thanks, Liz, for sending these photos. They are just what we all need on a day like today!

I heard from Kim Kidney today that their house in Montpelier has been successfully rented for June and July. August is still available, if anyone needs a place in Montpelier for a short time this summer. Details are on the previous post.

 Here's something that may put a wrinkle in a few people's plans this summer: There's been a study that found more than one drink per day can mean problems for people 65 and older. Want to know more - or, maybe just pretend you didn't see it. Here's the LINK if you want to know more. Along the same line of thought, here is a QUIZ that gives an idea of how at risk you are - assuming you put in accurate information. Right now I'm remembering a saying that was common many years ago, probably originating in a 1940s movie - "I'm gonna drink to your health 'til I ruin my own."

However, there are always two sides to every question, and I had no trouble finding some good news, especially for us older folks! Take a look at this report of another study done on alcohol consumption.  Of course, these things come up and people accept the "findings" -- and then someone does another "study" that changes all of that. Doctors have said in the past that red wine is good for you - and I found this study saying, perhaps not so much. Perhaps other wines have hidden benefits. I generally prefer white wine anyway, except with some foods like pasta with tomato sauce, and also with beef. With those I like red wine. Pairing wine and food isn't the big deal it was a few years ago, but I still prefer a fairly dry, white wine with fish, and I don't eat a lot of red meat, even though I love a good steak and a nice bergundy.

So I leave you with a dilemma. What are we to believe? I think the best we can do is to drink in moderation. And that's only common sense. You drink too much, at any age, and you do or say stupid things or fall down and break something. When you get older, that's socially unacceptable and really, really dangerous. Who wants a broken arm, leg or hip? Anyone who is paying attention knows that the older we get, the less alcohol we can consume without turning into a disaster or feeling miserable the next day. What's the fun in that? And most of us are already a bit unsteady on our feet, so why turn into a spectacle? But, I do like the idea of a glass of wine a day maybe being associated with a longer life. It certainly helps make it a happier life, and one glass of wine isn't going to send me staggering around insulting my friends. So "Cheers" it is - to your health and happiness - and mine!