I arrive with my daughter, and we get rid of our coats.
What will you have to drink? I answer, water, no ice,
no lemon. Don’t you drink any more? No, I quit alcohol.
Forever? At least until Easter. End of conversation.
I do not miss the drinking, and I still have the comradery.
I feel the same as if I were drinking. It is a simple thing
that many struggle with. It would be nothing to go
through a bottle or two of wind and then top it off
with a cognac. It is not healthy to consume too much
on a regular basis, so quitting for a while is a good thing.
Some mix a little weed into the evening, and before
you know it things can get sloppy. The noise gets louder
and no one notices. I do not condemn anyone. Each
is master of their own body and what they do is their
business. There is always food to eat and this calls for
more wine. The music plays, and the laughter goes on
as everyone is having a good time. We will see what
tomorrow brings. No two are alike, but when you are
retired it doesn’t really matter. We can pay the piper
when it is convenient. We are not influencing children
because none are around. Besides, they have enough going
on in their own lives. They still have a living to make,
families to raise, bills to pay and many obligations they
have committed to. It is funny, even now, I do not long
for a drink. I feel fine with just the water, no lemon, and no ice.
No coffee, although there was a day when we drank coffee
late at night, no more. Tea would be alright but why
the fuss when water will do. I remember asking a guest
what she would like to drink. I went through the whole
litany. This was in June and as I was ending my list of
available possibilities she asked if I had any hot cocoa.
I didn’t and was afraid to ask if she would settle for a
marshmallow which I did have. She settled on the water,
and all was well. And now, as I end this muse, I exclaim,
“Here is to Easter.”
Stanski
January 26, 2023, ^
Steve Haarman 