It was a sunny August day like this, a few years back. My brother left his kids in the care of my parents for the afternoon. Grammie Joie and Papa Bo were always down to help and the kids loved visiting them. All was well until Grammie heard the youngest, Ian, screaming from the back yard. He had been stung by a bee, right in the middle of his forehead. Grammie (as she explained later) had recently heard that sodium paste - or perhaps even soy sauce - was an effective remedy for bee stings. Lacking both, Grammie (with the cool calculation of Bear Grills) opens the survival kit that is her refrigerator and decides that Trader Joes Teriyaki Marinade will do in a pinch. Yep, true story.

As Grammie approaches him, calmly unscrewing the cap, my nephew's fight-or-flight response is scrambled. He is frozen, and naturally bewildered. Just stay still, Grammie's got you, she fails to reassure him, applying the sweet savory sauce to his forehead with her index finger. My nephew, assuming the old woman has completely lost her mind, quickly finds his composure and speaks slowly, directly, and loudly: "I….DON'T…THINK…YOU… UNDERSTAAAND...". A teriyaki tear cascades down the bridge of his nose. He pauses her hand. "I'VE. BEEN. STUUUUUNG.... BY A BEEE.." Grammie is about 70, her hearing is fine, and, contrary to a decision made that day, does indeed have all her marbles. And so, at this moment, she suddenly realizes how this all looks to an 8 year old and starts laughing uncontrollably. This of course only terrifies my nephew more and confirms his suspicions that he is best surviving this on his own. It's all good, I'm all better!, he feigns, backing up and scrambling away. Clinging closer to his older brother for the remainder of the afternoon.


I don't know why this story popped in my head this morning. But I suppose it resonates in some strange way with how I've been feeling at times, with everything going on and the challenges that continue. It sometimes feels ridiculous to offer wine, to sell wine - or anything - these days. But here we are, knowing that while many may be in need of more, we do have these bottles in our fridge here that just may be useful. That, as painful or absurd as it all is, might help take the sting away. That can make us all feel a bit better for a moment and give us some calm. Or maybe even something to laugh about.

We remain here for you and there is a bottle here, in our fridge or on the shelves, for you to enjoy… with whomever you cling to when in need.

Happy Thursday,

Daniel