Summer Wine

There are several reasons why July has always been special for me: It’s summer; it’s Independence Day; and back when I was counting, it was my birth month. Honoring the red, white and blue, the colors that unite us and symbolize our freedom, is more important this year than ever before. Rather than get bogged down in the headlines of the past weeks and months, suffice it to just say let’s celebrate safely and with a glass of wine. (Well of course; where did you think I was going with this?)

 Undoubtedly, a lot of people think of beer as the best beverage for beating the heat. I shouldn’t pick on beer – I like beer – but wine is better. A martini or gin and tonic would be nice; they’re easy to make. Daiquiris, margaritas and pina coladas are great party pleasers, but still, wine is better and not as messy. A cool glass of wine fits right in with what may be the new normal: a slower and more relaxed pace. That’s what summer is all about, and very few look forward to sitting in traffic when they could already be at the lake. Savor the downtime.