Saturday was my birthday. I wanted wine and song. My daughter called from Ireland to wish me a grand year, and suggested I check the internet machine for our local beloved troubadour to see where he was playing. Miraculously, he was playing at a WINERY from 2:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon. In twenty minutes, my husband and I were at a wine tasting bar listening to great music. Serendipity rocks.
For 10 bucks we could taste all 17 wines on the menu. A designated driver was named (not me) and I, the birthday girl went for it. Now, Pennsylvania wines are usually quite awful, especially if you love wine. So we were pleasantly surprised when we enjoyed the flavor of some of these wines. The vintner was very proud. The chatter continued on in a lively and humorous fashion. We were all having fun. It turns out that my husband and the vitner graduated from the same high school in the same year. They actually know each other, but the intervening 2 score years (nice way of preserving their dignity) changed their remembrance of one another.
Okay, so I’m tipsy, singing, meeting new people, drinking some not half-bad wine, and my phone jangles. Well, it’s my birthday, so people have been contacting me all day. I pick it up with a big ass wine smile and say:
“Hello!”
“Hello, is this Cathy?”
“Yep, it sure is…who is this?”
“This is the cardiologist from the hospital. I want to discuss your brother-in-law’s condition.”
Uh-oh.
Can I tell you, that it was the most lucid and coherent conversation I have ever had with a physician.
I answered all his questions, gave him a supremely detailed medical history, discussed current medication, the possibility of new medication, the long term effects of those new meds, and what the physician would require in the future in terms of follow up and testing. All while standing outside in a snowbank because of the music and raucous crowd in the winery.
I asked every freaking question that came to mind, I questioned the doctor’s thought process concerning my brother-in-law’s medical history and future. I was rocking that conversation like I just graduated from medical school.
Clearly, I need to drink more wine.
“You just have to Laugh……..”
©2015 Cathy Sikorski
Love it! Belated Happy Bday!!
Thanks Petrice, Hope to see you soon!
OMG hilarious! The moral of the story is just keeping drinking!
Oh, Lois, you are SO RIGHT!! Thanks for reading!
Happy Birthday! sometimes wine brings with it clarity lol Sounds like a fun time. Which winery was it is PA…I live there too.
Thanks for the birthday wishes! The winery is called Adello and is Perkiomenville, Montgomery County, PA. Pretty cute and they say they have music every weekend afternoon, so fun, right? Maybe we will see each other there?
Happy belated birthday! Why is it that those calls we have been waiting for, forever come just as we are about to sit down to eat, walk out the door or while we are enjoying wine and song, jeeze! I am so curious to know which winery, since I am in Pa.
Oh, Doreen, have you been following my cell phone around………….ALL those calls come at those times. The winery is called Adello and is in Perkiomenville, PA right off of Route 73! Very adorable and has music every weekend afternoon. Hope to see you there some day!
I’ve never been a drinker….my husband was Mr Martini and I always stayed sober so I could drive. I had a Marghatini the other night…..and enjoyed dinner more for it!
99 times out of 100, I am the designated driver as my hubby enjoys his Jameson….no wonder I didn’t realize the clarity I was missing! I do like a good Margarita with salt(that’s food, right?)
Haaa! Wine does tend to make everything a little rosier. Just a testament that we rise to the occasion when we are needed, despite mass quantities of alcohol. I am jealous, though, wine makes me crave a nap like nothing else!
Yes…no worries, Tammy, nap time was just around the corner. Truth be told, I’m kind of a light weight!
my only ventures into alcohol would be vanilla extract and nitequill, I will have to take your word for it!!
Well….you may have something there……….
If only they could bottle the exact amount of wine….the amount that makes us say ummm, I hit the nail on the head! Of course if we decided after that to lose some of our intelligence it would be our own fault! I enjoyed this as always!
Oh Debbie, that would be perfect, wouldn’t it?!?!Thanks for reading and commenting!
Happy Belated Birthday! What a great story — so glad you could be there for your brother-in-law even in unusual circumstances. I’ve always known that wine helps me speak Spanish better….
Thanks..hey thanks for the tip,too. I may start taking a bottle to my French class!
Who knew? I wonder how well that would work for me…I’m a little scared to find out!
It’s so worth a try, I was as surprised as anyone!
I’ve been drinking coffee for lucidity. That does it – I’m switching to wine!
Yes, Donna, I as a coffee advocate, but boy have I learned my lesson! Thanks for reading!
One should always be drunk. Especially on one’s birthday.
Indeed!
How I would have loved to eavesdrop on that conversation or see the consultants face at the other end of the phone………..Cathy Are you ever off duty?…….,,,
Nope, Marian, this job is 24/7. But who knew the perks were just around the winery! Can’t wait to see you soon. Thanks for reading and commenting.
BEST EVER! Happy Birthday, Cathy. And, Ireland? My favorite place!!! (I’ll take you home again, Kathleen” — wishin’ and hopin’) Thanks so much for your wit!
Thanks, Kathleen. Yes, let’s meet in Ireland at a pub. How does that sound?
Maybe that’s how physician’s get through med school
This is why I’m that much closer to a medical degree!
Belated happy birthday. So glad you enjoyed yourself with the clarity of the wine fog.
Thanks, Claire. No wonder priests have wine at Mass. It’s starting to make perfect sense!
I love this one. I wish I had been there with you.
Me too..We should have called you. Next time, though because they have music every weekend!