Day 11

 Holidays are always a time to spend with family.  The kitchen would become a magical place where food inventions were created.  There was dicing, chopping, frying, baking, preparing, laughing, talking, visiting, and of course...wine.  Everything was always better with wine.  Gewurztraminer or Zinfandel for breakfast or 'wine at nine' would bring out the culinary artist in me.  White Merlot or Riesling were favorites during the day.  And finally, if preparing supper, a cabernet sauvignon with pasta or red meat, or a Chenin blanc or Qualitaswein Rheinheiessen with chicken or anything light or healthy would be magnifico!

Yesterday was going just fine, not a craving in the world; I was just going about my business all day.  I had a great time with family and only thought about wine a couple times.  Everything was fun and games until the Jarlsburg.  I was preparing a cheese tray.  The colby jack didn't even faze me.  The aged cheddar didn't even make a 'stink'.  It wasn't until I sliced the Jarlsburg that the full wine craving took affect.  A Gouda might've made me get out the bottle opener.  A parmesan or ricotta might have made me choose a bottle to open.  But it wasn't until the the Jarlsburg that I was pushed me over the edge into the 'craving pool'.  I could almost feel  my wrist turning clockwise through the cork.  I could picture myself pulling it out and anxiously listening for the 'Pop'.  I would then smell the cork to ensure proper aging.  I could envision pouring the wine into my favorite glass then slowly twirling it around counter clockwise letting it coat the glass.  I would watch the full body ooze down the sides of the glass and my palette would be ready.  I could almost taste it.

Snap out of it!  Cravings can erupt at any moment.  One minute you're fine and the next you're on a trip to through the ecstasy land of empty promises. The most important tool is to have a plan.  It was time for my secret weapon. So I took my favorite wine glass and poured myself a lil' bubbly...7-up.  It was so delicious!  Just being in that glass made it special.  It was non-alcoholic and it satisfied my wine-tooth.  I suppose next time it happens, and I need a red fix, I'll just have some pomegranate or grape juice.

You know what's ironic about these cravings and the 'value system' I spoke of earlier?  When we were little, my sisters and I used to play 'church' in the basement.  We'd use a wine glass as a chalice, and wheat thins as the hosts, or the 'Body of Christ'.  Maybe my love for crackers, wine, and cheese stems back to those innocent childhood games.  Maybe I'm just analyzing too much as usual; after all, I played Battleship and I didn't join the frickin' Navy! 

I'm so tired!  Tomorrow I'm going to address the reasons I used to drink.  This could take about a week.  As usual, I haven't run out of things to say.